Ha, it's only five days into 2011 and already I'm playing catch-up. This is going to be an interesting year.

My boyfriend and I got all duded up on New Year's Eve and went out to a dinner dance with some friends. It was a blast: the company was wonderful and fun, the food delicious and the dancing exhausting.

Hello, 2011. It's nice to meet you.



We hung out on New Year's day, took the Christmas decorations down and had baccala (cod+) and friend smelts for dinner, as it's been said that fish on the first day of the year brings good luck. So, why not?

And then finally, on Sunday, we went back to NJ to have Christmas with my family, who I always miss like crazy and what a wild, wonderful, exuberant visit it was. Food everywhere, gift wrapping flying, laughter, nonstop chatter, hugs, and all good feelings. I've already decided that when Ordinary Beauty (my new novel, MTV Books/S&S) comes out in June, I'm going back to NJ to do a signing. Probably at the East Brunswick Barnes & Noble, as they've hosted me before and were fabulous. Plus, then I get to see my family and friends again. I can't wait.

Through all of this Bunny, one of my cats, has been sick, and it was a close call. He has stomatitis -- he's allergic to his own teeth -- and every so often his mouth starts to hurt, his gums get tender and he lays low, not eating alot until he feels better. Well, this time it was bad, really bad -- the worst it's ever been -- and my vet was out sick and so I started syringe feeding and watering him because if I hadn't, I sincerely believe he would have starved himself to death. Bunny and I wrestled five or six or seven times a day, with me mixing up concoctions of Pedialite (sp?), chicken both, baby food, canned pumpkin, tuna and hi-cal vitamin gel, and squirting it into his mouth, pretty much forcing him to swallow it. It was horrifying because no matter how gentle I was, I knew it hurt him to swallow, and so when the vet finally came back we went right in, and he got antibiotics and a steroid shot and sub Q fluids, and hallelujah, within the next day and a half he felt strong enough to take a few bites of food on his own.  According to what I've read and discussed with vets, the only real cure is to have all his teeth pulled out so the irritation stops. sigh. I discussed it once with a NJ vet, who was reluctant because Bunny was such a young cat but he's older now, and it may be the kindest thing to do for him. Must think on it.

Yesterday we celebrated my boyfriend's birthday, and today the celebration continues because I'm still waiting for two of his gifts to show up. Heck, it may continue all month.

In the meantime, two people I care dearly for don't feel well, and I'm sending all good thoughts you guys' way for a swift, speedy and full recovery.

And last but definitely never least, I received the copyedited manuscript for Ordinary Beauty and am delving into it. Time is flying!