THE LOST MONTH

January seems to be the month to lose things. First I lost a packet of dragonfly charms for bookmark making. Straight from the post to the bin, I fear. Then my (fortunately) cheapie Eiffel tower necklace, but what cuts the deepest is the loss of our much loved little moggy, Webster.

Webster

He disappeared over a week ago and hasn't been seen since. He may still turn up - I sure hope he does - but he's never been one to stray.

And what came first, you may ask. My pen name or the kitty? Well, Webster has been with us almost twice as long as I've been writing. And yes he was the inspiration for my name.

So we're all feeling sad and welcoming the distraction of back-to-schoolitis.

I'll be back in a day or two with something more cheerful.

PLANS FOR A NEW YEAR

2011 is well and truly over and as I look back on it I can say I'm glad it's passed. For lots of reasons it was a hard year.  However, there are always high points and interesting diversions to even the worst of years.

It was the year I was able to stand back from my first WIP and make some much needed decisions. At present Blackbird is quietly marinating in my bottom drawer, but not forgotten.

I started two new projects, faltered on one and am slowly progressing through the other.

Putting my hand up and becoming the president of our local Writers' Workshop was a moment fraught with nerves, yet it has turned out to be a very positive move. Sometimes it's good to step outside of our comfort zones.

Fountain at Versailles, France.

After much fundraising we were able to send our oldest son on a European tour. The experience is something he will treasure for many years.

2011 was also my final year as a homeschooling Mum. My daughter is set to start high school next Friday, leaving me with a lot more hours in the day.

As life takes it twists and turns we can never really know our future, but despite that we lay plans for the days, months, and years ahead; hoping at least some will come to fruition.

These are my plans for 2012:

1 Finish my present WIP: working title 'Tegan's Story'.

2 Be more creative: patchwork, card making, stitching.

3 Read plenty of good books.

4 Blog more regularly than I have been.

And as I work on Number 4, you'll get to hear about my long, hot summer; my first foray into 4 wheel driving; and my best reads of last year. I hope you'll join me.

Old Dunstan Road - close to where Rohan, LOTR was filmed.

Oh, I need to add another: Don't put bread in the oven and then write blogs!  (Don't worry, the house is still standing!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I'm having a bit of a break from writing and blogging, but I just wanted to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

I hope your days are filled with family, good friends, great food and awesome books!!!

I'll be back again in the New Year.

CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE

Well, I've done it again, done a disappearing act. I can't quite believe it's been another two weeks since I last blogged. I've been busy getting everything organised for Christmas and for the first time in years I'm totally organised before the school holidays start, which is a wonderful feeling.

The tree is up:



 

And my favourite angel ornaments are gracing the piano:

By the end of this week everyone in the family will be finished school and six long weeks of summer holidays await us. We're hoping to complete a couple of projects in the garden, go for day trips in the car and find some new places to explore on foot. And for the inevitable cooler, rainy days there is a pile of books and another pile of movies to get through. What are your plans for the holidays?

The writing has taken a backseat for just a little while (just for the Christmas season), although there are the results of a couple of short story competitions coming up at the end of the month. (Fingers crossed!)

Wherever you are - knee deep in snow or basking in the sun - I hope you have a blessed and peaceful time leading up to Christmas.

HELLO SUMMER

Today is the first day of summer and it is a perfect hot sun-shiny day. This morning I took a scrubbing brush and hose to the table on the deck to remove all that winter had thrown at it. Then I pulled up a chair and ate breakfast under the sun. A couple of resident fantails swooped around me and I spotted a large dragonfly. A lovely start to the day.

Along with the coming of summer is the end of the school year. This week my oldest finished school - forever. Second son has spent the week performing in the school show, playing a mighty mean bass guitar. Last night we went as a family and it was loads of fun. And my youngest is winding down her last year of homeschooling. She's off to high school next year and we are both looking forward to the change. There will, hopefully, be a much more prolific writing schedule for me next year.

An almost completed first chapter got an airing on Tuesday night at Mad Scribblers (the awesome critique group I attend). It received favourable reports. So with that boost to my confidence I'm dying to get stuck in and write up a storm!

I still have no title for this new novel, so I'll refer to it as Tegan's Story for the moment. I must admit to thoroughly enjoying writing a modern story. There is very little research needed, which is a nice change, although I do need to interview a friend with the same illness as Tegan's brother. I've never interviewed anyone so it will be another learning curve.

And I'll finish up with a big shout of CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to all those who have completed NaNo. Well done to you all.