Vivian Arend's Blog, page 69

12 Days of Giving #12

Last Challenge- no cost except time.

Give a moment to remember what's important.

This is a season of great importance in many religions. For other families there are traditions and  rituals that help bring the family together and give something to celebrate. Slow down in the middle of the visiting, the cooking, the serving, eating, unwrapping and squealing to put it all in perspective.

Another part of being thankful…

~~~

Thank you for joining me over the past days. I'll be posting the names of the people drawn for gifts and for the $100 charity donations on Boxing Day (or as soon after as internet allows me.)

From my heart I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. I'm so thankful for all of you.

12 Days of Giving #11

Time to reach out and touch someone. The challenge today is to let someone you know you appreciate them.

Give someone a hug.

There's no way I could make it without my friends. At this time of year I'm thinking about the people who have made a difference in my life, and the list goes on and on. Today, even if it's a one-liner, or a one minute phone call, let at least three people know you are happy they are in your life.

And I've got gifts to give away. Some people I appreciate (I could list more but have to stop somewhere!) 

Moira Rogers, Lauren Dane, Ann Aguirre, Maya Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 2011, these authors have encouraged to write the next word, to take the next step. They've been supportive and demanding when needed, and I love them for it.

So my gift is to give your friends. Or you–I've got one book from each of these authors to giveaway. If I pull your name for –Moira Rogers– and you've read all her books, then you get to ask me to send your favorite to your friend.

Leave a comment to let me know who you're going to give an extra hug today!

12 Days of Giving #10

Time to refocus…

Give a whole lot of Thanks.

When my kids were young and we lived in a rather remote location, I found a homeschooling community online. It was wonderful to have 'adult' conversation during the day, even though it was all written communication. The funniest thing though–I remember a lot of the ladies mentioning taking from Thanksgiving to Christmas off from formal schooling with their littlest children since the kids got lots of informal school writing Christmas cards, doing math during baking, etc.

I thought this was the most extraordinary thing. Take off from mid-october to Dec 25? Crazy! Then I realized they were taking about US Thanksgiving to December 25, which isn't as insane as it sounds.

But let's go a step farther. We've been busy lately, really busy, right? And there are moments of frustration that sneak in a make us want to throw up our hands or sit down and have a good cry. I challenge you to stop for just a minute and make a Thankful List. Fifteen things in Fifteen minutes or less. What are you thankful about this year? From the BIG picture down to the littler things. because it's tough to be stressed over what's happening in our lives while we're being thankful for what's happening in our lives.

One commenter will get a $10 Amazon or B&N gift certificate! You don't have to share your 15 if you don't want, but leave me a comment to be entered for the gift.

12 Days of Giving #9

It's Wednesday, there are four more shopping days until Christmas, and if it's not bought, wrapped and shipped already, it's probably not getting to where it's going on time. You have a houseful of people descending in a few days and the house needs to be scrubbed from top to bottom still. Panic setting in?

Give up trying to make things perfect.

Yeah, this is a bit of a revisit to the 'Give yourself a break' idea, but really. Think it through. The people who are coming to see you are coming to see you,(and your kids  ) and if the house is clean, but not picture perfect, are they really going to mind? Now be honest–some of us have people coming over who we could scrub for three weeks in prep for their arrival, and these peeps would still find something to complain about, re-organize or clean to a better standard.

:head desk:

So what's the solution? Try even harder to meet a standard that you can never achieve, or take a look around and make sure your house, your menu and yourself are the way you want them?

I suppose the flip side of this challenge is to make sure our expectations of others are reasonable. Our partners can't know the perfect gift for us if we don't tell them. Our families don't know how to help if we don't ask. The whole mind-reading thing works great in stories, but not so much in real life!

If there's one thing that would really make this season special for you, have you told anyone, or made sure you've arranged for it to happen? Because that's a far more achievable perfect than meeting everyone else's expectations.

Today's gift to you is a your choice of one of my print books, signed if possible, or any two of my backlist ebooks. Leave a comment telling me the one place you'd go for the holidays if you could –(and which book/books you'd pick  if you win.) I'll give out gifts to two commenters

12 Days of Giving #8

I promise I'm not going to make too many of these challenges cost $$, but this one might.

Give a kid a gift.

If you have a local charity, you know right now is the time they are really looking for help. Angel Trees, or whatever the organization is called in your location, have the kids names and information already waiting. These are kids who won't get a present if someone else doesn't pick their request up. (And the older ones, while not as fun to buy for, need loving too)

But you know what? There's also another way you can join this challenge, and it's no cost and sneaky organization efficient, while also teaching your own kids a lesson in giving. If you've got a family, and there will be new 'stuff' coming into your house in the next couple weeks, what if you grabbed a box, and had a few 'old' toys (kids or otherwise) get passed onto a thrift shop?

It will make more room in the toybox (electronic/computer/kitchen shelf) and the proceeds from good thrift shops turn around by not only providing an inexpensive place to purchase things, but often the profits stay in your community.

~~**~~

