I just finished a quick budget update. Most of my bills on autopay clear the first few days of the month. I had my largest ever electric bill. This is partly due to running the pool pump more than normal to get past the algae season; however, the bulk of the exorbitant electric bill is the air conditioning. The record heat continues with no relief in sight.
The top news stories this summer on the local news are consistently the extreme heat, shootings, and inflation. The national news is riddled with recession fears, issues with the airlines, and inflation. Gone are the days that one can book an affordable flight, make plans, and take for granted that their flight will happen as scheduled. The airline woes are a combination of rapidly increasing fuel prices and a labor shortage. Pilots are among the largest labor shortage.
When will life go back to normal? What again is normal?
On a micro level, our new normal in the Storey house is a giant puppy demanding everyone’s attention. The robot vacuum cleaner just finished its weekday morning cycle. All three cats are napping in the front room where I work, and Potatoe is asleep next to my chair. Murphey has gone for his behavior evaluation at the doggie daycare. We feel his absence. Winter has been napping on him while I work; this morning she is napping on my desk.
Everyone is sleepy this morning after a night of Fourth of July fireworks. I am completely against giving the dogs any sort of medication that is not absolutely necessary. Last night, I gave Murphey two Benadryl. He is terrified of the fireworks. The end result was Murphey snoring peacefully, while the other four furs snuggled up with me on the bed. At some point, I finally fell asleep, and I awoke to find all the furs sleeping comfortably in close proximity to one another. There is safety in numbers.
Little Chirp missed the fur kid terror brought to us by the fireworks. He stayed the night at a friend’s house.
Brainy Bird had a few friends over to play board games in the apartment. He is now on his way to work. The only thing that he does not love about his job is the commute. We live about 30 miles from the Galleria area of Houston, where he is working. He is an intern on an energy trading floor, and he loves it. He is doing a great job. Ironically, this is the least stressful job/project that he has had since he began working three years ago.
Another week is off to a positive start. It is time for me to get to work.
Have a great work week all!