<p>First to stop some of the inevitable criticism I’m going to get from my whining that follows, I wouldn’t trade my “problems” (if I can even call them that) for anybody else’s . I know I am the luckiest fella and my D the luckiest gal on the planet right about now. With what some of y’all are dealing with, my problems look and are both petty and of our own making . I will not succumb to looking a gift horse in the mouth. Never a good plan.</p>
<p>I’m also not bragging, although some may take it that way. Please make your suggestions that I get a 1) grip or 2) life in a P. M. so we don’t clutter the board. (Just so you know, I’ll probably agree with you.) But maybe it will help some parents of juniors be ready for their own moments of reckoning. They may be able to plan better than we did if they were more aware. The moments are coming a bit sooner and closer together than I had thought they would.</p>
<p>Although I could certainly have predicted that my D would have some success in her college search, we have been overjoyed with the results so far. If positive things stopped now , she would have choices and that’s all we ever wanted for her. Both D and I and DW recognize and appreciate how incredibly fortunate she has been while other equally deserving kids have not had as fair a shake. But with every silver lining there is a cloud and it’s beginning to cloud up pretty seriously. </p>
<p>For those who are following our path as a potential roadmap, I’ll offer these words of advice - be aware that the tables start turning about now. What were once potential conflicts of timing are now nightmares of logistics. What once was a distant whiff of smoke on the horizon is a full-blown grassfire about now. </p>
<p>Last night as D flew home from Hendrix at midnight after missing a graded cat dissection day in AP , one day after winning their regional semi-final basketball game and arriving home at midnight- there was the wonderful letter waiting giving her the news that she had been invited to interview for her most selective opportunity. The chance to be dually admitted to Texas Tech and their medical school. The same exact day as her required attendance at her longtime favorite’s Scholarship Competition. Both are in smaller towns without great air service. </p>
<p>She leaves tonight for Sam Houston State and two games in 20 hours. (Missing another cat dissection day and a dual credit test review day. That whole Texas “val scholarship” thing is looking a little dicey when you don’t go to class. LOL. ) </p>
<p>We are now in the conflict stage and things are going to be dramatic and traumatic from here on in. She selected her choices with care and has bonded with many of the schools, and people at the schools. I’m just glad she’s not trying to do all this and win a state basketball championship at the same time. Oh wait. I forgot-she is. LOL. “Sweet sixteen” and playing this weekend to see who goes to the State Championship Final Four. </p>
<p>I’d be a puddle of pee if all of this was hitting me at age 18.</p>
<p>Like D’ you’d be having the time of your life happily splashing in that puddle :)</p>
<p>I am so happy for you and your family and that so many great things are coming mudgette’s way. I know the hard part is coming decisions, decisions, because in the end, you can only pick one.</p>
<p>Enjoy the ride, throw your hands in the air, but don’t unlock your seat belts while the ride is in motion I am impatietly waiting for may when we hear the decision of the tribal counsel.</p>
<p>Wow. I am SO happy to hear that your d’s hard work is paying off!!! It’s fantastic and encouraging to hear.</p>
<p>Now, can’t she make up the cat dissection another day? Can they keep the cat in a refrigerator for awhile???</p>
<p>Don’t worry, things will work out- she’s younger than you are- remember that. But just in case YOU need them, perhaps you should keep a roll of paper towels handy.</p>
<p>'Mudge, perversity in the universe tends to a maximum. Anyway you can explain a conflict to TT and get that interview rescheduled? The fact that she’s a BB player in the Sweet 16 might get some “Awww…” points too.</p>
<p>I am so excited for all of you! It is really time for her to reassess what is the most important gamble she wants to take. Hopefully, you have done a better job at prioritizing the importance of the schools/programs that she is looking than we have done in our house. Good luck with whatever she chooses and I’m sure it will be the right choice for her.</p>
<p>Curm…congrats to your D and the whole family. It’s wonderful to have these options and know the hard work has paid off, but at the same time I feel your pain. We are not in that boat yet, but I have been wondering for a while what my D would do if interviews for multiple opportunities overlapped. Please keep us updated!
Oh, and good luck with the basketball, my D plays softball & I certainly know how it feels to be more nervous as parents than the kids on the field.</p>
<p><em>Bragging Alert</em>
For Basketball Fans Only:
D has really stepped it up in the playoffs. She is averaging a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds a game, plus 2 blocks and 3 steals. If we just didn’t have all this other folderol distracting her, she might could get somewhere.;)</p>
<p>My daughter went through a weekend like that her senior year. While it wasn’t academics, as a Musical Theater/Dance person, it was just as important. She had a lead in the High School musical the same weekend as a major Dance Competition – an hour and a half apart. Doesn’t sound like much, but as a said, to her, it was a matter of life and death. Even worse, she made the first cut in a dance scholarship competition. If she had made the second cut, finals were at the exact same time as her show opened! </p>
<p>You learn to pray a lot, drive fast, and change clothes in the car! And remember that the kids love this life. To them, it is all a challenge. To us, it is just tiring.</p>
<p>By the way, as a day care provider, I was very interested in your subject title. Trust me, I’ve had my share of puddles of pee . . .</p>
<p>Curmudge–much sympathy here along with the excitement. </p>
<p>There’s no reason for you to apologize for posting this–you have a major dilemma that makes it pretty hard to enjoy the ride right now. </p>
<p>These two major choices–Texas Tech interview and the scholarship competition are neither sure things right now, and you don’t get to make the choice if you lose one over scheduling. That’s pretty serious, and must seem so godawful frustrating when you see how close she is to her goals. What’s especially frustrating, I imagine, is that since neither is a sure thing yet, being forced to possibly eliminate one might eliminate the one that would have come to her. </p>
<p>(I at this point here the voice of the ancient guardian at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade-- “He chose, pooohrlee.”)</p>
<p>With all that, I can just echo Thedad’s suggestion, can you get T Tech to reschedule the interview, pleading basketball, prior commitments ,etc etc. ? She shouldn’t have to eliminate a choice before it’s hers to make–I suggest a lot of phoning in search of a sympathetic ear.</p>
<p>It’s not time to let the cat get your tongue (I know…groan.)</p>
<p>Cur, No need to apologize. I for one love to see your posts. It is like a fast paced novel with all the twists and turns. “What will happen next to Mudgie? Tune in to the next episode to see what happens!” Can’t wait!</p>
<p>Hey, I’m into the tertiary stage of begging already. I have calls into Mr. Tech and Ms. Weekend both.</p>
<p>And Lukester, it’s beginning to look more like an episode of “Amazing Race”, specifically like one where ol’ Fat Dad can’t pull the rickshaw fast enough.</p>
so we don’t clutter the board. (Just so you know, I’ll probably agree with you.) But maybe it will help some parents of juniors be ready for their own moments of reckoning. They may be able to plan better than we did if they were more aware. The moments are coming a bit sooner and closer together than I had thought they would.</p>
(I’m kidding. Really. I am.)</p>
</p>