Since next Monday is Christmas Day and I’ll be with family, I decided to post my holiday message today.
In case you’re wondering, yes, I finished my middle grade novel revision. Woo hoo! 😀 😃 😄 I celebrated by moving on to a ghostwriting project. See, that’s how I roll. Actually, I included a couple of hours of Pokémon Ultra Sun game play in my celebration.
With the revision out of the way (and no, I don’t have further news about that just yet), I can sit down and express my shock at how fast this year has flown by. Other bloggers like Jill Weatherholt have noted that fact.
Seems like only yesterday that I went to bed early on New Year’s Eve. That’s right. Didn’t stay up to ring in 2017. More than likely history will repeat itself this year. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Christmas is a week away, and I feel quite unprepared for it. I’ve been in my own little world, with its own rhythm: revise, sleep, eat, revise. Now that I’ve come up for air after a month, I realize how little time I have to do anything in the way of shopping or holiday crafting. Sigh. And I had such grandiose plans earlier in the year. I was going to make a ton of gifts early on, and then sit back and drink cocoa and watch holiday movies all season long. Ha ha! 😆 My crafting plans sound like New Year’s resolutions—made early, broken soon afterward.
But maybe that’s okay too. I have a tendency to get caught up in seasonal expectations that, in the grand scheme of things, really don’t mean much. My mother would much rather spend time with me on the phone or in person than receive a crocheted sweater or yet another potholder made because the season demands it. That’s not an excuse to skip buying or making a gift for someone. That’s just a truth I so often forget, but have been reminded of lately. Kinda takes the pressure off.
What, if any, expectations do you struggle with during the holidays?
Wishing you continued joy and peace this holiday season.
Kitty wonders how much loot she can fit in this mitten ornament. Not much, she assesses. And now she wonders why I didn’t crochet it bigger. I wonder when she’ll realize that it’s not all about her.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peaceComposed by Franz Xaver Gruber; lyrics by Joseph Mohr
Photos by L. Marie.
El Space--The Blog of L. Marie 
Wishing you a very merry festive season! It certainly isn’t all about the gifts – spending time and love is more important than spending money. I also go to bed early on New Years Eve – I like to start the new year fresh as a daisy and up early! Here’s to you and your loved ones, hope you have the best time x
Happy holidays, Lucy! I hear you on going to bed early! I used to be a night owl. But now I’m more of an early bird. I’m up well before sunrise!
Thank you!! Yes, I am the same. I like to get up before the day has started. I write best at that time and there is something magical and untouched about the world.
So true. I just went for a walk. The geese are up, as I could tell by their leavings. 😕 I also seem to write best in the morning.
‘their leavings’ – what a delightful phrase!
Thanks! Beats what I was thinking as I nearly stepped in them. 😀
Congratulations on finishing your revisions!! Woo Hoo! I’m amazed by how fast 2017 flew by. Aside from baking, I’m ready for Christmas. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!!🎁🎄
Hope yours is wonderful too, Jill. I don’t plan to bake. Instead, I will enjoy the fruit of others’ baking skills. 🍰 🎂 🍮 😀
After that revision, I feel exhausted! Mom suggested that I rest a bit. I think she’s right!
Never really felt like I had any expectations beyond finishing projects. This year isn’t shaping up to be very smooth for a variety of reasons, but that kind of covers all of 2017. Honestly, I just want to make it to 2018 and see where I stand. Enjoy the holidays.
I didn’t expect to hear from you today, Charles. I thought I saw somewhere on your blog that you were having a procedure done today.
I’m hoping for a better 2018 for you. I hopped over to your blog and saw the progress being made on the cover for the last book in your series. Looks great!
I go in around 11:30, so I’m just waiting to leave now. Hoping to be home by mid-afternoon if everything goes smoothly.
Enjoy the rest of 2017.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thanks. It shouldn’t take long. Hopefully, I’ll be 100% in time to release the next book. Might be this week if I’m lucky.
Keep me posted!
My plan is to send out all the guest posts once I get it published. Hoping the holiday season works in my favor.
I’m looking at your interview now. It’s almost 1500 words. I might have some suggested cuts to send to you tomorrow (rather than today, since you’ll be resting).
Okay. I’ll keep an eye out for the email.
Okay. Working on the cuts now.
If we’re not mindful, Christmas can become one huge “To Do” list ~ it’s good to REVISE the list from time to time to make room for the stuff that really matters.
Hope your holidays are Merry and Bright . . . overflowing with love, laughter, and light.
I totally agree, Nancy! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas! 🎄
Thank you for the merry wishes and CONGRATULATIONS on turning in your revision. I, too, have been pulled toward my writing life this past month and away from Christmas preparation. But yesterday in church, the sermon was about joy and gratitude and it reminded me of what you said above. (Having said that, I’ll be off to finish my shopping soon.) Safe travels to you as you head off to see family.
