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Friday, January 30, 2009

You Say It's Your Birthday?!.......



.....it's my birthday, too, yeah!


Alas, it is my birthday today and I'm tempted to use some of that new-fangled math to come up with a number I like more than the real number (doesn't that new math still allow for imaginary numbers?). But, after facing some serious glitches in the matrix of life a couple of years ago, I guess I'm just fine starting my 53rd year on planet Earth.

Even though I'm acknowledging my body's age, I have to say that I don't think I'm really that old yet. At least not in mind and spirit. I still have things to do, places I want to see, people I want to meet, books I want to read...and write...., music to hear and people I want to be like when I grow up!! I think I've always been one of those people who never acts or thinks like their age. Now sometimes, that's not a nice thing to say, but I take it as a compliment because I think, as that "Kick the Can" episode of TWILIGHT ZONE taught us, that you are only as old as you let yourself be.

And, my habit at this time of year, not necessarily New Year, but on my birthday eve, is to think ahead at where I want to be or what I want to have memories of on my next birthday. Since I did this on January 29th, 2008 --
-- I've written two novels, one novella, and a short story,

-- I've signed with a new publisher to write 3 more books,

-- I hired a new agent,

-- I spent 3 weeks traveling all over the UK and got to climb the scaffolding to the top of Rosslyn Chapel, see the Highlands in the middle of a snowstorm, listened to harpists from all over the world, met a world-renowned scientist who spoke on how storytelling is one of two biggest differences between human and ape brains!, visited a library built in the 1700s, and rode buses all over London and Edinburgh, talking to the locals and meeting so many nice people!

-- took my hubby and son (and his friend) from San Francisco to southern California to Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon to Phoenix, meeting friends and romance readers and writers all along the way

-- celebrated countless family and friend birthdays and anniversaries and other happy occasions

-- had a wonderful quiet holiday season at home with family.

Are you tired yet? I am! LOL! So, 2009 has a lot to live up to if I compare it to 2008, but I've discovered that each year is special and offers wonderful occasions and events and milestones to remember. So what can 2009 bring to me to make it stand out.

Well, I think I am on the brink of a wonderful year ahead. How do I know? According to my horoscope over at Astrology Zone.com 2009 is MY YEAR! Okay, I have to share this fantabulous year with other Aquarians, but I'm willing because apparently there's lot of fabulous to share. I take horoscopes with a grain of salt, of course, but the last time Jupiter was in my sign (12 years ago in 1997) I finished my second manuscript, was on Lifetime TV with Debbie Macomber and Harlequin editor Paula Eyckelhof promoting it , I signed with my first agent, and sold my first book! So, I'm thinking this whole 'Jupiter in Aquarius' thing could be good again for me?


What do I hope for? Where do I want to be on birthday eve 2010?

The answer is the same each year -- to be surrounded by family and friends, to be in good health, to be writing books that my readers enjoy, to be seeing the places I want to see, doing the things I enjoy, meeting the people I like and new ones, too, and just being here.

The rest of it is all icing on the cake of life -- to be enjoyed, to make memories, but not essential to my savoring the plain, simple parts.

So yes! It's my birthday, too, yeah! How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you look behind or look ahead? What's the best thing, personally or professionally, that happened to you in 2008? Leave a comment and share it with me and I'll send something out to 2 randomly-selected posters, not limited to Aquarians so as to spread the good cheer around!

Terri

Terri's next release will be her Harlequin Historical UNDONE!, available online in June 2009, followed by the first book in her new "Knights of Brittany" trilogy, THE CONQUEROR'S LADY, for Harlequin Historicals, available in bookstores and online in July 2009. Then, watch for her first Kensington BRAVA historical romance, A STORM OF PASSION, available in December 2009. Visit her website at:
www.terribrisbin.com for more info on books, Terri, contests and everything!






17 comments:

Helen said...

Happy Birthday Terri I do hope you have lots of fun

My birthday is on 2nd April and I will be 52 and it is also my wedding anniversary yep I got married on my 20th birthday and am still very happy nearly 32 years later. I like quiet birthdays with my family a nice dinner or BBQ at home makes me very happy.

2008 I watched two of my grandchildren enter the world both boys and they were born on 13th Dec and 16th Dec and it was awesome being there with my daughters, so it was a wonderful year for me. I am loving watching them grow and seeing them smile and my other 2 grandchildren who are 3 and 18 months adore the babies.

