<p>VAMom2015 - Sadly it just got messier…first we were delayed for transport until 10, then 1. They didn’t get word on the 1pm until they were all there ready to go at 10 so I have a feeling they all got in parents cars and ditched the bus…I haven’t heard from Bluedad. I know your county was cancelled for the day last night. Much easer for planning.</p>
<p>My son also is suddenly very interested in fashion-what is up with that?</p>
<p>I was told to file FAFSA every year even if you don’t qualify for any aid just in case something drastic changes in your financial situation the following year-is that true? If so does that apply to the CSS as well?</p>
<p>Paging FLMathMom! :)</p>
<p>Boy that wants to look good = crush on a girl that looks good!<br>
I am surprised at how nicely my D wants to dress in college. We were jeans and tee shirts most days back in my day. Generally, D definitely has more fashion sense/interest than I, but I really thought college would be more casual. My S (HS 2015) is pretty picky too, but it definitely has to do with whatever girl he might be trying to impress.</p>
<p>My ds got interested in clothes his senior year in hs. I was happy to upgrade his wardrobe. He still wears jeans and t’s sometimes but likes to dress up quite often.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC App</p>
<p>Hi All</p>
<p>interesting day…ran errands with younger kiddo who practiced driving. Haircut and trip to florist in prep for winter dance.</p>
<p>Ran by the liquor store to use my Smirnoff coupon and 3 large ladies were there shoplifting right in front of me. I left the area and reported it to store mgt at the front of the store. Mgt tried to stop them but by then there is nothing to be done. Can’t touch them and search them etc. Mgr tried to take a pic of their car plate…and was going to call area stores (its a chain) to report them/their care description.</p>
<p>My heart was pounding and I was not going to confront them …all you can do is report it.</p>
<p>On the clothes thing–Kiddo was always a snappy dresser though took more of an interest in clothes before leaving for school–And has since added some more items to the wardrobe…Not a lot…</p>
<p>When I was in school we ladies generally dressed up…full makeup/hair done in hot rollers and hair spray etc etc…jewelry etc etc…It was generally the same across the student population…</p>
<p>pepper – my school said to file FAFSA and CSS profile. Hope they give me some money this time…</p>
<p>Bit of slip’n’slide this morning. Snowy, fluffy, but slippery to drive on.</p>
<p>I stayed in all day doing this and that. Felt good to be snowbound. Tomorrow we’re having friends over to watch the play-off game.</p>
<p>Thanks for the idea about J.Crew and Brooks Brothers emilybee. That idea gave me a brainstorm - I’m turning the coat hunt over to picky son. Turns out he has a TJ Maxx, a Bon Ton (where we first saw the ideal coat before it went on clearance), and a J Crew closer to him then I have here and I happen to know it’s not available at my local Bon Ton’s or on-line. Ha! He has a girl friend up there (NOT GF) with a car, and maybe she would be interested in hunting with him. I know even non girly-girls sometimes like shopping for guys. </p>
<p>Thanks for the FAFSA deadline reminder. I was thinking it would be in March as it had been for our older son, and it turns out it’s April 1, so no rush here.</p>
<p>I had to tell my S about the “Snowball” that was occuring tonight at his school and let him know he might want to bring a suit back. He told me he never heard about it. I knew about it because parents talked about it on the parents FB page. He asked if I would overnight a suit to him if he decided to go. 
