<p>Another empty-nester. Last night H said, “Hey, want to go to ___ on Saturday?” I said, “Sure.” without having to consult a calendar to see what kind of conflicting events there were. Kinda nice. Work is very busy right now, so maybe I just haven’t noticed how quiet the house is. @staceyneil, I’m also wondering if, when things slow down, I have a “what now?” moment.</p>
<p>I have an update on the roommate situation.</p>
<p>The good news is that the issue seems to have resolved itself. I suspect that it took a while for these two, who have total opposite personalities, (DD is outgoing and bubbly - Roomie is quiet and introspective) to figure out that a year is a long time and they better accept they’re not going to be BFF’s but they can be respectful and cordial to one another. </p>
<p>The bad news is that they bonded over their mutual dislike of a student who has gone out of her way to be nasty to both of them, but has primarily focused on DD. More than a dozen students are running for a campus office including Spygirl, Roomie and Terrible Tina (name changed to protect the awful). </p>
<p>T.T. has decided that DD is her main competitor and told Spygirl that student government is HER thing, she’s more deserving because it’s the only area of interest for her and she wants it more. Say what?</p>
<p>T.T. complained to the Honor Board that Spygirl was violating policy because she’s been handing out candy as she’s going door to door talking with students. It’s a new rule that candidates weren’t apprised of, so DD was cleared of any wrong doing. This apparently infuriating T.T. and shortly after, Spygirl’s numerous posters have mysteriously disappeared throughout the dorms. 
DD yesterday filed an official complaint against T.T. </p>
<p>All of this drama in a space of less than two weeks! And this is from a kid who is level headed and always avoided drama, even in middle school. You all would be proud of me as I just listened and was supportive and kept my big mouth shut, even though I am furious on her behalf. </p>
<p>Wow, that is a lot of drama!</p>
<p>We, too, are emptynesters, and we have survived quite nicely the first three or so weeks without kids. It has been very quiet. Got some cleaning done, but still have more to do. Have gone out to dinner, and the bill was not the national debt figure! Watched what we wanted to watch on TV. I just sent a text to my husband about attending a musical sometime next month – one of our teachers is starring in it. The good thing is that we are not always running here or there for someone or something. That may sound cruel, but it is nice to be home in the evenings.</p>
<p>I’m only a half-empty nester, but I sure appreciate how much cleaner the house is staying, and how many fewer dishes there are to do. Oh, and the bathroom counter stays clear and the blender is not continuously out and dirty with its 500 parts to clean. ( I really do miss her though!!)</p>
<p>Yikes, @Agentninetynine! I’m thinking “Tracy Flick” would be a more appropriate name for “Terrible Tina.” </p>
<p>Glad the roommate situation is improving. And good to know that the old adage “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” works in college too! </p>
<p>Good job on the supportive listening, NinetyNine 
Sorry for the drama, but it sounds like your DD will be just fine. Glad she and the roomie have decided to be cordial. That must be a huge relief!</p>
<p>OMG - D actually snagged the one open soprano spot in the acapella group. There were over 100 auditioners for the six open spots for all voice parts. She is seriously on a high right now - I can’t tell you how many times we rented “Pitch Perfect” from RedBox last year & now its her turn. So so happy right now.</p>
<p>Funny thing about introvert/quiet ones. DD sends text daily, seems not to mind questions about classes, shared panic about not finding her notebooks. Found study area in the library. Did her laundry. Is not having roommate problems. Misses my cooking. And yet I can tell she is lonely. I’m sad I guess. </p>
<p>@AgentNinetynine – I’d have a hard time holding my tongue – hats off to you! But you’re doing the right thing – no need to add more drama to this little sad story. It sounds like your DD is figuring out how to find the support and resources at the school to get through this.</p>
<p>@LucietheLakie – way to go for Tracy Flick! I was thinking “gee this is like that movie with Reese Witherspoon” but could not remember her name.</p>
<p>Another empty nester here. I too love the freedom – I can text a girlfriend at 5:00 and say “want to meet up for a glass of wine?” without having to put it on the calendar 3 weeks in advance and working around sports schedules and making dinner. I miss S, but I know he’s happy there.</p>
<p>I’d probably feel less lonely if the dating thing was going better. All my friends said it’s awful, and now I have to agree with them. I’ve met some nice men, but nothing serious yet. I think I’ll go back to writing screenplays and trying to sell them. It’s the same hope/rejection cycle, but at least you don’t have to shave your legs.</p>
<p>@Classof2015, your last sentence made my morning :)</p>
<p>@staceyneil – I’m so glad :)</p>
<p>@LucieTheLakie – Hahaha -Tracy Flick is perfect! And she does sound just like the Reese Witherspoon character.</p>
<p>I am thrilled on behalf of your dd @GertrudeMcFuzz! What fabulous news. I love Pitch Perfect and wish I could sing without scaring small children and wildlife.</p>
<p>Aargh @Evergreen… it’s so hard worrying if our children are happy. Has she mentioned any clubs or activities she’s interested in? If not, maybe your encouragement will be the push she needs to go out and meet some likeminded people. </p>
<p>I scared the cat laughing at the shaved leg comment @Class2015. I, too, write screenplays in between working at Headquarters. Now if I could only sell one…</p>
<p>@MathMomVt: Getting along with the roomie is a huge relief and I’m crossing my fingers that their relationship will improve over time. And as uncomfortable as it was for Spygirl (and probably the roomie) it could always be worse. I received the following text from Spygirl last night:</p>
<p>* My friend’s roommate smells horrible and doesn’t wash anything. I literally gagged when I walked into their room today. Do you have any advice on what they can do? Febreeze doesn’t help.* </p>
