New adventures for Ashton or a heckuva rough day for Mom!

Moving in day was sad in several ways; the thought that my youngest was really going to be away at college, the" baby" was leaving the nest so to speak, did she really need me anymore and IT WAS POURING RAIN AND JUST PLAIN CRAPPY! Ashton had us up and out at 7:20 a.m. and on our way Saturday morning. She and Eric did the final packing late the night before after going out to dinner and bowling. They knew rain was predicted so got the truck all loaded Friday early with her stuff and then later that evening finished loading. Miss Efficiency did every single bit of preparing for this big day, I just watched in amazement as things were purchased and piled up in organized stacks, lists were written, and preparations were made.

Luckily we found two parking spaces close to her dorm. It was pouring so hard and windy. Mark and Eric made I don't know how many trips up and down the three flights of stairs. Ashton and I did carry in a few items but it was better if we stayed in her room and "organized". Seriously I think Mark and Eric must have made at least a half dozen trips each, there was her tv, crates, a put-together tv stand, her end tables, totes, etc.,etc. Things one MUST have to go college....It wasn't long before the white cement block walls were starting to look a little more appealing. The men put the extra bed into bunk beds so there was much more space. Ashton had prided herself on the purchase of two end tables/stands for $10 a piece and she promptly had them in place.

Ben and Allison arrived later in the morning with some supplies. Thank goodness for cell phones, Allison was able to pick up a pair of scissors as the PINK ones broke early on in the set-up process. Ben quickly went to work with the internet set-up, putting little cord holders along the wall that Ashton had purchased (who thinks of these things?? I know, Ashton...)to keep cords out of the way and then on to a project of putting wall decals up on a blank space between the windows. She set that would be a project that Ben and Allison could do. Good because it wasn't going great when I first started to put it together....as you can see no blank space was left undecorated! Everything in her room was based on the dot theme.

I bet the room was completely organized within an hour or so. No flies on this gal....She might consider the role of a Drill Sargent if she decides on a career change....

One of the jobs "assigned" to Eric....

Has anyone been able to figure out the color theme....?

Ashton had favorite photos made into magnets for the refrigerator and also purchased magnetic letters and sayings for decorating as well. In a blink of an eye the fridge was decorated

This brought the welling of tears (again)

There you have it, the first official college freshman photo! We made the bed together. It just was one of those "sentimental things".

Mark taking a well-deserved rest. They don't show well in this photo but the bedside lamps are pink, making her room look very cozy and a warm ambience! Her fellow dorm dwellers poked their heads in occasionally and commented on how "colorful" her room was. There were even a few parents stopping by and giving her a compliment on her colorful room. I knew that made her day.

We all went to the big family luncheon and of course, a stop at the bookstore. Only Ashton could find something like this for BuddyTheElf! Thank goodness it was 75% off and only cost $1.75! She made sure we brought it home for him and to tell him it was from her.

Ashton had entered her name into a drawing while we were in the Student Center. As we were almost out the door heading back to the dorm her name was called out. She quickly became a contestant on "The Price is Right"! Good thing Mom carries the camera everywhere. Ben, Allison, Mark and I settled in for some fun.....

Ashton was given the "rules" and shown the "game board". She was to guess the price of college essentials, such as Fabreeze spray, dryer sheets, towel set, memo board for the dorm room door laundry basket, water bottle and notepads. This game was PERFECT for her!

There were many students gathered around us and everyone took part in the game, just like on tv! Prices were shouted out by the on-lookers. It was fun to watch and I am sure a great ice-breaker for the freshmen and their families. There were many events scheduled for that day and evening.

Finally the time had come when we knew that we all had to leave. Eric left early on and then Ben and Allison left....Ben said he wanted to leave before Ashton and I said our good-byes, he is a big softie....he knew what was coming. After Mark gave Ashton a big hug he practically ran out the door, leaving us alone. Lets just say it was hard. But I left knowing that my little girl was well on her way to new beginnings, new friends, new challenges and many more adventures. I can only wish for her everything that she dreams of and hopes for. She and I have been through alot together but we look at all that as "steps" to other parts of life. I wish you a wonderful college experience my Tunny and know that someday you will be a wonderful nurse. I love you tons and tons. XXXOOO

I couldn't help by smile when I looked at the organizer on her desk just before we left. It reminded me so of my little girl packing her backpack for the very first day of Kindergarten with her coveted crayons and markers. She still is a kid at heart!

I did very well (considering) when we finally left her. We were about 5 minutes away from the college when I received a text from her saying "I want my mommy". That did it....but no, we didn't turn back. Just headed home to a very quiet home.

