Big Kid Now

Dear Friends and Family,

P did something for the first time yesterday. She came down by herself to play.

Now, keep in mind, P doesn't have many opportunities to wake either of us. We're up before her in the morning. Mr. mouse is up while she naps on the weekends. And, generally, Mr. mouse gets home before she wakes from her nap on the weekdays. So, there's not many opportunities for P to find herself awake alone.

But, yesterday afternoon she did. And, she decided she wanted to be alone. So, she went downstairs, turned on the light, and was reading a book when Mr. mouse got home.

I feel like we've entered a new phase in our lives. P can be wandering around the house unattended. On the one hand I'm proud of her independence. On the other hand, I'm considering putting up the baby gates again.


Cheers!
mouse

First Snowfall

Dear Friends and Family,

P did two absolutely adorable things yesterday.

It was our first snow fall where we had some snow stick to the ground. And, the whole walk home from school P was trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. One fell on her earmuff, one went in her eye, but alas no snowflakes on her tongue. So, I should have been on high alert when she tried to scoop up some snow in front of our house, but I wasn't. For some reason, I thought she had given up on catching a snowflake and wanted to try making a snowball. Well, it's a good thing the snow was clean, because she brought it up to her mouth for a taste. Her smile lit up her entire face. At the moment, I could only laugh. I guess at some point I'll have to tell her not to do that.

P also wanted to shovel snow, but I told her she would have to nap first. So, when she woke up from nap, she convinced Mr. mouse to go out and shovel with her. She shoveled enough snow to make the world's smallest snowman and she named her Roy. I spent more time than I should working on a photo book. I should have been out there with her. But, that's mom guilt speaking. I think she had as much fun shoveling the snow and making the snowman with Mr. mouse. I just missed out on the moment.

Next time, I'll do a better job of prioritizing.


Cheers!
mouse

11.25.13: Relaxing Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a most excellent weekend.

Saturday, we went to P's science fair and saw what she's been working on for the past two months. Sunday, we had a play date with one of P's old friends from old school.

The house is reasonably clean. The to do list is tamed. And, vacation starts on Wednesday morning. P has three days off from school which means I have three days off from work. Hooray! No real plans, but I'm excited to have the time with P.


Cheers!
mouse

Feeling Accomplished

Dear Friends and Family,

Yay! I was able to cross off a giant to do from my to do list. I went through over 400 emails from P's old school. I copied down names of classmates and downloaded photos of P for her photo book. I saved the files. I sorted the emails. I imported all 223 photos into iphoto. I changed the dates to match the dates the photos were originally taken. I am exhausted.

I made a commitment to cross off 18 things from my to do list this week. I have 17 things crossed off. One more and I'm at my goal for the week.

I feel accomplished. Granted I still have to clean the house. And, I still need to do some work on my old work and my new work. And, and, and.

I don't care. I think, for now, I'll savor the feeling of accomplishment.


Cheers!
mouse

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Dear Friends and Family,

My world feels smaller today. I think it's because it was gloomy outside yesterday and I was up late last night.

I think I'll feel better tomorrow. I'll get some sleep tonight and it'll be a bright new day tomorrow, emphasis on bright which brings me to a realization I have been mentally working through for a long time. I think I have seasonal affective disorder, not to the point where I need medication or intervention or anything like that, but to the point of being aware of it and taking steps to counter it.

I guess the worst of it will be now through the holidays. The days will be getting shorter. My to do list is packed which means I have less time for taking in what little light filters through on cloudy days. And, it feels like just the beginning of winter. By January, I can convince myself that I just need to stick it out a couple of more months until spring.

I know what I'll do tomorrow. I'll spend the first part of the morning working on my idea. Then, I'll spend the rest of the morning cleaning house. I know that sounds like a ridiculous plan, but I'm SO much happier when the house is in order. I think that'll counterbalance the gloominess from the winter blues.


Cheers!
mouse

Happy Hump Day

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Wednesday and another busy, busy day. I've got work. I've got lunch duty. I'm getting my flu shot. And, with a little luck, I'll feel like it was a productive day.

Oops. Just realized I spent a little too much time browsing Christmas card designs. Gotta go.


Cheers!
mouse

Summer Camp 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

Yes. It's November. But, in the crazy world we live in, it's time to begin thinking about summer camp.

I downloaded a list of 43 summer camps from various websites yesterday. Time to do some research. It looks like registration for most of them begin January 1. Based on my experience with schools, I'm assuming the best camps fill up by mid-day on the 1st. Lovely.

Life in the city, so many pluses, but so many interesting challenges.

I think I'd like to round out P's summer with some form of physical activity (swimming would be great), some form of art or dance or language, and some form of enrichment. Sure. No problem.


