by MustBTVDay thirty-three of furlough. The day started with the usual, **coffee**, hot and essential, because stability begins in a cup. The house feels lighter now that the **Halloween teardown** is officially complete. No more plastic skeletons lurking in corners or fake cobwebs sneaking into my coffee mug. The **Christmas phase** has begun, not decorating just yet, but **ordering and sorting**. The Family CFO has already begun strategic procurement operations (read: online shopping).
After that came some much-needed **head shave and beard lineup** time. There’s something therapeutic about the ritual, a reset button for both brain and mirror. Even Remington approved, though she looked slightly concerned during the buzzing phase.
The rest of the day’s agenda involves two key operations: **Dungeons & Dragons prep** and **cruise readiness.** I’ve got campaign notes sprawled across the desk like a battle map, monsters to balance, plot hooks to refine, and at least one NPC who will probably get insulted by the party within the first 10 minutes. Between world-building and equipment lists, I’m also mentally packing for the cruise, checking the calendar and realizing we’re just a few weeks out. The countdown is getting real.
**Remington** remains glued to my side, still recovering from the cold weather. **Mittens** supervises from atop my D&D notes, naturally choosing the most critical page to sit on, while **Tabby** has commandeered a pile of Christmas wrapping paper as her new fortress.
**Morale check:** balanced. Beard sharp, dice ready, coffee perfect, and cruise dreams approaching fast. The Living Room Republic hums along, one cleaned-up holiday, one character sheet, and one mocha at a time.
