KAYE Loves Vintage asked, late last month, what readers would do with five minutes. Her wish list included reading a magazine, having a coffee, eating a biscuit, reading her mail and making a phone call. I know exactly how she feels. My family is gearing up for more changes in 2010.

My partner is starting the second year of full-time external study, which, I add, is being done on top of full-time work and general household/family duties. We’re over the shock of the first year and think we’ve settled into a routine.

Step-daughter No.3 finished high school this year and life stretches before her as a big adventure, but there’s no real plan. No doubt we’ll be spending time helping her navigate her choices. Step-daughter No.2 is in her third year of university study but is wavering, and again there are life choices to be thought through.

Step-daughter No.1 (numbering is a tradition of my father: I was No.1, my sister No.2, in order of birth, of course) is living out of home and entering her third year of study, but has been thrown a summer school curve ball, which means more study and less income. She’s managing OK, but it’s a hiccup.

Step-son No.1 (step-child No.4, if you’re wondering) is puddling along with the normal ups and downs of being in his mid-teens. He seems to be weathering the trials and tribulations of the age well, but, you know, he turns 16 next year. I’m never prepared to second-guess what a teenager can throw at you.

Me? You know, there’s full-time work, a series of op shop tours to plan … and … I’m heading back to lead a Girl Guide unit, the same one I took a big break from this year. The organisation celebrates 100 years next year. I can’t miss that. Oh, and another woman has stepped forward to help lead it. Fresh blood. Yah.

So, back to that five minutes … hmmmm.

PS: The watch is a 1980s McSwatch bought for $4.99 from eBay. The earrings are a little more ‘80s love, bought for $2 from Lifeline and the Linda Jackson book was from a beachside market, bought for $4.