Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Empty nest

This is a day late since we got home yesterday evening.  The boy child is all ensconced in his new apartment, going through freshman orientation, and seemingly just fitting right in to his new music college.  This college is one of many, many, many, many colleges in Boston.  And Saturday was move in day for many of those many, many, many, many students.  You see, the leases for apartments start that day.  So yeah, Boston was a zoo on Saturday.  We were lucky to have my sister's house to use as a place to stay and to leave from for the big day.

Here is the normally quiet street that the boy child's apartment is on.  The double line of cars is all the double parking going on with the move-in.  The only way to get a rental truck (so many rental trucks!) unloaded was to double park.


But the moving went amazingly well.  BIL and my nephew helped, which was so wonderful.  We were done in 2 hours!  And that included unloading onto the sidewalk, carrying everything up 5 flights, and setting up and unpacking.

The boy child was very pleased with the results.  He had to take pictures to show his friends.


Love his bay window.  (That's BIL and nephew.)  (Note the vuvuzela in the window.)


Sunday was check-in day for the freshmen, along with picking up their new laptops.  After an hour wait for the laptop, boy child had to play.


He went off to take a couple of intro to the laptop classes right away too.

That evening, there was a great welcoming ceremony and concert.  It was so great -- the kids get peer advisors to help them through their first year.  All the peer advisors were cheering and clapping, there was drumming and it made the kids feel so welcome and inspired.


And the music -- well of course, it was amazing!

The boy child stayed in his apartment for the first time Sunday night.  Monday was the start of orientation, including some talks for the parents.  We didn't see much of the boy child, but we did get to say goodbye.  That was the hardest goodbye I've ever done.  But I managed to hold back the tears at least.  They came after.

The girl child is home for a couple of days to take care of doctor appointments, so we are easing into the empty nest.  It's very strange to have girl child home and boy child gone.  But I've already been texting with him so that's good -- he's not going to be totally silent.  I hope!



I miss my baby.


(Picture from the girl child's graduation.  Love his hair in this one.)

Sorry, no stitching pics this time around.  If you've read this far, I hope you enjoyed it.  Time for a new life for my boy child, and for the empty nesters as well.

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.  I love being part of this blogging community.   For tennis fans, enjoy the US Open -- let's hope it doesn't rain toooo much.  I hope everyone has a great week!

58 comments:

Bertie said...

Good luck to your boy, fantastic appartment and such a quick move in!! Heard a lot about Boston, sounds great.
Have a fabulous week:))

z3mom said...

You'll do fine Margaret! My own boy child left for college last year (and 2 weeks ago this year) but he texts me almost every day so he's really not gone. Boston is a wonderful place for college kids; so much to see and do.

While you were busy moving him in, I was at the US Open! Took up a friend's offer of seats in a corporate suite (woot woot!) and was 10 rows up from the court. We saw Serena Williams and Roger Federer play.

Gabi said...

Your son has a really lovely room and wishing him good luck and much fun in the new chapter of his life.

And to you.... {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} - I know how you must feel.
Cuddle to Mia. She will miss him too

Lanie said...

Well, Margaret, "best wishes" to your son and to you and your husband, too!
Everyone has been telling us "give it a few weeks and you'll embrace the empty nest" hmmmm ... don't know about that! But I hope your son has a wonderful start to his college years.
I'll look forward to seeing lots and lots of new stitching from you!

Mugwump Woolies said...

What a great apartment! I'll bet he is so excited to start this amazing adventure...best of luck to him! I'm sure there will be an adjustment period, but you'll be fine...you've done an amazing job!
Now...go stitch something!
Have a great week,
Robyn

Solstitches said...

Good luck to your boy at the start of a new stage in his life.
At least you still have Mia to spoil.
Now that you will have less laundry and maybe cooking to do does this mean you'll be stitching even faster than ever?
Margaret

merumo said...

So both of your kids are gone out of your house now. Hope something is keeping busy (Maybe stitching?) so that you won't fell so sad about that. And of course, Mia will always entertain you around the house, right?

Leneslines said...

Great apartment he has! And he is obviously going to be with people who love music like he does. I envy him the start of an adventure:) and you will do fine. Just give yourself time. And take care of Mia :)

BrendaS said...

