@4kids2graduate - I was back at Walmart and tried out the wheeled 32" duffles you mentioned. They were $14.44 at my store, too. I really like them (bought 2) and may take back the 28" duffles if I don’t need them. My main reason to avoid the wheeled duffles is their weight, which comes from the telescoping handle. These work well without the hard handle.
A lot of college courses have class portals online. So many students fail to sign into them for each class that’s using them, have technology trouble and miss assignments, etc. Tell your kids to master their course management software. Avoid tragedy. 
All packed and ready to roll in the morning. We plan to hit the road at 6:30.
Safe and happy journeys to you and yours, @gettingschooled.
Good luck @gettingschooled!
Good luck to everyone heading out this weekend! It’s getting real!
Hi all, This morning is part 1 of a 2 part exodus. Part 1 is my S14 leaving once again for Clemson. We won’t see him until early November for his “fall break” done in November on election years to allow the students to return home to vote. I preferred the mid October fall break and him getting an absentee ballot but what can you do? It is all becoming very real and very upsetting to me. I am only somewhat used to him leaving but now I have to endure my D16 leaving in 2 1/2 weeks! Ugh! This next few weeks is definitely going to be hard. My D16 is also more upset than ever before that her brother is leaving. She made him cookies and demanded a group hug last night with the dog! It is becoming very real that her life is going to change big time in a few weeks. She was worried and upset yesterday afternoon about all the unknowns and new normals that are to come. Quite natural and common but something to come to terms with for sure. It is 4:00 am and we will be driving down to my moms as our pit stop before I move S14 into his college on campus apartment and get him settled. His normal prescriptions proved more difficult to arrange this year more than last. His renewal dates did not align as they have in the past so making sure he was set with all his medications was a source of enormous stress last night. Once again I am struck, stunned and amazed at how different dealing with people in the south are than people from the north! The pharmacist at the Walgreen just off campus was so wonderful and accommodating when I called to ask about the SC policies on out of state prescriptions, etc. I had to call our neighborhood pharmacy just before that and the vast difference in attitude and wanting to help on the phone was staggering! I am hit with the realization that in the north we (at least I have) have gotten so used to and have tacitly accepted this substandard customer service that when we are exposed to better it is a shock. I really do love it down by my mom’s in northern SC and by Clemson that we definitely will be moving there in the near future! They really do it better down in the south (and in many other places outside of the Northeast), I have to say! Good luck to all with your move ins and all the details and emotions that surround it!
@gettingschooled [-O<
Blessings to you and your family :x
Safe travels @gettingschooled !
On our way! S was up before me. He enjoyed the end of senior year and this summer so much I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to get excited about school. He is excited today. He got a little teary eyed telling his brother and the dogs goodbye but we all held it together.
He and his brother have not let up on their usual bickering one bit, fighting over chores up to yesterday. I don’t think I will miss that at all.
@lvmjac1 Safe travels . Don’t tell our secrets then everyone will want to move here. Sounds like you replaced your sweet tea with Kool aid last time you were down South.
@lvmjac1, sorry that the person at the local pharmacy was not that friendly. My D works at a small community pharmacy and tries very hard to be helpful. She says she loves answering the phone!
Little brag, she got the results back on her PCAT and she did great. So she is done with that.
Safe travels for all of you heading out to drop off your freshmen and older college students in the next few days!
Safe travels to all this weekend!
It was the last day for all our college interns at work yesterday. Another reminder that we only have 8 days left before we leave. I’ve been trying to stay busy organizing Dorm Mountain so that it will all fit in the van.
Following @carolinamom2boys’ comment at #23790: Ha!^^^
Hey, @lvmjaca1: a great song to listen to, made just for the mood you are in, is Indigo Girls’ “Southland in the Springtime”. The particular place in the south they are singing about is different, but I think you’ll like it.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/southland-in-the-springtime-lyrics-indigo-girls.html
Yikes. Apparently D16 did not follow up on some student loan paperwork. Dad discovered. This is my biggest (ok, one of my biggest) fears for her – that she will not carefully read critical emails and mail and then will not do what must be done by deadlines.
So, the next two weeks before move-in is going to have some serius sessions on managing tasks, interpreting documents, and setting up work and deadlines. Plus info management (filing, online storage, etc.).
Her managing this stuff is non-negotiable.
Good luck to those traveling today!
@dyiu13 yikes! Have you set it up so that you see the bills and other financial things coming through her portal? I hope everything is easily resolved!
@lvmjac1 we noticed how polite everyone was in TN as well. And every student we spoke to was polite and respectful as well, whether freshman or upperclass. It’s so very different here in the NW where everyone tried to avoid each other.
We have some Koolaid for you too @sseamom.
Eek @dyiu13 Hope it all gets straightened out
I think that it’s finally sinking in to DS19 that DS16 is leaving, and soon. I am finishing up shopping for the dorm and brought home a rug, mini vac, tool kit, first aide supplies, hangers ,etc. DS19 looked at the pile and said " Wow, this is happening so fast all of a sudden. It’s only been a few weeks that you started bringing how stuff . It’s going to be a hard next few weeks." I had to excuse myself to the bathroom so they wouldn’t see me lose it. :((
I was able to use three 20% off coupons, one online only 20% off coupon and one $5.00 off coupon in one transaction! Bill went from $385 to $301!! Love that!!