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Is it possible it's been a year? 12/22/2004 10:10:41 AM
Reflections on 2004... Is it possible that it's been a year since I started this blog? Hard to believe it, but when I pulled up the web page, I saw my very first entry, Holidaze. Incredible.
Here we are then, but a few days from Christmas. The kids are out of school, but thankfully farmed out to relatives for a few days. My husband is asleep in the other room, and I've even closed the dogs out of the office while I write this. Ah, blessed peace.
For anyone who has been kind enough to read my blogs this year, first God bless you, and second, I will make a promise to try and write more of them. As well as a regular newsletter, and more books. You have truly been a blessing to me and I thank you.
Let's see, so much has changed in the last twelve months it's hard to put it into words. Of course, not much happened in the first few months, mostly my own anticipation of finally seeing my first e-book come into fruition. That was in May, and I am very pleased with the outcome. What a thrill it was to get good reviews from friends and family in addition to my editors and online reviewers.
Next, within a few weeks of that book's release, my first call from New York came, and in the space of a few weeks, my very first dream of being a writer and seeing my work on the bookstore shelves came true. Not only am I an online presence, albiet a very small one, I will soon be marketed across the country and even have a second book in the works. I have a New York agent, and a plan for my future as an author.
Indeed, facing my fifteenth wedding anniversary, my loving husband and two growing and healthy daughters, I have it all. And yet, in spite of all that, there are unfortunate things that have occurred this year as well.
My beloved niece was diagnosed with juvinile onset diabetes, and that was the day my heart broke. Thankfully, she and her family have adapted admirably and she is as healthy and happy as ever.
The husband of my oldest and dearest friend passed away from lung cancer last August. Because of being at the national RWA conference I couldn't be there for the funeral. My widowed friend is continuing on courageously in spite of her loss and is an inspiration to me in more ways that I ever thought possible. So while I miss him dearly, I cheer for her every day.
On the personal side, I haven't lost the weight I had planned on and in fact ended up gaining a few pounds.
Finally, my bills and mortgages are still piling up. Like most of America, I need to learn about sticking to a budget and not eating out as much.
So, what does this all mean?
I've got to stick with a good nutritional plan and lose my weight and really exercise.
I've got to get a plan in gear for marketing my books.
I have to continue writing and discover who I am and then build a name for myself.
I have to continue being a good support system for my husband, my children, my friends, and coworkers.
I've got to curb my spending and pay off some of those pesky high interest credit cards.
And, most importantly, I've got to count my blessings every day, appreciate the life and loves that I've been given, keep on fighting the good fight, and most importantly do the very best I can for my family, my fellow writers, my coworkers, my patients, and even myself.
I wish all of you a very happy, prosperous, fufilling, and joyous holiday season this year and in 2005! Cheers!
