>мебели сливен been reading a LOT of books lately (almost one per day) and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Books are a great way to occupy the mind and imagination, but I won’t be able to continue at this pace, as I can’t afford it! I don’t review books, as I worry about giving too much away, but I will tell you about some that I’ve enjoyed.

I was given ‘Friends Like These’ for my birthday, by a friend - we didn’t see each other until Christmas Eve, so don’t think you’ve forgotten my birthday (as it was ages ago). It’s by Danny Wallace, and it isn’t something I would have picked out for myself, but it was almost compelling reading. Basically, a milestone birthday is looming, and Danny begins a quest to find old friends. I’ve said enough. It inspired me to take a look into my own past, and consider making a bit more of an effort to find out how my current friends are doing. To be honest, my friends are mostly cyber-friends, that is, people I haven’t met in the flesh, but have ’spoken’ to on the internet.

On a similar theme, I picked up ‘The To-Do List’ without even looking at the synopsis, because I enjoy the author’s other books (Mike Gayle). As it turned out, he had a milestone birthday looming and gave himself a huge to-do list before that date. I also have a list (although unwritten) which is probably twice as long, and it did make me feel as though I should (and could) be doing something about it. Very interesting book; honest and funny.

I’d also picked up Alexandra Potter’s new book, ‘Who’s That Girl?’ Guess what? Milestone birthday looming, etc. This was not a factual book like the other two, but one of those books where you need to suspend your disbelief. It was easy to read and light-hearted. Just what I look for in my escapist fiction.

I was given a book by a relative called ‘A Dog Year’, though had she read it herself, I doubt she’d have given it to me. As you know, I have three dogs (one of whom is a fairly recent addition and very mischievous) and there were many things within the book that struck a chord with me. I openly admit to crying my eyes out, throughout, and being both relieved and drained when the book was finished. That said, it was wonderfully written, and I was compelled to tell the author so. Visiting his website, I was very upset to read that the dog concerned had been put to sleep, as it had bitten several people.

It strikes me as odd that I ended up with all these (fairly inspiring, in a strange way) books, given that I hadn’t sought books with that particular theme. They all had an impact on me, to a lesser or greater degree, and if I was a proper author and knew that I’d affected someone in a positive way, I’d feel pretty special. That’s why I try to let writers know what I think. People are quick to complain, but don’t give praise as freely.

I usually do this on the 31st December, but I gave in to the lethargy which has plagued me since Boxing Day and spent most of the day in bed! I’d like to make the most of this Blog in case it disappears soon.

Prior to writing this post, I took a look back at 31st December 2007 and, like that year, 2008 has been a year of extremes. We began the year like a lot of people will in 2009, in a very precarious position: neither of us working and hoping for better times. Yet again, during these bad times, family and friends were invaluable to us, and helped us through it. I did very little in the earlier part of the year, as I was scared I would jeopardise my health prior to the charity abseil we signed up for in June. As regular readers will know, we did it, and raised a respectable sum for various charities - I was just glad not to let everyone down, and did feel like I’d achieved something, although it hasn’t helped me conquer my fear of heights! I did the odd book-related event, which I enjoyed, but it began to feel more fraudulent, as I’d stopped writing. Although I was an author, I was no longer a writer, so what business did I have talking about writing?

A bit of luck in the summer, meant the world to me, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It gave me an, albeit temporary, sense of security, and made it possible for me to repay some of the kindness I had been shown by others. Nothing beats that feeling.

Towards the back end of the year, I slowed down again. I tried NaNoWriMo, but was (yet again) scuppered by illness. I also think I was lacking in motivation. I was all geared up for Christmas, so took things gently. It’s tough missing out on parties, cinema trips, ice-skating, and general festivity, but if it meant I could enjoy the day itself with my family, it was worth it.

As for the book, you’ll recall I still haven’t been paid. I need to either sort it or put it behind me. A resolution? Perhaps…

I haven’t made firm resolutions, to be honest, as many of the things I’d like to do require a source of money. I’d love to learn to drive; I’d like to reconnect with old friends (after reading the excellent ‘Friends Like These’ by Danny Wallace); I want to see ‘Look Who’s Stalking’ in print (even if it’s just me having printed it off my computer) but most of all, I’d like my family and friends to be happy and healthy. New Year is all about hope, and I hope that 2009 brings you everything you wish for…and perhaps some good things that you never dared to wish for!car hire bulgaria HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Is it just me, or does anyone else get a bit sad after Christmas is over? I think I just get myself so geared up for Christmas Day/Boxing Day that afterwards, it’s like there’s nothing to look forward to until next Christmas! We don’t really celebrate New Year (although we just about manage to stay awake to see it in), and when the decorations come down, everything looks so bare. I can almost (well, almost almost) understand those people who keep their decs up all year. When I filled in my new Filofax insert for 2009, I see that there are lots of notable dates, but no events to go with them ie big birthdays but no parties, etc.

I’m hoping to hear from my web designer in the New Year, and I may redevelop the site - either that or it will disappear completely!!! For all I know, only one person reads this site…or no-one does, and I’m doing the internet equivalent of talking to myself!

Off to spend some time, curled up on the sofa, with my doggy-girls. They’re all flat out at the moment, and I think I’ll be joining them soon!

Post-Christmas greetings to you all, and I hope that you had a pleasant time. Santa was very, very good to me (so it was worth being a good girl all year, although I had my doubts at the time). Now being the proud owner of a baby laptop, I have no excuse not to resume writing as a hobby. Combined with a new pen and note book, there really is no reason not to write. I may have myself a LoNoWriMo of my very own (Local Novel Writing Month) since I wasn’t well enough to participate in the more well-known version.

Hubby and I, our friend, and three dogs, struggled out of the house at 7.30am, when my sister arrived to take us on the short journey to my parents’ temporary Christmas grotto. After extensive prezzie opening, bacon sandwiches and cups of coffee, we added my grandparents to our number, and headed off out for Christmas lunch. It was nice to see lots of families spending time together over three courses of yuletide fayre, laughing at ‘in’ jokes and enjoying each other’s company. Hubby was much amused by the fact that the warning about the crackers was contained within said cracker, and there was also an incident with my sister and a stuffing ball, which wouldn’t be funny to anyone but us! The afternoon was rounded off at my parents’ place, where we struggled to stay awake. Defeat was admitted early this year, and we enjoyed a stroll home with the dogs, in the crisp, clear night.

The day was rounded off as is traditional in our house: taking the cellophane off the dvds and the tags from the clothes, donning new fleecy pyjamas and opening one of our many boxes of chocolates, before settling in front of the TV. One series of The IT Crowd later, it was time for bed. I think all of us (human and canine) slept a contented sleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow, and we woke on Boxing Day, ready to do it all again with the in-laws.

It was expensive, tiring, chaotic, and busy, but it was all worth it. Only 364 days til Santa comes…