Hi, Laura! Still waiting on an email mentioning that the manuscript was received. Trying not to worry that it was lost in cyberspace!
Glad you’re getting your shopping completely done! Hope you have a great week!
Have a hug-filled holiday with your family. I’m sending special New Year’s wishes around that revision of yours!
Hi, Louise! Thank you for your New Year’s wishes! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Way to go on the revision, Linda! 😀 What a great way to wrap up 2017. I’m like you…I always seem to find myself scrambling for gifts at the last minute, wondering where the time has gone.
Hi, Phillip! I’m definitely a last-minute shopper. I’ve been known to run to Walgreens on Christmas Day for a last minute gift. 😃 😄
Hi L. At Thanksgiving I usually fight the incoming Christmas season. It returns way too fast. Once I get about half of my holiday stuff done, I start to relax and get in the swing. It happened last week when I got into the spirit, so hubs and I went downtown to State Street and Marshall Fields . . . oh, excuse me, Macy’s (cough, cough). Hope to have some pictures up soon.
Enjoy the mild weather this week, because it sounds like Christmas weekend is going to be a frozen one. 😛 Merry Christmas.
Will be nice to see your photos, Lori. I remember back in the day eating lunch at the Walnut Room. Waited two hours to get in! And waaaaay back in the day, we used to go down to see the Christmas decorations. So lovely.
Have a great Christmas!
Dance of Joy (done in your honor) – revisions are done – good for you!
🙂
I’m with your Mom, it would be good for you to rest a bit, and in doing so you can also relish the feeling(s) of accomplishment and happy anticipation of the holiday season…Mom’s are the best.
Silent Night is a piece – lyrics and music – that the Germans gave to us and I think is more their legacy than anything else…also I’m sure you know the story behind it – that’s soooo the heart of Christmas.
Your 3-figured ‘creche’ is gorgeous…
peace, sister-friend
Hi, Laura. Yes, I heard the story of Silent Night. I love the stories behind these carols.
Thank you. A friend gave me the Nativity set. I think she found it at Ten Thousand Villages, which features items from around the world.
Wishing you joy and peace! 🕊
ps And as for Kitty – meh! If she doesn’t want one of those darling mittens, I know a few of us here on your comments wouldn’t mind getting her rejected mitten. Maybe that might get her back in line, eh?
😉
I agree with you. I keep telling her that she can’t have everything the way she wants it! 😀 😃 😄
Congrats on finishing the revision, Linda!! So proud of you! I’m still finishing some last minute shopping and also doing some baking. I try to stop and relax in the midst of all the thinking and planning and running around. I usually do this at night, with a fire burning and the Christmas tree light twinkling in a darkened room. Peace, be still, right? This year has indeed flown by. Wishing you blessings through the rest of this year and the next. Merry Christmas!
Sounds very peaceful and Christmassy, Sharon, especially if one of your dogs is lying by the hearth. I’m glad you’re working on your books, but taking the time to relax in this busy season! Peace be still is right! 😀 😃 😄
Yes, indeed, it’s the time spent with people we love that makes Christmas special, not the endless round of gifts! I hope you have a lovely time with your family and with luck you’ll get good news about your book early in 2018! 😀
Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Any special plans?
No, it’ll be a quiet year this year, I think. Time to catch up with some reading and chocolate-eating! 😀
Ah your TBR pile. Hope you get a lot of chocolate soon! 😃
Congratulations on finishing your revision. It sounds like you really worked hard on it.
It’s crazy that we spend so much time preparing for Christmas. It means I don’t get much done in December. And yet, I do like many of the customs. I like keeping track of old friends with my Christmas cards and Christmas letter. One thing I refuse to do is put up outdoor lights. It’s too hard to string them up in the cold. This year I have it easy. My family (daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids) is meeting up in the Bahamas. So I’m not decorating my house, and we all agreed not to buy gifts for each other. I can’t wait to see them all and go swimming in the warm sea.
Merry Christmas.
Wow, yay! What a great Christmas you’ll have! Sounds like so much fun! I can’t wait to see the photos on your blog!
I was happy to see that things are good for you, Linda and that you realize your plans.
Thank you for your Christmas greetings.
I wish you a lot of happiness during this holy birthday.
Love ❤
Michel
Merci, Michel! Happy Christmas! Love to you and Janine.
❤
🎄
Wishing you a happy holiday season and an enjoyable celebration with your family! Congratulations on finishing the revision! I look forward to your New Year’s post and all your blog posts of the new year.
And I hope you have good news soon on the publishing front!
Me too! 😃
Thank you, Lyn! I’m looking forward to seeing them.
Will keep you posted!
Silent Night is my favourite for both the story, as mentioned by Laura, but mainly for the Carol itself. The sentiment, the words, the music.
Have a great Christmas Linda.
It’s one of my favorites as well, Andy! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. 😃
You too Linda. Best wishes.