In 2009 I want more time for me so as I can spend more time with the family and have more time for reading can't wait for your new releases Terri.

Have Fun
Helen

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Terri! Happy Birthday! I hope this coming year will be another one where you see more of your dreams come true.

I was introduced to your books when I met you at the RWA literacy signing in Atlanta. I'm glad my friend, Falcon told me to look for you because I have so enjoyed your stories, especially those Highlanders!

My birthday is in September. I'll be 58 years young and life has never been better. I do reflect on the year past but I'm always looking forward to what is ahead. Last year saw my first published book review and trips to two wonderful romance conferences. This year I'll be attending RWA National as a registered participant for the first time and that has me bubbling with excitement!

Michelle Styles said...

Happy Birthday Terri from one Aquarian to another.
My birthday was on Monday.Have you ever noticed how many writers are Aquarians? Or maybe it is that I just pay more attention when it is around my birthday...

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Terri!

Stefanie said...

Happy Birthday Terri!!!

My birthday is on the 16th of November. This year I turn 21, so I don't have a lot to look back to. I don't really celebrate my birthday.
Well, I do get some presents and my mom cooks my favorite dish, but we don't have a party or so.

9 years ago, my birthday was kinda special. My mom was pregnant and I was hoping my baby brother would be born that day. But since he likes to tease me, he waited another 4 days. :p

My worst birthday was 10 years ago. A few days before my grandmom died of a heart attack and she was burries on my birthday.

Kim Swiderski said...

Happy Birthday Terri!

My birthday is in December so it is usually to crazy for me to take a few minutes to stop and think about the future or the past.

I do look forward to the home-made gifts I recieve from my daughter. I know I don't have to many more years of her thinking that something she makes is the perfect gift.

My mom kept one of the last cards that I made her and we get a good chuckle from it. I wrote ...

"... Happy birthday mom! I had money saved to buy you a gift but you said yesterday that you love the home made gifts the best. So here you go, I made this card all by myself and then spent the money on some candy at the store. It was good. Love you, hope you enjoy the card."

ROFL

Carol Townend said...

Happy Birthday, Terri!
And here's wishing you all the best for the coming year...
Carol

Lori Ann said...

Happy Birthday Terri! I hope you have a wonderful day!

My birthday is December 23rd. I usually take my birthday as an opportunity to relax and unwind from the holiday rush. My dear, sweet husband almost always takes me out for dinner and a movie to celebrate.

The best thing that happened to me in 2008 was that I was able to travel to New York for the first time. I stayed for two weeks and had a great time sightseeing.

Maureen said...

Happy Birthday Terri! I hope your day is a special one. I think 2008 was not a fabulous year for me but I am looking forward to many great things happening in 2009.

cheryl c said...

Happy Birthday, Terri! It sounds like you had quite a year. I hope that 2009 will be just as wonderful for you.

My birthday is next month. This coming year I can look forward to a family trip to London. We have never visited there before, so I am excited. I also hope that by my next birthday, I will have lost weight and gotten in better physical shape. It will be my present to myself.

Estella said...

Happy Birthday, Terri! My birthday is November 23 and I will be 67.
The year 2008 was not a great year for me, but I'm looking forward to 2009being better.

Jane said...

Happy Birthday, Terri. I usually celebrate by having dinner with my family and having a Carvel cake at home.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Terri!!!

My birthday a lot of time is just like any other day. Sometimes we will got out to eat or something, but thats about it.

Pam P said...

Happy Birthday, Terri! I'm just a few years older and definitely agree with you, age is a matter of mind, and dont' think of myself as old, I still enjoy doing most things I did when younger.

Last year wasn't all that great for me, but I just look ahead, not back, that's over and done with, and hoping this one will be a better one for me.

Dina said...

Happy Birthday Terri.

I am sad to say that I did nothing special for my last birthday, it is near Christmas, so I never really get to do do something for myself, so I try to make it up thru the next yr.

Michele L. said...

Oh Happy Day Teri! It is your very special Birthday Day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I lit a candle for you here and sang "Happy Birthday"! I hope you had a very fun day!

My birthday is Dec. 31st. Yep, I am a New Year's eve baby. Now, my mom her birthday is Feb. 1st. Pretty close to yours! I will be singing "Happy Birthday" to her tomorrow!

Many blessings for a wonderful week ahead!

CrystalGB said...

Happy Birthday Terri. My birthday is August. We got out to dinner and my husband buys me a cake.