60 Weeks of Gratitude - Week 13
The past two weeks have been busy and chaotic. Work is tough right now for everybody. We all have spring fever and it turned off cold. The girls are working hard to keep up with their activities and schoolwork. Jeff's and my job have ratcheted up the pressure and the expectations. My bestie has been out of town. It has been a struggle. There are so many things in life to drag us down, the news, unreasonable expectations in the workplace, the cost of everything, keeping up with the house, the meals, and the laundry. It is all exhausting. Beyond that, I want to climb out of my skin in a way I haven't wanted to in years. I'm fifty-two, I guess it's about time for the night sweats and mood swings to kick in. I had dinner with some friends last week and we are all feeling the same way, overtired, undervalued, over-sensitive, and slightly off-kilter. All of that without even looking outside of ourselves and seeing the chaos happening out in the world. Paris is burning, literally.
To top it all off, my sister notified the siblings that our mother fell on Thursday and was in the hospital with a broken clavicle and broken ribs. She is so fragile since she broke her hip in 2021. She never did get back on her feet and has been bound to a wheelchair since then. She has tried, but can't get her balance or her confidence back. She has lived independently for over a year, but I'm not sure how much longer she will be able to do that. I live too far away to do much more than call every day and help her keep her spirits up. I called the hospital three times yesterday hoping to talk with her but the line was busy, then she didn't answer, then, when I spoke with the nurse's station, they told me she was asleep.
I'm struggling to find my inner gratitude this week.
Breathe.
I have a husband who loves me after twenty years together.
I have a stepson who calls to check on me when I butt-dial him at 5:15 in the morning, just to make sure everything is okay.
I have two daughters who are independent and intelligent. One of the best parts of my life is when they tell me their thoughts about the world, life, themselves, and others.
I have lovely dogs who sit at my feet every day while I plow through cases and notify me every time somebody enters the yard.
I have a book event in Carrollton on Saturday and will be surrounded by some of my favorite people in my local writer community
I have good managers and bosses. Having good managers, who let you do your work without micromanaging and undermining you is one of the most important things in a job. I will give hundred and ten percent to a manager who treats me with respect and courtesy. I am grateful for my boss, Lynn, at Red Adept, who has always let me manage my work without hovering over me. She has always made me feel valued and competent. I am grateful for my managers and the QC team at AMLRightsource, Adam, Sam, Corey, and Chris who are always there to offer an answer or support in a task that is constantly shifting and changing. I can't imagine how impossible this job would be right now with a different management crew.
I still have my mother. Even if she is fighting to come through her most recent crisis, she is still with me and still the same woman she has always been.
I have a sister and a brother who help to keep my mother healthy and whole.
I have my health.
This week I am grateful for the things I take for granted.
March Promos
Off the Dark Ledge is featured in this Quick Reads from 3/2-3/8/2023 and it is the tamest cover in the lot. The collection features Romance, Suspense, and Thriller. https://books.bookfunnel.com/romanceauthorss/ga8jgq52kx
Off the Dark Ledge is also featured in the Kickass Young Women promo featuring female leads who overcome great odds which is running from 3/1-3/31/2023
Intoxic:Alison Unseen is featured in the Audiobook Sales Promo. https://books.bookfunnel.com/m2023fiction/jxh11vces4
Intoxic: Alison Unseen is narrated by Jennifer Reilly
Hush, Delilah is featured in the Audiobook Sales Promo. is narrated by Suzie Althens
Hush, Delilah is narrated by Suzie Althens