He never asked, but there are a lot of female students looking for tickets to the ball at the last minute. I think he should have gone, from what I can tell there will be a lot more females to males. Another missed opportunity. It looks like something the girls/young ladies are really into, the boys not so much. oh, and tickets are free.</p>
<p>Regarding S’s poor performance 1st semsester. Because of AP credit he is actually already taking soph level classes in his major, so if he retakes those 2 classes I think he has to next fall, he will still be OK. Right now he is taking a normally jr level class and a 1st semester soph class. I am still miffed at the lack of guidance for a kid on academic probation but won’t worry about it til he has to register for classes he will be taking next fall. </p>
<p>Fog- From what folks who work in retail tell me, they are intructed to never confront shoplifters but to notify security. You just never know how people will react. I think you were right to not get involved.</p>
<p>S is not into flashy or even nice dressing, although I can tell he likes how he looks in a suit. Hopefully, someday a nice girl will change his ways. </p>
<p>I called S’s FA dept about FAFSA. He only has merit aid, but it is substantial and I don’t want to lose it if we don’t file FAFSA in time. I was told we don’t have to file, but I think I will call again being the skeptic that I am. We won’t qualify for FA so I don’t want to bother with it if I don’t have to. </p>
<p>Has been snowing here, the light fluffy stuff all day, but local roads have not been well tendered and are icy. We have been spoiled by this mild winter.</p>
<p>HH- We make synthetic diamonds in my dept for military use, I would love to find our more about what your D is doing (not that I am involved in diamond making, just nosey). Good for her for the job! I kinda of feel bad because a lot of parents on S’s school parents FB page are complaining their kids on FA are unable to find a job. while S who isn’t on FA found a job 2 days after arriving on campus. It looks like some jobs come from instituitional aid vs fed aid, and the fed aid is limited. Plus, I think a big part of his success was going to depts he wanted to work in early rather than wait til he was settled in when he arrived on campus last August. He ended up with a job as a receptionist in the business dept. (his major is finance) Now the job is permanant it he wants it.</p>
<p>VaMom- Good luck to your S on final exams! I remember my days of multivariable without fondness, manylate nights of studying. Although, If I did not have to work I would go back and get an undergrad in math. </p>
<p>Kathie- My S seems to think that late nights and sleeping in the is “the preferred” college schedule. Although last semester he had to be at work at 7:45 M-F, LOL. This semester he got better hours and will be sleeping in. </p>
<p>AvonHSDad- got S an electric razor for xmas, but he was not excited about it and left it at home. I was hoping this might be the end to expensive razor blades.</p>
<p>I will have to do more research, but maybe someone here can help. We paid some of S’s R&B with money we got from 529 funds and he just received a 1099-Q. We probably should have had the money sent directly to the school. It looks llike because he got the money that he has to file a 1040 instead of a 1040EZ. He made about 6K with taxes taken out last year. I would prefer to have him (ie-me or H) file his own return rather than include him on our tax return, but that 1099-Q seems to complicate things. We have our taxes done by an accountant and I can just have her do his also, but shouldn’t it be easy to do? I looked at the IRS website and did not find it very friendly. LOL. So, my question is, does this 1099-Q complicate things to the point where I should just forward it all to our acct, or is it worth tackling myself?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Hi all</p>
<p>Anyone have an opinion on where to stay near Villanova and St Josephs…?
am considering plans for a spring break college trip with younger kiddo–and don’t know if the traffic in this area is difficult. </p>
<p>Hope everyone has a blessed evening</p>
<p>Mamom~we forward everything to our accountant,I do not know if it was complicated but for his fee we fell he could take care of that as well :)</p>
<p>Kathie~Regarding peacoat Calvin Klein has a nice one that seems popular with young people</p>
<p>Vamom~good luck to your son almost there :)</p>
<p>Avondad~S1 uses a manual razor, S2 an electrical one :D</p>
<p>BI~Hope the EC competition went well. Today, we had snow in your honor, I even hit the local slopes and had a blast with DH. I love to ski!
I also saw the stats for the U’s acceptances and yes just like you I am glad this is behind us. Some terrific kids were deferred or rejected I feel so sad for them 
S1 had some very nice FB message from HS Seniors. </p>
<p>Both sons have slowly but surely acquire a gentleman wardrobe, (just paid off those stores credit card 
after their Christmas shopping). In both case their colleges are rather dressy, so I feel it is money well spent, as long as they respect their clothes. S1 found a very good tailor in his school town 
</p>
<p>Regarding working, S1&2 did not work freshman year. S1 did his first semester of sophomore year. I believe in working as long as it does not affect their GPA, it teaches you the value of $. :D</p>
<p>EmiB~You can come stage my house anytime if you need more pictures for your portfolio LOL</p>
<p>good night all :)</p>
<p>Kathie~Pea coat classics from Schott and Sterlingwear of Boston.</p>
<p>fogfog, I would suggest staying right in Philadelphia. The distance between the two schools is very small and as long as you are not traveling during rush hour, you won’t have any problems. If possible, stay in the historic section for lots of Philadelphia flavor. I love the Omni and I’ve heard the holiday Inn in the same section is nice.</p>
<p>I know grads from both Villanova and St. Joe’s - great colleges!</p>
<p>2education, Those coats look great, but a little over our budget! We saw a few Calvin Klein’s but the fit wasn’t quite right.</p>
<p>kathiep: I got a nice pea coat for my son at Macy’s before Christmas. It was on sale and I was able to use a coupon, too, so the price was right! It was double-breasted and I know that’s not what you’re looking for, but they had lots of different styles at the time. I bought it online and was very pleased. Maybe there are some good after-Christmas mark-downs.</p>
<p>My D2 has been a fashionista since age two. She is well equiped for the Boston winter with a pea coat, a longer wool coat and two down coats. Not to mention snow boots, rain boots and many pairs of leather boots. I have no idea how she fits it all in her dorm room closet.</p>
<p>Fog: Kath’s suggestion of staying in Philly is a good one if you like cities. The traffic can get bad around rush hour, but you will be going agaist the traffic heading out to the colleges. I’m not sure about St. Joes, but you can take the septa train to Villanova. There is a station right on campus. If you prefer the burbs, there’s a hotel right near Villanova called the Radnor Inn that looks nice.</p>
<p>Good morning all, </p>
<p>Coffee is ready :)</p>
<p>Kathie~LL bean has nice coasts as well, should be going on sale soon.Pea coats are expensive the cheap ones look horrible quickly…I’d suggest he spent some of his own $$ :D</p>
<p>Fog~Search Expedia or Orbitz and you will see exactly what is offered in any particular locations.</p>
<p>Planning a relaxing day here. Hope to connect with the college kids later in the day. S2 had his first competition yesterday…waiting to hear.
