Until the Chocolate Runs Out
Ah, I love the smell of burning New Year's resolutions in the morning. It smells like um, well, in my case it smells an awful lot like a credit card ready to melt, an overheated computer and a coffeepot left for too long on a burner.
A few short days ago, I made some seemingly simple resolutions. I figured I could succeed because I avoided all mention of the words 'chocolate' or 'diet'. (Especially in light of the huge box of Belgian chocolate sitting in my kitchen.) So, not wanting to injure myself with depravation, I deliberately kept my resolutions low key. I merely vowed to take it easy with my credit card, reduce my computer time so I can spend more time with my kids and husband (hopefully remembering his name before he notices that I only call him "Honey" - even when introducing him to new people) and cut down on my caffeine consumption before I need reservations at the Betty Ford Clinic.
Yeah, I'd say my 2001 resolutions are off to a typical start. Things started to go bad from that first morning log-on accompanied by that habitual first cup of Joe. The main problem with making coffee-related resolutions is that by the time your brain has awakened enough to remember you weren't supposed to have that first pot of coffee, you've already had that first pot of coffee. I was only going to be on the computer long enough to read my email. I wasn't going to shop, I swear, but then the visitations from the Clearance Sale Fairy began. She was sending me such seductive emails that before I knew it, I was clicking her links and telling her my credit card number. And then there's been the weather. I don't know about you, but it has been beyond frigid here for a long, long time. My visions of building snowmen and sledding with the kids were blown away by a -10 degree wind chill factor. No, there is nothing as warming as the heat from a well-used credit card to take the edge off an especially chilly day.
Can I help it that the deals were really hot? Can I help it that finding the best deals and making the most of points, coupons, etc., take a fair amount of time? Can I help it that coffee is my best friend? Can I help it that it hasn't gotten above 20 degrees since approximately October? Can I help it that I was temporarily insane when I came up with these stupid resolutions?
Even though my resolutions have taken a beating so far, I'm not quite ready to abandon all hope. I'm thinking that all of the awesome bargains I am nailing right now, will eventually average out over the course of the year and add up to some pretty nice savings. I did have a little less coffee today, but I think any health benefits were offset by my increase in Motrin consumption. I did log off long enough for Honey and I to take the kids ice skating for the first time ever. My daughter was content to trundle around the rink in her boots, happily slipping and sliding along. My son looked like the star of the Jerry Lewis Icecapades. He was all wild and wiggley on his skates - a blur of flailing arms and uncooperative legs. It seemed as if his ankles and elbows had been replaced by robotic implants controlled by a drunken, mad scientist. It was a moment of intense family silliness that I wouldn't have missed for all the free coffee on the Internet. Maybe there's hope for me yet. I plan to remain optimistic and keep trying, at least as long as the Belgian chocolate holds out.
Posted by mayor at April 7, 2005 11:30 PM
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