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i am bossy

Ooh. Shiny Light Bulbs.

bulbs2

Bossy took this photo of a pizza parlor sign yesterday on the beach boardwalk, and it’s meant to distract Bossy from the fact that in fifteen minutes she will begin helping her son pack for Columbia University.

Send hard liquor.

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  4. Milestones suck sometimes don’t they? My daughter will start high school in 2 weeks and I can hardly believe it………..

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  6. Oh Bossy, I feel your pain. Just sent number one daughter off to college this morning. Let her drive on her own long distance for the first time today. She backed her car up through the front yard on her way out. Helllllllllp….

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  7. Big changes. Both exciting and scary. Hugs!

    This is why I am glad my daughter is going to college right here in town…she moved out but is still connected.

    “Mom…I need, bring me, I want, can you..”

    On second thought…

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  8. my kid is starting his senior year in high school. i am thrilled and sad at that fact that this time next year i will be moving him to school. and he wants to go “away” for school….like further than 2 or 3 hours 🙁

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  9. My mom cried when she dropped me off at college on that first day. And you know what? I cried too, even though I was only 3 hours away from home, and had my old beat up Saab to take me home whenever I wanted! But, it got better…

    Now my mom lives 2000 miles away in the middle of the ef-ing desert, and I STILL miss her. Though she was the one that moved away this time, so maybe it’s me….

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  10. Oy, that’s a big deal. On the bright side, drunk packing is pretty fun. And exciting, because you never know what surprises you’ll find when you arrive at your destination and open your suitcase. Put some really weird, random crap from your basement into those boxes to give your boy a laugh when he’s unpacking up there in the big, bad world.

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  12. Sent my baby off to Kindergarten, so I feel ya in a different kind of way, but in a “this letting go thing is exponentially harder than I thought” kinda way. I need to go find some lightbulbs. The only thing distracting me right now is dirty toilets that need cleaning. And you can see how well that is going as I am commenting instead of tending said dirty toilets.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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  14. I hear you bossy. Just sent son number two to his own apartment this week with college starting next week. Sigh.
    It’s like a punch in the gut for a mom isn’t it???
    I am sure he will be fine, just as my son will be…
    Hang in there!

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  15. Monkey is 28, and only now beginning to understand how hard it was for her Mama to leave her (long story, Monkey’s parents moved at the same time she went to school).

    Monkey was pretty callous at the time, to ‘prove’ to her parents that she was tough enough to be on her own. But she was scared and homesick on the inside all the same.

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  16. We moved the oldest of our two kids to college last week. So, so hard but she has called home happy, peppy, and excited so that really helps! Our son just started first grade so we are starting over again. What the hell were we thinking?

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  19. My Sorority Girl moved into an off-campus apartment a couple of weeks ago.
    She keeps reminding me that when she says “home”, she means HER apartment, not OUR apartment.

    Drop-off is such a weird combination. A little bit of heartache, that you won’t see them every day, and pride, that you have prepared them to succeed on their own.

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  20. Hang in there Bossy, it’s thrilling & amazing to watch them make their way through life. What could be better than a great education? And he’ll still be with you…grab a tissue, you’ll both be fine.

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  23. My friend is a famous artist davidmiltonstudios and he does a lot of “signs” and such. I like his landscapes (Italy, Catalina Island, Laguna Beach)..but he is famous for his signs. Your picture looked like something he would paint.

    btw, goodbye son, we know you will do well.

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  25. I didn’t know hard liquor was on the Columbia syllabus. I know it’s cheaper to buy it locally, but he can still get plenty when he comes to NYC. I’m happy to help him, if need be.

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  29. well if it makes you feel any better, my son is returning home this week after two years of trying to make it in college. It is so darn expensive for these kids to live now. It is so hard for them to go to school full time, work full time, pay for books and gasoline. Plus on top of all that my son’s car was stolen (he lived in San Diego). I am happy and sad all at once!

    Good Luck Bossy’s son!!!!

