single parent

For the past two weeks, Ali’s been traveling “for work.”

Now I know I overuse quotes – and please accept my apologies for that – but I really do believe his lengthy trip had more to do with NYC enduring one of the coldest winters on record than anything else.

It was just me and Maya for two whole weeks…

I can’t complain however, because while I nearly froze my toes off (despite wearing my Uggs and 2 pairs of socks), I didn’t have to share the master bathroom, obsess about lactose-free milk, or pick Ali’s coat up off the floor.

(Yes, he’s still doing that. And no I can’t believe it either.)

So we just kept reading (at Barnes & Noble)…

Life wasn’t all fun and games while Ali was away, though, thanks to a ceiling leak, banging pipes (they had to cut a hole in the master bedroom wall), more brown water, a broken washing machine, and perhaps the most challenging of all:

I was single-handedly responsible for keeping Maya entertained.

If you have kid(s) you’ll understand that this was by far the hardest thing I’ve had to do in the past 336 hours.

Yes I realize she was in school for a portion of those 336 hours, but I feel compelled, and more importantly, entitled to include those hours in my calculation anyway.

And eating (at the Lowell Hotel).

I won’t bore you with a detailed breakdown of the last two weeks but let’s just say that the sales at the 5th Ave Barnes & Noble have seen quite a spike in recent days, and I made a donation to the New York Public Library because I was just so grateful their children’s collection afforded me approximately 2 hours of question-free time.

In any case, Ali’s flying back in a few hours. Let the jacket throwing commence.