Trying to deal with the empty nest

[twirl]

skype

[kitkatz]

skype.com  Free computer phone calls.

[okarol]

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[cherpep]

Your posts really touched me today.  My son graduated high school last year, but I am relieved that he is attending a local city college for his first couple of years.  I'm not ready for him to go yet.  I keep saying that he's not ready yet, not mature enough, but in reality it's me who is not ready.  I know he's a great kid who can handle any challenge that comes his way, I am just happy that he's still facing them from my home. He's attending evening classes, and I work during the day, so I really do not see him much.  But, he is eating the dinner plates that I leave him in the fridge and his laundry still shows up regularly, so I know he is with me.  I look forward to the weekends more than I ever did before, even if he does sleep in past noon.  He has this fantastic sense of humor that always lights up my day.  I love talking to him, he feels things in exactly the same way I do.  I know what he's feeling many times before he knows himself.  It's funny how that happens.  My daugther is just like my husband, my son is just like me.  My heart goes out to you moms - I'll be sitting on that empty nest bench with you sooner than I want to think about.  For now, I'll appreciate that messy bedroom of his. 

[cherpep]

Twirl - just a side note - my name is Cheryl, and my son who just graduated high school is Alan.  Kinda funny.

[twirl]

that is so cool
your husband reminds me of a good friend, Bob
we love him and he is so funny
most people spell cheryl with an S
and you look way too young to have children in their teens

[twirl]

Missy is getting married in Jan and moving to California
now I will always have my computer, hair straightener, van, shampoo, phones, towels, everything we find she has used or misplaced
how sad is that
no children at home
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I dread it

[pelagia]

wow, a wedding.  that will be fun, won't it!  you'll have us when the quiet gets too quiet. 

[willieandwinnie]

Oh Lord twirl, a wedding? I think I am too old for planning a wedding. California, why so far away, I think I'd cry over that for a little while. We are always here and you won't have to fight over a computer to get to us. 

[pelagia]

wow, I just had a couple of realizations.

First, we are picking Will up at 12:30 on Tuesday at college and we don't bring him back until Sunday. 

And then his finals are over on Dec. 10th and he does not have to go back to school until Jan. 11th.  I can hardly believe that I get to see him again this coming week and then a whole month at Christmas.  I miss him so much that I can hardly stand it.  I try not to think about it much because it just makes me cry.  Now I have so much to look forward too.

 

[okarol]

Missy is getting married in Jan and moving to California

Awww sorry twirl, but we will keep an eye on her - and you can come visit!

I can hardly believe that I get to see him again this coming week and then a whole month at Christmas.  I miss him so much that I can hardly stand it.  I try not to think about it much because it just makes me cry.  Now I have so much to look forward too.

Sounds like a great way to spend the holidays. 

[kitkatz]

Maria came home for the week of Thanksgiving.  The noise started early this morning!  She looks good and is happy.

[paris]

Twirl,  we will have to talk wedding plans together.  Long story, but my son's wedding is May 9th.   Fortunately, they are in their 30's and the wedding they want is their responsibility.  The last total I heard was about $35,000 and that doesn't include the 2 week honeymoon to Italy with a side trip on the way home to Ireland.   Vera Wang wedding dress, 5 course sit down dinner, the entire Bed and Breakfast including the three guest cottages for the weekend, wine tasting rehersal event.  Dress code for the wedding is "cocktail attire".   We aren't in that league at all, but she is.  They just bought a $700,000 home.  Recession?   I order food from Angel Food Ministries!    Like I said, it is a long story and part of my stress right now.    I love my son dearly, but there are so many better ways to spend that much money.   I keep my mouth shut!     My older son, Todd, decided when he heard it was cocktail attire, that he was going as a margarita!!  I think I will wear red, hold a celery stalk and be a bloody mary!!     My search is on for an appropriate outfit in my budget.    I know how much you will miss your daughter.  Thank goodness you have a close relationship and that won't change because of distance.  AlohaBeth is leaving for Paris the end of January for 6-8 weeks.  I just hope she comes back.   We'll lean on each other while we miss our girls! 

[kitkatz]

Paris, what size dress do you wear? PM me.

[twirl]

how can Beth afford to travel so much

[paris]

Twirl,  Beth worked in Hawaii and then in Yosemite.  Now she is home, she is working and saving.  She fell in love in Paris three years ago.  Very romantic story.  She has been back to Paris since then.  She and Faissal have worked through a lot of things and have come to the realization that there are  major stumbling blocks for them.    So they decided to remain friends and move on.  They email or call each other several times a week.  I really like him.  He is a very gentle, kind man.    So, she is going back to Paris.  I believe the moment she sees him, her heart will melt again.  They are going to visit lots of his friends around France, Holland and England.  She loves the city of Paris and knows it quite well, so she will also spend lots of time visiting her favorite spots.    Now, why does she do all of this??   When I was first diagnosed, she felt as our youngest she needed to take care of me.  I didn't want her to put her life on hold and told her to go out and explore and tell me all about it.  I think after the Paris trip, she will be ready to settle back into her life in Raleigh.   ---- Maybe!    And her Dad is retired from the airlines, so flying benefits help her get around even more.

So, my empty nest has an ebb and flow----someone always coming and going!