Negotiation

My current photography assignment is a self portrait.  It's difficult.  Not just the context, but physically taking a picture of myself with a 35mm film camera.  I had an idea, set up the camera on a tri-pod, set up the lighting, attached the shutter release cord and then realized the cord was only about 8 inches long.
Help!
So I snagged Heidi off the couch and asked her to come help me.  All she had to do was press the button.  Well, she whimpered, and whined, and complained that it was going to be boring.  I tried to bribe her with fruit snacks, crackers with the nasty cheesy spread.  Nothing.  Finally I offered five pennies.  Her little ears perked up.  She looked at me, realized she had the upper hand and said, "Fine.  But I want ten more."  Fifteen pennies it is.
Heidi pushed the button 36 times at my command.  I thanked her and sent her off on her way.  Before she left the room, Heidi turned to me and said, "Actually, I really wanted a dollar."
I gave her 15 pennies and I'm looking into Pre-Law Kindergarten.

Who are you?

So this whole full time-student, part-time mother thing has been a challenge.  I've been trying to decide what my summer plan will be, if I should go to school and plow through it or take some time off.  Well, last night I got home from school/work/studying at 8pm and when I walked in the door my girls all ran to me, hugged me and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Um...I live here.  I'm your mom.  You know...that lady who's holding you in your birth photos.

That made my decision for me.  Summer break from school.  I'll still be working but there is very little mental investment required there.  That means I'll have time again to thing about things like my children, my dear patient hubby who puts up with me being gone 100 hours a week, blogging, cooking...I don't know...maybe I'll sleep too.  That hasn't happened in a while, and it won't for three more weeks until this school term is completed.  After I wake up from my three day coma, watch out because I'll be catching up on the last, eh, year. Blog overload.  You've been warned. :)