One of Those Days?

A few minutes ago, as I was sitting at my computer enjoying my morning java and iTunes, contemplating the day ahead and determining it was going to be better than yesterday, I heard the sound all dog owners dread: the sound of a dog vomiting. And as I gathered my strength to face the mess, I wondered "Is it going to be one of those days?"

I got to the mess and found not only Stella eating the vomited partially digested remains of her breakfast, but Buster too. Once I pulled the dogs off and sent them outside, I had the fun of cleaning the mess.

Maybe it's just MY dogs, but for some reason they choose to vomit on my rugs instead of the hardwood floors. Mind you, I only have TWO area rugs and the rest of the house is hardwood floors or tiles. It's mind-boggling! And they TRAVEL when they vomit, so it's not just one area of rug I have to clean, it's four or five. LOVELY.

So the initial cleaning is done. I am now waiting for the Nature's Miracle to dry so I can then vacuum my little rug and then steam clean it. Now that is something I couldn't live without: my Bissell steam cleaner. Seriously. It has saved my rugs on more occasions than I can count. So in a few moments I will once again save my rug from the landfill with I think the best pet-related investment I have ever made.

Until then, I once again begin to contemplate my day. Yesterday, though somewhat productive, ended badly. I managed to get three job applications finished and mailed, but still have one that needs to be filed online and I am running into snags with the letters of rec. Most of you know I find the whole academic job search arcane and insane, but what is particularly aggravating to me is the fact that there is not one standard way to submit. Each school creates its own rules and regulations for their job application process and it drives me mad. For example, knowing I was going to be conducting another job hunt, rather than bother my references for letters all the time, I chose to have them write one letter and submit it Interfolio. Though costly for me (it costs $4 per letter to be sent, and most schools require a minimum of three), it seemed worth it to guarantee they were written and would arrive on time. As these are confidential letters of rec, I don't have a copy.

But some schools require you submit electronically. Now, I have finally scanned some documents that weren't uploading with their formatting, so I've managed to tackle THAT problem. But one school is now requiring these letters of rec be submitted with all of my other paperwork and I wonder how the hell I'm supposed to do that. I mean, these letters are confidential! How is it I'm supposed to have a copy to submit??? GRRRR. So, it looks like I need to go back to my amazing, kind references and bug them yet again. It pisses me off.

Still, I'm making progress. By the time I get my ducks in a row it will be summer and next job hunt they'll change or add another hurdle.

By the time I got home, I had a debilitating headache.

And what greeted me upon my return? Not one, but TWO chewed remotes: one for the TV, one for the cable box. Good God! I wanted to kill Stella, but my head hurt too much and I realized I was the dummy that left them on the trunk that serves as my coffee table. So, once again, I need to learn to be smarter than my dog. This, of course, means I need to go replace the cable remote AGAIN for another $25. Stella is doing her best to leave me penniless. I believe the counts go as following:

Stella 3, Remotes 0
Stella 3, pairs of shoes 0
Stella 4, dog beds 0
Stella 1, Extreme Kong 0
Stella 1, Sarah's pink boa sweater 0

There is much more, but I can't face the tally without crying in frustration.

Still, I'm keeping my sense of humor about it. I mean, maybe Stella eating the remote is the Universe's way of saying give up the cable. Believe me, it crossed my mind last night. And perhaps the boa sweater I thought was so fab really needed to be removed from my wardrobe. And perhaps the shoes were old (though I still grieve my Teva's).

Anyway, by the time I had dealt with the dogs and cats and my dinner, my headache was so bad I just went to bed.

So this morning, I had high hopes for a better day.

But the rug needs cleaning, I have two syllabi to finish, an accompanist to find, a song and scene to prep, and groceries to buy. SIGH.

It is going to be one of those days?