Still on Deadline …
Almost there finishing Lucky Charm. But not quite. I’m exhausted …
So a few things:
1. The writer’s strike - who is missing having NEW shows on TV?? I AM! 
2. The holidays - I got my personal cards out; my professional cards ready to go; my galleys that are due Friday (an author’s last chance to catch mistakes - for HOT PROPERTY); packed for vacation …. just need to keep writing! Who’s almost finished with their holiday madness?
3. New Year’s Eve - over rated or under rated? Love it or hate it? Just another night for us spent with good family friends and I’m almost always asleep before midnight.
Hopefully we’ll find things to chat about in the jungle today even if this post is a little lame!
Good morning. Carly good luck with your deadline but it sounds like you have everything under control.
Yes, I miss new shows as well but considering how the writers were/are getting royally screwed by the studios I’m prepared to wait it out. Of course if it continues into January or February say, I will sorely miss my favorite shows.
We are done with shopping and sending out cards. Now its time to relax and just enjoy.
Personally I love New Years even though we stay home. I like planning my goals both personal and professional for the new year.
A typical New Years Eve is spent eating a nice dinner, watching A Christmas Carol then we pour a couple of flutes of sparkling water or cider–neither of us drink–and we take them up stairs to our daughter’s room where she is sleeping and we make a quiet toast to the New Year that we all experience health, happiness and prosperity. Then it’s off to bed which is long before midnight.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Christmas will be here in a week!
Cher :santahat:
mastree:
Comment by Cher — December 17, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Good morning and good luck with your deadline Carly.
I am missing new shows also, I hate reruns. The only thing reruns are good for is it gives me more time to read. My cards have been sent and I’m almost finished shopping, just a couple more things to go. I’ve got to get wrapping though.
HHHHMMMM, New Year’s Eve is so overrated it’s not funny. What’s fun about a bunch of drunk people making idiots of themselves, and then better yet, they get in their cars and drive. Oh boy, sounds like alot of fun. However, the city in which I live does fireworks at midnight, so all I need to do is step out on my back patio and watch because they shoot them off from the highschool which is 1 street behind my house. Best thing about New Year”s Eve this year—-I will be on a cruise ship with my husband in the Western Caribbean soaking up some sun. That I’m big time looking forward too, especially since we’ve had snow the past 3 days and it’s a whopping 21 degrees out right now. We also had very high winds here yesterday, it was brrrrrrrrrrrrr cold.
Well, that’s it for now I guess.
Everyone Take Care and Have a Good Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :elf:
Comment by Kathy — December 17, 2007 @ 8:55 am
Morning jungle friends and
…
Carly, I wouldn’t call this post lame…you are one busy woman after all…I am sure we can find something to talk about today…now you need to focus on finishing before the 21st right…have at it…only check in when you can…
I am not even close to finishing my holiday madness…I haven’t even bought gifts yet…I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do Christmas this year and it looks like I might be…big might there…I just have to drive to NYC first…
New Years…can’t say much about…I haven’t really done much…I don’t even stay up to watch ball drop anymore…I have a ritual…if I do stay up, I am washing dishes until the last 5 minutes before midnight…if I am lucky I catch the ball at 1 and everyone celebrating…
Gosh, even when I lived in NYC, I did the Times Square thing ONE TIME…only because my friend’s bday was New Years Eve and we all went out to celebrate…it was crazy…we even walked over th Brooklyn Bridge that night…some of us were a little inebriated…not mean though, but I should have been, then I wouldn’t have been so scared…
Well, does anyone else have a ritual for New Year’s Eve? Go into Times Square at all? If you do, just be careful…talk to you all later…
Now I am off to read Leslie’s Chapter 6…I am late too…ttyl
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 17, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Good Morning. I think. I am sick of snow blowing. I have a fever of almost 100. I don’t feel so good.
My shopping is almost done, I just found out that there is some one else coming for dinner, so I have to go find something for them. Then I have to wrap, wrap, wrap. I don’t know what I am going to do with them once I am done. The kitten loves to eat paper.
I havent’ even gotten to the cards yet. Although, I am only sending ones to respond to the ones we have gotten. I am tired. There are not enough hours in the day. Right now I wish I had quit work.
