I feel the way Kathleen has felt for years - I have no time!! This trimester is turning out to be one from hell. Confidence that I will get through it is fast eroding......only seven weeks to go and still so much to accomplish.
Yes, indeed, Bryan is once again "in residence". However, there is a remarkable difference. Bryan is not the same person that he was three years ago. Long gone are the counter-culture clothes, hair and attitude! This young man is absolutely amazing. I am sooooo proud of him!
We (read that as "I") decided that in order to live agreeably together, we needed to institute some workable rules.......this process is still a work in progress. Cynthia mentioned "securing" the sink. After some unhappy moments, we established a policy of "securing" the bathroom sink after finishing and that means cleaning and drying it. We religiously apply Scrub Free on the tub when finished and, as a result, the bathroom never appears dirty. In the kitchen, we NEVER leave dirty dishes in the sink. It took a while to convince Bryan that it is, in fact, more efficient to wash, rinse and drain-dry dishes rather than to simply deposit them in the sink with firm intentions to return at a later moment in time to wash, rinse and drain-dry.
Additionally, Bryan's "bedroom" is the living room and his bed is the couch. Each morning he neatly folds his bedding. He never leaves the house without first ironing pants and shirt or turtleneck.........and these are clothes that actually fit him. Bryan now consistently presents a clean, neat, actually buff, appearance. He is responsible for cleaning the kitchen after I prepare the meal and he does all of this cheerfully. During my recuperation from minor foot surgery, Bryan started making a dynamite tuna salad. He was a tremendous help getting everything ready for Cynthia's visit - which was so great and fun-filled - and we are looking forward to her next visit in November.
He has been beating the pavement in an attempt to get a job; he joined the ranks of the unemployed sometime in September. No luck yet but I am confident that his fortunes are about the change. As I speak he is at the Reserve Center, signing his contract and taking his oath. The plan is to apply for the TAR program (Training and Administration of Reserves). If successful, Bryan will be on full-time active duty at a shore facility.........and I will lose my room-mate.
In order to qualify to even submit an application for the TAR program, Bryan has to complete four correspondence courses: Seaman, Petty Officer 3 & 2, Basic Military Requirements and OS (Operations Specialist). The latter is because that is the rating, or job, that Bryan has been accepted into. I went online and downloaded/printed the four courses. Before even actually enlisting, Bryan has completed the first three....another manifestation of his determination and dedication. There is, of course, more to share but that will happen when I find more time.
I invite his family to encourage him in all his endeavors. If you would like to write to him, the address is 1765-D6 East 55th Street, Chicago IL 60615-5987.
We had such a great time with Cynthia; she even started securing the sink! On the way to the airport for Cynthia's return flight, I got stopped for speeding and for having expired plates - as of 30 September! I was really undone. When the officer ran my plates, he got a message that indicated a problem with my address - don't know why because I've lived in the same place for the past 16 years and never had a problem receiving the renewal notice before. Anyway, he said that he would not write a ticket for speeding but was giving me one for the plates. In my mind, I toyed with the idea of asking if he extended consideration to those in the military but felt funny about doing so. After he handed me my ticket, and we were talking, he somehow mentioned the military and I told him that I am a drilling Reservist. He said, "Why didn't you tell me? I never give tickets to reservists!" Well, there you go.