Looking Ahead on the To Do List

Dear Friends and Family,

In the quest to get to a blank to do list, we're making progress. Now a blank to do list goal is kind of like a zero defect goal. I don't think, realistically, you ever really get there.

But, here's the status of it. It's not that bad.

"The Nows" and "The September Projects"

1. P's clothing. There's fall clothes. There's winter gear (coat, hat, mittens, boots). And, there's shoes. We were able to cross of Halloween costume because P wants to be an astronaut again so we'll recycle last year's costume.
2. Toy organization plan. There's toys everywhere. We need to put some away and find a new shelf that's more geared towards P's current toys.
3. Teeth whitening. I started on Monday. Looks like it'll take about two weeks.
4. G5. It's packed away. We just need to find a home for it. It's home might be Goodwill.
5. Baby journal. It's painstaking going back and filling out the details. I think I've got a bunch of pages left for the first year. But, I've filled in one year old, two year old, three year old, and the first month. This one's gonna be tough, but worth it.

Then, I need to think about what I'm going to tackle in October. Snow tires and wedding video are high on my current list. There's 20 items on "The Laters" list that can get promoted each month to the "Active Projects" list. Our current run rate is 2 a month. So, by sometime next year, that list may be empty. I know that seems like a long time away. But, some of these projects have been on our list since 2007 which means these are longer term to dos.

And, hopefully, by sometime next year, we'll have the school thing figured out. That'll be another column off of our list.

Nothing like planning for the next year when you've still got a quarter of this year left.


Cheers!
mouse

What? It's Only Half Day?

Dear Friends and Family,

I thought I had it all figured out. P would stay at her school until next September and then she would transfer to a junior kindergarten somewhere closer to home - a place where she could then attend for elementary school.

But, it turns out that all of the junior kindergarten programs are half day. Really? Because I just assumed it would be full day.

Here's my concern. P's used to going to school for roughly 9 or 10 hours a day now. Transitioning to school from 8 to 3 would be a breeze. Why transition her to a school from 8 to noon and then have her grow her day again to 8 to 3 the next year?

I'm confident she can do it. I think.

I guess at her current school, she sleeps from noon to 3, so it's not like she's getting education during that time. Still. It's different and I need time to adjust.


Cheers!
mouse

Oh, Now I Feel Bad

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently found out my boss is getting a divorce. Apparently his wife's lawyer contacted him to let him know. Apparently this has been going on for several months now.

I'm not excusing his behavior. I still think a lot of his ideas are just plain stupid. But, I would have been more willing to cut him some slack if I had known all this was going on in his home life.

So, now I know. But, I'm not supposed to know. Pretty soon I'm going to label work posts with the Korean soap operas moniker.

Yep. It's gotten to that level of predictable drama.


Cheers!
mouse

What Would You Choose?

Dear Friends and Family,

What if?

What if, when we all paid taxes, we could designate where our tax money went? So, for instance, I could give some to air traffic control, I could give some to national parks, I could give some to road repair, etc. Or, I could designate it to a you choose bucket.

We could truly vote with our dollars. You could pick foreign aid. You could pick national security. You could pick paying down the debt. Or, you could pick an I don't care bucket.

It'd be fascinating what got funded and what didn't. Politicians wouldn't spend all their time trying to figure it out. And, the general populace, hopefully, would become much smarter about where their money goes.

What if?


Cheers!
mouse

09.24.12: Peace

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Monday. And, it feels good.

We went to a birthday party on Saturday. And, P enjoyed the Pump It Up experience. She jumped, she ran, she squealed, she laughed, she bounced, and she climbed. She played with the car. She played with the hula hoops. She ate a sandwich and she laughed when they offered her lettuce or tomato or pickles. She ate the cake and said thank you when she left.

On the way home, we stopped at the mall to stock up on pants for P. She napped when we got home while Mr. mouse and I cleaned the house.

Sunday, we went out to brunch with my friends. I love seeing them. It's fun to catch up. It's fun to hear about how they're doing. It's refreshing. After brunch, P went for a bike ride with Mr. mouse while I researched toy storage ideas. We played in the basement before heading out to a local store to look for more clothes. Note to self: not worth going back, still full of over-priced stuff.

P napped while I worked on the baby journal and Mr. mouse packed away the old computer.

We ended the evening with a harvest of all of our peppers and dinner at home.


Cheers!
mouse

Better

Dear Friends and Family,

I don't think Mr. mouse will be going on anymore dates in the near future. Or, if he does, he's going to find a more discreet way to go about it.

