Just another post about resolutions

I'm a big fan of the Mutts comic strip. Right before new years Mooch said his resolution was to eat more pancakes with whipped cream. He made the resolution because he knew it was an easy one to keep. So here I am with a shiny new year and a boatload of good intentions and resolutions that I probably won't be able to keep. You know the usual, the diet, the organizing, the cleaning, the volunteering, all those things that you swear you are going to do once the new year starts, or on Monday, which ever one comes last. New Years Day was on a Friday. Who wants to start anything new on the weekend?

However, I am going to try. I'm going to continue to exersise, even though it seems to have no impact on my weight. I just feel better so I will keep it up. I am going to get all the boxes stuffed in my attic unpacked. I just have to take them one at a time. I now have shelves and places to put things so my excuses are gone.

Most important, I am going to make better use of my time. I'm going to quit wasting it. I'm going to make every minute count, even if its enjoying a peaceful Sunday afternoon snooze. Time is my most precious commidity right now,(especially if the world ends on 12/21/12.) And occasionally, I will eat pancakes with whipped cream.

So here's wishing everyone a Happy Whipped Cream covered 2010 and much success with your resolutions.

Merry Christmas

This is my first Christmas in nine years without a deadline hanging over my head so I have decided to embrace the season and enjoy it. I don't think I ever realized before how many things have become tradition with our family.

The weekend before Thanksgiving we start decorating. We have to in order to have everything done by the first Sunday in December. This is the day I have my annual ornament swap with my girlfriends. I started it in 1997 because I wanted us to do something without our kids since our lives seemed to revolve around their functions. Now our kids are mostly grown and moved on yet we still get together this first Sunday in Dec and catch up and have a blast. For some of us, this is the only time we see each other all year. Still we come together, I hope we're still doing it when we're all old and gray. We've even brought in the next generation with daughters and daughter-in-laws.

When I get to the point in December when my work is done, the shopping and wrapping under control and I feel like I can draw a breath, I sit down and watch White Christmas. This is one of my all time favorite movies and I can pretty much recite it line by line since I've probably seen it over 50 times in my life. When I was little I wanted to be Vera Ellen. Actually I still want to be her. Have you seen her waist? And her legs? My guys sure do like to talk about her. They also like to rewrite the songs. Their tradition is to sing the Sisters song and insert the line, Sharing, Caring, Even the underwear that we are wearing. Yeah, got to love the traditions.

We open our presents on Christmas Morning after breakfast. We attend our church's Love Feast on Christmas Eve. All the men in my family cook a huge country breakfast the morning after Christmas when we have our family get together. We open presents from the youngest to the oldest and take turns so everyone can see what you got. And every year, our kitty climbs the Christmas tree. I'm sure these traditions will change as my son's get married and have children. We'll figure something out. But one thing for sure, I will still watch White Christmas every year.

I'd love to hear your Christmas traditions. And here's wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas.

Time Travel anyone?

I love writing Time Travels. Except for the fact that they give me a major headache when I'm working on the plot. Thinking of all the repercussions of going to the past to change the future is really difficult. Still I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of The Mammoth Book of Time Travel. (psst if the link doesn't work just look for it on Amazon.)

My story is about Rand Brock, a Texas Ranger investigating a mysterious death and disappearance in West Texas during the 1880's. Imagine his surpise when he's taking a bath in a stream and comes face to face with Shea, a Time Cop from the future. You must read the story to find out what happens but I will let you in on one part of the plot. Steam Punk Scorpions.

I hope you enjoy reading Time Trails as much as I enjoyed writing it.