UPDATE: The winner is…Debra Guyette!
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Hello, everyone! I want to start by thanking Delilah for letting me come play here with you all again. I always have a good time when I visit.

So, about that title…my countdown to the new year isn’t in hours or minutes yet, but I am counting down the days. I love looking forward to a new year, don’t you? It’s always so full of possibility and opportunity, and all kinds of good things we can’t even imagine yet. It’s almost like getting ready to start reading a new book by a favorite author or seeing a movie you’ve anticipated for months.

I don’t make ‘resolutions’ for the year. I quit that a long time ago, but I do work out goals for myself every year, personal things I want to get done, and writing goals (still working on the new goals as I write this). ‘Resolutions’ seem so…inflexible, I guess, like passing a new law or something. Too daunting that way.

If I call them goals instead, they become something I want to do, not have to do, and I can break each one down, and figure out the steps and time needed to accomplish them. For example, most authors have a general idea of how long it will take them to write a book, so they can break that time frame down—if it usually takes someone three months to write a 90,000-word story, they can figure out how many words they need to write each week, each day to make their three-month goal on time, and if there is an off-day, they can adjust to make up for the words they didn’t get done that day. That sort of goal-setting feels to me more achievable than simply writing a list of resolutions for the year—ie, for the next year, I have to lose X pounds, organize my life, look for a new career, etc.

Besides getting my goals finalized this week, we have a family dinner to start the new year, so while the basics of the meal are always the same, I do need to figure out dessert. Something else I will do to wave the old year goodbye is write down a few wishes for the new year, and then near midnight on New Year’s Eve, I’ll burn that list and send the wishes to the universe. If our weather forecast for this weekend is right, I may have to improvise to avoid the rain, but I have time to figure that out.

I would love to hear how you bring in the new year…do you set goals or make resolutions? What other traditions do you enjoy? Everyone who comments between now and the start of the new year will be entered into a drawing for an eBook copy of one of my three books, winner’s choice.

Happy New Year to you all, and may all your New Year wishes come true!

About Elizabeth

Lifelong book addict Elizabeth Andrews fell in love with romance novels at an early age and now writes her own, full of sexy heroes and strong heroines. Her stories range from paranormal to contemporary, to who knows what her imagination might come up with along the way, but happy endings are a guarantee!

She is a married mother of two who’s got a room overflowing with her book collection and a garden full of herbs and veggies that needs occasional attention between writing and reading binges.

You can find out more at ElizabethAndrewsWrites.com

UPDATE: The winner is…Steph!
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I ran across this strange photo and thought…there’s a story! Bet you can figure out one to tell, too! So, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, study the photo then tell me a story! It doesn’t have to be long or even any good. Just have fun!

I finally wrapped presents last night! Woot! The last-minute “dump & go” edit job is done! Now, I can coast through Christmas without any stress and just enjoy being with the family.

I hope you like the puzzle! It’s a silly, whimsical one that struck my fancy (and yes, I know that’s “old-people” speak!). Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the puzzle. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you all!

Open Contests

1. Michal Scott: Continuing the Family Legacy: Sarah Jane Woodson Early (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! Counting Down to Christmas! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. A Christmas (sort of) Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Things on a Christmas Tree Word Search! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Merry Christmas Gift for you! — This giveaway ends soon! Everyone can get a FREE read!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sherry!
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I have another puzzle for you! I know you’re bored at home, maybe covered up with family, and need a brain break—something fun to do! I’m here to save you!

Too much? Sorry. I bubble up under pressure. Anyways, the theme of the word search is things on a Christmas tree, and yes, pickles and spiders are things—Google them! Also, who doesn’t have Elvis singing “Blue Christmas” hanging from their tree?

So, what do you have to do to win a $5 Amazon gift card? Easy. Tell me your weirdest or your favorite tree ornament. Or if Christmas isn’t your thing, tell me what weird or favorite decoration you put up during your holiday!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sandy Kelly!
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I couldn’t help myself. I was looking for a topic to talk about this morning, thought I had one, then went looking for a picture to use and found the cutest Christmas (sort of) picture. I knew I had to use it in a puzzle, but I have to do it this week, so… If you want to know why I love it, you’ll have to solve it!

My topic was going to be about having kids underfoot all week, being covered up in pets (we have 9 dogs, 4 cats, a bunny, and a betta!), and me being driven mad by dog hair, cat puke, and cleaning bunny cages and fish tanks, while, I might add, trying to wrap up several editing projects this week. There’s no rest for a self-employed writer/editor. No vacations allowed! EXCEPT, I think I’m going to Hawaii in July, so I’m giving warning… I WILL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE BY DOGS, CATS, FISH, RABBITS or EDITS! There. I got that off my chest. Now, let’s play!

Comment about anything at all—topic of your choice—for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

As I’ve said before, I’ve been pulling cards on Sundays to try to make it part of my planning process. On Sundays, I update my work and personal plans to ensure I record what I accomplished and didn’t, before turning my sights on the coming week. It’s not that I “believe” in the tarot, but the practice reminds me of aspects of my life I wouldn’t otherwise consider when I set my plans. So, onto this week’s card…

Wands! I love wands. Let’s just look at the picture first. Here we have Jason of Greek mythology. If you remember, Jason was sent on an impossible mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece by the king who had usurped his father’s throne. Knowing he’d face many dangers, Jason formed the Argonauts, a group of heroes, to accompany him. In the end, he defeated mythical beasts and supernatural warriors to take the fleece. This picture depicts him carrying the fleece while his warriors appear dressed for a celebration behind him. So, what does all that mean for me? I think it means I’ll conquer some beast this week and that everyone around me will give me attagirls. I have no clue what that beast might be, perhaps it’s a small one (meeting all my goals? cleaning my office?!).

Maybe I should consult the book… Okay, I did pretty good. The card represents triumph and recognition from others. As for Jason, he’s not quite done. He still has to deliver that fleece… Hmmm.

Y’all have a wonderful week. If you’re bored, you can always come see what’s happening here. 🙂 ~DD

Open Contests

1. Diana Cosby: Nature’s Beauty in Pictures! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a tote and a mug!
2. Flashback: Texas Cowboys — The Cowboy & the Widow (Contest — 2 Winners!) — This one ends soon! 2 Winners! Win a FREE book!
3. 10 Things That Make Me Sigh in December (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
4. Ava Cuvay: TIN TOY — Brand New Release! (Contest) — 3 Winners! Win a FREE book!
5. An End of Year Ritual — Mind Mapping (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Michal Scott: Continuing the Family Legacy: Sarah Jane Woodson Early (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! Counting Down to Christmas! — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Peggy Fowler!
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Eight days to Christmas in the Devlin house! My daughter has all her gifts bought and wrapped. I bought my last gift last night online. I have ALL my gifts to wrap. Does anyone LIKE wrapping gifts? That’s the thing I procrastinate over. If I could, I’d pay one of the kids to do it for me. I know—bad Nina! Anyways, I have some editing to do today. Some WRAPPING (if I can make myself do it), a bunny cage to clean, maybe a fish tank to freshen… I think I’ll skip making my bed because I might try to slip back into it for a nap (something I never do, but it really sounds kind of wonderful right now). I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Good luck with the contest!

Solve the puzzle, then tell me how you’re getting ready for the holidays for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!