Merry Christmas Eve
Now that’s just funny!
Jane Beckenham’s Come to Visit!
AND SO IT’S CHRISTMAS….HELP!
Don’t sweat it.
Jane Beckenham
According to children it’s ten sleeps until Christmas day (that is as I’m writing this little epistle). I should be terrified, frantic, scrambling to get my act together into shopping mode.
Am I?
Nope. Not this year. Which is weird, because really I’m a christmas-aholic. However, maybe it’s because I’m getting old(er). Maybe it’s because it’s been a tough year both personally – move house – illness (bla bla bla) and also where I live – in New Zealand, it’s been a tough year for my countrymen and women as areas in NZ suffered massive earthquakes.
So the year to date has kinda cast a dullness over the coming festive season. And it doesn’t really feel like Christmas. It’s chilly-ish, wet and windy. And it should be hot and humid and we should really be into bbq’s, the beach, and thinking of summer holiday. Because, yes, dear reader, while you’re shuffling through the snow and making snowmen, we’re grazing the golden sand beaches and surfing the waves.
So ready or not Christmas is coming and fast on its heels of course is New Year…and what does that mean. Goals! New year’s resolutions.
Why is it that we make New Year resolutions? Probably because its the time we take stock of what we have done, achieved, or not in the year ending. Maybe it’s because we want to find a way to do better, work harder, faster, smarter in the coming year. Or maybe we have already done that, and want to chill out a bit more in 2012, remember how to have a life.
Years ago, after I was exhausted from life’s challenges I spoke to a life coach/counsellor. She asked me what I did for me.
My instant response was “I write, of course.”
No Jane, that’s your job. What do you do for you?
Well, that hit me hard. I had no idea. Not a single clue.
Finally after a bit of chatting we decided I was going to go home and that night have a bubble bath. Well I was so excited, it was like this woman gave me permission to stop and smell the roses.
Sometimes in life we get so caught up with what we have to do now, tomorrow, or should have done yesterday but didn’t’, that we actually forget to breathe.
That moment when I had to think of something I did, or wanted to do, changed me forever.
Why”
Because I had no answer. How sad is that?
So I challenge you as you charge towards 2012, thinking your going to write up a storm, sell a bunch of manuscripts, edit so perfectly and of course all the while losing about 20lbs (I wish), what I want you to think of as you write all these new year’s resolutions down is to write three things you’d like to do this coming year – JUST FOR YOU.
Did you hear that? You. Just you. Something you enjoy – maybe it is with your loved ones, but it’s still got to be something you really want.
Here’s my list.
• Read every day. – Sometimes I forget – actually I forget A LOT. So that is something I really want to remedy.
• Visit the Brides through the ages exhibition at the Te Papa Museum in Wellington – this exhibition is fro the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It’ll mean a plane trip and a day or two away from cooking and cleaning – bliss!
• Continue with my bucket list – which is a cooking one – I want to try lots of different recipes and the idea is to cook something new each week from my ‘bucket list’.
So it seems easy enough to think of these things, even to write them down, but believe me, it’s harder as the year progresses to stick to it when life gets in the way.
But isn’t it better to try, than to not try at all?
Happy festive season to you all, happy reading and writing, and most of all happy enjoying doing what you want to do just for you.
Jane Beckenham
www.janebeckenham.com
In books Author Jane Beckenham discovered dreams and hope, stories that inspired in her a love of romance and happy ever after. Years later, after a blind date, Jane found her own true love and married him eleven months later.
Life has been a series of ‘dreams’ for Jane. Dreaming of learning to walk again after spending years in hospital. Dreaming of raising a family and subsequently flying to Russia to bring home her two adopted daughters. And of course, dreaming of writing.
Writing has become Jane’s addiction – and it sure beats housework.
You can contact Jane via her web site www.janebeckenham.com or email her at neiljane@ihug.co.nz
All I Ever Wanted released at Red Rose Publishing
If you’re in the mood for a bit of Christmas romance then head on over to Red Rose Publishing.They are releasing 2-3 books every day for the 12 Days of Christmas. My short BBW erotic romance, All I Ever Wanted, was released today.
Here’s a short blurb:
Mitch is a chubby chaser. He can’t keep his hands off of volumptous women. Darlene loves short men and is sexually adventurous. You’d think they were a perfect pair- if only they hadn’t met in such a public place as an office Christmas party!
And an excerpt too:
I exempted myself from their droll company, and made my way in the direction of the slutty dressed temptress who boldness excited me. The silver sequins on her top sparkled all the way down to her too-tight black skirt. Oh, yes baby, gaudy to the max. Half way across the room our eyes locked. What a twinkle. Don’t look away, I begged with silent longing. Her hands waved back and forth as she stepped away from the bluebloods, touching each of them on the shoulder as she moved. Touch me, touch me, I pleaded. How long had it taken this angel to stuff her folds into that stifling outfit? And next time would she let me help her? Every lewd action I planned to take against her formed into a plan before we ever spoke.
