Life was carefree. Get up. Watch TV. Go to work (or school). Sleep. Watch TV. Eat. Sleep. Watch TV. Date. Watch TV. Sleep.
Watch TV on your date. Watch TV while you eat. Watch TV at work. Watch TV in bed.
This is what single people do, right? Wasn't it great? Sometimes, for those who are married, the more selfish among us think it would be nice to have some time to ourselves, similar to when we were single. It would be all lollipops and rainbows. Unicorns and glitter.
Yeah...no. I have been living the bachelor life (notice that I did not say "The Bachelor" life - that's a completely different life) for the past 2 and a half weeks. Just so we're clear, there has been no dating. To the chagrin of many, I might add.
Oh, it's been peaceful around the house. Nobody around to interrupt whatever I want to do with my time. So that's been the question, what do I do with my time? I have parties!!
By myself.
At several of these parties, I cleaned and straightened the house a little bit each day. I would feed the dogs, take out the garbage, and clean up dog feces. Helpful hint for all (especially Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout): clean up the dog poop BEFORE taking the garbage out.
At another party, I did laundry and folded it while watching TLC, HGTV and the Discovery Channel.
It got really crazy at the party where I did some home teaching and service activities. The stories that could be told...being a gentleman, I won't.
My one decadent indulgence with everyone gone was exercise. Swimming. Biking. Running. Don't be jealous. You want to, too.
I have missed my family profoundly. I am sure it will take me all of 5 minutes to get over it once they are home, but I miss the noise and the chaos of six kids. Having no dirty dishes in the house is over-rated. No dirty clothes? Over-rated. Trust me on this one.
More than anything, I miss Nicki. I remember what I didn't like about being single. At least we have phones, texting, email and Facebook to communicate. When I was single, I didn't have anyone to communicate with.
Let me clarify: I didn't have anyone who I loved dearly and will be with for eternity. When I was single, I knew people. I was popular. Way. At least, for anyone who didn't know me back then is concerned, that's what you need to know.
I am grateful we can have the opportunity for the kids, and Nicki, to do summer workshops at BYU this year, but I am glad it's almost over.
Thankfully, I know Nicki is ready to come home, too. Apparently, being away from home as a single parent of six kids isn't all unicorns and glitter, either.
