Pardon the mess while I update...plus 44 months

I am attempting to upgrade my Movable Type and if past experience is anything to go by, it will take me weeks before I get this right. For the interim, we are back to the generic banner and I am hoping the newest version of MT will make updating things way easier.

Aside from my technical inadequacies, things are great. We are in the midst of spring break and K is flitting about from one fun activity to another. She started gymnastics a couple of weeks ago and LOVES it. Her birthday is coming up in four months, and she spends every day planning it. Were she to have her way, the entire party will be one huge sugar-fest. Anytime she sees anything delectably sweet, she insists that I make it for her birthday.

"Flitting" is the perfect word for her. She loves to don her wings and dance about, making up little songs along the way:

Though there have been a few teary moments for our little preschooler (due to too much treats, I suspect) it's been mostly happy happy joy joy around here. I have to say, I really enjoy this age.

As for me, I have had the most unproductive month of reading altogether too many mystery novels. I'm discovering that I really like the mind benders despite the unsavory nature of most mysteries. Terribly, terribly addictive. Why did Michael Connelly have to write so many books?? And did you hear? The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is coming out in two months. Definitely going on my birthday list.

Fortunately, our lives are nothing like the books I read, and our days are wonderfully predictable and uneventful.

Side note: The husband has announced that my days as a woman of leisure (though I use that term loosely -- how leisurely can it be taking care of a three-year-old??) are numbered. I am to report to full-time employment once K starts kindergarten. This means that I have about 500 days as a stay-at-home-mom left...UNLESS I can bring in an acceptable income doing my own thing. And let's face it, though I've had some lovely illustration projects and a few art shows, I am nowhere near bringing home the bacon and we are in one of the worst recessions... Is it possible to kick start a crafty career in less than 600 days? Do I stand a chance at carving out a "real job" doing something I love that doesn't require kowtowing to big brother? Is it all just dandelion-blowin' wishful thinking and pipe dreams? Let's find out.