Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - We're awesome!

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
5201

<p>camathmom–so glad to see you posting again here, too. There are many posters from last year’s anxiety 101 thread that I would love to hear from. If you are lurking come back for a visit, and let us all know how your kids are doing. We’re here to celebrate or commiserate, whichever one is needed.</p>

<p>momjr–Congratulations to your D and on your next “launch” to be. I have been watching for updates on your D who is the same year as my S1 and was so happy that she found a great spot. I hope my S1 also lands an exciting job before graduation, yet I know how wonderful and rare that can be. Trying to remain calm. ;)</p>

<p>EAO–I’m another one who is grateful for your suggested app. The Leech Block is a good one for me, and I wonder if anyone knows the Safari version (for Macs)? I’ll do more research soon and report back.</p>

<p>shawbridge–thanks for the DropBox referral as well. I know I should keep more of my stuff on the Cloud.</p>

<p>It just occurs to me S2 will be home for 5 weeks with no job. Eek! What are your kids going to do over winter break??</p>

5202

<p>My D will be home for about 3 weeks. She had worked at a local grocery store for a year or so and quit late last May when she went to be a counselor at a girl scout camp. They said she could come grab a few hours anytime. I think she has decided not to work there or anywhere over break.</p>

<p>She will spend 3-4 days between Christmas and New Year’s shadowing her pediatric pulmonolgist. She is pre med and this doctor will take her around the NICU and show her how to care for the sick premie babies. She will meet med students and residents and have lunch with them, it will be a learning experience.</p>

<p>Hopefully she will also fill out the paperwork needed to go back to the girl scout camp as a counselor again next summer. She probably has until the end of March but she may as well get it over with if she is not doing anything else productive.</p>

5203

<p>Madbean: Thanks for the good wishes for D1. It’s amazing that our older kids are already seniors and moving onto the next phase. Good luck to your S1 with his job hunt. There are companies out there hiring new grads. I would encourage him to cast a wide net and apply to lots of companies.</p>

5204

<p>I was able to accomplish quite a bit of low stress Christmas shopping today. We have an artists cooperative in an old school building in town. They had their annual Holiday Shoping event today. I live about 1/2 mile from it, and it was the first time that I attend. I bought gorgeous hand made scarves, decorative wine corks, and jewelry for my sisters and nieces. The best part is that everything was hand made, reasonably priced and I supported local artists at the same time.</p>

<p>I think that I will do the rest of the shopping online.</p>

<p>We will cut our own tree tomorrow. I will pick up D1 from school in the morning, meet H and D2 at a tree farm that is half way between our house and the school. After the tree is aquired, D1 will be transported back to school. She never really helped with decorating the tree, but she wanted to be part of picking it out.</p>

<p>I am finally getting into the Spirit of the Holidays.</p>

5205

<p>Momjr & Madbean - my older D is also a college senior and is hoping to get into grad school. She is on the downward slope - all 4 applications are in along with rec letters, transcripts, etc. She has one last essay to write and will finish that over the next week and then we will wait…</p>

<p>As for employment over break, older D always goes back to her job @ the mall and is already working since her break goes from T-giving to New Years. Younger D is out of luck - she works as a nanny in the summer and there’s no job there over break. She couldn’t find a job for the holidays because she wasn’t here for interviews. She wants to work so will look when she gets home but I think the jobs are all gone here.</p>

5206

<p>Hi Everyone</p>

<p>Got hilarious texts from kiddo tonight re traditional school prank…
We asked for pics… so funny!! Tom we hope to hear from kiddo via skype and what did or didn’t happen…
Reading week and more exams on the frontier…</p>

<p>Almost all of my shopping for the gifts is done. Now to think about meals…</p>

<p>By the way–we (family at home) have had 3 weeks of unsuccessful movie rentals via “on demand”…I am SHOCKED at the crap in the movie, language, topics, etc…really really bad stuff…why on earth do people rent this stuff…</p>

<p>Skip </p>

<p>Bad Teacher
The Change Up
Thirty Minutes or Less</p>

<p>compete waste of $ and time…we stopped the first two movies…
and I am doing email, FB and CC during the last…</p>

<p>just cr@p</p>

5207

<p>Fog–Are you going to share the prank? Sounds like he’s having fun. Sorry about the bad movies. It’s amazing the junk they can make money on these days, isn’t it?</p>

<p>I was pretty set on purchasing a new Droid Razr for my DH for Christmas. I think he’d really like it’s features but thought he’d miss the keyboard. Well in my internet research I came across news that they will release a Droid 4 soon that is basically the Razr with a keyboard. I can’t keep up with all these new phones. If it releases before Christmas I’ll grab one. If not, I guess he’ll get a Razr! They seem to release new phones every week. It’s worse than computers!!!</p>

5208

<p>Good morning, coffee, tea, donuts and fruit are on the counter.</p>

<p>3 weeks til Christmas. Are you ready? I am only sort of. I need to wrap, though not sure there is anything left to buy.</p>

5209

<p>I delighted that we picked up the tree yesterday and it is already decorated! </p>

