Mid-Week...

This time next week I will be done with my current day job...

This week so far has been rough. I'm training my replacement. She's super, super new, and while I know she can do the job, I worry about the stuff she doesn't know. I don't have time to teach her this stuff. I'm hitting the absolute basics while trying to maintain the customer service. And I know I shouldn't care as much as I do, but I do... I also have to remember that when I took over my territory, I had only been there for two weeks. I managed and figured it out, and she will too. 

But I am disconnecting. Finishing up the big things and passing them on to the next person. Some of my bigger accounts are going to a different person. She's going to be great and do a fantastic job. I have already lost control over things and I can't fight that. It is what it is...

And again... I shouldn't care, but I do...This time next week, I absolutely will not care about the job - only my friends. Though they will still be my friends even if we don't work together anymore...

I have a week left. Tomorrow is more training. Friday is the same, but lunch is thrown in there, too. Next week is meetings, lunches, and cleaning out my desk. I am sure that when I leave next Wednesday I will be crying. I expect that. I also know that I need to do what I need to do...And that I'm making the absolute right decision. 

The writing has been decent this week, despite me giving myself a mental pass to get through my final days. The plotting and brainstorming that was done over the weekend have carried through and I am holding onto that. 

Tomorrow night is Trick or Treat here. It's supposed to be ugly weather, so we will see what actually happens. We have been stocking up and hiding the candy for a month or more now. 

That is all...

Behave!

Hallowreads - 3

It's all done.

I know it's early. I've been up for about a half an hour. I'm not sure what woke me, but I couldn't get back to sleep. Also, this house is an electric vampire. My phone died, even though it was on the charger - the same charger I used yesterday, the same plug, too. And suddenly, it doesn't work anymore. And it worked last night when I plugged in. Weird. It's been a consistent problem this weekend though.

Anyway.

Yesterday was a lot of fun. Talked to a lot of people. Sold a couple of books. Talked to some book reviewers. Talked to more people. Hung out with a writing chapter buddy for a little bit. It was a lot of peopling. By the time the signing was over, I was fried. But it was good.

Turns out, this was the last year for this event. The organizer moved several states away and doesn't have the capability to continue. It's sad, but it happens.

We got back to the house, ordered some food, and pretty much vegged the rest of the day. One of our housemates decided to head home late last night, so it was just Simon and I talking and laughing. Surprisingly, and especially surprising because I wore the same shoes yesterday, I did not wake up with a leg cramp. I was so sure it was going to happen. Before I went to bed I could feel the muscle already twisting. It's still a little sore, but 99.9% improved from yesterday.

I'm going to get my words in and then pack up. Today is K3's birthday. I will be making a spaghetti dinner as soon as I get home and the kids will be coming over to celebrate.

And then tomorrow is Monday - my last full week at the current day job. It's weird, but I'm settled with my decision. I know it's the right one, especially after this weekend. It all still feels pretty surreal though and I can't say I'm looking forward to tomorrow or the rest of the week. But it is what it is...

That is all...

Behave!

Hallowreads - 2

Yesterday was exhausting and good. 

There was a lot of talking, walking, strategizing, brainstorming, laughing, and connecting. It was a lot of peopling. And I did finally get some really good food. 

The restaurant was cool. It's in a super old building. The food was amazing. It was super loud and crowded. We hung out after dinner - waiting for a member of our group, and laughed and talked.  

And I wrote. 

And today there will be even more. 

That's okay though. It will be a good day. 

There are workshops this morning. Then lunch. Then the book signing. 

I'm not sure if I'm going to make the bonfire and haunted house tonight. I woke up around three am with a vicious leg cramp. It's still horrible. I have been limping around for over an hour. 

But that's okay. I will write. And talk. And hang out. I know I will be exhausted. 

And that's all I have for now. 

Behave! 

Hallowreads!

Here I am at a cute little AirBnB in Maryland.

Tomorrow starts the event and I cannot wait.

Three of us rented this little house - 3 bedrooms 1-1/2 bath, full kitchen, dining room, living room, and a cute little patio. Currently, all three of us are sitting around the dining room table getting our words done. (I'm already done for the night. My brain is a bit broken. I'll tell you about that in a few)

I managed to leave the day job far earlier than I originally expected. Ran to the store for some essentials and then hit the road. Only got into a little bit of traffic and made it here shortly after I received the code to unlock the front door. Simon arrived less than five minutes after me, and L was already here.

