Audrey had a rough day today: it was her last day at Creek so it was also the last day that she had at school with her friends. Not that those friendships need fall by the wayside now that she isn't at Creek anymore. We talked about it and I reminded her of how thing used to be.
To keep in touch with far away friends I actually had to write letters. Long distance phone calls were a "luxury" but stamps were affordable. I had a bunch of friends in California when I was in high school (I spent some of my summer vacations with my aunt and uncle who lived in SoCal) and I remember writing a letter a day to keep in touch. And when I was in college Joanne and I communicated through the mail my freshman year, when she was still at home in high school.
Audrey rolled her eyes. Ancient history, I get it. I reminded her that in this day and age she has a dozen ways of staying in touch with her friends: text, email, facebook, twitter, phone, instagram, blog, skype, etc.. Ok, maybe not a dozen but a ton of ways to stay in touch. I think that made her feel a little better. I also reminded her that we will probably be up at the house a couple of times a week until it sells, so we can pick up her friends whenever she wants. I think that made her feel a little better. Whew!
Tomorrow we head to the Springs. Jo's dad has graciously given us use of the truck and we will be filling it to the brim with all our stuff. We have been transporting things down to my folk's house for the last couple of weeks so much of what we need is already down there. But we are bringing a lot with us tomorrow. Interestingly, the move is showing me the difference between what I have and what I really need.
For example, I am only brining the following clothing items to my parents:
5 pants
6 t-shirts
6 undersirts
4 short sleeved button down shirts
4 long sleeve button down shirts
Assorted socks, underwear and PJs
5 pairs of shoes
2 jackets
3 sweaters
That may look like a lot, but compared to what I used to have, this is a very small and essential list. Truth be told, I could probably pare it down a little is I needed to. I used to have over 20 pairs of shoes. I had at least 10 pairs of jeans and another 10 pairs of pants. I had dozens of t-shirts. You get the picture. So to me, it feels good to have so greatly scaled back my wardrobe.
Here is a weird thing about me: when I find something I like I buy multiples. So my 5 pairs of pants? All the same, just in differnet colors. T-shirts? All made by the same company. My button downs? Same brand all from Target. Do you do that? Do you buy multiples of the same thing if you like the item? Is that just a guy thing? See, I really don't care to be fashionable. I like to be functional. Not that the two are mutually exclusive but I am definitely function over fashion these days. I am sure that's becasue I am getting older and really don't care much what I look like. Life has too much drama for me to worry about what to wear.
Wow, I am sounding like a cranky old man! Nothing against old men.
Joanne's wardrobe has been pared back quite a bit too. Emma has scaled back. Audrey on the other hand has tons of clothes. She filled the back of my dads SUV with bins and bins of clothing. I think she could probably go a month without doing laundry...maybe longer. But 14 year old girls are supposed to be way more in to fashion than there 42 year old dads. So no nudging from me for her to thin her wardrobe out. I say, "Go for it girl! If you enjoy having so many clothes more power to you." Of course it is easy to take this position becasue she gets most of her clothes at thrift stores. If she was shopping at Abercrombie or Urban Outfitters I would be singing a different tune. But most of her clothing items cost $3.99 or less. Yes!
As I write this Emma is sitting in the chair next to me sniffling away. Poor girl has a cold. Her nose is so red from blowing it all day. I feel terrible for her. We are highly germ conscious as a family becasue we don't want Joanne to get sick so we wash hands a lot, don't share drinks, etc.. But every once in a while a pesky germ follows one of the girls home from school. I hope Emma feels better soon so that she can fully enjoy her Christmas break.
I guess that's about it.
Toben
Prayers for a smooth transition tomorrow for all of you. After many moves in the Air Force, we're familiar with changes in a teenagers life concerning a move--at least 7 in their 14 years of school-the sadness will pass, but its different for each one. Ours wrote letters and called when they could and that even wore off after 6 months or so. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of blessings.
Posted by: Bobbie Lutz | December 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM
i definitely buy multiples of the clothes i love.you are not alone!
Posted by: renee altson | December 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Toben, Can you direct message me your new address. We pray the move will be a great one for you and the girls in your love. It will be great for you to eliminate the long commute. I am sure it can be stressful being at work and wondering how things are back home an hour away. This will be a blessing for you.
Lots of love to you all this Christmas!! Would love to send our card...you wouldn't believe how big the kids have gotten. Love you all...The Corsi's
Posted by: Brenda | December 21, 2012 at 11:46 PM
Hoping you fry moved and get some rest.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | December 23, 2012 at 03:52 PM