The Upside to Empty Nest...

...if there is one, is that these three bedrooms will look decidedly different once they're no longer occupied on a regular basis by Peter, Kat and Aleks. In fact, they won't be allowed to leave home until their rooms are cleaned, tidied and pristined, ready for Couch Surfing guests, if we so desire!






I know, I'm a mean mom. But for many, many years I have respected the idea that the kids' bedrooms are their own spaces and, other than food and drink not being allowed there on a long-term basis, I'm pretty hands-off. That said, I have always told them that I reserve the right to search their rooms unannounced, should I ever suspect dangerous drug use and therefore have a reason to do so. I'm happy to say that I have never secretly searched any of their rooms. (Yes, I am aware that Kat has an empty Jack Daniels box, Peter has a beer poster...)

But now I want my house back, and that means five clean, orderly bedrooms. Is that too much to ask?

Oh... and -- this?



Um, yeah. That's our room, taken this morning. In the spirit of parental transparency, I guess it's only fair to post this because -- well, hey, it was a busy week, OK? It's not like I'll insist that it was a busy TEN years (about the length of time since any of the kids have given their rooms a good cleaning)! But I'll clean it... right now, in fact, because Christel, the German housekeeper I hope to hire today, is coming by to see what she'll be dealing with. I have a feeling she'll be happy to hear that I don't expect her to set foot in any bedroom but ours!

Oh, and while I was at it, I took a picture of Kat and her new boyfriend, Stevo. Are they cute, or what?!