Friday, April 15, 2005

Reality sets in ...

 

This is a sky flower I see on my way to work every day! Beautiful but can be quite invasive!

      The good news is ... Mandy does not have Chicken Pox, Thank God, and thank all of you for asking!  After playing phone tag with her for a couple of days she finally said that the mystery spots that she was so panicked about the other night have disappeared. I asked if telling me that was just her way of stopping me from calling all day, every day to check up on her. She assured me that they are gone, I'll find out in a few minutes because she's on her way over.

     The baby is all grown up ... Mandy is 18 now, she moved out in October, she has a job that she likes with my friend Sheila in a law office and shares an apartment with 2 of her friends. She's still the baby to me, but ...

     I filed a new w4 form at work today and claimed single with no children living at home for the first time in 23 years. We also had open enrollment this week and as of May 1st Mandy will no longer be covered on my health insurance. The Law office where she works will be offering her a benefit plan of her own now. Yay and Yikes!

     Reality Check ... Coy, you are officially single without children living at home! Free, Single ... I've been so busy raising children and going through divorce that I forgot to make plans for this time in my life!

     I wonder ... what happens next?

                                  *** Coy *** 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder too?  It must be pretty amazing to have that wide open space out in front of  you.

Anonymous said...

Wow...this is pretty momentus. You have an empty nest. By the time I can say the same, I'll be retirement age. LOL I guess that will be MY next step. Retire to Florida. But you are already there. ;-)

Anonymous said...

What happens next? Toga party!!
Candace

Anonymous said...

While the reality of your life now may be quite different from what you've ever known before, enjoy it while you can. It is evolving as it was meant to. Coulda', woulda', shoulda' no longer holds meaning...what is, is now.  Much luck to you!

Anonymous said...

As I know you will...Let life surprise you!  I can't imagine what it's like to be single without children living at home.  My youngest is seven so I have a ways to go yet.  I love the flowers!  Their color is fabulous!  -Deb

Anonymous said...

well, i'm happy she doesnt have the pox...wow and now empty nest syndrome...so many finals and firsts...I feel for you, i'll be dealing with this in less than a year, and feel the void already...  :-(

~ www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

What happens next?? You continue to worry about them <g> AND you get to start doing all of those things you always promised yourself you would get around to doing!! Have fun... but, you are allowed to be a -little- sad...
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

I apologize if this offends but... You don't have an empty nest.  You are not a moma bird.  You are a human with needs and purposes beyond reproduction.  Congratulations on successfully raising human beings who are capable and independent!!!  Ya done good.  Now, on to the next thing.  It must feel really strange to go through so many changes.  But Coy darling, you are so capable of going through change.  You are a healthy human, and therefore adaptable.   Go Coy Go!!! Love, Sharon from Phoenix.

Anonymous said...

My empty nest didn't stay empty for long.
It sure was weird that first year that I filed
single with no dependants.  Bittersweet
really.
Love you sugar!
Connie

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, they come back, lol!
Get a dog.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

a whole new adventure!
marti

Anonymous said...

Adventures for sure!  You will find them. :-)

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/photographybymon/Mamarazzi/
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

So glad that your daughter does not have chicken pox....as for this time in your life....do special things for you....live each day to the fullest and enjoy every moment.... I love the pic of the flower.....very pretty.
Ellie
http://journals.aol.com/jibaro6543/ELLIESCRAZYLIFE/

Anonymous said...

You have hobbies, work, and friends. It seems to me you've been doing all the right things to be prepared for this time in your life. Just keep living. :-) ---Robbie

P.S. I'll have the questions for you tonight. Scratching my brain to come up with some good ones that are worthy of you.

Anonymous said...

Skytower resembles a clematis...at least it looks like mine.  Not right now, mind you, but later this spring.

Glad to hear it's not chicken pox.  And as for this time, from what I've read in your journal you seem to be enjoying it already.

~Dona

Anonymous said...

EVERYTHING! Including a trip to Atlantic City to see Mortimer's Cafe!

Anonymous said...

claimed single with no children living at home for the first time in 23 years
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Isn't it amazing how these mundane routines are capable of giving us such swift insights about change?  

Anonymous said...

Oh boy...that's what happens doesn't it....all of a sudden it's here...the kids are gone and Now what???  I need to figure out what kind of hobbies I really love.  It sounds like you have lots of fun things going on.  :)
Michele

Anonymous said...

Oh Boy! So much for you to do!!
V