Friday Fun

TGIF! I’m happy it’s Friday, and I’m giving myself a four-day weekend. Ok, who am I kidding? I love what I do (Get It Write Publishing), so I’ll probably end up doing some editing, ha! But I’ll try not to. Also, I’d love to get some writing done on my WIP.

Today was a pretty good day. My mom and I went to our local Goodwill and looked around, then we grabbed a coffee by our local canal and sat in the shade by the water and talked for about an hour. After that, we walked around a cool antique store. Later, I did a little work, but nothing too taxing. It is Friday, after all.

Uneventful? Never, in my world. When I was coming down the stairs this morning, coffee mug in hand, my dog, Cole, was lying at the bottom of the steps. When I reached the last step, I went to step over him (I wouldn’t disturb a dog!), but he started getting up as I did. Imagine what happened next! I lost my footing, and coffee went everywhere. Thankfully, the coffee was cool by then.

Later, while frying some breaded haddock for dinner, I lost a piece of fish because I shook the pan by the handle to move the fish around rather than use the spatula like a normal person. No biggie. Still had some left in the pan!!

I hope everyone has a happy and SAFE Fourth of July weekend!!

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

Working From Home Confession #1: Clothing Optional

I own my own company, Get It Write Publishing, and work from home. I hardly ever have Zoom meetings. It’s just me, my dogs, and my cats during the weekdays.

My workstation is located at one end of my office, which is on the first floor of my home, and faces two windows, which are located at the other end of the space.

When someone walks by the house, they probably can—should they look in the window like a creeper—see me all the way at the other end of the room at my desk.

Because it’s been so hot out and I sweat a lot, I often work in just a T-shirt and undies.

Sometimes I forget I’m in my undies when I go to get the mail, take the trash out, call for my dogs, etc.

One day, someone knocked on the door. I was frantic. Who is knocking?? And… Darn, I have to put shorts on!!

I dove to the floor and crawled out of the room. No big deal. People do this all the time, right? I flew up the stairs (almost tripping) and threw on some shorts and a T-shirt (almost tripping again). My dogs thought an intruder was trying to break in, and my cats were looking at me like I was crazy. 

When I got back downstairs, I looked out the window to see who knocked and saw the mailman across the street, delivering the mail. Turns out he was the one who knocked, needing me to sign for a package. I closed the blinds in front. All that trouble for nothing. Off came the T-shirt and shorts again.

Another day, I was having a major hot flash. Even with the air conditioner on, I was melting, so (again) I worked in a bra and undies. Suddenly, the dog barked (an alert bark, not his typical I’m-barking-at-nothing bark). It was the mailman walking by!! (What is it with him?!)

Have I learned my lesson? Nope. Because when you work from home, you can wear whatever you want, so why not take advantage of it and be comfortable? What's the worst that can happen...?

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Fooling Around at "The Office"

I have a tendency to be a klutz. Family and close friends know this. But sometimes, “klutz” isn’t the word. Just plain silly probably fits better! Maybe “dumb” because I do dumb things sometimes. Like the other morning, for example. The “office chair incident,” as I call it.

I have a chair with wheels at my desk in my home office. Well, my “office” is now downstairs in the dining room area because I found I work better downstairs (away from the cats!) in a more open area than in my small office upstairs.

I love my little “corner office,” and I love my chair even more. It rolls and spins around. What isn’t fun about that? And we have wood floors! Even more fun!

Oh, yes. Back to that morning. I was sitting in my chair, thinking (probably daydreaming), and started spinning in my chair. I suddenly dropped the pen I had been twirling in my hands, so I rolled the chair over to the side of the desk to pick it up. I bent over to grab the pen but accidentally kicked it with my bare foot. The pen went rolling, so I pushed my chair along to catch it. I sometimes forget that this particular room in the (very old) house we own has a slanted floor. Did I mention it’s wood? Yes, well, the chair went rolling one way as I was leaning another. Oops. I kind of fell out of my chair. Ok, ok. I DID fall out of my chair! It was a sight, I’m sure. I’m pretty sure the dogs were even laughing.

No, I wasn’t hurt. Not even my pride. After all, it’s just me and my fur babies here. No pride needed.

Another fun day at the office!!

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Still Wonky...??

Last week, I wrote a blog post about the week being “wonky,” and this week is not much better. I wrote the “wonky” post on the 7^th, which was Wednesday.

The next day, my laptop monitor went all crazy, and I couldn’t do any work. The amazing computer guru at Midnight Magix can get all of my files off the hard drive and onto a flash drive for me, but in the meantime, I’ve had to contact my clients and explain why I’m a little behind on their manuscripts or books and do whatever work I can where I left off. In case you’re unaware, I’m an editor and the owner of Get It Write Publishing. Losing files is a BAD thing. Lesson learned. I’ll be getting a better backup system.