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  30. Madness has sent gallons and gallons of gin, vodka and wine straight away to Bossy .. never mind that they are empty because the thought of Bossys son going off to college also sends Madness into panic.
    Bossy .. best wishes for easy transitions and large quantities of Xanax.
    Love,
    Madness

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  31. I knew this was coming… hang in there, Ma, you all will weather the transition in typical Bossy fashion! But I’m sending you a virtual fifth of gin, for the cat bowl, and a few extra straws, just in case.

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  32. I know it’s tough on you but it’s the best situation for him. Also look where Columbia just came out in the annual rankings: Number eight. Overall.

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  33. That looks like the sign for Mack&Manco’s. Cara will send liquor if Bossy will send pizza. And perhaps one of their hottie waiters.

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  35. Hang in there, Bossy. Don’t forget to slide a pack of tissues or three into your bag right next to your flask. Or flasks.

    And know that as soon as you start to enjoy the peace and quiet of your slightly emptier house, he will come home for the weekend with seven or eight hungry friends and you will wonder why you didn’t move to an undisclosed location when you had the chance.

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  36. …I second what ‘Shayera’ said up there: “I would if I could Bossy.
    But here’s a virtual {{{{{hug}}}}} instead.”

    …Keep your chin up Miss Bossy!

    …Blessings… :o)

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  38. My children are mere babes, but I have decided to go back to work, training in something I’ve always wanted to do, so I am doing daycare for the first time with our wee one and I am so depressed about it. It’ll only be for three months, but it just kills me every time I think about it. And, I will be missing the first day of school for our older two, one going to kindergarten and one in first grade.

    Now, I need a drink.

    Sending vodka by Fed Ex….

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  39. I have 8 days until I delivery Engineering Guy to college and drive home to my empty nest. Only last week I delivered him to Kindergarten. How does that work? I’ll join you in the drinking.

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  42. Oooh – sending (((hugs))) and (((hard liquor))).
    🙂

    Lucky for him – Bossy raised her kids right. I’m sure he’ll do fine, but will miss you lots.

    I can still remember my first day at school. Sitting by myself in a strange dorm room, scared and out of sorts. And excited at the same time. My mom cried on the way home, I hear. I think I was crying at the same time.

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  43. Just dropped my second-grader off at school and I had to go see the kindergarten teacher, too. I was informed that we would be walking in separately “because I don’t want to be embarrassed.”

    “You got it, kid,” I agreed. “Neither do I.”

    Usually that calls her bluff, but not today. She never even said goodbye.

    Can I send her to Columbia with The Great Getzby? We’re both totally ready.

    Best thoughts to y’all this weekend, my fine internet friend.

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  44. Bossy I wish I could tell you that it will all be fine but sending my first born son off to college just about ripped my heart out. I can only hope for your sake that you handle it better than I. He is such a lovely boy too, that can’t make it any easier. Hang in there.

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  47. Bossy:
    I know what you’re feeling, my daughter left for college on the 13th of August, which just so happened to be my 25th wedding anniversary! Liquor didn’t help!!!

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  49. I packed my daughter up on Tuesday, so I feel your pain. My boss’s daughter is going to Columbia on Sunday as well. Maybe they’ll meet each other! oooh….a near bossy sighting??

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  50. These days Im sending one to preschool and one to kindergarten…Im rejoicing in a different way than the Bossy girl. Itll be alright..I think???
    Lisa
    coastal nest

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  52. I really do feel your heartache. I’ve sent two off to college and just reading through all these comments brought all those feelings back again and tears to my eyes. Those were some of my hardest days.

    It does get easier, I promise. My oldest is graduated and my daughter is in her senior year. We’ve still got a high school junior at home, so in 2 years, I’ll be doing it again.

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  53. When my oldest left for school, his dad was in the bathroom crying. I took him half a country away and after I saw how happy he was, I was able to leave him with a smile. Now my youngest is about to start his last year in high school and I am thrilled to be getting out of the public school system here in CA! Even if he almost-flunks-out-but-passes-by-the skin-of-his-teeth, (a recurring pattern), I will be doing the happy dance as he goes out the door next week! And remember – they DO come back. This leaving isn’t permanent. It is just a step in the right direction!

