<p>My thoughts were, damned if he's here, damned if he's gone:). Still waiting for SluggSon's mug shot in US Weekly...</p>
<p>So, what are the post-launch plans? Huge party? Move with no forwarding address? Witness protection program?</p>
<p>Lol, something like that, amdg. Actually, we're heading up to Tahoe with a bottle of good wine and some hamburger patties. We intend to howl at the moon and avoid being eaten by bears in the parking lot. </p>
<p>Things on our list the day after we drop him off:</p>
<p>1.) Change the locks.
2.) Change our phone numbers.
3.) Divvy up the bedrooms.<br>
4.) Take a wrecking ball and a blow torch to both bathrooms. </p>
<p>5.) Once and for all, get rid of the kids' toys...except for the Brio train set; the Playmobil pirate ships; the Pokémon collection; the Beanies and their extensive wardrobes; all of the Star Wars ships and action figures; a big box of dress-up stuff; the Ninja turtles; the boxing nuns; the boxing rabbis; and a stuffed Oogie Boogie wearing a pair of Barney underpants (that one still cracks me up). :) </p>
<p>That should be enough to keep the grandsluggs quiet while grammaslugg and grampaslugg watch Survivor 36, Sacramento Municipal Utility District -- and eat Chipotles off of TV trays. :cool:</p>
<p>SacMUD is <em>so</em> more exotic than EBMUD. Maybe I'll enter Survivor36, then.</p>
<p>DH & I independently & in rare synchronicity decided after the last little darling flies the coop, to sign up for the "Amazing Race" Ha Ha. I think we both were thinking of the "Great Escape" which was on tv the other night...I am famous for my 'sense of direction' or at least my boasting of having this trait in common with the small brained pigeon...I am mocked for my sin of pride, but I point out to the young'ns that I shall be one of those old ladies with walkers escaping from the home, and homing in with my excellent sense of direction on the nearest donut shop...mmmmm. Is there more? After they are gone? :)</p>
<p>Be glad that y'all don't live in the era in which offspring, especially young ladies, were expected to live at home until marriage.</p>
<p>OK, here's positive thinking for ya.</p>
<p>TSFH has a birthday on Thursday this week. He's already turned in one app for a rolling admission school. In the mail today, he received a very cute and clever birthday card from said school. (!) I propped it at his dinner plate; he thought it was from me and said, "Oh thanks," but when I pointed out that it wasn't from <em>me</em>, he read it carefully, and laughed! Then he stared at it, and was silent for a moment. Then he said, kind of softly, "Does this mean I'm in?"</p>
<p>I had to break the news to him that it's no guarantee whatsoever. (We can dream, though.)</p>
<p>Actually...</p>
<p>One of my students applied ED to her top choice, all out favourite school last year. No second choice - it was this school or ones that fell a distant third or tenth. She kept getting postcards from them - "Wish you were here" or "Greetings from [Podunk]." She was sooo stressed - "This is taunting! They're just tormenting me!" </p>
<p>She got in ED.</p>
<p>...which was by no means a guarantee. SATs in the lower 25th percentile; good but not outstanding grades. Passionate essay though - I proofed it for her and heard her voice throughout it.</p>
<p>Can someone pour me something ridiculously strong? I've just had my car window smashed, my purse stolen, so I've cancelled my credit cards, figured out how to replace my passport and drivers license, and had my locks changed.</p>
<p>Fortunately, I have two dogs. But said dogs don't seem to understand "pour me a drink." However, I do feel confident that they will scare the daylights out of anyone who has the nerve to try and break in here.</p>
<p>Coming right up. I'm known for pouring drinks that knock people on their butts after the first round. :) How 'bout some vodka, Hypnotiq, and cran? Or how 'bout some tequila down your throat, followed by the Cointreau, and, if you really want it, some sour mix? ;)</p>
<p>Hug?</p>
<p>Sympathies! That feels like such a violation.</p>
<p>WHAT???!?! That's horrible! I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, knowing first-hand what all sorts of burglary and theft can feel like. "Violation" is indeed the word. Let those dogs sit close by you tonight, they'll be reassuring presences.</p>
<p>I know it's a platitude, dmd77, but... I'm glad you weren't hurt. I'd pour you something virtual, but I'll bet it wouldn't be strong enough. ((hugs))</p>
<p>Actually, I went for the heavy artillery and went to bed: steamed milk with real chocolate and a floater of whipped cream. Lots and lots of whipped cream.</p>
<p>The dogs ALWAYS sleep with us (on their own beds in our bedroom), but last night I was especially glad they were there. </p>
<p>Thanks for the support. It's going to be a long day, I have to replace my drivers license and my passport.</p>
<p>I know the feelings....lost all my stuff on the subway in Madrid...that won't happen again!</p>
<p>Oh, jeez, dmd77, I feel your pain!</p>
<p>I hope your DMV makes it as cheap and easy to replace the driver's license as ours. They still had my digital photo on file, so I didn't even have to age. </p>
<p>I hope today goes smoothly. If not, you can always add a shot to that heavenly hot chocolate.</p>
<p>Cyberhug.</p>
<p>Passport too? Uggh. Sorry. I will add some cyber-tsking about the human race to your toolkit...</p>
<p>The DOL made it very easy to replace the license, since I still looked like the online picture--and a guy who had to leave before his number came up gave me his so I got to go from being number 31 to number 21, which kind of restored my faith in the human race.</p>
<p>The Passport Office was more difficult, didn't like my temporary license and said they might not accept it, don't you have anyone who can swear they've known you two years? (Yes, but not that I'm willing to make come down here right now.) We'll see if they accept the temp license.</p>
<p>The bank was willing to give me cash only because they actually knew me, but they did.</p>
<p>What a day! And of course, it's raining (finally! and I'd be glad if I had both car windows!) and I have to drive to the dealer to leave my car.</p>
<p>Bummer! Hopefully the thieves will throw the non-valuables into a post office box....</p>
<p>That's terrible! I hope they were only after the money. Smart thieves these days can fence the passport & license for re-use by illegals or worse. Keep an eye on your credit report for activity by someone pretending to be you.</p>
<p>Too bad the dogs weren't in the car! <em>snarl</em></p>
<p>YES what a smart suggestion, mommusic! dmd77, contact one of the 3 credit bureaus right away and request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your account. This will be placed for 1 year, and if there is any attempt to open something (credit, loan, etc) which might ping your credit history (even if it's by you, and legit), you'll be contacted (in theory) to approve it (or deny it and report it as fraudulent activity). You only have to contact one of them, they'll submit your report to the other 2 automatically (I know this is true: I did it myself last month by calling Equifax (800.525.6285) and got prompt letters from all 3 credit bureaus (including TransUnion (800.680.7289) and Experian (888.680.7289)) telling me there was now a fraud alert on my account, and offering me the requisite free copies of my credit report sometime in the next year, even though I already got copies earlier this year to review).</p>