Some Lyrics to Inspire for the New Year!

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This romance just made my heart melt!

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2009 Resolutions - Think BIGGER!

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A Smile Every Sunday

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Loss is so much harder this time of year...

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Did you celebrate yesterday with the true meaning of Christmas?

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Adventure with Grandma*

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

I knew they were world-famous, because, Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs.Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that

He had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.

I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I replied shyly, "It's .... for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.

Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were...ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

===============================

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Read more inspirational blogs on my website at www.destinybooze.com

A little known fact about the 12 days of Christmas..

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New Christmas Poem

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Did you read the story I posted Friday?

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Today is the day.

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Not just your kids: Dogs can think ‘no fair’ too

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Meet the character of Altered Beginnings!

Join the main characters of Altered Beginnings for their very first interview by Author Destiny Booze! The subject is views on love and relationships as seen by each character at the beginning of their stories.

Leigh Lawson (Of both African American and Caucasian heritage, she is attractive and pretty. She has a dark complexion, long black hair and dark eyes.) – Once a troubled girl with a drug addiction, she returns home a grown woman with her life back on track. Her life gets turned back up side down when the police recruit her to work undercover to bring known mobster and drug seller Freddie Garrett to conviction.

Jason Altarez (A gorgeous guy with light brown or dirty blond hair longer than his shoulders, blue eyes, and a large smile.) – He is a popular reporter in Nags Head. As soon as Leigh gets into town, he approaches her. He’s obviously chasing her, but is he really interested in her or just her story?

Emma Combs (With a fantastic figure, auburn hair and plenty of time invested into her fashion, she is absolutely beautiful.) – She thinks of herself as a perfectionist. She and Leigh were best friends in high school. It is uncertain whether they will be able to rekindle that relationship.

Shawn Branscom (He is very sexy with short and neat brown hair, blue eyes and a great shape.) – Known to let his temper flare at the drop of a hat, he is a cop with a new promotion to the narcotics team. He’s a little gruff, but he has a definite soft spot for Emma that he is unable to hide.

1. Let’s begin by having everyone tell us a little about him or herself.

Jason grinned and leaned forward in his chair. “Shall I go first? This is a little weird. I’m usually the one asking the questions.” He looked thoughtful as he ran a hand through his light brown hair, the front falling right back where it began. “Well, I’m a reporter. I work hard. At work, they call me Ice because I refuse to give up on a story, which happens to be my biggest strength, but probably my biggest weakness as well. In my free time, I spend time with my family. I like playing basketball, swimming and sailing.”

Leigh stood to pace behind her chair as she answered. “My life is really complicated. I’m not sure how much you want to know. I was raised by the Branscom family. My teenage years were pretty bad, and they eventually kicked me out of the house. I decided to leave town…”

“…without telling anyone. Everyone thought she was dead,” Emma added.

“When I got back into town, I wasn’t exactly well received. So, that’s pretty much it. I’m just trying to make things right, but I’ll be fine. I’m tough,” Leigh said in a soft voice.

Emma went next. “I’m the manager of my parent’s hotel. I love my job. When I’m not there, I’m usually working out. I’m very ambitious. My greatest weakness would have to be that I’m a perfectionist.”

Shawn sat with his back perfectly straight, looking gruff and uncomfortable. “I’m a cop. I don’t have much time for anything else,” he said, sounding defensive as if he dared someone to argue.

Emma turned toward Shawn. “Your strength is your confidence. Your weakness is you get arrogant and your temper, of course.”

He gave her a look that wasn’t easily defined.

2. Anyone currently dating?

“No,” Jason said, still grinning. “The last time I had a serious relationship was in college. She was older and graduated before me. I haven’t heard from her since.”

Leigh still stood. “I’m not dating now. My ex-boyfriend was a drug dealer, my drug dealer actually.”

Emma just shook her head in answer.

Shawn did the same.

3. Do you believe in love at first sight? What are your views on sex in a relationship? Does love and sex have to come together?

Jason actually laughed. “Wow, what a question. I do believe in love at first sight. That’s kind of embarrassing. And, I would hope that any girl sleeping with me has feelings for me, so yes.”

Leigh began pacing again. “No and no.”

Emma shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

Shawn fidgeted, looking absolutely miserable. “That’s really a crazy question. I don’t know.”

4. When you lie in bed at night, what do you think about?

For the very first time, Jason momentarily paused. “I think about what I want in the future,” he said, his eyes sliding over his shoulder to Leigh.

“I try not to think,” Leigh said with a voice that was a bit uneven. She sounded shaky or perhaps on the verge of laughter.

“That’s easy,” Emma said. “I think about everything I have to get done the next day.”

