<p>DS doesn’t call, ever. He occasionally emails, when there is something funny on the internet he thinks I should see, or when he wants to hint at his need for some item or another, and I occasionally see evidence of his existence on Facebook.</p>
<p>He doesn’t volunteer information about his academic or social life but will respond to direct questions. Often with not much information, but that’s him. I was pleased that his recent answer to “how are your classes this term?” was “easy and fun.”</p>
<p>My d won a car last spring at her post prom party. I have been waiting and waiting for the 1099 to come. I finally called and left a message last Friday. They called on Monday and said they had forgotten and would get it mailed out. We received it yesterday.</p>
<p>I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t called and asked about it? I also wonder what kind of company forgets about a big tax write off like that?</p>
<p>^wasn’t a big tax write-off to them. They can only deduct their actual cost, wholesale for used car, or whatever they gave seller at trade in. OTOH, I think you get hit with tax on actual value.</p>
<p>I know nothing about corporate taxes, though it doesn’t surprise me that they may get a lower tax write off then what we need to pay taxes on. I just don’t know why they wouldn’t remember to take what they could? Why give the car away if they weren’t going to take what benefits they could at tax time?</p>
<p>I know my D will be hit with a decent tax bill, we were expecting it. I do sort of wish I had kept my mouth shut and not asked for the 1099, so we didn’t have to pay those taxes. I decided I’d rather pay them now instead of later when there may be penalties, interest, etc for paying late. I guess I can rest easy knowing we did the rigth thing, even if it does hurt the pocket book.</p>
<p>Have been out of pocket at a retreat in the mts of CO. It was fabulous. Worth the 2 plane rides and 2.5 hr bus!</p>
<p>On the homefront, my hs kiddo stayed up all night one night last week–prepping for 2 tests etc and worked so hard. By the time the test came 2nd to last period of the day–kiddo was spent. After sport that afternoon, hw and dinner etc…it was a 40 hr day!</p>
<p>Kiddo1 at college seems to have gotten some help from dell. In the last few weeks the web cam wasn’t operating and kiddo couldn’t open the Office software, and everytime kiddo tried to download the computer class files, it crashed…YIKES. New machine, BIG HD and faster processor…this shouldn’t have been happening.</p>
<p>Happy to be back though had a blast in CO. DH had the house clean/picked up. Laundry done and made dinner…so after the long flight back it was a nice treat. Plus when he met me at the airport, he brought me a rose. When I went into the BR to handle the luggage–there were the other 11 :)</p>
<p>Work tom and Fri…
and I have to get that fin aid stuff going for the U…sigh</p>
<p>On communication issues, both kids call me with transactional questions (dealing with disabilities services office, problem with credit card, course selection, …). In the midst of those conversations, I get to ask questions (how is the intramural basketball going? Who’s on the team? What did you do over the weekend? Do you have plans for tonight?) ShawSon did not tell us about GF for a while because he was afraid (correctly) that ShawWife would make far too big a deal about it. ShawD didn’t call that much and doesn’t like to talk about problems but would call me whenever she did well on a test/lab etc. So, in her case, no news is not good news. We’ve been getting more calls since she transferred. I think she’s lonelier as she has to break in to established friendships mid-year. And, she’s got to navigate the bureaucracy. Generally, I think we get more communication from ShawSon.</p>
<p>AvonMom’s oncologist called yesterday with good news. The followup genetic testing they did (Oncotype) that is a predictor of possible reoccurrences of her breast cancer was a big negative. This means that there will be no chemo at all. Her surgeon had originally told her there would be none but then the oncologist said there was this one additional test and while the percenteges were low, she was estrogen receptor positive and there was a chance that she could need a chemo therapy. So in summary, her future regimen consists solely of a daily dose of Tomoxifen to limit the estrogen in her system and her reconstruction surgery which will be scheduled for May following our spring break trip. She starts physical therapy today for her left arm and shoulder. All in all, this is a very positive outcome to what was a very frightening and uncertain situation last fall.</p>
<p>AvonHSDad - Thanks for sharing your amazingly wonderful news. Please give her lots of hugs from her support team. Sounds like our prayers worked. It will be a great Valentine’s Day.</p>
<p>Great News Avondad! Glad its all worked out so well for you all!</p>
<p>Just checking in, on communication, One D talks to H more and is more open and one D talks to me. Son is relatively quiet and youngest D will talk to anyone!</p>
<p>May get some precipitation tonite, praying for at least icy rain so school will delay opening, I am tired, saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close last night with some girlfriends. Had read the book which made me sob so I really didn’t want to go but have to say it exceeded my expectations! LOVED IT. Also loved the Descendants, saw that last Tuesday! Its discount night at the movies on Tuesday so its becoming a regular night with the girls!
Father in law leaves tomorrow!!! Love the man but I need my space!</p>
<p>Fantastic news, Anondad! Thanks for the update.</p>
<p>Welcome back, Fogfog. I think that every wife/mother needs to go away occasionally to show her family how much they need her. The roses were very romantic. Kudos to Fogdad.</p>
<p>EAO: I enjoyed The Descendants also. My H thought it was somewhat predictable, but he did enjoy the Father/Daughter interactions. Glad you’re getting your space back.</p>
<p>Momjr. Not sure where you are in MD but if you have a Bowtie Cinemas near you, sign up online and get a discount card, good for Tuesday 6 dollar movie and 5 dollar popcorn. My friends and I were laughing cause we ran into quite a few moms we knew. (empty nesters or almost empty nesters like me) doing the same thing!</p>
<p>Great news AvonDad - thanks for sharing!
And fogfog - how romantic! Sigh.</p>
<p>I always thought that D would be one of those kids texting (to me) while going to and from classes. Hasn’t happened. We do have a scheduled weekly skype call which generally runs for about an hour, so I guess not touching base during the week gives us a lot to talk about on Sunday nights. We’ve had to adjust the time now that D is going to the gym most nights, but we haven’t missed a week yet.</p>
After sport that afternoon, hw and dinner etc…it was a 40 hr day!</p>