My Dad published his first book this year, its a novel and it was a hard slog to get it published and has not made him a penny yet but he is just delighted to have been published.
My brother is doing a journalism course at the moment and my best friend has been working as a journalist for the last 4 years, so I often consider turning to writing too. Don't think I am good enough thought but then sometimes you read such trash and think "I could do better than that!" and get all motivated again.
You are right, you need to write everyday. I have written the first chapter of 3 novels but never got any further, its hard to commit the time.
Good luck with sorting out the sorta in law/living arrangement issue. I am sure MIL will be sad if you leave though!