Early(ish) to Bed

Well it's 8:23, and I'm in bed. We're home from tapping. Tomorrow's clothes are ready to jump into, and yesterday's are bouncing around in the dryer.Our crock pot stew has been eaten, the leftovers are packaged in lunch-size portions, ready to go in their respective lunch bags in the morning. Cats are fed, dishwasher is loaded, and I'd like to retire for the evening. Just a bit of schoolwork, a blog post, and then happy Zzzzs. The next few days offer up daunting schedules, from school to lessons, to performances, without a stop at home. I'll kiss the kitties goodbye at 6:45 tomorrow morning and not be back until they demand some treats at 11:40 P.M. Friday will be much the same. So for tonight, I'm planning to enjoy an early evening.

320/265 In the A.M.

Home from rehearsal just after 10, I headed straight for bed. So technically I didn't make it to the machine in time for my daily post, but I was pretty sure I could make up for it sometime in the wee hours. Sure enough, here I sit, alone in a quiet house. Hansel followed me as I left the bed and headed for our "office," but he's looking at me like I am crazy. Maybe it's the Sudafed I've been snarfing in attempt to stay one step ahead of the sinus explosion. I've purchased and ingested enough pseudophedrine to make the meth lab operators worry about raw materials. The head is starting to clear, and I may even have a reliable singing voice back by Friday's Chorale concerts, but my pillow is lonely. And this week's journey to the Pacific Northwest, with its time change and red-eye flight aren't likely to make the sleep situation any better. Three chimes of the grandfather clock in the dining room as I put the finishing touches on this back-dated post.

299/365 Over Employment

From idle hours to wild days. Land at JAX at 11:45, up at 5 for school. Yes, I am lucky that I can start my new adventure without burning the old bridges, but it isn't easy! The traveling, the rushing about, and the long hours of the old job really challenge me to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for 150+ kids the next day. Until I see some more of this old friend (above) I'm counting on caffiene!

220/365 The bear and the boy

All in a day's work.

138/365 Even More Comfortable

It's great to be a "house cat," especially one living in my house. Born to a life of leisure, a cat's birthday suit is its feety pajamas. Apparently that custom-fit isn't comfy enough for Hansel. He had to remove the only article of his attire before settling down for a rainy Monday morning nap.

51/365 "I Pity the Food"

I fell asleep with some random cable channel on the hotel room TV, something way past CNN, maybe channel sixty-something. Finally getting some sleep after two long, sleepless nights on the road, I was blissfully unaware of the programming flashing a few feet from my bed: Bob and his happy enhancements, William "Billy" D. Mays's abrasive pitch for orange-inspired cleaning products and tear-streaked, open-handed televangelists. Tossing in the sheets this morning attempting to eke out every possible ounce of sleep, I was stirred by the most preposterous sight. Mr. T stood behind a studio kitchen counter, marveling at the moisture of steaks prepared in the Flavor Wave Turbo Oven. This was so overdone I thought it was a Saturday Night Live parody. As he tasted each Flavor Waved treat he delivered his traditional Mr. T-isms, sternly admonishing the audience to knock out fat and calories. How can I improve my day after a start like that?

12/365 Bedtime

All 5 of us sleep here. That is, two adults, one teenager (who would never admit that she needs her mommy and daddy so much that she crawls into their bed every night) and 2 cats. I like to have the bed tucked and tidy, but it's 11:35 AM and still unkempt. The unseemly lump in the center is our boy cat. It's a chilly morning so he's tunnelled his way under the comforter. I don't have the heart to disturb him.