Anyway, I had a great weekend, but then on Monday I got a call that my files won’t be ready to pick up until the end of this week. THEN I get a call from my bank saying that someone hacked my card. To get on a dating site!!! Hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! People are pathetic, aren’t they?

This morning, I woke to RAIN (good ‘ol NYS), and my allergies don’t like it. The silver lining? A close friend (one of my best!) stopped over with DUNKIN’ COFFEE!!!

We had a very nice visit. The coffee was amazing, and I didn’t put the cup in the microwave, by the way (see the previous blog post titled “Everything is WONKY”). My friend did notice the cup said (in tiny letters, by the way) “Do not microwave.” Please. It’s a PAPER CUP. But whatever.

The visit couldn’t have just been pleasant without anything “wonky” happening, could it? Why? Because it’s my life! I turned on the kitchen ceiling fan (my house gets stuffy), and it was making a funny sound and shaking, but I fluffed it off. “It’s fine. It won’t fall on us,” I assured my friend. Many minutes later, a piece of the fan fell onto the table. OOPS!!

Then, when my friend was getting ready to leave, my dog, Cole, peed on the kitchen floor (again, from the “wonky” blog post; he’s on prednisone and can’t hold it).

Good. Times.

Along with hardly any sleep (have I mentioned I’m an insomniac?) and wonky things happening, it’s been quite interesting lately. However, I won’t complain too much. After all, it could be worse.

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Everything is WONKY

Yesterday was a little wonky. That's been my word for the last few days. Wonky. The cats are acting wonky. My day was wonky. Everything is WONKY.

Not even sure it's a word.

ANYHOO...

Here's a tip: Do NOT put a small cup of coffee from Dunkin’ in the microwave. It will burn.

What. The. Heck? I didn’t realize paper cups would burn if put in the microwave. PAPER cups!! I mean, I can put a paper plate in the microwave, and it’s fine. But a paper cup? Nope. Apparently not. Yesterday, my cousin brought me a wonderful cup of coffee from Dunkin’. Butter pecan with two creams and no sugar. Ah, but it was divine. I drink my coffee black, unless I go to Dunkin’ or any other specialty coffee place. (No-thank-you to Starbucks. Blech!!). Anyhoo, I was nearing the bottom of the coffee cup and wanted to reheat it. Put it in the microwave for twenty seconds. TWENTY SECONDS. Yep. Burned the bottom. The cup nearly caught fire. And it stunk. So now I don’t just burn food when I cook; I burn cups.

Later, my dog Cole, who is on Prednisone for asthma, had an accident. Sometimes it happens because of the meds. Pee all over the kitchen floor. Cleaned it, mopped it, all done. Right? Nope. Didn’t realize it started in the bathroom (maybe he tried!!) and trailed into the kitchen. So what did I do? Walked into the bathroom and accidentally stepped in it, almost falling on my rear. GROSS ME OUT. Sigh. Cleaned it up and washed my feet.

Finally made it to my bed  to read and noticed I left a large bag of once-frozen peas on the floor I had used to ice my foot the night before. I picked it up to carry downstairs to throw away, not realizing it leaked. Gross pea juice came out, getting on my leg.

 

Come ON!! Was it a full moon day????

 

 

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Sticks and Stones

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We’ve probably all said it as kids. But it’s dumb! Words DO hurt!! Sure, sticks and stones hurt and probably can break bones or at least cut you, but words? Geez. Words can hurt like heck if used wrongly. According to a write-up in Literary Devices: The proverb “sticks and stones may break my bones” is said to have its initial traces in 1844, in Alexander William Kinglake’s book where it is used as “golden sticks and stones.” Later, it was cited in The Christian Recorder of March published in 1862, where it was stated as; “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me.” 

Words break you. Words can crush you spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. And when that happens, you suffer physically. So words do hurt. We should use them wisely.

 

When someone says something hurtful to you, it's important to know that your feelings are valid, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. Don’t look at yourself as “not being able to take criticism” or as weak or too sensitive. You may need to take a step back from the situation if you feel yourself beginning to lose your temper, which is perfectly fine.

 

Make sure that you explain to the person why the comment was hurtful. If it was intentionally meant to hurt you, or if they refuse to apologize or listen, move on from it and distance yourself from them. Know that you were the better person for acting mature and sticking up for yourself. They’re the ones with the problem, not you. Remember not to ruminate. Set boundaries with other people and let them know what's okay and what's not okay.

 

It's also important to accept the fact that we will always be hurt at one time or another and that it’s a part of life. Let it be a learning experience that teaches you the importance of showing kindness towards others. Always listen to other people and show that you care. Apologize if necessary (even if it wasn't intentional). It’s all about communication and getting our needs met.

Tell others that words, indeed, can hurt, and teach them the value of showing kindness and compassion towards others.

Follow me on social media...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram