Father’s Day was fun, as we had all the girls home for the first time in a while. \u00c2\u00a0It’s interesting to see how they’ve changed, what they’ve learned, as the older two transition more to living independently.<\/p>\n
They’re still welcome here of course, but they’re growing up and leaving the nest for increasingly longer test flights. \u00c2\u00a0Alpha is home for a few more days, between the end of school and her summer research project at Cal State. \u00c2\u00a0Beta is sharing a duplex out in the boonies with two friends, so she’s truly experimenting with independent living over the summer.<\/p>\n
A week ago, we finished up the Explorer project<\/a>, so Beta is mobile again. \u00c2\u00a0Although it took an entire frustrating year to finish (with months off during the colder periods), it runs really well. \u00c2\u00a0She’s happy. \u00c2\u00a0I’m happy.<\/p>\n An interesting comment from Beta yesterday: “Wow. \u00c2\u00a0I forgot what it was like to have soft toilet paper… that stuff’s expensive<\/em>.” \u00c2\u00a0First-apartment living with a degree of independence is a learning experience, and it seems that they’ve developed a bit more appreciation for where money comes from, and where it goes. \u00c2\u00a0Everyday items, like soft toilet paper or a gallon of milk in the refrigerator, are seen in a new light. \u00c2\u00a0They’re growing up.<\/p>\n Gamma is experiencing her first regular job, as a lifeguard at the municipal pool. \u00c2\u00a0She loves the work, and on Saturday, had her first “save.” \u00c2\u00a0 Thankfully, it was an easy one — an elementary-age boy who’d gotten in over his head and was struggling. \u00c2\u00a0I have to hand it to the City of Oak Ridge: the training and expectations of their lifeguards is first-rate.<\/p>\n Two weeks ago while HWTFM and I were picking up a washer and dryer for Beta (she bought it, we just transported it), his GPS was stolen from his truck during a brief stop at a store on Clinton Highway. \u00c2\u00a0He was devastated — I’d just gotten a replacement under the warranty, because the first one was broken during a business trip in May. \u00c2\u00a0Beta really stepped up to the plate and suggested to me that she and her sisters split the cost of a new one for him, for Father’s Day.<\/p>\n Since three of the four are working, it worked out. \u00c2\u00a0He was really surprised and pleased.<\/p>\n Now, if only I can get Delta off the couch a bit more (facilitated by taking away her wireless adapter and ethernet cable), I’ll call it a successful summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Father’s Day was fun, as we had all the girls home for the first time in a while. \u00c2\u00a0It’s interesting to see how they’ve changed, what they’ve learned, as the older two transition more to living independently. They’re still welcome … Continue reading