Things I'm Looking Forward To

Before leaving more personal items behind, here are a few things I'm looking forward to this next year. They're in no particular order.

1. IMC 2010 Not only am I looking forward to the awesome "regulars", I can't wait to meet and learn from James Gurney. Ever since I was a child I've had a thing for dinosaurs. I even tried with all my might and magical powers to hatch a triceratops from a chicken egg . Years later, when I happened upon Gurney's Dinotopia, it was as if he had created my childhood heaven. This will hopefully combine with another greatly anticipated adventure...

2. Visiting Daughter & Family in Michigan

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Movie #6 did not come up to expectations so I hope this first installment of the concluding book will measure up.

4. The Final Season of Lost :It is the only TV show I have faithfully watched and hopefully, it will satisfy.

5. Some greatly anticipated books:

Rumored to be titled, The Victors, this series by Suzanne Collins has me completely invested. I'm so worried for Peeta!!!The sequel to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Please, Pat...please surprise us with this book for 2010. Fingers are crossed. Toes too.The Desert Spear by Peter Brett. Discovered this gem just last month. Unique, compelling story and characters. I've given up on trying to win an ARC so I'll just have to wait until April.

Megan Whalen Turner's 4th in the Queen's Thief series. I have such a character crush on Eugenides.

There are many more, but these are at the top of my list. That's all for now. My eyes hurt from watching AVATAR in 3D. I will say goodnight and go dream of flying around on the back of my chartreuse ikran.

Merry Christmas to All

So this concludes all 12 days of grandchildren. I am truly blessed to have most of them close by. They make my life worth living. Of course, I'm not alone. At my side, I have a most wonderful, selfless man, my husband of almost 37 years. He continues to support me in all my endeavors, both artistic and personal. For all these people who grace my life, including my dear friends, I wish you a very, merry Christmas and a wondrous new year.

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Moran

The 12th time grand mothering, second daughter gifted me with...

MORAN

Though I held her so briefly, this is what I know of her.

She is angelic. So much so that she didn't need this earthly experience.

She taught me much about love and loss, joy and pain.

Her absence, though temporary,

makes me more cognizant of the each of my other grandchildren

and how much they enrich my life.

A portion of my heart

departed with her.

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Mr. Beckham

The 11th time a grandma, my first son gave to me...

BECKHAM

He seems like he's this quiet, soft-spoken little guy and then, SURPRISE! He's squealing and chasing and then pulling all sorts of things out of kitchen drawers. He likes to hug Grandma's big fuzzy bear. He has just learned to come down the stairs all by himself. He makes good faces and noises. There are times he looks just like his dad did at that age. He loves his sisters and his mom. Loves to wrestle his dad. He's insured the family name will continue another generation. Go Beck!

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Mr. Owen

The 10th time grand mothering, daughter 2, she gave to me...

OWEN

He is one non-stop curious, inquisitive, all action little boy. Vivid imagination. Loves working with Grandpa, running all the machinery from backhoes to track hoes; backpack blowers to lawn mowers. Loves the outdoors and must be bribed to wear a coat. Currently, he's into Transformers and super heroes. Gets very possessive where popcorn is concerned. He is missed by cousins, uncles and aunts and me.

Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Miss Mia

The 9th time a grandma, my son, he gave to me...

MIA

She has the most beautiful blue eyes that look right through you. She likes to paint and amazes Grandma with her control of the brush. She can eat a whole apple down to the core. She is often a quiet observer. I don't think much gets past her. She is strong willed. She can't wait to play soccer like her older sister, Keigan. She likes to be read to. She loves her baby brother.

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Mr. Wyatt

The 8th time a grandma, 4th child gave to me...

WYATT

He is a wiz-kid at puzzles. Can name every train, character, vehicle etc. from Thomas the Train. Has the strongest, most unruly cowlick on the planet (thanks to grandma's gene pool). Loves Legos and Sponge Bob. Very musical. He is always singing some little tune to himself. He likes bedtime stories. Can charm his way pretty much every time he asks.

I mean...look at that mug.