Blog Facelift!

Welcome to the the new blog layout! Some more clueless html editing and haphazard meanderings through the web, and my blog is haute couture.
It is Sunday night, and I've pulled out the leftover Christmas turkey bones for a hearty, healthy homemade soup to chase away the winter chill. It seems to have worked; the snow continues to melt and the air is (comparative to normal northern temperatures in January) warm and balmy.
Lots of changes in my house since the last post. Sadly, the thing that's changed the least is the word count on my novel...so many ideas and no clue how to use them! I've added a small prelude to the book in the form of a prologue from my character Nola's mother's point of view. I wanted to establish from the beginning that it was indeed a fantasy book, and historical as well in an 18th century setting. The prologue accomplishes this...but it also manages to introduce some of the story conflicts early on, such as truthfulness, and also introduces the characters' motivations. I'm happy with it. It also allows me to make the plot less pedantic, allowing me to avoid listing the details of Nola's life chronologically and instead just jump ahead to a time in her life where there will be more to work with. I felt quite frustrated, trying to bring across Nola's voice as a six-year-old...it seemed too affected, no matter how I tried it (first person, third, simple language, etc.). I think it will work much better now, but I've had to cut approximately 12,000 words out as it no longer fits in the narrative. That hurts! So much work...but perhaps I can use it somehow, later.
What has changed in my house is that Nicholas and I are no longer alone...not that we minded it (in fact, we are quite content to be together most of the time, having gotten used to relying and depending on each other for support and company during our adventures teaching overseas and in the north). I am so happy, though, that his 20-year-old sister, Anastasia, has moved in with us from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to attend the college here. I am so thankful for her company, and we're having a wonderful time. How amazing to have a fuller dinner table, and someone to help in the kitchen! I love that about Nick's family...always lots of people around, full tables and flourishing conversations. Mind you, a full house is a lot to juggle and can be difficult at times. Still, it's nice to feel that even though we can't start our family yet, it has grown.
One week of classes left before students write exams and new courses start...I'm looking forward to the change. In the meantime, I have to figure out how to schedule in writing time again, as it keeps getting placed on the back burner. And exercise..I don't have a clue when I'm supposed to do that!