Paula has been up to her trickster ways again, and it's been incredibly fun. Three new stories this week! It might be a record since I started recording these. And all three of them at work.

The first was with a coworker who is going to retire soon. I don't remember the exact conversation, only that she told me that, "You have less wrinkles than I do."

At which point, Paula started to laugh hysterically. Which was a bit rude. Not sure why she found that so funny, but it goes to show that sometimes she can be a bit of a jerk.

That, or she thinks that I have more wrinkles than my coworker. I don't think Paula was referring to herself given that she is around 21 at this point. Which explains more about her being a jerk than anything else. She is young, after all. 

The next story was with another coworker who loves Paula. To be fair, Paula loves her as well. So when Paula started to chatter, Magaly (pronounced Mah-GAH-lee) echoed what she had just done. Paula did NOT like that.

Magaly got a stream of chatter that sounded like Paula was chewing her out. 

Diva that Paula is, she doesn't like to share the spotlight or have her lines stolen.

The last story that happened this week was just yesterday. It's been a long week and I was quite tired, so at one point during the day, I let out a large yawn. 

A customer that was standing nearby said, "None of that, it's too early for that, you still have a few hours left in the day!"

So my snarky little Paula came to my rescue and let out a few chatters. The customer looked confused at what on earth had just happened, so I asked him, "Is that better?"

Poor fellow didn't get the joke, but my coworkers had a great laugh. 

Hey friends! It's so crazy to me how quickly time is flying by at this point. We are already almost through September! 

I do love September, it has always been a life changing month for me where everything starts to go better. Especially the dates in the 20's for some reason. Maybe because today is my half birthday, but who knows? 

I've finally started making some amazing headway on Madamn this week. I spent about 4 hours on Thursday night just churning out new words and fixing things up thanks to the help of my amazing editor. It's coming together so well and I'm actually enjoying reading my own book again!

Which makes me start to skip forward to the fun part. 

Come February or march, I'll be running a Kickstarter campaign to get funds for special editions and to help cover the costs of publishing. Then it's on to planning the official book launch party in Paris at Em's own chateau. I'm so freaking thrilled to do all of this. It's almost hard to do the actual writing part (which is kind of essential). 

So the forward momentum I've been having plus my favorite time of year means this coming week is going to be amazing!

Memories of Paula

Guys, I wish I had a better memory. Paula has had some amazing antics this week that have made me laugh so much.

That was entirely the purpose of this blog when I first started. 

But now that I sit down to write these "unforgettable moments" guess what happened?

I know that there have been instances at home. I know there have been instances at work. 

And I'm kind of crushed that those memories are already gone. Some were even just today. But they were so small and simple and well-timed, that at the time it only felt natural.

Isn't that just the way life is sometimes?

We remember feeling slighted by a coworker, or the stress of a busy day. 

But it's those small, natural, and easy moments that get forgotten. Yet those are the ones that can really make life worth living if we are willing to pay attention to them. If we are willing to take the time to savor them and remember them.

Life is full of good times.

I know I need the reminder to cherish these times more often.

The Song of My People

This week, Paula had some new antics. These days it isn't very often she does something new and memorable like this. 

So I work at a bank, right?

There are security guards that come through every so often and make updates with technological devices. Truth be told, I'm sure exactly what or what they were making note of, but I do remember the device making a little singing noise.

At which point the security guard says, "Yes, sing me the song of your people."

OF COURSE Paula had to make herself known. She always feels called to sing the song of her people, whether invited to or not.

It did bring a rousing round of laughter to a slow day at work, though.

All the New Things

This week has been a bit of a roller coaster for me. Sure, it was Labor Day and I had Monday off work. And it was awesome. My husband and I went out to the local hot springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming and it was fantastic. 

However, coming home, the front passenger tire decided to disconnect from the car. Sure, we were going slow, turning off the highway and only a few blocks from home, but Tuesday I was still a bit shaken from the accident, but it was busy, so the whole day was a struggle. 

Luckily, I survived and got myself a new desk! I've been using my kitchen table, but this beautiful desk is an antique. Over 100 years old and just stunning. It could use a bit of love, but I happen to have a handy husband who will do wonderful things to it!

I also realized that things are going to start creeping up on me, so I'm going to need to get my life more organized and start promotion for both the Reader's Escape in Paris, as well as the Kickstarter to promote the launch of my first novel. 

I can't tell you how excited I am about this book and how much I love the progress it has made since hiring people to take care of things for me. I'm so thrilled to have all of this happening!

Worth It? Maybe Not Yet, But It Will Be

What a week! I've been on a crazy emotional roller coaster, and I'm SO glad it's a 3 day weekend! I've been busy trying to delegate more tasks because I've been dealing with a ton of burnout. I've spent a lot more time journaling and crocheting (I learned how to make a granny square this week!), and generally trying to get my bearings.

There has been some drama at my full time job, but I really don't want to get into it here. On the upside, one of my coworkers is trying to get Paula to speak in Spanish. Not much luck yet, but there does seem to be a bit of progress happening. 

Madamn is suddenly making SO much more progress thanks to me finally biting the bullet and hiring someone to help me. And I can't tell you how much I LOVE the changes being made and how quickly it is progressing. Things are getting really good, really quickly and you should be getting excited about it. 

I've been getting a bit of help on my Kickstarter campaign and have help with planning the Paris book launch/Reader's Escape. Both of which are also coming along swimmingly. I am so ridiculously excited for the coming year! It helps a lot when dealing with stress and drama.

One day, it will all be worth it.

Well, This Is New

So I know there is a lot of buzz on the internet about this these days. A lot of people are dealing with it or have dealt with it, but I think I'm starting to understand for the first time what it is....

I'm not used to feeling this way, and I don't like how much it's affecting me. 

I'm talking about burnout. 

Usually I like to think I'm pretty good about balancing things out. And every once in a while, yes, I overbook myself with too many things and I have to cut back.

But this is the first time that I'm losing the cognitive ability to remember all the things I've committed to do, or even how to do them. 

I've been talking a lot about this with my husband and it's making a big difference to realize what is even happening. 

He's so great and has been so supportive. He has really stepped up his game to help out with so much around the house (he's currently taking care of all the laundry) and I have been able to step back and relax a bit more.

I even took Monday off of work so I can simply veg and do only the things I want to do, which may occasionally include something off my to do list, but doing it because I want to, not because I HAVE to. 

There is a big difference, you know?

Fun story, the past couple of nights, our phones have lost connection. Which isn't usually an issue, we are used to that when traveling across the wilds of Wyoming, but to not have internet access in my house and even phone calls and texting are kept at a minimum.

It's been wonderful. 

And it's making a difference. I don't feel like it was quite enough, but it was enough to validate my thoughts and say that I'm on the right track.

The irony of all of this is that this is the exact thing I'm trying to help promote with my novel and things like the Reader's Escape. So that's hilarious to me.

Anyways, here are we. I'mma go eat some cheesecake now.