<p>17 days from now, I'll be in the backseat of the family Tahoe (or possibly driving my Chrysler) on the way to Sonoma!!!</p>
<p>Most of my stuff is packed (excepting the things I use every day), and I'm down to the "last" visits (last eyebrow wax & haircut at my fave salon that I've been going to for 7 years, last doctor, eye doctor & dentist visit, etc).</p>
<p>Any last-minute words of wisdom, CC parents?</p>
<p>Don't worry, I'll still be around. ;)</p>
<p>We'll be leaving in only 3 days... I'm going to miss my D, but I can't wait to hear about what the second year brings!</p>
<p>HGFM: If you're nearly packed more than two weeks ahead of departure, you're way ahead! You seem to have everything under control. You may want to check the list of the things you've packed to see if you've missed anything--but don't worry, even if you do forget something, it can easily be sent or bought.
I'd suggest beginning to put yourself in the college frame of mind, Have you already selected your courses? Have you looked into extra-curricular activities? What about trips home? But don't forget to get together with friends. You won't see them for some time. Most of all, enjoy these last few weeks.</p>
<p>Thanks, marite!</p>
<p>I got my courses at orientation in June. :) I'm looking at churches in the area, and I saw some of my best friends in the last few days. I'll see a majority of them at my Going-Away Party on Saturday.</p>
<p>Last minute advice...</p>
<p>Starting college is a neat opportunity to "recreate" yourself. Decide who you want to be when you get there. Is there something about yourself that really bugs you (or really bugs other people)? This would be a good time to put that behind you. Your new friends won't have any preconceptions about who you are. If you are shy (for some reason I am guessing you are not), you could pretend to be outgoing. Pretending can turn into reality. If, on the other hand, you talk too much, you could tell yourself, "I'm only going to say half of what I think is absolutely necessary. I'll save the rest for another time." :)</p>
<p>Bring surge protectors. And duct tape. You will probably find them useful, and even if you don't, you can make friends by sharing them with others who need them.</p>
<p>HGFM,</p>
<p>What is there to be packed? </p>
<p>D1 will be heading to college in 3 weeks. She and I will fly there (thought about driving before, but it is 1200 miles away). She has not thought about packing yet and hasn't looked at the course catalog either. She is having her first summer job which will end on 8/22/08, a total of 12 weeks of full time job! We ordered a bedding package plus a few additional items through school and a refrigerator at Lowes near the school, and will pick up there when we get there. Neither D1 nor I could think about that much to pack at this moment.</p>
<p>Ya got that tacky stuff to hang things on the wall without leaving a mark? Clorox wipes?</p>
<p>HGFM, we are so much alike! I will be at my new school in a week and I've been packed for almost a week. All I have to do is pack my everyday stuff. I'm really excited, but I'm starting to get nervous. Today the emotions hit me. I was eating with my mom and she mentioned that this weekend will probably be my brother's last sporting event that I can go to, so I really should go. I started crying because I realized that she's right. I felt so dumb crying in the middle of a restaurant. After that, I've been an emotional wreck. I don't know how I'm going to deal with the good-bye even though I'm only 2 hours away (I've been really close to my mom since my father died). Anyways, good luck with the packing/moving and I hope the emotions don't suddenly overtake you!</p>
<p>OKgirl-I'm just kind of apathetic and grumpy with my family. =/</p>
<p>Thanks for the well-wishing!</p>
<p>zoosermom-I'm only allowed to use pushpins and thumbtacks, for some odd reason. </p>
<p>susan4-I'll send you a list of the stuff I've got. :) May take a while to take inventory though, so bear with me.</p>
<p>Glad you are so excited, HGFM, and so prepared. On the emotional side, my observation is that these last few days before departure were, for me as a mom, so hard. I am conscious of trying not to be melancholy (don't want to "spoil" the last few days, etc), yet there is always the "dread" of knowing each milestone or even small thing may be the "last". It's almost easier as a parent once the goodbyes are said and done and the adjustment can begin. So go easy on your family...it's tough!</p>
<p>And have a great semester!!!</p>
<p>Last night just S2 (my soon to be freshman) and I were at home. It was about 11 and I was ready to go to bed. But then S2 came in and asked if I wanted to play a board game. We never play board games. In fact, I'm pretty sure he and I have not ever sat down just the 2 of us to play a board game. So we played Scrabble. I think he is feeling it, too.</p>
<p>We have been buying and preparing for the past couple of months for D2's departure. But on Monday, I was putting some appointments on my Outlook and I realized that we will be taking her to school in 2 weeks. Then of course the emotions kicked in and the water works started!</p>
<p>HGFM,
If you have early classes (and you have spent the summer sleeping in), start going to bed early now to prepare your 'internal clock'. Based on your previous posts, you really have it together. I hope you find a good church to make it all complete.</p>
<p>As I've said before, you are one of my favorite posters.....please visit here once in a while and let us know what you are up to!</p>
<p>MamaDiva-excellent advice. :) I do indeed have two or three early classes...my earliest being 8 AM (which feels like nothing compared to leaving at 6:35 AM every morning for high school!).</p>
<p>boysx3-thank you so much!</p>
<p>I just completed the first part of my required "Alcohol education". Happy happy joy joy.</p>
<p>Thanks, HGFM. I would love to see your list and probably follow some of the your list. D1 and I better start get them ready soon.</p>