The night time is almost never the right time.

Yes.  I know.  I've been busy.  Moving on...

KB and I have been married for almost nine (9) years now, and ever since a little bundle of joy walked into our lives, we've had a decision-making agreement that has really helped us staunch the flow of bad ideas.  We call it the "8 to 8 Rule".

Way back when, in 2004, Meg walked in through our back door, and into our lives.  She was wormy, mangy, and fairly insistent.  We lived in a small house and already had Clancey, our border collie.  Meg was a fairly destructive puppy, as puppies are wont to be, and so we had to make the decision and the choice to keep her.  She was especially barky at night (again, par for the course), and we often threatened (each other?) that the next day she was going to be taken to the Humane Society.  We decided one night, in a moment of clarity, that making decisions when tired or aggravated was probably not the best of ideas, thus implementing the rule that decisions of a large scale could not be made between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM.  I dare say that rule kept Meg in dog biscuits, since during the daylight hours she was (and still is) a remarkably well behaved dog.  It served us well for keeping a rational head with Meg, and it has served us well in the days since.  As the night seeps in and we struggle to stay awake, I think we have a propensity to make bad choices; putting in a safeguard in place has really saved us some grief.  "8 to 8" is also a bulwark against an unseen enemy that KB and I have dubbed "The Sleepytime Saddies".

It's late, you're tired, you're about to fall asleep.  There's a knock at the door of your emotions.  Who's there?  The weight of the world, that's who.  Bam.  The world.  Every ounce of cosmic sadness is now on you, and damn if it isn't heavy. That's the Sleepytime Saddies.  Think you can make good decisions where they are going through your closet?  Heck no.  They are busy looking through cards people sent you years ago that you haven't thrown away, and you're trying to decide on vacation plans.  Don't do it.  That attempt at a decision will lead to an argument, and then to a fight.  Just.  Wait.  Until.  Tomorrow.

Just wait until tomorrow; everything will still be here.