The weirdness was that the mother of the owner was here when we got here and spent far too long talking to us about really nothing. Don't get me wrong, she was super nice and super excited to meet authors, but it delayed us in getting our stuff unloaded and getting settled in. We finally were able to do that, and then sat around the table drinking tea and catching up.

Then we were off to dinner at the Mexican place in the little town where the event is held. Met up with other authors and had a blast. My food pretty much sucked, which is disappointing because I was so excited to go there again. Whatever though. It was still a great time. We got back to our little "home", changed into our jammies, and then talked and wrote. Well, we're still doing that.

Being in a house is much nicer than a hotel. We each have our own room and there's plenty of space to spread out downstairs. Sharing a bathroom is no big deal, and let's face it, we'd be doing the same in a hotel. Anyway.

The event starts tomorrow. We'll be there helping out and participating. Then tomorrow night is dinner and a bonfire. Dinner is at a most awesome place. Though I will choose wisely because I can't abide by two crappy dinners in a row. Saturday is the signing and more fun stuff. Then a haunted house. Then we'll come back, order pizza, and write and talk some more.

I am so happy to be here. This weekend is the kick off to new things - focus on my writing career, and focus on what I need to do.

And here's why... I've talked a lot about how my day job is brain draining and super stressful... A lot. I also love what I do - I love my customers, the industry, my sales reps, and the people I work with. What I don't love is that I feel like I have to give 500% of myself every day, which leaves nothing for anything else, especially writing. It's been that way for a really, really long time.

So... This job came up. That Man and I discussed. I didn't know what to do. I checked the requirements and didn't think I qualified for the position, but then was specifically asked to submit my resume. I interviewed. And then the job was offered.

And I accepted.

It's really a lateral move, but the stress will be about 490% less. That's what I'm going for. It was a really really hard decision to leave my current job, but in my heart and gut, I know it's the right decision. I was asked if there could be any negotiation at the current day job and I told them absolutely not. You could pay me more and then I would give 800% and have even less left of me. They accepted that well. Though I think I will be asked again before it's all said and done.

I'll talk more about this when it gets closer to my last day. I have a full week and then a few days. It's emotional, but so far pretty much everyone at the current day job has been so super supportive. Turns out, they'd love to see me succeed as a author and that's the main reason I'm making the change. Plus, I just need to have more to give at the end of the day - to my writing, to my family, to the things I previously enjoyed doing but don't have the energy for anymore.

And that is all for now!

Behave!

Weekend Wrap Up!

So having the boys was a complete success! Mom and Dad had an awesome time at the wedding and were very happy! They said it was like an anniversary getaway for them. We had an awesome time with the boys! Little B woke up at 3am. He was freezing cold and very wet. Somehow the little bugger got out of his very warm pjs... We got him settled again and he slept until 7am.

Not too bad at all. Both boys were great! Little B was happy and silly. He and Pappy laughed constantly and played their own version of peek-a-boo. Big B has commissioned me to write him a story. He's even given me a few weeks to complete it! Ha! He doesn't believe me when I tell him I cannot draw. He insists I'll figure it out somehow.

The boys were picked up and we pretty much crashed. It rained all day. A cold rain, too. We were cozy. Candles lit and warm blankets. I wrote. Napped. Made alfredo sauce for dinner - chicken, mushroom, broccoli alfredo. I've been doing store bought alfredo for years, with the addition of my own improvements. Who knew that my own improvements were exactly what you need to make your own alfredo sauce? I didn't, but I do now. Seriously! It's so much better!

Wrote some more. Did all of the laundry. Cleaned up the kitchen with That Man's help. Now we're chilling and it's almost bedtime.

Tomorrow is back to the day job. I am not excited. At all. And I am not looking forward to it. The stress hits around four for me... Ugh!

That's all I have for now!

Behave!

Feel Good Saturday

Here we are on Saturday!

