HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I was shocked this morning when I realised that I haven't witten a blog for a month! It seriously doesn't feel long since I rambled on about Secret Santas and Cristmas prezzies and suddenly - here we are in 2009! How did that happen? Anyway may I wish you all a very happy, lucky and successful new year whatever your aims and goals are. Now - where was I? Oh yes - the Secret Santa. My name had fallen to a male colleague but I have to say I was quite pleasantly surprised by his choice of gift. It was a pair of figurines from Doctor Who. They actually double as a set of walkie-talkies but I have just added them to my collection of dolls, teddies and thunderbirds memorobelia. They feature the Doctor (in his Christopher Eccleston guise) and the chief Slitheen and each fugure stands at least 12 inches tall so I wasn't complaining. In fact it was quite a relief because I seriously didn't know what to expect.

So how was your Christmas? The overall mood of 2008 did not really change over the festive season. My lovely neighbour Lily (see blog from 11.9.07)passed away the Monday before Christmas, my sweet little cat died of old age the Saturday after and on the 30th, I went to Lily's funeral. Despite all that though, Hubby and I did manage to enjoy our day - our first Christmas alone together in all the years we have been together (almost 26 of them). It was quiet and unhurried and we had a nice leisurely time. Then, for New Year, we went down to rural Danehill in West Sussex to cheer January in with Youngest Sister and co. which was a good laugh.

Do you have any plans for 2009? I am signing up for a promotion drive with Lollypop which bodes well for the future, I received my first EVER royalty cheque which was a massive achievement and I have already had a letter published (in Mslexia) this year! Plus I am feverishly researching and note-scribbling for the new novel (and I will tell you more about that soon, as well). My plan is to keep the momentum going and make this the Year of Me. I am recommending that everyone I know does the same!

Enjoy!