I am going back to bed. I have to cancel my nail appointment first though. I wish I was going on vacation too. Somewhere warm. Without snow anywhere. :wreath:
Comment by ev — December 17, 2007 @ 8:58 am
Yes, i miss my regular shows, but am using the time to catch up on all the ones I dvr’d. So far I am surviving.
I don’t do New Year’s. In fact I told them I had no problem working that day or the night of either.
If our daughter calls at midnight I will kill her though. I have to remind her NOT to.
Comment by ev — December 17, 2007 @ 9:01 am
Janelle, Christmas Fantasy is at #7 over on the FictionWise site.
Cher :santawhat:
Comment by Cher — December 17, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Oh, Ev, I hope you feel better soon! No fun being sick over the holidays.
I haven’t even hardly gotten started on my Christmas shopping…mostly because I don’t know what to do . Nothing for my parents yet, nor hubby’s parents, only 1 gift for 1 of my children, nothing for the other (of course, the only thing he wants is a Mac laptop - gee, not much, huh?), But I refuse to panic or get crazy over it.
I’m almost finished with cards. I finished up the first 100 yesterday and have to order 20 more pics today to finish up. Everyone that sent hubby a card during his surgery/recovery I’ve sent a card to, just saying thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and we’ve got a picture so that they can see for themselves that hubby is okay. I’ll be really glad when that is finished!
New Year’s Eve - I love!!! I love New Year’s Day, it’s a new fresh start and I’m going to be really glad to start on a new fresh year. And pray to God it’s better than this past one! When’s the Chinese New Year, I want to celebrate that also!
But hubby can’t drink and we don’t have room for our annual party so we’re going to dinner with our oldest and his girlfriend from out of town. We really like her so it will be a fun evening, even though it will be really low key.
Good luck, Carly!! I noticed over the weekend that your word count had jumped up. You’re doing great!!!
Comment by Jodie — December 17, 2007 @ 9:13 am
I am so missing new shows it’s not even funny.
I said NOT funny! 
Some of the new reality shows they have for the new year don’t sound at all appealing to me. Although now I have time for this: 
and this: 
As for New Years, it means staying at home, trying not to do this:
while watching the New Year ring in. And I haven’t done this: 
or this: 
in ages.
And Carly, this post was not lame. It was this:
And on the weather front, here in NC it’s this: :cold: while last week it was this:
Bye for now.
Comment by bluecat — December 17, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Carly, keep up the good work. You know we’ll be here to support you - we can’t expect you to play all day long. Otherwise when would we get to read those great books?
Since I don’t watch t.v. the whole thing doesn’t bother me, but I can imagine it’s painful for regular viewers. As for New Year’s, I prefer low-key, warm, cozy memories versus wild ones - I’ve never been a big partier, so definitely nothing major planned. But like Jodie, I’m looking forward to a fresh new year - that’s exciting.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 17, 2007 @ 9:46 am
I agree with the writers too. They’re entitled to a portion of Internet. but I do miss the shows as they die off into reruns …
Comment by Carly — December 17, 2007 @ 9:50 am
I am getting tired of reruns and all of the reality shows….I totally agree with the writers….
I have most everything done (except for packing and the cards). Hubby decided no letter with the picture…..fine with me….
I am still sick (I am feeling better, on antibiotics for a week, now, I just still can’t hear).
New Year’s eve…overrated. I just can’t stay awake.
Comment by katie — December 17, 2007 @ 10:14 am
I’m with Cher–I miss the new shows, but I am really glad the writers are sticking up for themselves. The situation was just ridiculous. I read an analogy about it and it said that the first weekend the DVD for Pirates of the Caribbean 3 was available, it sold over $50 million worth of copies. Of that, the writers made less than $5000. That just sucks.
And New Years to me has always been a stay-home-and-play-games-and-eat-drink-laugh kind of night. We never go out on New Year’s Eve…hubby calls it “amateur” night for drunks on the road. Much prefer to stay in with friends and family and just have a warm, wonderful family evening.
Comment by Leslie — December 17, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Hey Carly,
and a lot of new books 
You don’t have to apologize at all because I think there’s enough to discuss (especially at Christmas time). So keep on writing but I think you’re doing great with the deadline. Don’t worry. I believe in you
Jodie, I’m feeling with you because I still have a lot of presents to buy. But I am optimistic. As for the Christmas cards: Most of them are on the way. Some years ago, I used to send Christmas greetings as an e-mail because it’s way faster. But honestly, those cards are a lot more personal and sending them really expresses that you are thinking about people and a way how to please them. So I decided to return to those good ol’ cards. Because I love it when there are Christmas cards in my mail box, too.
