This is it. The last day of 2010. When I think back over the year, a lot happened—not just in my life but around the world.

Some of the big events this year included
The Health Care Overhaul—like it or not, it’s a big change

The Rescue of the Chilean Miners—I think this touched everyone

The Haitian Earthquake—it was nice to see everyone banding together to help out

The BP Oil Rig Explosion—tragic for everyone, especially here in the South

TSA Controversy—it seems like the media made a bigger deal of it than travelers

Personally, a lot happened in the Galen household.

My eighth (The Making of a Duchess) and ninth (The Making of a Gentleman) books came out.

We sold our house and will be moving soon.

Ultimate Sportsfan got a great new job.

Baby Galen learned to sit, eat solid food, crawl, and walk. I guess she’ll be talking next!

So what about you? What will you remember from 2010?

This is a short one, folks. Every year, like countless other people, I make resolutions for the coming New Year. Some I keep, some I don’t, but I make them with the best of intentions. Maybe if I share them publicly with the rest of you I’ll be more apt to keep them. Or perhaps, that’s just wishful thinking. Regardless, here are my top five:

1. I will get into shape.

2. I will become a healthier person and try to give up meat.

3. I will stop ‘collecting’ makeup.

4. I will think better of myself.

5. I will be more patient with other people.

Pretty standard fare, huh? Well, I’m going in determined to keep and master all 5. We’ll see how far I get. What are your resolutions for 2011?

Here’s my joke for today – tell me yours (make it a clean one!) and I’ll pick the one that gives us the best chuckle and send the winner a copy of my last book, The Rogue Prince.

(Bear in mind that I’m Irish, so I can tell this kind of ethnic joke! )

Ireland Declares War on France

Nicolas Sarkozy, The French President, is sitting in his office when his telephone rings.

“Hallo, Mr. Sarkozy!” a heavily accented voice said. “This is Paddy Down at the Harp Pub in County Clare, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you!”

“Well, Paddy,” Sarkozy replied, “This is indeed important news! How big is your army?”

“Right now,” says Paddy, after a moment’s calculation, “there is meself, me Cousin Sean, me next door neighbor Seamus, and the entire darts team from the pub. That makes eight!”

Sarkozy paused. “I must tell yo! u, Paddy, that I have 100,000 men in my army waiting to move on my command.”

“Begorra!” says Paddy. “I’ll have to ring you back.”

Sure enough, the next day, Paddy calls again. “Mr. Sarkozy, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!”

“And what equipment would that be Paddy?” Sarkozy asks.

“Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy’s farm tractor.”

Sarkozy sighs amused. “I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 6,000 tanks and 5,000 armored personnel carriers. Also, I have increased my army to 150,000 since we last spoke.”

“Saints preserve us!” says Paddy. “I’ll have to get back to you.”

Sure enough, Paddy rings again the next day. “Mr. Sarkozy, the war is still on! We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We have modified Jackie McLaughlin’s ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Bar have joined us as well!”!

Sarkozy was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. “I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100 bombers and 200 fighter planes. My military bases are surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I have increased my army to 200,000!”

“Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph!” says Paddy, “I will have to ring you back.”

Sure enough, Paddy calls again the next day. “Top o’ the mornin’, Mr. Sarkozy! I am sorry to inform you that we have had to call off the war.”

“Really? I am sorry to hear that,” says Sarkozy. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Well,” says Paddy, “we had a long chat over a few pints of Guinness, and decided there is no fookin’ way we can feed 200,000 prisoners.”

I remember my mom calling the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day a tweener week because it fell between two big holidays, and was an entire week long. It was one of my most favorite times of the year because I had the chance to play with new toys, and later new gadgets, for an entire week without school. If we were lucky, we’d get a big snow and school wouldn’t start right on time with the New Year.

Once I entered the workfield, the week between Christmas and New Year was just the “short week” at the day job. I missed the “day after Christmas sales” too many times to count because I was working. By the time I’d get to the store after work, the good stuff would be long gone.

But thanks to the internet, I can hit a gazillion sales before work, at breaks, and after work. For a shopaholic, this is pretty heady stuff.

I’ve already ordered some stuff and will likely do more this week.  The nice thing about online shopping is that they don’t run out/never had your size problem most stores start out with. 

As for the Christmas decorations…. Well, yes, I should take them down soon. And I will. In a week. Or so…

What about you? How do you love to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day?  Any special plans for New Year’s Eve?

Jenny Francis and Kathy A., congratulations! Send your snail mail addies to k.higgins@snet.net and I’ll pop some goodies in the mail.

Happy New Year, everyone!

I think the thing I love most about a really great story isn’t the happily ever after…it’s the idea that our protagonists finally become the person they were meant to be. In writing, we call that character arc. In real life, it’s rarely that tidy or gratifying—it might take someone decades to reach his or her potential. He might never make it. She might just give up and settle for less. He might give it everything he has and fail anyway.

But in a great story, when the big moment comes, our hero or heroine takes that final leap of faith, the do-or-die moment, and then…and then…

… Unemployed Dockworker Becomes Hero of the American People (Cinderella Man)

…Woman Jumps into Icy Waters, Saving Own Life. (Titanic)

…False Hero Becomes True When All Others Desert Mission (3:10 to Yuma)

… Elderly Man Deserts Beloved Home to Save Life of Boy Scout. (Up)

…Teenager Disses Modern Technology, Calls Upon Higher Power to Destroy War Machine (Star Wars)

…Woman Halts Own Wedding: Best Man is Actually True Love of Her Life. (While You Were Sleeping)

I think that’s what makes a story great—not the scenery or the kisses or the hero’s beautiful eyes—but the idea that we can all be greater somehow, braver and bigger. It’s got to be hard, it’s got to be painful…but a romance promises that when the big moment comes, our characters will seize the day. The happily ever after is simply the reward for the courage it took.