DH will tackle our taxes and all that fun stuff :eek:</p>
<p>Have a good day everyone :D</p>
<p>talking about taxes, I have a question. </p>
<p>My d went to her senior prom last year and then the after prom at the school after. In order to keep kids at the after prom and safe from the drug/alcholol scene, the parent boosters got the local Chevy place to donate a used car. The car was the last prize given out at 6 am and the kid had to be present to win.</p>
<p>My d won it.</p>
<p>She was still 17 at the time and could not sign for the car herself. So, my H went and singed for it with her, both of their names are on the title.</p>
<p>We have not received a 1099 for it yet. When it comes, does it go on our taxes since h was the adult signing for it? or does it go to d’s taxes since she is the one that won it?</p>
<p>^Bajamm…that is nice she had won. Good question…hmm hopefully someone here is a tax acct. My guess is since your DH is on the title, it could go on his…or if she is filing, on hers…you may be able to choose…as long as it is accounted for…</p>
<p>Thanks for the help re hotels near Villanova and St Joes…
I have googled it–used google earth maps etc…and of course travel sites. Not being famiiar with that area…I can stay north and south along the turnpike…yet wondered how long it takes to commute etc to that info sessiong/tour and parking issues etc…</p>
<p>We will be driving in from F & M on a Monday afternoon…spend the night and have dinner etc…we will see both schools on a Tuesday, and then head south to Newark Del. My preference would be to do St Joes in the am and Villanova in the pm so as to put us closer to the hwy. </p>
<p>This is a “what do colleges look like, urban, suburban, big, small tour” for younger sophmore kiddo. </p>
<p>Hope to catch older kiddo via skype today. Will be interested to hear how the new schedule is shaking out.</p>
<p>Just got off skype w kiddo.
The surrounding area got lots of snow–said it was wonderful and “fluffy”…so maybe a little colder/crisper than I was reading on weather etc.</p>
<p>Kiddo has some bug…a cough, fever etc and tight chest. Sounds bad–has been taking Dayquil etc…after hearing kiddo and that yes the coughing occasionally produces green gunk I have suggested a trip to the U’s health center today…Hope they are open.</p>
<p>That and kiddo needs to buy a warm hat…</p>
<p>Reports new classes are good and that there is tons of P sets and work–tons…</p>
<p>fogfog, I would suggest either staying right in Center City for the full city flavor or right next to Villanova. Rush hour(s) are the only really bad traffic time. Have you looked at this site for tips on visiting the Philly area colleges? [Campus</a> Philly](<a href=“http://campusphilly.org/]Campus”>http://campusphilly.org/) I would drive from F & M and stay close to Villanova and then go to St. Joe’s. Villanova is North of St. Joe’s and U of D is South of St. Joe’s so you would be back tracking if you start South, go North and then go South again… However, the schools really aren’t that far apart so it doesn’t make that much difference. Villanova is in one of the more upscale inner suburbs so it’s not going to seem as urban as St. Joe’s. </p>
<p>2education. Great minds think alike! Our very first coat stop was LL Bean since we have one close to us. The one coat he liked was unavailable in his size and backordered until mid-March. I agree about the price - I told him how much I would pay, and then the rest would be on him.</p>