Let’s rewind to the first of the year and do this sucker over. January was a horrible month and I want a mulligan.

First, I still had the kidney stone. Finally after the second surgery, that was over, except for the stent, which last several more days. Not to get into TMI, it’s not much better than the stone for day-to-day living. Been living with the stone since December 8, but since it wasn’t moving, I wasn’t complaining too much. Not much different than living with a time bomb strapped to you.

Then when I thought it was over, and had plans to return to the gym, the flu jumped me. Fever got up to 101.8. Thank goodness I’d taken the flu shot (have every year for 20+ years) because my immunity had taken a major hit. Due to the shot, I had a much milder case than I could have.  

Had to miss the official 3rd birthday party for the Grandson, but we’ll do our own celebratin’ in the near future.

But all this has taken an axe to my creativity. I’ve done a lot of editing, which is good, since I’m getting the rights back to the books previously published by Rebel Ink Press, but not good for new stuff I want/need to get down on paper. Have done a lot of mental writing while resting, but that’s not good enough.

Got Dance Partner back up and okayed the new cover of The Infection – The Melting Book One yesterday.

Going to my monthly RWA meeting – Heart of the Carolina Romance Writers – on Saturday and I know that always gives me a jolt of creativity. Being around those women is always incredible. And next week beginning Monday, I’m going incommunicado to catch up. Wish me luck! 

P.S. Got back to the gym! Felt so much better after water aerobics

Had a great weekend in Dallas, visiting La Daughter and Le Partner. Since they couldn’t come in for Christmas we went to them. Can’t wait that long to see them again.

The best part of the trip (besides seeing the kids) was our dinner at Medieval Times. There’s one at Myrtle Beach, but I’d never been. Le Partner performed as the Chancellor for our performance and will take over as the Narrator in a couple of weeks.

Our knight in the red/gold section won. The horses were so beautiful. All Andalusian stallions except the narrator’s horse which is a truly majestic Friesian (like the horse Jamie won in the Outlander series) – did not get a good picture, sorry!

Didn’t realize the fighting was “real”. It is. They broke so many lances in the jousting – and they splintered. The sword fighting was real as well—sparks flew all over. Just before the fighting started a net comes down to protect the audience. La Daughter says you know that’s when the sh*t gets real. These guys are in great shape and put on an incredible show. Too bad I don’t write historicals…

There was a woman that came in late for the show, surrounded by large men, and sat on the front row of our section. La Daughter noticed the clothes and jewelry, though I didn’t. When our knight won and received the token from the queen, he’s to give it to a woman in his section. He chose this woman, who just happened to be Katy Perry – yep, that Katy Perry. The show got short notice she was coming and the cast got a picture with her afterwards. Just added a little glitz to an already super show.  

Since we’d gotten up at 4 a.m. to get to the plane, we headed back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep after that. Took it easy and just visited on Sunday. Did see Darkest Hour with La Daughter that afternoon – well done, and Gary Oldman does an outstanding job.

Due to me having surgery next week we came home today and already miss everyone. Got to observe some great characters in the airport I’ll be using sometime.

A final note – the eggs in a carton have more room than we did on this plane and of course since we sat toward the back we were the last to board – can no one get that it would be more efficient to load a plane from the back forward? After the vips of course, but think about it someone! Bueller?

Okay, a new year, a new slate. I already feel more optimist. What’s your plan?

Me? I want to finish the edits on A Different Time for SoulMate Publishing and get the third one ready for edits. I want to finish up my shifter series (which you haven’t seen yet) and write every single day. 

I have a new book coming out in April – Cancun Memories, so I hope you’ll be watching for that.

On the non-professional side, I started Weight Watchers. I’m a life-time member, but reached that goal a long time and a lot of weight ago, so I’m back. I already go to the gym twice a week, now it will be at least three times a week. The best trainer in the world, Ana, keeps me going, and I can do water zumba and be weightless for a little while.

Plan to see the grandson (and his parents) every 6-8 weeks because, damn, is he growing fast. Will be three this year, I only blinked . . . Planning trips to see La Daughter too, since she’s moved even farther away, it’s not as easy.

Want to finish decorating the condo. Still pictures to hang, but it’s mostly done. When the bathroom renovation is paid off, we’ll do the kitchen. I’d like to think that’ll happen this year. (I’d like to)

My goal last year at Goodreads was to read 100 books. Got to 95, so I need to pick up the pace for 2018, and at least make a dent in my TBR pile. (Yeah, I’d like to) 

What about you? Are you going to finish that book you’ve been working on? Get an agent? A publisher? Start a series? Go to a conference? Downsize? Upsize? Go for a different job? Make the New York Times Bestseller List? What’s your secret desire?

I’d love to hear about it – maybe you’ll inspire me. Maybe I’ll inspire you. Either way we both win. Thank you so much for your support this year and Happy New Year!  

Lunch . . .

Had lunch with la daughter and her roommate today on campus.  They were talking about the food and it took me back – when I was an undergraduate at the same institution, it was nothing like today.  They can now choose between Bojangles, Pizza Hut, Salseritos, or Subway besides the actual “cafeteria” which also has “food” food.

When I was here, in the dark ages when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, it was still high school cafeteria style with up to 3 (count ’em three!) choices. I remember attending a Board of Trustee meeting as a senior (because I was on a committee that reported to them) and when the meeting ended, it was nearly lunchtime.  The Board decided on a whim to go over to the cafeteria.  They were already here after all.  The president of the student body and I looked at each other and attached ourselves to the group.  Now, you have to remember, things like that did NOT happen.  The food services area always had plenty of warning when real people (i.e. not students) would be served and made sure real food was available.  This was without warning!

I’ll never forget the face of the lady that took our ID cards when we got there.  Panic was the only word to describe it.  Prez and I gleefully got into line and saw our choices – 4 day old lasagna (I know because I’d already eaten it three days in a row), tuna tetrashitty, and mystery meat.  I got my 4^th day of lasagna and watched these high-powered business men just stare at the “food”.

Have to admit it was one of the best meals I ever ate here!