Happy New Year

I'm always a fan of the phrase, "Start the way you aim to go."  So we're starting this year off with a post.  And I'm going to try to be better about it than I have in the past few months!

Also with that idiom in mind, I'll be spending the day (once I finish this post) writing and cleaning, with maybe some yarning thrown in at the end.  

I got way too drunk way too fast last night.  It was supposed to be all of us doing that, but somehow I was the only one that ended up toasted.  Ah well.  I ended up in bed about 11, and for a little bit it was touch and go as to whether all the junk food I ate was going to play well with all the wine I drank.  Fortunately, it was all good, I fell asleep, and was dead to the world as the clock rolled over into a new year.  I wasn't upset about it.  New year was going to happen whether I was awake to see it or not.  

But I spent the evening with my family, and it was good.  We played some games and ate a lot of food and just generally had a fantastic time.  

So I rang in the new year completely asleep.  But I woke up this morning feeling good and focused and ready to work.  And that, right there, is a good place to be.

Take time today to remember all you are thankful for!

Lights

I put a string of lights up.

Now, hang on a minute, don't judge.  I haven't turned them on, other than to make sure they worked, and I won't until it's Christmas season.  But I had a very practical purpose for hanging them even though they aren't doing anything.

I just bought them, and I needed them to stretch out.  Straight out of the box, they are all still coiled and don't want to give up their tension.  So I hung them up to let them relax, stretch, and get comfortable.  Then, by the time I'm ready for lights, they'll look pretty and nice, instead of all scrunchy.

See?  I'm thinking ahead.  

I've got a couple more strings that will go up when it's decorating time.  And, oh boy, let me tell you, I'm ready for Christmas decorations.  I have a list and a chart (okay, the chart is just in my head) and I know what will go where.  It's going to be lovely.  

And I can't wait!

It's the Holiday Season!

I really love this time of year.

'Round these parts, we get the snow, which for me makes the season.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm not a fan of blizzards, or 18 inches in 18 hours or anything like that.  But when it's all less than a couple of inches, and it just looks pretty on the grass and the houses and cars and trees, well that makes me really happy.

And Thanksgiving!  Oh, yes, how I love that holiday!  It a wonderful day, and my favorite part is spending it with my family, stuffing ourselves full, and enjoying the hell out of each other.  We usually laugh really hard, and often play board games.  Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, and a few other things that are tradition.  I love it.

And then, after the turkey coma wears off, it's the official start to the Christmas season.  I have to admit, I'm anxious and excited to get decorating, because I love seeing the Christmas cheer all around me.  

And holiday movies...I cannot even tell you how addicted to holiday cheesy romances I am.  Though most of them are het, I still love them.  On top of all my other Christmas movies.  That's basically all I watch from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.

So anyway, family time, and holiday cheer, and this whole end of the year makes me very happy.    

Happy Christmas!

Wishing everyone a warm and joyous Christmas!

 

Christmas Random

--I swear the cats have extra super-sensitive hearing.  Simon in particular.  If he's hungry and he's decided it's food time and he hears me on the stairs or opening a door, he'll appear from nowhere, crying, dancing around my feet, rubbing on my legs just begging to be fed with his "oh my god if you don't feed me I'm just going to perish and die!  Please, please feed me because I'm too pretty to die!!!" act on.  Since he doesn't care if getting under my feet and tripping me so I fall to a horrible death down the stairs is the result of his antics, he's not getting catnip in his stocking this year.

--Last night, I made a dishcloth.  It only took about an hour since, lets face it, they aren't very big.  It's sort of a gag gift for Sis.  See, Grandma (my mom's mom) was a knitter.  Fanatical, really.  (Guess I come by it honestly)  And she used to make this dishcloths.  Now, I hate using them on my dishes because I think they are a bit bulky.  But Sis?  They are her favorite when she washes dishes.  And I had some cotton yarn that someone gave me--people give me yarn all the time.  You don't know how many times I hear things like "My mom/grandma/aunt/some other obscure relative had all this yarn and..." and I can't say no--so it's not the best looking thing.  But it was apparent that Grandma's pattern was really easy and after a bit of studying, I figured it out.  I think it looks exactly the same, so I'm happy with that.  I might pop to the store today and pick up some better yarn to make another one with.  But I haven't officially decided yet.  Anyway, she'll get that as a wee giftie under the tree and it'll make her grin.

