Home Again, Home Again (Jiggedy Jig)

I have been up for approximately 26 hours because I cannot sleep on airplanes.

I smell like airport.

I have static-head from sleeping against an airplane seat and a paper covered pillow. (I know, I shouldn't have, so let's not even go there.)

My house smells like dog.

There is a dent in the wall where Boo rocked Pea's glider rocking chair a *titch* too hard. I'll be calling the painter/plasterer in the morning, which sucks. (They "forgot" to tell Daddy that they did it yesterday.)

There is no food in the house.

My kids have greasy looking/slippery feeling heads from the new lice treatment the Hubs tried on them while I was gone. There was yet another outbreak at school.

And my darling kids, after totally loving on me at school when I surprised them by picking them up BEFORE after-school club, well, totally melted down and punished me for deserting them by being hellions all afternoon.

The puppy, on the other hand, was so happy to see me, she peed on my feet. All afternoon.

I've spent most of the remains of the day doubled over, disinfectant and floor cleaner in hand, yelling at the puppy.

I'm such a bitch.

A tired, hungry bitch.

On the upside, the laundry is all caught up, my kids have been de-loused, and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. Well done, Hubs.

Its good to be home.

Travelling Solo

This week, I've had to travel back to the States for my grandfather's memorial service.

Not wanting to subject the kids to the time changes and disruption involved with a short trip overseas, I've come on my own.

Alone.

Solo.

Uno.

Yes, I'm childless for FIVE days.

My husband asked: "What will you do on that flight, all alone?"

The reality? While I was completely unencumbered - it was one damn long flight. It felt endless.

No fussing. No whining. I was free to read, watch a movie without interruption - and it was the longest damn flight I've EVER been on.

I miss my kids. I miss my puppy, peeing on my feet. I miss my husband, looking at me with the last dregs of patience as I lose my temper with my kids after the umpteenth sibling battle-o-rama of the day.

Hopefully, they miss me a bit too - and I'll be a bit more appreciated when I return. Because I know I will appreciate them more, too.

The Unlikely Connoisseur

As part of our nightly bedtime routine, after Boo reads us his school books, we read him one of his choice.

Tonight, his book of choice (a short one, because it was late) was "Good Night America". As he finished the book, he looked at The Hubs and said "I like reading "Good Night America". I miss all of America sometimes. There are two places I really want to go see when we go back."

"Where is that?", the Hubs inquired.

"California and New York", he replied.

"Well, why is that, Boo?"

Says Boo "Well, I hear they have really good restaurants!"

The joy of living abroad

Walking through the marina in Swansea this weekend, the Hubs commented that on our next trip there, we'd need to get on the water - take one of the boat excursions offered in the area.

Boo looked at him and said "MY first boat ride was in Paris".

Yeah. How cool is that?