The Christmas Kiss Off

And I mean it in the nicest way.

Basically, dear readers, I am going to be incommunicado for a little while. I am removing my author hat, and putting on my party hat, so that I can celebrate Christmas with my family and friends. There will be lots of food. And games. Movies will be watched. Books will be read. Songs will be sung. And if we're lucky, in the end, a good time will be had by all. I will no doubt be posting hilarious little sniglets on Twitter, but I will not be blogging, or answering non-urgent emails until after the New Year.

Why am I doing this to you, you ask?

Because.

Because it is Christmas. It doesn't matter to me if you are a Christian, but I am, and I look forward to Christmas all the year long. Christmas means family and fun, snow and presents and treats and some of the most wonderful movies, music, and literature. I like to rest from my year of labor, and reflect on all that I have done, all that I will do, and all that I have to be grateful for. I have a loving family, adorable children, a husband who would kill for me. I am healthy and safe, my house is warm and I always have plenty of food. This year I saw my babies turn five and one, I sent two new books out into the world to be read, I visited over a dozen schools, and rode the Matterhorn at Disneyland for the first time. (I mention this last because I have been to Disneyland four times, and this is the first time that the Matterhorn was open while I was there. Weird but true.)

Next year I will have only one book coming out. Boy will start kindergarten, Baby Girl will be walking and talking, the Man and I are planning a big vacation for just the two of us. A calendar will need to be purchased soon, perhaps more than one, and birthdays penned in, school visits and booksignings, appointments for the children and other plans made. But for the next few day I'm going to read my Christmas books, and think my Christmas thoughts, religious and secular, and drink my Candy Cane Cocoa.

It's going to be wonderful.

So take a moment for yourself, whether or not Santa is coming to your house. Indulge in a treat or two. Think about all that you've accomplished, and all that you hope to accomplish, so that when the new year comes you'll be ready for it. Read a favorite book while you're at it, sing along to the radio in the car . . . just do something that you really want to do!

I know that's what I'll be doing!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

See you in January!