In the interest of trying to provide my suddenly footloose and fancy free life some structure, I’ve vowed to do something constructive every day. Yes, every day.

I made myself commit to this about three weeks ago, on the very same day I got The Call. See, my first reaction to The Call was “what the fuck am I gonna do with all this free time I’m gonna have???!” Other reactions and thoughts followed, but seriously, that was the first thing that slapped me upside of the head.

I know myself well enough that if I don’t make a vow to so something productive, I’ll be completely unproductive.

How’s that going so far you may ask?

Lay off with the demands! It’s not even the first week!

Okay, but I have at least done something each day. Mostly it’s been about the dogs, but anyone that knows me would figure that’s pretty much a given.

So this didn’t happen. It’s on the list. In fact, it’s at the top of the list.

Yes, feel free to look more closely. Those are dust bunnies. I think they might actually be dust hares. Hares are bigger than bunnies.

Despite the fact that giant clods of dog hair, dirt and other assorted items from the natural outdoors world that people don’t usually want in their house have taken up residence, they are still there, right now.

I’m taking this as a sign of my personal well being. I tend to clean when I’m angry or upset about something. My house is a freakin’ dirty mess. Therefore I must be quite happy and content. Either that or it’s simply so overwhelming that it’s depressing to think about. Moving on…

Instead, I opted to do this:

That’s right. I looked up points for each of the dogs for their various levels in CPE (Canine Performance Events) and I entered Brady in a trial coming up in June now that he’s been cleared to return to normal activities.

Since that took a lot of mental concentration, I moved on to this:

Actually, this felt like a major accomplishment. I cannot even remember the last time I sat down and read a book for several hours – in the middle of a weekday. Well, I did do it a few times last summer, but always after the east coast office had closed for the day.

I was joined on the couch by Youke, who is pretty much the best nap partner ever, and everyone else assumed their nap positions in various spots near the couch. They sort of look like satellites orbiting around the mothership that is the couch. Tuesday’s beach trip completely wore JaYoBaCa out and they were still feeling the impact yesterday when this took place. Naturally, all that peaceful happy snoozing lulled me in a nap as well.

Today, I decided it was time for more physical activity. This was actually part of an evil plan I concocted earlier in the week when Brady was given the all clear. Three weeks of restricted activity and he’s entered in a trial this weekend. Lord help me! Time for a trip into the woods.

Off we went. Four hours later, I returned with four happy and tired dogs. I think I accomplished the mission, Brady, who has to spend about half of every hike on leash due to the tempting nature of nature itself, was walking, not jogging when we got back to the Jeep. Poor Youke was so tired, I briefly contemplated carrying him for a while. Of course Camm was still perky. And Jasmine too. Hard to believe she’ll soon be 12. The thought occurred to me today that she might outlive us all.

Of course, I might have over-accomplished. Had to take a hot shower when I got back to loosen up. Never a good sign when the aches and stiffness start the second you disembark from your vehicle and waddle back into the house.

But still one more priority for the day – other than making Brady’s day perfect and letting him rip at tonight’s agility class. Yup, should be entertaining, and frightening. He hasn’t done agility in a month.

Had to pack up some stuff for this weekend’s show.

Because getting out of town and playing with your dogs is ever so much more important than, say, cleaning your house or job hunting or other stuff that most people think is normal.