• Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Book Extras
  • Blog
  • Editing
  • Contact D’Ann
  • search
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

D'Ann Mateer

Author, Editor, Reader

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Book Extras
  • Blog
  • Editing
  • Contact D’Ann
  • search

New Year, New Routine

Home » Family » New Year, New Routine

In: Family, Writing on: January 11, 2023

I like routine, especially when it has been tweaked over time and works well. But sometimes you need a shakeup. Usually that comes from some situation not of your own making, but still. 

Dolly and Sadie in matching bandanas on Christmas Day.

Dolly has definitely shaken up all my routines. Honestly, the first six weeks we had her, I had no routine at all and despaired of ever having one again! But of course that was just the beginning puppy stage all rolled up with Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

When January hit—with all the company gone and Jeff back at work—routine-setting became my priority. I haven’t been able to put things back exactly as they were, but I will admit that a few things are actually working better than before. Like feeling an impetus to get things done when I’ve gone to the trouble to put Dolly in her crate in my office. I can’t just fritter away that time or I’ll feel badly that I’ve kept her cooped up for no good reason. Because of that, I’ve actually been more productive than usual. 

Of course now I have a guest while I drink my morning coffee and spend time with Jesus. Dolly has become more comfortable with that, either chewing on a toy or sleeping—usually at my feet. 

In her playpen, as opposed to her upstairs crate or downstairs one!

Instead of checking email leisurely on the sofa—with a second cup of coffee—I now go immediately upstairs to my office. Dolly has an open topped crate up there (which I’m sure she’ll figure out how to get out of soon!). She is content in there while I work for 2-3 hours. Then it’s out to potty and off on a short walk. If it’s nice, we go outside while I eat my lunch and maybe read. Both the daily walk and being outside more have also been good for me.  

Afternoons consist of errands, more work, and a workout—all in varying order and amount, as the week dictates. 

All in all, Dolly and I are adjusting well, each of us adapting to the other’s needs. I’ll even admit that I’m looking forward to the time when she’ll sit with me without a restraint as I work. But for now, for my sanity and for the cleanliness of my house, we need her to have boundaries. 

To be fair, my husband has had to change his routines, too. And his changes have been far more significant than mine! Yet the joy in his voice when he greets her in the evening tells me he has no regrets. And when I watch them curl up together on the sofa, both taking little naps before bed, I am happy. It is those moments when I know the sacrifice of my routines has been worth it. 

As a character stated in a book I recently read: “Authentic love is the greatest joy there is, Miss Kelley, but it requires a thousand little deaths to self.” [From The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold—look for my review of it in my January Reads post at the end of the month!]

Tagged: Dolly, Jeff

« Previous
Next »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Stay in Touch!

Want to know what I’m blogging? What I’m reading? When the next book comes out? When you sign up, you’ll also receive a free short story via email. And every quarter I will choose a random subscriber who will receive a free book! So what are you waiting for? Let’s stay in touch!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Blog Categories

  • Book Extras
  • Faith
  • Family
  • History
  • Life
  • Reading
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing

Recent Posts

  • My Favorite Online Workouts January 25, 2023
  • Playing by Heart Cover Reveal! January 19, 2023
  • New Year, New Routine January 11, 2023
  • Goals, Intentions, and Expectations January 5, 2023
  • December Reads December 29, 2022

Some blog posts and pages contain affiliate links. This means when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in a commission that is credited to this site. Affiliate programs include, but are not limited to, Amazon.com. This disclosure complies with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Site Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Editing
  • About
  • Books
  • Contact D’Ann
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · D'Ann Mateer. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Stormhill Media
Log in