August 21, 2015
Today we dropped Skye off at SDSU – after 36 years we are now officially empty nesters.  I’m trying to have a positive attitude.  A year ago, I’m not sure Skye would have found the courage to leave home.  Today, although very nervous, she seemed determined to give it her best.  If she can just keep from letting herself feel overwhelmed, I think she will do great.  Most importantly, she needs to surround herself with good people.  Her roommate is a little gal from South Korea who speaks excellent English.  She seems somewhat shy, but pleasant and polite.  When Skye mentioned that she and Deion were going to hit up Walmart for some sundries, Enjui (pronounced N-G) asked if she could come along because she neglected to bring some necessities, too.  I think they will do well together – I hope so.  I will never forget the look on Enjui’s face when I asked her, “So, are you really fond of country-western music?”  She looked panicked and softly stammered, “Uh, um, no.”  “Well, then,” I replied, “You and Skye should get along just great!”  She appeared nonplussed for a moment, then laughed delightedly. 
Matt met us on campus to help her move in and we had fun unpacking all her stuff.  As Skye stated when she was three years old, “Aunt Penny spoils me so!”
Aunt Penny had her own excitement today.  She got to hear the heartbeat of her grandchild.  The baby is due April 11 next year.  That means there is a chance it could be born on Daddy’s birthday! 
 
8/31/15
The last ten days have been really busy.  I miss Penny.  She has accepted a new client out of town and works there Monday through Thursday, so she isn’t able to just drop in to see me during the day.  My best friend from high school and her husband, Goldi and Roger, came up from Illinois to visit.  We celebrated her birthday with a collection of our classmates at Flinners Bar. The food was good and the company rowdy.  It was fun to go out, but I didn’t last very long.  Still, the past week has been rather okay.  I have been pretty faithful with my exercises and moving slowly and I have been able to get more done, even packing up some of Daddy’s things.  Goldi and Roger were able to spend a day with just us, and Skye and Deion were here for a while yesterday.  Skye decided she wants to borrow Penny’s mini fridge after all.  They both seemed excited about their classes and used my printer to print out their syllabuses.  We had a nice visit, though it seemed really short.  So this morning, I felt kinda lonely.  Then Skye called and dropped a bombshell.  She has decided NOT to attend college right now.  Ohhh, that hurt so bad.  I don’t understand why.  Like I say, she visited animatedly yesterday about her classes and the new people she has met.  Now, she says she wants to work a year to save money.  She is making a huge mistake, but there is nothing I can do about it.  I tried.  I pointed out the advantages of at least getting this year and generals under her belt and the disadvantages of waiting.  I am just sick that she is passing up this opportunity.  I know this is not the end of the world, but I am having a really hard time with it.  Somehow, I have failed her.  Oh, her puppy must be picking up on my distress.  He just came and pawed at my knee, then crawled up in my lap and licked my tears.