Kim noted that now that I’m getting busy I seem to be blogging more. And she’s right. I am. So what gives? Well, although not an official resolution, I did recognize the need to get a bit more organized with the schedule I’m keeping. So I’ve been on the computer earlier and actually working not just surfing, and I like to blog as a warm up to writing. So that’s one explanation.

Remember how I reported even the Tooth Fairy managed to get her act together? Well, apparantly that’s one New year’s resolution already broken. The lady totally forgot to get Autumn’s tooth for THREE, count them THREE whole nights. Geez. Then Autumn came downstairs this morning with a folded dollar bill in her hand and complained. That’s right, complained! Because the tooth fairy only left a $1 despite having been late so Autumn thought interest should have occurred. And really so did the Tooth Fairy, which is why she left Autumn $2. Except Autumn only found one. So I suggested she go look again. And she did, and she found another dollar, but now she’s not sure if it was hers before or if the TF left it because it was clear on the other side of her bed.

All I can say is — what in the world does this child DO when she’s sleeping? She probably moves more at night than she does during the day. Geez.

Oh, and the girls’ room? It had been clean, but now it’s not again. And while I was at class last night, Steve went to archery, and that meant my MIL came here. Only this time I hadn’t prepared the house for a MIL visit so there was a pile of dirty dishes in the sink (and more dirty dishes in the dishwasher) and a pile of clean clothes on a chair in the living room. And a dead fish in the fish tank (Rufus is now gone, but we still have Shreck.).

And what did my MIL do while she stayed with my kids waiting for my dh? She did my dishes. She even put them away. It was very nice of her. Above and beyond really. But I cringe about what she found in that pile…. Was there any cereal bowls with rancid milk from Monday morning? Crusted oatmeal? Argh. There goes any chance at Daughter-in-law of the Year.

Thanks for Playing!

Ah well. Thanks for playing.

For quite a while, Thursday has been my cross to bear. It is a busy work day, starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until, well, whenever I get done. It has ranged from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, and on the rare occassion, even spilled over until 8 a.m. on Friday. Talk about a long work day.

However, I resigned from my full-time job, and tomorrow is officially my last day as a full-time employee. However, this week, I am still trying to balance new classes, buying books, and reporting, while not neglecting my family. Hence, I am up at 2 a.m….

Of course, I need an adjustment period. And coffee. So, it’s after 2 now. Today, I have on my agenda: 8 a.m. State police post, 9 a.m. county sheriff, 10 a.m. office, 10:30 county courthouse building meeting, 11:30 office (write up county, state and meeting), 2 p.m. hit the road and drive 1 + hours to Mount Pleasant where I need to get an add card, buy more books and take a class from 4 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., and a second class from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

You know all that hand counting Shelley did yesterday about me not having to cook dinner? Not necessary. I’m only wondering if I’ll have time to buy ME a dinner… Because on Thursdays, for the longest time (over 2 years) my wonderful MIL takes my children after school. And she makes them and my hubby dinner. The kids like it, and I don’t have to feel guilty about subjecting them to their dad’s lack of cooking skills. In the future, on Tuesdays, we’ll probably be doing crock pot or take out.

Now, I must quit blogging and review my articles and finish everything up so I can meet my schedule outlined above. Besides the three things I’m covering today, I also have 12 other articles for this week’s paper. They aren’t all novels, but the majority are lengthy ones.

It’s the start of the second day in the new year, and I have yet to consider any resolutions I want to make. At least officially. I have general ideas. Lose weight. Spend more time with the family. Then the whole grad school thing. Still, no specific goals written down.

However, I did add to my bag an old friend. It’s not as fancy as Shelley’s thingamajig, but it is a Franklin Covey planner. Hopefully it will remind me of all the things I need to do. Like shop for Justin’s birthday gift for Saturday. He will be 7, and it is a special birthday he reminds me because he is turning 7 on the 7th.

Happy New Year to all. Now, on to work for me.

After four days of presents being opened, more than 16 bags of discarded gift wrap, a huge stack of cardboard boxes to be recycled, and one night with 18 people sharing one bathroom, my family’s celebration of Christmas is almost officially over.

My children were spoiled, and not just by Santa and the parents.

I’ve hardly seen my eldest daughter because she is spending almost all of her spare moments playing Dream Life. Which is good, because she has been a bit mouthy and her playing the game has given me a break from listening to her.

And as my hubby wrote on our "days ’til Christmas" sign yesterday, we do it all again in 362 days.

because Santa brought me (drumroll please) my very own, honest to goodness, Canon Rebel XT digital SLR camera.

But that’s not all…

I also got a 1GB memory card AND

a 75-300mm zoom lens, AND camera case and all the goodies.

And PJs, and a power tool, and and other good stuff. But the camera! Ohh, laa laa!