<p>NSSI is interesting because they have a lower minimum ($2K) which should be more than sufficient for our DS and would save us a few bucks. I have heard a number of good reports on how easy CSI is to deal with – anyone heard any similar good reports on NSSI?</p>
<p>I have to admit I had no idea how much college cost a couple of years ago when D1 was applying to colleges and I thought the GC had all of the answers! Thank goodness for CC and all of the wealth of information from parents. I learned so much and so did my D2. Me and my husband are going to be empty nesters! Hard to believe D will be leaving less than 3 weeks. I have my moments where the tears are flowing but I hope it will be a little easier this time around.</p>
<p>Mathmomvt, we have had it for three years now. The first year she had a tiffany necklace stolen and they sent her a check right away. The next year she was claim free. This year her macbook pro needed a new screen and Apple wanted 1450 to fix it. They sent her a check right away to pay for the repair. I was worried that after that many claims in a short time that they would not renew her, but sure enough this years bill arrived a few weeks ago, no problem. I have heard of other people who have had them with no problems either.</p>
<p>Checking in from my vacation with five soon-to-be freshmen (and my mother.) The kids are having such a great time. Today the two girls and I took my mother to coffee at a really great gift/coffee shop, then to the Farmer’s Market for flowers and blueberry pie, then to the harbor to see a tall ship (complete with pirates) arrive in port. The three boys were snorkeling in the lake when we got home. This afternoon, the kids climbed the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, then came back to the lake to help me make dinner. After dinner, they went to a beach playground that is a childhood favorite of our sons. They stayed there for 2 hours before returning to the cabin I have rented for them. Now a light rain is falling in the woods and the sound is so comforting. </p>
<p>I am trying to ignore my mother’s negativity even as it embarrasses me and breaks my heart. </p>
<p>Tomorrow, Zumba with the two girls, picnic lunch on the beach near the lighthouse, pontoon boat tubing, fresh fish on the grill and the HP movie at the drive-in. Saturday, sidewalk sale in town, last day on the water, a little cleanup and dinner at A&W. Home on Sunday.</p>
<p>I am so happy to have been able to provide this week for DS2 and his friends–and to have shared part of it with DS1, DD-in-law and DGS1.</p>
<p>I am trying to ignore my mother’s negativity even as it embarrasses me and breaks my heart. (Did I already say that?)</p>
<p>In terms of odd questions, we live in California and I get asked all the time why d1 went “all the way” to Pennsylvania to school. We’re asked if we have family there (no), etc. What’s funny is that d2 will be starting bucknell so it really does seem like there’s something about the state of PA! I haven’t really come up with a great response…it’s where they wanted to go! Theyre both great schools and I’m proud of them for pursuing their dreams but it’s still odd that people ask.</p>
<p>Looks like homeowners isn’t necessarily the right route for dorm insurance. I’ll check out both and see what’s best for us.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your experience with NSSI, parentofpeople! was the claims process fairly easy?</p>
<p>OWM – it sounds like an amazing vacation, even with the challenges with your mom as she ages and gets less tolerant. </p>
<p>I am jealous of everyone having such fantastic quality time with their soon-to-be-freshmen while mine is away all summer, sniff.</p>
<p>Hugs to you OWM. You have provided a forever memory for these lucky friends. They probably don’t notice your mom as much as you do. Hope everyone has taken lots of pics. Enjoy your remaining time and thanks for checking in.</p>
<p>mathmomvt it was simple. Just filled out a short form. For the theft I had to include a police report and for the repair I had to include the repair estimate from Apple. My D actually either did it on line I think, or she downloaded the forms on line. It took about 2 weeks from the date they got the claim to get paid.</p>
<p>I looked and Penn has a link to NGI insurance…so much info to sort through. Will look at the 2 insurance companies recommended (CSI & NSSI)></p>
<p>^^^ NGI was more expensive</p>
<p>mathmomvt, my D has been gone all summer, too. She should have been home this weekend for time off from her girl scout camp counseling job but has chosen to go to Mall of America near Minneapolis with the other counselors intead. She will be home for a few hours next Saturday to attend her cousins wedding, then back to camp. I have no clue when shopping will get done. (or if quality time will happen)</p>
<p>bajamm- My D is also working at a Girl Scout camp this summer. She has been home a few times, but will not be home again until 4 days before she has to go to school. We met her on her night off at IKEA- which half way between our house and camp (1 hour for each of us). The weekend, the counselors are going to 6Flags New England.</p>
<p>OWM, Your vacation sounds just wonderful. (Well, except for the downer Mom). We’re leaving next Sunday for a Vermont vacation with tons of cousins, Aunts, Uncles and two sets of Grandparents. I feel very fortunate that we all get along and that the cousins are very close in compatibility and ages. My daughter, unfortunately, cannot make it as she has to work in Nashville. I haven’t had my daughter home for a whole summer for years and years since her jobs starting in High School were as a camp counselor in either Missouri or Pennsylvania. She also worked as a counselor at a GS camp for two years. She, btw, is now in Santorini Greece soaking up some sun. She had planned that trip before she knew about her job and couldn’t take off for both.</p>
