So now that I have published a book, I feel like I am trying to merge two identities, and things might get a little confusing. So I want to have this post explain a little bit about what is going on for any new travelers to the squeaky world of Jess and Paula.

My name is Jessica Smith. I publish under a pen name of Paula Jean Ferri. The two names are interchangeable in my mind though. While I was born as Jessica, around the age of 17, I developed a new lifelong friend, who I affectionately call Paula. Her name is a little more searchable than mine is. Besides, I probably wouldn't have had anything to write about without her, so she became the author.

Feel free to wander the blog and discover a little more about Paula's antics. I am also on Medium writing as often as I can between my three outlets (books, blog and Medium). I would LOVE to hear more about you and any questions you may have. Please send an email to Paulajeanferri@gmail.com.

Last, but CERTAINLY not least... I can't thank you enough for visiting!! I LOVE that you are here and hope to see more of you! Be sure to keep up to date on my website:

paulajeanferri.com

Have You Ever Worked Customer Service?

I have worked customer service pretty much my entire life in one form or another. Odd for a writer, I know, but I love it. Most of the time.

But every once in a while, you have a week... kind of like this past week. It started off fantastic. I had Monday off for Veteran's Day. I have a lot of family members and friends who have served/are serving, so this is a special day for me. 

But after taking some time to feel and express my gratitude, I got SO. MUCH. DONE. I had over 10k steps in after doing some grocery shopping and Christmas shopping and a workout, some writing, some house cleaning... I don't even remember it all I did so much. I felt so good.

Then I went back to work. 

Because of the three day weekend, Tuesday was plenty busy. The short week felt like a full week, especially Thursday and Friday when I felt like I was running around in circles, running into trouble and inconveniences. Nothing went wrong, per se, it was just frustrating. 

Oh by the way, fun fact, my website (paulajeanferri.com) is apparently already involved in some legal issues, so that was also kind of chaotic this week. 

Luckily, I'm able to work through everything and figure things out.

I also had the opportunity this week to be reminded how lucky I am that I get to do all of these things. Not only because it's something that I love, but my neighbor across the hall passed away recently. I've been helping her family clean out her apartment and revisit memories with them. 

It is especially poignant to me know that my little brother's birthday is next week and we are coming up on the five year anniversary of his death.

It still hurts and it is tragic to see such lives cut short. 

Side note, my husband and I went recently to see the new Venom movie. Good show, but I cried thinking how much my brother would have loved it, then at the end they played a song that never fails to make me think of him.

What a reminder that life is so fleeting and how lucky I am to be alive. To feel like there is a divine purpose for me and goals that push me forward. I'm sitting here writing this as I continue to watch my sweet husband continue to haul things away. 

As my sweet grandma reminds me periodically, "If it isn't a matter of life or death or a matter of eternal consequence, it's simply a minor inconvenience."

What a Frustrating Week!

Hey friends,

So remember how last week I was with my family and selling books at the Pomegranate festival?

That meant that Sunday I had a 10 hour drive before I could get back to work on Monday. And what a return to work!

It was quite busy and I came home exhausted every day. Luckily, the husband helped out a TON, doing some of our laundry and making dinner. But the house is still a hot mess. 

I'm trying to keep positive in all of this and am at least glad I have Monday off work for Veterans Day. Which might warrant it's own post on Monday, but we will have to see. I would love to do that, veterans are super important to me, I've had several family members in the service and would love to honor them.

However, thanks to the other fun part of this crazy week, I might not. 

I have no wifi in my house currently. I have tried connecting all week and it just wasn't working. So now my to do list also contains looking into other options for wifi.

I'm currently typing this post on my phone. Typing with just my thumbs is not my favorite. I want my ergonomic keyboard attached to my raised laptop. 

So if the wifi issue has not been resolved, there will be no bonus post this week. 

I was realizing this morning as I made my to do list how long it was and how it has always been an issue for me trying to do all the things, and not having time for all the things. 

Again, trying to be optimistic, it does help me focus on what is really important. It doesn't make me happy about it though. 