Margaret -- I'm glad the move in went well and that your son is all settled and getting started.

Enjoy your week and getting adjusted to being "empty nesters"!

Annie said...

Good to hear that things are going well. I'd probably have gone through withdrawal if you didn't post this week, stitching or not!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

good luck for the children ...

marylin from France

Beth said...

Soon the Empty Nest will be the new normal!

cucki said...

good luck to your son..
me thinking of you so much and sending you big hugs
love and care x

Vera said...

Hi Margaret, You made it through the weekend!! The BC's apt looks fabulous and, of course, Boston is such a fun town. He will do well surrounded by those who love music as he does. The start of a big adventure! How is Mia doing? Hope she is not missing him too much. Vera

Krista said...

Looks like you had a super busy time this weekend! It must have been hard to say goodbye. It is a lovely apartment and it sounds like he will get a wonderful musical education, a new adventure. I hope you have a relaxing week watching some great tennis! So far it has been an interesting tournament. I am looking forward to Roddick's match this evening.. rain, rain, go away! :)

Joy said...

Hi Margaret, My heart is sinking a little after reading this. I don't think we are ever prepared for an empty nest, yet we do encourage them to be their own person with every passing year. Know they love you and miss you too...they just don't always have the time to say so. Hugs...

Vickie said...

ooOoo Margaret! If I have enjoyed this post?!?! Aaahhh! I am actually crying Margaret! Whew! I need to get a hold of myself. One more year before this. One more year. I'll just keep telling myself that. I have been doing phone calls this week and last for Jacob with the two colleges he has it narrowed down to. Such big changes ahead, right? ;)

Cari said...

Love all of the pics Margaret. Your son will do very well I'm sure. And in time, you will too!! Hugs dear friend.

Deb said...

I'm glad to see that Eli is all set up in his apartment. It looks like he has a wonderful place, especially with that bay window. I know that you will miss him and have been worried about him, but he'll do fine mom - probably better than what you would ever imagine. Now what are you going to do with all your time??

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Loved you post, Margaret.
Been through it with my son, so I know of what you speak. Best wishes to all of you!!!
Linda

Giovanna said...

All the best to all of you, settling in your new kind of life - hugs.

Deborah said...

Good luck to your child! Living in Boston is a wonderful experience. Texting will make it better for you. Mia must really miss him.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Loved seeing the photos of the boy child's apartment. Lovely wood floors and bay windows.

Glenna said...

Funny thing--I was in Boston Saturday (and the plane was chock-full), but really just at Logan--I high-tailed it out of there! Best of luck to Boy Child (he'll be fine), but it's Mia I really worry about. What she going to do!?

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, looks like your Son has a marvelous apartment. I know that he is going to have a wonderful time at College and living in Boston. It always seems to be an interesting place.

This is for you ((((((big hug)))))) as I know that you will miss him, but with mobile phones etc. he won't be far away. - Sandra.

Littlebit said...

Aww, loved this post, Margaret! Someone once told me that there is life after kids..that was a hard one to swallow, but we did it! It just takes some getting used to..much luck to your son..and mom and dad..

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

What a sweet post!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Two of the most important things we give our children--roots and wings--you have given your boy child both

marly said...

All the anticipation and anxiety of the moving day is over and now I imagine the pride can take over and glow. Congratulations mom. You did a splendid job and I wish him well in his future.

Veronica said...

Lovely apartment. Two hours to move in? That's quite a feat. Boston sounds wonderful.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Lois said...

I know only too well how you feel Margaret. Love the apartment and I wish him well as he starts a new stage in his life - and you too!

Chris said...

What an exciting time.
Hugs.

Carol said...

Glad the move-in went well, Margaret. Your son will just love Boston--what a lucky guy!! And hugs to you--this is a very strange time in a mother's life, but not all of it is sad. We teach our kids to spread their wings and fly and your son has done just that so I'd say you've done your job very well :)

Dawn said...

Glad the move went well - those Boston streets are so narrow. Best wishes on the empty nest - it is a new chapter. Take care!

Mary said...

Margaret, so happy to hear the big move was a success. You'll soon come to relish the freedom of the empty nest!

Debby said...

yes, the little kids are getting grown up! I hope you are not to lonely:-).

