Every school year, the Nielson household chooses a family theme, like Be prepared or Listen and obey. I like this. So for 2010 I chose a personal theme. A mind-quieting mantra.

To me, "carry on" has two meanings - marching forward no matter what, and having a mischievous good time.

(Rob feels the need to point out that the stress I expressed over getting that print framed without a single piece of lint or cat hair under the glass was not at all in the spirit of the motto.)