Gasp! It’s October! How exciting! Halloween decorations are UP! I’m joining Coco and Deborah for this month’s coffee date.
If we were having coffee together on this first day of October, I would tell you it’s been six weeks since I left my son at college. Because he’s so far away, we knew we wouldn’t see him until Thanksgiving. I’m actually fine with that- it was so hard for me to say goodbye to him, I would hate to have to keep doing it over and over again. Better to say one big goodbye and then give us all time to get adjusted to our new normal.
I still have moments where I’m really sad, but that alternates with appreciation for the fact that- although I hate to admit it- life really is easier with just one kid at home! And I’m also already excited at the thought of having him home for a week at Thanksgiving. In other words, I’ve adjusted pretty much the same as all the other moms who had their kids go off to college.
This article on “Grown and Flown” describes a mom’s experience of leaving her son at college for the first time: “That moment when you walked away from us, we went one way and you went the other. You walked into a bright new chapter of your life where the possibilities are almost endless. I was walking away from a piece of my heart…”
Moms of grown kids… do you remember that specific moment leaving them at college, when they went one way and you went the other? I do.
In other news…
I had my MRI on Wednesday and am still waiting for the results. I’ve had a couple other MRIs before this so I knew pretty much what to expect. But do you ever wonder… although the technology we have now is so amazing, couldn’t it be just a little bit better?
I mean… what is up with all those loud noises??? Couldn’t they quiet that down somehow, or muffle it? It just seems kind of… clunky. Since this was for my foot, I didn’t have to have my head inside- but I can see how people have panic attacks.
And here’s a pro tip! Did you know you can self-pay for the MRI, and it’s often cheaper than your co-pay would be if you used your insurance? I saved about $100 by doing it that way, although they warned me that of course it won’t go towards my deductible. HA! I’ve had some pretty bad years (come to think of it, this is one of them) but I’ve never come close to meeting my deductible.
And lastly…
In my last post I explained the problem I have with most forms of cross training… but the next day I saw someone out on an Elliptigo. It looks so fun! They’re not cheap (of course) but I’m going to try to find one on Craigslist. Could this be the answer to my cross training dilemma?
Well, that’s it! As I mentioned, the inside of my house has been spook-ified. This weekend I’ll be putting up the outdoor Halloween decorations.
How about you- do you decorate for Halloween?
Ever tried an Elliptigo? Do you think I would like it?
30 Responses
It is so hard to leave your kids off at college. Makes seeing them at Thanksgiving that much more special. Can’t wait to see my son again then too. The MRI is a weird experience but they did give me my results immediately maybe you can bug them to get them faster. I need a Halloween coffee mug! Thanks for joining today!
You got your results immediately??? I’m still waiting and I’m pretty annoyed about that.
Oh yes, remember well when we left our first at college. I’d kept it together remarkably well (and I’m an emotional gal), but watching her climb the steps of her dorm as we drive away was gut wrenching. But, it did get easier 🙂 Those Elliptigo look interesting. I use my elliptical a lot in the winter, so I’d be curious how Elliptigo compares.
I’ll let you know all about it if I get one! Yes, I have that one vivid, painful memory as well of leaving my son. But you’re right… it gets easier.
I agree that the Elliptigo looks intriguing — safer than a regular bike.
As much as I miss Lola, it is SO much easier with just one dog. And of course dogs are easier than kids . . . OTOH, I’m the baby and I swear my parents were pretty much pushing me out the door. If they had anxiety about it they hid it well, LOL!
I have never had an MRI. Knock on wood that I never do!
Wow, that’s great that you’ve escaped MRIs so far! They really aren’t that bad, as long as you’re not claustrophobic.
I just had this thought lately…as much as I miss my boys, it’s definitely a lot easier here without them. And when they come home…it complicates things, lol!!!
I feel you on the deductible! I’ve really spent a lot of time getting medical attention and I have easily met my deductible. And my out of pocket, lol
Yes, I have a friend who kept trying to convince me that I would love having one less person in the house, and would actually be annoyed when he came back. I don’t think I’ll be annoyed, but I will lose my “home gym” while my son is home!
I’ve seen someone on an Elliptigo on the bike path. For some reason I think I’d be worried about tipping over.
