I used to be good at this.....

I've done the empty nest thing: Daughter and family lived 400 miles away, Oldest Son was nearby but newly married and starting a family, and Youngest Son went off to start his own life.

Youngest Son and I had been on our own together for 7 years, so that first year of empty nest was NOT EASY, but I had my own apartment and got used to being on my own.....no problem!

Fast forward 6 years: Oldest Son and I bought this house together and it's been 5 years of busy Grandkids, lots of noise and activity, and plenty of company. Daughter lives 2 miles away and there is almost daily visits, quick impromptu runs to Target together, and last minute sleepovers with the Grandaughters.

NO MORE EMPTY NEST FOR ME!

And now.....EVERYONE HAS GONE ON A LONG VACATION AT THE SAME TIME AND LEFT ME AT HOME IN THIS BIG OLD EMPTY HOUSE BY MYSELF! How Rude! It's just too darn quiet around here!

I mean, I'm just fine with alone time....I really need a lot of alone time.....but 2 WEEKS?!

Enough already! I can't take being away from those pesky Grandkids for so long. What has happened to me? I used to be good at this alone thing.......

Those darn kids have me left me no choice...I am going to hunt them down!

I'm off this morning to meet Oldest Son and family at the Colorado River for 4 days of their 2 week vacation. It will be a shorter version of last years trip. They are forcing me to spend some time relaxing with a giant glass of iced tea, my ipod, and a book. And I suppose they'll make me go out on the boat, too. And of course I'll have to spend some time playing with those 2 little ones that are always underfoot. What's a Mimi to do?.....

Oh, the things we're willing to do for our kids.......