© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here for last week’s comic.

National Geographic has announced a new contest for teachers and classrooms. Your class picks a theme to save water, energy or make less waste. Then you take action and do a proposal to help change your school. All the details are right here on the official website. There’s an online entry form for teachers, and the deadline is December 3, 2010. Click here for the prizes.

What a great idea!

I despise the clichés, “Time flew by!” and “Where did the time go?” yet as my daughter celebrated her 18^th birthday yesterday and is leaving for college in a week, the reality of  time is slapping me in the face. Have you ever looked around in a public place and thought, “Look at how many children were born after my child?” I tend to do this often. I wonder if the parents of all those millions of children born after my daughter realize just how fast time will fly before their babies leave home? I’m sure most have no idea just how soon that will be!

This is a real empty nest I found in my back yard. Wonder how the mommy felt?

For obvious reasons, parents tend to put all their efforts into their children, only to be a bit lost when they leave the nest. Which is worse – that we will miss them, or we will not be able to “supervise” them any more? Or is it that we will not know what to do with ourselves without living our lives through them? No more chauffeuring, bag lunches, play dates, running to activities, parent-teacher meetings, inconvenient required school functions, waiting in long lines for report cards, planning around the school calendar, college apps, college visits, financial aid forms. I say “Total bummer!” and “Yeah!” all at the same time. Is it normal to be this confused?

I am not the first parent who will feel the heart-strings tugging when I drop my child off at college, and I will not be the last. I vow to be more excited, than sad, for her academic and social opportunities and independence. After all, we raised her to be independent, responsible and motivated, and now we will get to see the results without any more effort on our parts. Wow, saying that makes me wonder if that a good thing or not?

As for me, I will work more hours, clean the house (I mean really, really clean it) and perhaps take up serious yoga, do more craft work, write another book, (lay in bed all day once in a while) or even take a class – that is when I’m not on the phone with my daughter, waiting for her to call, texting her, waiting for a text back, writing her letters, waiting for a reply or baking her some goodies to ship out.

And oh yes, I vaguely recall a man I live with whom I married some 22 years ago and have neglected for far too long. I can finally spend time with him again.

If he’ll have me.

My daughter’s 18th birthday cake – Chocolate on Chocolate

My Aunt’s 70th birthday – Checkerboard Cake

© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here for last week’s comic.

Doctors at several health centers in MA are giving child patients from low income families coupons to farmer’s markets for free veggies and fruits in an effort to encourage healthier eating and fight childhood obesity.

18-year-old raised over $1,00,000 for The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Bone marrow stem cells are used to repair skin of pediatric patients with a rare, life threatening skin disorder.

http://webclipart.about.com

With my daughter getting ready for college in a couple of weeks, we are making lists and getting piles of stuff ready for her dorm room. Here’s a checklist for all that you could need:

• XL Twin bed linens
• Comforter
• Pillows
• Mattress Pad
• Egg Crate
• Bed Skirt
• Bed Risers
• Posters
• Window Curtain and Rod
• Tools and hardware for hanging pictures/curtain rods
• Closet Extender
• Hangers
• Every Day Clothing
• Formal Clothing
• Belts, Socks, Shoes
• Boots
• Shoe Rack
• Coats, Hats, Gloves, Scarves
• Over-the-Door Hooks for Coats
• Rain Gear/Umbrella
• Mini Fridge
• Coffee Maker (You can get a one cup coffee/tea maker)
• Coffee Mug
• Plate, Bowl
• Eating Utensils
• Knife
• Food Containers
• Zip-Loc Bags
• Chip Clips
• Towels
• Wash Cloths
• Pop Up Hamper
• Laundry Detergent
• Cleaning Supplies
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Sewing Kit
• Soap Holder
• Toothbrush Holder
• Toiletries
• Manicure Kit
• Medications/Prescriptions for Refills
• Shower Caddy (To hold toiletries to bring to shower)
• Hair Dryer
• Vanity Mirror
• Bulletin Board/Message Center/Thumb Tacks
• Posters
• Photos
• Lamp
• Light Bulbs
• Waste Basket
• Comfy Chair or Futon
• Computer
• Printer
• Extension Cords
• High Quality Surge Protector
• Cell Phone
• Alarm Clock
• IPod
• Camera
• Head Phones
• Small TV
• White Noise Machine (To drown out the sounds of all the late night partiers!)
• Floor Fan
• Batteries
• Luggage
• Space Bags
• Crates
• School Supplies

Since it’s back to school time, we thought we’d repost links to some of the most popular articles from our site about school . . .

http://clipart-for-free.blogspot.com

Cheating is Not Okay

Homework – When to Let Go as a Parent

How to Survive the Homework of the Middle School Years

Make Coming Home from School Special for Your Child Every Day

Get Your Elementary Age Kids Ready for School Now

Lessons We are Missing in School