Hello, friends! If you follow me on Twitter, you might have seen recent posts about hitting the halfway mark on a first draft in April. Since January, I’ve been struggling to finish that project. I’m delighted to announce I finished the draft.

Long before lockdown, I hit a creative impasse. Not writer’s block. I adapted my writing style a few years ago. I plot and outline. I know what I need to write. Getting my butt into the chair to type was difficult. 2020 started complicated and only picked up speed from there.

Adjusting to our new normal is a constantly evolving process. I’m back to scheduling time for my writing, something I’d taken for granted with both kids in school full-time. I need to set boundaries for productivity (if I only have an hour, you bet I’ll get words done!). And I need to be present for my kids. Together, we’re adapting. It’s not sunshine and rainbows every moment. Together, we’re figuring out each day. I’m lucky.

Currently, I’m editing several projects. I have an easier time switching back and forth from mom-mode to writer-mode during edits. But creating new words is what recharges my spirit. I have three new story ideas (all sequels). My goal for the summer is to finish two first drafts and have the third fully outlined. I’m ready!

Oooh! I love the holidays. I don’t know that I can pick a favorite.

In fact, I’m spilling some news here. A few months ago, I was delighted to sign a contract with The Wild Rose Press (my third!) for a story I’ve been calling #projectshowbiz. The REAL title of the novel is…..

A former child star renovates an old theater to put on a new musical for every holiday of the year in a small forgotten Wisconsin town. What could go wrong? More details to follow…but back to my favorite holiday of the year.

As a kid, Christmas was tops, hands down. It still is pretty great. I love everything: watching TV specials, cutting down and decorating our tree, reading books by the fire, drinking hot cocoa, hanging the lights on the outside of my house, wrapping gifts, mailing cards, our church Sunday School program and advent services. I love making the whole month between Thanksgiving and Christmas (extended now to New Year’s Eve) special for my family.

Taking charge of Christmas, however, I realized I could inject spirit into the other holidays too! So here are some of the traditions we love.

Valentine’s Day (a candy holiday, I decorate our big table and everyone wakes up to surprises at their seats. This year, I bought a heart waffle maker–big hit)

St. Patrick’s Day (green food which is hilarious with kids)

Easter (besides coloring eggs and participating in a local egg hunt, we do a scavenger hunt through our house for our baskets before church and then brunch)

4th of July (we live in the heart of our town and the parade goes right by our house. This is probably the holiday that has changed the most for me. Our street is blocked off in the morning so we spend the day willingly trapped. Our neighbors hold a block-party breakfast, then the parade, then we start grilling and turn on the water toys for the kids. We can walk/ride bikes to our local pool in the afternoon, and we love to ride our bikes on the trails to the fireworks at a nearby park.)

Labor Day (this is only a celebration because we try to meet up with my family up north and get the kids together. Anytime we all get together is a lot of fun.)

Halloween (We bought our house because it is in the ideal trick or treat neighborhood–seriously–and this is hands down the best. Our kids’ school hosts a costume parade and we live close enough we can walk–parking is a beast that day. Then we head out around 4. The older the kids get, the longer we trick or treat and it’s so much fun. Also–I love the movie Hocus Pocus and wholeheartedly support Freeform Channel’s month of spooky programming.)

Thanksgiving is a holiday we have to travel for so we don’t have any established traditions other than I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I LOVE the parade. As a kid, I went in person twice and it was amazing. I’d love to take my kids one day (but to be honest, I think I’d be fine if they were older, they’ve never been to New York and it’s a big culture shock from Chicago for kids).

 

By now, it’s become pretty clear I love cruises. (Cough, I wrote a cruise ship romance titled Love Overboard, cough cough) After the pandemic, I can’t wait to travel again. With any luck, I’ll be boarding my next cruise in a little over a year.

I was looking back through my posts and realize I’ve never really specified why.

Reasons I love cruising:

Great for couples

Even with the kids. My husband and I took a Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon. He was hooked after that trip. Returning with our children, we have the chance to spend time in the adults only pool while they are entertained at one of the clubs (which they love). It’s nice to take a family trip, and still get some one-on-one time with your spouse.

Relaxing or Adventuring–your choice

My kids love an adventure. On vacation, my husband and I would prefer to sleep. On a cruise, everyone wins. On the days at sea, my kids are kept entertained by counselors and I can read a good book in a deck chair by the pool. By the time we reach a port, my husband and I are rested enough to enjoy a fun excursion with the kids.

Not living out of a suitcase

Unpacking one time is really something wonderful. Because I don’t have to worry about my suitcase, I love bringing a change of clothes for dinner each night (including a cocktail dress for formal night) and on the beautiful ship, you’ll feel very posh in heels and a cute dress. 

Entertainment

Movies? Check. Stage shows? Check. Comedy? Check.  The stage shows are spectacular. And again, I love the ability to choose what everyone wants to do. My youngest hates the big Broadway productions but my oldest loves the shows. Typically, one of the adults will watch the show and the other will take the younger to a movie

But wait, I hate crowds!

Oh yes, I do, too. So does my father. When I proposed my parents join my family of four on a trip a few years ago, I knew they were skeptical. My parents had taken a number of cruises on the smaller Viking river ships but were intimidated by the capacity (which was almost 3 times the size) on the Disney Dream.

They were pleasantly surprised. We are early-risers (except for my husband) and at every turn seemed to avoid the major crowds. By the time we had “finished” something (swimming in the pool, private island day), the majority of our fellow travelers “started” the same activity. We were able to navigate through the cruise ship freely and besides the mandatory muster drill, never felt squished or crowded.

After that trip, my father was convinced to take his first ocean cruise with one of their favorite companies. AND my parents are excited to take a big family trip with my family and my brothers’ next year. With the freedom to go our own ways during the day and meet up again at dinner, I’m sure everyone will have a magical time.

Crossing our fingers we will be able to set sail in a year. We are planning another multi-generational family trip, this time with my brother and his family along. These are priceless memories in the making.