Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Home Alone

No, you won't find any cute kids doing all sorts of crazy things here this week. Because I am, as the title suggests, home alone. All week long. The last time that I spent time alone at home for more than a 24 hour period was.... was..... Well, gee whizz! This is the first time since I had kids! Every summer we spend some time at the lake which is about an hour away. And every summer we have a garden. So every summer I trek back and forth several times a week to do garden things. Like picking and freezing and pickling, etc. While I am here, I also do laundry and groceries and any shopping that needs to be done. And if I happen to come on a Friday evening, I do Saturday morning market as well. Doesn't sound like a very relaxing day, does it. And it is usually not.
Why, you may ask, is Jackie having this respite? It is because Uncle Sandy arrived on Friday and everyone followed him to the lake on Saturday. It is also because I am the Artist in Residence this week for the Fredericton Arts Alliance. I had asked for an earlier week but this was the slot that they offered and I accepted. I did one last year and it can be seen here. No camera right now so no new picts, but I will update you with photos when available. In any case, this year I am spinning and weaving my slubby scarves. So far I have finished plying 271 yards of Fortune's Rock. Spun 8 ounces of Monet's Lilies and made it into a warp. Finished the scarf that was on the loom and dressed the loom with my next scarf. And talked to many many people about what I am doing. I've even made a few dollars selling some origami cranes and antelope. It has been a good week so far. At home I have been busy too. I made a project bag for my lace knitting, 14 napkins and cleaned the boys room. And ladies and gentlemen.... IT IS STILL CLEAN! Minor miracle indeed. I've also read a book, went to a wedding reception, and watched a movie that was unsuitable for children. And tonight, I am going out for a beer with a few friends!
It has been a great week so far, but I have to admit that I am sort of looking forward to Friday. Friday is my last day and hopefully someone will come back to town to fetch me. I will be good and ready for some chaos by then and I know just the people to supply it.
I also just got my contract in the mail for work, so it is official now. I start back on the 27th of August. Just a couple of weeks away. I can hardly believe that summer is almost over.

12 comments:

Christine said...

Most excellent!

Anonymous said...

Good for you to have Uncle Sandy to take them all away for a few days so you can have some peace and quiet, and a chance for each to miss the other. All this drinking, carousing, watching naughty movies...well...it's So not you. But glad you're having fun.

David T. Macknet said...

"Not suitable for children" about covers everything that's got more than a 'G' on it, and lots of stuff WITH a 'G' rating. So, you watched one of the Harry Potter movies, or something?

:)

You've been quite productive. You deserve a beer, I'm sure. :)

KansasA said...

Almost over?? Bad word Jackie, bad word! We do soooo much over the summer and then it's hard to get back into a routine of "brush teeth, quiet time, 9:00 PM bedtime, etc., etc."
Glad to see you're enjoying your alone time, and having fun too!

Anonymous said...

Hello Dear,

Commenting from the PowerBook here at the lake. Uncle Sandy has gone with the grandparents for a couple of days or something, so I'm here with the four kids. You want to cherish that clean boys' room every time you walk past the door, because as I write they are plotting its destruction.

We all miss you and look forward to seeing you on the weekend.

DH

Erin said...

The 27th of August is my birthday! I know exactly how you feel about it. My birthday always seemed to signify the end of summer. Enjoy your week at home alone! Sometimes it's so nice!

f. pea said...

I'll be over at 5 with some more beer! hee hee...

clothesknit said...

even if you're still doing chores you're A-L-O-N-E. you can listen to the crickets chirp. you can pee without a kid on the other side of the door asking where his fave book is. you can eat your dinner while it is still hot. you don't have to make your bed to set a good example for the kids. enjoy!

canknitian said...

Hey! Glad you're enjoying your week of freedom and creativity. I'm going to try to drop by before your wrap things up...if not, let's plan to meet at a specific time and place sometime soon.

Big hug,
j

Anonymous said...

The last time I was alone for over 24 hours (hell, for over 8 hours) was 7 years and 10 months ago.

But who's counting?

I'm sooooo jealous.

kelli ann & lorie said...

love the message from DH. 'plotting its destruction'-lol.

David T. Macknet said...

So, home alone still? No blog posts ... no email ... just skipping out on the internet world? ;)

Hope all's well.