<p>i just wanted to say hi to all. Congrats on those job offers to those who have received them. H and I have not been having too great a fall season. He and I both had some health issues, but I think we are approaching them in a way to improve what we can improve, and we both feel a bit better emotionally. </p>
<p>Although I generally don’t go into D’s issues since she doesn’t want them posted on the internet, I think this is one that I can talk about. Her cell phone died. This was, for her, extremely upsetting. Yes, I told her people lived without cell phones and they still can do so, to little avail. I wish I could get rid of mine. While we could have replaced it with many models of phone, she wanted only one like the one she had. I spent a morning driving all over to find one - lots of bad advice from various dealers including the one who eventually had the phone. I thought that I was clear about what I was asking for, but apparently the first person I spoke to did not understand me and told me they had no phone of that type for our carrier. I went back to another sales person, and was able to get the phone. Many told me I had to order it, and it takes 10 days. Yikes. She has no car where she is, and she is not in an area that has many stores of the type we have here, and she would have missed class and she had an exam, so she didn’t want to spend the time getting a phone. I know many people would say let her take care of it herself, but I always remember my own folks giving me a bit more to handle than I felt comfortable with, so I didn’t want to do that. The dumb thing in all this is that I sent her the phone without shutting it. Lucky it didn’t start ringing and cause some panic in the shipping! </p>
<p>Anothermom, I hope your health issue improves or at least stabilizes. I would have helped my kid with a phone, too, as I know how much their lives, schedules, alarm clocks, etc. are on their phones now. Plus, if your D appreciated all the running around, then it also feels good to help them out so they can focus on exams, sleeping, and eating healthy.</p>
<p>@anothermom2-hope your health issues resolve. I imagine having issues at the same time as your husband can be quite stressful. </p>
<p>Does your daughter have CSI or another type of student insurance? If so, her dead cell phone would be covered (my son has CSI, so I know they do cover cell phones). Sounds like you already handled it, but if she is insured by one of these you can probably get reimbursed. </p>
<p>I’ve helped both of my kids with cell phone issues…and computer issues…and the list goes on</p>
<p>We had the student insurance for 2 years, but this year she got an apt. and we got renters ins. because it comes with liability ins., but it would not cover the dead cell phone type of thing. I used to get ins. on the cell phone from the carrier a couple of phones back, but when I realized I was paying around$7 per month plus 150 deductible, I stopped getting it. I guess it cost me more in the end. Maybe next year i will get the student ins too for such an occasion. I think it had a smaller deductible.</p>
<p>Last weekend H tried to pick up a case of water and hurt his back. He was in terrible pain. Luckily the orthopedic doctor was able to see him (friday luckily) and it is painful, but not serious. If its not one thing…</p>
<p>Well we have been very quiet this fall. Going to pick up DD and move her out of her apartment today. As usual always in the running for the last kid to leave campus. The last final was three days ago and the dorms are closed. She is off on a semester abroad in January and very excited that it includes a visit to Cuba. What an interesting time to go there. Meanwhile I am looking forward to having her home for a few weeks. Hope everyone has their chickies back in the nest. Happy Holidays.</p>
<p>Happy to have my D home for the holidays. She arrived home on Thursday. It’s hard to believe they are halfway through their junior years already! Shocking. </p>
<p>Happy holidays to all! My S is traveling in Europe before a mini travel abroad opportunity with Geology. I miss him but he is doing pretty good with a daily Instagram so I can see what country he is in each day.</p>
<p>S finally came home yesterday - his school ends late compared to others! Fingers crossed but I believe it is his best semester yet. He’s so nice to have around! It makes me feel good as a parent to see what a warm, intelligent caring young man he has become. He’ll need to take classes this summer instead of getting an internship. When we all thought it through it makes more sense for us financially to get him through in 4 years. Refocusing a major 3 times can wreak havoc on the ability to get through in 8 semesters. </p>
<p>My guy comes home today. He had to stay to the very end since he’s an RA. Poor guy has to sit in the airport from shortly after 9am until 5pm when his flight leaves, but at least he has his computer to keep himself entertained.</p>
<p>He also goes back early to have a vacation shift as an RA, but I plan to enjoy the time when he is here. We’ve saved tree decorating and cookie baking for him - all traditions we’ve done as a family.</p>
<p>His younger brother came home Dec 11th and doesn’t go back until Jan 26th - HUGE difference. The two are looking forward to time together too.</p>
<p>S has been back for almost 2 weeks. I spent some time with S and a number of his college friends at our cabin. It was great to get to know them and see S interact with them. Since he was away for most of the summer it has been nice to have time to reconnect with him.</p>
<p>He’s in the midst of interviewing for internships for next summer, so we’re enjoying the time we get to have with him. </p>
<p>Yes, Merry Christmas. D2 had a very good study abroad experience. She found out she got promoted at her campus job. They want her to run the 2015 summer program in NYC, the one she participated in last summer. She is going to be a co-chair for her sorority recruitment next year. D2 is easing off on her course load next spring in order to study for her LSAT. Can’t believe she is getting ready to apply to law school soon, seem like yesterday we were just going through the college process. </p>
<p>I am moving to another city for my new job. I will be there during the week and back to NYC for weekends. It is a dream job, totally came out of the blue. I will be doing something I always wanted to do, but without a lot of experience (it’s a new frontier, very few people with a lot of knowledge) and few hundred people to manage. I have a month before I start. I am looking forward to a new chapter and am going to enjoy my time off. </p>
<p>Thanks. It’s the first time I am moving to a new place on my own. Ex has always furnished the house. Maybe this time I will have it the way I want it. :)</p>
<p>You know it would be really exciting to choose things that are really just for you and what you like…what an opportunity! If the city you’re going to is DC or Baltimore let me know and i can suggest some shopping locations.</p>
Happy New Year to all. Glad to hear the news from those who posted. Good luck to you Oldfort. A while back I think I posted about starting new chapters with an empty nest, and you have certainly made big changes.
I also can’t believe that junior year is half done for these kids. We were happy to spend some time with out D, but I think she is looking forward to getting back to school, even if it means a lot of hard work. After a couple of weeks, the break starts to get too boring for her here at our house.
Dropped DD’12 off at the airport this morning for semester abroad. Back in 4 months! Amazing what these kids get to experience nowadays. Hope you’re all well!