I’m in Canada today and Tuesday, meeting with my publisher. We'll be discussing, among other things, plans for future books, reprints, and my upcoming Australia and New Zealand adventure. Yes, the company is sending me to the southern hemisphere.

Can you guess what my first thought was? If you thought "shrimp on the barbie," that was a close second. My first thought was: YARN! They have a lot of sheep in that part of the world. Sheep means wool, and wool means YARN. I leave in August. As always, I'll be calculating how many suitcases I should bring with me.

I mailed my October book, CHRISTMAS LETTERS, to my editor yesterday afternoon. I raced through the condo, leaping up and down, shouting, “I’m free, I’m free.” That freedom won’t last long, however. It will be a couple of days at the most before revisions come in.

It’s already time to start thinking about the Christmas book for 2007, and—are you ready—those three pesky angels have been popping into my mind lately. I'm thinking it's time for a return visit. They’re always so much fun. No promises yet, but I’ll let you know what my publisher thinks, as I’m meeting with them early next week.

Yesterday was the second anniversary of my father’s death. It seems hard to believe that he’s been gone for two entire years. What amazes me is how, even in death, he remains such an important part of my life. Not a day passes that I don’t think of him. I know my children all feel the same way. What came to me this morning, as I was writing about the anniversary of his death, was how God prepared us for his passing. Three of my children were with Mom and Dad that weekend and were able to surround Mom with love and care until Wayne and I could arrive.

My father left a wonderful legacy behind to those who loved him. When we buried Dad we were asked if there was anything we wanted to put on his marker. I chose Blessed By God. My father was blessed, but he was also a blessing, which is what I strive to be in my own life.

I'm back in Florida and am warm again for the first time in ten days. (This has nothing to do with Wayne cuddling me close the entire night, either!) The cupboards are bare. Wayne ate everything and anything that could be heated in the microwave. It's so nice to know I was missed. Now it's back to work. I'm finishing up my 2006 gift hardcover, CHRISTMAS LETTERS, and getting that to my editor this week. Then it's back to those 6000 signatures.

Today is my daughter’s, Jody, birthday, so Jenny and I are taking Jody out for a night on the town. Jody reminded me that I'm often in bed by nine so I promised her I wouldn't start yawning at eight-thirty, no matter what.

On Sunday I'm flying back to Florida where Wayne is anxiously awaiting my return. It'll be good to be warm again. The cold snap continues. The other night, following an autographing, while walking from the ferry to the parking lot, I lost feeling in my face. Now that's cold. This snowbird is ready for warm sunshine.

You wouldn't believe how cold it's been in the Pacific NW these last few days. The weather is supposed to dip into the teens this evening with a chance of snow. SNOW!!! After several weeks in Florida, I've quickly become acclimated to warmth and sunshine. In fact, the day I flew back to Washington state it was a cool 73 degrees—so cool that I donned a sweater. Wayne is eager for me to get back, and, frankly, I'm ready for some of my husband's hugs.

Happy Valentine's Day! My Sweetheart is in Florida, and I'm here in Port Orchard, which was poor planning on our parts. We talked early this morning and exchanged telephone kisses. Wayne can be about the least romantic man in the universe, but then at times he shocks me with how thoughtful he can be.

I have wonderful news to report. My dear friend and walking partner, Martha Powers, went in the hospital this morning for exploratory surgery and everything looks wonderful. I was about to ask for prayers on her behalf when I received a call from her daughter telling me she's doing fabulous and the tumor doesn't appear to be malignant. Praise the Lord. That and Wayne's telephone kisses were the best Valentine's gifts I could hope to receive.

Well, my friends, I got my grandkid fix. After church on Sunday I gathered five of my grandchildren and took them to the movies. (The popcorn and drinks alone cost thirty dollars!) After the movie, the kids came home with me.

Because they had had to sit still much of the day, what you might call being cooped up, you can guess at the energy level once they were let loose. Suffice it to say that I literally fell into bed last night at eight o'clock and slept like the dead. The cousins had such a good time together and, frankly, so did I. That day alone was worth flying 3500 miles. I'm in grandma heaven.

I'm back in Port Orchard, and it feels so good to be home. How is it possible for my grandchildren to have grown so much in these last seven weeks? Jazmine, age eleven, is now in braces, and her brother, James, lost another baby tooth. Maddy and Isaiah stopped by this morning, and we're all headed to the movies on Sunday afternoon. This is grandma heaven, my friends, and I'm lovin' it. Wayne misses me already, the poor dear, and I suspect that next year, he'll travel with me. Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll check back in on Monday.

I’m heading out this afternoon to Orlando to spend the night. Early tomorrow morning I’m flying back to Washington state for a grandkid fix and some promotion work on HEARTS DIVIDED with Katherine Stone and Lois Faye Dyer. My daughter, Jody, celebrates her birthday next week, too, and I want to be with her. Wayne is going to be operating in bachelor mode for the next few days without me. Generally, by the time I return, the cupboards are bare, and the condo is a disaster area. My poor hubby doesn’t do well without me. He survives on peanut butter and what else he can find. This means he appreciates me all the more when I return!