As for New Year’s Eve: I really love it because it’s all about family and there are a lot of traditional customs. And this year I thought about new resolutions. Those that will be easy to keep: Like eating more chocolate
No, I’m just kidding. But this year I’ll try to think of some resulotions I’m able to keep becaues I hate the remorse I feel when I don’t.
Good luck, Carly with the deadline. I know you’ll manage.
Everybody out there take care
See you
:wreath: (simply had to add one of those Christmas icons)
Vero
Comment by Vero — December 17, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Jodie: I think you should give everyone in your family gift cards or cash.
Comment by Leslie — December 17, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Feel better, Ev!
I’m definitely feeling good about where I am with things! If I don’t finish by the 21st, I’ll be darn close and at least I’ll finish early enough in the vacation to enjoy it! 
And Katie, hopefully you’ll feel better fast. It’s been too long! I think hearing is important.
Thanks for the pats on the back.
Comment by Carly — December 17, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I do miss my shows already, but I totally support what the writers are doing. It is so unfair that they only get pennies for all the dvds that are sold and nothing on the internet sales/free online.
I have finished all of my Christmas shopping. I took off on Friday and bought the remaining gifts for the year. I also wrapped all but 1 or 2.
I usually don’t do anything for New Years Eve, but this year my friends have a new restaurant and we are all going there for dinner.
Good luck on the deadline Carly!!!
Comment by Liza — December 17, 2007 @ 11:33 am
I do miss my shows but it gives me more time to
I’ve mailed my cards over the weekend and finished up most of my shopping, just a few odds and ends like stocking stuffers, so now I can focus on the baking and cleaning because Christmas Eve is at my house.
Mom, got into a car accident yesterday, some idiot crossed three lanes of traffic to make an illegal turn right in front of her…scared the crap out of me but thank God she is ok… a little brused and banged up from the seatbelt and air bag but they both saved her from going through the windshield so I’m grateful.
New Years for us is spent with family, and as an added bonus this year my brother and family will be here visiting so that should be alot of fun!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 17, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Doesn’t this time of year just stress you out? It always does that to me, and this year I am trying to sit back and take stock of what it all really means. I am in the beginning of a divorce and this is the first Christmas I have spent alone in 8 years. I am starting to get happier though. I have a new man (well really an old man, my first love, funny how that works out isnt it?) in my life and things are looking up. I have a lot of family who love me and I have a lot to be thankful for.
All of my presents are wrapped, but too bad I haven’t finished shopping yet. lol. My Christmas cards are on my coffee table at home and will be finished up tonight. Our Christmas party at work is tomorrow at lunch and I will be making BBQ meatballs and a Christmas Cheese Tree tonight to bring.
New Years Eve is always ironic for me. My birthday is Jan 2, so on New Years Eve I always feel like my birthday is “tomorrow”, but I go home and sleep and have another whole day to wait for it to be my day, ya know? lol.
I love New Year’s Eve. I have done a lot of different things on that day and I hope to be at the Bowling Alley with my sweetie this year. They have a Party where they serve an Italian Feast and have bowling until midnight and a non-alcoholic toast. It should be fun.
Hope everyone gets all they need to get done finished. Carly, keep writing away, we are all backing you.
Comment by Shannon Upright — December 17, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Leslie, 5000 out of 50 million is AWFUL. Don’t they realize that without writers putting words on paper there wouldn’t be any movies!! Geesh!
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 17, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
I haven’t missed the new shows yet since this is also my time to catch up on all the dv’r things.
My shopping is done but not wrapped and I have to mail stuff out still.
I’m not even sure about cards this year. I haven’t found the time to sit down and write them yet.
New Years Eve is great as long we are at home enjoying it. Or somewhere very close to home (like the neighbors or SG’s sister’s house).
Good luck on your deadline and I hope you have a great vacation.
Comment by Vicki — December 17, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
No more deadline for me for a while!
I finally finished my book at 3 AM this morning! 
Now it’s on to cleaning up my disaster of an office and getting ready for Xmas! I have everything bought — I just need to wrap and get stuff mailed, too! :snowmanhead:
Cher — That’s very cool about CHRISTMAS FANTASY! That book was originally out in 2000!!!
