I was bummed the other morning when I awoke and found we didn't get the extra helping of snow as forcasted. But this morning, it was like Xmas. I caught a glimpse of snow through a gap in the curtain of the office window. I went through the apartment, tearing down curtains and pulling up the blinds. Snow! Thick drifts of snow sat on top of our cars. The trees were all white and the snow was still falling, filling up the driveway and laying extra layers on the layers already covering the grass.

After breakfast of pancakes, X and I walked in the winter wonderland outside. We rolled up a few snowballs and threw them at each other. I threw a couple against the duplex just to hear the smack. X juggled snowballs and it's too bad we didn't have batteries for the camera. The Kitty got out but she didn't stay out long. She was spooked the night before because of the fireworks in the neighborhood, so the snow turned her little world even more upside down. Kitty came back in and now is warm and dry.

We went to bed after one am on New Year's Eve when there was no snow. This stuff came fast and I hear we might get more tomorrow. I don't know how Sunday is going to be. Salem has a lot of snow too and that's where Eric's mailing party is. Hopefully we'll still be able to make it.

I haven't done anything about listing goals or looking back at 2003. I did, however, write a thousand words today. That's a good way to start the new year I think.

I let inertia set in during 2003. 2002 was so much better for writing. I guess my goal should be to make 2004 better than 2003, perhaps even better than 2002. It could happen, what with two novel workshops, one novel with second and final draft in the works, and a second novel targeted for completion, and some short stories. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.

And it's inspiring to look at Jay's year end stats and know that I can do that amount of words by doing a thousand words a day, every day, for the full year. Yeah, it's easier said than done and it looks good on paper, but the point is it is possible. Jay would tell you he's not doing anything anyone else couldn't do.

Here's to a productive and successful 2004!