... for the first time in nearly three weeks, and it's marvellous.
DS1 has gone out with future-DIL, DSs 2 to 4 inclusive have gone round to help XH tidy up his new house (he got it cheap because it had been trashed by the previous owner's tenant) and it's just me, the man-eating parakeet and my trusty Dell on the premises.
I could do some chores I suppose. Or I could just sit here surfing, playing Warcraft or whatever appeals. I may get dressed, or I may not. No-one will be begging for a turn on the PC, fighting with brothers, complaining of boredom, startling me with sudden shrieks of laughter or terror, playing music I don't like, arguing about who should make the toast, dropping things in the kitchen... No-one will be bringing me cups of tea either, or massaging my shoulders (DS3's speciality), but it's a small price to pay for an oasis of peace.
This is life as it ought to be. The last few chaotic years bring it home how nice it is sometimes just to be in your own space for a little while. By the time they return, late afternoon probably, I shall be refreshed and delighted to welcome them back.
(Sudden horrible superstitious feeling that by posting this I have more or less invited Fate to introduce a random car accident, meteor strike, alien abduction or what-have-you. However big they get, one never stops being an anxious mummy. Silly, innit?)