We just arrived home after three nights away.

My daughter’s first words when she walked in the back door? 

“Wow, how did this place get so clean?”

(She had left early with her grandmother and wasn’t here for the frantic pre-party-cleaning.)

And I must say that I’m rather proud that the first thing I did when I got home tonight was load the dishwasher. 

It might have had something to do with my commitment to keeping the kitchen clean over the out-of-routine-Christmas-break.

Or it might have had something to do with the slight odor coming from the sink.

I’m sure it would have been better to load it before leaving on a trip.

I’m sure it would be better if I wasn’t out of detergent and could actually run it.

Whatever.

I’m still proud of myself.