<p>My daughter picked it our over my objections but as usual was right! She also decorated it while I put in the window candles. That took forever since the windows were so bad I had no choice but to wash them. :(</p>

5210

<p>We have had a tree dilemma for a couple of weeks now. When the kids were growing up, we’d go all together and cut one either the first or second week of December. When D1 was in college, things got tricky - I think once we did it at Thanksgiving when she was home, a couple of times waited (her semesters also ended late) and maybe once went without her.</p>

<p>We hate waiting; we’ve tried to shift to a “right before Christmas and then afterwards” tree period, and it just doesn’t feel right. We like the build-up! So now we’re in a quandary: the girls will be home the 22nd-23rd. Do we wait that long? Do we go get a tree (maybe a pre-cut, because H’s back is wearing out from cutting and carrying)? Do we give up this ritual entirely and get an artificial one, because the last few trees, even cutting them ourselves, have been awful? </p>

<p>The girls are saying “Do what you need to do” but H and I decided that they both are finishing pretty rough semesters and we’re going to wait and do the family cutting outing one more time. Decorating is a for sure thing: H pours a glass of wine and “supervises,” while the 3 of us decorate. That definitely will always wait until we are together. </p>

<p>But having a lit tree would be nice (sigh). Instead I’m going to put decorations all over the house and see if that helps. I’ve tried that before, though… Hanukkah is so late this year! Otherwise it would be a lovely way to enjoy the wait. But I’m glad because at least they’ll both be here for most of that holiday.</p>

5211

<p>Bajamm: Thanks for providing breakfast.</p>

<p>Proudmom: Good luck to your D1 on her grad school applications. Hopefully, you’ll have some exciting news to share with us in a few months.</p>

<p>Vamom: It is crazy how fast phones change! I always seem to be about a year behind everyone else. </p>

<p>Choosing a tree and decorating sounds like a lot of fun. I must confess to a bad case of Christmas envy this time of year. I am happy that both of my D’s will be home for Hanukah.</p>

5212

<p>Thanks for the coffee And goodies</p>

<p>pepper~You are my Hero < cleaning windows > ;)</p>

<p>Camathmom~Glad to see you again. Missed your enthusiastic approach to all.</p>

<p>GSmom~Wish I could have gone shopping with you~I do love to support local artists :heart:</p>

<p>Proudmom~Do Keep us posted and good luck to your D Sending good vibes</p>

<p>MomJr~Hugs your D will be home before you know It :D</p>

<p>On buying the tree~~We do it as a family after Dec 10th (one’s Birthday), and keep it up until Epiphany (jan 6th). This year it will be on Dec 18th, both boys will be home then, and we will search for the perfect tree…lets hope we get lucky or a lot of miles :wink: I feel that there will come a time when it is just not doable so for now we are keeping the tradition alive!</p>

<p>Regarding movies~We had very strict rules while the kids were growing up.We are more into Cinema than commercial movies. Both kids are very knowledgeable, which usually makes for positive experiences. At this time of the year, we enjoy a good Christmas movie, we are particularly fond of “A tree grows in Brooklyn” adapted from Betty Smith Novels.</p>

<p>Regarding college news:</p>

<p>S1 called yesterday, he is officially a Frat brother, he made it through his final initiation week. He also was elected to an officer position which allows to live in the house next year
I can now buy some Frat goodies for Christmas.
He sounded wonderfully happy with the all experience , he feels he made the right choice (it is a pretty nerdy frat) and is looking forward the spring rush when the new pledge class comes in.
Regarding finals, his schedule is not the best but it will have to manage. Should be home from 12-17 to 01-13, already secured a winter job to make some extra cash :D</p>

<p>S2 briefly texted that he was feeling much better (was finally given antibiotics by health center), and that he had so much to do he could not talk.
Hopefully we reconnect today :slight_smile: He will be home from 12-18 to 01-1, so not sure yet what he will do regarding work.</p>

<p>My lovely neighbor had me over for dessert last night, she is so adorable and wise i love visiting with her.</p>

<p>On a sad note our old lady (17 years old) is not doing so well. I took her to the vet on Thursday and at this point we are trying to keep her pain free. Dh is coming back tonight and we will have to discuss what is best to do :(</p>

<p>Plan of the day put the house back in order after a Husband-free week </p>

<p>Hugs to all '12ers, lurkers, and elves</p>

5213

<p>All quiet here. Got the tree yesterday and DD is ready to help decorate today during the afternoon football games. The local HS baseball team started a one weekend tree sale as a fund raiser a couple of years ago and have continued it as they raise over $1,000 in one weekend. As the family of a former varsity player, we get the “player” discount price. I got a beautiful fresh cut 8 1/2 foot frasier fir for $40! That’s less than half of what we used to pay at other tree outlets.</p>

<p>Haven’t heard from DS this week. He is supposed to call this evening. They are finishing classes and beginning their reading period this coming Wednesday. I just hope he and his Spanish tutor cover the right material so he can survive with at least a B-. :eek:</p>

