The aforementioned sinus junk turned into the full-blown flu, so I've been off the computer for awhile. Sorry for the long blog blank. :)

I'm really excited to see my website shaping up, aren't you? It's fun to check out the wee-hours magic Dianna works while we're all tucked snugly in bed. I feel like the shoe-maker when I log on in the morning. Of course, lately the only thing I've been logging on to is the Kleenex box.

It's funny but when I stay offline for awhile, either by design or by accident, my "real" life takes on a sharper focus. I'm more keenly aware of my family and their needs, wants, and just the everyday happenings in their life. Maybe that's why I came back from this bout of sicky-ness with a renewed commitment to cut back on my instant messaging and incessant checking of email.

Do you ever sit down at the computer at 9:00 to check your email and at noon, you realize that, like a donkey following a carrot, you've been reading the one more email that dribbled into your inbox all morning long? I do.

So, here's my new deal. (Yes, just call me Roosevelt. Or was that Hoover? Now you know why I don't write historicals.) I check my email quickly three times a day. If it's not there when I check, it will be there next time. Nine chances out of ten, any email I receive is not going to require immediate action. Unless it starts with "You've been outbid by another ebay bidder. . ." in which case, I always lose those auctions at the last second anyway, so why bother? When you're waiting for a particular email (as I confess, I am) this restraint is especially hard, but I'm determined. I will not be a slave to the call of Yahoo! anymore.

It really is cute though, you should hear it. When I get an email (and I have my speakers on) I have it set to play a mountain-dew-drinkin' hillbilly-yodeling "Yaaaahooooooo!" Of course, if I happen to have my monitor on, too, when I hear that tell-tale sound, I can always happen to cruise by right that minute on my way to vacuum or load the dishwasher and see who the email is from without touching the keyboard or breaking my resolution. Maybe that's just fooling myself, but as long as my rear doesn't touch the chair, I feel strong and successful in my quest to break loose from the email chains. So leave me to my illusions, okay?

I'm off to bed now. Barring any unexpected bumps in the road, I'll be back soon. Until then, I leave you with one of my favorite verses - "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." - Phillipians 4:13. Even cut back on internet time. :)