I’m watching Chris’s dog, Everest, today. She is a good dog, very sweet, very polite, and very curious. She’s currently in the office with me, acting like she’s on an investigative mission. It’s pretty cold outside, and she doesn’t have the luxury fur coat that Merlin has, so inside she stays.
Merlin is also inside, but he’s stationed in Karissa’s room. This is not due to favoritism, but rather because when the two of them are in the same room, things escalate quickly. Suddenly it’s WWE: Puppy Edition. For now, they’re separated like squabbling siblings. We do let them outside together every once in a while so they can burn off energy and pretend they’re professional athletes.
Needless to say, I’m a little distracted today.
Everest has spent the last half hour walking around the office, sniffing everything like she’s checking for hidden secrets. Desk? Sniffed. Chair? Sniffed. Corners that haven’t changed in years? Definitely sniffed. Chris told me she usually curls up at his feet and relaxes. That has not happened. I’m starting to think that’s an owner-exclusive feature. I don’t take it personally… much.
Earlier, we went to Walmart to grab groceries for dinner and pick up the mail. Everest did not come along; she stayed home with Karissa.
So yes, between dog patrols, cold weather, and strategic dog separation, today is shaping up to be productive… just not in the way I originally planned.
Ok, let’s see if we can get some studying done. First things first: I need a drink. Tea? Soda? Something exciting? I just finished my water, which was bravely contained in my Stanley water bottle, not a Stanley cup that everyone loves, thank you very much. This is a water bottle with dignity. I like my water bottle.
Am I procrastinating? Absolutely. Today’s procrastination flavor is “I’ll just think about beverages for a while.” I keep telling myself, I’ll start studying right after I get a drink, but then my brain counters with, What if we start studying first and reward ourselves with a drink later? Very bold. Very optimistic.
So here’s the plan: I’m going to start studying right now. No drink. No ceremony. Just me, my notes, and the lingering thirst of someone who made poor life choices. I’ll get a drink later. Probably. Unless I get distracted again. Which is… likely. But for now, studying.
Yes, I’m fully aware there’s soda under my desk. I acknowledge its presence. We’ve made eye contact. But I just don’t feel like having soda right now. It’s not a “never,” it’s a “not at this moment in my emotional journey.” The soda is patiently waiting, silently judging, and honestly? That’s fine. We can coexist peacefully until further notice.
And yes, I’m having a very hard time finding something to write about. Which is ironic, because here I am writing about not knowing what to write about. Very meta. Very productive. Clearly, Pulitzer-level stuff is happening over here.
Also, let’s be honest, I’m procrastinating on studying. Not in a dramatic way, though. More in the “I’ll just stare into space for a minute… maybe reorganize my thoughts… maybe reorganize my entire life… oh look, it’s been 20 minutes” kind of way. My book is open, my brain is not.
But it’s fine. Totally fine. This is just my mind warming up. Like stretching before a workout. Except instead of stretching muscles, I’m stretching the amount of time I can avoid actual studying.
Studying now.
I managed to get a few solid hours of studying in while Everest slept. I guess he finally got bored with sniffing everything in sight, the floor, the chair legs, the air molecules. Once the investigative journalism phase ended, he powered down and went into sleep mode.
I also just finished making the spaghetti sauce, and it’s currently simmering on the stove, filling the house with that very comforting “someone here has their life together” smell. Whether that’s true or not is still up for debate, but the sauce is doing a great job of selling the illusion.
We’re expecting snow in a few days, and apparently not just the decorative, Hallmark-movie kind. The forecast says a significant amount, although the last time they warned us like this, we ended up with what I can only describe as sad snow. You know, the kind that barely covers the grass and immediately regrets existing. But it did keep snowing, so that was good. I’m hoping it’s not too bad this time because I have a haircut on Saturday, and I would really like to actually make it there. My hair desperately needs a cut. It’s reached the “this is a cry for help” stage.
Tommy reminded me that my neck is going to be cold afterward, which I am painfully aware of. But I do have a scarf, so unless the weather decides to personally attack me, I should survive. Fingers crossed the snow behaves itself and lets me get my hair done in peace.
Everest is lying down now, but he is very slowly scooting toward the open office door. And when I say slowly, I mean millimeter by millimeter, like he thinks I won’t notice if he moves at the speed of continental drift. It’s honestly impressive. I told him to come back, and he immediately froze and looked at me with the most innocent eyes I’ve ever seen. Lol.
Chris just called. He was worried about Everest. Everest is a good girl. She’s been good all day.
I opened up my Animal Crossing island today for Lexi. She came onto my island and immediately went into full “unsupervised guest at an open bar” mode, grabbing fruits, picking flowers, living her best virtual life. I told her to help herself, and wow, did she take that to heart.
She even found the money tree I had specifically told her about, like some kind of Bell-seeking bloodhound. Lol. But it’s cool. I’m still building my island up. I’m working on the hotel first, then I will get back to terraforming and decorating.
I didn’t talk about much today. Maybe tomorrow I will think of something profound to talk about.
