For Auld Lang Syne

This is it...the last day of 2007. It's been a decent year overall for Chez mimi. Not so much for friends and family. In my group of loved ones, at least three pending divorces, money troubles, an extended combat tour for baby bro, etc., etc. Writing slowed down considerably, and there was an overwhelming sense of blah. Kind of like tonight's gray, drizzly weather.

On the plus side, we added Princess Sophie (the new Brittany, a rescue from a family that couldn't keep her). We how have twice the bounce and two counter surfers (something to work on this coming year). And some of those friends with love trouble are finding new love and happiness. Baby Bro will be getting married when he gets back from Afghanistan--yay! We reconnected with our friends from the Great White North. Best of all, we're happy and healthy (although mimi needs to drop some poundage) and have terrific friends.

Speaking of which, we're out the door to a New Year's party--and that's after having a great brunch at the fabulous Barb's this a.m. More later...

Girl Time

Today, I took my soon-to-be sister-in-law (she's engaged to Baby Bro, and they'll be married whenever he gets back from his latest round of Mideast fun) for a pedicure. Hers are coral; mine are O.P.I. "I'm Not Really a Waitress." Maybe I should have checked this out first:

Your Toes Should Be White

A little funky and a little fresh, you're constantly evolving your flirting style. Your ideal guy: A witty brainiac with hottie potential Stay away from: Overly dorky guys who become obsessed with you

What Color Should Your Toenails Be?

Taking Stock

Yes, I know, it's ridiculously early in the morning, but I have a raging case of vacation insomnia going. That, or all the caffeine from those 3 large cups of iced tea I drank at dinner is smackin' me down with a vengeance. I've spent the last two days in download-the-CDs-to-iTunes tedium (Santa brought me an iPod video--yay!), so all this time in front of the screen is makin' me think. And infosnack at Wikipedia.

Back to the thinking. I've upgraded my template (woo hoo!), losing my booklist and several links in the process (boo!), but gaining much easier ways to add new stuff to my sidebar (no more HTML!). I did notice that blog production fell off severely this year--fewer than a hundred posts in 2007. I don't know if I'm a third less interesting than before or what, but if I claim to be a writer, that's pretty pitiful output. Julia Cameron would be horrified.

Along with the template change, I'll be changing some of the regular features. The Bed List/Dinner List choices have been dormant for a while, so I'll let them rest. Maybe the guys will pick up steam again later. For now, I'll be taking a look at the ladies. One per week, methinks, in one of three categories:

• COOL CHICK: A younger woman with fizz and style. She's the kind of gal who'd be fun to hang out with, or who sets an example for others to follow.
  
• CLASSY DAME: Generally older, with the cool head and grace that comes from wisdom.
  
• GUTSY BROAD: Any age, many styles. This woman hangs it out there and dares you to say something about it.
  

Some feminist studies major out there is horrified by the terms "chick," "dame," and "broad," but I don't have a problem with them. I'm a Southern belle, for heaven's sake. By birthright, I can orchestrate the entire universe and be gracious and charming to the men gaping in awe at the sight, bless their hearts.

I'll also be taking a look at movies, but from a writer's point of view. I'm a novelist, not a screenplay author, but there's much to be learned from thoughtfully presented films. The best visual effects in the world can't help a bad screenplay. Got a favorite? Leave me a note with the title. There's always room in the Netflix queue. Ten on Tuesday is my chosen meme, so look for those at least a couple of times a month. Memes kickstart your creative juices in interesting ways.

The rest of the time, the usual ranting and navel-gazing. With two kids at home and over a hundred at school, there's always something to rant/cry/laugh about. And maybe some free-form writing exercises from my shelf full of writer books. With advisors the likes of Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Brenda Ueland, Anne Lamott, Susan Perry, and Julia Cameron, how could I lose?

Off to bed.

