#2627 the best thing

There were a few good things about today. I worked from home, which is great. I took the dogs for a neighborhood walk at lunchtime. It was cool and breezy, the sun was shining, and it felt good to get some fresh air. The girls liked it, too. I just got off the phone with my sister, and it's always wonderful to chat with her.

All of those things were good, and yet, there was still another thing that was the best.

For several months, my tub has been very, very slow to drain. I know that the drain is blocked by a big ol hairball, and we finally had the plumber come out to snake the drain. The water just goes away now, like it's supposed to. It felt good not to be standing ankle deep in dirty water. The bonus part was that the plumber was a handsome fella. Not that I want to have hair build up in the drain again, but I mean, it will be okay to have the plumber come back next year. LOL

#2620 the best thing (3/30)

I've used this one as my "best thing" before, but when it is the best thing about the day, it just is.

This evening around 6:22, I leashed up the doggos for a quick walk around the neighborhood. I worked from home today, so I'd been sitting for a long time, and it felt great to get some fresh air and stretch my legs. The dogs were surprising mellow, not pulling too hard, just intent on smelling all the smells and being outside. 

Just to be clear, when I work from home, the dogs are out in the back yard most all the day long. They chase after each other, and they play with the toys they leave out in the yard. They bark at innocent people walking by, and they wrestle each other. They lay in the grass, on the dirt, on the deck, or on the concrete. They dig holes. They run along the fenceline barking at the neighbor's dog, Sam. They come in and out of the house. In and out. In and out. They get treats. Today they got big marrow bones which kept them entertained for about an hour. On work from home days, I am certain that Mac and Harley are living their best dog lives. 

To add to that best life, when we go for a walk, these girls act like it is the greatest thing that has ever happened. I just say the word "shoes", and their ears perk up. Mac barks and prances around. Harley is  interested in every move I make while putting on socks, then shoes, and tying the laces. When I actually clip the leashes on, Mac often picks hers up and carries it to the door, where she then jumps, all four feet off the floor, until I gather up the ends of the leashes and open the door. 

So, back to today's walk. I know I am making the puppers happy just by walking them up the street and letting them smell what they need to smell. I recognize that they are both being attentive to my commands, paying attention when I tell them to slow down or to watch me before we cross the street. Mac even drops the random garbage she always picks up during our walks when I tell her to "drop it." 

I also recognize that it is a spectacular autumn afternoon. The sun is just starting to go down and the sky is a magnificent blend of blue and pink and pale orange. The leaves on the trees are changing colors or have fallen to the ground. It is satisfying to shuffle through leaves on the sidewalk, some already crunchy and some still sort of vibrant in a variety of colors. The air is crisp and clean. When I get away from the main road, it is quiet, with birdsong being the only thing I hear. There weren't even any cars coming up the road for awhile. 

I remember saying out loud, "Well, this is the best part of the day."  It's pretty dope to recognize it in the moment. 

Here's hoping you had a good day, or at least a good moment, too.

#2607 the best thing about today

 

There were a couple of good things about today, and they could both be traced back to one thing: that I was working from home!

This morning, my alarm went off at 5:15 and it was still dark as dark can be. I did not want to wake up. I was willing to wake up, and then I remembered that it was Wednesday and I was working from home, so I re-set the alarm and slept until 6:30. Glorious! Decadent! The sky had lightened by then and it felt a lot more civilized to wake up when the sky was not pitch black. I made it down the stairs in time to log in for work at 7:00 and all was well.

At lunch time, I zipped over to the grocery store to pick up a few items. I had enough time when I got home to take the doggos out for a noon stroll. They were happy. We walked around the neighborhood and talked to a couple of women that were out in their yards. It is still warm, but the very hot temperatures of the summer seem to be over. What a treat to take the dogs out for a quick walk in the early fall sunshine.

