Dear Leila Texters,

Listen, don't panic, but I am going to be out of the country for the next two weeks. This means no access to my cell phone, which means no new Leila Texts until the new year.

I know it is hard. But I think you will pull through. There are 2,800 posts in the Leila Texts archives, and that ought to keep you busy. If you find that's just not enough and you need even more reading material, you can always read one of my novels: Past Perfect or Mostly Good Girls.

While I'm gone, feel free to post your estimates of how many text messages my cell phone will register when I touch down back in America after fourteen days away. I'm guessing 60. And I'm guessing that at least 20% of them will be about Christmas.

Happy holidays!
Leila