Being a Bachelorette

As shocking as it may be, this is not a post about "The Bachelorette" TV show.  I know.  Crazy, huh?  Actually, I'd like to put it on record that I did NOT watch this season of "The Bachelorette" at all.  I just wasn't interested.  I guess I had better things to do.

Anyways, what I really want to talk about is the fact that I've been living a "bachelorette" life the past few days.  That is right.  Brandon has been out of town and I've been living it up as a "single lady" (ha!).  I admit, I used to dread the times when Brandon would leave town.  I hated being home alone.  I hated coming in the house after dark.  I hated trying to fall asleep with all of the noises outside.  I pretty much hated everything about it.  As time has gone on though, my attitude has changed a bit.  And I think Brandon appreciates that I'm confident enough to stay by myself.  He doesn't worry as much which allows him to have more fun.  So, it all works out.

As I think about the things I looked forward to doing while he was out of town, I realized that a guy's idea of a weekend alone and a girl's idea of weekend alone are very different.  When guys have a weekend alone they watch hours and hours of ESPN (or the Golf Channel in our household), invite their friends over to grill and drink beer, play golf, leave the bed unmade everyday, sleep in until noon, cook as little as possible, etc.

My idea of a girl's weekend definitely did not include any of the items above.  Here is a breakdown of my weekend:

• Sushi dinner with a dear friend
• A knitting lesson and light dinner with a new friend
• Soaking in the bath tub every night
• Getting organized
• Making and eating recipes Brandon doesn't necessarily like (chicken salad, bruschetta, lemon bars)
• Running errands leisurely
• Watching uninterrupted reality TV
• A lunch date with a long-time friend
• Keeping a relatively clean and uncluttered house (I love you honey!)

I just realized there was a lot of eating on that list...oy!  Anyways, as much fun as I had, I also had a few extra chores to keep up with.  I always appreciate everything Brandon does around the house, but when he's not home I realize how much there is to do on a daily basis.  Here is what my chore list looked like:

• Feed two dogs two times per day
• Give one dog medication two times per day
• Move sprinkler daily
• Water plants and flowers daily
• Empty dishwasher by myself
• Make the bed by myself
• Take the trash to the dumpster (I hate taking the trash out!) and replace the trash bags
• Make sure all the doors are locked and the front porch light is on each night
• Play with the dogs at night (or take them for a drive since it is so hot out)
• Put gas in my car
• Make sure the house was picked up each morning so the dogs couldn't find anything to play tug-of-war with

Yes, I do some of these things even when Brandon is home, but combined with everything else it did take quite a bit of time and effort.  And, chores are not as much fun when you have to do them by yourself.  At least Brandon provides some comedic relief (most of the time, anyway)!

Brandon comes home this evening and I'm really looking forward to seeing him.  I know he had a great trip, partly because he knew I was content here at home, and I had a great weekend taking some time for myself as a "bachelorette"! 

And, I just saw a commercial for "The Bachelorette Men Tell All" show and I think I am super glad I didn't watch this season...a guy with a mask?  Seriously?