Boomerang!

H. arrived this morning stealthily.  I know it's silly to hear footsteps and be 'startled' but I didn't hear him unlock the front door or enter.  Since Chloe was on her way to the kennel with J., she didn't launch into her 'intruder in the house' mode.  He entered so quietly that when a tall, dark, handsome man walked into the study unexpectedly, my heart sort of jolted - until I realized who it was.  I said 'H., you've got to give us a text warning that you're on your way over...please'.

After going over the list of daily to-do's and putting together a long list of optional things to do (for compensation), H. said 'so I need to talk to you and Dad when I can'.  I said 'let's talk now' even though Dad wasn't home.

H.'s roommate has broken up with his long time girlfriend and since his dad moved to Houston recently, the roommate is moving there too.  In two weeks.  The dad has assured H. that they will still pay their 1/2 of the rent through the end of the lease unless the complex will allow them out of the lease.  This isn't a small mom and pop complex - it's a ginormous real estate developer complex and I think the odds are slim to none they will be able to get out of it.  J. and the boys are going to the office at 4PM today to see what can be considered.  The roommate's dad is flying here in two weeks and moving his son out of the apartment he's barely been in three months.

So H. is moving back home and we're OK with that.  It will be different to once again have an adult 'child' living under our roof but we're OK.  We'll see how it goes.  We've already talked about going ahead and painting the 'playroom' and his bedroom now while there's nothing in there - and I've given the OK to have his 'sleeping area' in the playroom and his bedroom can be a media/office/lounge area.  Fine for him to make good use of the space for now.  Still keeping B.'s room intact and untouched - ready for him to return whenever he wants to.

H. had a good interview last week at Home Depot and was told it could be one or two weeks before he'll hear back.  We filed his 'new' unemployment claim today so that should hopefully get some money coming in until a new job is found.

If he moves back in, he knows he has to work or go to school...and he wants to work.  He's agreed to pay us room and board - nothing close to what he paid to live in the apartment but something to mitigate increases to our budget that we aren't willing to just assume again.  Not that we couldn't assume them again - but I think it's time that being an adult comes with some living expenses that aren't paid by your parents.

I have a horrific headache today which is not great considering the considerable amount of stuff to take care of in preparation to be gone a week.  It will get done.  Two loads of laundry done; dishwasher done; packing sort of started and H. on board to assist with all things related to the house....so at least I don't have to worry too much about 'stuff' around here.  He will be around to help.

The cat is wandering around crying constantly - I suspect he knows what the suitcases mean and he knows the dog is also gone - so he is gearing up for being lonely and expressing his discontent.  I have begged H. to come over at least twice a day so the cat won't be totally alone for seven days - 'cuz I fear what disasters the cat will create if left to his own devices that long.  He's 15 years old - and it shows.

I've decided that when H. moves back home, I will afford him the status of an adult.  He can come and go as he pleases - though we will appreciate a heads up if it's likely he's not coming home on any given night.  I won't harp on him about his hours....and he has to keep things picked up.  We've enjoyed noticing that it's much easier to keep things tidy around here sans 'kids' and we'd really like to continue to enjoy it....so H. will have to work on that a bit.  Hopefully living on his own has shown him the value of keeping things picked up.

I think the next time I post will be in Georgia, hopefully with pics of B. and his graduation.  Dreading the long travel day tomorrow but have a fully charged Kindle with zillions of books so will be occupied during long flights.  Quick layovers are stressful and I fear we will miss our connection - but we have a built in one day cushion just for that reason!