Favourite Things Friday

It's Favourite Things Friday! I love Fridays and not just because it's often my day off. Nah ha ..it's because I get to see what your favourite things are.   So, link up at the bottom and show it off!

In April 2008 my nephew asked if he could come and stay with us for " a few weeks".  He finally moved out in July 2009,  14 months later. Mr. P and I did the happy dance because we finally had the house to ourselves.  I moved my sewing room into the large spare bedroom and planned and set up the most beautiful guest room in the history of guest bedrooms. I had guest soap, and special towels, and my sewing room rocked.  I dreamed about what my life was going to be like. For the first time ever it was just going to be Mr. P and me.  

Twelve days later (!!!) Miss P called and asked if she and 2 week old Little P could move in for "a few months".  I have come to realise that anytime anyone in our family uses the phrase "a few "  in relation to time it actually means practically forever. We accepted that the universe had other plans for us. I know that life  is a bit like nailing jelly to a tree. Unpredictable.

So for the last 14 months we've watched Little P grow, and at times Miss P struggle with parenting, financial management and participating in a household where we expected her to act like an adult. We've had drama. We've had mess. We've had to put all our breakables away as Little P got mobile. Some times we weren't quick enough and the breakables got broken. We've taught and skilled up Miss P , and chatted about all the wonderful things that she can do when she starts life in her own place. And I've watched her grow and make mistakes, and do amazing things too.  That's life. But, as much as I love both of them I've dreamed of the day when it would be just me and Mr. P . 

When Miss P and Little P take flight , I'll be able to find a sharp razor in my bathroom.  I won't have to share my hair products. My straightener will be  mine again. I won't have to go towel hunting. My house will stay clean. I wont have to pick up toys .  When I get home from a long day at work there will be no noise or distraction, I'll be able to relax. Dishes will go straight in the dishwasher. I wont have to scale a 6 foot pile of dirty laundry to get to the a washing machine. There won't be mess.  I won't have to worry about Little P eating pins or other foreign objects. I won't find juice leaking onto my carpet from an upturned cup.(why does that always happen with blackcurrant juice and when will I learn to only buy apple !)  If I want to I can eat sandwiches for dinner for a week.

And this week ,  that day finally arrived. It's just me and Mr. P . Finally. Miss P and Little P moved out to make their way in the world for the first time .  And while their road might be bumpy at  times, I have faith they can make it on their own.

It's bittersweet. I'm doing the happy dance - for the first time in 20 years my house is kid free. But man,  I miss them already.

P.S. But, I am loving my quiet, clean house. That's my favourite thing. And Other Nephew of Pyjamas you absolutely , positively cannot come to stay for a few weeks. I know what that old chestnut really means....