Recently...

On Christmas morning, Eric and I were up long before the children.  That is the first time that has happened probably since Anna was 2.  It was very odd to be sitting up enjoying a cup of coffee and waiting for the kids to get up!

On New Year's Eve we had dear friends visiting.  We think we may have a new tradition, since it has now happened twice, of homemade creme brûlée.  Two years ago it was made at our friends home, this year at ours.  It was much easier than I expected and it is a much loved treat, so I'm sure I will be making it again.

Two nights ago my brother and I sat in an emergency room with our father until 3:00 a.m.  Although he quit smoking 4 years ago (in very impressive fashion: cold turkey!) approximately 60 years of the habit have left their mark.  Thankfully for now his issues are very treatable and he should be back to normal within a few days.

In a few hours we return to the routine of school and work.  Not sure how my side of that will go, since sleep has once again eluded me!

Next week Eric's aunt arrives.  She has graciously agreed to stay with our kids so that I can accompany Eric on his first business trip to Italy.  I'm supposed to be excited about the trip but I don't seem to be.  Perhaps it's the apprehension of leaving the kids; perhaps the fact that, other than 1 day with a guide in Rome, I have no idea how we will actually spend our days.  In a little more than a weeks time we will be visiting 3 cities.  I've been unable to come up with a "must see" list for 2 of them despite asking a travel agent and a total stranger for help.  (I heard a woman in a store say she had just returned from Italy.  I approached her hoping for advice.  She was happy to talk to me but the only city I'll be visiting that she was familiar with was Rome, where we have the guide.)

When we return from our trip the sellers of our new home should have moved out, so I'll be able to get to work there.  I haven't scheduled movers yet, and won't until I return and have some idea when the house will be ready.  Eric has another business trip shortly after Italy, so chances are good we will be moving without him.  That is taking the fun out of it for me.  I think I need to adjust my thinking on that score! I have pictures from Christmas and New Year's Eve, but they're on another device and I don't think I retrieve them without waking the house, so today I can only post words.