I need to figure out how to put a little graph in my post for how far along I am in editing. I’m currently going through and editing my ’07 NaNovel for typos and coherency. And I’m also looking at ways to clarify all of my major plot points. After this run through, I’ll probably have more major revising to do. My ending needs some major work, since that was the time of the month when sleep deprivation was really setting in (I did have a 3 month old at the time). Unfortunately, this editing stuff isn’t particularly exciting. So rather than talking about rooting out typos, I’m going to talk about the highlights of our extending family Christmas get-together with my maternal grandparents.

• Papa John’s Pizza. It may sound strange, but I really like Papa John’s. My husband is a bit of a pizza snob though, and he’s not a fan. So I don’t even remember the last time I had it. It was delicious.

• Baking exchange. Since we had some major changes in our family this year, we didn’t do a big gift exchange like we usually do. Instead, we each brought a batch of baked something or other for each family to take home. I brought Snickerdoodle Chex Mix (which tastes ten times better the day after you make it). I left with several kinds of cookies, peanut brittle, snow pretzel turtles, magic bars, and some peppermint fudge that may cause me to gain back my three pounds because it’s so delicious.

• Poo Paper. Yes, you read that right. My cousin bought me a couple of notebooks. One is your regular, run of the mill, recycled paper. The other is a notebook made from elephant dung and rice paddy. I think it’s totally awesome and I can’t wait to start writing in it. It almost seems like it needs a special project just for it. But I may not be able to hold out for that. I may just need to write something stupid in it, like a grocery list.

• My family. I’ve always been a family person, so I’ve always looked forward to family gatherings. But this year just feels different. I’m more appreciative of everyone, and I’m more filled with Christmas Cheer (it still hasn’t gone away).  And somehow that just makes me enjoy my family that much more.

Overall, it was a wonderful family gathering, even if there were some arguments revolving around a game of Monopoly City. And I always love watching my daughter play with her cousins. Next up, the big celebration with my immediate family on Christmas Eve. And since we’ve been spending so much time shopping for everyone, I’m really looking forward to seeing how much they enjoy what we got them.