Key Takeaways
- The author struggles with illness while trying to meet deadlines, emphasizing the challenges of self-employment.
- Recent bad weather added stress, but the author appreciates being able to work from home safely.
- Despite her health, the author commits to fulfilling blogging responsibilities and updates readers on upcoming projects.
- The author announces a book signing at the Denison Library Book Fest and promotes her upcoming comedy show, ‘Lend Me a Soprano.’
- The author encourages reader engagement through comments and subscriptions, highlighting her expertise in pet behavior.
Working Despite Coughs & Crud
Meeting deadlines, from the boss or your own inner task matter, can add to the stress level especially when under the weather with illness. For the past week, I’ve battled the “crud” with congestion, fever, coughing, aches and more. Apparently, everything from the flu, pneumonia, colds and any combination thereof have afflicted many of my friends here in North Texas. I sure hope you dodged the bug!
To complicate matters, Mother Nature threw a tantrum last weekend and delivered 6 inches of sleet and ice, topped with snow. It looks gorgeous. And I’m very grateful both my husband and I could continue our work from the snug, warm safety of our home without venturing onto impossible/impassable roads.
When you work for someone or a company, there’s always a bit of “wiggle room” built in, and you can call the Boss to say you’re just not able to attend to business and need a sick day. But that doesn’t happen when you work for yourself. It reminds me of that commercial playing these days, where the parent tries to tell the toddler, “I need a sick day…”
When you work for yourself, that just ain’t happening.
So those of us who are self-employed limp along and do our best to fulfill commitments. I don’t remember the last time that I forgot to post a blog on time. When I speak too long, it triggers a coughing fit. Gallons of hot tea (with honey) seem to help but there’ve been a couple of days I wanted to unscrew my head to get rid of the yuck and the painful breathing/choking/coughing trifecta.
I’m a bit better today. And I promise, you can’t catch my “bug” by reading the blog, it’s not that kind of virus, LOL! I did want to update y’all on my must-do-projects I worked on despite the brain-fuzz-icity.
Book Signing Appearance
I’ll have a table (and lots of BOOKS TO PAW-TOGRAPH) next Saturday February 7th at the Denison Library Book Fest. Y’all come! Oh, and just FYU you may not immediately recognize me because I’ll still wear part of my costume (A 1934 wig I’ve named “Lucy”) from the evening’s performance. Read on!
LEND ME A SOPRANO
Next weekend we open for a three-weekend run of a side-splitting comedy LEND ME A SOPRANO. Because of the ice storm, I had lots of unexpected time to concentrate on the script. But because nobody could get out on the ice, we lost a whole week’s rehearsal time. Last night, we rehearsed via ZOOM and continue to pray the ice melts enough we can gather for onstage rehearsals again to play catch-up.
Hey, the show must go on! Our cast is brilliant, so I’ve no doubt we’ll rise to the occasion and hope y’all come out to enjoy the laughs we all need–and deserve during these times. Here are the details:
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Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE! Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
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Thanks, I enjoy this!
The CWA/Blogpaws conference looks fantastic! I love the panels and just wish I could sit in on the Publish or Perish discussion. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
I know, Serena, I can’t wait! I’m hoping that they record or live-stream some of the panels, will keep you posted. This “crud” apparently hangs on a long time, so I’m trying to stay out of the public and just work through it at home. Already gave it to my husband. 🙁
I hope this finds you feeling much better today. This bug going around now is wicked. Some time when I worked in the office and I called in sick, I think it was a different level of acceptance than it was when I worked at home and was sick. I kinda think they thought hey we worked at home and we could stay in bed if we needed to and then work awhile – just as long as we got our production. I was such a workaholic I felt a little guilty calling in sick and very rarely did. Enjoyed your blog this week. I love the title of your book of stories that you wrote when working as a vet tech. Congrats on your CWA Conference/Program Chair – what an honor! Looking forward to the name the dog and cat contest because I know the new book is not far off! Can’t wait to read it. Hugs to you and the fur kids.
Hi Patricia, I’m fearful now my husband caught the bug. And his busy tax season is ready to launch, yikes! I’ve had more energy both yesterday and today and got a bit caught up on things but still sooooo far behind.
Thanks for the kind words as always. The CWA appointment is …not sure “honor” is the word, but I do appreciate the confidence and just hope not to let people down. It’s a LOT of work so it’s not just me, but a big team effort.
Better get back to work on the book!
Amy, you’re an amazing woman. But do take care of yourself. We want you healthy and doing your pet-icity best.
Awww…thanks Nancy. Trying to take it easy tonight. *s*