I love being up in the morning to see the sunrise. And then going back to bed.

You guys, I swear. I told you I took three days off work after having a crying jag at my boss, right? This is the second of those days. Yesterday? I worked 9 hours. Today? I didn't even look at my email until 11am, and I've been working the two hours since, because apparently I really can't leave. I don't mind training new people, but she shouldn't be given other peoples' work when she hasn't even learned how to send a proof to an author yet!

Zen, what would happen if you did NOT check e-mail? You need to be able to take worry free time off.

Trying to take my own advice, I'm trying to schedule some days off over the next few months as I'm rapidly approaching the point where I will cap out on my vacation time. I'm guilty of working overtime to get ahead so I can take a Friday off, but since I worked OT, I can't take hours from my PTO account.

Ugh Zen, boss needs to study up on the definition of taking a day off.

Sorry about the cranky, shrift, msbelle, -t, and anyone else who's having *that* kind of day.

I just finished up on another phone meeting and it went really well, but shitballs am I behind on my work! Going to try and power through a couple pieces today. Yesterday was too dang hot and humid and all around awful for me to do anything past going to work, teaching, and being generally present when my body needed to be present. And then came home to similarly cranky kids who needed to be nudged through a mound of homework. Franny finished up her work at 9:30 pm. Second week of school, folks! This is gonna be another long year.

Zen, what would happen if you did NOT check e-mail? You need to be able to take worry free time off.

Seconded.

There's a fundraiser today for one of our employees who I don't know but I guess he needs help with medical bills or something. Anyway, to raise money some group is selling hotdogs and nachos, so I got some because I like to chip into crowdfunding when I can but they are not as delicious as I had doped they would be. I don't know why my expectations were higher, it's not like there's an actual kitchen anywhere here (which still boggles my mind WE MAKE POTS AND PANS WHY DON'T WE HAVE A STOVE?!?!?!)

I read about friends who have these really smart kids who are self-motivated and take care of all their homework by themselves, and it's all generally correct, and parents just sit back and beam at their wonderful children's wonderful As, A+s, commendation letters, etc. Said kids are also incredibly well rounded and in addition to always getting A+s, they excell at sports, musical instruments, and volunteering with the homeless. I am assuming that those parents are telling the truth, and it's just me with the kids who'd rather A) post pics to Instagram (girl), or B) play Terraria or Minecraft (boy).

it's just me with the kids who'd rather

Not just you. Remember all my struggles with getting CJ through school? We weren't positive he would graduate until the week before grad. This after having a kid who got great grades, who did homework without prodding, and was able to balance a competitive sport. No clue why my kids were so differently motivated. But you are NOT alone.

Zen, what would happen if you did NOT check e-mail? You need to be able to take worry free time off.

I tried that once! I went to England for two whole weeks and didn't check my work email once. I came back to find that not a single thing had been done on my work. Nothing. The girl who was supposed to be my back-up was apparently told by my boss that since she was so busy with her own work, she shouldn't "worry" about mine. So I came back from vacation to two weeks' worth of late papers and frantic authors.

If I don't do it, no one will. Literally. The work will just sit there. And when I'm asked why it's late, "I was on vacation" or "I was out sick" is never an acceptable excuse, and neither is "my back-up was incompetent".

And oh my GOD the barrage of STUPID emails I just fielded. Yes, OF COURSE there should be commas and spaces between the authors' names in the byline, YOU IDIOT.

This is really restful. Why didn't I ever take a mental health break before?

Burrell, that's their highlight reel, and not the whole film. You're not seeing all of the work it took to get them there, and maintain it. Said kids are probably stressed to the gills, and don't have an unscheduled moment ever.

You have wonderfully funny, smart, inquisitive, artistic, quirky, and amazing children. I'll take kids who can improvise over ones that just follow directions without questioning them every day. Stop beating yourself up.

Zen, you need to unplug. I wish I could help you.

I read about friends who have these really smart kids who are self-motivated and take care of all their homework by themselves, and it's all generally correct, and parents just sit back and beam at their wonderful children's wonderful As, A+s, commendation letters, etc. Said kids are also incredibly well rounded and in addition to always getting A+s, they excell at sports, musical instruments, and volunteering with the homeless.

Those people don't exist. I promise.

I was supposed to get an Amazon package yesterday. When there was no package, I checked the online tracking, which said, "A carrier delay has occurred." Under details, it said "1:02 PM Undeliverable - Incorrect Address." I was here at that address at 1 p.m. Am I supposed to do something or hope USPS figures it out?