Yes, it’s 1:44 a.m., and I am up writing this. I am not awake because I am writing this, however; I am writing it because I am awake.

I am leaving in the morning to drive three hours and fifteen minutes to the airport. I am flying to visit my parents for six days. I made these travel arrangements only one week ago, without knowing ahead of time that I would be making this trip. But my mother recently had back surgery and something in her voice last week made me get off the phone and book a ticket. I don’t think she can wait. I have been putting her off. Even being self-employed, it is hard to get away when there are deadlines. Even though I may be able to work on the plane, I will still basically lose a work day tomorrow and another one next Sunday when I travel home.

It’s also tricky because my parents don’t have wireless internet. So, I always struggle with whether to buy a router when I am out there, or simply to deal with coffee shops. We will see which urge wins the struggle this trip.

I have been racing all weekend to get things ready for this trip, to arrange sitters for the kids and the pets. Complications have followed: Broken vacuum belts, smoking vacuums, kitty abscesses exploding, emergency vet visits, and one kid coming home from his three-week academy for a one-day visit while I am running amuck trying to do load after load of laundry, feed everyone, do the dishes, and leave a somewhat orderly house.

The DVDs I needed to return to the video store? Not gonna happen. Something had to give, and that is what it was. But the laundry is clean and folded, the suitcase is packed, my youngest son’s baseball gear is in a bag by the door, my oldest son’s laundry is in a bag by the door, the garbage and recycling are on the curb, and every single dish in the house is clean. So, of course I can’t sleep. My mind has been racing for so long, I can’t seem to slow it down. That better turn itself around pretty darn quick, but insomnia is a topic for another post (unless you want to talk about it in the comments!).

I am usually able to work at my parents’ house. But it is usually late in the evening (like this) while watching CSI re-runs on Spike TV. But I have to go. My parents are reaching the point in their lives when making decisions to go becomes a matter of wondering if I will regret NOT going. It complicates everything. But one of the most amazingly simple things about this trip was the fact that I did not have to consult my employer for time off to go. I just booked the ticket.

Right now, that is my favorite part of self-employment. What is the best thing about your job?