It’s quiet here today.

Too quiet.

The radio isn’t on and no one is chatting.

Even Glaucoma man hasn’t stopped by to say ‘hi’ – he’s busy folding.  He got here a whole lot earlier than me.  I arrived on time.

And now he’s leaving without a goodbye.

It’s funny, because the laundromat opens at 8 a.m. (Although Laundry Lady unlocks the doors much earlier than that).  As she looked up from receipts she was going through she said “Didn’t think you were going to make it.”  Why?

I always do – I just happened to be on time today.

Had a fun night at a work banquet last night.  I got to dance.  I love to dance.  And I spent quality time with one of my best friends out here. And of course, my work family.

It’s still hard for me to be in crowds, so I tend to overcompensate.  Do that nervous bravado chatter and last night it brought me some trouble.

First of all – I was nervous about wearing makeup.  I applied it early as I’m not very good at it.  Wanted to be sure to be able to wash my face and have a ‘do over’.  But, it seemed to work out.  I asked my son, “On a scale from ‘party’ to ‘hooker’ how do I look?”  Luckily the answer was ‘party’.

Here’s he and I outside.

He was preparing to leave.  Which, left me to pacing the house like a caged cat.

My friend arrived and the nervous chatter began in anticipation of having to ‘people’.

Event was fun once I settled into my table and was close to those I knew.

Unfortunately, nervous chatter became a verbal eyeroll at something that was said on the microphone and someone I don’t get along with very well stared me down and declared me rude.   This was out loud and what was said, literally, was “You’re rude.”  It was accompanied by a look of disgust.

I deserved it.

I own my part in it.

I do!

I brushed it off though and after eating too much food proceeded to burn some calories off on the dance floor.

I haven’t danced in so long!  Well, not in public.  I chair dance, bedroom dance and car dance – but that doesn’t really count does it.

My friend was ready to leave but I was feeling the beat and finally feeling comfortable ‘peopling’.

I acquiesced and home we went.

All in all, a great night.

And now here I sit, waiting for the washing machines to give up my clothes.

It’s threatening to rain outside, which, would actually be quite lovely for a Sunday.  Nothing better than a blanket, a cozy home and rain hitting the windows and roof.

I caved and turned the heat on yesterday.  After replacing the filters on my vents.  I woke early yesterday to find my son on the couch with a knit hat on his head and a comforter around him.  A little dramatic, but I got the point.

We went to breakfast then shopped for those filters and a few other necessities.

I also got a hair cut.  A treat for me.  I usually just let it look like a horses mane.  But my intention was to also color it.  I wanted to go darker, but the timing wasn’t right.  I had driven and my son would be stuck for a couple of hours as he doesn’t drive stick shift.

I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that he’s leaving soon.

Still doesn’t feel real.

And if I thought it was quiet here – with machine doors opening and closing and rumbles and laundry cart wheels dragging across the tiles – then I’m going to be in for one hell of a shock when he does go.  My home will be quiet.  And lonely.  And a piece of me will be gone.

Until then, I’ll enjoy each moment.

Each laugh I hear coming from his room.  Each late night refrigerator opening.

Each piece of clothing I pluck from the bathroom floor of his to bring here.