It sounds so weird to say 2025. I remember thinking it was completely crazy when the calendar flipped to 1990. I was thirteen years old and thought that the 90s sounded so “Jetson.” Here I am, DECADES later, at forty seven years old, wondering where the time went.

This is pretty much the head space I live in these days.

Our New Year is off to a good start. Uneventful and easy. I took a couple of weeks off from writing, so I don’t have much to share in that department. We did finally publish our weekend getaway to Alpharetta, GA on the Greenville site – you can read that here. There are a few potential trips on the horizon this spring that I’m excited about! The introduction to my next children’s manuscript is written. I’ve drafted my query letter, and have the book ready to submit to my publisher. Fingers crossed.

I will receive my FIRST royalty check from the publisher in March! That will be the highlight of the quarter, seeing as I’ve yet to see one dime from sales. I know it’s how things work with publishers, but it sure is frustrating.

Camp Joy Florida is in March, too, so it’s gonna be a great month!

JP’s paintings are going well. He still has a (large) number he’s working on for friends. Then, he’ll begin building inventory to keep in a local coffee shop! How fun is that?! I’m so proud of him. And thankful for friends who provide opportunities and bend over backwards to support us… you know who you are.

Raise your hand if you’re ready and/or looking forward to the snow. Hello, it’s me NOT raising my hand. Not a fan. Especially in South Carolina where it’s typically just dirty, icy mush. Everything shuts down and the six of us try not to kill each other while trapped in the house for who knows how long. And please, God, do not let us lose power.

Having said all of that, we may/may not have purchased snow boots for the dogs. The boys do not have appropriate shoes, but Sampson and Charlie are all set.

Stop judging me.

Unpopular Opinion

You’re probably not ready for this. Go ahead and sit down…

I did not like Wicked.

There, I said it. We went to the movies New Year’s Day. I was SO excited after seeing RAVE reviews all over social media. Not only did it last way too long, but it didn’t even end. Apparently it was Part One. The Broadway Musical tells the story in two hours, forty five minutes with a fifteen minute intermission. Why does the movie need…what… six hours? And I have to see Part Two, right? I mean, I want to see how the story plays out. However, it will be a cold day in h&!! before I pay $13 to see it in the theater. (Don’t even get me started on the cost).

I realize this is a very unpopular opinion, but I said what I said. All my friends who love it and encouraged me to see it, I promise not to change my opinion of you if you promise not to change your opinion of me. Xoxo 💋

That’s all for today. I’m heading to the kitchen to warm up some Tomato Soup!

Stay warm, friends!