My degree arrived!!!! Now maybe one day I will frame it.

Back to the grind...for some

Vacation has came to an end.... I am a little bummed. Yesterday, I did a marathon drive and took Nathan back to school. The car was loaded with plenty of water, pretzels, a new microwave (courtesy of grandma and grandpa), foot locker and plenty of pain meds, and whatever else he needed.
The drive down was pleasant. We saw a man and his kid riding a horse in the hospital district of Houston {weird}. Enjoyed a dinner together and made sure the kiddo was settled in. And somehow, I made it back without any new issue arriving.

Today, the house was again far too quiet...and...even Thumper was pouty all day. I started to rearrange/reorganize the house to keep distracted. It is definitely time to make it back to work. Hopefully, the foot continues to heal and a new job comes my way.

A visit to the son and UH

It was family weekend at the University of Houston this past weekend. I was so excited to go see my college boy. Nathan has totally adapted to college life and his studies...and I do not think it is on his mind to come home and see his mother any time soon. Damon and I made the drive Friday morning and arrived after Nathan was done with class. Damon had never stayed in a hotel before and was totally thrilled. Friday we attended the BBQ and then watched Damon climb the rock wall. The evening was ended at the House of Pies.

That spec of a human is Damon conquering the wall

Saturday we arrived to get Nathan around his new time of functioning....noon. We participated in a text-message scavenger hunt. It was a neat way to see the whole campus....but I must say that Houstonis HUMID. We spent some time in the billiards hall and then made our way to the tailgate party. Totally crazy with people...Damon's name was drawn in a raffle...there were so many great prizes with quite a bit....and Damon won a girly picture frame and photo album. It was really quite funny. We ended the day at the first college football game for all of us. All I have to say is that I would go to one again. Nate...well he was bored stiff for the most part.  A late night dinner and we dropped the kiddo off to work on a paper.

Sunday Steve had to convince a RA to let him into the dorm so he could wake up our son. An odd thing as Nathan never used to sleep all day. Chilis for lunch and a drive to find a Super Cuts for Nathan and the weekend was over. I was sad to leave him once again....However...I do not think that Nathan could get rid of us quick enough. He is truly getting along well with this independence.



It was a hard down pour of rain all the way home. But a fun drive that will be filled with a few inside jokes. Damon was a very fun traveling partner...and well...he and Steve were quite a hoot.

UH Move

It has been 19 days since we drove Nathan to the University of Houston.....who says I am counting. Eventually...it will be too long and hard to remember how long my baby has been gone. I miss Nathan terribly and still find myself with tears in my eyes at times. The house is far too lonely. Even when I think about how he drove me utterly crazy at times his last few weeks at home.

Poor Nathan was crammed in the back of the blazer with all of his stuff. At least the drive is only around 5 hours.

I helped Nathan arrange his room while Steve unloaded most of his stuff. This is how Nathans half of the room looked when we left. I am curious to see what the place will look like when I go down for family week in October. I do know that I will have to get these boys some stuff decor for the walls if they are still this bare.

I have actually talked with Nathan more than I thought I would have. But it is me calling him....he has sent me a few texts...usually telling me he needs something. I would feel horrible about my son never calling me, if it wasn't for a few of my coworkers who also have boys away, and they too have the same sad story.

The kiddo is ready for UH

who would have thought the boy scout foot locker would come in use again

  It did not look like much once we started packing everything up

The past two weeks have been spent collecting STUFF for Nathaniel and his dorm. Thanks to graduation gift cards and money...many much needed items were easily purchased. It was pretty impressive, as the items started piling up on the dining room table and floor. I meant to take a picture of that and of course forgot. I can only imagine how it is to get a girl ready to leave the nest with the amount of supplies, clothing and anything else they can think of would be. Nathan was a little too easy and unconcerned with packing. I am sure that once we get to the college and leave our son to his dorm...that one of us will remember something that was forgotten. And hopefully, that will not be the only reason he decides to call his mom.

So renters insurance is taken care of and first payment of the semester made today. The blazer is packed and ready to go.It is about a five hour drive to Houston. Early check-in (for those going to Honors Retreat) is tomorrow from 10-7. The meal cards will not work until the weekend, therefore, the kiddo has asked that we feed him dinner before we leave.

I can not believe that my son is of age to embark on this new adventure. I know that he is ready...too bad his mom is not quite sure that she is. No choice though...as UH awaits him.

Steve Graduates

After seven years in school...four for the Bachelors (a two year break) and another three for his masters program....Steve graduated last week with his Masters in Public Administration from University of North Texas. This was not an easy thing for him to do...and at times...a down right struggle with time...but he accomplished his goal. That alone deserves a big congrats!

Everyone asks if he is done with his schooling. Steve will tell you yes at this time. Nate and I say probably not. Time will only tell.