Last Shot

If you are one of those people who makes New Year's Resolutions but not exactly the "focused" type, you are probably in something of a dither right now.  The clock is ticking and you have but one last shot at resolving before you have to either admit defeat or come up with a very good lie.  This is, I am certain, a lot of pressure.

Oh, it's not such a big deal if you made a little resolution.  Say, for example, you said to yourself, "I think that this year I am going to take a risk and paint my toenails a saucy shade of puce!"  This is doable.  You have ample time to scoot off to the drugstore and purchase the supplies needed to fancy up your tooties.

If, on the other hand, you announced to one and all that you planned to lose thirty pounds, knit a lace shawl, cure the common cold and invent a platform, open toed, strappy sandal that the average woman can walk in...well, you might have a problem on your hands.  Kudos for enthusiasm, though.  It's nice to know you can aim high.

Lots of folks are trying to get in their last shots right about now.  My bank, for one.  They thought it might be nice to take one last poke at Sheepie before the year ran out.  So, they took a look at my recent transactions and noted that my purchasing a few e-books yesterday was not in keeping with my usual behavior.

It is. I do it quite often. They just decided that it isn't because how else could they say they kept their resolution?

A message was left on my phone last night alerting me to their deep and very sincere concerns on my behalf.  I was asked to call them.  I took that to mean during business hours. It was they way they said it.  Which was all part of the plan, you see.

What they failed to mention (and I cannot stress this enough) was that they made my debit card worth less than the plastic from whence it was crafted.  Failing to mention this was also part of the plan because how else could I have made an early morning run to the grocery store and not have had the means to pay for that which I'd selected?

How they knew I didn't have checks with me is something of a mystery.  I'm assuming they have spy cameras in my purse...

Well done, Bank!  Some people might have given up what with it being the final hour and all.  But not you!  You hung in there and made your resolution come true!

After calling the bank and reassuring them that I (like the billion people who got e-readers for Christmas and are currently buying books) was not a victim of fraud, my card was restored and I was able to go about my business.  I am not one to make resolutions (I know my limits).  However, I did have a mission.  I was going to get a picture of the cats playing with their Christmas toys or die trying.

"Die" is a strong word.  I don't mean really die.  I'm just trying to tell you how dedicated I was to this endeavor, is all.

I have tried repeatedly to do this.  It shouldn't be hard.  They play with their toys all the time.  They love them.  But, whenever the camera appears, they suddenly find other things to do. Sometimes they stare at me blankly as if they have never in their entire lives seen such a device.  Other times they do things that are less than...aesthetic.  But, by God, it is New Year's Eve and I was going to do this!  Nothing would get in my way!!!

Epic Fail.

Epic Fail Times Two

Oh, well.  You can't always get a win.  It doesn't mean you don't take the shot, though.  If nothing else, you can say you tried.  Or slap some puce paint on your toenails and call it a day.  I hope that you and yours can say that you met more of your goals than you missed and that you can wave good-bye to 2010 with naught but a light heart.

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!  And, for what it's worth, the cats are currently taking advantage of my blogging time by playing with their toys.

SA