Cheers!
mouse

11.18.13: Race Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

We flew down to Austin for the F1 race. It was tiring, but fun. We flew in Friday, got take out barbecue, and talked the night away with our old neighbors. Then, we woke up Saturday, ate a giant breakfast, watched qualifying, and lazed the afternoon away. We took P to the park. P and I slept while Mr. mouse went to the supermarket. And, we talked to another old friend we ran into on our way out to dinner.

Saturday night, we met up with a group of friends for more barbecue. It was great catching up with old friends. I talked the night away, again, with my old neighbor. She's such a good listener, it's hard to keep track of time.

Sunday, we woke to another giant breakfast. And, we watched the race. It was warm, but not too bad considering the temperatures. We drove to the airport, picked up more barbecue and flew home.

We were all exhausted this morning. Still, it was good to see the race and great to see old friends. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we need to work around P's school schedule now.


Cheers!
mouse

Friday, Glorious Friday

Dear Friends and Family,

Wow. I slept a lot yesterday. I fell asleep with P at 5 o'clock for her nap. I slept until 8. P woke me up for dinner. I was awake until 9 o'clock when I napped while she had her bath. I got up again at 9:30. I read to P and was back in bed by 10 o'clock. I slept until my alarm clock rang this morning at 5.

I guess I was more tired than I realized.

Today, I'm going to get a quote for fixing the car. And, I'm going to get a little bit of work done. And, pick up dry cleaning, do a load of laundry, and assess the dishwasher. Then, I've got odds and ends before picking P up from school.

As Effie Trinket would say, "Its going to be a big, big, big day!"


Cheers!
mouse

Top 3, Jumping Off the Hamster Wheel

Dear Friends and Family,

I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel so I think I need to revisit something. The question is what.

Each week feels like some game to try and keep the to do list under control. Then, there's the work I'm doing to keep the house under control. And, the endless cataloging of photos from P's old school. And, the constant juggling of my work schedule.

It feels like a hamster wheel.

Realistically, there's approximately 120 more days of photos I need to download from P's old school. I've been doing about 10 days per day, give or take, for, it feels like forever. 120 more days means I should be done in two weeks. Okay, two more weeks. I can do this. Then, I'll take a break from photo cataloging. There's one more monster cataloging project. I think I'll put that on hold for the time being.

And, then, I think it's time to stop over-scheduling. I'm perpetually guilty of this. The week of the 20th (of October), my mom was in town on Wednesday and Friday. The following week, I had lunch duty and lab work and interviews and a play date. The following week, I had a book drive and a call with a friend and work and a show and a play date and friends in town. And, this week I had a doctor's appointment and now a quote on my car. And, next week I have lunch duty again and a play date.

I think, when I over-schedule my time, I get that hamster wheel feeling. Okay. Time to commit to not over-scheduling. I should really try to leave my Wednesdays and Fridays completely free to focus on my new idea. I guess the play dates don't really wreck my schedule since those are after I pick up P. I'm kind of shot through Thanksgiving, but, after that, I'm going to really try and keep my schedule under control.

Then, I think my Top 3 can stay:

1. work on my new idea
2. keep the house and the to do list under control
3. spend time with friends and family

Good job, mouse.


Cheers!
mouse

Ack

Dear Friends and Family,

I was driving to work yesterday. The traffic was horrendous. I was changing radio stations. And, all of a sudden I was in a car accident. The driver behind me rear-ended me. It wasn't a bad accident. The driver was hugely apologetic. I got his insurance information, driver's license, and phone number.

Friday, I need to go to the body shop and get a quote on fixing the car. Focusing on the important stuff, no one was hurt. Cars are fixable. People are not.


Cheers!
mouse

Tuesday

Dear Friends and Family,

Oy. It's Tuesday and I already feel behind. How is that possible? I know why. The house is a little bit messier. The to do list is a little bit longer. Work, old work, is just not engaging anymore. And, I'm shocked to realize a half year has already passed since P's birthday.

Last night, P got caught in a lie. She brought home two things from school. She claimed her teacher said it was okay for her to bring them home. Then, when I pegged her in the evening on which teacher and would the teacher agree if I asked him, she broke down in tears and confessed that she hadn't really asked her teacher before pocketing the two things and bringing them home.

There's a part of me that feels for P. I know she didn't mean it maliciously. And, it's tough to explain the difference between picking up something discarded and bringing it home and taking something that doesn't belong to you and bringing it home. I think it's just easier to say, if it doesn't belong to you, don't bring it home. I think.

It might be easier raising a puppy.

Well. It's Tuesday. I think I'll try to get the house a little neater. And, I'll try to get a couple of things scratched off of the to do list. I guess first thing's first. Time to get ready for work.


Cheers!
mouse

11.11.13: Birthday Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Monday!

