Well, christmas has come and gone again....and I was right - Santa died a quiet and peaceful death on Christmas morning.  He will be mourned for a long time.

Now that all the hullabaloo has died down, I find myself spending long periods of time wondering what my new year's resolution for 2007 shall be.  I have been very good about keeping them for the past five years or so - finding more me time, not taking crap from anyone anymore, teaching the kids the value of a dollar - so I have been thinking hard about this next one.

I think that I have hit on the idea, the thing that I need to change more than anything else.  No, not losing weight (although that'd be nice), not giving up smoking or drinking (coz I don't do either), not being a better person (do I need to be?).  Nope, this new resolution is a ripper for me.

My new year's resolution for 2007 (drumroll please!):

TO TEACH MY CHILDREN TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY HAVE.

Sounds simple, huh? You think?

Already plans are formulating in my brain...limits on gift spending, making do.  I have come up with adopt-a-sheep, instead of birthday presents, sponsoring an australian child, community service programmes to investigate, recycle and repair and donate programmes for less fortunate kids...my mind is brimming with possibilities.

I fully realise that I shall be the most unpopular parent in Australia once this plan goes into action, but I think getting a letter from BaaBaaRaa the sheep will be better than a cd, spending time fixing up a battered bike and seeing the look on some other child's face and really having to think about what you want for your birthday for under $50 will be character building for my kids.  And if I come out at the end of the year with one donation under the wishing tree freely given with love and compassion, I shall call that a victory.

Cya.