Chaos

Just when I had the basement organized and the garage cleaned out we now have boxes piled up and chaos about the house.

:::just breath:::

I'm trying.

Luckily the weather is nice. I can go outside...take a deep breath.

The basement walls have been sealed and the framing has started. Caitlin packed most of the boxes and helped seal the walls. Rick and his Dad were here to start the framing.

Rick took a lunch break for a bit and sat with Caitlin and chatted together. I have to admit it - it was sweet to watch them together. Talking...bickering a little. They are good for each other.

This makes this transition easier.

It's still an adjustment and this is just the beginning. They haven't moved in yet.

Stay tuned!

C's Road Trip

The daughter took her first "road trip" this past week. The son, having flown in from Chicago on a bit of a break from school agreed to drive back with C and her friend.

They left on Thursday.

All day long I was on pins and needles thinking: I hope they are OK. What if the car breaks down? Do they know how to change a flat? Did she remember her AAA card? Does she have enough money for food? Gas?

Finally around 10:00 that night I got the call that they arrived in Chicago...safe and sound. Tired and hungy, but safe!

Whew!

exhale.

The daughter had her big plans for Chicago. They bought tickets to the Pitchfork Music Festival on one day and then were going to tour around the city with the remainder of the time. Play it by ear, have fun in the city.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too cooperative, but I think they made the best of it.

This isn't the first time she's traveled on her own. Heck, she's been taking the train into NYC by herself since she was about 16, but still...every time she goes away...my heart holds an extra beat until I hear from her that she's OK.

The daughter will be 21 in a few months. Very much an adult...but she's still "my baby girl". I look at her and think - "You're so young...you don't know enough of life to be out on your own yet!"

I was married and had my first child before I was 22 years old.

I thought I was so grown up, ready for the world.

Interesting how your perspective changes when you become the parent.

The son has been out on his own for a few years now...and even though he's skinnier than I would like him to be...he's fine. He's learning about life.

It's different with the daughter though for some reason, maybe because she's my baby, my little girl...maybe it's just because she's a girl and I get so afraid of what can happen to young girls out in the world on their own.

I could drive myself crazy with worry if I think about it too much.

And I'm not really a worrier by nature.

So...little by little...I'm learning to "let go" a bit more each day.

Learning to let out that breath that I hold in.

The daughter just called a little while ago. She and her friend on "on their way home!" They should be back in NJ by 10:00 tonight if weather and traffic are kind to them.

Ugh...I can't help it....I will still hold that breath until she walks in that door and I know she's safe and sound.