I finally feel a some sense of contentment today. Sometimes I don't understand where it goes, but we all seem to lose grip on that string once in a while.

We had to move out of the house for about 2 weeks because we were having the floors redone. It's not the type of thing I would typically like to spend money on, but I hate getting splinters in my feet as much as I hate wearing shoes. I would, however, choose either of those fates over having to put my stuff away. I hate unpacking more than anything in the world. Obviously I'm exaggerating, because we all hate animal cruelty more than unpacking but it's a marginal difference at best.

On Sunday, June 15th, Chris and I shoved almost everything we own into our kitchen and basement. Hung over a shit too. We had been at a wedding the night before and danced the night away.  Monday morning we had planned to head down to Tennessee with the dogs and do some hiking. Maybe find a lake to jump in. I waited until 8:45 that morning before calling the contractor who was doing the floors to see what time he had planned on arriving. Tuesday was the answer he gave. Which seemed a bit tardy because he was supposed to be here on Monday. My first thought was, "Oh my god, I went through all that hung over moving for no reason!" We were both too upset and too claustraphobic to remain in the house, so we drove to Gatlinburg, TN. Actually, we drove to Lake Cumberland first but they don't have any beaches there so we left.

We pulled into Gatlinburg on the hungry side but with ample time to get settled in a hotel and run out for dinner. I believe it was at dinner that we found out Smoky Mountain National Park does not allow dogs on the trails. Well, fuck. Another misstep I suppose. We certainly couldn't have left two dogs in the car while we went off hiking into the Tennessee summer, even though dogs ARE allowed in cars in the park.