Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Well, it's nearly the end of an era.  The new owner of our insurance agency came by on Sunday and picked up the files.  Today the phones flipped over to his agency.  I did have to call one customer back on my cell phone because she was upset that she hadn't gotten to talk to me.  Sigh. 

With no phones or internet, I started packing stuff and throwing out stuff.  Lonnie and I went out to the local barbeque place and ate.  Then I came home and let the dogs out.  We brought home a long table and the fax and Lonnie is bringing home his work computer so he can work out of the house until everything is settled with the new owner.  Then we have to sell all the furniture and move everything out of the office space.  Crayzee!

On the holiday, we had a busy weekend.  My nephew graduated high school.  We went to that and then a cookout and celebration at his parents (my brother and his wife's) house.  After we got home, we sat out by the pool and swam.   Sunday we met the new owner, helped him load the file cabinets.  One of our tenants, a young massage therapist, also had a friend come and get her stuff.    We cooked bratwurst and swam.

Monday we cooked ribs and yes - swam.  My daughter came over.  Fun day.  The dogs were exhausted from all the frisbee playing and swimming.

Today was a wash - though I have personal training at 5 pm tonight.  Still haven't been able to touch the synopsis's - maybe tomorrow.  I really want those done and sent to my agent.

Wish me luck.

Monday, May 30, 2011

A must read.  http://erstories.net/archives/4424

Friday, May 27, 2011

It's Friday and I'm exhausted.  Still fielding calls from customers wanting and explanation.  I did work out last night with my trainer and it was rough.  But good, in a tired muscle, sweaty kind of way. 

This is Memorial Day weekend - a three day weekend.  Usually, we'd go camping for this.  But tomorrow my nephew graduates from high school and then Sunday the new agency owner is coming to pick up the files.

And there are my synopsis's - halfway done.  I need to finish them.  Soon.  Once I sleep.  And this is over. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Things are crayzeeeee at the day job . We are in the final throes of transferring the business to the new agency. Letters and phone calls have gone out to the customers. The General Agents have been notified, both verbally and via email and snail mail. The phones get forwarded tomorrow. The new owner is coming up this weekend to pickup the files and transport them to his agency.

It's been so busy that I haven't had time at all to work on my synopsis's. Or work out. I keep telling myself not too much longer.... And tonight I have the personal trainer, so I know I'll be working out then. Which is good. Right?

Finally, the guy who lives behind us has such a junky back yard (with chickens and rabbits - and no, I do not live in the country, but in a nice suburban area) that he has rats living in his yard. They come in our yard to eat the bird seed. Since we can't put out poison because of the dogs and because I hate to kill anything, we set humane traps. Yesterday we caught a really fat rat and my husband drove it to a non-populated, wooded area and set it free.

Today we caught another one, not as fat as the first, but longer. I took a picture of it with my camera phone, so I could share it with you. But the image thing doesn't appear to be working on blogger, so I'll try again later today if I get a chance.

HERE YOU GO!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I wrote a post for yesterday, complete with images.  But everytime I uploaded it, the images disappeared.   I even tried again this morning and no luck, so I just deleted it and am starting over.

I had a perfectly lovely weekend, even though we didn't go to the lake place. We didn't go because the weather forecasters were prediction bad storms with chance of hail and tornados. Quite frankly, the last place I would want to be in weather like that is a camper trailer.

So, we stayed home. I went shopping for a dress to wear to my nephew's high school graduation and also got groceries. It was hot - the humidity level was through the roof and even sitting in the shade could make you perspire.

We did swim a bit - or at least the dogs and the hubby did.  I sat in the shade under the outdoor ceiling fans and sweltered.

The sale of the business is going well.  Today we should receive the contract and down payment from the buyer.  Then I have to send notice to customers and get everything ready for the buyer to pick up this weekend.  Then we have to liquidate the furnishings, after we move the things we want to keep to our home.

Oddly enough - even though I'm ecstatic to get to write full time - it's sort of bittersweet too.  I guess because I've devoted 12 years of my life to this business.  Shrug.  I'll get over it, I know.  And, after a well-deserved vacation, I can focus on my writing career with a single-minded dedication.

Now THAT's going to be weird.  Talk about an adjustment.  I have to learn a new routine and let my creativity come back full force rather than delegating it to a certain time period of the day.

I can't wait.  And, as I've mentioned before, one of the first things I'm going to do is redesign my office.  I'm bringing my awesome desk home from the business.  I'll probably be selling this one.

Ah well, back to it.  I don't think I'll post any pictures today after the way it wouldn't work yesterday.  Maybe next post.






























Now I'm back at the day job, trying to work on the two synopsis's that I need to turn in by the end of the week. Oh, and blogging, of course.

Thursday May 19, 2011

Last post, I told you about my collection of stuffed dogs.  Now, I'd like to tell you a little about my REAL dogs.

I have three.  Because my daughter is grown, my dogs have become my children, in a way.  My fur-babies.

The Boxer to the left is Mac Macadoo.  He's my baby, the youngest dog in my small pack.  He will be five this July.  He's a big-hearted clown, full of energy and mischief.  He's also very smart, and was easy to train.  I honestly think that if I'd had the time and inclination, he would have made an awesome obedience competition dog. 

Mac loves to swim, play frisbee and ball.  Everything he does, he does with gusto - playing, eating, even sleeping.  He's the first Boxer I've ever loved, but he certainly won't be the last.
Another picture of Mac.

Next up is my Mitchell Thomas.  He's the middle child (he'll turn 10 in August) and he's my lap puppy.  He's great to go anywhere, because all he wants is to be with me.  He can sleep on my office chair all day while I work, he loves car rides, playing tug of war, swimming, and most especially watching TV.  Yes!  He loves to watch TV and videos, especially those with animals.  He whines at them, barks at them, and has been known to run up to the TV to try and get them.  I love this little guy so much. 

Here's one more of Mitchell sleeping.

And finally, we have my oldest dog.  Her name is Daisy Mae, and she turned 12 last April.  She has Cushing's Disease and has to take medication, but she can still be fiesty.  Until recently, she was the Pack ruler, but lately since she's slowed down, the Boxer has taken over some of her duties.  She's still fiesty!

And here she is again. 

I love my dogs.  A lot.



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

 I collect stuffed dogs.  Yes, I confess. It's silly, lame, and childish and a lot of fun.  And actually, I do it for my own pleasure, so who does it hurt? Plus, now that I'm - gulp - 50, I can do whatever I want!  Right?

I've collected my dogs over the years at various places, some soveniers from trips, others random purchases at grocery stores or on Ebay.



Each one brings me pleasure.  Many of them have memories.  Some of them represent dogs I've loved and had as pets.

I love every single one of them.  Even the whimsical ones.



Or the ones that don't look completely real.  Like this bulldog, dressed up. 

The stuffed dogs are the reason I've decided not to move my writing office downstairs to what is now the formal living room.  I think once I'm writing full time, I'll switch out with the exercise room (formerly my daughter's bedroom).