Move-In Day - Part 6

(I believe it's "Freshmen.")

Youngest son is back at school and he'll be sorely missed.

This year, though, I didn't get my panties in a twist.

Didn't weep on move-in day...  Just helped him make his bed,

Put away his clothes and took him out to lunch, instead.

Gave the standard "Carpe' diem" speech and then we left.

This is our 6th move-in day and so we've gotten deft

At the process.  We were in and out in half a day;

Only got a little "misty" when we drove away.

Mostly, I'm just happy for him. This will be his year.

All he has to do is focus (and lay off the beer.)

We have known forever that our youngest son is great.

Now he has to prove it to the folks at Worcester State.

Congratulations Darlin'

 

Oldest son is now a graduate of Plymouth State.

May have had a bumpy start but - Wow! - he finished great:

Straight As...   Now he's planning on a graduate degree.

He is proving quite the credit to our family tree.

Empty Nest Syndrome

With our sons away at school our home's an empty nest

And, though life is good, it also lacks a certain zest.

Now that it is just we three - my husband and our dog -

You might think that I'd be busy working on my blog.

But, instead, I'll take a nap or read another book

And my only challenge is deciding what to cook.

Lately I've been cleaning closets...  It's a task I hate.

(I'm a sloppy housekeeper.  It's a genetic trait.)

All this free time's made me crazy.  Know how I can tell?

I have felt the urge to clean the basement up, as well.

Ask the folks who know me and I think they'd all agree

Something drastic must be wrong 'cause that is not like me.

A Valentine's Blizzard

Valentines in Massachusetts plan on staying home;

Blizzards aren't the best of times for anyone to roam

Far from hearth or home-cooked meal... I'm broiling some fillets.

I just leave my house to shop for groceries these days.

That's not what the local restaurants want to hear, I know...

But, with blizzard warnings up, I've got no urge to go

Anywhere but cuddled up with blankets on our couch

(When it comes to cuddling, my sweetie ain't no slouch.)

Oldest son is coming home.  We've missed him very much.

Happy I'll have my 3 Valentines where I can touch.

Somehow, I have promised, he'll get back to Plymouth State

But, if it's still snowing here, he'll probably be late.

Have Yourselves a Merry Christmas

"It's comin' on Christmas; they're cuttin' down trees..."

It's next week and, am I ready for it? Honey, please.

Haven't started decorating, haven't written cards,

Haven't strung a Christmas light (unlike our neighbors's yards.)

I just bought the tree and wreath; they're both completely bare.

Haven't started shopping 'cause it's frightening out there.

I'm supposed to pick our eldest up from Plymouth State;

There's a jack-knifed tractor-trailer on the highway... Great.

You won't see much rhyming from me in the coming days,

(And I bet that you are just as busy anyways)

So, if we don't get the chance again, I'm wishing you

Very Merry Holidays and Happy New Year, too.

Back to Plymouth State - A Limerick

Our eldest was home on a break

So now we're preparing to take

A journey up North;

We must sally forth

If he is intending to make

The first of his Plymouth State classes

(Near New Hampshire's high mountain-passes.)

But he won't wake up.

Does he need to? Yup.

We have to start moving our... uh... bums

"Once More Unto The Breach"

(Peanuts cartoon/Courtesy of wfly.com)

Yesterday I brought our eldest back to Plymouth State.

Youngest starts his Junior year tomorrow and I hate

That the summer (though I must admit, we had a blast)

Has this awful tendency to slip away too fast.

There's so much we meant to do but didn't get the chance;

Opportunities that never got a second glance.

Lazy days of summer gone...  We're back into the grind;

Youngest will have 20 forms that must be read, then signed.

Have to mail the oldest kid the check that he forgot.

School supplies and food for lunches still need to be bought.

Have to clean the closets of the clothes the boys outgrew.

One more time unto the breach, dear friends.  There's lots to do.

Unsolicited Advice for School Boards

Pediatric specialists say teens need extra sleep;

Say that schools should change the current schedules they keep.

Start of school should be delayed; let teenagers sleep in.

Later in the morning's when their classes should begin.

Isn't just my observations of our own two sons,

They (as recent studies show) are not the only ones

Who have spent the summer staying in their beds 'til noon...

They are gonna be in shock 'cause school is starting soon.

Youngest must be up at 6 or else he will be late;

Oldest (he's at P.S.U.) has his first class at 8.

Even when they set alarms they never hear the bell;

Neither one can function at that hour very well.

Younger kids like mornings and they're already awake;

Let them have the early start and give their moms a break.

I bet if you asked the teachers they would all agree

And I guarantee that teens would greet the change with glee.

Going Back to Plymouth State

 

I'm driving our son back to school

Where, thanks to the genetic pool,

He's proving he's bright;

We did something right...

His momma did not raise a fool.

At least, we can hope I did not;

That he'll use the brains that he's got.

Give trouble a pass;

Stay focused on class,

And know that we love him...  A lot.

