15 Comments
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Kim's avatar

I’m in the same boat. I’ll be driving my daughter (only child) back to college next weekend for her second year. I don’t know how the summer went so fast! I’ve been trying to mentally prepare for the emptiness in the house again. As you stated, this is a new phase of life. Thank you for sharing!

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

It’s so hard! I can’t imagine with one. Hugs!

MaryAnn's avatar

Hang in there, I also had a hard time taking my kids back to college each year. But now they are full adults, both are married and one had a child this year. Life is full of wonderful surprises! Just try to enjoy the journey!

Susan Hammond's avatar

Loving these Friday Five posts. Sometimes just a "bite" is just right.

It wasn't easy to have the house empty out again each August, but in time we adjusted. Now those kids are about your age! And two more grandkids are leaving for freshman year!

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

Crazy how time flies!! I am so looking forward to being a grandparent. I think it will be a while, though. :)

Natalie's avatar

I’m feeling this a little - about to drop off my oldest for his 2nd year, and although he is much more settled and it is less of the anxiety from “unknowns” and 1st collegeyear… I feel a little melancholy. It is great to see him so settled and I am thankful, but bittersweet bc they really start needing us less & the house changes without them. I have 2 still at home and they are getting social & independent too. I’m reminding myself to be thankful for all the beautiful phases God gives us in life.

I love the shacket - may have to order! Where is your dining table arrangement from? So pretty.

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

Yes, I am grateful! And it is such a blessing to see her thriving and also happy and healthy. But still, hard to see our lives changing so dramatically. I kind of miss the old "school days" and back-to-school excitement and band practices, etc., but they are now fully behind me. ANYWHO. I absolutely love my kitchen table set. It's from Saloom - it's made in Massachusetts. It has a leaf that stores inside. Brilliant!

Deborah B.'s avatar

Just dropping my twin girls this weekend and feeling quite blue. Nice to know I’m not alone.

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

It's so hard. Make some fun plans for those first few days!

Libby's avatar

Yes, we move our college kid back next weekend. :/ She thrived last year, so I'm praying for the same this year.

If you are not currently, on hormone replacement therapy, I encourage you to look into it. I had foot & toe pain for many months that I would wake up with & have all day. Nothing helped relieve it until I started my Estrogen patch. It was gone in 2-3 weeks. Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver at https://thepauselife.com. Her Menopause book is the encyclopedia for menopause. Happy aging. ;)

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

I am on HRT but not sure it's enough. We are still tweaking to get to the right combo.

Katie's avatar

Love your kitchen table and chairs! Would you share details of where to find? Or similar? Thanks!

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

Sure, we got them from Saloom. We love the set and it's made in the USA! https://www.saloom.com/

Denise Rhinehart's avatar

We just got home from moving our youngest halfway across the country for grad school. Fortunately her oldest brother lives in the same town and they even ended up with apartments in the same complex! Still hard to let your baby go...

I just bought the soft services buffing bar. I tried it last night and loved it! I wondered if you have a suggestion for storing it in the shower so that the water doesn't wear it down over time?

Jo-Lynne Shane's avatar

Oh that’s nice they’re together! I have a soap dish that drains and I’ve been using that. Soft services makes one with a cover too.