<p>^^Like^^tenchar</p>
<p>DS is leaving tomorrow so lots of scurrying doing all the stuff I asked to be done starting five weeks ago looking for summer internship and working on scholarships. I sound like a broken record to myself so he must really be shutting me out.</p>
<p>FAFSA everything I have read says it can only help to fill it out. You never know when a scholarship may require it. Once your tax return is done, it is not that difficult to do. There is online help for most line items and the FAFSA folks are great. Last year I called them alot. There is also a free book at <a href=“http://www”>www</a>. FAFSA online. com (no spaces) you might find useful.</p>
<p>Taxes I am no expert, but the two questions asked above (who should file/529/dependent income) and two winners for one prize are beyond your basic tax accountant. The two winner question probably can be answered by calling the IRS. I suggest calling more than once to verify the first responders answer. Also document the IRS employees # and date and time of your call for your files should you get questioned. </p>
<p>The first question is actually quite complex and the answer can only be determined by someone who understands your complete tax picture. The term dependent is defined many different ways in the tax code depending on what you are defining it for an exemption, tuition deduction, tuition credits, EIC and on and on. I suggest finding a tax accountant experienced in this area to help. You should also educate yourself. The IRS website at <a href=“http://www”>www</a>. irs. gov (no spaces) has all the IRS forms and instructions. There are often examples in the instructions.</p>
<p>FlMathMom, my DS left today, and did a lot of scurrying around yesterday also! He did pretty much get done what he was supposed to. GL to you and your DS. :)</p>
<p>Get out your tissues before reading this article. [As</a> the Nest Empties: Entering the Next Stage | The Jewish Week](<a href=“http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/rabbis_world/nest_empties_entering_next_stage]As”>http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/rabbis_world/nest_empties_entering_next_stage) Warning: It not only deals with the empty nest some of us are experiencing, but the one our parents may be experiencing too as they age.</p>
<p>Macy’s is a great option, Son got a peacoat, Michael Cors (Kors?) Regularly 350, it was 60 % off then I had a 15% off coupon. D got a Tahari Jacket marked down from 400 to 160, didn’t have her size so I had store print up where they had size 4’s and they had one in Boston, called Boston, had them ship it to her for free and had the coupon plus Massachusetts has no sales tax on clothes, total for the 400 dollar coat, 144! Love a bargain! Good luck coat shopping!</p>
<p>Hell has frozen over I am actually watching football (which I haven’t done since I was a teen), watching the Playoff games, Live in MD so I should root for Ravens but I have always loved the New England Patriots! I guess I can’t lose!</p>
<p>@FlMathMom: I am actually crying now. I have one at home still, but the reality of the impending empty nest is setting in.</p>
<p>College4three -DH and I love our empty nest. Of course it helps that DS is very happy at his chosen school. We love and miss him, but are enjoying watching him tackle new challenges and blossom into an adult. </p>
<p>I think the key for us was finding/rediscovering what makes us happy as an individual and as part of a couple who fell in love so many years ago. Like anything worth having, it takes hard work and communication. Feel free to PM if you need a shoulder or helping hand.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing the article. I like the way the rabbi says that the emptying nest is a natural progression. All fall people kept asking me “how are you doing” as if something terrible had happend. While I miss my daughters, I am happy that they are thriving and moving on with their lives.</p>
<p>@FlMathMom: that is very, very kind of you to offer a shoulder. A few years from now, you may find me doing just that.
I agree that it is thrilling to see my older kids take on the challenges of young adulthood. They are both so happy at their schools, which makes me happy. But I think back to all of the times when they were little, and the days seemed just sooo long and full of dirty nose tissues and juice box demands…I wish I had savored those times more (like my mother said to, oy).</p>
<p>I miss the hugs and tears and my magic mommy ability to “fix” everything by putting my DS on my lap on the “rocky rocky” (our name for his rocking chair). The rocking chair still does its magic b/c now when he is upset about something and I say “Do you want to sit on the rocky rocky?”, he laughs and his mood changes.</p>
<p>I miss the way his eyes would light up when I would arrive to pick him up. I miss all the school plays we loved (endured).</p>
<p>I guess that is why we hopefully will have grandkids one day.</p>
<p>Hi All</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that kiddo said p coats are VERY popular and alot of kids wear them…</p>
<p>Guess the Northface era is coming to a close… :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I remember having a navy Pea coat in college and my much wealthier, cooler suite mate
would always borrow it. I think it is the only clothing she ever borrowed. Both my daughters have been wearing them for the last 5 years. For some reason they hated Northface.</p>
<p>Man, I had a real Navy pea coat from the surplus store in Central Square, when I was in HS. I can’t imagine what happened to it, but I guess someone now would think it was really cool. Darn!</p>
<p>There is one North Face jacket that seems to be popular (it has no fleece outside)S1 picked it up over the break, he already has his pea coat. Another popular jacket at his school is Barbour made. 
We use to wear navy sweaters made in Brittany they were so scratchy :eek: I still have some jackets i use to wear in College …Scary!</p>
<p>No kidding… I purchased an authentic US Navy peacoat for $5 at a yard sale a few years ago. Hopefully, one of my boys will get some use out of it. :)</p>
<p>EDIT: I am SO sick of the NorthFace fleece coats!!</p>
<p>Now I am remembering the boy who wore his dad’s old cashmere sweaters to frat parties.
All the girls loved to hug him :)! He was pretty smart!</p>
<p>Talked to DS for first time in a week. Sounded wistful and a tad homesick. Quiet week back - classes start tomorrow - so perhaps too much time on his own. The kiddo who definitely did not want to come home for spring break now says he’d like to. Think he, like his mama, has a hard time with transitions and hope more cheerful next time we talk.</p>
<p>
aw ;-)</p>
<p>DS headed back to school today. sniff.</p>
<p>Finally spoke to S last night, first time in 2 weeks. I had to practically stalk him to do it. He had just gotten back from his Fraternity formal in NOLA. And I got a picture too, good looking couple. But Bourbon St twice in one month, eek. He best get down to studying. He has a great schedule this semester, nothing before noon. The one thing he didn’t do was get his permanent parking permit.</p>
<p>We are navigating the empty nest. We are a couple that has spent little time together over the last 20 years due to H’s 80 hour work weeks which I think has been the secret to our longevity- ha ha. We have both mellowed though so it’s not as bad as it could be. We had a nice Sat watching movies in the snowstorm- Money Ball & Midnight in Paris. It is going to take some work to figure it out though.</p>
<p>One of D’s favorite jackets which she took to school is my ancient Woolrich mid-thigh-length plaid (green, brown, navy, and white!) belted number. I think I bought it in 1978. It needs a new lining but has the original heavy leather buttons. D says everyone is jealous of it because it is ‘real’ retro and not modern!</p>
<p>Fog: it sounds like you have your Philadelphia visit worked out. I could advise on Delaware and Chester county places, but am not as versed in the Main Line and that side of Philadelphia. If you ever want to stay in Center City, I like the Alexander Inn. It’s a comfortable boutique hotel in a great location, walkable to lots of little restaurants and close to everything.</p>
<p>Glad to hear that most of the kids are settling down again for the next semester.</p>