Doug is usually home before me at the end of a work day, so when I make a left turn onto our street and don’t see his truck in the driveway it’s not the norm. On this day, he is away on a hunting trip and it’s the beginning of a four-day run for me to be at home alone.
Lucky remains in the backyard, having not yet been let in as Doug usually does. He waits anxiously behind the glass door, trying desperately to curb his excitement as he sees me approaching to let him in. When the door opens the dog darts in – past the cat who sits patiently waiting for head scratches. Whiskers is instantly annoyed and he turns from my reach and struts away, head and tail held high. “Hmph. Your loss, Jay-cat. Your loss…”
As usual when Doug is away, the pets and I fall into a different groove. They clamor for my space, both craving my undivided attention. I continually remind Lucky to “leave the cat alone.” (Oh wait, I do that when Doug’s at home too…)
I change out of my work clothes and slip into something more comfortable: my oldest baggy pajama pants and a slouchy t-shirt - I don't even match. I smile to myself when I think about the clothes I choose when Doug’s not around. I figure he wouldn’t mind one way or another, but...well...I do step it up a notch or two when he's at home. Well, at least I try to match.
My evening meal consists of a small bowl of raisin bran cereal followed by a glass of wine – fine dining for my solo evening. I think of Doug again and wonder what his time alone looks like when I'm away. I doubt he really cares about what he’s wearing on any given evening, but I know that his evening meals are usually eaten at a local establishment with a side of cold beer. Clearly drowning his sorrows and missing me a whole lot. :o]
When the lights go out at bedtime, noises materialize in parts of our house that never happen when Doug is at home. The cat looks nervous at the foot of my bed, but the dog snores softly in his own. It takes forever for me to fall asleep, but once I do I'm out for the night! It's not until the alarm sounds at 5:00 a.m. that am I thrust back to the reality that I'm home alone.
As I sip my morning coffee I think of Doug again. Is he drinking coffee at camp with his brothers, I wonder, or has he already made his way to the hill side to get an early start to his day? Wherever he is I bet he's thinking of me, maybe finding heart shaped rocks and secretly longing for the comforts of home.
As for me? I'll finish drinking my coffee in my mis-matched pajamas and then hit the shower. And I probably won't make the bed today...
♥
Today I'm linking up with my blog friend, Alexa and her
monthly meme Simply a Moment. You can click here to
read more simple moment stories.
I am so fortunate to know so many great writers through blogging, and I have to say that Alexa is one of my favorites. Her writing style is always so poignant and beautifully done, and her digital artwork is consistently fresh and clever. I highly recommend a visit to her lovely blog.
19 comments:
i loved this post deb!! i too have the home to myself when my boys go hunting. i love my family but i love alone time too. i actually crave it. enjoy your quiet. i hope he is having good luck!! and i think your dinner is perfect!!
Gosh, so many layers to this super post, Deb ... I enjoyed your description of what actually happened as well as your wonderings about how Doug is and what he would do. I grinned at your evening meal: oh, what a relief not to have to make/eat a 'proper' meal sometimes. (I think it's four years since I have been 'home alone', so I am also feeling a tad envious!). It has been a delight to come and visit and very many thanks for sharing your moment and linking up again, and for your warm words :).
Lovely post, it fascinates how we can miss them when they're not around for a couple of days but also take the opportunity to just 'be'.
Love this post! When Paul is away on his cycling trips and when he and Rachel were doing the 3 Peaks Challenge I make the most of eating all my favourite meals, and going up to bed really early and watching tv there, all snuggled up with Coco by my side. But I have noticed that the moment he goes away, the spiders all come out of hiding and he comes home to upturned glasses over the floors making their spider prisons!
I love time alone during the day....to potter around and do my own thing....but hate it at night...our home seems to develop 'home alone' noises at night as well!!
Hi Deb....I really loved this post. It reminds me of one of my favorite songs....Blake Shelton's "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking". Alain travels for work sometimes and I've come to really enjoy that time alone. I'm usually much more productive and I eat way less. Ha!
A lovely moment. It's funny how i look forward to him being away and yet, like you, can't help wondering if he's having a good time. Miss match is good :) x
Love you Simple Moment posts. I'm not much of a writer but I may try this someday.
I really liked your post today Deb. It made me smile a lot. For me at the moment, the thought of living with the boy is a foreign concept rather than him not being there!
I have some alone time during the days but after hours is always filled, even when TE is away.
TSYO and I have been planning our special dinner tonight as the boys will both be a way for tea time ... she requested pumpkin soup! Sheesh!
Great post. Love the two different views you present (your reality and your imaginations of Doug at camp).
Next weekend I get some alone time myself. Looking forward to being crafty.
Rinda
Lovely post Deb :) I had some alone time this week and really enjoyed it for a change. I know what you mean about those noises though!
I really love being home alone (with dog!) I like the quiet and yet Paul is by no means noisy, I like the freedom of eating just like you do although Paul wouldn't complain if I produced cheese and crackers for him, we are strange creatures aren't we?
Mr M used to work shifts and that meant night shift too. I got used to being alone at night but never really liked it because I am scared of the dark. I once trapped myself in the bathroom because of night noises and didn't come out until Mr M arrived home at 6.30am. Thank goodness those days are gone.
I am so used to living the life you are having a taste of this weekend!...it's when Craig's home I have to remember to step up my game a bit!!;)
Alison xx
A lovely moment. I had to laugh though because I save all of my matching stuff for when my other half is around :)
This is such a great post! I love getting a window into your everyday life, and how it is different when Doug is not around. Thanks for sharing :) xxx
I'm catching up today from our time away. What a great post! I so relate to the noises I hear whenever I'm here alone. Drives me nuts!
Isn't it amazing how those noises only appear when you're home alone? I don't get many alone times anymore, aside from when he's at work but I so remember all those years of him working shifts and having all those nights alone.
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