Wade, I'd be jealous if it weren't equally gorgeous here. 🙂 Today it's 80 degrees and dry. Just lovely to be outside.

Marketing does suck, but think of each query as practicing your technique. Every contact is you trying to perfect your communications. Maybe just a shift in perspective will help it suck less. 🙂

You mean I have to INSPIRE, too? Ugh! I need another vacation! LOL

Paula, I know what you mean. It's the cloud over that day that hurts, not the memories of the person, but that pain of loss that's hard to take. I'm glad you and your sister are able to talk each other through it. I'm sure your brother doesn't forget – he just doesn't want to talk about it, I'd bet.

Good for you for putting your foot down! I wouldn't say yes to work like that, either.

Hugs right back, Anne. 🙂 You make me feel good – all that missing me. Likewise. I was a little at loose ends without you and this community.

It is gorgeous, Nicky! I could get used to that place. We did some decent hiking and enjoyed the restaurants (we're turning into lazy campers).

Consider yourself hugged my dear.

Paula, my dad died in 1972, and, every year, at the anniversary of his death, I turn into that 10 year old again. Good for you for laying down the law with the client!

This week has been rough. Not work wise, but mentally. Funny how after all these years the anniversary of my mom's death still sends my mind back to that time, and I start thinking like a kid again. It happens to my sister, too, so we had a few lengthy phone calls that day. (Our brother never seems to remember the exact date, so why ruin his good day by bringing it up?) I should have been working on an article that's due this week, but just couldn't force myself to do more that day than send a couple of e-mails.

Yesterday I turned down an assignment from one client. They aren't past due on payments, but have a history of letting invoices pile up before finally paying. I said I refuse to get stuck in that mess again. Once the assignment is paid for, I can accept another. The ball is in his court. (That's step one of the new collection plan I mentioned a couple weeks back.)

The article is still looming, but my mood has cleared. (Beautiful cool, sunny weather sure has helped!)I'm taking part of today off. My sister is dropping her dogs off for a long weekend, and we might do some b-day shopping for our nephew and niece. And lunch. (Better yet – she always pays for lunch when I'm watching her dogs!)

I can't wait for the day when work comes to me. The marketing aspect of this job becomes draining. So glad to have you back Lori and I'm happy that your trip was fun. Now write another inspiring post! 🙂

If everyone lets one person in front of them, we can all get there on time. But the selfish drivers won't. We have the NY-NJ drivers up here now, and they're causing all kinds of unnecessary problems.

New monitor, or is it more serious? Fingers crossed that it's fixed soon. Sucks to be without your main artery. 🙁