Cuddle Time & More

The weather here is cold and wet. Not that I'm complaining, but I wish I could just be cuddled up and cozy like these two.

Must be nice! 

But...it's not to be...I have too many things going on today. Exciting things!  I've already been up to Long Beach and back today (about 180 miles round trip) and now I am home with Pickle putting the finishing touches on picking up the house. She is a great helper and I appreciate her coming down for the weekend.  You see, AJ is coming home from Indiana for Spring Break tomorrow, and he is bringing his girlfriend Alex.  We are very excited to meet her.

We've got a busy week full of fun - touristy stuff planned. She's never been to California before so we'll try to squeeze a lot in while she is here, and of course, get some quality visiting time in with our boy. 

I am REALLY excited, and that's putting it mildly.  The weather is supposed to get really nice starting Sunday so we should be good to go -and go and go!!

So, high ho, high ho, it's off to clean I go. 

Summer Days Drifting Away...

Tomorrow AJ flys back to Indiana. He will be starting back at Purdue on Monday as a sophomore.

Where did the summer go?

We spent our last evening together (for a while at least) enjoying a perfect summer evening picnic at La Jolla Shores. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful sunset.

 Next week Pickle will be packing. She leaves in 10 days for Long Beach. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself! 

Pass the kleenex.

Home!

It's hard to believe that AJ's freshman year at Purdue is DONE! If feels like just a few weeks ago that I was a weeping heap of a mess as we drove away, leaving him to fend for himself in Indiana.

He arrived last night, home to stay for a few weeks until he jets off to Germany with his new best buddies for a 10 day adventure.

We were all VERY happy to see him, including Jill and Harley. (Pardon the poor picture quality - I grabbed my little point & shoot and apparently the lens was a mess.)

It's fun to know that some things never change...I left the house early this morning for an appointment and when I returned I found AJ and Pickle in familiar places...on the couch in the living room, playing Guitar Hero.  Welcome to my wonderful "normal". 

 I'm SO glad to have him home. My life feels nearly complete again. The only one missing is my Dad. I know he is as proud of AJ as the rest of us are.

Wordless Wednesday- My Boy is Home!

Whoosh! And the week is half gone!

This week has been FLYING by! I seriously can't believe it's Wednesday! Monday AJ and I spent the day together and had a great time. It was really the only time we'd gotten to really talk since he'd gotten home Friday evening. We went shopping, had lunch and saw a movie ("Moneyball" with Brad Pitt - we both thoroughly enjoyed it!) It was a really nice day, but it went by way too quickly. Yesterday it was already time for him to head back to Indiana and Purdue.

Before his flight yesterday, we managed to squeeze in a quick breakfast out. Hubby couldn't join us, but the girls did, and it was fun, with the typical sibling interaction.

Although it was hard to say goodbye again, it is comforting to know that he will be home again in 6 weeks for Thanksgiving. For that, I truly am very thankful!

Muscles in Motion

AJ played in his first Purdue Ultimate Frisbee Tournament this weekend. The tournament lasted ALL weekend and his team made it to the championship round (I honestly have NO clue how the games are played!) but didn't win that round. When we spoke to him this evening he was exhausted, but happy.

We certainly can't knock that now, can we.

Batmanning? Yup, Batmanning.

These goofballs are at it again. You've got to give them credit for originality...

Shouldn't these Purdue students be studying?

Boiler Up!

How the Boilermakers Welcome Students

This was the welcome AJ and the rest of the Boilermakers of Purdue got for their first week back to school.


Pretty cool, don't you think?

The Big Drop Off

I know, I know, you are all wondering how the actual drop-off and leaving of the Boy went. Well, I suppose it went as good as it could have, considering the circumstances.

Pickle was able to spend Saturday night in the dorm room with AJ, so that was kind of cool. The roommate wasn't there yet, and she camped out on the futon. They got to have some quality sibling time, and it was nice knowing he wasn't spending his first night in the dorm alone.

Sunday morning we checked out of our hotel and picked them up for breakfast at about 8:30am. We made one last stop by one of the campus book stores and picked up some push pins, and a last souvenir. We found a local spot for breakfast, and enjoyed a last meal together.

Before long, it was time to head back to the dorm...where we tried to take some pictures. I did pretty good for the first couple of pictures, I really did. Then the water works kicked in a little. Just some tears, no big "ugly" cry. I only went thru a Kleenex or two...no, not a box or two.

Round one of pictures looked like this-











After those few, it was Kleenex time for a sec...I know we were all dreading the actual driving away part, and postponing as much as we could. AJ asked if we would stick around for a few more minutes so he could run up to his room, grab his Frisbee so he and Hubby could toss it around for a few minutes. OF COURSE we could stick around!!


They had a good time playing one of the Frisbee Golf holes on the course just across the street from AJ's dorm.


Round two of pictures was a bit better, I didn't start crying until we got in the car. Last hugs, last kisses, more tears.


Oh, I do love this boy!


And whether or not they will admit it, I know Pickle and AJ will miss each other a lot. (Bear already had to say her goodbyes since she couldn't come on this trip with us.)





Finally at about 10:30am, we got in the car, and pulled away. Yes, it was tough, very, very tough. But he is happy, and I keep reminding myself of that.

So long Purdue, I hope to see you again soon. Take care of my Boy.


-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad and we are on the road, heading home.

More From the Big Move

As promised, here is a little more from the move yesterday.

AJ's move in time was from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Basically all that meant was that was our time to park right in front of the dorm and unload. After we were unloaded, we needed to move the car and give others our spot, then we were free to spend as long as we wanted to unpacking and setting things up.

This was what it looked like when we arrived at the dorm. The line moved quickly, and we had lots of student volunteers helping unload the car and move the stuff to AJ's 4th floor room.


AJ was happy- even in his empty room.


This is his view, not shabby!


Standing at the window, looking towards the hallway, this is how it looked.


Our first chore was to set up the loft beds. We decided to set up his room mate's bed too, to help get it out of the way, and make room for the futon. It took us a little extra time, but was well worth it. His room mate didn't move in until this afternoon, so it would have been a pain for us to work around.

Loft beds done, and area rug down- onward!


Ah, here comes all the "stuff"


This little golf cart cracked us up. It was decorated to be the "Mayflower" as in "Mayflower Van lines."


AJ needed a break, and of course he needed to be SURE that the TV and his video games were working properly. A couple of "guitar hero" songs later, and he was sure it was ok.


Of course the rest of the family had to check it out too!


Pickle helped me make the bed and get it up on the rack. Then she climbed up to be sure the fan was aimed correctly. Ha ha!


The boys got AJ's new wireless router and video cam set up - he needs to be able to chat live with me online once I get home!


We were greeted Indiana style, with a fast moving thunder storm that swept across the state. It was crazy- we had incredible wind, rain, and hail! We don't see much of that in San Diego! This same storm caused the main stage at the Indianapolis State Fair to collapse, killing four people and injuring at least 30 others. It was very tragic and they kept playing video footage of it over and over again.


After ANOTHER trip to the store for a few more things AJ needed, we were finally done!


Hubby and I sat for a few minutes, reflected on the day, and enjoyed AJ's excitement.


It was a hard, but good day - and I am glad I got thru it with only getting misty once...but the hardest part of the trip was still to come.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad as we are on the road to Oklahoma City