Today’s deadline kind of snuck up on me. As I mentioned on my social media channels, a week and a half ago or so, I had a rough week. What I didn’t say was that my apartment flooded, and school caused the most physically painful anxiety attack I’ve ever experienced.

I’m so grateful to Mini (my cat). She’s capable of helping me control anxiety attacks. She lays on my chest and purrs, and within a few minutes my breathing starts to regulate, my heart rate slows, and my muscles begin to relax.

Well, she was a big help this time too. Unfortunately, the muscle contractions this last time were the worst I’ve ever experienced, and it left me sore for several days. I got a massage to try and relieve some of that pain, and the calming environment seemed like it would be helpful too. It was! I can’t wait to go back.

I should have known better than to think the chaos was over; I found out my landlord is selling the house which my apartment is part of. So, now I have to move. I hate moving. It’s stressful and expensive. Next week is the date I’m getting my car fixed too, and thankfully I don’t have to pay for that. Someone hit my car while it was parked in a lot in Denver. They were kind enough to leave a note, and if I end up needing a rental car, they reimburse for it, but with an upcoming move it just feels like a lot.

So, I didn’t notice that today was the first Thursday until yesterday morning. I know this just looks like a laundry list of excuses for not putting something better than this on as a post.

For what it’s worth, I have worked on Last Ark a little. Not just that, but the company I work for is starting a company wide newsletter and paying writers for short pieces. Naturally, I applied. I have officially accepted my first paid writing job. It’s not much and I have to keep working at the restaurant, but most importantly it is field experience. The all-important stepping stone has presented itself.

I do have a couple of apps in for apartments. Hopefully, it gets accepted quickly, and I can sit tight for a while. Work on getting ready to purchase a home so I never have to move again, unless I want to.

I almost hit a raccoon tonight on my drive home. Out of nowhere a grey lump of fur had appeared right in my path. I slammed my brakes and swerved away from it. I didn’t hear or feel it; so, I’m pretty sure I didn’t hit it. I hope it’s okay. I’d have been so upset if I had hurt an innocent raccoon. What if it had been someone’s cat? What if it had been mine?

For the sake of brevity, I’ll leave it at that. I’ll get you something a little more literary than my rambling in the next post.

Kathryn