Just a fun little thing this time to give away- a set of inflatable 'Noisy Sticks' like you use to bang together at sporting events. Or, alternatively, you give them to your niece or nephew so they can drive your siblings craaaaaazy with the noise. Not that I'd ever do that… These are collectors versions from the Canada Games Center in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. (As mentioned in Wolf Games and in Black Gold)

Also, there's a set of Granite Lake Romance Trading cards in the bag and an exclusive 2012 'Pack Member dog tag' in purple. These are the limited editions ones…;)

Remember, you don't have to DO the challenge if you can't, this is just to make us think, right? If you'd like to have your name added for this gift, make a comment about anything holidayish.

12 Days of Giving #7

Moving into high gear today. This challenge might make you squirm:

Give away a book (or two)

I readily admit to cheating on this one. Since I'm reading more and more ebooks, I've been cutting back my print collection. As I replace beloved books in digital format, I've been passing on the print version to try and hook others…I mean, to share my love of reading.

If you have a book on your shelf that you simply love–why not pass it on to another to enjoy?

Now, I have two new books to give today to a commenter- Compromising Positions is a signed copy. You don't HAVE to give away a book to enter, just leave a comment. But I hope you take up the challenge!

Unclaimed

Her only hope for survival…

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check…until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible.

~~** Unclaimed **~~

Compromising Positions

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He's supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples' yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.

Sophie's been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she'd actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she'd been in any of the positions before. But she hasn't—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she's flexible enough to use whatever she has to get him.

David can't afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there's an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there's Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.

Warning: This is one exercise program you won't need to consult your doctor before beginning…unless he's hot and available for house calls. The Kama Sutra isn't for the prudish or faint of heart, and neither is this story.

~~** Compromising Positions **~~

 

To be entered to win one of these books, leave a comment: Which book would you give away (if you're brave enough) from off your shelf?

12 Days of Giving #6

Make sure you've added your name in the

Okay, now that everyone is back; this is another challenge that will take time, but not much money.

Give a letter of encouragement.

Some people are very very good at this. It doesn't have to be long, like pages and pages, but even a few lines can make a huge difference in a person's day. Who can you write to? Your parents/ children/ siblings/ friends/ relatives/ teachers/ co-workers/postal carrier/ bank teller/ pastor/ someone in the military service/ and many more.

One year when money was tight, my hubby and I exchanged letters as Christmas gifts. That's all. A letter. He wrote how much he appreciated me and some of the highlights he saw in our past year. Some of the things he was looking forward to in the coming year. I cried when I read his note, and it meant more to me than any store bought goodie could ever have. I still have that letter…

If you'd like to be entered to receive an ebook ARC of Rocky Mountain Haven, you can add your comment here. Let me know- have you ever sent or received a letter that made someone smile?

12 Days of Giving #5

Upping the ante. This one is going to cost you- a little. Ready for the challenge?

Give to the food bank.

Over the holidays we usually have special dinners to prepare or attend. Even when money is tight, we try to have things that make the season special to the family. For years, the only time I bought Gherkin pickles was at Christmas. That $1 jar of tiny sweet pickles always signaled the start of a special special occasion to my daughter.

When you're shopping this week, pick up one extra can of…something, and drop it into the food bank donation bin before you leave the store.

For every person who adds a comment today, I'll purchase an item for someone where I'm staying—somewhere in Ecuador. You've got until midnight to add a comment. Let me know what special food treat your family enjoys over the holidays. (And if I'm stuck without internet today? I'll let it rooooolllll!)

12 Days of Giving #4

Ready for a challenge? This one is EASY. Give someone a smile.

And no, not one of these…They say if you smile when you answer the phone, people can hear it in your voice. I know when I'm smiling it makes me feel better. And as we rush around shopping, cooking, working, it's sometimes difficult to remember what's going on our face can be intimidating to others.

Giving another person a smile is usually contagious and they'll give you one right back. Or, they will wonder what you've been up to. Win win situation, I say!

And add your name to this thread to be entered to win an ebook of your choice from Samhain Publishing. Check out the new releases available here: SAMHAIN PUBLISHING. (Prize can be any ebook available there, not just new releases)

12 Days of Giving #3

This is a brand new challenge. Ready? This holiday season,

Give your body a break.

Yes, yes I did go there. Because it's not only the season of potlucks, office parties, family dinners and too much chocolate—and yes, there is such a thing as TOO much chocolate— it's the season of full days with all kinds of have to do NOW activities.

Maybe I'm the only one, but it seems often my exercising gets dropped off the urgent list and my healthy eating habits also get dropped. Double whammy- ick.

But it's not possible to do it all, so find at least one thing you WILL and WON'T do this season. Like: I WILL make sure I at least get some walking in every day. If that means parking at the far end of the shopping mall, hey, at least you've added a few steps to the day. Or how about: I WON'T have more than one treat per day.

Going cold turkey isn't the idea. Have some fun, but come post-holidays, I know I'm always happier if I've not thrown my hands in the air and simply gone hog wild.

You have any specific WILL and WON'T you want to share? Leave a comment and make a commitment! I've got a lovely local made soap, and a scrub thingy to go with it, as a gift for one commenter today.