Friday, September 12, 2008

Empty Nesters

College Girl and The Wild One leave for college today. They'll spend about 14 hours on the road in a 2001 Honda Civic, en route to Larry U. The car is packed to the gills, of course! CG's gonna be a Big Bad Senior, while her younger sister will be a Tiny Little Froshie.

BTW, The Phillies--Oscar, Simon, and the newly named Lars--are on the floor of the front seat. My kids are so Martha Stewart, sometimes!

Moker and I, of course, don't know what's gonna happen on the homefront. While the girls are out investigating The Wide World of Wisdom, aka College, we'll have to go to Plan B. We've talked about this, of course. What's gonna happen after 21 years of diapers, car pools, first days of school, braces, boys and melodrama--since they're girls, lots and lots of melodrama!

One thing will remain constant, although so much will also change today. We'll still be here. And they know that. It's a pretty good feeling.
  • "I have never let schooling interfere with my education." ~ Mark Twain
  • "Don't let anyone tell you that high school is supposed to be fun. High school is to be endured. College is fun." ~ Stephenie Meyer
  • "Education is what remains when one has forgotten everything he learned in school." ~ Albert Einstein

Playing along with Candid Carrie today. It's Friday Foto Fiesta Finish time, you know!

97 comments:

must not be blank said...

Awww....you are an empty nester!! After the week I have had with Thing 1, I can't WAIT until he leaves for college!!

Lula! said...

Stephenie Meyer is a GENIUS. Truer words have never been spoken.

Great post...and that picture is the BEST!

Tara R. said...

{{hugs}} for the empty nester. Good luck to your girls at school and to you and hubs... enjoy your new found freedom.

I still have one at home... I'm actually looking forward (a little) to being alone with the old man for a change here in a few years.

Breanne said...

AWW - are you so sad? I would be. I hope it goes well for them.

Melisa S. said...

What a great picture of the girls!

Lori said...

That is such a sweet picture. Their smiles are so genuine.

I've got to show those quotes to my 1st- and 3rd- graders, they will LOVE them.

Lynda said...

What are you going to do with all the peace and quiet?? I am jealous!

Susie said...

Ahhh!! I can't handle one of my daughters being gone and you have 2??!!

Dawn said...

How great that they'll be going to school together! Will they be living together?

Kally said...

I love the pic of the girls. I don't know how I am going to handle it when B gets old enough to leave the nest.

Rhonda said...

Oh, sometimes I swear this day will never come in my lifetime!!!

You'll have to blog about how fabulous it is. I mean, before you get to the sad and lonely stage... But we'll be here then too.

Have a great weekend!

Briana said...

Too cute. Both girls off to college. I can't even imagine - I have a 4 and 2 year old! LOL. Thanks for the BATW visit and sweet comments!

Anonymous said...

Oh, please don't tell me girls are all melodrama! I kind of know this, but am not willing to admit it yet. Mine are both still young...will girls change as a species before mine become teens?

HAVE FUN!!!! as empty nesters! I can't wait. I know there will be tears in my eyes, but I'll be waving goodbye to my girls as hubby and I head off on our grand traveling adventures!

Mrs. X said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. X said...

Why aren't you at the spa? Take a break already! After 21 years you REALLY deserve one. :)

Mrs4444 said...

Our time is right around the corner (four years til our youngest leaves the nest, but I'm sure it will arrive in a blink!)

Long time no see; sorry about that! Did you ever answer my question about where Pop'rs can be found in a store?

Anonymous said...

Part of me thinks I look forward to this time, then the REAL part of me knows it terrifies me just to think about it, lol I mean, I freaked out when my son went to Jr High, hahaha

They are adorable, btw!

Michelle said...

I'm so glad I have YEARS before I have to do this. I get sad sending them off to daycare every day! Although, it will be here before I know it...

Tracy P. said...

Oooh, I can almost hear the echoes! Well, more time for blogging. Maybe you can sleep now too. ;-) If you get lonely pop on over in my direction and I'll take you to the Uff Da shop. (Should be two words if you ask me!) Lovely day! (Course, we'll have to be home to meet the bus...)

Debi said...

