My first mistake: Putting a futon in my office. (We had a couch in here, once. Can’t remember what we did with it.)

My second mistake: Putting really cushy quilts and blankies on the futon. (Which is not on a frame, mind you. It’s just sprawled out all over the floor. I fold it in half, occasionally, to vacuum.) You can probably guess third mistake, which was…

Threw a half dozen pillows on the futon.

Yeah.

Is it any wonder I’m not getting any writing done back here? Also, the clutter. It is astounding, the clutter. It has started to tip and slide its way off the desk, the dining room table, the coffee table. I can’t deal with any of it. Seasonal depression? Still haven’t gotten into a fall schedule? Too much EXCELLENT television to watch (Grey’s Anatomy, Boston Legal, My Name is Earl, Desperate Housewives… and those are just the ones I remember to tape)? Is that it? Or is it Wacky Nekkid Neighbor being out of town FOR A FULL TEN DAYS??? (i MISS her and Wacky Nekkid Mini-Neighbor.)

The Wacky Nekkid Mini-Neighbor, age 3, showed up on our doorstep a few weeks ago, no Nekkid Mommy, Nekkid Daddy or Nekkid Grandpa in tow, just herself. Wearing a fuzzy pink bathrobe and, true to her nature, nothing else.

Me: “Where’s your mommy?”

Mini-Neighbor: “At home.”

Me: “Honey, you have to tell her before you come over.”

Mini-Neighbor, giving me a world-weary look: “But I needed to play.” (Pushes past me in search of Wacky Boy.) “Where is he?”

Swear to God, when these two are teenagers, one of the four of us adults is just going to have to be around all the time.

(PS — An update on Evil Neighbor: She has been tidying up like mad. This pleases me. Also, today? SHE WALKED HER DOG. I know! I couldn’t believe it either. She has never ever ever walked that poor beast even once in the six years we’ve lived here. So, damn. I mean, seriously. DAMN.)