Shawn smiled slowly. “I can’t say what I think about.”

5. Last question guys: what would it surprise people to know about you?

“A lot,” Jason said and laughed. “If I had to pick one thing, it would probably be my family. It’s big. I have three brothers and two sisters. There are six of us all together. We’re a very close family, and most people don’t see me as a family guy.”

Leigh sat back down. “That I’m alive.”

Everyone laughed.

When things grew quiet, Emma said, “It would surprise people to know that I’ve made many mistakes in my past that I’m not proud of.”

Shawn just shrugged. “I don’t know.”

From the author: I hope you enjoyed getting to know the characters of this book a little better. I had a ton of fun doing this interview! To learn more about ALTERED BEGINNINGS, visit www.destinybooze.com

Email Issues Resolved.

I have been having email issues. Unbeknown to me, every .com address was on blocked senders list. This has now been resolved. If you have tried to email me or have signed up for my newsletter in the past month, please resend.

To find out more on this problem, please visit my website at www.destinybooze.com

Thanks and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

I needed to hear this today and I wanted to share!

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Altered Beginnings Character Interview

I'm interviewing the characters from Altered Beginnings. What should I ask? Is there anything you would like to know?

This interview should be a lot of fun! Leigh, Jason, Emma, Shawn, Freddie or Slick. What should I ask them? (But, no cheating! Don't send a question that would be an ending spoiler!!!)

Also, watch for a sneak peek of my third book in the Outer Banks Suspense Series called Accelerating Circumstances! I'm writing it right now.

The Reasons Why Santa's Got to be a Woman

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My Review of Icebound by Dean Koontz

Visit my website at www.destinybooze.com to see what I thought about Icebound by Dean Koontz.

Even during this stressful economy, keep your peace.

**Warning: This could make you cry!**

"Gold Wrapping Paper"


I received this from a friend who had a choice to make. It said that I had a choice to make too.

I've chosen. Now it's your turn to choose.

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said, "This is for you, Momma."

The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner.

"Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"
She had tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full."

The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life.

Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and GOD. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

To read more inspirational stories, check out my daily blog at www.destinybooze.com

News from Black Velvet Seductions

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Let Wal-mart bail out Wall Street! Check this out.

This should boggle your mind.


HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?

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I have a confession.

Want to know what it is? Check out my daily blog at www.destinybooze.com .

Be a Bone Marrow Donor!

The Fincastle Herald/Destiny Booze/May 2008

Crystal Shelor of Blue Ridge may have performed a miracle for a one-year-old boy in Germany. About two weeks ago, Shelor underwent an operation to extract her bone marrow to donate to the child in a procedure known as BMT or bone marrow transplantation. Overseas, one small boy may be cured of a deadly disease all because of Shelor's gift of herself, and she has a message she wants to send about her experience. She wants to raise awareness about bone marrow donorship and encourage as many people as possible to contact the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and sign up for its registry. "They need more people," Shelor said.

Shelor has experienced several different occasions of exposure to this subject in her life. At age 10, she was misdiagnosed with leukemia, so her familiarity with the disease began young. In the mid 90’s, Shelor’s friend and former classmate, Patrick Saville was diagnosed with cancer. He needed a BMT, so Shelor signed up to donate blood. It was tested for tissue compatibility. She did not come back as a match. Tragically, her friend did not survive the disease. Still wanting to help, she requested her marrow be placed on the national registry.

Shock, excitement, maybe a bit of nervousness were Shelor's feelings when she got the call last summer, fifteen years after her name was put onto the registry that she was a possible match for a child overseas. Would she donate, she was asked. "It's a child. How could you say no?" Shelor said.

BMT is used to treat leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases. The process Shelor went through began with lab work, a full body physical and a thick stack of paperwork to complete. The actual procedure was done under anesthesia in an operating room in Wake Forest, NC. The marrow was removed from the pelvic (hip) bone. Shelor recalls some soreness in the area when she woke up. She was also shown her donation – two bags of what looked like blood. "I had some pain, but it was minimal compared to how he's [the child's] been doing," she said.

The hotel, mileage, food, and all health care expenses were all covered for Shelor to donate. All in all, it was a mild disruption to her life. Shelor went into the hospital on a Wednesday for pre-op, had the surgery Thursday and returned to work by the next Tuesday. Though she was given no information concerning the donee, she and the child will forevermore have a connection. "Something in him is a match to you," she said. "Hopefully, one day I'll have a name or picture or both."

Her wishes for information about the child will be passed along through the marrow program. The process takes two years. It will be up to the child's parents whether or not to make contact. Either way, Shelor has no doubts that she will donate again if asked. "It was very rewarding. I'll always remain on it [the national registry]."

