Empty Nest: An Online Magazine

Believe it or not, my daughter Sarah and I both lead very separate, very busy lives, a couple of hours apart from one another. But, we still keep in touch the way most people do these days—via phone, email, and texts. Our lives intersect more during some months than others, and, granted, July was a particularly busy one for us, but that made our texting all the more rich.

We had a lot to share: Gary and I hiking in PA, then visiting family in CT the following weekend and trying to text from a boat. Sarah scouting out and putting a down payment on a new apartment. Sarah and I providing music for a mass at Covenant House NYC, held to celebrate our friend Father Placid'd retirement. Sarah and me getting together in NYC the weekend before to rehearse, and also to participate in the Improv Everywhere event on Governor’s Island (which necessitated going over a list of props). And, of course, the move itself—what a job! All the while discussing our ongoing Word Feud games (wf=Word Feud, and I use “slacker” exclusively to motivate Sarah to take her turn, usually to no effect). So, here’s a month’s worth of texts (with a few deletions, to protect the innocent), to prove that this mother and daughter really do keep in touch. Seriously. We couldn’t make this stuff up.

Jul 02, 2012 11:09 AM

Hi lovey! Back safe and sound? Love you, mom xo

Yup, made it with no problems. Thanks for driving me this morning!

Jul 02, 2012 12:24 PM

Hey question about the lechee stuff from the blender we saved last night. Does it contain alcohol?

Jul 02, 2012 04:46 PM

Ok, so if I drink it for breakfast, I'll have a fun day?

Jul 02, 2012 08:20 PM

Jul 03, 2012 04:30 PM

Hey, will you be around next tue night? We may go to uncle rick's sun-tue. We could stop by and have dinner with you and you and I could have a practice :)

Yea, but we would have to practice before dinner...no late night rehearsals at my apt

Ha! Right. What time is too late? We need to drive home yet that night. well keep you posted but pencil us in :)

8pm, I'd say... But I have to meet someone in times square prob around 630...ugh...forgot, that's gonna be a complicated night...

Wow, you can't reschedule?

Jul 04, 2012 10:56 AM

Hey, how'd the party go last night?

On a hike--app trail from rte 309 to bear rocks. 7 mi. The NE ext tnpk goes thru a tunnel under this ridge :)

I just got a phone call from michelle..she's engaged!

Jul 04, 2012 01:05 PM

Hey we can take you hiking sometime; we can just set a date (fall?)

Jul 05, 2012 10:41 AM

It was good, cute. Fun to see him, but he was definitely the best part.

Jul 05, 2012 12:06 PM

You taking lunch by any chance

Wasn't planning on it, but I have to run errand s after work...can we talk then?

Sure about what time?

Jul 05, 2012 03:43 PM

Would like to take back that last turn; it was a dud... :)

Jul 05, 2012 08:45 PM

Jul 06, 2012 11:24 AM

Btw-today is leslie’s bday, in case it's not on your calendar :)

Ha! Sent her card yesterday--the one with two dogs getting a bd cake out of the fridge :) but thanks! :)

Jul 06, 2012 07:42 PM

Hey, do you have the small travel bag that goes with my personal luggage?

Sure? Green flowers?

Hey wf slacker... :)

Jul 07, 2012 12:13 AM

Will you guys need your camping gear this summer? When we go to lake placid, it'd be great to have some :)

Oh, and I may need to borrow some water guns in nyc this summer...for shakespeare's sake :)

Jul 07, 2012 04:40 PM

All sounds good! When are you going.to lake placid?

Where are you camping?

Ooh, so you won't be home for the bonner fam reunion? :)

No...you guys said you weren't going, and that's the only weekend I can see lindsay play viola in 12th night

Jul 07, 2012 08:37 PM

I'm only kidding--no worries. ;-)

Jul 08, 2012 10:20 AM

You guys all hanging out? Or are you free to chat?

We're. O. The boat it's crazyv out here

Jul 09, 2012 06:08 PM

Jul 09, 2012 07:20 PM

Jul 11, 2012 02:12 PM

Jul 11, 2012 07:01 PM

Jul 12, 2012 02:13 PM

Hey let's finish up that game, ok? ;-)

Jul 12, 2012 09:26 PM

So what did you decide to do?

Jul 13, 2012 08:42 PM

Sure you don't want to stay thru monday? I'm going to listen to the ny philharmonic in central park again that night :)

Wow wouldn't that be cool :)

Jul 13, 2012 10:30 PM

Sure you don't want to stay thru monday? I'm going to listen to the ny philharmonic in central park again that night :)

Jul 14, 2012 08:37 AM

Um I think that would be insane, but let me see what I can finish work-related tonight

Jul 14, 2012 09:58 AM

Not gonna happen. Too much didn't get done yesterday. Anyway, do you need me to get the med sized water pistols?

