I'm now on Chapter 19, almost through with it, so things have been coming along nicely.  My chapters are shorter than most, I think, and now I'm wondering if the book will be too short.  But I don't think I should worry about things like that.  I'm telling my story in as few words as possible, and I think that's the important thing. 

I'm going out to eat tonight with my children, celebrating the December birthday girl (son's fiancee).  We are going to a beautiful restaurant up north of here quite a ways, so I will drive to my daughter's, and catch a ride with them the rest of the way.  I got the birthday child some dress socks, tights, and the book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."  I think this is where my paranoia comes from that my book is too short, as it's quite a large book. 

We have almost run out of firewood already from what John brought from the man who wanted the trees cleared out of his yard.  John saw a dead oak that was leaning and couldn't fall all the way down (these are so dangerous), but he gingerly pushed it down and sawed it up.  It will last about one week.  Wood is so beautiful.  I always felt it was such a shame to burn it up, but it is also a miraculous thing that it can be converted into life-saving heat.  Just sitting by the fire warming my back or staring into the flames is very soothing.  I appreciate it very much.