“Hey. I’m Mandy. Want to dance? Get a drink?” A red headed bimbo, perfect teeth and make up, slid up beside me, drunk as a skunk. I noticed a wink my way from Mr. Hizeman.
“No thanks. I’m meeting a friend over there.” I attempted to walk away quietly but she wouldn’t give up. I pointed to my dream girl. “She’s waiting for me.”
“That cow? What would you want with her? I can make your dreams come true, soldier.” She moved my hand to her ass. My destination girl’s eyebrows rose in question.
I shook my head vehemently back and forth. “If you were a man I’d punch the living daylights out of you. I haven’t even met her and I already know she’s more woman than you’ll ever be.” I jerked away from the simpleton and she fell face down on the floor. Several guests ran to her rescue throwing a few insults my way as they helped her stand. All that mattered was closing the gap between where I stood and the striking vision before me.
New Writers
I am often approached by new writers. People who want to be published, see their name in print and/or make a living with words. I have lots of advice for these people but most of it is my opinions. The biggest obstacle to getting published- not writing. Seems easy right? Never give up is another saying that seems easy but isn’t always. There are ten million free workshops, classes, interviews, blogs, etc. that can help you improve your writing but very little articles that will keep you motivated.
You know the saying, you only have to run faster than the slowest man when the beat attacks- or something like that!
Happy Thanksgiving
Today is a time to spend with those you love. As a great friend of mine recently reminded me- family is who you spend time with not necessarily who you were born to come in contact with.
Let’s Be Part of the Solution- Not Part of the Problem
I love this quote. It’s so true. I see so many things in this world that I wish were different. I wish no one was hungry and animals weren’t thrown out when people tired of them. I wish every child had a safe place to call home. I wish every soul found a soul mate and everyone got what they needed to be happy in life. Not necessarily what they want- but what they need.
As an individual I have to think about how I’m making these things come true. I donate clothing, food and do random acts of kindness whenever I have the time and money. I’m a mentor to both children and adults. I have towels and litter ready to drop off at the animal shelter and recently took in a stray but is that enough?
I have a friend who volunteers at an animal shelter and she is there today painting cute animals on their window while her entire family takes a volunteer class. She takes in feral cats that no one else wants and gets them used to people.
I have another friend who volunteers at the local community college teaching adults to read. One friend of my volunteers at a free clinic and spends every Thanksgiving working at the food bank and serving whomever shows up hungry.
I know Scout leaders and volunteer fireman and policeman. A dear friend of mine works for Special Olympics.
We all do what we feel comfortable with and what we have time for. I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone one time this month and do something to help another. And to all of my wonderful friends- I admire and appreciate you!!!
Keep This In Mind
Pure Romance- via Peggy Adams
While in Orlando this past summer I met a great woman who has an interesting career. She sells Pure Romance. Now, if you haven’t heard of Pure Romance before they are a company who has been around for a while selling all things sex. She sells lotions, gels, toys and even sexy outfits. She had a booth at the GCLS convention and became quite popular from the very first day.
She will come to your home and do a ‘party’ where she shows you and your guest various items and then, like most parties, you as the host get a few things free or at a reduced cost. You can also buy directly from her website or she can send you a catalogue in the mail or you can call her on the phone. Talk about great options.
I have to say that meeting Peggy Adams was not my first introduction to Pure Romance. I’d gone to a friend’s party years before and bought their Coochy Creme. OMG, this stuff is amazing! You use it as a shaving gel. You can use it anywhere you shave and there will be NO bumps. Are you reading this ladies? NO bumps! No matter where you may shave.
Peggy hooked me up with their updated version of Coochy Creme. My old white bottle was replaced with cool colored bottles and they even have scents now. She recently asked if I’d run out yet and I told her I was still on the first bottle to which she replied, “You’re not shaving enough.” I had to laugh. She’s probably right but it took me years to find more after the first three bottles I bought and I think I’m afraid of running out. You owe it to yourself to check out Pure Romance, and Peggy.
Hank Update
It’s no secret that I like country music. I posted a few weeks ago the whole football/Hank Williams Jr. debacle and this is a great follow up.
Check this out. Kind of funny and I love that they are sticking together.
Here is a video about his comments afterward: Click Here
I joined Kindle-Graph (you should visit too!)
I found out about this a while back but just took the time to check it out and wish I’d have gone sooner. I joined as an author then added all of my Kindle books. You, as a reader, can go and click on the book cover you own, have read, or are just interested in, and request a ‘Kindle-graph’ from ME. No purchase necessary.
I already got one request and it is so neat. I can write a comment to the reader then sign my name and email it back to them. How cool is that? Here is the link: Kindle-Graph You can find thousands of books there.
I hope you have as much fun with is as I did tonight!
