I will echo the others against leaving the cats alone for five days. Talk to your vet and get the name of a reputable cat sitter. My cat sitter came to the house to meet my cats (years ago) and they grew to love her. Before leaving on a long trip, the sitter always reminded me to change the batteries in the thermostat (if it was winter) and she kept a folder with information about my preference for a plumber, electrician, etc. After all her years of pet sitting, she'd seen/experienced it all. Really, it's good to have somebody set eyes on them once a day. It's worth having that peace of mind while you're away and it's kinder for the kitties.

DH and I bought a house together. Several years later, my Ex and his new wife bought a house a few blocks away. Ex travels for pleasure fairly often, and when he does, our teenage son goes over there to take care of the pool and pets. One of the first trips occured during some nasty weather, so I drove our son to Ex's house for his chores. The whole way over, DS was squirming and uncomfortable. When I pulled into the driveway, he finally turned to me and said "My Dad told me not to let you into the house." It was like a slap in the face. After taking a second to adjust to the pure shock of it, I told DS that I was sure his father meant that he shouldn't let *anyone* into the house while his parents were out, and that that was a very good policy. But DS said "No, he only said you." I should point out that we had been divorced for about 8 years at that point, had always been reasonably civilized, and that I'd never done anything unethical or 'slimy' to warrant that kind of treatment. I understand he didn't want me in his house uninvited -- that goes unsaid. I don't want him in my house uninvited either, and I'd be shocked if he didn't know that. But to make the kid "the enforcer" is wrong. Just plain wrong. It tells the kid "Your other parent can't be trusted." and "You have to tell the other parent they're untrustworthy." Talk about putting a kid in the middle! If you decide to leave your daughter home alone, have a very clear policy that is understandable and doesn't single out her mother. For example, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE is allowed in the house when you're not home. Or, people you know well (such as neighbors and BioMom) are allowed inside the entryway for a few minutes, but NOT free roam of the house. (There are nosey neighbors - blame them or paranoia in general.) If you think BioMom might be a problem area, have your husband call her and diplomatically explain the policy your daughter will be following, and that you don't want her putting your daughter in a difficult position. (Then get the firesafe and ask the neighbor for help.)

That house is just a couple of miles from me - we would drive by with our boys to see the decorations at Xmas each year after the movie came out! It's a classic - never dated.

"I'm *alone*, but not *lonely*, and I'm looking forward to hearing about his day when he gets home. I can't be happy to see him again if he's always HERE." Lol! I guess this is such a common issue that someone wrote a song about it! Has anyone ever heard it? Its quite catchy! ;) Dan Hicks - How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away "I've talked to your mother and I've talked to your dad⨠They say they've tried but it's all in vain ⨠I've begged and I've pleaded, I even got mad⨠Now we must face it, you give me a pain. How can I miss you when you won't go away?⨠Keep telling you day after day⨠But you won't listen, you always stay and stay⨠How can I miss you when you won't go away? Your never ending presence really cramps my style⨠I dream that it won't always be the same⨠At first I was attracted but after a while â¨Have you ever heard of the hard-to-get game? â¨â¨How can I miss you when you won't go away?⨠I keep telling you day after day⨠But you won't listen, you always stay and stay⨠How can I miss you when you won't go away?⨠And I mean it, tooâ¨â¨ Out of three billion people, why must it be me?⨠Oh, why, oh, why won't you cut me loose?⨠Just do me a favor and listen to my plea⨠I'm not the only chicken on the roostâ¨â¨ How can I miss you when you won't go away?⨠I keep telling you day after day⨠But you won't listen, you always stay and stay⨠How can I miss you when you won't go away?" Links that might be useful: www.songlyrics.com/dan-hicks/how-can-i-miss-you-when-you-won-t-go-away-lyrics/#eIvHhRTh805w5KY7.99 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW9-FOLG-iA