Did I Detect a Breath in There Somewhere?

It is well known that there are three house chores I despise more than any other: scrubbing out the tub, putting away laundry, and anything to do with the dishes (partly b/c of its incessant repetition). Two days ago I had folded the laundry and then placed all the stacks in the rooms of their final destination. When I had put away the stuff in the kids' rooms and the hallways, I circled back to my room, where the kids themselves were snuggled up onto the bed watching our Netflix rental, Bolt. I stopped mid-sentence and mid-step in the doorway. Where were all the clothes I had just placed neatly on the bed? Girl jumped up with a look of unbearably-contained elfin glee on her face, and announced, "Mom! Look! I put all the clothes away for you!" Sure enough, all the clothes (a full half of them now ruefully un-folded) were compacted into whatever places were available to them on the lower shelves of Kev's and my wardrobes. I beamed at her, very touched that she would do a duty for me because she knew well that I did not like to do it. I said thanks and walked out of the room, to return only today to very quietly and stealthily move the clothes to their proper locations in the room. ;) Shh! Don't tell.

And speaking of hated chores, I found myself sighing to myself in the kitchen this evening. I had done the dishes no fewer than three times in two hours! Before dinner, I cleaned up the day's dishes. After dinner (Moroccan chicken with couscous and apricot sauce), I cleaned up dinner. And then, I served everyone up some special vegan cake with strawberries for dessert and had that cleaned up by the time Kev went to jam with a guitarist. Sigh!

Wading with trepidation through yet another month in the land of very tight finances, I find myself a little excited despite myself. It may not have been the soundest financial decision we have made this year (especially in light of the fact that a few very large, emergency expenses in the past couples months have basically obliterated our savings and we continue to hang on to the budget by the skin of our teeth), but we have sunk a little money into our upcoming romantic getaway. It is called the Icopod, and I think that it will suit us just perfectly. So basically, we are taking three days and two nights during our week in Michigan and leaving the kids behind with grandparents to get some much needed time together. Living in NC, I figured that we would make our way to a state park near Mackinac Island and stay there, seeing the sights during the day. I was recently informed through the family grapevine (and what a grapevine it is!) that we would need to reserve in Michigan. It turns out, much to my surprise, that there are no state-owned camping accommodations near Mackinac, anyhow. But the most popular place to stay like that is the 600-site, family-owned and -operated Mackinac Mill Creek Campgrounds across the water. So I looked into it, and a "budget" site (which I am pretty sure means on the freeway) came in about $30 for the two nights. A nicer sight, like $50 or so. Lakeside? Out of the price range. A small primitive cabin, we were looking at a little over $100, which sort of sounded quaint and doable for a romantic getaway that happens once every 2-3 years (the last time being fall of 2007 when we took off for the NC shore and ended up at this quirky little family-owned place a scant block from the water). Then I saw the Icopod. There's just one of them, which has an appeal all its own, although there a few scattered across the country. And it's supposed to be unique and architectural and environmentally friendly. Perfect. Plus, I pointed out to myself, there is a fridge and microwave (although no potty, go figure!) so we can solemnly vow to eat only one meal out the whole time we are there. Plus no tent to set up? No sleeping on the ground? But enjoying the beauty of nature and the joys of communal bathrooms? That more than makes up for the very doable price tag of $115. Right? (For the Icopod, see here).

I am also dusting off the ol' Flaherty Family Organization Book after almost a year so that I can start tracking household chores, doctors appointments, and birthdays, etc. without so much discombobulation. And I am starting back in on the Books to Read list I worked so hard at compiling last year. I am just going to jump right in with the most highly recommended book (by far), Don Quixote, by Miguel Cervantes. I was supposed to read this in high school, but there is no guarantee I actually finished it. Both my father-in-law and my globe-trotting, multi-linguistic high school Spanish teacher find the story life-changing every time they encounter it, and, to be honest (and despite some level of bookishness and gravity), I probably wouldn't have known a good novel if it punched me in the nose, when I was in high school.

That's a mouthful. Good night and good riddance.