I stayed home from the day job yesterday. I left work on Thursday feeling like death - fever, sinus pain and congestion - and it didn't get any better until last night. I literally slept in my bed most all day. Around four I managed to get my words done, and then laid on the couch the rest of the evening.

Felt better this morning. I did sleep in and take care of some estate stuff. Then I went shopping. We decided we needed a smaller, easier to haul around vacuum. I hit up a few stores, then ended up at the mega mart. Then the grocery store. Then home just in time to get the boys

We're watching the grandsons overnight tonight. K1 & J had a wedding today and ended up with a hotel room overnight. This is the first time they've left Little B overnight, so they were excited - especially after the week they've had. Little B had croup and ended up in the ER for breathing treatments. The last few times we were going to keep them both, something happened - which anyone with kids knows that's how it always goes, so I was glad for them to get away tonight.

The boys were dropped off around two. Big B is a riot. Little B is, too. That Man worked until almost five, so the boys and I hung out and played. We made little stromboli's for dinner, watched a movie, and laughed. Big B went to bed a lot earlier than I figured he would and he was out like a light within five minutes. Little B was a lot harder to get down, but he's finally out. I'm expecting him to be up during the night at least a few times, so it won't be long until I head up myself.

I did get my words in. The dishes are done. The living room is covered in toys. But it's good.

I am exhausted. I can remember how I did this with four. I guess still not feeling 100% has something to do with it, too.

That is all...

Behave!

Tuesday...

A long time ago I used to do "Tall Tale Tuesday" here on the blog. Sometimes I came up with some interesting and maybe even funny stuff. I don't know why I stopped doing it. I kind of miss it. Or maybe what I really is having the time to do it. I'd spend the week looking for funny pictures or interesting stories. These days I'm lucky to even know my name most of the week.

Anyway.

I meant to get back on here over the weekend, but that didn't happen.

We did the Jeep thing with my brother and then we went and bought a car. A used car, but still... It took forever, but we're pretty happy with it. My Jeep isn't supposed to be driven every day and our second car was due for inspection and needed more work than we were willing to put into it. We needed something reliable for the winter. So we bit the bullet and did it. Not happy about having a car payment, but like I said, we're happy with it.

When we got back, we went to the place we wanted to go for dinner last night. It was amazing. Good food.

Sunday was a day of absolute rest. No computer. Stayed off the phone. Did some laundry.

Now we're in the week. I have been writing every day (except for Sunday). Managing some decent words and getting back into my story.

That's all I have for now...

Behave!

Feel Good Friday!

Whoot!

It was a helluva week! Bad doesn't even begin to describe it. Day Job... Oy... There were good moments, but most of it was like fighting through quicksand. I am fighting for my new hire. She's struggling to get things, but I see her blossoming and learning and I will not allow them to let her go until she's been given a fair shake. I know she can do this and I know she will be excellent at it. I have spent most of the last two days, even with being swamped from vacation, training her, and I will continue to do so.

I have been writing. I will not say I've been writing good words, but they are still words.

That Man and I went out to dinner tonight. Not where we wanted to go, but a regular place for us. The food was good, but the air conditioning was cranked up super high and I was freezing. We wanted to go to a new place near us - well, the place isn't new, but the ownership is. We've heard great things about it and it's only two blocks from our house. As we pulled into the parking lot, we heard that the wait was super lengthy so we moved on. We'll get there soon.

Tomorrow we are hopefully doing a Jeep thing with my brother. But we also have an appointment to go car shopping. We're replacing our CRV. We're not in a hurry, but we kind of are too. We will be at the Jeep event either early or late.

And that is all for now... Hopefully I will be back at some point before Monday!

Behave!

That Was A Long Time!

Sorry for the silence!

It's been crazy!

We've had ourselves a little, but wonderful, trip. The break from the day job was wonderful.

It's colder now.

I'm tired!

Coming back to the day job was suckage. Nothing got done in my absence.

One of the kittens is peeing inappropriately. On my bed. Not cool.

I stepped in dog poop tonight. Gross.

Writing has been going okay.

We had our town Halloween Parade. It was fun.

I'm tired!

Everyone at the day job is sick. I am slathering myself in hand sanitizer and protective layers.

That is all. See "I am tired"...

Behave!