Merry Christmas? (cont.)

Illustration/Ammon Perry/http://doodletillomega.blogspot.com

Christmas tree fell over on the floor; I wasn't thrilled.

Needles flew, the tinsel tangled, and the water spilled.

Then our oldest son surprised us; he came home from school.

Room-mate drove him back; now I don't have to...  So, I'm cool.

Still, this year (like every year) I've got a lot to do.

It might be next year before I share new rhymes with you.

Therefore, I would like to wish you joyful holidays.

May the New Year bless you in a myriad of ways.

The Packing Blues

Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH

Summer's almost over and the nights are growing cool.

In a week my eldest son will leave to go to school.

Hasn't finished packing yet; he hasn't even started.

Even though his other friends have almost all departed,

There are always more farewells that he has got to make.

Doesn't seem concerned (at all) about what he should take.

Plans to bring his T.V. set, his X-Box and guitar.

Sunday night he'll probably just cram things in the car.

Needs to find the other things he'll take to Plymouth State.

Wish that he'd get organized; the hour groweth late...

Guess I shouldn't worry; he's just 90 miles away.

I can always make it there - and back - in half a day.

PSU Freshmen Orientation (Update)

My trip down memory lane leads through Franconia Notch.

Just got back from Plymouth State and, 'though I didn't stay,

And although New Hampshire's sky was overcast and gray;

'though my plans for where to spend the night had fallen through;

'though my son kept ditching me for something else to do,

Staff and students at the school were helpful, fun and kind.

Made us all feel welcome and their speaker was a find.

He helped me to realize - this trip was for my son,

And his mother's presence stood between the kid and fun.

If he felt obliged to hang with me he might miss out

On the whole experience the visit was about.

He'd already met new friends, seemed settled in, and so

It became apparent it was time for me to go.

Hugged and kissed my son good-bye and drove North on Route 3,

All the way to where New Hampshire's Old Man used to be.

Went back to The Woodstock Inn...  It's changed in 30 years;

Still an inn but now it's mostly famous for its beers.

I got back to P.S.U. for Thursday's barbeque

And remain convinced that leaving was the thing to do.

My son had an "awesome time" and, now, can hardly wait

'til the day his college life begins at Plymouth State.

Plymouth State University's Freshmen Orientation

(Photo/Plymouth.edu)

Going up to Plymouth State for 2 days with my son.

It's where he'll be going now his high school days are done.

He will meet some faculty and learn his way around.

It's a chance to get to know his future stomping ground.

Parents and new freshmen are supposed to spend the night

But, it seems, my son prefers that I stay out of sight.

He "forgot" to tell the school that I'd be staying, too.

I believe I've been insulted...  Really.  Wouldn't you?

That's okay 'cause there's a lovely inn just down the road.

I'll drop by to pay his bills if there's tuition owed;

I'll try not to be a nudge so he'll be glad I came...

Meanwhile, I'll be at the pool - or bar - to watch the game.

(Let's go Bruins)

Thank You Chelmsford Schools

Eldest son is graduating, soon, from Chelmsford High.

This week he'll be telling staff and teachers there good-bye.

He's at Seniors' breakfast now; the prom's tomorrow night.

(Have to go and make sure his tuxedo fits him right.)

Friday's Seniors' banquet; graduation is the 1st.

I am so proud of him I'm afraid I'm gonna burst.

But, as this week rushes by and high school slips away,

There are just a few things that I'd really like to say;

My son's been in Chelmsford schools since he was only 5.

They have taught him everything (excepting how to drive.)

It is thanks to them and all the lessons that he's learned

He will be receiving this diploma that he's earned.

Teachers, Dean, and coaches shaped the boy into a man;

Taught him how to stop and think - then execute a plan.

Gave him all the tools he'll need next year at Plymouth State.

Thank you Chelmsford High School.  Lions aren't just good...  They're great!

I Need A Break

(Photo/Plymouth.edu)

I've been glued to television; sickened by the news...

Going to New Hampshire to be soothed by mountain views.

Cannot watch this tragedy rehashed, again, today.

Tired of the talking heads and what they have to say.

Have to skip the tributes 'cause they only make me cry.

There is nothing I can do to help the FBI.

I'll be sending money to a local guy who lost

Both his legs on Monday - which still won't defray his cost.

That - and offer up my prayers - it's all that I can do

And, as a lapsed Catholic, my prayers may not go through.

So, I'm going to the mountains where I'll be up high

Praying for the victims and that we will catch this guy.

Fat Envelopes

Congratulations darlin' boy.

Eldest got accepted to the college of his choice,

Giving both his mom and dad a reason to rejoice.

School is not too far away; an hour, maybe two.

Offers Criminal Justice, which is what he wants to do.

He will get to wrestle - which will really please his dad.

He will have to move away - which makes his mother sad.

Doesn't seem to phase the boy at all; he thinks it's great.

He can hardly wait until he gets to Plymouth State.