Handy New Year!

IMG_5124Handy New Year – that’s what I’ll be having, with another sixteen days in plaster. The Hand is sporting a fantastic, luminous orange, lightweight cast. I’m very attached to it. I once had welly boots the same orange – I remember splashing about in them. I digress.

I hope you had a great Christmas and are now ready for 2014. Our tree will come down on New Year’s Day, as we prepare for my son’s birthday. I like to have a marked distinction between the events. It’s the end and the beginning wrapped up in a few days.IMG_5115

I’ve spent time reflecting. 2013 has been an enormous year for us.

 

 

Shortly after the first anniversary of my mum’s death, my family and I set off to Florida, and spent an incredible three weeks visiting Disneyworld and Universal Studios. This is a holiday I will never forget. It was special. It was healing. It was magical.IMG_2592

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Laura, Sue, and Celia
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The RNA Quiz

A glorious week was spent in Italy, at Arte Umbria, with Celia Anderson, on a course led by Sue Moorcroft, followed by a fab weekend in Sheffield with my lovely Romantic Novelists’ Association and Romaniac friends at the annual RNA conference.

I saw Paloma Faith live twice, introducing my daughter to the live gig experience. Jessie J was the next concert my daughter attended, escorted by Gajitman, as I was away at the Festival of Romance.

Paloma Faith Gig

TOD_thumbnail copyChoc Lit accepted my manuscript and Truth or Dare? was published.

CL Lite 2My short story, Bitter Sweet, was accepted for the RNA anthology due out early 2014, Truly, Madly, Deeply.

Truth or Dare? was nominated for the Festival of Romance Best Romantic Ebook award.

 

 

I received a new ulna joint.

Christmas dinner was cooked by my husband and daughter, and my son ensured our energy levels were high. I was thoroughly spoiled.

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IMG_5142Well, that was my year, and supporting me all the way through with unconditional love was my small, but perfectly formed family, and my wonderful friends. Thank you so much.

And thank you to everyone who bought, read, and reviewed Truth or Dare?

I hope 2013 was kind to you, and I wish you all health, wealth and happiness for 2014.

Take care.

Laura x

Lucky 13

My Christmas Presents 2012
My Christmas Presents 2012

Happy New Year. I hope Christmas and your entry into 2013 was everything you wished it to be.

Christmas Day was different without my mother here, but I focused on the children and their excitement carried me through the day. We broke with tradition the next day and went to The Big Shops, to look for high beds, and had lunch at a certain pizza house. Our usual Boxing Day lunch consists of home made chips, cold pickles, and meat/vegetarian alternatives. It was right to do something a little different.

We had a great New Year’s Eve, which we spent with some good friends, and the children stayed up to see in 2013. It felt right. It felt as if it was time to consider moving on. Memories are portable.

13 is a great number. Our daughter was born on the 13th of the month, and in another year, I won a singing competition as number 13. I have high hopes for 2013. I have a writing course to attend in Italy, a day’s course in Reading, the RNA Conference and Summer and Winter parties, a work-in-progress to complete, friends to hug, and a family to nurture.

Jubilee street party
Jubilee street party

I have an entire year in which to create new memories.

Have a good one, and stay warm.

Laura x