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Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Dear 2007, I hope the door didn't hit ya in the butt on the way out...

I feel like I've spent the last week and a half of 2007 either sitting in the car, eating/visiting, or doing laundry. Somewhere in there, I cleaned out the barn, heaved hay, carried water buckets and brushed a couple of dirty little horses. I liked that part.

It's been good, folks. Seriously. I got a lot done this year.

Of course, I still haven't mailed out my Christmas letter...


But let me focus on what I have done this year.

I rewrote my novel twice, put it away, did an edit, did a read, edited again, let some people proofread it, edited it again, and again, and again. And I think I'll start off 2008 with another little edit. I think my book is very, very good. I think I can make it even better.

I learned the joy of a personalized rejection letter. It's much better than a form letter. It's good to know that somebody actually read my query letter.

I passed two Rider Level tests.

My new horse looks at me differently now- like he's glad to see me, instead of questioning who the heck I am and what I'm doing. I think he likes me now.

I did not reach all my goals this past year. I am not a qualified riding instructor yet, and I also haven't landed an agent yet. However, I put all the steps in place. The biggest thing I've learned in 2007 is that a goal can't be reached all at once. There's a process. Every goal is made up of a series of smaller goals.


I've had my ups and downs, but I do feel that I get a little stronger all the time. A setback is just a setback- it is NOT the end. This is so hard to keep in mind when there's a nagging depression pulling at you. I haven't popped a panic pill in months. I've had a few bad chest pains but it all passed. It does.

I've decided to live- really live, not just keep breathing out of habit and necessity.

Goals for 2008? Continue. I have a feeling this will be a huge year. If it keeps going like it's starting out, there will be changes. My husband's work situation is heading in a scary-but-exciting direction. Stuff is happening for me, even if it feels slow. You know what? We never know what will be next. Bad things can happen. Good things can happen.

All I know is, I'm home, I have a new book to read, a book to work on, music to listen to, and kids to hang with. I'm lucky that way.




I'm working on a Best of 2007 for my other blog but of course it's not done yet, because I have to do more laundry.


(Come back on Friday for a special occasion involving my Ol Man!)

10 comments:

dilling said...

You know, 2007 wasn't a bad year but I was awful anxious for it to be over. And I got the luxury of two brand new hard bound books for Christmas...TWO! With nobody else's fingerprints in them. They smell so good. I am reading nice and slow, too...to make it last.

Heidi the Hick said...

Oh Dilling, new books...new hardcover books...oh sweet joy.

I agree, it wasn't a bad year at all (for me) but now that it's gone, I'm looking forward to starting new.

Kind of silly. It's just a date on a calendar. Everything looks the same outside!

Olly said...

I loved the way you summed up everything. Especially the "every goal is made of many other smaller goals". I will have to remember that as I am really impatient when it comes to getting things done.

Michael Colvin said...

Good luck wth the book in 2008. You will make it!

Nicole said...

You have definitely accomplished a lot, Heidi. Here's to an awesome 08 for you and yours.

Anita said...

"I've decided to live- really live, not just keep breathing out of habit and necessity."

Love that. Now if I could just figure out HOW to do that, I'll be doing great...
You accomplished a LOT in 2007... A prelude to the fabulousness that is coming for you in 2008, I'm sure of it! :)

Reid said...

Good luck with all that. I always find that when I look back at the year, I notice all of the things I didn't get done. I have to stop and think about the little moments, the time wasted and enjoyed to make the harder moments worth living through.

Take care, and good luck in 2008!

A Paperback Writer said...

Heidi, don't feel too bad. I just got 2 Christmas cards from relatives today. One had a family Christmas letter in it, and I was glad to get it -- even late.

raine said...

Here's to a seriously good 2008!!

I got two books for Christmas..both on photography! Lucky I stocked up on trashy novels before the holidays!!

Lynn Sinclair said...

It's important to appreciate the small, quality moments. They add up.