I've always been a bit of a Christmas fiend. I revel in the build up - the decorating, the shopping, the christmas music and movies. I start letting Christmas infiltrate my life November 1st. My mom was always a stickler for waiting until after November 11th (Remembrance Day), but since moving to the UK I've not been as stringent in that rule. Probably because it's not a stat holiday here like it is back home, so while acknowledged, it passes with less oomph then I'm used to. 
Either way, I let Christmas get it's magical hands on me early and ride the wave of baubles and trees and turkeys all the way to the 25th. 
And then I deflate. Christmas is over. The build up has ended. The presents are open, the turkey is nothing but a hollow carcass, and the joy has given way to half price sales. 
At least that's how things used to be, when I was younger and most of my excitement was fuelled less by friends and family and more by the gifts under the tree. 
This year I'm not feeling quite so at a loss. To be honest, it's almost a relief - Christmas can be mighty stressful (especially when the turkey isn't defrosted at midnight Christmas Eve). I think this must be part of growing up and it's kind of nice. The tree, with it's empty base, no longer seems sad and lonely, but just looks pretty. I'm enjoying my gifts and the left over food, but I'm excited about the next couple days, and months actually. 
My friend Liesa is few days over from Germany for a few days over New Years', which should be wonderful, and then the new year will be upon me and I've got high hopes for it. 
This is going to be the year people. Come hell or high water I will finish my newest novel and get it out to you and the world. You will finally meet Sophie McCann - my newest protagonist, who has a little bit in common with me. See she's just moved to the UK for school, and while studying is the order of the day, cute British guys are always going to get in the way. (I so didn't mean to rhyme that, but I kind of like it, so it's staying). 
As well as finishing the new novel, I have other plans! I'm going to finally turn this blog (which you might have noticed has shifted somewhat in appearance) into a proper website! And I'm going to update it way more than I've been doing. I'm going to do everything I can to stay in touch with all of you wonderful readers. And fingers crossed that more exciting things will continue to unspool. 
Watch out guys! The New Year is going to rock.