Resolutions Schmesolutions by Jenny Gardiner

So, it's been 6 weeks since the New Year. Anyone still sticking with those darned resolutions that sounded so achievable back then?

I have mixed feelings about resolutions. I mean when it gets down to it, they seem like a self-flagellating set-up for failure (by the way, I was going to post a picture of self-flagellation just for a laugh, but all the pictures I found were absolutely gross!). As if something miraculous happens at the stroke of midnight that means all of a sudden you're going to eliminate sugar while binging on kale, exercise two hours a day, write masterpieces and publish them at a rate of one per month, master the fine art of marketing, and oh, while you're at it, make world peace a reality.

Yeah, I'll get right on that.

I know some folks who are serious goal-setters, with annotated bucket lists (I really do not love the whole bucket list concept---it feels really trite to me), but if it works for them, good on 'em. I know one gal who is a bucket lister-extraordinaire: somewhere hovering around # 70 was this bold ambition: go to medical school. Well, last spring, at the age of 54, she completed her undergraduate degree, and now, at age 55, is enrolled in medical school. I can't tell you how impressive I think this is--I mean, damn, what an undertaking. While the rest of us are lamenting hot flashes and praying to God for an early retirement, she has undertaken a whopping commitment that will have her busting her ass (and never sleeping, though maybe she's maximizing the downsides to hot flashing all night)) well into her 60's---and that's before she even ends her training. WOW! That is A-MAZING to me. That said, she's left teenaged kids home with her husband, which is something I could never do. Although what a cool example to set for your kids. But then again, you only have your kids with you for such a short period, it would break my heart to leave them behind like that. But that's just me.

Okay so on to my resolutions. I do have writing goals that I am determined to achieve, and I do believe it helps to write them down, not only to just have it there in black and white, but to help you see it and remind yourself of it and even, if you're lucky, tick off some of those achievements when they occur (usually a few years later).

Now's time for you to laugh. I just took a look at my 2016 Goals for Writing (which I'd forgotten to look at since I wrote it a month ago). Top of the list?

1. Organize my life

Well, crap. So far, not so good on that one. Believe me, if/when I achieve this one, I'll let y'all know.

the rest are in no particular order, and I'd just like you all to light a candle or two on my behalf if you have it in your heart that maybe I can get through these this year:

2. Master Facebook ads (i.e. listen to, then apply my 50-hour tutorial on FB ads)

3. Build mailing list

4. Write lots more books (haha, don't ya like how I didn't write a number. Though I've got 5 slated to publish and in my fantasies I'd write at least 3 more. Operative word being "fantasies". Perhaps this is how I maximize that failure to sleep that menopause imposes on us at this age.

5. Have books made into audio books (this will be when the money starts falling from trees, or when I master Facebook ads, whichever comes first)

6. Have books translated into German (see #5 as far as realistic goal)

7. Make bestsellers lists.

So there you have it. I have my work cut out for me. And as I scramble to meet my deadline with a book to my editor, again, I will put it out there that I wouldn't turn it down if you all wanted to light a candle for me to actually get it all together.

And if I don't? Well, there's always 2017...

Oh hey! I accomplished something I forgot to write down. It was really an overlap from 2015 but it happened, so yay me: I overhauled my website, and it just got finalized last week. Feel free to check it out and tell me what you think! http://www.jennygardiner.net (now wish me luck with maintaining it, technophobe that I am...).

While you're over there, I've got an awesome free book for you if you sign up for my newsletter: Something in the Heir, book 1 of my It's Reigning Men series! Sign up here http://eepurl.com/baaewn and you'll be first to hear about deals and giveaways.

Also, Throne for a Loop, book 6 of the It's Reigning Men series, comes out March 8 and is available for pre-order here:
iBooks                           Kobo                       Kindle
Now it's your turn: what are your goals and aspirations are for 2016 and beyond?

   

        

And you get the first sneak peek at my cover for book 7, It's Getting Hot in Heir!

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Lori Wilde: The Bucket List

January usually gets people thinking about resolutions or their intention for the new year, but this year I decided to make a list of a 1001 things to do before I die. For inspiration, I turned to the Internet because at my age, I better get cracking if I want to fit all this in. Which meant doing five things a month I’d never done before.

My list for January was:

       1) Do crow pose (in yoga).
I did! I managed to hold the pose for a full…oh…five seconds, but I did it. Next month, headstands.

       2)  Eat something I’d never eaten before.
Okay, I chickened out from anything exotic and had parsnips. Meh, they weren’t bad, but no party in my mouth. Maybe if I’d used more butter?

       3) Learn a new language.
Clearly, I wasn’t going to learn a new language in a month, but I bought a
Spanish learning program and dove in. Time will tell if I stick with it. It would be nice to say something more than “Hola” when I go back to Costa Rica in November.

       4) Trace my family tree.
I joined Ancestry.com, had my DNA tested and discovered some interesting things. Family history, and a lot of family names, had me believing I was mostly Scottish, but I learned the bulk of my DNA came from western Europe and Ireland. Put away the haggis and past the potatoes and French pastries. Whew! Now I’m seriously addicted to tracking down those ancestors.

       5)   Knit something out of cashmere.
I bought the cashmere (cha-ching) but I’m too afraid to knit with it in case I     mess it up.

My list for February is:

1) Learn how to make a trendy cocktail. (Any suggestions?)
2) Start seedlings indoors for a food garden. (It’s sad, I know, I’ve never had my own garden. For those freaking out that I’ll be starting them too soon, this is Texas. Flowers start blooming around here at the end of February.)
3) Do a headstand. (This is happening.)
4) Visit Caddo Lake in East Texas.
5) Try acupuncture.

What about you? Have you ever made a bucket list? If so, what are some of the things you’ve done? If not, what sort of things would you put on your bucket list?

Living Life To The Fullest List -- Michelle Monkou

I had never heard the term -- bucket list, until the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in 2007. Now I find myself using the term often. For those who don't know, the bucket list is a wish list of things to do before you "kick the bucket" in other words before you die.

We tend to avoid thinking about dying or its inevitability. Yet, I wonder why do we put off doing certain things or expressing our feelings until we have no other options? A wish list to enjoy life should be continuously renewed because the key reason is that you are completing the tasks, sooner than later.

This year I went to Milan. Many friends said--"Oh, I wish that could do that." Believe me, I know there is a financial issue and/or family responsibilities that may slow down taking the leap. But if those are taken care of, what's stopping you from taking such a trip.

The items on the list don't have to be grandiose. A car drive around the picturesque part of your state, region or country may be your choice. Since I live outside of Washington, D.C., there are tons of museums and other historical sites that are often taken for granted by the locals. Last year, I took my daughter to various museums in D.C. The museum docent asked if we were there on a school assignment. There were many school groups. But I told them that we weren't and the docent responded, "Good for you." Again, why not. Spending the day with my daughter talking, even snickering, over some of the museum pieces was a precious moment in my life.

After recently celebrating another birthday, that bucket list is being renamed Living Life to the Fullest List. My next item list is going to Vegas with girlfriends to laugh and play and laugh some more because we are a bunch of characters who teach each other to live to the fullest moment.

Somewhere on my list, I have writing a screenplay; directing a movie; being fluent in two other languages. Think about what you'd like to do - throw out the doubts, the logic, just write five things and then go live life to the fullest.

Michelle Monkou

The Millionaire's Ultimate Catch

Available for pre-order NOW

Release: October 2010