I get to work from home a couple of days a week, and I really appreciate it. The week seems to go by so quickly when it’s broken up like that. Work from home days are when I plan to do projects that need a little extra time and concentration. It’s worked out well for me. 

How is your week going? What was the best thing for you today? 

#2597 today’s best

The best thing about today, at least so far, was the walk I took with the dogs this morning. We didn’t go anywhere special, just around the neighborhood. It had been awhile since I’d taken the dogs out in the morning because usually MT takes them walking in the morning and I do the evening walk. Since today was a WFH day and I had a little time, I decided to do it. Also, I am working at a concert tonight, so hopefully MT will take them out this evening. 

I like the morning walk because the neighborhood is quiet. There aren’t a lot of people up and driving at 6:15. I could hear birds chirping in the trees. The air was nice and cool (it’s true!). The dogs were excited to be out moving around. Our neighborhood is pretty small, and I have a set path I usually take in the evenings. This morning I took a different path and I could tell the doggos were happy to mix it up. Both of them have smiley faces when they are happy and they were certainly smiley this morning!

Like I said, I am working a concert this evening. The artist is Matt Kearney. I’ve been listening to his music for a couple of days so I could be a little familiar with his sound. There is one song of his that I know. I heard it on the radio a couple of years ago**, I guess, and it’s catchy, upbeat, and fun. Here’s the video of the song “Hey Mama”. I’ll be tapping my toes to this one for sure tonight!

**HA! I just looked up what year the song came out: 2011. Guess it was more than a couple of years ago! Sheesh!!

#2588 the best thing

As I was going about my day, I thought about what I might write tonight. I knew the theme would be The Thing, so I kept an eye open for Things that would qualify. There were a few candidates: work from home days are always a good thing, as is having a fresh, home-cooked lunch. I watched a movie, a rare and wonderful thing. I sat outside this evening to read for a little while. The hummingbird came back to the feeder.

All of those Things are good, but The Best Thing was when T came for a walk with me and the doggos. I enjoyed chatting with him while we walked. It was very hot here today, over 100 degrees, and even when we went for a walk around 8:45, it was still in the low 90s. A little breeze was stirring, though, and it felt good to be outside moving around. 

You know what else? I actually told T that walking with him and the dogs were the best thing about my day. He probably thought I was a bit of nutter, but I don’t care because if someone is part of your best thing, it’s a good idea to let them know, don’t you think?

I hope you had a Best Thing today!

#2584 today’s best: a burst of activity

I couldn’t remember what my go-to Wednesday theme was. I’ve tinkered with it a few times. I think it will now be a “today’s best” because it’s fun and positive.

Work has been very busy for me this week. I’ve worked a little extra time every day to get everything done for May’s business by the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday). Today was a WFM (work from home) day for me, and I was tap, tap, tapping away all day on my laptop, busting out some billings and feeling good about my progress. I knocked a lot of tasks off my list today, so hooray!

When I logged off and stood up, I was kind of achy from sitting so long. I thought about going up to my bed and assuming a horizontal position, though I worried I might fall asleep, and I didn’t want to take a nap. I thought about going outside to read, but the thought of sitting some more was unappealing, even though the book I’m reading is excellent. 

I took a look around the house and decided a little clean-up was the best option. I vacuumed upstairs and down. I swiffered. I swept. I dusted. I cleaned up the kitchen by emptying the dishwasher and cleaning up the dishes that were in the sink. I pruned a philodendron that was getting mighty vine-y. Spending that hour moving around and getting the house tidied up was truly the best thing I did today. The house looks so much better and it felt good to be moving. I rewarded myself with a bit of time out on the deck with the book The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. It’s compelling and I really like it. 

Can you believe June is over? Last year the months were crawling by, and this year it seems like the months are flying by!

Since July is an odd-number month, I’ll be back tomorrow because I’ll be writing on odd-number days, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

PS - Mom, I saw your comment about the lil dragon. Did you think I would toss him out when I got home? LOL No way! I love him!!