The Calm Before the Storm

I can't believe that it is nearly the end of July already. We've been anticipating a trip "out West" for six months or more, and suddenly it will be upon us next week. It is surreal to think that it is going to occur and then, dare I admit, the PTO that I've been looking forward to for 6 months will have come to an end. It will be one of the longer trips that I've taken, and we're traveling by plane, train and rental car, so it will be the full experience. After all of the weekend trips we've taken lately, it will be a welcome break.

This week SB will be traveling for a conference with his co-workers and I will have the apartment to myself. It is interesting, because in the 2+ years that we've lived together, this will be one of (at most) a handful of times that we have been apart. In fact, I don't think that I've spent more than a few nights in our apartment by myself. After years of living alone, and my general nature that takes great pleasure in solitude, I'm amazed that I've been able to adjust to living in such close proximity with someone else. While part of me looks forward to the alone time, and will surely revel in it, I wouldn't be surprised if I curl up feeling a bit lonely without my other half so near. Funny how that works.

It will be quiet around the house and, fortunately, quiet in the office for me this week. After a very crazy week last week, a load has been lifted (even if only temporarily). It is a relief, and good timing since there will be a lot to do around the house in preparation for our travel. Also, I got a new and AMAZING cookbook from Half-Priced Books - Savoring the Seasons of the Northern Heartland -  that I can't wait to utilize in attempting a few new bread recipes. Expect photos (if it turns out).