Thinking Ahead to 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

I know. I know. We're not even through the holidays and I'm beginning to think ahead to the new year. But, I want to. So, I guess that's what I'll do.

I think I'm happy now. Well, I'm happier than I was in April when my job got eliminated. I think I'm done with old work. There's two friends I keep in touch with for lunch every so often. I don't miss anyone else. Everyone else I keep in touch with through other channels that seem like they're outside of old work.

I will be happier once we sort through all of the December bills. We've gotten lax on the budget because there's a lot of buying and returning that happens in December. We need to get through all of the returning in January and then see where we're at. I'm 99% certain we're okay. I just don't like not knowing the number. It's not a good habit.

So, January, we'll be back on a budget. Actually, when Mr. mouse gets home tonight we need to get back to tracking. There's some grey area in December, but that's no reason to throw in the towel on the rest of the month. And, I need to keep the grey area at bay for January with our big party. I'll just need to make sure Mr. mouse is good about giving me all of the receipts.

I think sometime in 2015 we'll be back to square one where we've paid off our loan to ourselves. Then, sometime in 2016 we'll be back to where we want to be where we have more money set aside for fun things. I think being on a budget for 2014, while painful, was good for us. No. I KNOW being on a budget for 2014, while painful, was good for us. I guess we'll continue for 2015.

I want to get my website up and running in 2015. I want a real email address. I was a real website. I think both of those things will be good things. That, and I want to get my workers compensation insurance straightened out. I need three years worth of experience to get lower rates. One down. Two to go. But, I need my finances to work with the current rates. I think I'll be able to once I adjust for a more accurate payroll forecast.

I want to either get the house in order or my health in order. I think inevitably the two are tied. But, both take time. I think I'll focus on my health for the first half of the year. Then, if I feel like I've figured out a routine then I can spend the second half of the year on the house. Can I live with the current disaster for six more months? I guess. I'd rather do that than over commit.

So, I guess my top three are:

1. continue plugging away at the budget
2. spend time growing the business, figuring out the website, insurance and year end filings
3. spend time on my health, check back in with myself in March to see how all of this is going

That's a good list. I feel better already.


Cheers!
mouse

Hump Day, 1:45pm

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Wednesday and not only am I alive, I'm feeling quite well.

Tomorrow, I've got a handful of gifts to wrap. I need to pick up one or two hostess gifts. I have expense reports that need to be filed. I have mail to go through. I have insurance to figure out. But, outside of that, I'm pretty much done for the week. I know, that list sounds daunting, but after what I've dragged myself through, it feels downright festive.

I'm off to pick up P and then we're headed to nap and swim. I might nap as well, we'll see. I feel like I've more than earned it ;)


Cheers!
mouse

12.15.14: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a very productive yet very enjoyable weekend. We went to two birthday parties and one Christmas party. We got new haircuts for P and me. Hers looks precious. Mine would look better if I lost some weight. We got our eyes examined. We went to the park. We finished our Christmas shopping, almost. And, I fell asleep on the couch to the smell of Christmas.

And, now, it's Monday. After two weeks of grinding away at our task list and at Mr. mouse over Christmas stuff, I'm beginning to feel more calm and collected. I feel like we've got time and space to breathe and relax.

It's a busy week this week, but I feel like we can get to done. Today, I need to go shower and then buy one last gift for Mr. mouse. Then, I think I'll pick up some wrapping paper on the way home and start wrapping P's presents. I'd love to get a couple under the tree before I pick her up from school.


Cheers!
mouse

mouse Falls Down the Rabbit Hole

Dear Friends and Family,

Wow. Has it really been close to a week? Well. I'm in a much better spot now than I was all week so perhaps it's a good thing.

We've had grey, cloudy, wet days for awhile now. And, with the shortened days, I was really challenged to try and keep my head on straight.

And, I had a disgustingly gruesome technology update project that involved me babysitting two computers for close to two weeks. That is done and was successful.

And, I had to bully Mr. mouse into completing Christmas cards. And, they have been mailed.

And, today, Mr. mouse and I are going Christmas shopping. That will be another major task crossed off of the list, if we can get it done between now and when we go to sleep tonight.

So, I'm in a better spot. And, we're grinding towards the end of the year. Tomorrow will be a throw away day. But, if I can get the presents done today, I'll be okay. Wish me luck!


Cheers!
mouse

Frustrated P

Dear Friends and Family,

P needs to learn the butterfly kick to advance to the next level. That's the only thing she has left to learn. And, she wants to learn in. But, it's hard.

Mr. mouse tried to teach her something or other in her bath. I watched and it didn't look right. Then, at swim yesterday, P tried to do what Mr. mouse taught her. But, it wasn't right. Then, she tried to combine what Mr. mouse told her to do with what her teacher told her to do. And, of course, it wasn't possible and it still wasn't right.

And, that's when she lost it and began crying during her swimming lesson. I needed to go in and help her calm down. I wonder if this might be the time to plunk down $60 for a month of private swim lessons so she can learn this one kick and move on. In a normal 30 minute lesson there just isn't enough time to learn the kick since they only spend 5 minutes on it per week.

I just know she was really upset yesterday, both at herself and at Mr. mouse, but mostly at herself. And, I wish there was something I could do to help. At a minimum, I guess I'll tell Mr. mouse to step back and not confuse her.


Cheers!
mouse

Too Much To Do for the Day

Dear Friends and Family,

P and I went to the museum yesterday afternoon. We looked at Christmas trees and we watched the museum workers repair the train display. We were only there for an hour, but we had lots of fun nonetheless. And as I was holding P, watching the trains, I realized she's growing up so quickly and moments like these are so precious. My sweetest P is already racing towards six.

As an added bonus, on the way home, we saw one of the holiday buses.

Today, I'm going to try and get through several to dos. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day. And, Friday, I'm at school again for lunch and library help. So, today is my last day to plow through some things on my list.

Wish me luck.


Cheers!
mouse

mouse and Christmas Cards

Dear Friends and Family,

It's December 2nd and I think I'd like to try and get Christmas cards done soon. If we can mail them by Saturday I'll consider it a success. I'll work on my business cards today and have Mr. mouse buy stamps for our personal cards as well. That'll be a good accomplishment for the day.


Cheers!
mouse

12.01.14: Monday after Thanksgiving

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Monday and after five days off I'm a little behind in getting back in the swing of things. In other words, it's 10am and I am still in my pajamas and reading my to do list for the day. That's okay. The house is pretty much back in order and the fridge is sadly under control. So, I'll eat breakfast and try and get on with my day. I'm super excited because I have a plan for our Christmas cards. I just need to bully Mr. mouse into agreeing with me.


Cheers!
mouse