The Holidays Are Officially Over. Almost.

I took the Christmas decorations down yesterday. -sigh-

I left them up a little longer this year since I'd been sick and didn't get them up as early as I usually do (Thanksgiving weekend). I still need to do the tree today, but then it's back to house as usual. It's kinda sad, because the house looks so pretty with the decorations up, and it always feels so pale after. Something about all that green and red and garland and stuffed toys make the place seem so rich and vibrant.

At least we still have snow.

A Cool Thing (Literally) to Wake Up To

I walk into my kitchen to make some tea, and what do I see outside my window?

Snow!

I took these through the window while the water was boiling, but then I had to bundle up and go outside. (These shots are of the back yard and the woods behind the house)

First, I crunched down the front steps...

Then past my flowerbed with the birdbath, and it always tickles me when it's frozen over. I can't help picturing little ice skating birdies. (Yes, I know I'm weird).

I wanted to get a shot of the house, so I headed down the driveway... (and by the way, this is the view from my office window. Just lower since my office is on the second floor)

Along the way, I discovered I wasn't the first to be out in the snow this morning...

A whole line of kitty prints ran from the side of the house and off the driveway. Poor kitty! Mine are sleeping on the heat vents and they aren't even outside.

At the end of the drive, I turned around and..

Saw my house all covered in snow! (that's my office window there above the garage)

I know a lot of the country is buried in this stuff right now, and it's nothing new or exciting to them, but as a Florida gal who never saw snow at all until a few years ago, THIS IS AWESOME! It's a totally new experience for me. We had snow a few years ago for three whole glorious days, but none since then. The sun is up now and I'm sure it'll all melt away by this afternoon, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Sneak Peak. In the Beginning...

As promised, here's a sneak peek at the opening of Shifter 2...


Responsibility was overrated. Sure, it sounded good--take control of your life, make your own choices--but that also meant you had to pay for your own mistakes. And if your life and choices hadn't gone the way you'd planned, well, then your mistakes might reach deeper than your pockets could afford.

I hoped mine we deep enough for the mess I'd caused.

Cool Things About Georgia Winters

The soda you grab from the garage storage shelf is already cold.

Snow (when it falls) doesn't stick to the street, so it looks cool on the flowerbeds and yards but doesn't have to be shoveled.

You can wear coats, hats, and scarves.

Above coats don't have to be so huge they make you look like a stuffed toy.

Fireplaces.

Very snuggly cats trying to stay warm in your lap.

Brand New Year

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it's 2010 already. Where did the time go?

2010 is going to be a busy year for me. I need to dive into Shifter 3, finish copy edits and whatever else my editor wants me to do on Shifter 2 as they come in this month, and continue to promote and talk about Shifter. The first half of the year is going to be packed, but it'll also be a lot of fun.

I didn't do any New Year's Resolutions at midnight, but thinking now, there are some things I'd like to do this year.

1. Blog more regularly.

2. Remember to take out the trash on trash day every week.

3. Exercise more.

4. Get organized.

5. Carve out more time for fun when I'm on deadline. (hence the get organized part so I'll be able to do this)

Up until recently, my resolutions every year were always "get something published" and "do what makes me happy." Pretty much nailed those, so it's time for something a bit more constructive.

So how about ya'll? Setting any goals for yourselves this year?

So, What's Up With You?

Whew, good to be home and back in my routine. It's been a crazy month, but I did have a lot of fun in between the craziness. (and the coughing)

I got to visit a couple of schools (go Liberty and Lakeside Middles!) and a bookfair at Barnes & Noble with the Liberty Middle folks. This was my first bookfair and I had a great time. The organizer, Sharon, (that's her in the red stripes) was awesome and took great care of me and the book. And of course, my hubby was there to fetch me hot tea and take pictures.


The school visits were as fabulous as ever. I just love coming out to talk to folks. They ask the coolest questions, and even give me ideas for the books. I've got a bunch more next year and I can't wait. (School visits, not ideas, but I have those, too I guess)

Lots of friends saw the book on the shelves while Christmas shopping, so have a new set of "Shifter on the Shelves" photos or my growing collection. I'm still not sure exactly what I'm going to do with them, but I'm determined to find something creative. I'm thinking a cool poster of some type.

Oh! Did I tell you that Shifter 2 is done? It is! (major happy dance) It's in the Land of the Copy Editors right now, and I'll see it again for edits come January, but it's finally finished. It was tough, but the end result turned out pretty cool, so I hope everyone will be happy with it. (Though my friend Dee Dee insists I'm too mean to Nya, bwahaha)

More later!

Really, I Didn't Fall of the Face of the Earth

Though you'd think I did from my terribly long absence. Sorry all!

I have a good excuse, really. I was hard at work on Shifter 2, (which is done, yay!), then there was Thanksgiving, and then I got sick for two whole weeks! Then there was Christmas, and I went away for a much needed vacation after all those deadlines and being sick and all.

But I'm back! So where was I on vacation? I'll give you a hint...


Yep, Disney World!

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, and had a very talented towel artist taking care of our room. Not only did that Mickey Ears greet us when we got there, but the next day, we found this cutie. And even a fun fan thing that held our toothbrushes in the bathroom. (I didn't take a photo of that though)

We had a great time, and now I have the urge to watch the movies for every ride I went on. So I sense a big lazy movie day in my future. But since I'm not starting on Shifter 3 until January, I can veg out for a while longer.

I did find the most amazing store ever though. In Downtown Disney, there's a store called Little Miss Match, that sells the funkiest socks. (Did I ever tell ya'll I adore funky socks?) They come in "pairs" of three, and are different patterns that go together, even though they don't officially match. You can wear the blue and yellow and green stripes with the pink and blue and green stripes one day, then the orange and green and blue stripes another. They rock. There's even TOE SOCKS!


Did I go crazy? Oh yeah. I need at least an extra sock drawer now, if not two.

As soon as I get unpacked and squared away I'll update everyone on the fun things I've been doing and the great bookstores and schools I've visited (in between being sick and being a world traveler and all). And maybe even a sneak peek or two at some of Shifter 2. We have a title now, so hopefully soon I'll have a cover as well to show everyone.