--The rest of my holiday yarning has been kind of a bust, but there is one thing that I need to complete.  The BFFs gift.  We'll probably do the Christmas thing right after Christmas though so I have a little bit of time.  I'll get it done.  

--Finally going to decorate the tree today.  I'm so excited I can barely stand it.  It's going to be fun and when I'm done, I can sit back and admire.  One of my favorite things about Christmas.  

--There will be Christmas music while the tree is being decorated.  

--When I'm done, there will be hot chocolate and a Christmas movie.  I'm looking forward to that almost as much as decorating the tree.

--I love this time of year.  I love the snow and the joy and the giving of gifts and remembering the reason for the season and all of it.  I just love it.  And with Christmas only a few days away, I'm getting as excited as...well, as a kid at Christmas!

Here's What Happened...

I have a lot to be thankful for this year and I made sure to be extra appreciative yesterday.  We had a wonderful family dinner--there was so much food--and even though Brub was in Massachusetts and his presence was missed, we still had a good time.  After dinner, and while we enjoyed our pie, we played a game.  There was one point where we were laughing so hard, everything hurt and I couldn't breathe.  I really have an awesome family.  

Today is my last day of work before I have a week off.  I'm pretty excited about having vacation time.  I'm not doing anything exciting...just hanging out and sleeping in late and drinking my coffee in my pajamas.  But it'll be nice.  I'm hoping to watch a bunch of Christmas movies and get some yarning done and maybe even some editing.  I will most likely write. 

Worth It will be released for individual sale on Sunday, December 1st, as will the rest of the stories from the Heartwarming anthology.  I'm both nervous and excited.  I wrote a story that's going to be out there for the public to read.  I really don't even know how to feel right now.

Sis loved her blanket! She's been wrapped up in it since yesterday.  I keep telling her it's too long and she keeps refuting me.  I'm happy she's happy.  And I'm incredibly happy that it's done and I don't have to think about it anymore.  I already have plans for the extra yarn.  Eventually.  If I get to it.

The Christmas season is officially upon us!  I need more decorations.  Just sayin'.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Season's Greetings

All right, I have a confession to make.  

This past weekend?  I broke out the Christmas movies.  I know, I know!  It's nearly an unforgivable act.  But I couldn't help myself.  First, someone was talking about holiday movies on his blog and it got me into the spirit.  So, I broke down on Friday night and popped in a classic animated film.  

Then Saturday night, the BFF and I had one of our nights, just hanging out and chilling.  One of our favorite movies of all time is Love, Actually which takes place at Christmas time.  And then we followed it up with The Holiday.

So, since we busted through that "no Christmas movies before Thanksgiving" rule and left it smashed to smithereens, I went ahead and watched some more last night.  

And I've gotta say, it's really helping me to get in the spirit of the holiday season.  I have vague plans to decorate a bit in my space, which will be nice.  But that I really am saving until next weekend, for after Thanksgiving.  

I love the feel good emotions of the season.  I love remembering it's about giving and joy. Some of my best memories are from Christmases past.  

Here's wishing everyone a joyous holiday season to come!

Well, then...

I had intended for a Merry Christmas post to go up yesterday wishing everyone a joyous holiday season but alas, I didn't schedule it right and it never went.  Sometimes, I'm painfully stupid about things like that.  So I'll say it now...

I hope everyone has a joyous holiday season filled with love and peace.

That said, here's what's going on...

My dear aunt who would have been at our house sharing the Christmas meal with us, fell down the stairs last week and, because she's bruised and a little bit broken, did not feel up to going out yesterday.  Instead, we packed up dessert and presents and traipsed over to her house so that we could celebrate some of the day with her.  She was well pleased to see us and it was a fun couple of hours.  She made me this wicked cool set of crochet hook and knitting needle wraps that keep them all contained.  Auntie is the craftiest person I know (as in she does a lot of crafts☺) and Sis and I take great joy in sharing things with her.

I whipped up an awesome scarf from some of the left over homespun thick and quick for my cousin.  May I say that it makes a luscious and wonderful scarf?  Highly recommended.