<p>Apparently the girl is from another country but lived in the U.S. for high school. Not big on showers or laundry. I suggested the friend be blunt about the difference in hygiene expectations with the roomie or go to the R.A.</p>
<p>@GertrudeMcFuzz - Wow! Wonderful news! I know you must be so proud of her! </p>
<p>Classof2015 - Your love life may be lacking, but at least you’ve got a great sense of humor! Thanks for a good laugh!</p>
<p>@Agentninetynine - I’m glad things have improved between and and her roomie. TT sounds just awful!!</p>
<p>I too am an empty nester. I don’t miss the D trail of clutter throughout the house, the last minute laundry requests, or having to rush home from work to cook dinner. But I miss D and I’m a little sad. We had a rough year last year and I was tired. I was looking forward to peace and quiet and my own agenda. So I’m surprised I’m feeling so down. I think S moving far away in April for a new job, and then D leaving shortly thereafter was just too much at once. I know I’ll be fine - just a period of adjustment.</p>
<p>So who has sent out a care package? Just shipped off the first one today. It’s amazing how much you can jam in those flat rate boxes. I sent 3 dozen homemade cookies, a pair of socks (he is specific about his socks), a box of Tagalongs, a box of Trader Joe’s granola bars, Nike cold gear compression pants (for use under his uniform when it gets cold), a decorated letter from his sister, a note from me, deodorant, a big roll of opaque garbage bags (requested – I did not ask why), a bag of M&Ms, microwave mac & cheese, and a gift card to Chipotle.</p>
<p>I’ve already started gathering things for the second one!</p>
<p>I sent out a care package, but yours sounds nicer. How do you wrap your cookies to keep from falling apart?</p>
<p>Would you like to adopt me, @2014novamom? LOL </p>
<p>I’m doing ok with the empty nest. My on again off again boyfriend is apparently on again but I don’t really believe it will last. He says he’ll help me through my surgery and everything. We’ll see. Part of me is thinking that the kid(s) are their dad’s house. I thought about making something and thought “the kids will eat all of it when they come back” and then realized that they aren’t coming back any time soon. But I don’t really feel sad, other than that grocery store melt down. They’re both in touch pretty frequently. </p>
<p>Big storm is on its way. They just announced the warning for the county where S’s school is. I’m not worried about him though. </p>
<p>He’s doing well. He and his roommate get along great. He’s a little worried the academics are going to get tougher but I gave him a little pep talk, reminded him of the resources available to him if he needs help and told him not to fall behind with reading and homework. He thanked me for the words of encouragement and I told him I’m his number 1 fan and am always here when he needs a pep talk. He did send me a text yesterday that said “I had my novel class and people actually participate in the discussion!!! They are insightful too!!!” So, he’s apparently enjoying being around other kids who are motivated academically. </p>
<p>I saw my surgeon yesterday and he explained this thing that he and my gastro are going to do together while I’m on the table. I should know soon when the surgery will be. It’s listed in my online medical record as happening October 17 but they haven’t confirmed it with me yet. Since both docs will be in the OR, they need to coordinate with each other. Anyway, I liked the surgeon as much as I like my gastro and I can see why they work closely together sometimes. They have similar styles and approaches. </p>
<p>@2014novamom – Just today as I mailed out our second care package I told the clerk at the Post Office that these flat rate boxes are the hottest thing since sliced bread. Packing the box like it’s a tetris board appeals to my OCD. We keep finding miscellaneous small items that our son left at home, and we also throw in a variety of treats. I love the Chipotle gift card idea. Our son will get one with the next care package. I’ll give you credit (as he has always given me crap for spending so much time on CC).</p>
<p>We also make use of Amazon Prime. Our son has Celiac Disease, and in the first care package we threw in a gluten-free microwave mac and cheese (what a coincidence) that he’d never tried before. He loved it. We were able to order a box of 12 from Amazon that will ship to him for free.</p>
<p>So far the highest compliment that I received from my son was when his roommate got on the phone to ask my advice about his fantasy football team. For the last few years all I’d heard from my son was that I didn’t know anything. I guess he told his roommate a different story.</p>
<p>My son left home meds so he got an early care package once he figured out what else he was missing (just cutlery). I added some snacks and some fidget toys. Even better than the regular flat rate boxes are the regional rate boxes. <a href=“The United States Postal Service (U.S. Postal Service) | USPS”>https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-regional-rate.htm</a> You have to order the boxes online and you have to print the postage online, but if your kid’s school is reasonably close to home you may be able to send a decent-sized box for just over the price of the tiny flat rate box. I also sent an Amazon subscribe-and-save package of food items 
The boy is on an unlimited meal plan and I’m worried he might starve 
I also sent a “practical items” package via Amazon with some door back hooks and book ends and push pins, since we were too lazy to shop for those things locally on move-in day once we decided he wanted/needed them. Gotta love Prime :)</p>
<p>I shipped a box by FedEx Ground - 22lbs for $13. It had M&M’s, his favorite protein bars, almonds, pistachios, another blackout curtain panel (the one we took at move in wasn’t quite wide enough), thank you notes and stamps (for those last minute gifts that he didn’t get written), pajama pants … And brake calipers for his car! Shortly after arriving his brakes started making noises. Luckily DH and DS had worked on that area of the car before so he was able to install the parts himself.</p>
<p>Parents weekend is this weekend. I decided to go down on a less busy weekend, so I’ll be down there the end of September. I love the parent FB group for his school - almost feels like I’m there with them, minus the hugs from my boy!</p>