For more information or to sign up as a donor, call (888) 298-6375 or visit www.marrow.org.

A Smile Every Sunday

You Know You've Had Too Much Christmas Cheer When...

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December's Addition to My Creative Corner

I just added another great addition to my creative corner, What About All of Those Santas? by Jim Womack. Please visit www.destinybooze.com for details.

Man in the Glass

This is such a wonderful poem. Please visit my website at www.destinybooze.com to read it in its entirety.

No offense Santa, but... Jesus is Better than Santa

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I've just been offered a contract for Altered Beginnings!

Altered Beginnings Blurb

The headline in the small town newspaper read Girl Missing, Presumed Dead or Worse.

Leigh Lawson returned to Nags Head, North Carolina after four years with a huge shock. That big and bold headline was about her! Everyone thought she was dead!

The truth was that she was doing well. While gone, she had gotten clean from drugs and worked hard to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. With her life back on track, she returns home with hope that she will receive a warm welcome. Instead, she gets the townsfolk’s disdain.

Everyone hates her, everyone except Jason Altarez, an ambitious and resilient reporter with his sights locked on Leigh. He chases her with oozing charm and romance, but does he really want her or is he after his next story?

Leigh’s life soon spirals out of control when the police recruit her for an undercover assignment. They want her to go back to the life of her troubled teenage years, back into the drugs, and help them to bring the local drug supplier to conviction. It may be Leigh’s only chance to redeem herself with her family and friends. If she can complete this one assignment, the town will forgive her. The only problem is that she needs to figure out how to stay alive in the process…

Jason is her continuous partner through it all, proving his dedication to her as he struggles to keep her safe. Leigh wants to believe he is a man of his word. She wants to believe that her heart isn’t completely foolish for falling for him, especially when she discovers evidence that Jason may be working for the very drug dealer that Leigh is trying to have arrested. Will he betray her in the end or will he demonstrate the most romantic notion of all – that love at first sight truly exists?


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Christmas is coming!

Sunday was absolute madness at my house. My husband was sleeping because he had to work the night shift. I had told my son we would decorate for Christmas. He was so excited! Right after breakfast, he was ready to jump right into it.

I wanted to set the mood so I put on some soft Christmas music and I poured some egg nog for us to drink. We started by dragging the 1,000-pound tree up all 1,000,000 basement steps. I was out of breath by the time I reached the top. I had to make three more trips to get the boxes of ornaments and lights.

The manual labor wasn't over there. I had to rearrange the living room to find space for the Christmas Tree. At one point, I do remember wondering why I would attempt these things by myself. Oh yeah, I know why - I'm Super-Woman!

So, when we finally got to the point that we could begin the actual decorating, we pulled the tree out of the box. Having been down in the basement for a year without a cover, the dust in the air immediately sent my son to sneezing. My nose soon followed. We continued ahead as all troopers do. One branch here, the other here...A-choo! A-choo!...Put the tree in the base and put on the top...A-choo! A-choo!

Next came the lights. Can you believe out of fifteen sets of lights, only one set still burned? Uh-oh. We had to stop working, get dressed and rush to the small Family Dollar in my small town. They didn't have much to choose from. I usually do the tree in white lights and the outside in multi-color, so I got two boxes of each. I spent almost $35.00. Wow. A-choo! A-choo!

Home again, we went straight back to decorating. My son was still so excited! I checked the new lights to make sure they worked first, and yes, they did. Thank goodness. A-choo! A-choo!

Each box said they had 18 foot of lights. I LOVE lots of lights on the tree, so I knew I was going to put both sets on. To my surprise, I discovered they weren't going very far. And all be darned, they didn't wrap all the way to the bottom of the tree - 36 foot was not enough. I was shocked! Well, it turns out that garland lights, which is what I purchased, are double wrapped to look like "garland." Oops! A-choo! A-choo!

I did not want to go back to the store, so I pulled off the white lights and used the one set of multi-colored along with the new garland lights to do the tree. Very good. My son thought it looked awesome! He got busy pulling out ornaments and putting them on - his favorite part. A-choo! A-choo!

It was fun. He had such a great time, smiling, singing and cheering at our beautiful tree. A-choo! A-choo! We worked all the way up to lunch time. It was a special time for us. For the big finale, we cut all the lights and took a look. It was beautiful!

That's when I noticed some of our lights had gone out. They were brand new lights! Oh well.

A-choo! A-choo! What a great day we had! Christmas is coming, folks!

Oh, and I still have the outside lights to get to...

This is World AIDS Day, let's spread the word!!

Today I am blogging about world AIDS day. Check it out on my daily blog at www.destinybooze.com

Sunday Funny

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