Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Winding Down 2009

Now's the time to look back on the year and reflect on its events or list the best of. I love reading that stuff on other blogs, but I don't feel like doing that this year.

Might be because it doesn't feel like a winding down. In the past, I've loved this week between Christmas and New Year's, as the quietest, calmest, most productive week of the year.

HA!

I'm sitting here staring at the pile of bills I have to pay, the datebook I have to switch over to the new pages tout de suite or suffer the chaotic consequences, the three big jobs I have to do for my best client, the editing I have to do for my other best client, the post I have to do for Supernatural Sisters, the reminders I have to send to 5 instructors for the PRO Bootcamp starting next week, the cards I have to send out, the stupid magazine contest I have to track down and call to make them pay me the difference between the $10.00 check I sent them and the $16.06 they processed it as, the fall school pictures I have to parcel out to my family (yeah, you'd think I'd have done that when I sent their Christmas gifts, but no), the eye doctor bill I have to submit to insurance, and the therapy bills I still haven't gone through.

Who the hell has time for reflection?!

I did a Christmas write-up at The Gabwagon yesterday, so I won't say much here. Except that we had a great Christmas, we are all very spoiled, and I'm grateful for the lack of stress, given everyone else's mishaps. We did have a bloody nose, dog diarrhea, and a cat coming through the ceiling over the course of four days, but we didn't have a backed-up sewage pipe in the basement or a sideboard on fire, nor stomach viruses or colds. So put this year in the win column.

My gifts focused heavily on books. Between birthday and Christmas, I had tons of money in gift cards for both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I have books coming from both. :) I also got...

...A KINDLE!

I know! You can expect eaten words discussed here soon, I'm thinking. My wonderful husband wanted to get me a big gift, then decided to get the kids a big gift, too, since we all read tons. I love the navigation and balance of the Kindle. I haven't had a chance to read on it yet, so I'll have to let you know about that, but both kids love theirs and are under dire warnings of the consequences if they don't take care of them.

I bought a bunch of books already, from Shannon Stacey (no more waiting for Gallagher!) and M. J. Fredrick, and damn was that a pain to look up 'cause I never want to put in the periods and the space, and Jody Wallace/Ellie Marvel. I have to figure out who else I know whose books aren't all available in paperback, but the seven things I bought already will keep me busy. Problem is, I have two books from the library I have to read first! They'll go fast, though, then I'll do the Kindle.

I'm going to stop there because...well, see paragraph 4. If I don't get back here before Friday, everyone have a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

10 comments:

vickyb said...

You got a Kindle??? And didn't tell us??? I can't wait to see it! And I am soooo jealous! :)

Here's to a great new year for all.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

We were too busy talking about poo on washers and flaming sideboards--not to mention ceiling cat acolytes--to talk about gifts! LOL

I'll bring it so you can check it out. :)

And hear hear, a great new year for all!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I can't wait to see your Kindle. Can I hold it? And I know what you mean about end of the year things. Vacation is going so fast! Darn.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Sure, Sue, you can hold it, if I bring it! :) I'm not sure I want to pass it all over the room, and I'm afraid I'd have to. LOL Maybe we'll do something clandestine, like dealers do. HA.

I can't believe tomorrow's New Year's Eve. This vacation has felt far shorter than it should have!!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You're probably right. You would have to pass it around the room, kind of like when you have a new baby and everyone wants to hold him though you know that will make him fussy later on. Don't risk your baby.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Exactly! LOL It's not like I distrust any of the people who will be there. I'd gladly let any of them handle it. It's the sum-greater-than-the-parts risk of the whole group at once! :)

Shannon Stacey said...

A Kindle? Yay!

Have you been reading yet? Do you love it?

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Would you believe I haven't? I was reading the Sookie Stackhouse series from the library, and I got book 5 before I got book 4, so I've been hurring to finish those, because book 5 is now due on Sunday. But as soon as I finish the library books, I'll read on the Kindle! :)

Number Two already bought $70 worth of books for hers. Both kids love them to death!

Shannon Stacey said...

I'm astounded by your ability to get a new toy and not play with it! I wouldn't be able to resist. :)

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Who said I didn't play with it? LOL I skimmed the user manual and browsed the store, found my books, looked at some of my reviews ('cuz I forgot I'd already seen 'em) and rankings, and bought a bunch!

I'll start actually READING on it tomorrow. LOL