I ran out of time yesterday, do planning on getting them today. Can you bring them home just in case?

Sorry, it was more of a ' wouldn't that be fun'...kind figured it wasn't gonna be possible

Ok! Get me a shower cap too, ok?

Jul 14, 2012 03:35 PM

You're a measley wf slacker :)

Jul 14, 2012 08:51 PM

Are we taking the ferry from queens?

Could do either...we may not want to be on a ferry that long if it's yucky out

Water guns--do we need them? Going to. Ring two old coasters (see below the water guns) instead of plates. At least they're possessions and not trash :)

Ooo, those are nice guns :) I bought 99 cent guns today. Coasters are a great idea!

I could find two small old stuffed animals

Jul 15, 2012 08:02 AM

Btw didn't find any stuffed animals I could part with so find a couple of soft things to get rid of. How about dish towels? Any you want to unload?

K! What color shirt are you wearing?

Haven't figured that out yet...either black or white, right?

Yeah I'm wearing white; let's wear the same

Yes getting on the subway

Jul 16, 2012 12:15 AM

Oops--home sweet home! :)

Btw, in praise of his name is included my old music issue music, but it's not in the current music or canticle. Soooo, do you want me to send you a PDF of the music and plan to do it for recessional on wed?

I need to send father placid all the songs in the am. ;-)

Jul 16, 2012 07:01 AM

Jul 17, 2012 04:54 PM

Fri night dinner--spec requests? Burgers sun after sailing? Maybe well go out sat. :)

Jul 18, 2012 07:47 AM

Don't forget to bring my guitar thingy (long black pad)

No problem! What happened with the amaretto--do you want me to bring some?

Jul 18, 2012 03:20 PM

We're not close. Call a cab if it's too hot or raining and we

'll reimburse you. See you there!

Yeah but it will be close

Jul 18, 2012 11:45 PM

Best time ever (sending this from the driveway :) ). I only remember going into the tunnel :) poor dad. These things really wipe me out. Anyway hope your blender made it home ok :) nighty night . Love, mom xo

Jul 19, 2012 10:06 AM

You guys don't have any allergy stuff you could spray the cat with, do you? My allergies have been so bad the past few times I came home...

Um maybe you can just not sleep with him. :) we don't have anything that I know of. Dad is vacuuming tonight. Well keep the. At out of both bedrooms

Jul 19, 2012 10:55 PM

Thanks for changing the recessional yesterday without practicing it...was just thinking of how much fun that song was to sing :)

Jul 20, 2012 12:37 AM

Jul 20, 2012 08:44 AM

I'm thinking hoagies might be better for lunch tomorrow...I've had far too much pizza this week :)

Jul 20, 2012 10:29 AM

K--sounds good. We can pick them up in the am and take them on our bike hike. Or we can bike in the other direction and just pick them up on our way :)

Hehe...i have the water gun photo as my contact photo for you...makes me laugh :)

Jul 20, 2012 11:45 AM

Jul 20, 2012 02:44 PM

Gonna make salmon. White wine or red?

And corn on the cob. Btw, what time is your bus coming in in heller town?

Btw, if you pass again, I'll just resign that wf game. I should have done that last time. Congrats! It was a good one ;-)

Ok , well you still won! You're getting harder and harder to beat! ;-)

Jul 20, 2012 04:21 PM

Okay, meaning that's the bus you're getting , right? ;-)

Wf: have fun with that one. :)

I'm hearing ads for the phila master chorale on wrti. However, my daughter is with the NYC master chorale. La di da. :)

Jul 22, 2012 05:23 PM

Be careful with bag--glass plates and platter :)

Jul 22, 2012 07:45 PM

Bye bye! Love you! :)

Let me know that you made the bus, ok? ;-)

Ok, anddad will let you know if he runs out of gas :)

Ha! I was wondering about that :)

Jul 22, 2012 10:01 PM

Um, want me to send dan's phone to your office?

Jul 23, 2012 08:48 AM

Should I put a delivery confirm on it? Insure it?

I will send it priority today and ask when he can expect it to be delivered ;-)

Jul 23, 2012 11:39 AM

It's sent. Helga thinks it will get there wed, but maybe tomorrow, if we're lucky. Hope Dan is ok wo it. Must have fallen out of his pocket. Better in the car than somewhere else.

Jul 24, 2012 10:00 AM

Wow, where did all those points come from? Do you get extra for making a long word? :-o

Jul 25, 2012 08:01 AM

We have $$ in both savings accounts; I could transfer if you can't get a personal loan over the phone. Now to get a certified check. Ask the cu to allow you to withdraw cash just today. Set it up but don't withdraw it unless you h

How are you making out? Did you do a transfer from ing direct?

