The dog ate my to-do list.

I generally consider myself a fairly relaxed person. I don't tend to get overly excited about things. I'm not prompted, easily, into hostile action. I like to make plans, but I can generally change my plans without my life falling apart.

But yesterday, when I found about 1/5 of my weekly to-do list in Nancy's (the pup's) mouth, I have to admit that I nearly had a coronary. My to-do list is kind of a ritual, you see. It's my brain on paper... as pretty as it sounds. It's what allows me to live a relaxed and laid back lifestyle. I know the important stuff is all on that piece of paper each week, so I don't have to stress my head trying to remember what I need to get done or who I need to talk to.

At the beginning of each week, I take inventory of the previous week's list and get my universe in order. In a glance, I can see what major events I need to know about each day (appointments, visits with friends, planned road trips, clubs and meetings). I can see what work I have due and in what order I should focus on completing it. I have a place for notes should new work come along. I have a place for projects to work on between the more important work with deadlines.

Only 1/5th of my list was rescued. That means the dog ate 4/5ths of my life on paper. She disturbed my order. She shook my universe. I squalled and hollered like a madwoman for a few minutes. She just blinked at me with her brown puppy eyes... and smacked a bit more on the precious paper that was stuck to her lip.

Luckily... the initial list is created on the computer. I was able to print myself another copy and I recreated my notes as well as I could remember. Then I decided the destruction of my original to-do list was a good excuse to just do nothing for a day.

I'm well rested... well read... and I've spent a bit of time playing with that naughty puppy today. And now my new to-do list is tucked in a much safer spot... I hope.