P.S. I cannot begin to thank my dear family members who emailed me such wonderful messages yesterday as well as the phone calls. They really lifted my spirits and it was so heartwarming to know that they all care. Thank you all and I love you all!

Down to hours now...

Gotta give it to Ashton, only she would think a roll of pink and purple plaid duck tape would be necessary to add to her dorm room supplies!

There has been alot of packing the past couple of days. Ashton is super efficient and organized.Believe it or not, this is organized chaos.

Putting together a big stand for her tv. I asked her why she didn't wait til she got to school, but she felt it was better to do it ahead of time. Now please pray that the stand makes it up the three flights of stairs, around corners and through the doorways

of her dorm.

Surprise! She chose a pink plaid messenger bag for her laptop as well as a coordinating backpack! Eric's father very kindly has loaned the use of his truck for the big production and Ashton and Eric have alot packed into it. Tomorrow will be a busy day! Photos to follow of the dorm room when I settle down and am all cried out!

What is a father....

To my faithful followers, WARNING! This post is a much more "personal" one than I usually post. But hang in there, my next post will be back to normal (as normal as mine can be)!

Besides, I know you all want to see how much stuff Ashton is packing into one of our Jeeps and the back of Eric's truck for Saturday's big adventure....and how all that STUFF will fit into a little dorm room....

What is a father? In our home it means that you don't have to be the biological father but a wonderful man who came into our lives in 2001 and became the world's best stepdad to three children who were 23, almost 16 and 10 when we married in 2002. You didn't have any parenting experience, not being a parent yourself and being in the Navy and living all over the country and world for 20 years....and seeing your nieces only once in a while when home on leave. You were the uncle who could visit and wind them up and then leave them for their parents to deal with! And yes, Mark, you told me so yourself! You were willing to date a woman with three children and unconditionally loved each and every one of us. You never hesitated to include the two youngest who were still at home (the oldest was in the Coast Guard at that point in time)in anything we did, your entire family opened their hearts and arms to myself and my children and they were included in all your family events. You have a wonderful family. You never hesitated to take Ben and Ashton on fun "family" trips, to New Hampshire many times, to movies and to the base to go bowling on Saturdays, your day off. You took Ashton and her giggly friends on Saturdays to go shopping over the several years I suffered with my back problems and surgery. Many times you were both Mom and Dad. Never, ever did you do anything for yourself without asking one or the other if they would like to participate. When we eloped you felt guilty for not including the children and the first year we were married you took Ben and Ashton and myself on a weeks trip to Jamaica. You worked alot of overtime to pay for this wonderful family trip. That's a lot of on-call nights, nights you had to go into the hospital at 1 or 2 or 3 a.m. (even through blizzards)after a long day at work, then get up and go back to work at 6:30 a.m. the next day. You took them to Dunns River Falls to climb, even though you had already been there/done that while in the Navy! By the sounds of it, once would have been more than enough! You were the one who helped one of the kids out with loans when they were struggling and co-signed all the college loans. You just co-signed another bunch of college loans for your daughter. You spent hours upon hours shuttling Ashton to cheering practice from seventh grade on....you went to all the home football games these past four years that you could to stand on the sidelines in the cold, rain, wind just so you could watch Ashton cheer. You helped Ben move into his dorm at college that day 5 years ago and you were just as sad as I was to leave him there! You enjoyed all of his friends coming and going over the years. You always made sure he had money for gas. When his car got totaled you helped him get his first car loan. Courtney thanks you over and over for all you have done for me and his siblings. That speaks volumes. I will never forget our first Valentine's Day together and along with my bouquet of roses you gave Ashton a bouquet as well. And you don't bat an eye when I tell you how much "we girls" spent on our several college room/apparel buying excursions. You sat for hours beside a child that was having a very very hard time, worrying as much as I was about him. You have supported each and every one of the children with endless love and for that, I thank you. All three may not have the same last name as Mark, but they all have his love.

A smattering of scenes....

Ahem, this little guy is certainly cheeky :) He has hung around the bird feeders all summer which in turn drives the dog nuts :) Poor Buddy runs from window to window, trying hard to drive the interloper out of the yard. But the chipmunk is not afraid of a little barking and continues to steal seed from the feeders.

Some time ago I posted about all the special cups Ashton has collected over the years. Yes, in two weeks she will be 18 but I couldn't resist picking up a cup for her the other day. She can use it in her dorm room.

Queen Anne's Lace is everywhere now. I love it.

I came upon several clusters of this flower the other day while walking on the Preserve next door. Does anyone have a name for it? Its very pretty and dainty.

BuddyTheElf and I managed to sneak in a walk on the Preserve this afternoon in between torrential downpours. We stepped off the trail to check out this little pond. Its pretty and so quiet.

