Good morning, darlings! Did you miss me? It was not my intent to go silent last week, but I had an unexpected computer emergency and spent all day transferring files from one laptop to the new one. 28 hours later, and I was finally back online. So, I’m back this week with all the news that is fit to print!
I must admit that it was rather nice to be headed back into work last week. I enjoyed my time off and could always use a few more days of it, but I missed my coworkers and was looking forward to starting the new year. I’ll confess that the year-end close process has been painful. Long hours, hours of meetings, checking and double-checking figures – I knew it would be stressful, but I wasn’t prepared for how stressful it would be. We aren’t quite finished yet either, which means I have a few more days of running numbers and pulling together reports. There is no time for rest because as soon as we finish closing the books for the year, we have to prepare for the annual audit. An accountant’s work is never done!
2013 has already brought its share of challenges to the family. Jim’s prowess in high-stress situations is garnering him lots of attention, which is always a good thing. He was named as one of the project managers for his company’s most recent acquisition. Unfortunately, this acquired company is located in California. We decided that it would be easier for all of us if he spent three weeks in California and one week at home. This will be an ongoing thing for months, we have no idea how long the integration will take, and it already started January 2nd when he flew out to California to make the formal announcement and introduce himself to his new employees. It is going to be a long and interesting winter and spring, but hopefully summer will see the entire family back together again for longer than a week at a time.
It was a bittersweet week this week as Connor showed us that he is not a little boy anymore. It started with his decision to stop taking piano lessons. We could tell his heart wasn’t in his lessons anymore, and rather than fight with him to practice or prepare for upcoming competitions, we left it up to him as to what he wanted to do. We also let him be the one to tell his teacher about his decision. His discussion with his teacher was heartfelt and so mature. It pains me to see him stop something for which he showed true talent and skill, but I was proud of him for carefully thinking through his decision and clearly and politely communicating it to his teacher.
The other big event this week was an informational meeting for incoming freshmen. It blows my mind that my baby is entering high school next year. I know Connor is excited about high school, but after talking to him about college requirements and looking at admissions pages for several of the colleges and universities for which he has already expressed a desire to attend, he now realizes that all those fun electives he wants to take are not going to be possible. He was disappointed but understands, even though he thinks that GPAs and class rankings are stupid and that there should be free college for everyone (my little socialist). The next few weeks/months will be a flurry of class selection and testing to make sure he is eligible for the honors classes (he took these same tests as a third grader and tested at the sophomore level at age seven) as well as his second semester of eighth grade and the arrival of track season. Life is definitely never dull in our house!
Reviewed over the past two weeks:
- Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates
- The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon
- Stasiland by Anna Funder
- The Uninvited by Liz Jensen
- What We Saw At Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard
With that, I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Sunday. Happy reading!
Thanks, Ti! That's what we are hoping.
That was the biggest conversation I had with my son after the meeting last week – that high school is one big job interview and that he needs to pick and choose his extra-curricular activities as well as his classes. It's a rough lesson to learn a year early, but if he wants to get into the college of his choice, he needs to start now. It's going to be an interesting four years.
Although your hub's new responsibilities may be challenging with all the added travel, hopefully it will lead to even bigger and better offers down the line. I wish him luck.
My son is a freshman in high school and he too has it all worked out in head as far as what's needed, etc. However, the counselors really emphasized extra-curricular activities so he is trying to do it all which is working out okay, but taking a great deal of effort. Having to be in three places at once is very difficult but it's making him very well-rounded if nothing else and for what he wants to do, it might be enough to set him apart from the others.
Thanks, Carrie! One of these days, this will all be over. Hopefully.
Thanks, Diane! We are hoping that we really do have it figured out and under control.
Exactly. One can only hope.
Ha. We thought 2013 was going to be a quieter year too. Oh well. Life is a journey, right?
J and I were really hoping that Connor would stay with piano. We know too many people who regret giving it up as kids. It was something we felt we could only push on him so long though.
Wow … your family sure is facing some challenges. Here I thought 2013 was going to have you all together all the time. I'm glad to hear that you missed your coworkers though … that is always a good sign, especially after the rocky start you seemed to have. And I can relate to Conor's decision to stop piano lessons. I did the same thing at his age … and have regretted it.
I think in the long run the 3 weeks gone/1 week at home will be better for you in the long run. Maybe it'll will even help getting him home quicker.
Sounds like you have tons going on yet have it all figured out and under control as well. Here's to a wonderful year.
I know how hard it is going to be to have the family separated again! I hope the time goes quickly for you.
Thanks, Jenny! We'll be okay. I knew this was coming so I have had time to prepare. We've tried having him come back every weekend, and it is brutal on all of us, so this really is for the best. You are correct that the opportunities that should come from this should be wonderful.
No, there is never a dull moment. As much as I delight in all of the pictures of bloggers' babies that were born last year, I am definitely relishing watching my own not-so-little babies become young adults. It is definitely awe-inspiring and worth all those sleep-deprived nights.
LOL! It's all good. I'm actually very calm and relaxed about the whole situation. It does no one any good to rant about the unfairness of it all.
Me too, Kelly! There is something about the panic a downed computer induces that is definitely not healthy!
Thanks, Marie! I am definitely taking some time for myself. Three books read this weekend – I can't complain about that at all!
Sorry about Jim having to travel, but it is a good project for him for sure. Never know what opportunities could happen….
Shame that adulthood has to start early for your baby 🙁 I agree with his free college for all. Have a wonderful week Michelle 🙂
Dear girl, there is never a dull moment is there? My thoughts will be with you as you transition to 3 weeks/1 week routine. What a reminder of the miracle of growing our children into adults when they begin to think for themselves and discover who they are independent of us. I'm seeing traces of this right now too and it is awe inspiring to see these little creations turn into wonderful, thinking, feeling young people.
Boy, if it's not one thing, it's another with Jim and the job. I think you need ketchup again…
Glad you got your computer issues sorted out!
good luck with all you've got going. I'm sure the work and home stuff will work out great. it must be amazing to see your little boy grow up! i hope you have some time for you too!