Not 2

Dear Friends and Family,

And just when I thought I was in my final countdown mode, I found out my boss is on vacation all next week. This gives me three options:

1. quit before he leaves: This is an unattractive option because I'm not ready (e.g. I haven't cleared my phone and computer yet) and it'll put a damper on his vacation, not much of a damper, but a damper nonetheless.
2. quit while he is gone: I'm sure the first thing that my boss' boss would do is email my boss on vacation and let him know. He'll wonder why I couldn't do this before he left for vacation or after he came back from vacation. I also like my boss more than my boss' boss so I'd rather have the conversation with him. He's earned that.
3. quit after he comes back: This seems like the least unattractive option of the three. It does mean I'll only have two weeks of transition and it does mean I'll have to put in my best faith effort at working next week. And it does mean I need to rejigger my to do list a little. And I'm not sure if I'll take this Friday off after all, but I guess this is the path I'm headed down.

I'm not sure it's the best option. Come back from a week at Jamaica. Have your employee quit on you. But, what's option B? Not much better, truth be told.


Cheers!
mouse

3

Dear Friends and Family,

Three.

Three.

Three!!!

Three.

That's 1, 2, 3. Three.

Three more days to the week. Then, I have Friday off. And, hopefully, I am giving my notice on Monday next week.

Yesterday was a stupid day. I got into a battle of wills with a business partner over the stupidest of things. It was like high school. But, I stood my ground. In hindsight, if I was staying, I would have probably written her boss and told him that we hadn't finalized the decision yet so badgering me wasn't going to help any. But, I didn't.

Know why? Because I have three days left.


Cheers!
mouse

07.29.13: Frenetic, but Happy Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

Not a weekend I would have planned for in any way, shape, or form, but in addition to having our neighbors over from the winter cabin, we flew home for my cousin's wedding and saw Book of Mormon. Oh, and this week counts down the second to last week before I give notice. See? Not a weekend I would have planned for in any way, shape, or form.

The wedding itself was fun. The food at the cocktail hour was better than the food at the dinner. The highlights were how happy my uncle and aunt were that we could make it, learning that one of my favorite cousins has moved back to the states, catching up with my brother, watching P dance, and taking photos in the photo booth with P.

I think she wants more photo booth pictures so Mr. mouse and I are trying to figure out how to manage that one... Unfortunately, we didn't get one of the strips that P and I took, but I'm going to focus on the positive with the one we did get. I think the guy manning the booth didn't realize we did two of them. Sigh.

Then, we came home and Mr. mouse took P to the park while I went to see Book of Mormon with my neighbors. It was so funny, I laughed until I cried. We came home and I had a chance to catch up with the Mom and Daughter while Mr. mouse went out for wine, steaks and baguette with the Dad.

It was a little brisk, but we enjoyed time on the roof. And, that, my friends, is a perfect way to finish off a happy weekend.


Cheers!
mouse

5

Dear Friends and Family,

I got through my meetings yesterday and outside of that my day was quite dull.

I realized something, my days are quite dull when my old boss is on vacation. Let's call him Joe, when Joe is out, life is easier. Unfortunately, I think Joe is back next week.

This morning I have two meetings. I think I'll leave after those meetings. After all, Joe is back next week. Is that bad?


Cheers!
mouse

6

Dear Friends and Family,

It's getting harder and harder to fill my days at the office. Since I'm not taking on new work and I'm not really thinking ahead to what should be worked on, my days are slowly emptying. It's the most boring feeling ever.

Fortunately, my day today is chock-a-block full. Then, tomorrow, I may go in for a meeting and then enjoy the rest of the day out in the sun. Is that bad? I may, I may not. I may, instead, go shopping for a new phone. I need a new phone.

We'll see how motivated I feel tomorrow. Until then, I'll attend my meetings and not try to complain too much.


Cheers!
mouse

7

Dear Friends and Family,

Work is getting dull. I'm not kicking off a lot of new work because I'm loathe to start something that can't be finished. And, the stuff on my plate is eminently manageable. So, I find myself with a lot of free time on my hands. I'm sure I'm due for a fire drill that occupies all of my day and let's work pile up around me. Still, until then, I'll enjoy myself and read more on-line.

I updated my to do list and found that it's a mess of stuff that needs to happen in the next four weeks. Nothing like having stuff to do to galvanize a mouse into action. Lots of stuff for P's current school, P's new school, and for me to quit.

