Testing my Tech Savvy,

Well, without disclosing any secrets, lol, I'm trying out a new banner program and need somewhere to post the trials as I go...so blogger seems like the best candidate. I'm getting together with a group of other authors to do a giveaway in the New Year...kind of a hey, you didn't get it for Christmas so let's call it a New Year's present.

So please excuse the constantly changing banners as I try to get one that pleases six women... this could take awhile:)

Bring on 2011...

Okay, so for today, I'm double posting here and over at Hitting the Hot Spot, but hey, this one is too important to not post here. It's my turn for sharing my upcoming resolutions and while I'm usually don't make any, this year things are going to change. It seems natural to anticipate a new start and make plans for what the future might bring. Though I do think it's funny how we all wait until January to make resolutions, when we have 364 other days to make the same ones...but hey, I'm just as guilty.

As it turns out, I've also been putting off being accountable for some aspects of my life until the new year, and as the days dwindle away, I'm realizing it's time to start holding true to my upcoming goals...but are they realistic? Can I be dedicated to keeping them for more than a week or two? Well, there's no better way than to put your thoughts out there so others can ask how it's going...yup, the people pleaser in me is shining through.

So, for this year, I actually have a list of things I want to either improve on or just plain get cracking on...

1 - I want to blog more often...as you may have noticed, even this post is a bit late. I should have posted last night, but, as I was preoccupied with the kids, I let it slide and wrote it this morning. I'm really going to try to post something on my personal blog three times a week. Lord knows my personal life has more than enough chaos to keep me going...I just need to stop moving long enough to write it down.

2 - Training...this is the year I'm going to kick my butt into some serious shape. Yeah, I know, this one is on everyone's list, but there's a race I want to do....7 days on a mountain bike through the Rocky Mountains...and if I don't get into some seriously good shape, well, my bike might have to make the trip alone.

3 - Write...okay, I know, this is down there on the list, but the list isn't in order...it's just out there. I got more than overwhelmed with other jobs last year and my writing really took a backseat to some other stuff. I only pounded some books out when my friends hounded me and that has got to change. So I'm going to dedicate time everyday to writing and commit myself to writing at least 8 books this year... yup, 8 is the minimum. I'd love to aim for 10, but I do have to work and I do have a family and there's resolution number two, lol....so yeah, 8.

4 - I need to get and keep my website (and some friends' sites) up-to-date without anyone having to ask. I'm usually pretty good about this, but lately, I just don't know where the time goes. I mean, I have these great plans to do all this stuff, then don't end up getting anything done. But that's all going to change. And why? Because a new year is the perfect time for a new start and a new attitude. So for those of you who drum your fingers wondering when I'm going to update your website, drum no more... I'm on it.

And finally, 5 - Try to appreciate my kids more and make sure they don't end up on a list somewhere. I really do try to put them first, but I need to make sure I don't sweat the small stuff. I've been a bit, well um, uptight lately, and I just need to relax. After all, they are the best thing that ever happened to me and I want them to know it...always.

Okay, so there you have it. The top 5 resolutions for the year. I could have easily have listed more, but let's be realistic folks. Just keeping these will be a challenge for me, so who needs to make unachievable goals. I think these are within reach, if I attempt to get a bit more organized and a little less easily distracted... yup, that's me... doing something then suddenly, squirrel! (those of you who saw the movie UP will understand)

So, what are your resolutions? And not just those things you say because, well, you have to say something. Are you really going to make some that you can stick to and think will make a difference in your life? I'd love to know. I plan on updating these resolutions on my blog (yup, to keep that first resolution) so drop by anytime and help me stay accountable.

I hope everyone enjoys these last few days of 2010...make the most of them and join me in raising a toast to the incoming year. May 2011 bring your dreams to light and your worries to an end. See you next year (oh, I just love saying that)!

cheers,

Kris

Life gets in the way of Hard Target, lol...

Well, it's been nearly three weeks since Hard Target came out and you guessed it, I haven't blogged a thing. What is it about the last couple of months of the year that suck every moment of life out of you? I've been busy with kids. My two boys had a hockey tournament up-island. A rather enjoyable weekend. I love watching both of my boys play hockey together. They actually get along and to see them encourage each other really is special for me. I consider myself very lucky. As far as brothers go, they don't really fight, but when they work together...yeah, I can see them in a band together later or opening a business together. Hey, let me dream :)

Anyway, the weekend was a grand success...they finished second...with one exception. The dog ate a seat belt and injured another. I don't know what it is about seat belts, but Bandit decided we had far too many in the SUV and helped herself. Needless to say, I wasn't impressed, though I am trying to find the humour in it now. Lucky I love her so darn much, lol.

In other news, my youngest son, Jared, had the lead role in the Christmas concert—I know, concert implies singing and yes, they sang their little hearts out, but it was a medieval Christmas and he played the part of the Squire. He was brilliant (yes, I can say that even though he's my son) and didn't miss a line. He looked so natural up there and was the only kid who had to memorize more than a line or two... he had several scenes. We're fortunate enough to have a fabulous music teacher at our school and I enjoyed every moment on the performance. I even had to videotape it as a fund raiser for the school...the video editing comes later, when there's actually time. Thank God for iMovie and making life easy.

So, with those reasons safely tucked in my pocket, it's little reason I haven't blogged about my latest release—Hard Target. I'm actually kind of surprised as this book is very dear to me. It was the first book I ever wrote and has probably seen more revisions than Michael Jackson. But in the end, I love how it all turned out and can't wait until it's available at all the third party retailers. Right now you can pick it up at Resplendence Publishing... http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/263-201-108-454-3--hard-target-by-kris-norris.html.

Here's the blurb...

A promise worth dying for…a woman determined to save him. All that stands between them and success is ten thousand feet and a mile of ice.

Ex-Federal agent Kyle Sullivan can’t afford any distractions. He’s in the middle of a highly volatile mission and the last thing he needs is to fall for the woman he’s entrusted his life to. But his heart has other plans.

Taylor Austin isn’t sure what to think of her new client, the not so bookish “professor” Kyle Sullivan. Everything about him screams sexy, and she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something. But just her luck, all he seems interested in is trekking his ass half-way across a glacier to a deserted cave. And in October, the Rocky Mountains couldn’t be more treacherous. If they can just make it across the ice sheet, perhaps she can convince him that she’s more interesting than his ancient artifacts.

Taylor is everything Kyle ever wanted in a woman…smart, strong and a whole lot of trouble. But he needs her, and not just to fill the emptiness inside him. She’s the only guide capable of getting him to a remote hideout alive, and that’s worth risking everything…even his heart.

I've decided to make one of my New Year's resolutions to actually blog... yes, to find a way out from beneath that heavy furniture and hide in the house just long enough to get some words out...but there is another passion that will be interfering in my life next year. A dear friend and I are planning on participating in the 10th annual TransRockies Challenge. It's a seven day, multi-stage mountain bike race that starts in Fernie, BC and ends in Canmore, AB... it's an epic ride and if we're actually going to do it we'll be spending more and more time on the bike as the months go by. But I will endeavour to blog far more. After all, my life is chaotic and I'm certain you'd all love hearing about my daily battles with it... right?

Thanks and here's to a great kick-off of the 2010 Holiday season.