Jul 25, 2012 11:00 AM

Call the house phone

Sorry, I was on the phone with dad. Call me when it's over... :)

Jul 25, 2012 04:54 PM

Dad wants to know what max is doing this weekend :)

Jul 25, 2012 06:53 PM

:-D couldn't hurt to ask

Jul 26, 2012 08:23 AM

Jul 26, 2012 10:55 AM

What about setting up Internet at your new place? Can you do it right away?

Jul 26, 2012 02:26 PM

You too! I set up electricity...haven't done internet yet

We'll need the wifis :)

Nothing; we have phones :)

Jul 26, 2012 08:27 PM

I hope this stuff works...how long does it usually take?

Jul 26, 2012 11:15 PM

:((((( sorry! Just seeing this. Didn't the raid work this morning?

Jul 27, 2012 08:12 AM

Yea, it worked for the counter pretty well, tho there are still a few. I put it all around though and found another entrance on the floor, so now they're eating the terro stuff

Jul 27, 2012 09:42 AM

Jul 27, 2012 04:31 PM

Hey Sarah, I found a photo researcher for you: pat

Can you email me her info at work? I've already left the office and don't want to forget to write to her on monday

Jul 27, 2012 06:22 PM

Cute bathroom set... Too bad I have expensive taste :)

Jul 27, 2012 08:28 PM

Oh, I decided to get it--$15 for the toothbrush holder and $13for the soap dish

I needed something pretty, and was gonna need those things anyway

Alas! You'll be glad you did! ;-)

Hey, dad us trying to text you. R u busy?

Um good thing I opened that box that came...it was for dad from you :) do you want me to bring it with us on Sunday?

Jul 28, 2012 12:28 AM

Yes, please bring it...it'll be fun to give it to him now :) thanks!

Jul 28, 2012 08:16 AM

Jul 28, 2012 11:54 AM

Hey what's your work email?

Jul 28, 2012 06:03 PM

Hi lovey! How's it going? ;-)

Jul 28, 2012 08:31 PM

Dad says no on the bookcase. It has to come apart, unfortunately :(

Jul 28, 2012 09:44 PM

Well, you have one beautiful silverware drawer :) do you have a plastic insert for it?

Jul 29, 2012 07:12 AM

Awesome! I have the plastic insert, but should probably get a plastic longer for the bottom. Can he send me the dimensions of the inside?

Jul 29, 2012 09:27 AM

Yay! We're at pilot getting gas :)

Yeah the usual cheap place in nj :)

Great day to move, btw. The one train that goes to my new apt isn't running in either direction. Lol

It's ok-only a20 min walk to my old place...would take at least that long on the train

Well, this should have taken 20 min, but evidently I took the long way...

Jul 29, 2012 01:20 PM

What about the teapot and spoon rest? Are they yours?

Blue & white sushi dishes are yours?

Salt & pepper shakers?

Got it. Vinnie just arrived. He's piling stuff in the hallway downstairs. Is cable guy there ? An eta yet? Instructs for vinnie?

Silverware drawer yours?

Um did dad get back?

Jul 29, 2012 04:47 PM

K vinnie's here now loading up again

Corner shelves in your room?

Jul 30, 2012 08:33 AM

Hey! Sorry to have to wake you up so early! Hope you were able to go back to sleep! We just got home. Forgot Oliver was out when we left yesterday . :( but he seemed none the worse for the wear :)Sorry about leaving you with such a big mess too! But now

No worries! Thank you for staying so late to do that last trip...it was crazy how late it got. Glad you guys made it home ok. Love you!

No problem. I knew it would take longer than you thought, but we couldn't leave you hanging :)

Ha! Within striking distance! :)

So how are you today? ;-)

[Deleted 14-text rant about former roommate :)]

Jul 30, 2012 05:43 PM

Btw, meant to mention: Katie and I put your passport in your purse bc we found it on the floor in your room :)

Jul 30, 2012 06:44 PM

Jul 30, 2012 10:27 PM

Tried the mexican restaurant tonight with dan (his suggestion). Delicious!

Jul 31, 2012 10:14 AM

Nice! How was your first night in your new place? :)

Good! Found all my plates and glasses, and worked some more on my closet. slowly but surely :)

Yeah, sorry I never got to them... :-o

That's one thing I'm sorry I never did--get my own apt :)

No worries-you were awesome talking care of those cabinets...i was afraid of them :)

Jul 31, 2012 12:20 PM

Nothing to be afraid of: just a few dead bugs. I was more afraid of falling off the counter. :) my rock climbing skills came in handy... :)

And yes, I'm looking forward to visiting you ASAP! :)

Jul 31, 2012 04:56 PM

Sarah--will have to get you the bus card file tonight

Getting an allergy shot then dinner with Vicky. If you don't hear from me be 8:30, call me. Love you!

Robin Bonner is editor of Empty Nest. For more about Robin, see About Us.