Seven days left. That's not a lot of days.


Cheers!
mouse

8

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm tired of waiting. Are you tired of waiting?

One day down, another eight to go. This is worse than waiting for The Prince of Cambridge's birth. Because, royal babies don't change my day-to-day life, leaving work for the first time without something solid and specific lined up does. At least, with this, it's finite, we know what the end game looks like.

Eight days to go and then I can give my notice. In the mean time, there's so many little things I can focus on - like getting a new cell phone since I use my work phone for nearly everything, and finishing up our will since I thought we were angling to do that before I left work, and clearing out my computer. And, then there's stuff for leaving school - like presents and downloading photos. And, then there's stuff for new school like our meeting this afternoon.

Perhaps I should focus on all of that instead of focusing on merely watching the days go by. Because there's nothing quite like watching paint dry to drive a mouse to distraction.


Cheers!
mouse

07.22.13: Howdy Y'all

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a busy, busy weekend with friends in town from Wisconsin. Our old neighbor and his girlfriend came in for the weekend and we had a ton of fun.

Friday night we gorged on Cuban food. Saturday, we went for dim sum and then went to the museum to see a couple of exhibits they were interested in. P fell asleep at the museum, but she had fun while she was awake.

We spent Saturday evening on the deck eating ice cream and pizza and enjoying the wonderful weather. We came in when the ominous clouds came in. And, we spent the rest of the evening playing with P. When P fell a sleep, we played spades, girls vs. boys until we were all ready to pass out.

Sunday, I went to church. Then, P and I went to the park to play in the sprinklers while Mr. mouse went on a bike ride with our friends. The afternoon was a bit of a mish-mosh because we were all a little tired. Mr. mouse made magic fried rice. Our friends went for a walk. P and I took naps.

Then, they had to leave. And, we had the evening to eat dinner and wind down the weekend.

And, now it's Monday and I have nine more days at work before I give notice. Nine. That's right. Nine.


Cheers!
mouse

Two More Weeks

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday! And, I'm tired.

It will be nice when it's the weekend. As in, it'll be nice when I'm done with work today. Then, I'll have two weeks left before I give notice. Honestly, I'm getting a little tired of the charade. I'll be happy once I can have the discussion with my boss and begin to really wind down.

Last night, another one of my analysts left work. He's headed to the Bay area to join a technology company. I managed him when he was just out of school. And, now he's 25 and infinitely more mature than when I had him. It's nice to see progress. I'm proud of him and I'll miss him.

I'm beginning to keep a list of people I need to include on my farewell email. Such is life. Happy Friday!


Cheers!
mouse

Play Date II

Dear Friends and Family,

We had our second play date with P's new class yesterday. P had a lot of fun running around the playground. Other parents told us how cute she is, although I'm assuming that's something they say about a lot of girls. We had a chance to spend more time talking to the other parents. And, all in all, it got us one step closer to week 1 of school in September.

It'll be here before we know it. That'll be good.


Cheers!
mouse

Now What?

Dear Friends and Family,

We got back P's test results from her psycho-educational report. The evaluator had nothing but positive things to say about her. Not to brag, but here are some quotes:

• exceptionally bright young lady with a myriad of talents and abilities
• happy, gentle personality
• lengthy attention span despite her young age
• conscientious and persistent in her problem-solving efforts
• in school, P would be considered an exceptionally quick thinker
• P demonstrates exceptional cognitive abilities
• she would benefit from an educational program appropriate for highly gifted children
• consider offering P grade advancement for all or part of the day especially in reading

Now, we can order new books for P. We can glow about the report for two or three days. And then we can go back to enjoying our wonderful four-year-old who still loves to play peekaboo with Daddy.


Cheers!
mouse

07.16.13: Home Again

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a fabulous weekend visiting with our Motor City friends. We drove out Saturday afternoon and got to Ann Arbor in time to play in the playground before going out to dinner.

Sunday, Mr. mouse took P down to the hotel pool. Then, we went to see a Tigers game. It was a scorcher. We didn't even make it one full inning in our seats. Fortunately, we caved before everyone else did and found a table and three chairs in the air conditioned lounge and watched the game from there. In one sense it was sad to be at the ball park watching a game on television, but in another sense, we enjoyed ourselves more, which, I guess, is ultimately what matters.