Pinup Girl

The universe works in strange ways. Yesterday, DH opened the three parts of his Christmas present. This year's theme: Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll. He got a book about the 50s pinup wars called Bettie Page Rules!, a bottle of Hogshead scotch, and tickets to Foo Fighters (okay, those were partially for me). Today, I take a Blogthings quiz called "What Famous Pinup Are You?" and lo and behold,

You Are Bettie Page

Girl next door with a wild streak You're a famous beauty - with a unique look And the people who like you are cultish about it

What Famous Pinup Are You?

Merry Christmas!

I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty happy if I was spreading joy and cheer all over the globe, too. Even if people around this time of year tend to be, ironically, cranky and unforgiving of other people's flaws. I still say giving is better than receiving, so Santa's got the right idea.

Books and Cooks: Christmas Edition

I'M GIVING:

I'M SERVING: MOROCCAN COUSCOUS AND VEGETABLES

November's Books and Cooks got pre-empted because so many of us couldn't make it. We were supposed to have read Stolen Lives. I bought a copy. It's been riding around in the trunk of my car for a month and a half. I know it's an inspirational story of the indomitable human spirit, but I just couldn't get myself to crack it open. I know the ending is basically happy (they get out, right?), but something about reading about a family that's tossed in a hole in the desert and practically starved to death just didn't do it for me. I think my happy ending meter was sounding the warning klaxon, or something. I did make some yummy couscous, though. Good stuff.

One fun thing about our December meetings is the random book exchange. We each bring one book, draw a number, and get a new book to take home. This year, we all mysteriously got exactly the right title to fit our respective personalities of current interests. So what does it say about me that I got this:

Yes, it's a comedy about Armageddon. Should be fun!

Ten on Tuesday: New Year's Resolutions

After checking out the Thursday13 and 10 on Tuesday memes, I think I have to go with Tuesday. Fave day of the week. Plus, I am a Tuesday's child ("fair of face," if you can believe that!). So, Ten New Year's Resolutions. Maybe since I'm thinking of them early and not just because it's January 1 and all the pressure's on, I might actually keep some of them:

1. Chew my food. Slow down and taste instead of bolt, and maybe some of those pounds will come off.
   
2. Laugh with my kids more. There's never enough laughter in the world.
   
3. Date my hubby. He cleans up real purty, and he's easy to talk to.
   
4. Read more regularly, and not just in "ignore the fams for three days" bursts like I can. Reading is good. Mix it up with some classics, some current lit-ra-chure, and some genre. And maybe a nonfic for variety every once in a while.
   
5. Write some real letters, the kind the require stamps. I love getting them, so why don't I send them?
   
6. Call my dad more often. The least I can do for the man who wrote me a letter every single week when I was in college. With my favorite comics cut out of the paper, no less.
   
7. Keep in better touch with my friends. I have free long distance. I should reach out and touch some folks.
   
8. Fish or cut bait. Either I'm a writer, or I'm not, but I have to quick jerking myself and my talent around like I have been.
   
9. Get those proposals in the mail. Dream Agent can't sell vaporware.
   
10. Try not to worry so much. Plenty that's hairy and scary out there I can't control, so let's work on stuff I can. No one's forcing me to waste money or clutterbomb my own house.

These I think I can live with. On real New Year's, it's time to get down and dirty with the business plan and career goals.

Okay, So That Fits

Just dropped by my friend Macy's blog to check things out, and she had an interesting post, her Harry Potter personality type. She's Severus Snape, hahaha. So I had to check out myself, and lo and behold:

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

That figures. Although I'm not quite sure what they mean about a short attention sp...

Champs at the Tramp!

Family fun today--got to attend the C-USA Championship game between one of my alma maters, the University of Central Florida, and Univ. of Tulsa. Frick and Frack ate it up. Plus, we got to shake the house, doing the bounce to Zombie Nation:

Not only does our new stadium bounce, but our marquee RB, Kevin Smith, moved up to #2 on the NCAA All-Time season rushing list--right behind Barry Sanders. We romped and stomped: 44-25. Liberty Bowl bound! Go Knights!