I think he heard loud and clear yesterday that I wasn't happy about the situation. And, I think he's sorry.

For now, I'm willing to put it behind me. I'll see if it rears its ugly head again.


Cheers!
mouse

Still Ticked

Dear Friends and Family,

Last night Mr. mouse went out for drinks with his hair cutter.

That is an odd statement in and of itself since there's a long list of people that come ahead of hair cutter in my book of people to go out for drinks with.

But, it's also odd because I thought I would be on that long list of people. And, it was just the two of them. And, Mr. mouse has been out a lot with work trips and work dinners and stuff. And, now this.

I don't resent the time alone with P. In fact, I love the time alone with her. It's just that my life consists of work, time with P and sleep. And, Mr. mouse's life consists of work, travel, work, dinner, work, fun, time with P, sleep and now drinks out with female friends, oops I mean his hair cutter.

Something is wrong with this picture. I'm not sure what my response will be the next time it comes up. But, I'm sure it won't be very pleasant. Not because I don't like time with P, but because the whole thing bothers me in a way I still can't quite articulate.


Cheers!
mouse

Wednesday, Wednesday

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Wednesday and I've got P all to myself tonight. That seems to be happening a lot recently. If I were a suspicious person, I'd probably have googled something or other by now.

As it is, I'm just not motivated enough to be truly concerned. Perhaps if I really thought something was going on, I would be. Or, perhaps, it's true, what they say, you really are the last to know.

And, on that cheerful note, Happy Wednesday.


Cheers!
mouse

Work

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Tuesday.

I should probably give you an update on the work saga.

Friday morning, I stepped into my boss' boss' office to talk about work and he gave me some very positive feedback on my work and told me I should have a discussion with my boss about how I work best. Since my boss was working from home on Friday, I decided to wait until yesterday to have the discussion since it felt like one of those discussions that work best in person.

Monday, I fumbled through a discussion with my boss. Rather than sitting down and talking seriously about it, (that would feel awkward given his style and the type of relationship we've built) I mentioned that I had been giving some thought to how best to work together. I mentioned (because I'm not a good liar) that I had talked to our boss' boss on Friday. And, we agreed, going forward, my boss would be an escalation point only, but not be in the day to day business.

Not the most elegant discussion, I'll admit. But, it accomplished my goal of getting my boss out of my hair while keeping him a working partner.

Now, work feels like a better place than it felt like on Thursday when I left the office. And, I feel like a better person, emotionally and physically.


Cheers!
mouse

09.17.12: Lovely Fall Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

We've been enjoying the lovely start of fall and the last of what was a really hot summer.

Saturday, we took P for a boat ride since we didn't have time to take the boat to Uruguay when we were in Buenos Aires. And, Sunday, we went to the Arboretum with friends. We had a picnic and let the kids run wild in some tree houses they had set up.

After much reading I've decided I am going to remove all caffeine, dairy and seafood from my diet. According to the nih.gov website I was reading dairy, seafood, and seaweed are the top three sources of iodide.

It's not a cure for hyperthyroidism. But, then again, I don't know if I'm officially hyperthyroid again. I do know when the symptoms surface from time to time, I can make myself feel better by trying to manage diet and stress. I'm not sure if it's all in my head, but as long as it makes me feel better, I can't complain.


Cheers!
mouse

Our Trip Itinerary

Dear Friends and Family,

Before I forget. Here's the detailed itinerary from our trip.

Saturday

1. flight to Panama
2. connect to Santiago
3. check into our hotel

Sunday

1. bus to the Universidad de Santiago train station
2. train to Baquedano train station
3. McDonald's (french fries for P)
4. funicular ride
5. top of the mountain
6. van ride
7. shopping
8. train to Plaza de Armas train station
9. Plaza de Armas
10. Catedral
11. walk
12. Mercado Central (closed)
13. walk
14. Constitution Square
15. walk
16. Iglesia de San Francisco
17. train to Universidad de Santiago bus terminal
18. bus to hotel
19. dinner

Monday

1. flight to Easter Island
2. van ride to Hotel Altiplanico
3. Ahu Hanga Kio'e
4. Ahu Te Peu
5. Ana Te Pahu
6. Ahu Akivi
7. Hotel Altiplanico