Sunday night we saw our friends, Auntie Lisa and her family. P had so much fun coloring her rocket ship. And, we had fun catching up with the grown-ups. P's begun playing by herself more. It's nice she's showing her independence, but I hope she doesn't leave Mr. mouse and me altogether. I still like playing with her. I'm not ready for her to grow up yet.

Monday, we had our dentist visit. Mr. mouse got a chipped tooth fixed. I apparently had a cracked tooth that the dentist fixed. And, P went through her exam with flying colors.

We spent the afternoon with our friends D and D. D played Legos with P building a fire truck filled with fire fighters while D, the other D, and I spent the afternoon talking. We drove home through some miserable rain, but got home the same time flights would have.

And, now it's Tuesday and I have three more weeks until I give notice. And, this week is a short week to boot. Hooray!


Cheers!
mouse

Another Friday, Another Week

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday. That means I'm closing out another week at work.

This was a slow week. But, it was a good week. We spent yesterday afternoon laying out plans for the fall. I won't be there to execute any of it, but I feel like I've given the teams the tools to think about it and I've given the teams enough of my vision that they can execute it without me. And, that's a good thing.

I also gave notification at P's school. Her last day is officially August 23rd. It's becoming real.

I'll miss work. But, at the same time, I'm excited about retiring from the work I've known for the past two decades and moving on to my next chapter of life where I have more flexible work and time for myself.


Cheers!
mouse

Losing Our Bliss

Dear Friends and Family,

We've decided to get P tested. I'm not sure the number matters to me. But, there are programs we want to enroll her in that require testing and passing. Unlike crazy parents, we are not preparing for the test. Honestly, it's a chance to know where your kid is at. Why would I want fake results?

This Saturday we peg a number on our kid. I'm still not sure the number matters to me. But, there is a piece of me that is curious.

If she's 100, what does that mean? If she's 120, what does that mean? If she's 140, what does that mean? If she's 160, what does that mean? Do we do anything different in any of these scenarios? I'm not sure and that's why I'm not sure the number matters to me.

Saturday at 10, we go in for testing. If ignorance is bliss, we'll be a little less blissful after we find out whatever there is to know.


Cheers!
mouse

I'm All Alone

Dear Friends and Family,

Last night, during bath, P had a very sad moment. It started with water in her mouth and then went to something about her knee and then went to someone hitting her at school and then went to the root cause of her sadness, she misses her teacher who left in June and her best friend who also left in June. She says she is all alone. Most of the kids have paired up and she is bereft without her pair.

It really broke my heart to hear her. I was a lonely kid at school. From 4th to 6th grade, I had one close friend at school. I would have been crushed if she moved. And 7th and 8th grade, when my parents moved me, I had two close friends. I'm still friends with them, mostly through Facebook. Again, I would have been crushed if either of them moved.

So, I feel really bad for P. I'm going to talk to her this morning and also call the teachers this afternoon. I want P to end her four years at school on a high note, not remember her school for the place she was lonely.


Cheers!
mouse

Four Weeks and Counting and Sometimes Conflicted

Dear Friends and Family,

There are days I enjoy work. Like yesterday. Yesterday was a good day.

And, after days like that, I am a little sad to be thinking about leaving at the end of summer. And, the money always feels nice. At the same time, I am excited about the prospect of taking time off, of focusing on my health and cleaning the house, of working on my idea.

Why am I never happy? I guess I am happy. It will be hard to leave, but it will be good to leave. I will miss the comfort of work. I will miss the security of a pay check. I will miss the routine of work. I will miss my friends. It will be hard to leave, but it will be good to leave.

I should enjoy the remaining time. And, in the process, I'm sure I'll encounter some bad days that will remind me that not every day is a good day like yesterday.


Cheers!
mouse

07.08.13: Staycation 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

In the end, we decided to stay at home for the four day weekend. And, I had so much fun, I'm glad we did.

Thursday, we decided to take P to the carnival. There's something about it. Maybe it's growing up near the beach and the broad walk as a kid and remembering going to the ride the rides. Maybe it's high school trips with friends. Maybe it's childhood trips with my grandfather. I like going. And, I'm glad P likes going.

We bought an all you can ride bracelet for $50 that was good for four days. P rode close to 50 rides between our trip on Thursday and our return visit on Saturday, if not more, so it was well worth the initial outlay. We finished with a family ride on the carousel. P also won a mini rocket launcher and a yellow dolphin.