What are some of the more memorable character transformations that affected you? Was it Rose in Titanic, or Rocky Balboa? Any time the ending failed (No Country for Old Men, anyone?)? I’ve got chocolate to give away, maybe a book or two as well, so don’t be shy! And by the way…happy new year! Hope 2011 is a wonderful time for you and yours.

’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
The Quills were so busy, they didn’t notice the mouse.

Margo was baking and wrapping with care, 
In hopes that her family would enjoy her fine fare.
Kristan was up to her elbows in dough,
Dreading the wrapping (she can’t tie a bow).

Emily and Robyn sipped their hot eggnog
And talked about what they’d put in their next blog
While sleepy Nancy, in her PJs, sat with a cat in her lap,
Christmas card writing preempted her nap.

Shana finished her page proofs right quick!
She knew in a moment she might meet St. Nick.
More rapid than wifi her fingers they flew,
Then she tweeted, and facebooked, and wrapped presents too!

Then the Quills got all nestled snug at their desks
In warm, cozy offices that were quite picturesque.
They looked over their day’s work in a quick recap
As Kate settled her kitties for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
That Cindy’s Blue Heeler shot outside to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows the Quills flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

But Terri was searching for the presents she’d hid
Just as she did each year for each kid.
Then enjoying the lights on the tree a’twinkling
She wondered if anyone even had an inkling.

She didn’t see the little old driver so lively and quick
The man they all knew must be St. Nick!
Right to the door Catherine went at a run,
With the ribbon she’d been using in present-wrapping fun. 

The wind was howling like a cold winter demon
And Jan was bundled up, lost in copy edit readin’
Just when she got to the best part of all
Down the chimney St. Nick came with a fall. 

A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back,
And Baby Galen looked hopefully up at his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled – His laugh, how he shook,
He could have been the hero of anyone’s book.

But Robyn had her own hero  – the professor she had wed,
A sweet, funny guy with plenty of brains in his head.
They set out their cookies for St. Nick on a plate
And watched as he grabbed one and returned to the grate. 

And then it was quiet, and the Quills felt content
Knowing they’d witnessed a special event, as special as
Katherine standing under the mistletoe
Awaiting a kiss from her favorite beau.

The Quills they all rushed from their crannies and nooks
To find stockings filled with fresh muses … and books!
Emily’s little ones were so surprised and thrilled
That their Christmas wishes had all been fulfilled.

Christmas morning dawned crisp and clear
All the Quill lawns marked with prints from reindeer.
They reached out to their readers with holiday cheer
And sent out their good wishes – all true and sincere!

Congrats to Linda Henderson who won the books from me for the Christmas Caroling blog. Email me at robyndehart @ gmail.com with your snail mail addy and I’ll get your books in the mail as soon as I get back home. Merry Christmas all and thanks for all the music suggestions.

The shopping is nearly done (only a couple of gift cards and a small gift still needed), the tree is decorated, the meals are planned and the groceries bought.  Snow is in the forecast (though now being predicted to arrive on Sunday….) and I am ready.

Or am I? It seems too easy this year. I should be running around. I should be worrying over missing presents or not having had sent out Christmas cards. Or so many other things.

But I’m not.  I finished working today and the rest of the week is stretching out placidly ahead of me. And I can’t even feel a whisper of panic though Christmas is only 2 days away.

Well, maybe it’s just time to sit back and enjoy Christmas? I know I’ve been enjoying something lately that I never thought I would — tv commercials! Have you seen Target’s series of commercials for the Christmas season? Ohmigosh — they are my personal selection for the best of the season.

This is how I should be feeling:

This one has the catchiest Christmas song ever:

This one was supposed to give my husband an idea of how I wanted our house decorated:

This one shows something I’ve always thought about doing, but just didn’t have the nerve — clearly I need this woman’s help:

And, although not a Target commercial, this one somehow appealed to the romance writer in me who always asks – what if?

So, I just wanted to share those with you, hoping you’ll take a moment in the busyness of preparing for the holidays to smile or laugh a bit and begin to enjoy the Christmas celebration. As I gather with family and friends in the next few days, I hope you all will be doing the same and having a happy, safe and healthy Christmas!

Terri is also busy writing more romantic novels and short stories and will have a short story in the upcoming anthology – The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance – coming in January! Visit her website for more info.

PS — Target is offering all the songs they’ve used in their commercials for download – visit their site to hear them and get them!!

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that the only true gift is a portion of yourself. This time of year when Christmas is just days away and the commercialism of the season is hard to avoid…all those last minute sales, all those e-mails about finding the perfect gift, its easy to overlook the fact that most of us would be happy with just a little something from those we love.

I have moved a lot in the last few years some of it physically from home to home but a lot of mentally as I’ve struggled with the ups and downs of life. But the most important memories I have of that time are shared laughter with far away friends and quiet conversations stolen in the maelstrom of bad times. Those are the gifts I cherish the most.

Always the most important gifts from those closest to me are those of their time. And I am so happy to have my daughter home from college and my middle-school son on vacation to have the gift of time with them this holiday season.

What are you favorite gifts that come not from the store but from the heart?

Happy holidays to you all.