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  54. Mine has decided to go study in TURKEY for the year … I didn’t see that coming when I moved him into the dorm 2 Augusts ago. It’s hard on us mom’s, but you can’t help but be proud of them. I’m trying not to smother my DD still at home!

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  55. Mmmm pizza…

    Sorry, Farty gets distracted easily.

    BOSSY has a son? FFS, how did she manage to keep that a secret for 18 years?

    It’s a shame they don’t have the intertubes in Columbia, I guess BOSSY will just have to visit the Great Getzby in person, whenever she’s in NYC getting her roots done by her Italian Boyfriend.

    Sending virtual hugs and liquor. x

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  56. Ok. I’ll send some liquor but you’ll have to send it right back cuz my husband leaves tomorrow for a year in Afghanistan. I think I’ll need an I.V. hooked up directly to the keg though.

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  57. Hmmm – guess my jealousy that you were at the beach should be outweighed by my sympathy for your major life event?

    Oh well – as a childless person, I suppose I will never understand. However, I do believe that tequila is in order.

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  60. My son isn’t going to college. I don’t even have a son. Can I have liquor anyway?

    On a more serious note, I feel for you. I hope that it all goes smoothly and, although it will be emotional, that is isn’t too heart-wrenching.

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  61. Can’t send any booze ’cause I already drank it all. Sent TWO of my three sons off to college last week. (The third begins high school). I only stopped crying yesterday.

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  62. Stick some embarrasment in his stuff while you “help” him pack, like a ginormous box of condoms from Costco. (He can use them for water balloons. Or not.) Or boxes of twinkies, or whatever he used to love as snacks/treats as a wee kid. Put a framed family picture in there somewhere too. He won’t want it if he sees you putting it in there, but will love having it when he finds it later. How about a hard copy address book, with family & extended family addresses & phone numbers (unless he’s so organized he has all that on his phone/computer).

    The acts of sneakytude may help a teeny-tiny bit with the tendency to weep nonstop. Or not. (distracted me enough to help when we went thru this…)

    Good luck! I’ll raise a toast tonight for ya.

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  63. It may be time to start planning a girls week-end in NYC with Bossy’s daughter. If Bossy’s son doesn’t have extra room you could put out the word that you’re looking for a guest room in northern NJ. Public transportation is probably cheaper than tolls & parking in NYC.

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  64. Fairfield, NJ is approx 20 miles west of NYC. Look on a map for towns near Rt. 46 & Rt. 3 between Fairfield & NYC. Lots of hotels in the area have very cheap weekend rates.

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  65. Awww, you’ll miss him for sure but he is going to do SO MANY cool things! College was my favorite time in my whole life and it actually only made my relationship with my parents grow stronger!

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  66. You kids are going to do just fine. He’s going to love NYC. He’ll call a lot the first month and Ms. Thing at home is going to love being a pseudo only child. Trust me! Y’all will adjust and it will be worth every moment.

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  67. No matter where he is, where he goes, where he lives, or what he does, he will always be Bossy’s baby and nobody can change that. Bossy has done the best job possible to mold a well-adjusted, well-informed, pretty darn cool adult, and she should be proud.

    But it still sucks, I know. I also feel for Bossy’s Daughter. My daughter is upset when her brother spends the night at a friend’s house just for the night. When he goes off to college in a few years, it will just as hard on her as me.

    E-mail, text messages, telephone conversations and the occasional visit, plus casks of wine (for Bossy, her daughter will have to make do with something else, perhaps extra time on her bike wearing flipflops?) will help with the inevitable adjustment.

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  70. Remember, it’s a happy day…He’s ready to face life away from home. You have prepared him well, Bossy. For that you should be proud because that’s the most important thing a parent has to do, and do it right….and you did!!!

    Now, that pizza place has to start thinking about getting rid of all those light bulbs.

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  71. As others have said, this looks like the Mac & Manco sign. And if it is? I envy you. I returned from there about 600 hours ago 🙁

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  73. Oh Bossy, the liquor is in the mail. Just pour it in the cat bowl and I will be there shortly to pat you on the back and pass you tissues between sobs.

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