I'm still here, meaning No Baby Yet. The last of the kids left Sunday morning, at the so-dark hour of 4:00 am. Our house is now back to just us, and I'll be happy with that for a while. Best of all, the housecleaners come today, so I'll be able to have it back in some semblance of decency.

However, the carpet did not survive a month of 2 twentysomethings, 1 three year old, and 2 dogs.

There are spots. More or less everywhere throughout the bottom floor.

So after the cleaning today, I'll be on my hands and knees with a rag and cold water, to see if I can get them out. We've had this carpet for just 7 months, folks. I don't want spots.

But please don't think of me as a grouchy old woman. I'd rather have the kids around. I even like the dogs, in small doses. What I don't want, is carpet. But I'm stuck with it, since we couldn't afford flooring. So I'll just do my best to keep it clean.

Weeding continues to demand at least an hour a day. It could use more, but I think I'd die. I can hardly move after just an hour of it. One of these days, I'll post a picture of my garden. It's not fancy at all, but you know, it looks darn nice sometimes. Lots of trees and bushes and flowers, all set off by the redwood mulch. It's a calming place to be.

Writing continues, too. TTJ: Returning is growing ever-so-slowly larger, as I try to figure out where it's going. There's been a lot of fits and starts - this is not a book where the words just pour out. I already wrote those scenes. This is the part that ties it all together. I think its about 25,000 words right now - should end up around 100k, I suspect. Which means I have lots of thinking to do.

We're cleaning the office. Yes. It is news.

I've been filing away a pile of papers and I'm finding things from 2006. Why do I do this to myself? I know how to be organized.

I really hate filing. I guess that's the main thing. It's why I never succeed at receptionist jobs. It requires PATIENCE.

I don't have any of that.

Rick has the week off and we took a nice walk early this morning around the reservoir and we're about to get on the treadmill/stationary bike downstairs. So we can take a break from filing, yes.

Rick has joined me in the green tea adventure. We are now a coffee-less household. Except for special occasions, methinks. Some things must have status.

We have to clean the office to find a space for the new printer that's coming tomorrow. Must dust the desks first, too. That's what I say.

I am determined to get a couple of hours of writing in. Another must.