ding, dong, the witch is dead

i don't know about you, but i've had a lot of visitors this summer. i love being the hostess and having people in my home. i love the quality time that i get to spend with people while they are here...and i love it when they finally walk out the door for good.

as soon as they walk out that door, i hear a hundred little munchkins dancing around and singing "ding, dong, the witch is dead." i can't help it. instantly i'm dorothy clinking my red shoes and saying, "there's no place like home. there's no place like home. there's no place like home." it's a full "wizard of oz" play by play.

i don't care how wonderful a visit is or how great it is to have friends and family come, by the time they are ready to leave, i'm usually thinking, "don't let the door hit you on your way out." there's just something about the calm that comes over my house when it's just me and my family. if i want to stay in my pajamas until noon...no one is the wiser. if the dishes get left in the sink for a few hours, no one is there to notice. if my kids need an intervention and i've just stepped out of the shower, no one is going to be horrified by me walking around in a bath towel. if i decide to go an extra day without shaving my legs, no one is going to be caught staring. life

returning to normal is so glorious that i can't help but break into song. the fact that the song always seems to be "ding, dong, the witch is dead" perhaps shows some of my twisted personality but i have to believe i am not alone in these sentiments.

please, come out and visit. i'll be the perfect hostess and you'll have a great time while you are here. i'll thoroughly enjoy you coming. just don't be surprised to hear some not so sweet music coming from my house when you leave. anyone with me?