<p>**The SS Indecision left port on April 1st.</p>
<p>The ship will stop in many ports this month with the last port call scheduled in 13 days when all final commitments to schools are due. (Or nautically speaking, it’s time to sink or swim.)</p>
<p>That’s now less than two weeks! We may have to hold a muster drill soon.** :eek:</p>
<p>I did a quick post last night just to share the good news but I wanted to take the time now to just tell you guys how proud I am of my D.</p>
<p>She is a reserved child and always has been that is one reason I was shocked that she was going to try out. I knew her gymnastics training would give her the tumbling edge but she had never done all star competitive cheer only HS comp cheer and those two are not the same, at least in GA. This weekend was one of those where as a parent when you see your child push themselves beyond their limits and go so far out of the “comfort” zone, you are just amazed. That is how I felt this weekend. Some of you are probably thinking this is just cheerleading but it is so much more than just standing in front of a crowd leading cheers. The talent at the tryouts this weekend was more than the coach had ever seen. When my D saw what she was up against, she stepped her game. She attempted skills that she previously was terrifed to do but knew she had to do them to even have a chance. She not attempted them but did them well. It was a long and stressful weekend but the result was all worth it and my D has truly grown from it.</p>
<p>
Certainly make sure there are enough life jackets/life boats. “Let’s be careful out there.” (Now I am really showing my age- loved that show.)</p>
<p>ETA: go gamomof3’s D! Cheerleading is a demanding, althetic sport with punishing effects on the body. We saw that with one of my D’s friends who did it competitively in h.s.</p>
<p>GAmomof3 - high five to your daughter for putting herself out there, taking a risk and succeeding big time. It will be cool to watch her on TV. My hubby is a proud bulldog.</p>
<p>“Soon we will be in a phase where these kids will be handling their ups and downs, joys and disappointments, without us there with them, and that is a huge change for just about everyone.”</p>
<p>Definitely something that will take getting used to. I’m sure my daughter will handle her transition from home life to college dorm life much better than I will. Fortunately, I have D2 to keep me busy 
And, hopefully, by the time *she *is off to college, I’ll finally be ready for the empty nest.</p>
<p>I feel like I am having glimpses of this “emptier nest” as ds is so very social lately and I have seen him only in between engagements of some sort. Being break week, I keep finding he is waking and out the door on some adventure or another. Today a group of them going into NYC to “hang.”</p>
<p>Question for all you wise sages and completely off the college topic - what are your thoughts about close family members taking a deceased person’s clothes or shoes for their own wardrobe? Not as momentos but as good usable clothing.</p>
<p>My H is about the same size as my beloved uncle, whom we lost sadly 17 years ago at age 60 to cancer.</p>
<p>When we were sorting my uncle’s belongings, I took his nice blue blazer home, and my H still proudly wears it. We’ll keep it forever. It’s usable - and a memento, too.</p>
<p>AK- When my MIL died, her very lovely clothes were shared with daughters, stepdaughters, DILs, grandchildren who wore them proudly in subsequent months/years. The unable to be used items were donated to charity. I saved a few as mementos too for D who was too young at the time (handkerchiefs, etc). I think it really depends on the family though if everyone is comfortable with this.</p>
<p>amanda ~ My husband wears jackets that belonged to his dad.</p>
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My aunt is still wearing clothes and shoes from her parents. My grandmother was clever and frugal and would have loved it. I have a huge comfy shirt of my Dad’s that I snuggle in from time to time. I had given it to him as a birthday gift years before he died.</p>
<p>People shouldn’t have to keep and use the clothes, but it’s wonderful if they want to.</p>
<p>Missypie, MOSB & researching- sending positive thoughts your way.</p>
<p>D is getting closer and closer to a decision. I actually think her decision is made but she wants to hold of on an “official” decision until after we do a last-minute visit to the school next week.</p>