<p>My rising college freshman is leaving Vermont within the hour to start his long trip back to PA via bus and train after a few days of his orientation. I talked to him yesterday and he said that orientation was a lot of fun and he liked the other kids that he met. I think it got him excited about starting school in a few short weeks. This was not a pick-your-classes orientation, but an optional pre-orientation for fun- mission accomplished. I found out that there is both a Costco AND a BB&B a short drive from his college. Nice to have go-to places for forgotten items nearby. </p>
<p>We’re having son’s grad/going away party on Aug. 21. I know many of you have done your parties. Anything you did that worked out really well? We’re having it here and I’ll be praying for good weather to keep everyone outside. I’ve reserved a big tent and some tables from a friend whose husband does tent rentals and we have a two car garage that I’ll empty of cars where we can perhaps set up a beverage station with coolers of drinks.</p>
<p>If asked about the cost of D’s college, especially if it is a family member, I mention that we coseyed up to the right rich relatives. ;)</p>
<p>ETA: sorry OWM for the negative pall on parts of the vacation. I look at my mom who is going through some health issues now, and I rarely see the positive, fun person she used to be. I think it must be a function of aging for some. Hang in there.</p>
<p>OWM: So glad you’re enjoying your vacation – in spite of your mom! I think that the aging process makes them less flexible. That won’t happen to us, right?</p>
<p>madbean: I can’t read any model/style on the tags of the soft sheets, just the Wamsutta name. I’m planning to go to BB&B this weekend to look for them, so I’ll let you know if I find them and give you the particulars.</p>
<p>gsmomma, I hope your D is having a good experience! This is the 2nd year my d has counsled at GS camp. She did 2 years ago at 16, too. Then they raised the age to 18 so she couldn’t last year. I think this year has been a better experience for her. I don’t know if it is because she is more mature or has a year of experience, or both. She isn’t saving as much as the money as I’d like her to, though, and I don’t know what is up with that because she is usually a very good saver.</p>
<p>S1 is giving his two-week notice at work today… to allow him a couple weeks of down-time before he heads off to school on 8/29. We are thrilled that he will have managed to earn and save $3K for personal expenses throughout the year. He has opted not to do his school’s off-site camping orientation at the end of August. His summer job was physically exhausting and he really wants a chance to rest before football starts. </p>
<p>We received his first semester bill electronically (due next week), and decided to pay it with our LL Bean credit card… which will earn us points for a canoe, or some other outdoor gear for the family. Always looking to make lemonade, here~</p>
<p>His dorm shoppping is pretty much done, save for a desk lamp and dorm insurance. He has a 3-year old Dell laptop that is functioning perfectly… so we are contemplating a new computer for XMas, maybe. He’s still waiting to hear on his roommate assignment so he can figure out the need for a fridge, TV and mutual decor stuff, like posters an area rug, etc. The wait is killing him, but the time is just flying by for me. </p>
<p>For anyone who read an earlier ‘not a dry eye in the house’ graduation post of mine, about my son’s former teammate and friend who walked across the stage to receive his diploma after a serious spinal injury two years ago, ESPN is featuring an inspiring story about this young man and his triplet brothers (and family and teammates and community) that will air this coming Tuesday at 7:00 eastern, as part of their E:60 series. The story is called “Running for Three: The Coppola Triplets.” </p>
<p>A preview of the story that will air Tuesday can be seen here:
[E:60</a> segment on Coppolas airing Tuesday - Boston High School Blog - ESPN Boston](<a href=“http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/8701/e60-segment-on-coppolas-airing-tuesday]E:60”>E:60 segment on Coppolas airing Tuesday - ESPN - Boston High School Blog- ESPN)</p>
<p>I’m in the D being gone all summer group as well. Actually, she will be home in two weeks (yay!) and doesn’t have to be at school until September 3rd, so we’ll have some time together before school starts. I’m taking off work the two weeks before she leaves, so that’s helping me feel better about not seeing her the rest of the summer.</p>
<p>D got her room and roommate assignment yesterday. Another indication of what a global world this is becoming - her roommate is from Tanzania! Makes it a little difficult to chat and coordinate who is bringing what, but I think that when D returns she can access her college email account and reach out to her that way. So D started the summer with a one week service trip to Canada, followed by six weeks in South America, and will have a roommate from Africa. Very cool!</p>
<p>Kathiep-One tip that was cute and worked well for us to keep things cool was to use baby blow up pools (@$5 at Walmart-maybe less now that the season is ending) that are one ring high and fill them with ice. They were small and pliable enough to sit on a table and place salads into with the ice coming up around the edges. We did the same with some drinks. Unfortunately, they are printed with fish. So we took disposable plastic tablecloths and lined the inside and tucked it under so they matched our decor.</p>
<p>Kathiep - Got big trays of cupcakes instead of a cake in the school colors from Sam’s Club and it was a great thing with the crowd I had. Didn’t have to do anything but pop open the box and let the swarm of locusts feed. Made for good leftovers too.</p>