This Week in the Proverbial Nutshell

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My week in a nutshell: 

Our college babies started their spring semester which means back to class and not so much visiting mom during the day.  It took us over one year to adjust to this empty nest thing and we have actually come to appreciate a few things about it--you know, like peace and quiet and, as a friend (you know who you are Shelley) and fellow empty nester has said, a return to 'loud love.'  But it only takes a few minutes, when they come over, to realize that peace and quiet is overrated.  (I'm sticking with the loud love though...LOL)

Birdie (DD3) will be graduating in May so this week marked the beginning of her last semester of college.  Even though this is our third daughter to go to college, the emotions of that last semester are just as intense as they were with the first and second daughters.  How exciting to be so close to going out in the world to make a difference for the first time!  And she's quite ready--it took her an extra year to graduate when she decided that one degree wasn't enough (silly girl) so, in May, our lovely Birdie will graduate with a degree in Athletic Training and Exercise Science.  Proud much?  Me?  YES!  (So obvious since I may have already mentioned this fact!).

SC low-country icicles

There was BIG TALK about that winter storm that was going to bring that much coveted snow and I fell for it AGAIN.  When am I EVER going to learn NOT to listen to the weather dude????  They so rarely get it right here.  I allowed my excitement to mount and, when all we got was rain, I crashed into a concrete slab of disappointment.  The temps were low enough to cause the rain to freeze on the bridges so, they were shut down for about 3 whole hours.  I know that I would NEVER be able to tolerate the low temps and TONS of snow people get up north and in the mid-west but I LOVE to get enough to stick to the ground and stay for at least a couple of days.  No such luck, usually, in the low-country.  At least it's not blistery hot like it is in the springsummerfall around here!  Yesterday, the wind was so cold, it gave me a brain freeze!

Our niece-in-law (lovely girl married to Hub's oldest nephew) had a birthday this week. She's all of 25 now and a very interesting young woman.  Our nephew is a youth minister at a local church and is quite talented in music, particularly.  His lovely wife possesses great talent as well.  She is a worship artist.  I had no idea about what a worship artist was before but, it's actually pretty cool.  One of the things I like best about it is that, sometimes, she paints while nephew's band is leading the worship at their church or at other events.  They are an amazing young couple!  You can check them out here:  http://www.worship-artist.com/ .  There's so much more to this couple than meets the eye!

Had some beautiful birds visit the feeders this week.  Actually, there were so many that I went out and bought a couple of different types of seed in order to entice even more because they are so beautiful (or because I have all this time on my hands with everyone busy now so I fill it with watching  and photographing the birds).  I might be crazy (and many would say, "MIGHT?") but the birds seem more colorful and fluffy in winter.  Anyway, you can check out my photos at my bird blog:   One Flew Over the Empty Nest.

Birdie and the pups

Enjoyed Thursday immensely when Birdie (who has no classes on Tuesday/Thursday) came over and we took all three dogs (Tucker, Strider and Charlie) to the beach followed by lunch out.  It just doesn't get much better than that when you have an empty nest!

Child who deserted us for DC

The bad thing this week is that Deanie (DD2 who moved to DC in the fall) is sick.  She went to a doctor (that I don't know which is driving me NUTS) and was told she has strep throat AND tonsillitis.  They had to start an iv of antibiotics and then put her on a ten day supply.  She is prone to strep ever since she came down with a bad case of it at music camp one summer.  The trouble here is- SHE IS ALL THE WAY UP THERE IN DC AND I AM NOT.  I do not like this.  Breezy (DD1) has had her share of sickness since she's been living away from home BUT she has a hubby who really does take good care of her.  Deanie is all alone (not really, she has an awesome boytoy and some wonderful friends it's just that SHE IS ALL THE WAY UP THERE AND I AM NOT.).  I'm sure she'll be just fine and she said the doctor was good and very kind.  We'll see.  I hope I don't have to go up there and kick some doctor behind.

And that's my week in a nutshell!  Hope yours was great and the next one even better!