Zero. That’s the number of e-mails I have stored in my in-box at the moment. I try to keep it under five. I only store work that I need to get done today in my in-box. The rest follows the 4 D’s — do, delete (my favorite), delegate (a close second), and drag. “Drag” can also mean “file” — but that doesn’t start with a “D.” I cheat a little — I’ve set up “rules” for most of my e-mails from service providers and others outside of the company. These e-mails get tucked away in a reading folder until I have time to scan them. One arrived the other day about the new UK Anti-corruption Law. If you haven’t read about this, and your company does business in the United Kingdom, you need to take a look.

Monday morning, 5:30 a.m. Survey the house to see what kind of trouble the puppy caused overnight. Last week he ate a loaf of bread and a cherry pie. All clear today. Take dogs out, feed the cat, make sure the kids are up and getting ready for school, husband reading the paper. Okay — we're good to go.

This is my first blog. When Internal Auditor contacted me and asked me to do this, I thought, "What on Earth can I blog about — and who will want to read it?" But then I thought about my crazy work/home life "blend." I've always wondered how other busy auditors and working parents manage that balance — particularly when both parents manage a career and travel.