So it has come to this.

I'm starting to feel bipolar. Sunday night, elation; Monday morning, dispair. That might be a bit exaggerated, but my Monday wasn't stellar to say the least. I was a little grouchy at school, then came home to more grouchy and unmotivated. My motivation found me around 11 pm. When productivity strikes, I take advantage. Dishwasher unloaded, some laundry dealt with, general straightening, kitchen table unearthed. That perpetuates the vicious cycle of staying up way too late and being tired after school the next day. Thereby, a nap ensues, I'm up too late, need a nap the next day, and so on, and so on.... A break for Thanksgiving is near, so hopefully this will allow balance to return.

My dogs are spoiled. This is not a big shock. In fact, I am stating the obvious. A few recent incidents have reinforced this statement. Tally is the beagle that has lived in my house the longest. I think it's been about four and a half years. She was very timid when she came to my house and was definitely not alpha dog material. When she is the only dog at home, she is anxious. And I mean destroying stuff, chewing on her crate until she breaks a tooth, knocking the crate over to escape out the bottom anxious. She won't go in her crate, runs around like a nut, barks and cries. Another beagle in the house? She is calm and crates eagerly, waiting for her treat. Really, she can't handle the pressure of alpha dog and relinquishes the role willingly. And she is a sissy when she doesn't get her way. Imagine bed time, all the lights are off and all living creatures are staking claim to their spot for the night. Tally has learned that Niko, the I-think-I-am-a-big-dog shih tzu, positions himself at the bottom of the bed to try to intimidate other dogs from jumping up. Tally has outsmarted him by coming to the side of the bed. She jumped up, weighed her choices of sleeping spots and went to move toward the bottom of the bed. She will snuggle on her terms and that night was a negative snuggle night. Niko barked at her to voice his displeasure at her choice. She immediately retreated to my side, cowering a bit, and then lay right against me for protection. I'm not sure if she buried her face under the comforter for warmth or for pride. This morning, I had just stepped in the shower when I heard a single whiny yelp. Tally had selected her post-breakfast napping spot and it was a place that Niko had been choosing lately. She was sounding the alarm that he was intruding on her space. When I finally made it the living room, no one was on that chair. I'm not sure who won that battle, but I'm sure her feelings were hurt. Luckily, they'll get the next five and half days of my attention to heal all wounds.

Finally, in my favorite, "you are dead to me" move, I have deleted a contact from my phone. The guy from Hershey no longer exists. I really thought he'd call me back. I had a moment of feeling pathetic. Well, more than one. I was asked what I wanted for my birthday, and before I could filter my own response, I said 'a boyfriend'. Geez, I really am a 7th grader.