Monday, January 28, 2013

NEW BEGINNINGS

I know it's rather late in January to be talking about the New Year, but for me the year starts when hubby and kids go back to school. By the end of the week they will all be back at their various schools and it's time for me to get back into some serious writing.

We've had a long, hot, and sunny summer which looks to continue for some time to come. I've read some great books, watched some excellent movies, visited with friends and family and made some day trips into the country. It's been a wonderfully relaxing time.

There are a lot of 'new' things about this new year.

Firstly, on a sad note, I have farewelled two friends who moved north at the end of last year. One of them is my great writing buddy, Ruth.  We have this great ability to bounce ideas off of each other. When I get stuck in my writing, a long talk with Ruth almost always solves the problem and rekindles my passion for the story. So I am very thankful for telephones and the internet, although I do miss the chats over coffee. Travel to her new home in Wellington and Whangerei, where my other friend now lives, might have to become a yearly occurrence.

I do, however, have a new companion of the furry kind. Monty arrived just after Christmas. He is the cutest little kitty and follows me around like a puppy! I've never had a cat quite like him. Every time I move rooms, or even walk from one side to the other, he's there. When I stop moving he flops down on my feet. When I have the house to myself again during the day, I will not be lonely!

Here's a couple of photos of him. He's about nine months and not fully grown.








And here's our other cat, Captain, snoozing on my desk.



This year I also have a new desk to work at. Much bigger than my old one, I can use it for card making as well and all my patchwork fabrics are stored in drawers underneath. It's the central hub of all my creativity!

Here's a photo.



I'm not one for new year's resolutions, but this year I am determined to devote as much time as possible to my writing. Over the last couple of years I have let other things get in the way and my focus has been splintered. I've made a few adjustments to fix that and one of them will be that I blog less frequently - perhaps once or twice a month.

So how have your holidays, or winter if you're from way up north, been? What are you doing that's new this year? Leave me a comment, I love to hear from you.

12 comments:

  1. I love your cats! They make wonderful companions. You have two, so I can't see you being too lonely.
    Good luck with all your writing endeavours for 2013 and yes, the blogging adjustment is an excellent one.

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    1. Thanks, Joanne. I hope you have a great writing year too.

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  2. Glad you have made some decisions for goals.
    Yes I am feeling a bit like new beginnings too with our youngest leaving home so it will all be new

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    1. That's the next hurdle for us: kids leaving home. Our oldest is at polytech, so it won't be too long. I hope the transition goes well for you.

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  3. Love your new kitty. Mine (Slick) has taken to laying on my desk and doesn't care what he knocks over to get there. Ha!

    I, too, am trying to devote more time to writing and less time to social media. I am lucky to get in one blog post a week anymore. But I think that's okay.

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  4. My cats don't knock things off, but they do love to walk across the computer keys!!! They haven't done too much damage. Yet! Slick sounds like a cat with Personality!

    Yep, I think cutting back on social media is the way to go. I like how it allows us to connect with other writers, but at the end of the day writers must write!

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  5. Great Blog.
    I'm sure you'll miss your friends.

    Our holidays this year have been full on family. I love it when they come home but I have to confess I love it more when they go home. I miss my own space.
    I never make resolutions either but this year I intend to get into my office, get rid of my old dinasaur I never use anymore and make use of the extra space. I also intend streamlining my garden so it's easier to keep. This is a change forced on me by arthritis.

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    1. Yes, it is nice to have your own space. By the end of the holidays I'm craving it.
      Sorry to hear arthritis has impeded on the gardening, I hope the streamlining will make it easier.

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  6. What a lovely tidy desk! As I write I am arm wrestling Oliver Kat who has taken over my desk. My keyboard is on my knee and he keeps head butting my left hand. I know I should just kick him off :-) Like Monty he is more doglike in his devotion than any cat who has ever owned me.
    Also congrats on your Nanowrimo success. I stalled in the last week :-(

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    1. Mmmm, not quite so tidy now! Yes, cats can be quite distracting at times can't they? But we wouldn't be without them. :)

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  7. Mmmm I'm still drooling over those strawberries from your prev. post! Good luck with your Year of Writing! An excellent goal - love the big new writing space - the Hob is a most appropriate name. Your kitten is gorgeous! A fluffy tabby - the lovliest & friendliest of all cats I believe.

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    1. I am enjoying the big desk - much easier to keep tidy! :)

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