Friday, P rode her scooter and went to the park with Mr. mouse. Apparently she went splashing in the fountains and came home dripping wet. She's so much fun.

In the afternoon, we went to another festival. This one was to watch the hot air balloons, which did not launch. The balloon glow was fun and the fireworks couldn't have been closer. The funniest part of it all? We decided to get a wagon to haul the lawn chairs. And, in the process, we learned that P is something of a wagon connoisseur asking about shade covers and other features before we bought the wagon. She was giddy riding in it on the way back to the car, offering to hold the picnic blanket on her lap to do her part in carrying stuff. Moments like these are what make it worth it to have a kid.

Saturday night, after the carnival, we went to a birthday party for one of P's friends. She had a blast going down the slide and riding the paddle boats. She's a natural with the boats. We had fun catching up with other parents and eating fried chicken. Yum.

Sunday, we weren't firing on all cylinders on Sunday. We skipped church. We went to the wrong restaurant for the race. When we went to the right restaurant, we were late so we didn't get to eat. And, then we headed out to the ball game. Fortunately, things seemed to be going better. We enjoyed a good game and P made it home awake.

We had some hiccups Sunday night in discussing our wills and stuff. But, I refuse to let that mar what would have been a perfect end to a wonderful weekend with Mr. mouse and P.

In fact, I'll skip ahead to going to bed. We found a mountain of stuffed animals on the bed when we went upstairs to our room. Apparently P had hidden them all there to keep them safe from ghosts. That explains the empty bins in her room. Too funny.


Cheers!
mouse

Staycation 2013?

Dear Friends and Family,

After laming out for Memorial Day, I griped about staying home for 4th of July. But, honestly, there's so much going on here, I'm tempted to lame out and stay home for the long weekend. If we can round out a few more activities, I think I could be tempted to stay home.

I just don't want to sleep the four day weekend away.


Cheers!
mouse

P and Her Rocks

Dear Friends and Family,

Want to hear about classic over thinking?

P picks up lots of rocks at school and gives them to Mr. mouse and me as presents. She says the most endearing things when she gives them to us. "Mommy, this is a special present just for you because I love you so much," would be a typical phrase that accompanies a small rock from her playground.

If it's the thought that counts, each rock is worth more than winning the lottery. It's a token of love from my one and only daughter.

Or, it may that P is play acting just like she is play acting when she pretends to be an astronaut or a firefighter.

Or, it may be that P doesn't have any other gifts she can give. She doesn't have money to buy gifts. Is stealing rocks from the playground acceptable? Or does that just lead to stealing in general? Is it really stealing if she knows that the majority of rocks go in a plastic bag and go back to school once we have too many of them at home?

See? Over thinking.

I will save some of the rocks with the quotes that accompanied them. I will assume that the sentiment is sometimes real and sometimes play acting. I will return most of the rocks to school so the children will have more rocks to gift next summer. I will assume this does not lead to stealing in general. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I will continue to savor each gift as if I won the lottery, because in a sense I did.

I have a small window of time to enjoy a very precious love - at some point P will not be as generous with her hugs and kisses and gifts. I'm glad she still is, for now.


Cheers!
mouse

07.01.13: Happy Second Half the Year, Everyone

Dear Friends and Family,

In true mouse fashion, I slept a good piece of Saturday. I hope this doesn't mean my thyroid is still hypothyroid. Because if it is, that might mean a lifetime of medication which will make me a little sad.

We went to a friend's birthday party Saturday night. And, that was Saturday.

Sunday, we went to church. Then, to see the race. And, then, we had a plethora of options. We gave P the option of going to a festival to learn about butter and cheese. We gave her the option of going to a carnival to ride more rides. And, we gave her the option of going to the zoo.

She picked the zoo. Unfortunately, zoo #1 was packed with people coming to see some entertainers. So we went to zoo #2. Zoo #2 is smaller, but it was worth it to skip the mobs of kids.

We went for a long walk after the zoo and ate dinner along the way. When we asked P what the highlight of her day was, she said it was riding the zoo train. Mr. mouse's was finding a good parking spot. Mine was seeing my favorite driver in second place, although I later learned he finished fifth. Or, maybe mine was waking from nap to see sand and a blue lake. I finally decided mine was hearing P's voice at the bottom of the stairs when she woke up and came downstairs.

Life is good.


Cheers!
mouse