His name is Darth. As in Vader.

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I got a new computer this Christmas from my kids. :)  It is a Toshiba laptop, a larger screen than I had before and I do have to say I like that.  But my fingers slippy slide off the keyboard so easily!  I suppose I will get used to that but it is a bit frustrating.  (and a few days later, I am getting used to it - and also I've now got it set up on the table with my split keyboard for Serious Writing.  Maddox is my little helper:

I honestly didn't need a new computer.  My old laptop is only a couple of years old - the only thing wrong with it is it has a broken keyboard as in the qwer keys don't work. And the monitor has some damage. But otherwise, it is fine!  So I guess I now have a backup computer.   The NEW computer - Darth! - oh my stars it took forever to get it set up properly for use.  First of all Windows 8.1 is just as bad as 8.0.   Thank goodness Start8 is usable on more than one computer. That took care of that nonsense - it now has a Windows 7 environment. So much better. Those apps are stupid.  I can't deal.

This Christmas was good.  It was a...monumental Christmas for us for many reasons, and it was mostly focused on the kids, their grandma and the new boyfriend, who has become The Boyfriend. I like him.  He is a good guy and he and Tiff have been through a lot in six months, and come out on the other side.   So I am super happy about that. And the son - he starts back to school after having to take a semester off because he totally tanked the previous semester. Sigh.  I have faith though - got to, right? - that THIS time, he will be successful.   He's a junior - again - and wants to change his major but has to pull through this semester first (i.e., has to retake the two classes he failed).   

As for me - I look back at 2014 and realize it pretty much was a year of drifting and not accomplishing anything to be proud of. I fought the blues a helluva lot (and started 2015 with a bout - dammit) despite the happy meds. I guess I will always batttle that.  I read a lot (35 books, most of which were YA), and didn't write much, though a lightbulb moment occurred mid October - I read so much YA because I like it so much.  So, why not write it? And that set me on the path to reworking an old fantasy idea so completely that for the first time in ages, I feel like I have something good here and worth pursuing.  I attempted Nano but I wasn't ready yet - I had a lot of work to do on things to be ready to write it.  Ready now (got about 16k on it so far).

And.... 2014 got me visiting Canada for the first time, which was awesome.  N and I went up there and visited Klaudia aka sheswatching which was incredible fun. I want to go back! It was so much fun! We had a blast!  So much to see and do!  I also went to Florida and met up with amand_r and attended a writing con and met count_to_seven and then momebie. I had a great time though I didn't leave there feeling all jazzed about continuing to write in the m/m genre, despite loving the people. Good people. I am just done with it - and at that point didn't really want to accept that just yet.  Now, I have.  My two books (not the third, which I am going to pull eventually) continue to march along happily and that is good but it just isn't where the heart is.

So now I look to the new year.  I don't want 2015 to be like 2014. It just can't be. I need a good year, dammit.  Hopefully the plans are laid well and that will happen.  More on that, later, as I want to post here weekly for the accountability (to myself, if anything).