Jill's Journal: A test of willpower

Out of the blue one morning, Erin, our graphic artist, announced that she was going to test her willpower.

She pointed to the bucket of Dove chocolate candies on her desk, announcing it was her goal that the 90-count container of chocolatey goodness would last her until February.

And even though February is a short month, she made it clear that Feb. 1 was her “willpower” expiration date. After all, there were only 90 chocolates. 

In the spirit of honesty, I fessed up there was no way 90 chocolates within reach would ever survive that long around this chocolate-loving gal.

I gave Erin a bit of credit for her one-chocolate-a-day plan, but I was quick to point out that we were heading into the holiday season where Christmas candy and cookies would be aplenty.

As a staff, we joked about sneaking chocolates from her bucket or underhandedly adding some of the sugary goodness to the container. She preferred the latter.

I relate Erin’s story of willpower to an interrupt-my-sleep knock on my patio door that I received in the way early hours this morning. I stumbled out of bed, followed my memorized path to the door and took a look through the peep hole. I saw nothing but an empty hallway.

Then came the next emergent-like knock on my patio door. As I peeked through the blinds, there stood my shivering neighbor with her cute little puppy perched under her arm, obviously oblivious to their chilly predicament. Apparently, Mother Nature’s blast of winter froze up the door entrance keypad, leaving her – and her puppy – on the outside looking in.

As I staggered back to bed and learned that it was just 3 a.m. – I was thankful for the three hours of sleep still ahead of me – and hopeful the neighbor’s puppy will gain some Erin’s willpower to make it through these chilly winter months.