Home Alone!!!!

I have always needed some time to myself! Right now it's in the school pick up line reading a book! I get to spend time doing what I want at home - but rarely alone! I love my family, and I always miss them when we are not together; but a few hours alone can do wonders for me! Not only do I have a few hours, but I have almost two days! They are in Virginia hunting and visiting, and I am home frantically cleaning and getting ready for Christmas so we can enjoy the rest of the month at a slower pace! I am also cleaning where Pete cleans twice a week, so that will be a good little work out! I have stocked up on some of my favorite foods, my favorite music, and I have a favorite movie on hand...just in case I get snowed in! The green van has almost 197,000 miles on it and could use new tires! It is getting them on Tuesday, but I will not be driving that car in the snow. I wouldn't drive any car in the snow unless I had to. The Volvo was like a tank in the snow, but my Honda van did very well last year. I had to drive in at least 3-4 blizzards! That was more than the rest of my life put together! We are trying so save for Pete's next vehicle - hopefully a 4WD truck!

My list has gotten shorter - the one that tells what I hope to get done in these two days. Right now I have the washer and dryer both going. The dishwasher about to be started. The firewood is coming upstairs for a nice fire in the woodstove after I get back from cleaning tonight. The Christmas cards are looking at me. A couple of unwrapped gifts keep grabbing my attention! The new curtain rod is waiting for those wonderful Waverly blue gingham curtains I have had for months to hang! I am so excited to get some of these things done!

However...I would pass it up for a hug from those soft, little warm arms and an "I Wuv You Mommy!" And Will running in and out with his camo and boots on. And Andrew and Peter constantly eating and on the computer "doing homework" and watching movies! But they will be back soon! And hopefully they will come home to a cleaner house, decorated for Christmas, and, most importantly, a mommy who feels like she is not so far behind.

We are getting ready early this year. Pete has an extra special trip planned - paid for way back in the spring. Some stuff is ready to be packed for a warmer climate than our Christmas last year - in the ice storm. Gifts and cards need to be mailed early. Some gifts are already at their destination in Virginia. Most gifts are wrapped or bagged! This weekend is about cleaning and wrapping up (literally!) loose ends! And then I can sit and drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies with my boys (all FIVE of them!) without feeling pulled to do something else!

Off to put the deer jerkey stained food dehydrator shelves in the dishwasher! Have a great weekend!