Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope this holiday season has begun with many blessings and fond memories for all of you.

It looks like 2014 is just about over, and I have to say that I'm going to miss it. I feel like I've matured a bit, but there were still plenty of times when I was able to relax and be a kid. Since I will be turning twenty-one in 2015, there is a part of me that feels as if I'll never have another year quite like the one I'm leaving behind. Hence, this New Year is rather bittersweet.

But that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to look forward to. Next week I'll be starting school as a full-time student working towards an Associate degree in English Literature, which I hope to apply to my writing. I'll also be working hard to finish the third book in The Last Abecedarian Series, and I've got lots of big ideas for this particular novel. Then, of course, growing up doesn't mean I can't still have my own adventures with friends and family. Hopefully there will be lots of interesting stuff to read on this blog in the months ahead.

Just for fun, I decided to post my list of New Year Resolutions. I'm already doing some of these things, but I want to improve how I do them this year.

1. Learn to manage my time wisely

2. Set aside time for writing every day

3. Make a concerted effort to study for memory, not just for tests

4. Spend more bonding time with my siblings

5. Grow a garden and actually harvest/can the produce

6. Learn to cook with and enjoy eating said produce

7. Re-learn to draw

8. Read more spiritual books and attend Mass/confession more often

9. Update this blog frequently (and with interesting posts+pictures)

10. Do something I've never done before

There are many more things I'd like to add to the list, but I think this is enough for now. I'll probably have my hands full just trying to accomplish what little there is here.

What about you? Anything special on your New Year Resolutions list?

Have a good holiday and enjoy the rest of your Christmas Season.

Welcome Coda

Little Coda has finally come to live with his new family, and we're all very happy to have him. This is the best picture we've managed to take, so this is the only one I'll be using for a while, ha ha. His name means "repeat" in music lingo, which is fitting since he is mostly the same breed as Samson, but we're still trying to decide if we want to spell it like the cub in Brother Bear (Koda). 

However, he is not an identical copy of Samson. The name is appropriate because Samson was a Rhodesian Ridgeback as well, mixed with a few other things, and Coda is the second puppy our whole family will raise. This is the first time we've ever had a pure-bred animal, so it will be interesting to see if he grows up with all the characteristics of his breed.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are native to South Africa where they were trained for hunting lions and acting as guard dog. They are pretty big, up to twenty-seven inches at the shoulder, and are very muscular. But they also have sweet temperaments and make great for kids.The reason they're called ridgebacks is because the hair along their spine grows in the opposite direction, creating a unique pattern that looks like...you guessed it...a ridge. Photo taken from the American Kennel Club's website.

Our other dog, Delilah, is not taking to Coda very well, but that is to be expected considering she's been the baby of the family for seven years. Hopefully she'll warm up soon. When she does, I'll try to take a picture and post it online.

Daughter of Aero is Published!

It's finally happened. Daughter of Aero is published and available for purchase on Amazon.com. Now I can spend the rest of December as unproductively as possible before beginning work on book three in January.

Thank you for all your patience and support during this process. I sincerely hope you enjoy this second installment in The Last Abecedarian Series.

Happy reading!

Proof Copy

Just thought you might like to see the proof copy. As soon as I'm done editing this, I'll press the publish button. Almost there!

Happy Thanksgiving

This is a little bit late, but my computer had to be fixed last week. I just wanted to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving and a good start to the holiday season. There are many blessings in life, and I'm grateful for every single one in mine.

My family stayed home this year, but the day was still eventful and filled with memories — like when our stove caught on fire as Dad pulled out the turkey. Yep...next time we'll use the counter-top roaster. We saved the bird, but our quiche and green bean casserole were toast. The mood was lightened considerably when my Dad (who is partially deaf and can't hear every fire alarm in the house going off) stood fanning the smoke long after the noise died asking "is it off yet?" I'm thankful that I have a family with enough humor to let me share that story, ha ha. 

This was also the first year I didn't really have to cook anything. Both of my sisters have reached an age where they can read and understand recipes, so they kicked me out of the kitchen while they practiced their new skill. All I had to do was sit at the counter and answer questions when one of my handwritten notes didn't make sense to them.

After dinner, we piled into my parents' room and watched Happy Thanksgiving Charlie Brown and Night in the Museum 1 and 2. Seeing Robin Williams on screen after his death earlier this year made me think of his family and how awful they must feel on their first Thanksgiving without him. Hopefully God will help them heal. I'm sure the holidays will never be the same for them again, and it hurts to think of anyone going through that kind of pain. I hope that same comfort will be received by all who've lost a loved one and are still going through the stages of grief.

Then, of course, I went Black Friday shopping with my friends (on Black Friday...not on Thanksgiving). Along with being a good opportunity to check off some items on my Christmas gift giving list, I always like hanging out with my girls on this day....as long as no one makes me get up at 0:30 in the morning. The photo below was taken by my dear friend and fellow blogger, A.M. Wied.

Family, good friends, and good food — like I said...lots to be thankful for. 

How was your Holiday?