Thursday, May 24, 2012

Happy trails to the baby

Very quick post to update couple of things...I did go to the work-related dinner and did fine.  The food was good and I didn't overdo at all.  I couldn't eat the salad because if was swimming in vinaigrette dsg - bummer.  Salad dsg is one of the few things I never struggle with because no matter how good it is, I only like about 2 tsp  max.  More than that and the salad is too wet, or worse - vinegary.  Anyway, the dessert was about a 1/3 of a cup of raspberry sorbet, which I did eat and felt not one drop of guilt.  It was okay, but I'm not gonna lie...cheesecake would have been nice!  Hard to resist, but better than half melted sorbet.

The other news is the our youngest son finally got all of his dates and flight information, and he is leaving this coming Monday, Memorial Day.  He's pretty excited.  I'm pretty nervous and torqued up, but really happy for him.  It's just such a long way away - much farther than the Dominican Republic where his sister has been, and even farther than Buenos Aires, where this same son spent 1/2 of his junior year in college.  On my flat world map in my office, it's 6 inches from Philly to Buenos Aires, and 7 1/2 to the center of the Georgia Republic.  Don't know how that translates in miles, but it will be the farthest I've ever been from a child to whom I gave birth!

Besides being ready to get on with his and this great experience, I think he's totally ready to be away from home, and the 'rents.  We have a great relationship, but 23 year olds get testy when their mommies and daddies try to offer life suggestions and advice.  I'm sure many of you know this all too well!  He's also ready to be closer to his girlfriend, who has been in Georgia since early May, training with the Peace Corps.

So with Mark's imminent departure, the time until he leaves is all about him.  He's a vegetarian, so I'm already on cooking detail, having made a scrumptious vegetarian lasagna last night.  We'll do a dinner out between now and then (if he wants - he told me he really wants to see me slaving in the kitchen!), and I'll make his favorite carrot cake tomorrow.  I took Friday off after finding out he's leaving Monday, so I can hover and annoy him, and take him to lunch and generally soak up his essence.  We're so lucky with our kids, and while I'm ready to be an empty nester, I miss them like crazy when they're gone.  And this will be REALLY gone.  And no, he hasn't started packing yet!

Our older son is waiting to get word that he's starting on a job in Big Spring, Texas, working on a railroad that my husband and business partners are engineering, no pun intended.  He isn't sure exactly when he'll be going, but it will be in the next 2 months.  And like baby brother, this guy is also ready to move on to his next thing.  I'm not sure there is much going on in this place in Texas, but he'll make some good money, and hopefully figure out that he's ready to finish college.  This son left college after 2 1/2 years because he really wasn't feeling it.  He's stayed employed and done great stuff since, but of course his dad and I are hoping that he'll finish his degree eventually.  He's very easy going, affable and not moody at all - unlike certain other family members who shall remain nameless!  Yes, me.  And Mark.  And Jean.  This son is like his dad in temperament!  What a mixed bag we are :)

Well - more ramblings about my family, and not much about eating less and moving more.  I'm still plugging away with that stuff - never will give up on the doable dream of fitness and leanness.  Have a good holiday weekend all - the unofficial start of summer is here!

11 comments:

  1. What a wonderful parent you are! What great kids! Glad to have one of your kiddos in the Lone Star State - when you come to visit him - stop by and see me :-)

    Enjoy your boy - what an adventurer he is - they all are! You've raised some brave and world-changing kiddos.

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    1. I absolutely will look you up, or at least find out where you are! Would love to have a cup'o'joe with you!

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  2. And me! Visit me, too! :)

    I literally LOL'd at your "hover and annoy him" - I totally get that. Plus, it's easy to do when you know they're leaving. What a long way he's going! It will be quite the adventure, for sure - I love how your kids are not afraid to get out there in the world.

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  4. Yes, this "Mommy & Daddy" tried reasoning with our teenage daughter about a few things and it all flew over her head. She looked liked a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle - LOL! What do you do but pray for the best and while they're in your home, g ive them the best of love & acceptance.... I have one (26yr old) out of the home. Whitney, my "most of the time" sweet baby girl is soon to be 18 (sigh).

    My daughter is also looking to teach English as a second language. Any helpful advice (her head is filled with dreamy fantasies right now)from your son would be sooo appreciated!

    We still have a 6 1/2 yr old who thinks we are superman & superwoman! I relish it all!!!! LOL!!!!

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    1. I remember when my kids thought we were so cool! My son got certification to teach ESL from an online source. If your daughter needs that, let me know and I'll send you the info. I know Mark found all his info, including where to go (of course he ended up where his girlfriend is!) online as well.

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  5. Oddly we are similar again... saying goodbye to our young men. And it strikes me that mine is moving near you! We had pasta last night, his request, something I usually don't eat anymore. It is rather stressful here right now trying to plan the big trip back, get insurance coverage and all that needs to be done to relocate to your fine state.

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    1. Pennsylvania and I welcome your fine son! Quite bittersweet to bid farewell to our young men.

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  7. I can relate to this Leslie. Our 22 year old is moving out later in the summer and he is so annoyed with his parents "hovering" and looking forward to doing his own thing! Our daughter is getting married this summer, so we are looking forward to an empty nest. It's bitter sweet for sure. Luckily for us they will still be living in the area and we will see them often.

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  8. I loved reading this post about your kids. I've been there and done that with mine (they're older than yours), so I understand everything you said. And they don't like the "hovering" that we want to do. I now have grandchildren in the position of your kids! Ahh...how exciting life is, with its way of changing our existence every few years. What great kids you have!!

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