I have just taken down the Christmas tree. That was about ten minutes work, when it took maybe ten times that to put it up and decorate it just so. A bit like the Christmas gifts. Hours spent wrapping ever so carefully and tying with pretty ribbon and bows...which is all ripped off in a matter of seconds. And this year I didn't even take a photo!
Always feel a bit sad about taking down the tree--it's like the end of a special time, and back to the ordinary everyday. Although the way the years are flying lately it'll be Christmas again before I turn around and sneeze. And now I have the coffee table back (where the tree sat this year) for useful things. Like coffee. One of my gifts this year was various accoutrements for the coffee machine I got for my birthday last year. A grinder, steamer jug, milk frother and some lovely, lovely beans. I swear I'd be addicted to the aroma of freshly ground, even if I didn't love the coffee itself!
Am also back at work, and after a break between Christmas and New Year I am all invigorated (perhaps that's the caffeine, hmm.) Most unusual for me. Usually when I've taken time off, I find it very hard to get started again. Especially when it's 40 degrees outside -- that's centrigrade, we're talking 100 F hot -- and others in my house are in holiday mode.
But yesterday, pages, good pages, and I think this is because I love this heroine. Chessie is fun, an optimist with a smart mouth who loves winding up the poor hero. My concern at this point is that I'm having so much fun with Chessie, she might be overpowering the hero on the page and we can't have that. Not in Desire. So, today's goal is to ensure that Justin remains on his game.
Also, am teaching at the moment. My first on-line workshop, with the very awesome Anne Gracie, and that is both an enjoyable and an inspiring and motivating experience.
And reading? Better late than never, I've hopped into a Christmas read. The Christmas Getaways anthology by Anne Stuart, Tina Leonard and Marion Lennox. Love that the three novellas are closely linked, with the same suspense plotline and linked characters running through the three. Have finished Anne's story; loved it. Anyone else read this one?
Labels: Anne Stuart, Christmas, Christmas Getaways, Marion Lennox, my everyday life, Tina Leonard
