Ideas for Empty Nester ?

Bernice50

Hi All! Well we had drama last week when D had her debit card 'stolen' from room....D accepts she shouldn't have left it out on display but had taken it out of purse so not to lose it whilst on night out. She knew who took it and it wasn't a flatmate but visitor to the flat. Tears down the phone and just wanted to give her big hug ! Bank would not accept Uni address so of course had to be on the lookout and send on the new card when it came and since then she has had her original card posted back to her (by the person she knows who took it) !!! What games are these??:eek: Left a sour taste in mouth .....Have told D that there are opportunists everywhere and has to be more responsible!!
Still I really miss her and can't wait to see her in couple of weeks but we do skype when laptop decides to cooperate and not 'freeze' why does it do that???:(:wall: We do text/speak every few days...Bless her!!

poet123

If you join Facebook you can do live messaging. I found that quite useful when mine were away. You do have to discipline yourself though or I suspect it could become annoying!!

Poppy9

Agree with Poet use Facebook you can chat, including video chat plus as a bonus you get to see pictures showing they are alive and happy!

DD smashed her laptop screen and her phone packed in on week 3. Her phone is under guarantee so is being repaired and she stood her ground in the shop and got a temporary replacement until hers is returned.

The laptop should be covered by halls insurance but I bought her a new one as she couldn't be without. I reserved online with Argos, put money direct into her account and she picked up from the shop. It was quicker than getting one delivered plus it was £80 cheaper than Tesco.

I have also made good uses of Ebay to have little things she forgot delivered direct to her. I have also learnt that Amazon not cheapest for text books and to add "paperback" to title searches on Waterstones and WHS when searching for reference books. One book that was coming up over £100 in searches and £70 second hand on Amazon was £45 in WHS and Waterstones (waterstones give 10% student discount). They didn't show up on searches but when I searched the sites and added "paperback" up they came. Again I order/paid on line and DD collected from local store.

Also DD has swapped her A level revision books with new uni friends which has saved money. DD didn't do Biology but did her course is now covering A level biology so she is using her course friend's A level Bio revision books. Her course friend didn't do chem but DD did so she gave her those chem books in return. It's great they are all being so moneysaving:T

Poppy9

I had another flying visit this week. She came home for a friend's birthday. No dirty laundry :T:T:T She did go home wearing her Xmas presents though!!

I had bought her a dress as a surprise to go out for friend's birthday but she wasn't keen so I showed her the skirt I had bought her and the top fell out with it! She loved them both and wore out and then dressed down the skirt to go home! She also took the new gloves i had bought for her stocking as she was hunting for her gloves to take back with her and time was getting tight for the train so.............. I took them from my Xmas pile! And then there were the boots:o

She did make me laugh though when I said I was popping to the shops to get milk and bread she asked if I could get her some to take home and some branded cookie something cereal. I said she would struggle to carry them back on train etc. and she said that she missed the cereal as it was too expensive for her to buy (she buys shops own wheatabix). So instead I gave her some cash to do a shop when she got home. We also gave her money for a taxi home from train station as she was would be back till 10pm. She caught the bus for £1.50 and kept the taxi money!!:rotfl:

puppypants

Just to add, about the being on hand for the first couple of weeks. My son went to Uni and lived in Halls and during his first week there, he had his head pushed through a window, (luckily he had long thick hair, so very little damage), and he wrestled a knife off a non-student who was threatening people. I didn't need to rush over to him, but I think he was glad I was on the other end of the phone!! x

Bernice50

Have student D at home at moment as she needs Ski trip clothes!! But unfortunately she came home with virus and is now in bed for 2nd day!! Spent early hours of morning in bathroom with her - but obviously 'relieved' that as she is ill is home with me and not fighting to share the shared en-suite with her flatmate!! And not passing the 'bug' onto her....
Last weekend she was also home again shopping for ski trip clothes but I had also bought loads of food supplies and she couldn't take them all back in one trip so hence, this second train trip and now she's sick!! Feel its like a tornado rushing thru the house when she's back but wouldn't have it any other way !

Poppy9

Have you all survived the 1st term!

I am quite liking the peace at home. Does that make me a bad Mum!:D

Prothet_of_Doom

Well update is: Child 1 (21) starts his industrial placement in London next week (having spent 3 year in York) - only 15 miles from my current freelance work contract, (only 200 miles commute to work) so might pop in for tea occasionally.


Child 2 (18) is off to Cardiff, in 4 weeks to study something that might take 4 years and lead to a job. Just 250 miles from home.


Wife seems very relaxed at present. I think she's looking forward to a rest.

Prothet_of_Doom

Wife is looking at wall paper for the downstairs and says she's going to strip all the walls whilst I'm at work. This I think is wishful thinking.

Ruby_woo

Have brought this to the top as I want to show a friend.