09.29.14: Where Did September Go?

Dear Friends and Family,

It's September 29 which means we're now racing towards the end of the year with no brakes on the car. I've got so many things on my mind.

First, there's the budget. We've been on a budget since July and I'll be honest, although it feels good to know that we're not spending more than we've got, on a day to day basis it's the most god awful buzz kill ever. Fortunately, there's two days left to September before the accounting gods refill our petty cash kitty. So, we've got $16 to our name until then. I don't think we're living paycheck to paycheck since we put away money each month for P's school and for taxes and for future expenses. But, I can see how the stress of a budget can make people frazzled. After all, we know ours is only so serious. If we really need gas for the car or food on the table or money for medical expenses than the budget can go out the window. We're really trading off our leisure activities recognizing we can't go out to eat at the drop of a hat and recognizing we can't buy every cute outfit we see when P's drawers are overstuffed. Still, I'm so looking forward to October 1 when we reset our budget. $16 to cover the next two days. We have food in the fridge and gas in the car so we should be in good shape until then.

Next, there's the week ahead. I finally have time to myself. Yes, the week is still hectic, but outside of Friday I have the days to myself while P is in school. That's the most wonderful feeling in the world. I'll finally have time to spend on work and the house and my health and the to do list. If I don't make progress this week I need to revisit my plan because it means we're not set up for success.

Next, there's the weekend. We spent Saturday at home organizing the house and practicing handwriting which is good because P's handwriting had gotten atrocious and we didn't have that much money left in our budget. Sunday, we went to church, and then the park, and then a supermarket, and then a baseball game. P actually watched most of the game. It was a perfect summer weekend even if it was the last weekend in September.

Well, P just left so I need to get started on my day. Wish me luck.


Cheers!
mouse

A Day with My Big Kid

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday and P is back at school after a day off. We thoroughly enjoyed the day yesterday.

We ate breakfast, changed our clothes, brushed our teeth, packed our lunch and went out for the day.

We drove to the Nature Museum and found free parking right outside the door. We ate lunch right when we showed up because P said she was hungry. Then, P and I played a ton in the museum, first with the water exhibit learning how canals and dams work. We went to learn about butterflies and about nature habitats. And, we finished off the day playing with the water exhibit.

It was nice with all of the sun streaming in. And, the place wasn't crowded. And, P and I do enjoy our days alone together. I'm looking forward to winter vacation. Hopefully we have a couple of days together then.

We met Mr. mouse for dinner. And, P fell asleep holding my hand on the way home from dinner. Not every day with my big kid will be like yesterday. But, I'm thankful for the ones I get.


Cheers!
mouse

Looking Forward to a Day with My Big Kid

Dear Friends and Family,

P moved up in swim levels yesterday and I couldn't be prouder! She started swim lessons in May and moved up a level in July. So, I was anticipating 4-6 months at the second level before she was ready to move up to the third level. I thought she was doing well, but I knew parents can be biased towards their own kids. So, imagine my surprise when I saw an instructor come over to P's lane with a move-up card and a ribbon. At that point, I knew someone was moving up, I just didn't know who.

Then, P pointed to herself and spelled the word up. Hooray for P! Well, this next level is apparently the level where kids get stuck. It's the level where stamina and endurance come into play. We may sign P up for a second class each week to try and power through this level. We'll see.

Today, P's off from school. I'm looking forward to the day off with my big kid. It'll be like summer vacation again. I'm so excited.


Cheers!
mouse

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday. And, it's the last day of P's second full week in school. I feel like my game of whack-a-mole has gotten a little less frenetic with a light at the end of the tunnel.

If I haven't made a ton of progress on shrinking my to do list, at least it hasn't grown. If I haven't made a ton of progress on my idea, at least I've tread water and not lost ground.

And what does the next week hold for me? Monday, I have coffee with a Mom from P's school. She's in staffing and recruiting. So, while I'm not looking for a job, it's still a good idea to keep building my network. Tuesday, I have lunch with a colleague from old work who is helping me build out my idea. Wednesday, I'm at school all day for an all school meeting. Thursday, P doesn't have school. And, Friday, I've got the day free, but we have a birthday party in the evening.

I know. You're thinking, what light?

Well, the following week is much better. Monday, I may have lunch in the suburbs. Tuesday, Mr. mouse may have travel. Wednesday, I have a free day. Thursday, I have a site visit for work. Friday, I have lunch duty at school.

It still sounds like a busy week, but having a couple of days free is heaven compared to what I've been looking at the past two weeks.


Cheers!
mouse

Piper Time

Dear Friends and Family,

I've got a busy day ahead of me. I'm going to pick up mail. Then, I'll eat lunch. Then, I'm headed to the library for some quiet time to work on my business. I've been avoiding it for the past week, partly because I lined up a bunch of social engagements that I had put off and partly because I've got a big decision I need to make.

So, I'm headed to the library to work on my decision. Wish me luck.


Cheers!
mouse

Day to Myself

Dear Friends and Family,

Yeah!

A day to myself. P is in school. Mr. mouse is at work. I don't have any social obligations. I have the entire day to myself. I think there's a part of me that's a true introvert.


Cheers!
mouse

09.15.14: Apple Picking Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

The weekend... Well, I can't remember Saturday all that well. We had house cleaning in the morning, lunch, and then I napped while Mr. mouse and P went bike riding.

Sunday, was a most perfect day. We went to church and then we went apple picking. Several friends from P's school made the drive out to pick apples with us. It was warm, but not too warm, sunny, but with just enough cloud cover, and breezy without being windy. We picked apples, ate a picnic lunch, and then lounged on the grass while the children played. P had a meltdown near the end which I wish we could have avoided, but it wasn't enough to ruin my day. The kids found a frog and after many attempts they caught it and one of the boys kissed it.

