Every year, I read an item in a magazine advocating the benefits of self-tanner. A natural golden complexion. No more strap lines. Bronzed limbs.

And every year, I get sucked in, buy a tube of self-tanner and end up orange.

It happened again this year. A winter of playing outdoor tennis (one of the perks of living in Florida) has left me with feet that are a completely different color than my legs. I looks like I’m wearing flesh-colored socks. This is not attractive.

So I tried to remedy the problem with self-tanner. And – surprise, surprise – it didn’t work.

I now have orange feet. George laughs whenever he sees them.

I should write a note in my 2011 calendar reminding myself about this. But I know it won’t work. I’ll get sucked in all over again next year.

After working frantically for months to meet a deadline, I handed in the manuscript for a new GEEK HIGH book yesterday.

George asked me what I was going to do to celebrate.

“Hmm. Maybe I’ll go shopping,” I said, with probably a little too much enthusiasm, for George instantly looked alarmed.

“Or you could go to the beach,” he suggested.

But, as it turns out, I did neither. Instead, I stayed home and cleaned out my closet. In doing so, I learned the following:

(a) I really have to learn how to relax. I spent my first day of deadline-freedom organizing my closet. And – even worse – I enjoyed it.
And,

(b) I know maxi-dresses were in last year, but what was I thinking when I bought one that’s so long, it drags on the ground like Princess Di’s wedding gown train? And floral linen pants? Really?