Veggies Mom,

I know what you mean, ours are both now out of college, out on there own, the oldest has two little ones of her own, the youngest is working and just got her first non-college job. I miss them both every day... but... I have figured out what to with my time too :D I make all kinds of things I haven't been able to do since they were really little... and I get to BLOG!!!

Of course I get the little owns whenever I want them... or whenever they want NaNa too. :D

I wish you luck with the empty nest syndome!!
BTW, I love your blog... and the recipes... oh my mouth is watering already. I have copied them to my file of recipes... and I will be cooking your meatballs really soon. And as for the cheesecake... I think his side of family will get a new cheesecake for Thanksgiving!!! Thank you for sharing!! I will be back tomorrow to get the next one!!

Hope you have wonderful day!!

http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com/

WheresMyAngels said...

They were adorable children. Now I would know what to do if all my children were out of the house. I would throw an endless party!

Cheryl said...

That would be so hard for me. Mine is 12 and I know she will be leaving too soon. BTW I am stopping in from SITS. Have a great Monday.
Cheryl

trash said...

oooo! I bet your house is quiet!

Kimmie said...

What is it like to have peace and quiet in a house again?

Casey's trio said...

Hope your grown-up girls are enjoying college! I imagine it is a life changing event to have your kids move out of the house.

Mom said...

I had a hard time with ALL of mine being in school all day. I don't even want to imagine what it will be like when one actually leaves. But I'm sure I will get over just as qucikly as I got over them ALL being in school...lol!

Anonymous said...

This was a month ago...how are you doing? I know my parents had a time adjusting to both my brother and I leaving. We are only a year apart, so just when they got used to my bro leaving, I was up to bat. But they invested a small fortune in football tickets for both schools (15 hours apart mind you!) so they could see us.

I love your blog--especially the title. Veggie eating does not happen much around here except for me. :)

Judy @ In His Grip said...

We are new empty nesters as well. Although I am not sure how to handle this new chapter of life yet, they me tell it only gets better. So I am waiting for that the happen.

Unknown said...

Jumping in from SITS...although I do believe I've been here before...

I am just tring to adjust to my first in middle school...College??!!

Unknown said...

It's been almost 4 weeks without them, how's it going?
visiting via SITS!

Creative Junkie said...

omgosh, I can't even conceive of being an empty nester. We have two girls, the eldest will go to college in 3.5 years, the youngest isn't due for another nine. So I've got some time yet.

But I know I'm going to be a mess when it happens.

Natalia said...

I'm only a couple years away from this. I can't believe it...

Sisterly Love Card Co said...

I like the quote by Stephanie Meyer...so true!! And when my parents hit the empty nester stage in their life, they got some exchange students (crazy, huh?!)

Heather said...

Congrats on your SITS day in the sun! Enjoy all the comment love!

Great post, although the time of me being an empty nester is so far in the future, it's hard to imagine. I know, "time flies" and all, but when you're struggling through each day with an obstinate preschooler, that day seems ridiculously faraway.

Love Steph's quote...now she needs to write a book about the Cullens going to college!

BITRCountryGirl said...

Congrats on your SITS day! I love the quotes at the bottom of your post. How is life without your girls close by going so far?

sassy stephanie said...

Congrats on your spotlight today!

How cool that they are in school together!

Lorie said...

What a cute picture! They just grow up too fast. I love the quotes. They are ALL true!

Shanda said...

Oh, I don't even want to think about the day when my house will be empty...of course, my youngest is 7, so I have a few years to prepare myself!

Unknown said...

IT'S YOUR SITS DAY!!!

I love it when it's one of my friends SITS days!!!!

I hope you have a great day of comment loving!!!!

My First Kitchen said...

I've always loved that comment by Mark Twain. Enjoy your SITS day!!! So much fun!

What A Card said...

Oh wow, what a big day that must have been! Hope you're enjoying your empty nest, and that those adorable little chickadees remember to fly back home as often as they can!

Anonymous said...

congratulations!

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

I hope the girls and you are all doing well this fall. What a big change!

(Go, Packers, BTW! I grew up in NW WI!)

mrsmouthy said...

My son is only 3 and not a day goes by that I don't worry about him leaving me for college. How do you sound so calm about it??

Tara Bennett said...