<p>gamom3 I will confess to thinking it was “just cheerleading” until last year-when my daughter played on the town travel ream with a girl who was just starting HS and made the HS squad as a freshman. Well let me tell you something-the athleticism, strength, and gracefulness and of this young lady put my “star athlete” daughter to shame! It’s the same with dancers-alot of the girls play rec soccer or basketball and you could see if they wanted to they could smoke a lot of the girls that play more or less fulltime. To see her challenge herself and face her fears like you did is such a gift, isn’t it? I will make it a point to look for her next year on TV-if you aren’t on shutterfly may I suggest you join so we know who to look for?</p>
<p>emmy that was beautiful. I have the same age difference so if I am still above-ground in four years I will be going to a college and HS graduation-well actually since he’s going to a co-op school I guess that may change.</p>
<p>missypie I could see that being a deal-breaker for a freshman-maybe next year?</p>
<p>amanda, I guess if people can use the clothes I wouldn’t care-I never really thought of it-I know my daughter wants my jewelry (which I never wear) and my dining room set when I depart-but she wants to part of my rather dated wardrobe. ;)</p>
<p>kindawg welcome-remind us about the 30th-do you need the weather fixed-that I can handle!</p>
<p>I miss my baby! Not being able to talk to him is tough but I am sure if needed the teacher-who is the most awesome teacher I have ever met in my life-would track me down. At least next year in college I can talk to him. My daughter on the other hand is loving every minute of it.</p>
<p>A guy I know found $18,000 sewn into the lining of his deceased grandmother’s rattiest coat.</p>
<p>Edited to add: Although I have virtually no cash in my house, the depression era folks and others who don’t trust banks may well have hidden cash, so check before getting rid of things.</p>
<p>^ Oh my, missypie. :eek:</p>
<p>DS said he would inform us last night or this morning about his decision. Since he has now texted it to our phones and posted on his Facebook page, I have to take his decision as official and final. He has decided to attend Georgetown University in Washington DC and be a Hoya - Class of 2015!</p>
<p>Georgetown was never a front runner but after the admitted student’s visit and the real face time he got with current students and staff, he told us that he found the kids to be really down to earth and that he could really relate to them. The other thing that helped convince him was that the Saturday dorm tour included all four of the freshman dorms and the rooms visted were real student rooms with the kids there to point out the pros and cons of their dorm buildings and to address questions. The other schools showed us just a “typical” dorm mockup in one building. He also found the passion and love for the school to be consistent throughout the campus. In the end, the fit and feel of the campus made the decision for him.</p>
<p>Oh yes… there was one more factor … it’s only a short walk from campus to the Georgetown Cupcake company store on M Street! :eek: Also known as DC Cupcakes on the TLC and Food Network channels.</p>
<p>Hi All</p>
<p>Congrats ^^ Georgetown is a lovely place to live (and DC has great restaurants!!)</p>
<p>OK So I need remedial Shutterfly lessons as I have been trying to get a prom pic onto my profile as my first pic…and dont know why after I pic it…and it shows on Shutterfly, why its not my new profile…kwim…Guess I will wiat for kiddo to come home and help. Go figure.</p>
<p>Has anyone ever used those custom printed cake toppers…the ones that take a digital pic and print it on fondant? Can’t decide if we’ll go with cake, or cupcakes…yet these can transform a typical cake/cupcake. I think I am going to check the area for a cupcake shop…I realize I can bake these, yet who has time to bake a variety?</p>
<p>Avon- congrats on G’town! I’ve always wanted to live there or have a good reason to visit often. Sounds like a good fit for him. Yea!</p>
<p>Gamom- so happy for your D. This will make her transition so nice. I wish her all the best but have to say go gators! ;)</p>
<p>Congrats Avon!!! I am guessing you will enjoy visiting and sampling the cupcakes!</p>
<p>Congrats AvonHSDad!!</p>
<p>Congrats to AvonHSDad’S G-town is a fantastic school, and DC a vibrant hip town.</p>
<p>And I agree those cupcakes are a plus :)</p>