Dear So and So

[chatnoire]

Dear Project Team and in particular Project Manager,
Why do you NOT get the concept that I need a correct set of project plans for my water quality submittal package?? A project feature was added that will driectly affect surface hydrology, so it is applicable for the WATER quality permit.
The fact that the permit application is going out late is because you keep adding features. I need to submit what we're planning on building. You make changes, the application needs to change, thus causing the schedule to slip.

Ugh! I hate that. Not from an engineering standpoint for me, but in a lot of projects I worked on in a previous job, every time someone would get a "great idea" they'd want to include it. If I put my foot down, I was being insubordinate. If I included it, the project would get backlogged. Design by Committee is the Worst Thing Ever.

[limewave]

Dear Shopping,

I have missed you. I remember from what seems like a different life, when you and I had a good relationship. I needed a sweater so you and I would meet to resolve the situation. Or maybe one of my household appliances needed replacing. You were there when I needed you.

And then the recession and kids happened We had to part ways. Sure, I went "shopping." But only after saving for weeks or months even, collecting pop cans and pennies, selling valuable items on craigslist . . . oh, I got creative. And you and I only happened when it was absolutely necessary--and not without its risk and stress.

Lately I've been walking past the kids room. Hard not to notice the drapes I hung with thumbtacks in DD's room. Or the broken blinds and bed sheets covering the window's in DS's room. Depressing.

Just imagine the delight I felt when there was a little extra padding in the bank this weekend. A smidge extra because we finally paid off one more debt that had been straggling us. Ha!

I'm going shopping! I told DH. SHOPPING! I haven't uttered those words in 4 years.

New window treatments for the kiddos! There rooms look completely transformed. And no guilt or stress about counting every penny.

Now, to sign DD up for summer camp!

But Shopping, just so you know, this won't be a weekly affair. We'll have to limit our visitations for special occasions.

~Limewave.