What an exciting change fpr your family! Best wishes on a smooth transition.

Melissa Lester said...

I have been feeling like a bit of an empty nester with my youngest of four going to preschool a few hours a week. I think it has been a good transition for all of us. I guess it helps that they grow up slowly, a little more each day. I hope your empty nest is feeling a bit more like a full life every day!

Elisabeth said...

I hope that the past few weeks have been smooth and enjoyable!

Debbie Y. said...

And to think you managed to live through it to see the day...ahhhh, but the melodrama never goes away with the girls, still having it and mine has been out of the house for a few years now. What can I say? They are always gonna be your babies.

Congrats on being FB on SITS today!

Mandy said...

Love those quotes. Hoep they are doing great at college!

Simply Stork said...

Awwww, I know that day will come soon enough here...I'm not sure what to think about it :o)

love the pic :o)

and happy sits day :o)

~simply~

Anonymous said...

Ugh. Meyer is so right. High School is not fun - just something to be endured.

Rhea said...

Wow, congrats on having both girls in college! I bet it is a shock to the system to have them both gone now. Hope they're loving school!

THE Stephanie said...

Awe... have fun!!

Cracker Scraps said...

Here from SITS! I've become an empty nester in the past year! Since I brought two young children into this marriage it's time for US! I can get used to this, 'though I do feel a little strange knowing the kids bedrooms are empty! One is now my scrap studio and the other a guest room!

At least I have my two little pooches to give me all the lovin' I can handle!

S Club Mama said...

Happy SITS day!

I don't want to leave Moose at daycare, let alone go off to college. Give me 17 more years, I may change my mind!

Denyse said...

Don't get me wrong, I love my 13 yr old and 8 yr old something fierce, but I'm already counting down to Empty Nest...only 10 years to go :)

Leiann said...

I often wonder how I will do one my kiddos leave and My husband and I are empty nesters. It might be nice. Congrats on your SITS day!!

Dana said...

Man, I am NOT looking forward to those days although I know they will come oh too soon. Hopefully since my kids are quite spread out (there are so dang many of em) The hope is that by the time the little one is off to college, the older ones will be bringing over my grand babies! Good luck to you!

Melodie said...

I just don't know what I'll do with myself when all of my girls are gone. I had a hard enough time dealing with the first two going to school, so I eventually had a third. But the hubby says no more babies, so eventually, I'll be an empty nester, too. Just not for at least 16 more years, though.

Anonymous said...

We're still a long way from an empty nest, but we talk about it sometimes. I don't know what we'll do when all the kids are out. I'm thinking I'll have a lot of free time. Five years before the first goes, 16 before the last.

Jacie said...

Aww. What a great post. I'm sure you have mixed emotions, but I bet your girls will miss you just as much as you miss them.

♥ Becky ♥ said...

WOW, an empty nester. Sometimes I dream of that day. My oldest is graduating high school in June and my youngest is in 5th grade.

But then when I really think about it, I don't really want it to happen. I think I'm a little crazy.

Congrats on being featured blog today!!!

Tinabean said...

The empty nest days come way to fast!
Congrats on being the featured blog today!

Jenni said...

I picture the day when I am an empty nester and I imagine all my kids coming back to visit and ask advice and argue good naturedly and love being near family. . .then I remember I only have two kids and I don't live in a TV. But I hope they come back and ask advice and remember the importance of family.

Anonymous said...

I just started my journey on the way to empty nest. I still have a ways to go and I hope that it lasts a long long time.

The Boss Lady said...

So sad. The thought of the offspring not walking in on me in the bathroom actually makes me tear up. I like them where they are, thank you very much!

Teryn said...

It's amazing how time flies isn't it? Mine's just 8 months but I'm trying to savor every minute. I know college will sneak up on us faster than I dare to think.

katylinvw said...

wow! i bet that's quite an adjustment. i've never been on that side of it before, but i know my parents have had a lot of adjusting over the last few years, and many more to come (my baby sis is a freshman in high school) :) hope your girls are loving college!

Ronnica said...

Congrats on being the featured SITSta today! It really is a high, no? I'm still getting caught up from my feature last week!