5214

<p>Fog - do share the prank when you can; I’m always interested in what kids this age come up with… so creative!</p>

<p>Something that Momjr said a few pages back got me thinking about DD1’s graduation so I went over and read the thread for the college class of 2012…sure wish I had done that sooner! I had not even thought about hotel reservations until I saw the comments there and have discovered they are all booked up in D’s small college town. They have a few “okay” hotels and a few not-so-nice hotels and everyone is booked up. So now I’m stressing about THAT! Ugh. </p>

<p>On a happier note, my tree is up and decorated, our other decorations are out and DH has assumed the position of head gift-wrapper this year so everything I’ve bought is wrapped and under the tree. I have a few small things left to buy but am closing in on being “done” early this year, for once.</p>

<p>Have a wonderful Sunday and enjoy the rest of your weekend!</p>

5215

<p>proudmom, check places like vacation rentals by owner etc. – a lot of smaller college towns have a lot of people who will rent out their homes for graduation weekend and the price may be better than a hotel. (Also see if they rent out dorms – some schools do.) good luck finding something! Check surrounding towns too of course.</p>

5216

<p>D was home this weekend to hibernate and get the last push of papers done. She is still so energized and happy this late in the school semester- a far cry from h.s. when she would be at automoton level by now. She is done with classes by next Thursday ( the last one a concert for her bluegrass class that H and I will attend). She will have classwork self-evaluations due the following week so will probably stay on campus to finish those until sometime between the 14th and 17th. We will go ahead and get the tree on the 10th, because D and I have plans to go see “my boyfriend”* in NYC on the 18th - I can’t wait. </p>

<p>(*aka Hugh Jackman)</p>

5217

<p>Such energy filling kids lives finishing up their classes, finalizing papers and studying for exams. Parents are busy decorating their homes, cooking or at least planning menus and shopping, shopping, shopping. We used to decorate the house for Chanukah, but with no kids around, we’ll make due with a few menorahs. Sent one gift directly to son at school so he doesn’t have to schlep it back on the plan. Video games usually make up much of his list. My new PC is my gift. DH? Hmmm.</p>

<p>We love movies espec indie and foreign films, adventure type too. I cold post some here or I can send via PM. Let me know. We use Blockbuster by mail and they keep a list of our rentals.</p>

5218

<p>2Edu–congrats to DS1 on the frat. Sounds like he’s loving it already–congrats x2 on the officer position!</p>

<p>DS2 and I (with strategic help from DH) put up the outdoor decorations. It seems to look good, but we must wait for darkness for the final OK (and ooh, ahhs). With the exterior renovations I couldn’t resist putting up lights across the front (that and we removed some bushes making it feasible to get the lights up) :)</p>

<p>I am also doing the mental tree debate. One thought I had was to get it before DS1 gets home and get it up and put lights on it (that’s always the tedious part). Then when he arrives home we can decorate. Not sure if he will be unhappy or not. He’s pretty sentimental and might miss the tree hunt. I guess I’ll ask him if I can get him to reply (he’s been busy and not too communicative lately).</p>

<p>Good luck to all in the decorating and shopping! DS1 will be home in 13 days!</p>

5219

<p>In high school, DS gave teachers gift cards to restaurants accompanied by note at holiday time. Anyone have any thoughts as to what is appropriate now that they are in college?</p>

<p>2education - sorry to hear about your dog, but congrats to your DS, the fraternity brother.</p>

<p>Good luck to all those seeking work during the break. Maybe some HS kids need an SAT or ACT tutor. Perhaps their former GC could spread the word.</p>

5220

<p>Hi All</p>

<p>As far as gifts and college–I don’t think kiddo will be doing anything for profs or TAs.</p>

<p>I am sharing my Foccacia recipe here…the one with baking potatos in it-- Assuming some general knowledge/experience with bread doughs. If you have questions, PM me.</p>

<p>Foccacia</p>

<p>400-500 grams bread flour
2 envelopes active yeast (not rapid rise)
1 t sugar (for proofing)
2 med baking potatos (baked) May be done in microwave, though split and “dry” a bit befor “ricing”
Water, divided (for proofing, and for mixing in dough)
Olive oil, divided (for mixing in dough and for pan)
Salt, divided (for mixing in dough and topping as preferred)</p>

<p>Double rise optimal. Single rise works fine.</p>

<p>Put flour, “riced” potatoes, proofed yeast and salt into mixer with dough hook. Add scant amounts of water and olive oil. Amounts will vary based on weather/humidity and altitude. When dough is coming together, transfer to a flour dusted counter and work by hand until even and soft/springs back.
Put in floured bowel. Cut large cross. Cover with tea towel. Set aside to rise.
Generously oil pan (I use bottom of dark broiler pan)
Stretch and fit into pan. May allow second rise here. it is a very stretchy dough and you will need to overstetch it past the edges as it will spring back into the pan…to fit perfectly.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Top with your choice (olive oil/salt/rosemary/caramelized onions/garlic etc etc as you choose)
Bake until golden.</p>