Tick Tock Tick Tock

There have been all kinds of happenings, but no time to write about them. I've taken a bunch of pictures at various places but in the process of "cleaning off" my work computer I've removed all of my files, including pictures and put them on a mini drive, which is so mini, I can't find it (just kidding, it's in a purse, which is in a box, which is in the garage, which I try to avoid). These pictures are from Larry's trip in January and when he and I were in Shanghai in April. I copied them from his Facebook page.

Yes, the move to China is still a go...36 days and counting! The house is still for sale. I say that like it's been on the market for years instead of a few weeks. After many hours, blisters and sunburns we've decided to take down the "beloved" pool and give it to Larry's daughter, Nicole. She and her husband, Kenneth, have a great big yard in the country and will thoroughly enjoy it.

Katie is really doing well this summer in Girls' Golf. She's placed each week either first, second or third; and is the overall points leader at this point. Yesterday, along with two other girls, she was invited to play with the high school girls this morning. Don't have the results of that yet, but I'm sure I'll hear all about it this afternoon. Her coaches have commented on how sad they are to see her leave and the great potential she has. We have assured them her new school has a golf program, but we will certainly miss the program here.

All three girls are enjoying their last week at the YMCA summer camp. They swim everyday and have gotten a good work out as they stay outdoors ALL day. Needless to say, when bedtime comes around I get very little argument. A couple of weeks ago they had their first overnight camp out. I fully expected to get a call around midnight asking to come get them, but was pleasantly suprised to hear they loved it and want to camp out again. They did, however, come home that morning and take a five hour nap.

Larry had knee surgery, his last arthroscopic surgery, he was told. There's really nothing left in there to fix. The next step will be a knee replacement, but we're going to do our best to make this fix last a few years. My mom and her sister both have had knee replacements...that doesn't bode well for me. I guess we'll see what Eastern medicine can do for us.

Every so often it hits me that we are really leaving the country in a month. Leaving the only town Larry has ever lived in. I asked him the other night how he was feeling since he's been pretty stoic. He said that since this all started everything about it has felt right to him. We've always been ones to take that road less travelled, but I do believe this road will lead us to even greater adventures.

Where Did the Time Go?

Almost ten years has gone by since my first day as a Clemson University employee. July 9 will mark my ten year anniversary. Evidently, I will receive a pin and a pat on the back. Coincidentally (well, not really...I kind of planned it that way), July 9 is also my last day as a Clemson employee. As excited as I am about our big move, I'm a little sad to be leaving my job. Yes, I know I complain about it and I'm super excited about being a 'lady of leisure', but I've met some really great folks and I am really going to miss them.
This past Monday, New Student Orientation started. Larry makes fun of me every year because every year I say "This is the largest class I've ever seen". Well, he laughed again because I said it again. We are welcoming over 3300 freshmen and about 600-800 transfers. Our summer sessions are capped out. Students and parents are begging to get into sessions; some are even crying thinking that will help their case. After seven years of sob stories I don't cave for too many.
The picture to the right is our staff. After ten years, we get a staff picture taken. I've been in Student Affairs since 2001. Only one other person in that picture has been here since then as well, but in Housing. He is now our new Director. I love our newly staffed staff and know they will do great things. Let's see if we can get through these next few weeks and orient our newest Clemson Family members without me bursting into melancholic tears.

Pooped!

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I am glad the weekend is over. I need some rest. Saturday we had a Moving Sale, complete with signs made by the girls and bargain hunters showing up on our doorstep at 8:00 a day early wanting a sneak peak.

Katie woke up at 5:00am along with Larry and me. She wanted to help set things up and to see if the woman who showed up a day early came back. It was like a pack of wolves circling their prey. We could hear the cars driving up and down the street, just waiting for us to put up the garage door. And, BAM, no sooner had we lifted the door and the driveway was full. We did a majority of our sales between 6-8am, BEFORE the sale was supposed to even start!
What an experience. I've never seen anything like it. As much as I thought I couldn't possibly be surprised by what people did, I was. Cheap, boy, people are cheap. My parents spent hours upon hours pricing things lower than I ever would have and people still wanted it cheaper.

A couple of pieces were sold and I got all sentimental and misty eyed. I have a feeling when some other pieces go next month it will be full blown waterworks. I know it's just stuff, but it's OUR stuff.

Anyway....Not sure I can handle another sale.
By Saturday evening we were exhausted. Needless to say, Sunday was a wash. The girls were sleeping so peacefully I just had to snap these shots. Our little angels...mommy's little helpers all tuckered out!

Be True to Your School

Yesterday was a tough day. The girls spent their last day at Ravenel Elementary School. I'm having trouble writing this as so many wonderful memories are flooding my mind. Sarah and Sydney only spent one year, but Katie was lucky enough to have three years there. My parents have been up all week, helping us get ready for our garage sale (June 6, by the way). We all went to the awards presentation on Tuesday.

Mr. Farmer, the twins' teacher, gave each of the kids an award. Sarah received the Future Teacher award and Sydney received the Future Artist award. He also had a little slide show that induced a few tears.

Mrs. St. James, Katie's teacher, presented her with Outstanding Scientest and Most Creative Thinker. She also received an award from the principal, Mr. Bolger. Each year, he picks a couple of pieces of student artwork to hang in his permanant collection. Yep, one was hers. She and her classmate are proudly displaying their masterpiece.

We stopped by Mrs. Guill's class to give and receive some hugs. What a special lady. I'd sometimes get a little jealous when Katie would come home from school and accidently call me "Mrs. Guill". But I now remember it fondly and take it as a HUGE compliment. Mrs. Guill is the epitome of what a teacher should be and I'm extremely sad Sarah and Sydney won't have her as their first grade teacher.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for all of the teachers, administrators, and staff at Ravenel. They are the most caring, genuine, respectful and loving group of folks and I am really going to miss them.