Pickles & Dimes

In my nearly obsessive desire to finish things, especially projects at work, I implemented a “bird by bird” strategy yesterday, where I resolved to work on something until it was completed, rather than flit like a drunken hummingbird from project to project in knee-jerk response to the innumerable requests that come in from the individuals I work with.

Unfortunately, I decided to employ this strategy on a day where I would receive seven new projects, all due at the same time. But I pushed through it, working steadily on my chosen project before even acknowledging my awareness of the others, and I’ve made a dent. Now I only have five projects due at the same time, and that’s not even counting the five other projects that came in and were completed today (because naturally, they were due today), which would’ve normally caused my blood to boil to the point where it escaped from my body to hunt down and drown someone in a sea of coagulated rage.

Other Things

Abby had to be retested for her creatitine level since she was just above the normal level of 2.0 with a 2.1. Her newest test came back at 2.0, which was a relief. She seems to know exactly how worried about her we were (a possible diagnosis of kidney disease that has been postponed at least a little longer), because she has been extra playful and affectionate and eagerly soliciting chin rubs.

I was pulling my arm back from placing a magazine on our table while Shorty sat in my lap last week, and he raised his head right as my elbow passed into his head space, so I bumped him pretty good on the snout. Now he has a raised bump there. I feel awful for turning him into a canine Streisand, but he is acting normally, and doesn’t flinch if you touch it, although I actually cried two nights ago because I admitted to Jason during a PMS-fueled worry fest that I probably fractured Shorty’s nose and now a splinter of bone is merrily on its way through his bloodstream headed straight toward his brain. God, hormones are stupid.

We attended a work picnic of Jason’s last weekend where we completed the largest comeback ever in the history of the beanbag toss. Unfortunately, the tornado sirens went off and the party dispersed before any champion could be crowned. On the plus side, my father’s raffle-winning tactics worked yet again. I think I am now 3-for-3 after following his advice of crumpling my paper slip into a ball instead of folding it in half. Things I have won using this strategy include a giant basket of Mary Kay products, a giant basket of Christmas cookies and chocolates, and a Minnesota Twins cooler on wheels. You may use this advice for your own benefit, unless you are attending a raffle in which I am present, in which case, all bets are OFF.

I bought a neck chiller for running, which the former champion ultramarathoner I work with made me feel ridiculous for ordering for my own measly 3-mile runs, but when I run, my head overheats, and when my head overheats I feel like murdering everyone in my vicinity (don’t worry, I don’t have the stamina). So I bought one and it arrived, and I placed the gel strip in the freezer, and when I go running again on Sunday, it will be awesome and my speed will magically increase and I will finally beat Jason and somewhere, a world record will be broken (not by me, obviously). Jason said I will look goofy wearing it but since last week I was thisclose to putting ice cubes in my sports bra, I am obviously not concerned with running gear fashion.