Yuletide Absence

You all probably wonder what happened to me over the holiday period. No, I did not travel to some exotic holiday location (though I visited Hawaii, Rio, Bali, Istanbul two consecutive nights in my dreams). I was without help - one nanny went off before the holiday period, purportedly to return on Boxing day. Well, it's January 6 and I have not seen or heard from her. The other staff went off on the 28th and are due back this evening. I have been cook, nanny, steward, odd-job man, jungle gym and clown for the last 10 days. Oh, I forgot mom and wife.

In Nigeria, all women experience this at the yuletide "holiday" period. I am sure that as at this week, most of us are looking forward to nannies returning and children going back to school. And wondering if there is a holiday weekend coming up so we can escape somewhere, ALONE, for a few days. And if there's no holiday, can't we just not show up for work - call in sick - one friday or monday so we can take an extended weekend break?

Well, I can't call in sick - my office is my home. So, I just lock myself in my room or sequester myself upstairs for most of the day. Or take off to the cinema to watch a movie - ALONE. My two and a half year old daughter has told me that she is going with me to London i.e. I should not even think about going anywhere without her. My almost one year old son has me speaking in whispers and communicating with whoever he is with at the time in sign language because he WAILS once he hears my voice - he wants me to carry him and stay with him. His nickname is "Gum-gum the first" (his sister is Gum-gum the second).
One of my staff just called to say he'll be back this evening or in the morning. Yippee, cooking duties return to the owner. Sorry, I am un-apologetically undomesticated! Not that I cannot cook - I just totally dislike it, though I do not mind doing it once in a while if I do not have to prepare the ingredients or clean up afterward. Like I said, UNDOMESTICATED!!
As for the nanny issue, I have refused to be worried or upset. If it comes down to it, my gum-gum the first will start playgroup so that I know that I have till 1pm to do all I have to do. Ah, I hear some people wondering what a housewife could possibly have to do. Well, ask the housewives you know. Or, try being a housewife for a week. You'll probably beg to return to your office!
So, just to let y'all know that I am back.

Later, people!

PS
Happy New Year.

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