There wasn't as many apples as last year. I think it had something to do with the brutal winter we had and the less than stellar summer. But, we bought plenty to munch on throughout the fall.

Now, I'm off to my day. I think I should take my contacts off. They're bothering me.


Cheers!
mouse

Little Things

Dear Friends and Family,

It was raining this morning and I needed to drop off some art work at school so I drove P to school. Of course, the traffic was horrible. Of course, the rain got heavier right when we were pulling into a parking spot. Of course, P was confused. Of course, P almost stepped into a puddle. Of course, I barked at her about the puddle. Of course, she dawdled. Of course, the wind picked up right when we turned the corner. Of course, this upset P more. Of course, she dawdled more. Of course, we finally made it to school.

Did it get better then? Of course not. She needed her umbrella tied. I told her to wait until we got upstairs since the entry way was crowded. She was building up steam. I was building up steam. We tied the umbrella. I wanted her to put the umbrella under her bag. She wanted to hang it on the hook. We argued. I laid down the ultimatum and gave her a toddler choice of put it where I tell you to put it or I'll take it with me back to the car. She got upset. I got upset. She started crying. I comforted her. She got clingy. I got annoyed. Finally, she was "late" to school and the teacher came out and got her. I think she realized something was up because another teacher saw P in the hall with me.

I delivered my art work and walked back to the car. I was still annoyed. Then, to cap it all off, I unlocked my door to get into the car, I went to close the umbrella... I accidentally locked the car door, the umbrella closed partway and reopened splashing me with water, the wind blew soaking me with more water, I unlocked the car door and threw the umbrella and my bag in, in my hurry to get in I must half only opened the door partway, because it swung shut as it sometimes does... on my foot, but not before one more gust of wind blew one more sheet of water on me.

Yep. That just happened.

The little thing? Oh, I found parking near school in all of this mayhem.


Cheers!
mouse

Whack A Mole Time

Dear Friends and Family,

It's my first week to myself and I have a very familiar feeling. It's whack a mole time. It's time to take care of all of the little things that I feel like I've put off forever.

And, because it's also the first week of school, dozens of new little things pile onto the list. I guess I can take comfort in knowing that eventually the tidal wave of moles subsides. But, for now, I'm armed with my hammer and I'll keep whacking away at all the little moles that keep popping up their little heads.


Cheers!
mouse

09.08.14: First Full Week at Home

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a perfect weekend, weather-wise. And, while we didn't do anything hugely exciting, we enjoyed the days with P. She went on a couple of bike rides. She went shopping with Mr. mouse at a craft fair. She played at a block party circus. Nothing hugely exciting, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

And, now, it's my first week at home. I'm feeling good. I've got some clean up to do and some organizing to do. But, overall, it feels good.


Cheers!
mouse

Our Kindergartner

Dear P,

It's Friday and you're in school. I hope the day is going well and you are having fun and enjoying your first week of school.

I think, in a way, summer vacation is hard. Your entire life you were in school. You started when you were twelve weeks old. And, outside of a week-long vacations, you had a routine. Then, last year, you changed schools. And, it was a little scary for all of us. It was a new building, new rooms, new teachers, new kids, new activities, new food, new commute, new everything. But, over the year we all adjusted. You made new friends. You liked the bus. You became used to the food. And, we all felt good.

Then, came summer vacation. For the first time ever, you had weeks upon weeks off from school. Your father and I lined up all sorts of activities. We took a couple of trips. We spent time together. And, just when it seemed like summer would last forever, September came. And, with September, came the start of a new school year.

I think you were anxious and that's why you were up until midnight on Tuesday night. I think you were tired which is why you were a little grumpy on Wednesday. Thursday felt more routine. And, this morning, outside of a cold, you seemed back to your happy self. You're in kindergarten now. And, I'm realizing you are growing up.

Much as we were amused by the play based curriculum for last year, I already miss it for this year. I promise, we'll make time for play at home. I know you're growing up quickly, but I'd like to hang on to little kid you for just a little longer.


Love,
your mom

09.02.14: The Very Last Day of Summer Vacation

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Tuesday. We're back from vacation. And, it's our very last day of summer vacation.

It's been a great week. We spent a weekend back in our first work town visiting friends. It's been 20 years since that first summer in our first work town. It was fun driving along the same roads, remembering life in 1994 which does not seem all that long ago.

Then, we went on our end-of-summer vacation. This time, instead of going to a far flung location, we went to Seattle to visit a host of friends we have in the Pacific Northwest. We got to spend a lot of time with my cousin and my two year old nephew who is technically my first cousin once removed.

This was also a mile marker trip. A year ago, I quit old work only to be persuaded into staying on part time. While the money was good, I've realized many times over that I shouldn't have agreed to stay on part time. I didn't have enough time to do anything right, splitting my time three ways. And, ultimately, I spent a lot of time detoxing from what ultimately was a less that satisfactory transition from old work.

Still, in taking this trip, I realized two very important things. I only lost a year. I am, now, where I could have been last year. And, while a year lost is a year lost, I can take comfort in having lost only a year. I am so glad not to be splitting my time three ways going forward. And, the other thing I realized was that while there was a lot of toxicity related to old work, I still had a good year. P made new friends. I made new friends. And, we had a great summer together. There's so many happy memories. The year wasn't a total waste.

So, my friends, we're headed into our last day of summer vacation. P's bag is packed. We have orientation in an hour and half. Then, P and I have one last day together before we head off to kindergarten.


Cheers!
mouse