Saturday we took a walk on the Porter Preserve. It was somewhat foggy on the shoreline. We sat on the rocks for awhile and just enjoyed the day. The seagulls all lined up on the railing of the run and float caught my eye. They obviously knew that Hurricane Bill was on its way so sought shelter.

This sign has made me laugh each time I pass it. Duh?

I liked the white water flower but was more intrigued by the way the water "puddled" around the plant stems.

And what the heck is this?? I spotted this "thing" on the flower and was amazed how well it coordinated with the flower! If I hadn't been trying to take photos I would never have known the "thingy" was there. It certainly was doing a great job of hiding.

This little guy was near the pond that I took the white flower shots at. I am sure he must have laughed to himself when I slid down the very steep embankment to snap the
photo. I ended up standing in the warm pond. I am sure he laughed too as I struggled back up the bank to firmer ground. The dog just stood and watched the whole performace. Big help he is.... A glorious end to the day.

Coming through the fog. The fog kepting coming and going...

This was on the same route we kayaked last Saturday. However we had clear skies!

BuddyTheElf returns home triumphant! The stick was as wide as he is long! He loves getting into the water and retrieving sticks. Usually he justs pulls them out of the water and leaves them but today he felt the need to keep one.

One week....

Some of the many items that have been purchased for Ashton's dorm room. The theme is pink in case one wonders! Who knew that you could get a desk chair in pink?

One week from today my youngest child will "leave the nest". Ashton will be entering her freshman year of college, studying to become an RN. It is such a bittersweet time for me. I find myself crying at times over memories of the little girl who loved shopping for back to school supplies, the little girl who used to read to me at night as she was learning how, and the little girl who has grown up into a wonderful, mature young lady. At 17 years old she seems much more mature than I ever was at that age, having completed and passed a strenuous nurses aide course at 16, studying hard after school instead of participating in winter cheering, a sport that she loved, or hanging out with friends. She got the highest grade on the State test! A 16 year old who was mature enough to sit with a dying patient on her very first clinical, who loves her patients and volunteers to work holidays so the other CNAs can be with their families. We have had our "ups and downs" especially these past few teenage years but I can honestly say I have never had to worry about where Ashton was or who she was with. We have our best talks when shopping or in the car. She is brutally honest, something she inherited from her mom! She has spent hours getting her college life all in place, and I don't doubt for a moment that the school will know when Ashton has "arrived"! So next Saturday after moving her into her dorm I will have to come home knowing that my little girl has truly grown up. As I said, its bittersweet but oh so wonderful too. I can only wish her life is packed full of all she can experience, that she continues to be headstrong and willfull and if she "falls" she can only go but up. I love you Tunny-Bunny with all my heart. And your stepdad will miss you as much as I will. He has seen you grow from a 8 year old little girl to who you are today. And who will discuss medical stuff with him now??

O.K. who the heck invented pink power strips and pink remote controls?
And pink zebra print brooms?!

And the big question is will Mom finish the afghan in time to take to college next week??

A look back at Ashton's high school years!

Its hard to believe that in one week you will be going off to college!

Your Junior Prom May 2008

New Hampshire Speedway...I can't believe how much of a racing fan you are....

Cheering escapades!!

Skiing at Sugarloaf

Snowhoeing with Mom and BuddyTheElf

Softball player until the Great Ankle Injury!

Thanks to whoever took this photo, otherwise I never would've believed this!

Thumbs up for the Mad Bomber hat!

Dancing the "Macarena" at your Grand March Jun 5, 2009

Getting a blue and gold bow from the coach for your last cheering appearance, at Homecoming 2008. The end of six years of cheerleading!

The cheerleaders annual visit to the nursing home on Halloween. Who would have guessed that you would eventually become a CNA and work there!

Big events for you and Robyn, September 2008. Robyn starting her Freshman year and you your Senior year!

"Flying"!

Showing off your cowboys boot that cost a mere $3.15

Cheerleader/Bus driver wannabe

Football cheering through rain, cold, more rain...

At the Black-Eyed Peas/Pussycat Dolls concert!

"Can you hear me now"? Snowshoeing with Mom

Camp Knickerbocker counselor for several summers, and a volunteer there for several years as well.

You and your "Bud"

Benjamin and Ashton 2007. I am so pleased that your brother will be nearby when you are in college, makes it a little easier on Mom!

Courtney and Ashton at her CNA graduation ceremony July 2008. You couldn't have a prouder big brother than Court.

I was appalled to find this photo of you in the luggage rack of the Amtrak! On your Class trip to Boston. That had better be the extent of your antics!

The infamous "puppy pout"!