Empty Apartment

What a better way to go back to writing, than experiencing the fact my 18 year old daughter has left the nest.  I just had to sit an write this morning, after enjoying my morning addiction and reading in the sun for an hour. 

After dropping off Faith on Saturday, I wasn't hearing from her like I normally do.  She wasn't answering my texts right away, and when she finally did, it was a short, one word answer.  Not really an answer, but something that was quick and easy.  I was feeling like she had left me completely, not wanting to communicate at all.  I kept reminding myself that it was because she was too busy having fun and didn't want to talk, that she was doing just fine.  Didn't help, I was feeling lost.  I knew not to bother her too much, but still, I wanted to hear from her.

Well, after puttering around the empty apartment all day, I finally got a text from her without me sending her one first.  Yay!  She and her new friends were walking downtown to grab something to eat.  I was so happy, she just kept texting me throughout the whole meal, without too much prompting from me.  She then said she'd call me later.  I figured she'd forget, but I received that phone call last night.  We talked for 53 minutes!!!  I was so happy that she was so content in what had been going on.  She gets along so far with her roomie, really thinks that the two new girls she met are now best friends, said she spoke out during her floor meeting, hated work, has to go to the IT dept to get her computer internet ready (guess what Kris did wasn't working), mad that Kris hid her shoes, her phone fell off her loft in the middle of the night so missed her alarm and was almost late for work, her new boyfriend came up to see her (don't know how I felt about that), bought yogurt at the "Bump", the fire alarm goes off whenever someone cooks bacon in their microwave (they sell packages of it at the "Bump"), is going for coffee and a mandatory meeting in the morning, put out her huge bowl of suckers Kris got her and handing them out, went to the bonfire, on and on and on.

I think it was the longest we have ever talked on the phone, or even sitting across from each other.  I slept very soundly after that call, knowing that she is alright, loving what she is doing right now.  Thanks to my family for all of their support, for Mom, Dad and Kris helping me move her, and for Heather and Logan calling me to distract me from my slump of a mood yesterday afternoon.  Oh, she asked for mail!!! (so funny since she laughed at me a month ago when I asked if she wanted mail).  Her address is:
USD
702  E Cherry St.
Beede #117
Vermillion, SD 57069

(even a colored pic from Logan would make her day!)

Cap and Gown

Faith brought home her cap and gown order. Did you know that we have to BUY her cap and gown????? Is that not the most stupid thing you have ever heard of? Why doesn't the school simply set up a rental company to take care of that. Who, in there right mind, will want to keep their cap and gown. I just picture it as one more thing to store away.

You should see all of the stuff Jostens is trying to sell with the cap and gown. Of course, there is the standard "Senior 2011" sweatshirt, but don't forget the sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts, keyrings, bla, bla, bla... Yep, I will sure shell out 24.95 for some cheesy t-shirt, no problem on the 14.95 cheaply made keyring. Thanks, Jostens, for taking my money. After all, you have cornered the market. Is there any other company fighting for business to get you to lower your prices? It's like you know you are dealing with weepy 18 year old girls who are so emotional about leaving all of their buddies behind, and to show how much you care, we can purchase tacky stuff at unreasonable prices. (oh-don't forget the "souvenier" tassle so you don't have to ruin your actual tassle when you hang it on the rear view mirror of your car--which by the way I'm taking donations because Faith needs a car and I would like mine back please)

So begins the year of shelling out money. This order came right after the email from a parent sponsoring the Senior All-Nighter party. You remember, those parties at the school all night to keep the kids out of trouble at graduation time? Great idea, but I get to donate $100 the next parent/teacher conferences. THANK YOU Heather for saving us a ton of money on taking those Senior pictures. I know we just have to get them ordered, but after seeing the cost of announcements, I am so glad we are doing this party with Caleb and Faith together. The pictures will work out great to do our own announcements, and I have also seen some cute thank you postcards I thinking about for after.

Sigh, all of this on top of the stress of knowing my baby girl is getting older. Please forward any donations to my local bank. If you need the savings account info, you know how to email me. We would appreciate it if your donations would be in $20 increments.

My Car????

I am up super early on my vacation because I was craving a Starbucks. It's been only since last Saturday since my last, but I had a free one I had to use, so off I went. This post is not about my love for Starbucks, which you all know, but the fact that I had to get up so early.