Tuesday

1. Ahu Vinapu
2. Ahu Vaihu
3. Ahu Akahanga (or the Ahu across the bay)
4. Ahu Tongariki
5. Playa Anakena
6. Ahu Nau Nau
7. Ahu Ature Huki
8. Rano Kau and Orongo
9. sunset at Ahu Tahai, Ahu Vai Uri, Ahu Ko Te Riku
10. dinner at Te Moana

Wednesday

1. sunrise at Ahu Tongariki
2. Ahu Hanga Tetenga
3. Ahu Akahanga
4. Rano Raraku
5. Puna Pau
6. Ahu Tautira and its sad friend
7. post office at Hanga Roa
8. cemetary at Hanga Roa
9. Ahu Tahai, Ahu Vai Uri, Ahu Ko Te Riku
10. ice cream
11. church at Hanga Roa
12. Mercado Artesanal
13. Feria Artesanal
14. dinner at Kotaro

Thursday

1. playground
2. flight to Santiago
3. connect to Buenos Aires
4. check into our hotel

Friday

1. Torre de los Ingleses
2. Monumento a los Caidos en Malvinas
3. Circulo Militar
4. Gran Suevia (bakery)
5. lunch at Broccolino
6. Galleria Pacifico
7. Owoko (kid's clothing)
8. Chuela Goye (ice cream)
9. El Ateneo (books)
10. Plaza de Mayo
11. Catedral Metropolitana
12. hotel
13. dinner at Don Julio

Saturday

1. Cementerio de la Recoleta
2. weekend market/fair at Recoleta
3. hotel - swimming pool
4. dinner at Irifune

Sunday

1. Plaza San Martin
2. train
3. Sumo (ice cream)
4. Plaza Dorr
5. San Telmo market
6. lunch at Nuestra Parilla
7. train
8. hotel
9. flight to New York

Monday

1. connect to home

And, that was how we spent the week.


Cheers!
mouse

Shut Your Pie Hole, Boss

Dear Friends and Family,

My boss and I had an unspoken agreement. He would stay out of my way and let me do my job and I wouldn't rat him out and let our management team know that he did absolutely no work.

Then, yesterday, he began to have delusions of grandeur like he should come up with more ideas and ask questions no one else is asking and contemplate hiring additional people to staff his army.

Quit the incompetence, guy, and let those of us who have a clue do the work. Go back to golf in the morning and coffee and long lunches and work outs at the gym and stop pretending to have a clue. Really.

I don't mind people riding my coattails as long as they're quiet and keep still.

I hate to say it, but, I'm going to have to be less nice to him now. No more stopping by to chat. No more going to lunch together. You're on your own, boss. Sorry.


Cheers!
mouse

Brain Dead Mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

I feel like this week has been on cruise control. I haven't been trying to make a ton of progress on much of anything.

Mr. mouse has been "busy with work" and P's been sick. I'm in the "as long as no one dies then we're doing okay" mode. This is fine when P's not sick. But, when she is there's a bit of seriousness about it in that I do need to get her back to well.

It's Wednesday. I'll consider it a success if we all make it out the door in one piece.


Cheers!
mouse

Sick Day for P

Dear Friends and Family,

P's teacher called yesterday. She officially had a fever and needed to be sent home for the rest of the day and all of the following day.

So, I'm home with her today. Fortunately she was feeling cooler last night when I checked on her. I'm hoping she wakes feeling better.

We'll see.


Cheers!
mouse

09.10.12: Weekend of Eating

Dear Friends and Family,

The first weekend back from vacation.

Saturday, P and I did our Saturday morning routine while Mr. mouse stayed home with the house cleaners. We went to breakfast. We went to the library. And, for the first time in a long time, we went to the park.

After the house was done, we decided to try and go apple picking. It's a little bit of an apple picking nightmare this year with the early spring, followed by the late winter, followed by the dry summer. The papers had been writing about it, so we figured it was a now or never thing for this fall.

The orchard we went to had tree picking. Some orchards had bin picking only which is comical. Really, pick apples from bins under the tree? How is that any different from going to a farmers' market? And, some orchards had decided to skip on any picking.

The orchard we went to had Jonathan apples only. We bought a half peck of honey crisps from their store. They aren't as amazing as the apples last year. We also bought apple pie bread, apple cider doughnuts, apple pie, and apple cider. Note to self, don't go into an apple orchard store hungry.

To cap off Saturday, we went out to dinner at a new spot by the house. It's actually in the same location as one of our old favorites and Mr. mouse and I both liked it so we may end up patronizing the new spot as well.

Sunday. Sunday. What did we do yesterday?

