Well...okay, it's not completely done. We still have to exchange gifts with a couple of friends, but for the most part...ahh, it's finally over.
Dana was very sweet and ordered me a bunch of things online, but not all of them have managed to show up yet. I told her it was fine and we exchanged what gifts we did have. And now, I've got surprises coming in the mail! She got Windows 7 for me -- I had Vista and couldn't stand it. My poor computer was shouldering all the blame for any glitch or malfunction that occurred when, in fact, it was all Vista's fault. Now, my Toshiba Satellite runs like a dream. Thank you, Dana! She also got me the new Sims 3 expansion pack, the new Jennifer Weiner book and a gorgeous red leather journal with a heart emblazzoned on its cover. Oh, and a really fabulous, smooth-writing pen with which to fill said journal. Me = spoiled.
But to be fair, I got her quite a bit, too. From Superman PJs to Cranium and the Proposal on DVD. Hers were random gifts, but she loved each of them. Especially the tiny crystal pig (we collect pigs. Long story...it's just our thing!)
My family, even though they're pretty poor, managed to get Dana and I a few gifts. My brother gave me adorable Tweety bird toe socks. And, of course, we got lots of candles. Me and Dana, we're candle people.
An electric fireplace heater and storage bench came from Dana's mom, who has been addicted to her Nintendo DS since Dana gave it to her a week before Christmas.
All in all, it was a good holiday season. And I am definitely glad it's over!!
I purchased a cheap planner from Target last week while I was out finishing Christmas shopping, and I plan to use it to track my writing progress. On the first page, I made a list of my writing goals for 2010. They include:
1. Write at least 500 words a day. (Much more feasible than the 1667 that I did this past November)
2. Finish NaNo '09 project. (My poor pregnant MC needs to have that baby!)
3. Revise NaNo '09 project. (It needs to NOT suck when I get my CreateSpace copy!)
4. Finish the Tierney/Jack story. (This is the one I've been working on for years. This is the year I finish it. I swear it!)
5. Revise said story. (For peace of mind, if nothing else, this project needs to be done.)
6. Plan NaNo '10 project. (No last-minute scribbles of plot points on scraps of paper again!)
7. Do at least one "mini-NaNo" before November. (Maybe use it to finish one of the above.)
8. Go to writing groups regularly. (They help make me a more productive writer.)
9. Read more books. (Yes, books. Not just magazines or blogs. But real, actual BOOKS!!)
10. Write in journal or blog daily.
There, 10 goals for 2010. I am determined. I am serious. I am 100% dedicated to getting back into the swing of things. I am a writer.
I.
Am.
A.
Writer.
And I will write, damn it!
6.