Santa brought me a lot of nifty gifites and though that was great fun (I think I reverted in age about 20 years) the absolute best part of the day was spending it with my family.  Dinner was wonderful and simply just hanging out with them was so very nice and needed.  I feel like my batteries are recharged.

The BFF got me the coolest thing!  Its a heated blanket that get it's power from USB cable.  I sweartogod!  I just plug it into an empty port on my laptop while reading or writing and my lap (or feet or shoulders) get all warm and toasty.  Seriously awesome. 

In other news, I'm getting a lot of pressure from my loyal fans (read: siblings, the BFF, and my  beta reader) to write something with the express intention of getting it published.  They are being very adamant about it.  I appreciate the support but it's also a little daunting.  That being said, I am sorting through plot bunnies and looking at avenues.  I don't want to say much about it now because I'm afraid of jinxing myself but I'll keep you posted when something develops.

I cannot believe that yet another year is about to close.  I'm looking forward to 2013.  My brain is already spinning with all the things I hope to accomplish!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Yesterday it was cold and a tiny bit rainy and for like, a second and a half, it snowed.  It was gone about three seconds after that.  We haven't had any substantial snow fall at all yet.  But this morning I woke up and squeed!

There was several inches on the ground and it was still snowing!

Now, I hate driving in the snow as much as the next person.  And it never fails that there are people out there who apparently forgot what it was like since last winter and don't brush off their cars properly or hit the gas way too hard and go fishtailing or any number of other idiotic things.  And of course I would rather not shovel or snow blow or whatever else to move the snow from the driveway and sidewalks.  

But I actually like the snow.  Not tons and tons of it.  And not for six months (yes, that has happened here on occasion).  But during this time of year especially, I like a little snow.  If I had my way it would snow from the day after Thanksgiving to the second of January and only fall on the grass, the trees, and the rooftops.  Is that too much to ask?

Yeah, I know it is.  But I'm very pleased that we got snow and I'm pretty sure it'll stick around for a few days because yes, I love snow on Christmas.  

And tonight, the festivities begin with the BFF Christmas!  Presents and snacks and wine and Love, Actually and maybe more Christmas themed movies. It's going to be wonderful just hanging out and having flop time and watching our movie and just chillin'.  I'm very much a lot looking forward to it.  

And there is snow outside!

The 100th Post!

It seems fitting that I write my 100th post with celebratory news...That's right folks!  The tree is finally up, adorned, and sparkling!  And yes, it was a typical situation in which I did all the work while everyone watched.  OK, Sis helped with the lights and then opened boxes and handed me ornaments to put on the tree. 

Some other bits of random news:

Co-worker has a horrid flu and was in today before she left, went to the doctor, and found out it's a nasty version.  She's out until after Christmas.  We are all now paranoid that the flu will attack us all.  I'm crossing my fingers that it avoids me.

The BFF and I will be doing our Christmas prezzies plus our movie and wine on Saturday night.  I'm very excited for BFF time...and prezzies and wine.

I wrote a little story, basically because of a picture prompt over at Matty and Brad's blog.  Matt put it in the comments.  You can check it out here,  I also highly recommend following their blog.  It's fun and sweet and serious and a lot of wonderful things. 

I've got all my Christmas shopping done.  If there's anything else that I should have gotten, well, too damn bad.  I'm done and that's all she wrote.  

I'm very excited about Christmas this year, simply because everyone will be home, my aunt and uncle will be joining us, and there will be family time and a feast...and yes, OK, presents.  I like getting stuff, what can I say?  It doesn't make me bad, just makes me human.

I don't have to work on Christmas Eve, which is very nice.  It's the first time ever and I don't have to work because my boss told me I wasn't working that day.  I do have to work New Year's Eve, but only from 8 till noon.  At any rate, I appreciate the little bit of time they give us to show their appreciation.  It's little things like this that remind me yet again that I made the right choice back in March to take this job.

The muses have been fighting in my brain again.  I'm just waiting to see which one wins.  Right now, it's a draw.  They've retreated to plan their next attack.  I sometimes wonder why they can't combine forces.  There should be a way for me to yarn and write at the same time, right?

Happy Thursday!