My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I don't get a chance to hang out together, a lot, anymore.  Oh, we're fine.  Thanks.  It's just that, he works during the day and I don't get home until well after the dishwasher has been loaded from suppertime (no, not on purpose) unless, it's Friday.

"You're off tomorrow, right?"

Yes...I mean...but, not this week...um...no.

"But, you worked last Friday, didn't you?"

Aaaand, the Friday before that...too...even the kids couldn't help but notice Daddy was feeling a little, well, I swear, the poor guy was ready to break out into song, any moment.

"All...by...mah...se...eh...elf."

[reaches for tissue box]

"I don't wanna be."

[sniff-sniff]

All...by...mah...se..eh...elf...aaaaanymore."

This Saturday, however, we were BOTH home (WHOOT!) so, we spent the early afternoon food shopping (I know, don't be jealous) and life was good.

Until.

"Ready, Mommy?"

[eyes go wide]

"NOW where is SHE going?"

Oh, did I NOT mention, I gave the 16 yo permission to sleep over a friend's house, so she could get up early and go to church with her family since, you know, we seem to be in between religions, at the moment.

"But, isn't the other one babysitting, tonight?"

Yes, I also gave the 14 yo (i.e. the other one) permission to go to the mall with a friend and her mom (supposedly, Hot Topic had a sale, buy one Alice in Wonderland t-shirt, get two human sacrifices, free, or something) before, you know, the kid goes off and earns some more of her OWN spending money...DAMMIT!

"But, I wanted to go out WITH YOU...tonight!"

That's the thing about having live-in babysitters (I know, don't be jealous) you sort of forget that kids need to go out and have a little fun, too. 

"We just spent the whole morning, together!"

If you consider jet-setting across town to take advantage of can-can sales, fun (like we do) I mean.

[reaches for tissue box]

"Okay, I would LOVE to go out with you!"

Because, I can't stand to see a grown man cry.

"Call mom and dad."

So, I fired up the crock pot (i.e. grandmas and grandpas gotta eat, too) then, picked up the 14 yo, bought her home so she could go to the bathroom (yes, she gets that from me) then, dropped her off at her babysitting gig ('cawse, you know, she can't drive, yet) put on my sexiest black boots (sorry, grandma and grandpa) directed my husband to this really cool new Asian bistro I heard about (YUM!) and spent the next hour seductively sipping a peartini (DITTO!) through heavily-glossed lips and gave Garth [not his real name] my FULL attention.

[licking lips]

Aaaaand, life was good...until dessert.

[eyes go wide]

"Something wrong?"

Oh, we're fine...really.

"So, WHAT ARE GUYS DOING HOME SO EARLY?"

Just killing two birds with one stone (i.e. guess that peartini was A LOT stronger, than I thought) you know?

"Thought you'd like to share some cake and coffee, with us!"

Besides, we haven't seen my in-laws in, well, forever, too.  Aaaaand, life was pretty gosh-darned good...until.

"Soooo, how's the gym working out for you, Mrs. Manager?"

Peartini, anyone?

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