Where does the time go? Plus Ireland!

Geez. I hadn’t realized that so much time had passed since I last posted. This is terrible! I need to make up for some serious lost time.

Since the last time I posted I have published the second book in my Gargoyles Den series and I’ve been to Ireland, not once but twice!

You can check out the second book, Rogue, in my series here (which would read weird if you haven’t already read book one so you might need to get that here first). I am working on a short story called Origins that tells how those bad ass shape-shifting gargoyles came to be while I am also working out the final book in the series. So exciting!

But…IRELAND!

Ok, if you’re from Ireland I imagine you would be more excited shouting FLORIDA which is where I live and I’m not even slightly excited about it.

I just love Ireland. Last year a few of us in my family (7!) visited the beautiful island in May. We stayed a few days in Dublin, Cork (including the stunning Gougane Barra where my hubby’s family hail from), Dingle and Galway (including Connemara – amazing!).

Here’s a picture from that trip.

Sheep and castle ruins. Bliss. Actually that is the Rock of Cashel. Loved that leg of our trip.

We had so much fun that one month after we returned from Ireland, we bought tickets to go again. So the last two weeks my hubby and I have cruised the east side of the island. We visited Dublin, Trim, Kilkenny and Wicklow. It is just so freakishly beautiful there. Every turn is a new magical view.

Here’s a picture from the latest trip.

Kilkenny Castle

And another because – this is an amazing shot!

Dunamase Castle

When I took the above pic, I was standing inside the crumbling outside wall of the castle and looking out. What a view! Loved it there. Highly recommend you visit if you get the chance.

Well, that’s my quick update. Until next time! Cheers!

Holiday Love

For the first time in years, I am truly excited for the holidays. There’s no particular rhyme or reason as to why this is, simply that it is.

I have finished buying all the gifts and even wrapped them too. That is a pretty major feat. I just decided a few days ago that I wanted this last weekend before Christmas to be light, chill and enjoyable, not frantic and staying up late to wrap. So yay for me.

I am also excited about the gifts for everyone. I really enjoy the anticipation of someone opening their gift and loving it. In my family, you are batting almost 100% due to my secret method of making sure everyone gets what they want for Christmas. It seriously takes out the hard decisions, the guesses, and the failed gifts.

I’ll share it with you. If you’re not much of a computer person, you will cringe, but if you can get around a computer pretty well, and excel isn’t just a word meaning you’re really good at something, then this will work for you.

Here’s how we handle gift giving at our place.

A week before Thanksgiving I start emailing the family.

GIVE ME A CHRISTMAS WISH LIST ON THANKSGIVING OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES (losing your sister / mother / aunt from being stabbed by Gma).

Once I receive the lists, I prepare an excel document with all the info. I also include a special bonus of what each person likes to get/wants in the stocking. (I know this from past years, that can always be requested in the email mentioned earlier.)

At Thanksgiving, when we’re all stuffing our faces with turkey (or in my case, ham) we throw everyone’s name into a hat and pull out the name of the person whose stocking we’re going to handle. ($50 limit, parents handle their own kidlets.)

Then after reviewing and tweaking the gift wish list, I send it out to everyone. Then if “Dad” wants a new computer, we don’t all fall on the ground laughing, we figure out together how to get that person what they want or as close to it as possible. We also agree in advance what is an acceptable amount to spend. You don’t want Bob to throw in a $20 when you’re forking out $80. It has to be fair. If you’re lucky and have a wealthy family member, they can fill in the price gap on spendy stuff.

So, everyone gets what they want.

It helps to have a “coordinator”. Yep, that would be me. I enjoy it for the most part and Christmas day is always so nice because there are no upsets to deal with, everyone gets something they wanted, we all share in the food activities, and then we play games for the day and spend good quality time together.

 

This is here for no other reason than it is really cute.

 

I send my happy wishes to you all to have a wonderful holiday season, that you get what you want, spend it however you want and hopefully with someone special.

I am looking forward to 2018 and everything I’m going to get done. Expect some fun new things from me this coming year. I can’t wait to finish them.

Cheers and hugs!

Lisa

More Happiness

I find that I prefer to make up worlds and write copious amounts about them but am generally hesitant to share much about myself. Other things are just so much more interesting. Most of my adventure is found is books I read and books I write though I certainly plan to get out more this year.

It’s funny how the first of the year, which is technically just another day, holds so much significance and value in the achievement of the time to come.

And I like it.

No matter what successes, heartaches or failures we have experienced in the past, we can always learn from those heartaches and take strength in those successes and move forward with plans and hopes for the future. The one thing we can do is live each day like a stepping stone and get as much done as possible toward those purposes we’ve set out for ourselves.

That said, I wish you all a year filled with more happiness than sadness and more gain than loss. May you all attain your dreams!

Cheers!

❤ Lisa