We went for bagels. Mr. mouse and P went grocery shopping while I napped. I filled out a random insurance claim form while P napped. We went out to dinner with Auntie Janet when P woke up. I think that was the extent of our day.

Oh. There was the logic problem Mr. mouse was working on about three prisoners and five hats. And, I started Game of Thrones.


Cheers!
mouse

Day 2: Teflon Mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

Day 2.

One cup coffee. One REALLY nasty caffeine free Diet Seven Up. Two omega six pills. No walk.

No hand tremors when I was putting together a small box for P while we were playing airport.

And, I slept like a bump on a log last night and didn't get up until the second alarm this morning.

No weight loss. I was the same weight today as I was yesterday.

Now, if I can only figure out the heat intolerance, I may feel less panicky about all of this.

I'm willing to write off hair loss, if I can solve for heat intolerance.

Oh, and you'd be so proud of me, I let all the stress of work bounce off of me. Lots of stupidity yesterday.


Cheers!
mouse

Day 1: Deleveraging

Dear Friends and Family,

In my new found push to get my "thyroid" under control, I skipped on all caffeine after my morning cup of coffee. That equates to less coffee since I typically bring drink a second cup on the drive into the office. And, it equates to two to four fewer Diet Cokes.

I took two omega three pills yesterday morning.

And, I didn't let stupidity get to me when I saw it in the office.

The results so far?

I still had overheating moments in the morning and in the afternoon. I think this happens when I'm walking down the stairs to the car, walking into the office from the car, walking out of the office to the car, and walking out of school to the car. Hmm... I see a trend here.

I still had shaky hand moments in the morning when I was labeling P's xylophone for school.

But, I did not have any 1 AM waking moments. I slept through the night!

I'll consider that a moderate success for Day 1.

My plan for today? One cup of coffee, again. Two omega three pills in the morning. Keeping the stupidity from getting to me. And, I may try going to a short walk at the office. I don't think it'll be enough of a walk to count as exercise, but I may give it a try.


Cheers!
mouse

New Top Three

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm waiting for Mr. mouse to finish sorting through photos so it'll be a couple more days until I can begin to post about our trip.

Meanwhile, I think I've got another concern. I think my thyroid may be acting up again which is a scary feeling because if it is, my treatment options are a lot more limited than last time. I've got a doctor's appointment near the end of the month anyway, so that'll be a good time to ask her to check.

Between now and then I need to figure out if I can take a couple of steps to avert disaster. My primary hypothesis is around stress management. I need to get a grip on the fact that I work with a bunch of idiots and not let that stress me out as much as it has recently. My secondary hypothesis is around food. I need to eat healthier and I need to limit my fish and caffeine intake.

Three and a half weeks until my doctor's appointment. I hope I begin to feel better between now and then. I don't think I'll like the options if I don't.

So, I guess I have a new top 3:

1. manage stress at work
2. add some exercise and/or yoga to my daily routine
3. figure out food management

Fingers crossed.


Cheers!
mouse

09.04.12: Happy Birthday to Me

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm back.

Where'd I go?

We left Saturday morning and arrived Saturday evening in Santiago, Chile. We spent Sunday in Santiago. We left Monday morning and arrived Monday mid-day on Easter Island. We spent Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and a part of Thursday on Easter Island. We left Thursday mid-day and arrived Thursday night in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We spent Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday in Buenos Aires. We left Sunday night and arrived Monday mid-day at home.

Yes, it was fabulous. Just spending a week off work, staying at a hotel, eating out, and not worrying about chores and stuff is already fabulous. Add to that the travel component and the bucket list destination, and it's bound to be over the top fabulous.

I'll write a little each day about what we did and what I learned. But, for today, the grand reveal.

I had a feeling, going on the trip, that I would learn something worthwhile on this trip. I thought it would be some secret the giant moai (Easter Island's famous statues) would reveal to me. I was wrong. It happened while I was standing at to the side of an ahu (a platform where the moai were erected) and waiting for Mr. mouse and P (she had to go potty) and I was staring at the toppled moai and wondering what it was I was going to learn.

Then, I noticed the absolutely beautiful waves of the Pacific lapping at the shores creating some rather astonishing sprays in the air. That's when I realized, that you can't be focused on one thing and focus so hard on that one thing that you lose sight of the journey and your surroundings because there's beauty in everything around you and you would miss that beauty if you're too focused.

That's my big aha.

Life can be a beautiful journey and it's important to not focus too much on one thing because then you'll miss all of the special moments that could be happening all around you because you're not open to them.


Cheers!
mouse