We celebrated Mr. mouse's birthday weekend with Mr. mouse's best friend and his family.

Saturday, we split up.

Mr. mouse and his friend decided to go on a road trip. They picked up our snow tires at a store that sells them cheap. They also had lunch with a friend, and visited a car museum on the way home.

The moms and the kids went to a park. Then, we went out of sushi. Then, we went back to the park. We picked up cupcakes. We made birthday cards. P and the moms napped. The two older kids played.

We all regrouped for a veritable feast at home for dinner. Afterwards, the kids slept while the adults played mahjong.

Sunday, we went on another road trip.

We went to see another museum. We ate a sausage lunch with a horde of Packers fans. We picked up macarons. We ate more sushi. The kids played while the adults swapped photos. After baths, it was time for bed.

The weekend went quickly. But, it was so refreshing. The weather was great. I got some sunlight. We had a chance to catch up with friends (which is on my current Top 3) and P had so much fun playing with the other two kids. We let all three kids sleep in P's room. It was her first sleepover.

I feel so much better than I did on Friday morning. I feel ready to tackle the week ahead vs. on Friday I was just trying to make it through the day. I suppose that's why we need weekends.

I'm glad our was so much fun.


Cheers!
mouse

Winter Blues, Already?

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday. And, P doesn't have school. So, we have the day together. Yeah!

It's been a bit of a blah week. I may be reacting to the reduced daylight.

Hmmm... Recognizing this, I may have to think about ways to get more daylight into my day. I'll add light box research to my list of things to do. Perhaps, it's as easy as finding time for a walk in the middle of the day. Or, talking to my doctor. All things to contemplate.


Cheers!
mouse

Hourly, Not Exempt, I Think

Dear Friends and Family,

After much reading, I think I'm going to go with a very simple model for paying my employees. Hourly, not exempt, which means they are eligible for overtime. Simple enough.

Now, I'm waiting for a return phone call from the Department of Labor to answer some questions I have.

1. How should I record keep for home time?
2. Can I pay my employees a bonus each week, on top of their hourly wages, based on billable hours?
3. Can I pay my employees profit sharing?
4. Can I guarantee a minimum for the first X days?
5. Do I need to pay me?

Hopefully, I'll have some answers next week. Which means, the next thing I need to focus on is picking between the two candidates I interviewed.


Cheers!
mouse

Over-Scheduled mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

I've got a busy day ahead of me. But, sometimes I bring it on myself.

I'm going to a book fair at P's school to see if there's any good books for P. I'm dropping off some old books at a book drive. And, then, I'm coming home.

I have a phone call with a friend who is interested in a position at old work. I need to be home by 10 for the call.

I want to spend an hour cleaning P's room. I'm trying to consistently make progress on the house. But, last week and this week feel busier than usual. Probably because I have over-scheduled my Wednesdays and Fridays.

I want to spend time on my idea: pay structure, candidate, and insurance are all things I need to tackle today.

Old work. I didn't get much done yesterday. Feel like I should get something done today.

Pick up. Followed by a nap somehow squeezed in there. And, then, a play and dinner. Yep. We're definitely over-scheduled.

Oh wait, I'm sure there's work to do after P falls asleep. And, my to do list is slowly creeping up on me.

Sigh. I think the rain just gets me down. Chin up, mouse.


Cheers!
mouse

My New Life

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Tuesday. My to do list is under control. I got to spend an hour on P's room yesterday. We have dinner with P's old teacher tonight.

I think I'm making progress on my top 3. Just need to find the time today this week to work on insurance, pay structure, and picking my first employee. Tomorrow's as good a time as any, I guess.


Cheers!
mouse

11.04.13: Kid Focused Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

Friday, I picked P up from school and we went to her friend's house for a play date. She had fun with the art and the popcorn. I found out I'm really allergic to cats now.

Saturday, P went to school in the morning. Then, she went to a birthday party. And, Mr. mouse took her on a bike ride on a trailer we borrowed from a friend.

Sunday, P went to church. Then, she had a play date with a friend.

As far as weekends go, I don't think she could have had more fun. Oh wait, she had a complete meltdown the first 15 minutes of her play date on Sunday. Okay, outside of that, I don't think she could have had a more fun weekend.

It's a busy week this week, but no busier than last week. Actually, I made a conscious decision not to go into work on Wednesday. I could have, for a culture training. It'd be "easy" hours. But, I decided I'd rather have the time at home to do other stuff.


Cheers!
mouse

Interviews

Dear Friends and Family,

So excited. And, at the same time, so scared.

Today, I have two interviews for my first employee. I just wrote an interview guide with 12 questions. And, I printed out resumes to guide the discussion. Hopefully, I have a good discussion with a positive outcome. Hopefully.

It's a little scary, but at the same time very exciting.


Cheers!
mouse