I want to read all the books, have a spotless home, finish writing my book, have a ready to go campaign, go to all the events, crochet all the blankets, work on improving my health, snuggle all day with my husband... the list goes on and on.

I think that might be why I resent doing things I don't want to do, like cooking or cleaning. I know it's important, and give. Limitless time I might enjoy... but it is also not high up on the list of things I would rather be doing. I want the results, not necessarily the process.

Which is probably another reason not having wifi is so frustrating. It really slows me down to use only my thumbs instead of all 10 digits. I can type so much faster than this!

So I'm calling it for now so I can go work on other things and get some satisfaction from checking things off my list. Until next week friends!

Pomegranate Festival

Hello again. It seems I keep missing Saturdays, maybe I'll have to switch to another day. But yesterday, I was at the local Pomegranate Festival in my hometown with a booth to sell my books. It would have been decent, except that the booth fee was double what I'm used to paying at my local craft fair, not to mention they also charged tax. 

And I'm beginning to think this is just not the right venue for books. I still did make some money, but it's also possible that most of that was spent on Christmas gifts and pomegranate products. It is up in the air if I will do it again. By this time next year, I might not have to worry about such small numbers like what I saw over the past 2 days.

At least I made a profit and had a week to spend with my family. I miss being with them. It's hard to live so far away.

I know, that seems fairly rare in this day and age. I've seen all the memes about avoiding family at holidays, etc. I know I've been very lucky to have such awesome parents and grandparents. I'm bummed I don't get to spend the holidays with them, so at least I had this week with them.

Latest Update

Hey friend, it's been a minute! This past week got really intense, you here's a late update for last week. 

My first round of edits has been completed and I'm doing a bit more of a punch up and revision while working with a writing circle. 

Then I got to do a bit of traveling and it was really nice to get out of town for a bit. I got to see a silent movie with a live organist (check out the Organ Loft if you are ever in Salt Lake City) AND got to attend a reunion with my high school class. Well, half of them. It wasn't advertised super well. But those I did see, it was great to catch up with. 

I'm currently doing a few revisions and hopefully spending some time this week finalizing details for the Kickstarter campaign and Paris launch. Logistics are always the hardest part for me. Luckily I have a bit of help, but it's still taking way longer than I want it to. 

This coming weekend I'll be at a small town festival in Logandale, NV to sell some of my previous books and am excited to see how that goes! There are over 100 vendors and I hope to have a bit of time to wander around myself. 

Hope your week is fantastic and I'll be back in a few days with more updates.

Should I Make a T-Shirt?

Last night I went out with my coworkers to a fundraising dinner for my community. I love my coworkers, they are so much fun to hang out with, especially seeing them in circumstances that aren't professional.

We get along well even at work, but outside of work, it gets really fun.

And Paula does love her fun. So she had to make a few appearances, of course.

So for background, one of Paula's tics is a very loud and obnoxious laugh. Very similar to the laugh of Mozart in the movie Amadeus. If you are unfamiliar with the movie or the laugh, here is a compilation of all the laughs in the movie.

Basically, Paula sounded like she had a bit too much to drink herself, even though I don't drink. My coworkers had all had a bit of the wine provided at this point, so when she went off, I made a comment of, "Who needs alcohol? Paula's a party on her own!"

I actually don't remember if that was exactly it, I made the comment off-hand, not really thinking about it.

However, my coworkers LOVED it. One even said she wanted that on a shirt. 

Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but maybe it might be a good way to start conversations and create some TS awareness.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, let me know if I should make a shirt!

These Are the WORST!

So I don't get embarrassed super easily, because Paula, right? But sometimes, I can get super embarrassed, even if it's just around my husband.

The thing is... it's just too funny not to share. So now that the initial embarrassment has worn off, the worst tics are the ones that combine with normal bodily functions. Like the trio where I burp, make a sound similar to the burp, the finish with a high squeak. 

Those are common and I've come to terms with those.

What REALLY got me this week, was a few days ago when I was home for lunch. My husband and I were both messaging people, when I barked, then instantly farted.

My husband was on the floor he was laughing so hard and I was beet red.

So that's all I have to say about that. It was awful, but my husband appreciates me.