Mulling over the upcoming New Year

I’m back! We dragged the family down to Raleigh to visit in-laws and Grandpa. The kids were spoiled rotten, they cried on the way back, and were promptly consoled with the Rice Krispie treats that my sister-in-law (aka goddess of the universe) stashed in our car.

Speaking of my sister-in-law, I am in awe of her. She is one of those people who can find the perfect gifts for kids. My children drool at the thought of a gift from her because they KNOW it’s gonna be good. My son received stomp rockets. for Christmas. He and the rest of the kids had a blast launching foam rockets into the backyard. My daughter received a baby doll that was spawned by Hannibal Lecter. Yes, really. The doll makes a weird gurgling noise that clearly demonstrates demonic possession.

Now this is all part of an elaborate revenge scenario, you realize. All because I bought her infant daughter a doll that says, “Boogers” when you press its tummy. Okay, none of us know what the doll was really supposed to say, but we’re pretty sure it was something close to that. She swore she’d get even by buying a doll that cussed like a sailor or made noises that would give my children nightmares (or something like that. It’s been a few years and I blocked it out of my consciousness). Anyway, instead of a Boogers Doll, my darling daughter got Demon Doll. I just hope it doesn’t decide to join a horror movie cast.

But as the end of the year draws to a close, I am working on my plans to conquer the world New Year’s resolutions. Especially the writing ones. My goal this year is to speed up my writing process by finding something that works for my style. I’d like to write two new books in 2006 and farm out several proposals.

What New Year’s Resolutions are you thinking about?