It was a quiet New Years at my house - curled up on the couch with Hubby.  And I had a "first."  I looked over at Patrick and told him, "You know, for the first time ever, I hate to see a year end."  Usually, the norm is to hope for a better year and gladly bid the prior year goodbye, and often good riddance.  

But I had a blessed year.  I'm tempted to say that 2008 was my best year ever.  My son had recovered from a lengthy hospital stay in 2007, I sold 6 books to Thomas Nelson Publishers, and I made some very special new friends during 2008.  My husband and I both had health screenings (all the usual blood work/tests), and we're both healthy - and the rest of my family and friends are healthy.

In 2008, I quit my job as a full time reporter to write novels full time from home.  I acquired a beautiful yellow Labrador, Chloe, who joined our family.  I traveled to see my friends (Amish and non-Amish) in Lancaster County this past year, met my publishing team in Nashville, spent a week in the Mexican Riviera, attended my first ACFW Conference in Minneapolis (where I got to sign copies of my book, PLAIN PERFECT, at the Mall of America), and bought a Harley and actually rode to San Antonio with Hubby (about 2 hours).

Yep.  2008 was a good year for Beth Wiseman - even up until the final hour.  For lunch on Dec. 31, I dined with writer friend, Mindy Obenhaus.  Mindy lives about five hours away, but she and her family have a ranch nearby my house.  So, when she comes to town, we have lunch and brainstorm our latest writing projects.  Here we are.  I think Mindy is on her tip toes.

      

Then for New Years Eve, Patrick and I decided to try a new seafood restaurant in our small town.  And, we ran into the same couple we ran into last year at New Years - the police chief of Weimar, Bill Livingston, and his wife, Kelly.  They invited us to join them for dinner, and we had a great time!  Oh - and guess who else was there?  Mindy and her family!  We were home by 9:00, thrilled with the food at the new restaurant and our company for dinner.  I can't imagine a year getting any better than 2008 was for me, but I know that a lot of people suffered, had hardships, and are looking forward to 2009.  So, here's hoping that it's a blessed year for all of us!