My parents had my brother I very young, so they had an empty nest at 42. Now they're about to have 2 fully independent grown-up children since I'll be graduating from graduate school in December!

April Kennedy said...

Yea, congrats on being the featured blogger today! Very exciting.

We just got our youngest in kindergarten. I have 3 hours, give or take, to myself now every morning. As with you...it is bittersweet!

Michelle said...

Congrats on your SITS day and congrats on your new position in life!

I already have plans to turn my girls room into a scrapbook/craft room when she goes off to college.

Four years and counting. :)

Laural Out Loud said...

How fun that they got to trek off together this year! Hopefully having a little/bigger sister nearby will be HELPFULL, and not annoying, lol.

Karol said...

Good luck with your (and their) new chapter in life! I don't even want to think about my boys leaving me! :sniff:

Happy SITS day!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Congratulations on being featured and congrats to a new stage in your life. I imagine it's bittersweet!

nikkicrumpet said...

It's tough at first...and you always miss them and worry about them. But you grow to enjoy the quiet and the clean house!

Suzi said...

Best wishes! It's an exciting time to be sure.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Really enjoyed the quotes. Congrats on being the Saucy Blog, today.

Anonymous said...

Don't know what I'll do when my little ones go off to college...

Ash said...

Congrats on being saucy AND getting to go to the bathroom without locking the door.

Enjoy both!

Em

Tabitha Blue said...

Such a sweet photo! Enjoy your empty nest... I know my parents sure are!!

wendy said...

What an odd feeling that must've been. It seems so far away and yet I know it will be here before I know it (and well before I'm ready!).

Happy SITS day!

EmmaP said...

what a sweet pic! letting them go is harder, but keeping them home can be harder!!! hahaha! Enjoy your trip down memory lane during this bittersweet departure!

Unknown said...

What a sweet pic. I know how happy I was when Kyra moved back to the same town we are in.
I still miss my mom though- I think I need a family compound. ;)
Happy SITS day, enjoy the love.

Anonymous said...

Aw, that's tough! When my brother and I moved out of the house to go to college, it hit my dad harder than anyone which was kind of a surprise. For a while, he started calling the cat his "adopted child." 10 years later, he's gotten over it somewhat. I think it can be sad but also exciting - you get to be adults again in the adult world and have it all revolve around your needs, just like before you were parents. Enjoy! Enjoy!

Amy said...

Happy SITS day!

Alison said...

After all the fantasizing of my kids being old enough to leave me alone, I'm going to be a blubbery pile of protoplasm when they leave for college.

Michelle said...

Fourteen years to go for me.... I hope both they and you are enjoying their time at college. Very cool that they're at the same school!

Unknown said...

Enjoy this moment of peace, because it won't last. Before you know it the grandkids will be arriving :-)

But that's lots of fun as well :-)

Enjoy your SITS day !!

Lisa Petrarca said...

My 20 year old moved out when he was 18 and I cried off and on for about a month. I still have a bunch of kids at home and I can't imagine when they're all gone!

jori-o said...

Heehee, what your girls don't realize is now it's YOUR time to par-tay! And be home and in bed by 10, of course. ;)

Staci said...

oh i dont know what im gonna do when my boys leave for college....ill pray for you ;)

Laurel said...

Y'all are going out to celebrate, right? We are soooooo far from that day!
Over from SITS - congrats on your special day!

Pinktulip said...

I feel for you...My oldest son will be off in a year's time and I am dreading it and also looking forward to it, depending on the day. But you are so right, as long as they KNOW you are always there for them. Also we teach them values that they WILL remember even if they hate our little "talks"!

lynn said...

Happy belated SITS day! We've got a while to go before our girls will both be out of the house, it kind of scares me think about it though. I'm sure it will be strange not to have them around all the time.

Bebe said...

Hi!
Another happy belated SITS visitor! I'm sure your girls are going to love college, but they will probably miss their mom like you are missing them! It is nice that they will be at the same school together. Enjoyed your education quotes!
Smiles, Bebe :)

Vanessa Rogers said...

I felt bad when I left my mom for college. She was left all alone in a house with white little doggies to keep her company. But she is always calling, so it is almost like I never left home. :)

Scribbit said...

I agree--high school is so not fun. College? Totally different.