Greetings from Debby

Donna said...

thank you for sharing that, it was great and I hope you will be fine in that empty nest, maybe stitching will help

Liz said...

a new stage in everyone's lives, exciting and scary.....enjoy...all of you!
Lizzie
xxx

Catherine said...

Wonderful post, Margaret. I love your son's apartment! Looks like he has plenty of room for all his stuff.
Sending big hugs for you while you adjust to the changes in your nest....

Jane in Wisconsin said...

Hi Margaret........I'm thinking of you! You found a great apartment for the boy child!! I know you will settle in to a new routine soon.

Katrina said...

Big hugs!!!! I know you miss him :-). Love his new apartment and I am sure he will do great at school!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello

Good luck to your son and I love all those photos!
I hope you settle in to your empty nest soon. It's lovely that he's texting you already.

Sally x

Melanie said...

Best of luck to him!!! He's going to have such a great time out there,I'm sure. We *almost* headed up to Boston last Sunday to go walking and now I'm glad we didn't go! It would have been a nightmare. (The hubby had a lot of routes there for years so he knows all the ins and outs of getting around at least. Imagine navigating all that with a tractor trailer. Hehehe.) At least he's not so far that you can't visit from time to time, right?

Sherry :o) said...

Oh my, Margaret, tears again reading....just like a couple weeks ago. I can't imagine getting in the car and pulling away, leaving my baby boy. Although he's not home much, this is still where his stuff lives (including the live stuff *fish and turtles* and electronics). What a beautiful apartment - looks like he's settling right in.

You have been in my thoughts!!

So now you will have a bit more time, perhaps - does that mean your needle will be moving even faster?

Hugs to you! Sherry :0)

Anja said...

Oh, I have tears in my eyes when I read this.
I am a mother of three children (21f,19f,15m). I understand.

Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland von Anja

Isabelle said...

What a nice appartement for your boy child : good luck and best wishes to him in his new life:))
And you, how do you feel wthout your boy child at home ??
Have a nice week-end,

Roberta said...

Wow, how time flys. Love the look of the apt for your son and since he is in Boston (this is where I a originall from)life will be wonderful for him. The city and suburbs are great so much to do and see -- great history also.

Enjoy your empty nesting time and keep on texting (except when driving!)

Anne said...

Awwww! Big HUGS to you Margaret! I hope you are okay now! His apartment looks amazing for a first time apartment! Wow! Sounds like Boston is a crazy college city! Send some pets and love to Mia for me!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I still have one at home so I don't know what life after kids will quite be like. I hope you're adjusting well and figuring things out. He's going to have the time of his life!

Susan said...

Hope the rest of the week went well for you and you are adjusting to the empty nest. I'm sure your son in having the time of his life. Great looking apartment!

Sharon said...

Margaret, I can't imagine the joy and the angst of it all. Best wishes to your boy child as he starts this next phase of life. I am sure he will do fantastic!

Brigitte said...

That must have been such an exciting change for your son, a real adventure. I don't know Boston but from all I heard about it I think it's a gorgeous city to explore. All the best of luck to your son. And to you as well. You will see you'll soon get accustomned to the new situation and fill the additional free time with all the wonderful things that make you happy.

Karoline said...

Hope that your Son settles in well, it looks like a great apartment.

Kathy Ellen said...

It looks as though you settled your son into his first apartment very nicely. He will love Boston. It is a wonderful city, full of great history and lots of interesting things to do and see. Now, for you and dear hubby to turn the page to a new chapter....it does take a bit of adjustment at first, but think of all the stitching time you will have!

Blessings!

Stitch By Stitch said...

I wish him all the luck inthe wprld! Such an exciting next adventure! I have one left at home and he is a senior this year. It is hard to see them go.

cemavi said...

Good luck to your son, I hope he will visit you often !
It 's difficult to have an empty nest, but I think you will soon become used in this new situation
Hugs from France

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Just catching up on blog reading after being gone last week. I hope you are getting along okay in the nest. Sending hugs to you today!

valerie said...

What a nice apartment and neighborhood! I am glad that the move went smoothly. Hang in there with the empty nest...there will be lots of chats and visits I'm sure. *hugs*