Miss me yet?

Hey, party people.

I know, that was a long break!

I have been taking it one day at a time since Christmas. Every member of my family has been sick. Every kid has been on antibiotics at least once. Did I mention we brought a puppy home? An expensive, designer dog kind of puppy that I splurged on in the hopes that I wouldn't have an allergic reaction to him? Yeah, well. Allergies abound here at my house anyway. So much for the splurge. Also: who knew that raising puppies was so much like raising children?

Seriously, it has been crazy-cakes time as usual, but even more than that, I just needed some silence. I needed to stop talking for a moment and catch my breath. So I have been reading comments when they come to my inbox (and you guys are awesome, commenting when I am not even posting!), but other than that, it's been quiet. I have not been reading my Google Reader, and chances are I haven't been reading your blogs if you have one. I hope everyone understands that sometimes it's nice to have fewer voices inside a head. Just for a moment.

But I am hoping to be back now. Ooh, I have so much to say now that I have given myself some time to think. Lots of thoughts to share and very excited to "hear" you guys again! I hope you all had a lovely January with less trips to the doctor than we did. I am excited to officially start 2011 now.

I have a pile of laundry threatening to eat me whole at the moment, but I'll be back to ponder Amy Chua (The Tiger Mother), of whom I am something of a supporter (shocking! scandalous!), as soon as I tame the beast.

Just like Charlie Sheen,

... rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated. I am here, I am just sick. as. a. dog. And speaking of dogs, we own one now. And he is much on the level of having another three-year-old!

I'll be back when I can have a coherent thought, but I am wishing everyone a wonderful 2011 with great things big and small. Thank you for being part of my life.