2010

Through snow and wind we drove the seven hundred miles home from my in-laws yesterday. I have unpacked, enjoying the rummage through all the Christmas booty. I received a couple of Austen themed gifts: one kind friend gave me the BBC's Jane Austen Collection, including all the old adaptations from the 70's and 80's (I have long avoided the '86 Northanger Abbey and it is with great trepidation that I anticipate watching it - certainly I will have more to say about all these films as I work my way through the collection), while my mother was so thoughtful as to purchase for me the Jane Austen 2010 Brock Wall Calender from The Pemberley Shoppe. It is already hanging right next to my desk, reminding me that January is the sad month in which Marianne is cast aside by Willoughby and Fanny is exiled to dreary Portsmouth, but even such sorry reminiscences as these cannot damper my enthusiasm and optimism for the new year. Not only will the next few months see my first book in print, which is exciting enough, but on New Year's Eve my husband and I finally concluded negotiations on our first house. We move in May and are working on getting the contracts signed this week. There is so much to be thankful for in my life right now that I can sincerely join Jane Bennet in declaring, "'Tis too much!... by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! why is not every body as happy?" I hope everyone's holidays were as lovely as mine and that we all have wonderful things to look forward to in this nascent year. Tomorrow I will settle back into routine, but today I want to hold on to the fading seasonal cheer just a little longer, sending out one last, sincere wish for everyone's comfort and joy. Welcome 2010. I plan to relish each of your days.