Girl Clothes

Day 129: Girl Clothes

Finally, finally, we are beginning to pack and organize for college, with only 18 days until move-in. I've washed four giant loads of laundry over the past 24 hours. Almost every article of Emma's clothing was on her floor. That which is still hanging up or neatly folded on a shelf almost certainly is prime for getting rid of. If it wasn't on the floor, then it hasn't been worn in two years. A good portion of the stuff on the floor also hasn't been worn in two years, but ended up on the floor because it was on top of some other more desirable item.

I've folded everything and divided it into "You can probably give this away" and "You probably want to keep this" piles. This giant stack of t-shirts, unstylish dresses and outgrown jeans is bound for the Salvation Army. (If you'll recall, the Salvation Army is the only thrift shop in town that's accepting donations.)

Once the laundry was in process, we spent an hour making a list of items she'd need for her dorm room, prepping for the much-anticipated dorm shopping ritual. She was inclined to start with the list published by Bed, Bath & Beyond, sort of like getting car advice from your local Ford dealer. In the end, she agreed to start with the Ball State list with just a BB&B final check.

We did an excellent job compromising. We purchased a few items I don't think she'll need (as if a kid who won't throw away an apple core is really going to use Clorox wipes), and didn't purchase a few items she wanted (like a vacuum cleaner - hah!). She's still advocating for renting a dorm refrigerator (why would a kid who's getting 21 meals a week from food service need a refrigerator?) and I'm beginning to unbend about the new backpack (this will really, truly be the last one I buy).

What is stressing her out is that her roommate has decided to defer enrollment. (She's having a baby! OMG!) So, while I'm happy because now I can picture Emma Jane in her new room, with the blue comforter and blue rag rug and blue towels, neither of us knows now whether the other bed will be occupied at all, and if so, by whom. For once, I'm glad she decided to go for this BFA Acting program, with its tiny class and individualized attention. Even if she gets the worst roommate in the world, I know she won't be completely lost.

Meanwhile, I agreed to buy a wastepaper basket, although her usual habit is to throw trash down wherever (and often within six inches of the can). She's got Aleve and tampons and coffee and plastic cups and power cables and extra long twin sheets and BandAids and a desk lamp and a bike lock and plenty of clean underwear. What more does a kid need? Anyway, if we forgot something, there's always the Post Office.