How Embarrassing!

Just this past Thursday, my roommate was exclaiming to his girlfriend how messy their closet was in the master bedroom. He was going on and on about how there was a ton of junk in the closet that they had not worn or used in years. He suggested that the closet should be cleaned out and that the useless items could be donated to the local Community Closet. The girlfriend concurred that something needed to be done, and she would be happy to help in the clean up project. In fact, she even believed that the other closets in the house could be cleaned out as well.

I commonly eavesdrop on my roommate's conversations with his girlfriend. I usually find their exchanges to be comical. He usually will say stuff that he doesn't really mean, and she will usually pretend like she believes him when she really doesn't. For instance: Roommate- I'm going to start going to bed earlier at night to get more sleep. Girlfriend- Good idea, honey. You'll feel better in the mornings after a good nights sleep. Remember not to set your alarm tonight, because you never hear it in the morning, and it is really annoying. Or, Roommate- I think I'm going to start a little diet to lose some weight. Girlfriend- I think you'll feel better about yourself if you do. It's late though, and I'm going to sleep. Don't eat all the ice cream tonight - save some for the short kid with glasses. He hasn't had any out of that carton yet.

However, my roommate seemed to have a certain conviction in his voice when he spoke of the out of control closet. I actually believed that he meant what he said this time. His girlfriend believed him, too, because she got excited about his new found incentive to clean up the house.

They eventually left the bedroom to begin the day and to wake up all the kids. My roommate's passionate declaration regarding the closet left me strangely inspired, and I was overwhelmed with an indescribable desire to assist in this newly stated project. So, I entered the closet myself to see where I could pitch in to help.

Some people would call me vertically challenged, and I readily accept that label, because truthfully, I am not the tallest male on the block! Therefore, I decided to start low in the closet. I crawled into the deepest corner of the closet to begin my self-appointed cleaning responsibilities. There in the back right hand corner of the closet, I found a really soft blanket that I had not seen in years! The blanket was truly inviting and I found myself drawn to it. Kicking some shoes, flip-flops, and a couple of ball caps out of the way, I stretched out on the blanket. It felt soooooo comfortable! I closed my eyes for what seemed like only a moment to relish the sensation of the hidden blanket, and before I knew it, I was asleep.

That was the soundest nap I had taken in months! I eventually emerged from the closet to an empty house. Everyone was gone, but I didn't find that to be unusual at all. My roommate was most certainly at work, and the girlfriend had more than likely taken the kids to the pool. I headed into the kitchen for a little food and drink, and then hopped onto the couch for some television. I must have fallen asleep again, because when I woke up, it was dark outside. I got off the couch and realized that the family was still gone. No problem, though. They probably were at the grandparent's house. I went downstairs and checked on the stupid dogs. They were fine - dumb as ever. I eventually returned to the closet to begin cleaning things out, but the mesmerizing blanket beckoned me yet again. I curled up on that thing again, and BOOM! I was asleep again.

Apparently, three days later, the back door swung open and there stood my roommate holding a huge duffel bag. He greeted me with a hearty "hello" and then asked me if I had missed everyone. I was quite confused, however things became clear to me soon. The entire family had left for Atlanta Thursday to visit some friends while I was asleep.

Dang. I knew that they had been gone for an unusually long time . . . .

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Almost a month has passed since my last entry from my world. My apologies. However, I've been busy. School has let out for the summer for starters. That means that the kids have been constantly underfoot. Plus, I mentioned earlier the acquisition of a new family puppy? The puggle has run amuck making my life extremely complicated. Writing on the computer has not been high up on my list of priorities lately.

I try to stay out of the way these days. The house is like a circus with everyone home for the summer. The tall kid never sleeps in his bed - he just moves from couch to couch to sleep. The short kid with glasses and the taller pretty girl are thick as thieves and I can't ever keep straight where they will sleep anymore. One night they are in her room, one night they are in his room, one night they are on couches . . . if the tall kid hasn't fallen asleep there yet. The short curly haired girl still sleeps in her bed, at least.

I have my routines and when summertime arrives, my routines are severely compromised. The televisions are now used for talk shows, cartoons, Barney, and video games. Heaven forbid I should ever try to watch Sportscenter or Animal Planet! My roommate's girlfriend takes naps during the time I like to take naps and in exactly the same place I like to sleep in the afternoons. About the only two folks in the house who aren't getting on my nerves and getting in my way are my roommate and the baby.

Oh, I'm sure I'll get over myself soon enough. Of course, as soon as I get used to the summer routine, school will start again. Sometimes I wonder why I keep all these people around . . . !