Kathy — Take me on your cruise with you, pretty please?
Ev — My husband woke up this morning with a very nasty flu. Not a cold kind of flu, but the clean out your insides kind of flu!
Poor guy! I’m trying to take care of him while keeping far, far away so I don’t catch it, too!
Comment by Janelle — December 17, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Yay, Janelle - congrats on finishing!
Yuck on Don - hope he recovers quickly!!
Tina - sorry about Mom, glad she’s okay though.
Leslie - I just spent 10 minutes at the grocery store agonizing over the gift card kiosk! Would my dad rather have Best Buy or Home Depot. Would mom like Coldstone Creamery or Panera Bread better with her Starbuck’s. Where’s the Omaha Steaks cards they had last week that I’ve finally decided to get for BIL?
I love Christmas and shopping, it’s never been this hard before. I don’t know why I’m struggling so badly this year but I’m having a really, really hard time getting it all together!
But I refuse to panic! 
Comment by Jodie — December 17, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
I’ve never been much of a tv watcher..there are a handful of shows I watch but for the most part the writer’s strike hasnt’ affected me. I’ve been too busy with my head in textbooks to pay much attention. Last final is tomorrow thankfully then I can relax for a few weeks and regroup before heading back to the classroom again. Graduation won’t come soon enough (I refuse to think about the fact that beyond this degree my next one will take more than 4 years..that’s a worry for another day
)
Can’t wait to get my nose buried in the impressive stack of books I’ve been collecting over the last few months. I will say I’m glad the writer’s guild is sticking by their guns and going the distance to obtain better rights and revenues for the talented men and women who write those wonderful shows/movies. They don’t get paid nearly enough.
I managed to get all my Xmas cards done between bouts of studying last night and the tree is finally up and decorated. Now just have to finish buying those last minute presents and stocking stuffers. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and I’m really glad I found this website :santahat:
Comment by Christy — December 17, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
Over the weekend I got gifts for my two grandchildren that have to be mailed & they are on the way!! The only thing I have left for shopping will be deciding what I’m going to eat on Christmas!! I’m thinking fresh crab & a nice green salad with avocado and of course sourdough bread! Some goodies of course! My daughter & grandson will both be working & my other daughter & her family are in another state, not traveling!! :snowmanhead: I should get some more cards done in the next day or two. It seems I get fewer & fewer cards every year. :stocking:
Carly, I’m just going to start reading Sealed With a Kiss. Good luck on getting your book done before you leave on vacation.
To those that are not feeling well, take care and get well soon. Janelle, hope Don is okay soon & you don’t get sick. No fun being sick now. :santahat:
Yes, I miss new shows on all the programs I watch! There isn’t much I want to watch on the reality shows. The one with Carrie Ann & Bruno from Dancing with the Stars, that might be fun. When my regular programs are repeats or there is nothing on I watch a movie or HGTV. I love HGTV! I do hope they settle the strike soon so everyone can get back to work. The writers should get their fair share of the millions that are made.
New Year’s Eve is just a quiet night for me. In recent years the most fun I had on New Year’s Eve was the transition from 1999 to 2000. My grandson was here for the whole day & we watched ABC all day seeing the New Year all around the world. Peter Jennings did a great job that day but you could tell he was tired at the end!! My grandson was a lot of fun & had trouble staying awake at midnight, now he is 18 and stays up way later than that!!! :candycane:
Comment by Donna M — December 17, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
I don’t watch a lot of tv, so am not missing it.
Comment by Estella — December 17, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Carly glad your happy with your dateline.
Janelle sure hope hubby gets well quick and you don’t catch it.
We never do New years it costs twice as much to get more crowded restaurants, colder food and higher prices. Not much sense in that.
Getting excited about Christmas. Shopping done presents wrapped.
Thinking about cooking choices.
No excuse me while I hop over to a site and blast them for sending me this burned yukkie very expensive sandwich.
Hugs to all!
Comment by jeannie& Zoey — December 17, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Janelle,
Congratulations on finishing your book. Staying up until 3 is tough but necessary sometimes. So sorry about Don. Hopefully he will be back to normal in a couple of days. I am waving my wand through cyber casting good magic so you stay healthy.
It is way cool about your book, Christmas Fantasy. When I saw it up on FictionWise I just had to spread the good news.
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 17, 2007 @ 7:16 pm