And a good morning to all!

I stayed up far too late last night working on the blog. *yawn* Still don't have it quite right, but that's ok. I don't have my home anywhere near ready for company either. As I've said before, if you're coming to see us, you're welcome anytime. If you're coming to see the place, you'll have to make an appointment.

We have a cookie making playdate with Melissa in MD and her two daughters today. I'm excited about it. Didn't get to play with recipes over the weekend as I'd hoped, but I'm hoping something we make will turn out well. (Wheat-free, dairy free cookies- suggestions, anyone?) John is wearing his bat-suit in honor of the occasion- I'm sure the girls will be thrilled to know that. :-)

Zorak is back at work. These three-day weekends are killing us. We get accustomed to snuggling in a little deeper in the mornings, and then *wham* come Monday he has to extricate himself from the snuggle spot WAY too early. Still, it's a wonderful thing to be able to complain about.

Oooh, hey, isn't Christmas this week? Wow. That went fast. Guess I ought to get my cards out, huh? And go buy wrapping paper. Probably should hang stockings, too. Ah, well, here's an irony for you. I've always said Zorak is the Grinch, but it looks like I've been a bit of a slacker myself this year. *sigh* I'm glad the kids are too young to be scarred by my inability to get organized amidst the moves. Next year will be good.

Oh! Yes. That's another goal- we are paying down our debts and will be buying a home in November, when our lease expires. I'm so excited. We've put a financial plan down to pay down the debts. Zorak is going to call the student loan people to make his payment arrangements (we go into repayment in April, but would like to see if we can adjust the payment according to his income). We've set up a savings plan and now it's just a matter of sitting back and DOING IT. (That would probably be the tricky part, eh?) However, as an archer needs a target at which to aim, so we need clear goals in order to attain them. So that's this year's big goal- purchase a home.

ARGH- John has had way too much wheat over the weekend. He's whiney and debilitated and completely incapable of doing anything for himself this morning. *aigh*
"Honey, eat your breakfast."
(tears bubble to the edges of his eyes) *But HOW? How do I eat?*
"John, you know how to eat."
*(actually crying) I don't know HOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW."

I wonder if Melissa will accept the pre-apology Jess and I instituted? We just apologized pre-emptively for anything our children would do in the future. It's worked wonders for us. Hee hee.

OK, so I'm off to wrangle the whinester and get more food for the bottomless pit that is my oldest. Have a wonderful Monday, all! I'll be back this evening to add all my favorite people whose blogs are available. ;-)