In these last two weeks of the year (pause to wonder where the hell 2009 went) blogging will be scarce. You can still see some occasional daily mutterings from me on Twitter , if you're so inclined, because that doesn't require complete sentences. In fact, most of the time, complete sentences are prohibited on Twitter ;-). December is a big birthday month in my family, plus of course there's the holiday, and on the 19th, it's my wedding anniversary. Gifts need to be procured for all these things, and don't even ask me if I've tackled my Christmas shopping yet, so some mall time might be on my plate very soon.  

 

In writing-related news, I'm happy to report that my editor liked the revisions on ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS and the book is now winging its way to a copyeditor. I'm also happy to say my editor liked the first several chapters of the next Cat and Bones novel, which I sent her at the same time as revisions for EKOD. So at the back of ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS, look for an except from Chapter One of the as-yet-untitled next Cat and Bones novel. My editor and I agreed that we couldn't excerpt much deeper into the book or there would be too many plot spoilers. Yes, you can take that to mean things hit the ground running with the next C&B book. Hey, Cat and Bones have had some time off, so they should be up for it, right? *wink*  

 

In non writing-related news, I've discovered a deep love for peppermint-flavored coffee and Godiva dark chocolate macaroons. One of these things I'll still be able to enjoy after The Great Sad Day of the Beginning of My Diet on January 2nd. I leave it to you to guess which one, heh. Until that Great Sad Day, however, in addition to the macaroons I will also indulge in a favorite holiday treat - eggnog. Yes, if you think about the ingredients, eggnog is revolting, but I love it and it's so rabidly unhealthy that I can only justify having some during the last two weeks of December. Therefore *checks calendar*, pumpkin spice eggnog, here I come! :)  

 

Another holiday tradition, aside from Artery Abuse caused by my consumption of lots of high-sugar, high-fat yummies, is watching Christmas movies. Not necessarily the ones appropriate for small children, either, lol. Here are a few Christmas movies that make me laugh and feel better about my own loving, dysfunctional family:  

 

The Ref

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Santa's Slay

Bad Santa

Scrooged

Gremlins  

 

My favorite "child safe" Christmas movies are probably A Christmas Story (young Ralphie's tendency toward profanity - edited by the movie - cracks me up), A Nightmare Before Christmas, and It's A Wonderful Life. I don't think I'll have time to watch all my favorites this year (deadlines, deadlines), but I'll try to sneak in a few.  

 

I intend to blog again before the end of the year, but just in case I don't, happy holidays, whatever you celebrate, and Happy New Year to everyone as well! Let's hope 2010 sees an end to the recession, lost jobs, home foreclosures, and some of the other crappy things that 2009 had way too much of.