Words Written: (Sunday) AA: 568; (Monday) AA: 420, White Wolf proposal: 80; (Tuesday) AETW: 506

I decided not to have a big birthday party this year, because we had neither the money, time, nor energy. Meanwhile, however, we have noted for a while that we own a total of three fondue pots (and one appetizer-sized crock pot) and have been saying that we should have a fondue party. And finally those two things crashed together in my brain, and I suggested we have a smallish dinner party of fondue.

We invited 12 people and 9 came, which ended up being a good thing, but 12 is the maximum we can get around the dining room table with both leaves in. We had the party on Sunday because two people couldn’t make it on Saturday; ironically, those were the two people (and the spouse of one) who ended up not coming. One person brought a fondue pot and a mini-crock pot, so we were able to have two with oil, two with butter, and two with cheese, and later two with chocolate (one dark chocolate, one milk chocolate with honey).

Ken did an astonishing amount of work, particularly given that he doesn’t much like to cook. I kept getting tossed out of the kitchen to go be with the guests. We did learn that we should start preparations earlier. (I also decided that I should never have parties because it makes me realize how filthy my house is, and I scrub things that guests will never see, like the undersides of things.)

It was strange not having a free-for-all, everyone’s-invited party, and there’s a lingering concern that friends who weren’t invited will find out and feel miffed. That said, we had such a blast that we decided to do this on a regular basis, and invite different people each time.

People weren’t supposed to bring gifts, but they did anyway, the goobers. Cat gave me an embarrassment of sewing and office supplies (Sharpies in interesting colors!). Morgana and Brian gave me a William Morris cross-stitch book, because Morgana received three for her birthday and I suggested she give me one of them for mine, and promised to forget that I said that (which I did, at least until I opened it). Thomasina gave me leaf-shaped beads, Celtic triskele earrings, and a henna kit. (Hey, Ken will be gone for about 6 weeks—I sense a girls’ night or two in the near future…) Elyramere and Sean gave me a Shakespearean charades game, which almost made everyone run away at the thought of playing, hee. Kelvin and Debbie said a Victoria’s Secret gift certificate is on the way, and they also brought very good champagne…

Everyone seemed to have a very good time, which was the point, and there was much laughter and friendship.

Amazingly enough, stuffed full of fondue and champagne, I managed to write after everyone left Sunday night, since I’d spent the day alternately prepping for the party and canoodling with my beloved. I slept very badly that night, though, full of fondue and champagne and heartburn and low-level anxiety. Parties should definitely be on Friday or Saturday nights, unless Monday is a holiday. New Rule.

As a result, I was bloody exhausted yesterday, and would’ve been in bed by 9 if I hadn’t had work to do. I was in bed by 11, with lights out by 11:15 or so, and I slept pretty hard. I’m still tired today, but not nearly as loopy, thank goodness!

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Overall, the writing is going okay. I wish I had more time and energy to be doing more, but I’m pleased that I’m hitting the 500-word minimum. I got the White Wolf proposal in the mail today, and later realized a better way to craft the plot. If the entry gets me farther in the contest, that’ll be great (the next level is writing the first chapter; the winner writes an entire novel), but if not, I can take the idea and have fun with it. To me, that’s part of the fun of Work-for-Hire proposals: they stretch me to come up with ideas I otherwise wouldn’t.

Animal Attractions is a project I’m working on with Teresa. We’re not really talking about it much yet, until we have a more solid sense whether it will fly. Basically, a publisher has expressed interest in seeing a novel proposal from us. Very exciting, but has both pros and cons; we’ll see how it goes. We’re almost done with the proposal, which means I can finally get back to AETW. I also have a number of anthologies I’d like to hit; I’m wondering whether setting aside weekends for that would be helpful (say, at least a story/day).

Ed and Marian arrive from the UK next week and will be here for about three weeks. It’ll be a challenge to write when they’re here, but one I’m strangely looking forward to. Without this goal, I’d probably take too many days off, and it would be harder to get started again.

It’ll be fun having them around, though. We’ve got a few trips planned or in the works of being planned. And of course it will be wonderful to see them—it’s been way too long!

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Writing is harder when you’re this tired. At least, it is for me. But I got my words out, and I think they’re good ones, and I made notes for what’s upcoming, which will help a lot. So that feels really good.

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Currently Reading: Too Much Temptation, Lori Foster (Brava)

Lately Listened To: RWA CDs

Recently Watched: “Desperate Housewives”