I had to get up early so I had a car to use. I know it's my car, and I should be able to use it whenever I want, but I also have a teen who lives with me who doesn't have a car and has open campus for lunch. Oh the horror if she has to stay at school during open campus! She has many friends who also have open campus, but she has a study hall after, so hers is longer than theirs, which is why she NEEDS the car.

She does come home after lunch so I can drive her back to school and have the car until the end of the day, but still, the thought of sitting at home without a car is very frustrating. Not that I need it for anything, I would just sit at home anyway. If I did go somewhere, it wouldn't be until later in the day, which is after her lunch period. I sit at work on my lunch hour because I don't have a car to go anywhere, so why can't she? Faith gets up on my work days and drives me in (whether it's 5 a.m. or 6) so I don't have to leave work to take her to school, so it works out that way. She's also done at 4 p.m. and able to pick me up after. It still sucks!! My lunch hour used to be my mental break, now it's in the breakroom listening to everyone else's problems. I sacrifice, so why shouldn't she? Because I am the Mom and love her. Oh well, guess I just stay home today. Not like I had any plans.

Daughters

This week has been the ultimate rollar coaster ride of emotion for Faith, and it has really made me realize that in some ways she is more mature than I realized. Without going into details on here, I now know that she can handle anything life can throw at her. Although the teenager still shows her face everyonce in awhile, I have actually seen her be the "adult" and take the higher road. She has been the calm one through this storm, while I, on the otherhand, want to kick someone's ass.

Happy Birthday Faith!!

My little girl turns 17 today. Wow, time really has gone by so fast since we first met, and what an adventure. Faith has turned into a beautiful young woman I am so proud of. She's caring, sweet, hard working and all around great. Our relationship has grown over the years and we became really close when our small family became just the two of us. She really helped me through some difficult times, and I would not be who I am if it wasn't for her. This will be her final year of high school, and I am excited for this time in her life and glad to be sharing it with her.

Happy Birthday Faith--I Love You!!!

Burn Homework Burn

Faith had to work 11-8 today, and when she asked if she could sleep over at a friend's house, I thought she deserved to. The PLAN: BURNING HOMEWORK. I don't remember doing this in high school, unless we needed to start the wood stove when it was 20 below and Dad had already used all of the newspaper. That was completely necessary. This PLAN was not. Dropped her off and there were already about 20 teens in the back yard ready to start the fire pit. Faith's choice?? Chemistry and Anatomy---that's my girl. She still has her English and History at home. So when driving her there in addition to telling her to be careful, don't drink, don't smoke, etc., was don't fall into the fire. I'm just glad I don't have to drive her smelly, woodburning smoky but home like last time. PHEW that stunk!

Another Quiet Night

Now that Faith has a job, I find myself having more quiet nights at home. While she was growing up, I felt as if I had a twin. She would always be where I was, and if we were walking along and I just suddenly stopped, Faith would actually run into me she was always that close. We live in a small 2 bedroom apartment and I would get up to go to the bathroom and she actually would ask where I was going. There were many times I would look forward to when she would be gone, staying a night with a friend or away for the weekend visiting her dad. But once she was gone I was at a loss.

I thought it was hard to plan meals for 2, try doing it for 1. Faith now just eats on the run, mostly at work. Tonight it was not healthy, and I really am embarrassed to tell you what it was (chips and salsa--you won't judge, right?).

Is what I'm feeling just preparing me for that "empty nest" syndrome I always hear about? Next year she will be a senior, and I am sure the nights alone will only increase over time. I have a feeling that this summer will be a constant flurry of Faith going somewhere, where I find myself just slowing down. Oh to get old...one minute we are looking for the time we can stop and do what we want, and the next minute we are wishing the clock could be rewound.

Faith's Field Trip

Had to sign a permission slip for Faith today. The junior class was going on a retreat and I bet you couldn't guess what for!

They bussed the students to Irene, SD, to have the girls and boys separate and get the dreaded "sex" talk. Yep, you read that one right. Juniors (aged 16-17) getting the sex talk. My opinion is it's a little late for that. And in Irene???? Why there?? Are they all virgins in Irene? Sorry my sarcasm got in the way there...