"Get Rid of Mandi" Day!

So on Saturday (Aug 16) we moved our Mandi up to her college campus. First chick to leave the nest - at least temporarily. I think we were all a little surprised with the ultra-functional dorm rooms. Cinder block walls, linoleum floors in every room, and not even a lid on the toilet. As Mandi said, "It needs some major color!" This week it is just Mandi and one other roommate, Beth, moving in since they are taking part in the Leadership Safari. On Aug 21st everyone else is moving in because classes start on Aug 25th. That's when they get to meet their other two roommates, Erin and Haley. By the time we left, the room wasn't looking quite so grim since Beth had brought a futon, beanbag chair, and bought a big purple rug, and Mandi had brought a chair and a lamp from her bedroom here. The bedroom was looking better too once the girls made their beds - lots of color there. Mandi will be coming home over Labor Day and at that point will know what kind of posters and furnishings will be needed yet. A lot hinges on what the other two girls bring.

So far Mandi and I have exchanged a few emails and talked on the phone a couple times (love My Circle), but it does feel empty around here without her. Reinhard and I agreed that it feels the same as that one time we went to Germany without the kids - have an ache like something is missing from us. Suppose it will get better with time. Joey is making an effort to be more sociable to make up for Mandi not being here, I think. Or maybe he just feels I have more time to talk to him now. :-) Do seem to be chatting more with him, and he's actually coming down from the cave in the evenings to watch some movies with us.

I guess adjustments are being made by all of us.

More pictures can be seen in our Picasa Web Album (link over on the side) ==>