I do remember that moment after dropping off my son. For my daughter it was a bit different because she lived off campus, so we had an exhausting day of unpacking the U-Haul and helping her get set up.
I hope the MRI gives you good answers!
Thanks Coco! I’m STILL waiting for the results and I’m very cranky about that.
I can totally see how the college goodbye would be different with each kid. For some reason I’m envisioning my daughter driving away saying “okay, see ya!”
Here the school system is different so our sons don’t leave for the college.
I hope you will get good news from the MRI. In the meantime, after a long medical check, I got the RunCard for another year.
We don’t decorate our houses for Halloween but the kids, at school, celebrate it with masks and songs.
Yes! I have a friend from Hungary (he and his family live here now) and he’s having a hard time adjusting to his son being gone for college. He says they don’t leave home for college in Hungary.
Glad you got your RunCard!
Our sons are in their early 30’s and I still remember that feeling of walking away after we dropped them off at college. It got easier, but it was still difficult for me to drop my oldest off at the airport years later after visits home when he was in grad school at the University of Chicago.
I hope you get your results from your MRI soon so that you can begin the process of rehab and getting back to exercise without pain.
Yes, I’m already imagining future goodbyes.. let’s see, Thanksgiving won’t be so bad, after Christmas vacation I’ll be super sad again… oh well! That’s life.
My daughter was so pissy and overtired when we said our goodbyes Freshman year she actually made it easier to leave. Haha!
We did have a good cry the morning before though. It’s been easier since, although not always tear-free.
Now that the dust seems to be settling here, I may head downstairs and grab my Halloween decor boxes. Yay!
That’s so interesting about the MRI costs. I had one for my hip years ago and then another as part of a stress echo. It’s nuts how crazy expensive medical care is.
Yes, I’ve heard of other people having experiences like that where the college goodbyes were less than heart-wrenching. My son and I were joking that would happen to us, because it was two very long days of driving, and we were starting to bicker at the end. But no! The goodbye was still super sad.
I hope you get the results back for your MRI soon!
I haven’t heard of an elliptigo but it does kinda look like fun, haha. My butt would probably appreciate it a lot more than the bike seat!
Ha! Yes- that would be a very good thing about the Elliptigo- it would save your butt.
Oh my gosh…that quote! Sums up the college goodbye so well. I have to admit I’ve really been missing my son lately…some days are easier than others.
I hope your MRI gives you some positive news…it does feel like they should be able to give you your results sooner, doesn’t it? And, how interesting about the cost. I’m always dumbfounded at just how expensive all of these tests are!
Yes I agree- some days are easier than others! You’ll get to see yours soon, which is awesome.
Meanwhile I’m really angry at my doctor because I haven’t gotten the frickin MRI results yet!!!!!!! Grrrrrr…
Hoping for good results from your MRI!! And oh my, the Elliptigo sounds/looks fun. I think I’ve seen someone out with one before.
Thank you San! The Elliptigos do look really fun- I’m wondering what it feels like to use one. Hopefully I can find out!
I had an MRI a few weeks ago and it was so loud and uncomfortable. But I tried not to think about it too much and did my best to ignore the noise. It was over quickly. Of course I say that when it was over. That is weird that it is taking long to get results. I got mine the next day.
Really? Now I’m even more angry that I don’t have my results yet! GRR!
It’s always fun to see the Elliptigos in the park, but I do wonder where folks store them.
What gets me with MRIs is how long it still takes to g et the results. Hopefully you get good answers
I think they fold up! Yes, Central park would be a great place to use one.
They would have to knock me out before they could get me in an MRI tube. there’s just no way I wouldn’t lose my mind.
We ended up self paying for my leg. It was significantly cheaper than insurance (and still wouldn’t hit the deductible), so we just went that route. So annoying to pay so much for insurance, and then don’t really use it when the emergencies hit.
Yes- just shows you what a racket insurance is. Can’t believe you self-paid for your leg. Crazy.
Luckily only my foot and lower leg needed to be inside the tube. I can see how someone would freak out with their head in. I know they have “open” MRIs for people who need them.
I’ve had many MRIs. I hate them.
Love that sign about the cats. Perfect for me.
Decorating has taken a back seat due to kitchen renovation.
Yes, it would be hard to decorate and renovate at the same time! Maybe now that the kitchen is done you can get a few fall decorations up.