No news on the Italy front. The “last” document we needed was legalized and FedEx’d off last week, and arrived in Italy on Monday. No news on when they will meet with the officials on the work permit.

It’s all ok, we have our Disneyland trip next week and lots to do before then. I’ve learned to keep an open mind and a somewhat open schedule with this. I’m not in such a hurry anymore. It doesn’t help to get stressed about it.

Eventually, we’ll be in Italy…

This is not quite a double exposure, but I loved this one I got a few years ago of my cat, when he looked at me right as I took the picture…

The biggest night of the year for the Cub Scouts (and their Dads)! Brandon’s car this year was a Crunch bar. He won the “Shiniest” award and came in 6th overall. Quite an improvement over last years placement.

Here are a few pics of the race night…

Look at the excitement on those faces!Last race of the evening…So much BOY energy in one place!
It was a fun evening overall. Last year I got there late, so I didn’t realize the work that goes on before the cars are even checked in to get them just perfect on the weight – you want to be 5 oz and not a bit over! The drills, superglue, weights, glue guns were all out and in use until all of the cars were checked in.

Patrick decided at the very last minute (I mean, walking out the door last minute) to “make” a car. He took a pinewood derby car kit, took it out of the box, attached the wheels and wrote on it with a permanent marker. That’s it. The funny part was, Brandon wanted to color it with the marker. He said, “Dad, let me do it, since you did the other car!” Shhhhh, Brandon, don’t let them hear you say that at the race! It’s supposed to be the Cub Scout who makes the car…

I got the idea today to make a little camera case for my new little Canon camera, so that it would be protected in my purse. I went to the quilt shop and found this cute cat fabric. I just love the bright colors on black! A fun little Saturday project, and the fabric just makes me smile. 🙂

Seriously. I just booked a trip to Disneyland in February. We have the big qualification checkpoint review on my project on Monday, February 9th. We’ll fly out that afternoon, spend 3 days at Disneyland and fly home on Friday morning. Patrick and Brandon have a train show over President’s Day weekend so we’ll get back just in time for them to leave.

Isn’t that wild and crazy for the us? I mean, it’s less than 3 weeks away! But with the current timing on Italy, since we don’t have the work permit yet we have a window of opportunity where we won’t impact any potential move plans. It will kind of be my “break” and “reward” after this big project. I can leave with a clean conscience and have a little fun with my family.

I can’t WAIT!!!!

Remember the big project I was leading? The one for the technology we are transferring to the company in Italy? The one that is the reason I have the opportunity to work in Italy?

Well, we are almost done with the transfer project. It is so close I can taste it. We had one qualification review this evening and have another one on Monday morning. Barring any last minute surprises, we should be qualified.

This has been so much work over the last nine months… I was given the rare opportunity to lead this important project at work, with very big business consequences. What seemed like an insane schedule to begin with was accomplished with the hard work and dedication of a very talented team at both companies. I have been so gratified by the people I’ve come in contact with on this project. I have learned so much!

But, was it worth it? At times, I worked long hours at night and on weekends. There were days that we had crisis after crisis come up, each one taking energy and focus and immediate reaction. For the first time ever, there were moments I really felt like I hated my job. I was grumpy at times to those around me, including the people I love most.

While I have a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction with being this close to completion, what I really feel is relief. Relief that this huge organizational objective is not going to be on my shoulders anymore. Relief that I can get back to the day-to-day objectives and regular firedrills. Maybe even slack a little. (OK, knowing me, not much, but a little.)

Maybe in a year or two I will feel like it was worth it. Right now I’m not so sure. I’m just ready to be done. And we are so close….