Oldest son got a promotion and nice raise. And he has an impressive (to me) speaking engagement tomorrow evening. Life is good…
Son told me he is joining a frat and will live in the frat house. I informed dear son that I pay $0 for frat dues and $0 for frat house room and board unless he earns and maintains a 3.8 GPA or better. No strong achievement, no reward.
He believes he will achieve at least a 3.8, so he accepts the risk (should he fail to achieve/maintain a minimum 3.8 GPA) to quit the frat or pay dues through his own jobs. Deep down, I know he will not pay frat dues with his own hard earned money for more than a semester. He would just quit.
However, he knows there is no way he can afford room and board from his jobs if the downside happens (<3.8), so he told me today that he dropped the frat house idea and is now searching for regular apartments.
She got the job! It’s not the dream job but it’s a resume builder and a steady income , double what she’s been making with contract work!
Well, in spite of our great dread, H went to the DMV office yesterday and got his REAL ID Driver’s License at about his appointment time and we were out and eating lunch less than an hour after his appointment time!
I recall when I got mine it took many hours and they insisted I present my original SS card and all sorts of other documents including my bank statement. My old DLicense that was still current wasn’t good enough. It took nearly the entire day. I had just gotten my license a week before but it didn’t have a star so I had to pay all over again to get a new one with a star and tons of time and hassles!
Today, I went to get a replacement for my lost handicapped placard and was in and out in less than 30 minutes. It only cost $12 (original was free).
D and SIL put a contract on a house today! It’s actually being sold by a friend of hers who is moving out of the area and they have always loved the house. They are so excited!
Two more babies are on their way—one is my niece (who weathered a recent miscarriage) and the other is a friend’s daughter. I love babies! 
Wrapping up a wonderful weekend with family by lying in front of the fire with just my wife.
DS took an exam following a week-long training at work. He got 97… highest score in the class. Major accomplishment for a smart kid who struggled with anxiety in school.
We got through the memorial service/celebration of life. Everyone was pretty content and our family is closer than ever. Brother did a very poignant eulogy and we all have closure. Yay!
Due to covid-18, quite a few people were perplexed on how to offer condolences without hugs and handshakes but mostly it went remarkably smoothly. Because only about 1/5 of the church was full, social distancing was pretty easy and we kept doors of church and refreshment room open. We had the entire restaurant for our party if 76.
I just watched a beautiful video my niece sent. She has been teaching in Madrid. The video shows people clapping from their open windows to thank those who are working to keep things going in the midst of a national lockdown. I love seeing the good in people.
Don’t hate us, but we have honestly been enjoying spending time with our kids. They came to visit because dad was very ill (and died). They have been wonderfully helpful and just nice to have with us as we socially distance from others. We have had my mom with us for portions of the time and just the 4 of us for much longer than usual since they’ve been adults. It is bittersweet because I know they’re concerned about loved ones they aren’t with—D’Souza housemates in LA, S’s GF in DC, and others.
S has decided to take the initiative to clean and organize our towels and bedding, making a huge stack to donate, when our humane society starts accepting donations again (suspended due to COVID-19). It’s very nice having them happy and productive.
Yesterday was the last day the library was open for awhile, so S borrowed a bunch of beautiful, interesting cookbooks.
Anyway, it’s great for us having our S and D home with us. Our markets have most of the things we want and folks are pretty much shopping normally (except Costco, which we are now avoiding). Happy patronizing smaller local market which is calmer and uncrowded.
Since the stresses of caring for my folks these last few weeks, I’ve been getting closer to my younger sister. It’s funny—we never were very close before and are both enjoying the new stronger relationship we are building.
@HImom : My sister and I became much much closer after our mother passed away.
@VeryHappy — interestingly, part of younger sister and I getting closer is that my older sister and brother are getting flakier on all of us and she sees me as stable like her and reliable. We actually do have more in common than we have previously realized. It’s a pleasant surprise that we are getting closer at this time.
(Over the years, she’s gotten less volatile than she used to be.). D is delighted that younger sister and I are now closer. She loves all her cousins.
We live on a north facing bluff overlooking the Puget Sound and have been a little perplexed by the occasional glow in the night sky.
Me: Do you think that might be the “northern lights”?
DW: Let me google that… YES!
Life is good here. Bald eagles, whales, and, as it turns out, the aurora borealis out our bedroom window.
Had my 2 local kids (we are the only non-household people we encounter, aside from grocery clerks) here for dinner and a few rounds of Rack-o. We got to video chat with their other sibling and grandson on the opposite coast. My heart is always full on days when I connect with all 3 of my kids.
I just found an old box of face masks from when I went through chemo years ago. I guess being a frugal Yankee is paying off! Daughter will take them to the hospital where she works to share with her co-workers.
DS and his SO were able to get out of New York City just in time and are now sheltering in place with us. Their employers are both supportive and everything is working well even though they’re 3 time zones away.
We’re glad they’re safe and it’s great spending time with them.
In trying to turn these lemons we’ve been given into lemonade, I’ve started taking some online classes, not to work towards a degree but ones that interest me. I mean we have the time and there are only so many movies, tv series, social media posts I can sit through. Enjoying them so far.
“Thanks” to the coronavirus I now talk to my 86 year old mom, who lives 1200 miles away, every day. I hope we keep it up indefinitely. Makes me feel better to be in constant touch, even though she’s not terribly fond of talking on the phone.
I suggested that my new n-laws and our children gather for a zoom meeting. It was delightful. My DIL suggested to my son that he buy Zoom stock several weeks ago. He only bought one share.