Empty Nest Guide

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Gigi in Family 1 Comment

cate school class 2015

My nest has been sorta of empty for the past 4 years. My son started boarding school in the 9th grade and my daughter graduated college in 2012 and remained on the east coast where she is happily living in Brooklyn. Now that my son is 18, and has completed high school and will soon being going east for college there is a certain emptiness that I am feeling. Maybe it is because he is now an “adult”, and I know no one from college is going to call me if he is acting up, he will be responsible for his own decisions.

Right now he is in Cabo San Lucas with 5 other boys from his graduating class, I am counting the days until he returns. I could have said no, but I know that I cannot micro manage and part of maturing is being able to juggle and think for yourself.

Do I worry? Yes, all the time, because I know that there are so many things that can happen, but what keeps me mellow is knowing we have an open communication and both my kids know they can tell us anything- the good, the bad and the UGLY.

This summer will zoom by, August will be here soon, the game system will be retired, no more clothes on the floor, no more being “uber” mom, just the anticipated 5 word texts here and there. I will plan to be on the east coast a little more, and look forward to the winter break and maybe an occasional vacation together.

So if you too will soon be an empty nester here are a few tips.

1. Have a life or revisit a previous one.

2. Figure out a method of communication texts, phone calls, skype etc.

3. Decide on a budget for incidentals…trust me they do add up.

4. Figure out visits home- the airlines know that we want our kids home for the holidays…

5. Remind them why they are in college and that it is a privilege.

6. Explore with your new “free” time…

7. Take a class.

8. Figure out what is in the college town…good outlets, thrift stores, museums, restaurants etc.

9. Don’t compare- your kid is unique and special and everyone has their own path.

10. Find and establish your fitness and well being routine.

Happy Thursday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

more graduation pics

Reggie and grandmother

diploma

graduates

family

faculty line-good-byes

It’s my 3 year blog anniversary

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Gigi in Thoughts 6 Comments

Well life has been going by rather quickly. Most days I’m out by 5am and typically going nonstop till late. I feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do or want to do ie. my blog, but considering it is my 3 year blog anniversary, it is a good time to post again.

I’m not a famous blogger nor is my blog monetized, nor do I have 1,000’s of followers, I’m just a blogger who likes to share her heart, and random thoughts and such. I only hope that on occasion something I post helps someone else…or makes someone else not feel alone in whatever is going on in their life.

A little update of what has been going on the past few weeks. I adopted Bella-Boy the cutest kitten, from David (Sierra Rescue) he discovered a litter under a large trash container at his business. I don’t plan to make my blog a “kitty” blog so if you to have a soft spot from kittens, follow Bella-Boy at Bella.boy @ instagram.

Bella.boy

My son Reggie is graduated this past Sunday from Cate School, I’m happy and sad- happy to see him go to the next phase of his life and sad to see the end of his childhood cycle. He will be going to Bard college in upstate New York, our summer will be a quick one, move in is August 8th. We are proud of him and all that he has accomplished in his 18 years. College is a new beginning to the rest of his life.

And lastly we have made a commitment to be gluten free, a couple of years ago when we were practicing a raw vegan diet, we were by default gluten free (btw felt so much better) so a week ago we decided to try to cut out the gluten. I had an appointment with a new doctor for my annual checkup, my old doctor was horrible but I kept going to her because I was not proactive in securing another. Dr. Christine Collins and I hit it off, and she asked if I was familiar with the book Wheat Belly, I had heard of it but had not read it. So she started talking about wheat and gluten and health…everything make sense. It has been an adjustment, I’m convinced there is something in bread that is seriously addicting.

I must say I do feel better, and have dropped a couple pounds as well, I’ll be posting a few recipes soon.

So thank you friends for stopping by for my sporadic posts, thank you for your comments and your support. I’m looking forward to another year, not sure will it will take me, but I will continue to share my thoughts and my heart.

So I will leave you with this quote I stumbled upon, it really spoke to me, because when I started my blog, I didn’t have a plan, I didn’t know where it would go, I just started one day. So if you are hesitating about something just “begin anywhere”…

quote

xoxo,

Gigi

One for the Money

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Gigi in Gift Guide Comments Off

Graduation Cards

It’s graduation time and I have received so many announcements. I always give a monetary gift and a nice card. I start picking up cards in May to add to my collection. Each year I come up with a budget based on the number of grads, this year being an incredibly large group. There is always a spike in the years when my kids graduate. I come up with a scale starting with 8th graders, continuing on to those graduating from professional schools. I tweak the scale for family members and close friends, but I always acknowledge all. Denominations between $25.00 to $100.00 are appropriate, although most will be grateful for any dollar amount. Giving a cash gift is perfect and it will definitely get used.

I’m also a fan of books for new graduates. Here are a few that I especially like:

10 1/2 Things No Commencement Speaker has Ever Said (11.75) , by Charles Wheelan

Personal finance in your 20’s for Dummies (10.39), by Eric Tyson

The Money Book for The Young, Fabulous & Broke (10.88) , by Suze Orman

Gigi

graduation

Empty Nest Guide

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