good news and bad news

I'll start with the bad news.  I was folding laundry today in the living room (that's not the bad part yet).  When the laundry basket was just about empty I became aware of a noise.  After a moment I decided it was the dryer running.  I paused for a moment, puzzled, because I couldn't recall having washed a load that needed drying.  Furthermore, I was the only adult home.  Another moment passed as I mentally replayed the unloading of the dryer ... the emptying of the lint screen ... the closing of the door ... and (ack!) starting the (empty) dryer.  I jumped up to turn it off.  Now that's scary.  Am I losing my mind?

But here's the good news.  Later this afternoon I was in the kitchen making dinner (no, that's not the good news).  Suddenly I heard a noise.  I decided it was the the vacuum cleaner.  I paused for a moment, puzzled, because I was the only adult home.  Then it hit me.  Eliana is doing her chores, and I didn't even ask her to!!!  Now that's encouraging.  It means that by the time I've completely lost my mind my children will be able to take care of me!