So College life agrees with him and thank GOD for Facebook!

Josh's move to Duluth went really well. The school gave us a great set of directions that totally avoided the road construction on 35W and around the campus, and despite not getting the student move-in help that we thought we could expect, a third floor apartment, and no elevator, we managed to get his stuff moved in with a minimum of fuss. The exercise did serve to illustrate for Rich and I how horribly out of shape we are however.  We're working on that, but that's another story.

Yes, I cried on the way home. I knew I would and this first week has just plain sucked, but we're both coping. I will say that having an empty nest isn't all it's cracked up to be. In fact, right now, I hate it but I suppose it will get better. Yes, I know I sound like a whiny baby but I'm not going to apologize for missing my kids. There. I said it.
I've been very good about not contacting Josh (per our instructions from orientation) other than a couple of text messages to make sure he was alive and had everything he needed. He did call last Saturday night which was almost enough to take the edge off of missing him.  Facebook has become my pipeline to what the kid is up to and by all reports, he's having lots of fun. Molly, the girl in the photo is somewhat of a mystery to us since we haven't spoken to Josh but she takes great photos and she shares a ton of them on his Facebook page! Funny thing? She's from Fargo! I had to laugh at that. What are the odds?
So what about Dan? 
Well, I spoke to him this week and he sounds great. I did ask him if he might like to move back home but he declined. Hmmm. Imagine that. I think I even offered to bake him cookies. He still said no! Actually he just finished moving downstairs in the house he's sharing with Bryon and Crystal. Apparently it's been quite an experience because when they got down there, the discovered water damage and mold that the guy who was living down there didn't feel the need to report. Idiot. This meant a whole slew of repairs to both the drywall and the pipes so things are a bit chaotic at the moment. He likes having the extra space to himself though.
Work is going well for him. He's mostly driving for the company he works for which isn't necessarily his dream job, but he's happy to be employed! Unfortunately, they keep sending him on these all day driving treks to the edge of nowhere.  I think he "gets to" drive to Sioux City, IA (and back) on Monday. Yippee. I suggested that he give my friend Sherry a call on his way back (she lives in Fenton, IA) and visit with her for a while, but it would mean taking a circuitous route back and navigating a 1 ton truck on dirt roads to get to her. Upon further thought, I think he decided that might not be such a great plan. He was up in Bayfield, WI a month or so ago which is a beautiful area, but I doubt he really appreciated the scenery. The good thing about these extended trips is that they generally mean a phone call from him asking me where in the heck they are?! I also get updates on his status colliding with birds while he drives, (apparently this is a recurring problem for him), and his opinion of dunderheaded drivers who think stopping a 1 ton truck on a dime is easy. Let's remember that the truck weighs a ton - the plate glass he is hauling weighs a bit more. I guess I don't blame him when he offers the stupid drivers driving lessons in sign language!

Well, folks that's all I have for now.  Aren't you proud of me? Two posts in the space of a week and a half! What's the world coming to?

later!
Toni