Santa, Baby!

December 25, 2012December 25, 2012 | Melia Alexander

Santa, baby, slip a sable under the tree. For me. Been an awful good girl. . ..

Those are the opening lines of the song piping through the speakers now. Seriously. And it made me think about Hubmeister’s selective hearing.

See, my Christmas wish list was pretty simple this year: an Abmat (so I can work on butterfly sit-ups outside of the box — that’s CrossFit-speak for gym). I even took a photo so he’d know exactly what to get. (Good of me, huh?)

A few weeks ago, I’d have sworn that’s what I wanted, would have insisted that nothing would make me happier. And I blissfully waltzed through the holidays, basking in the knowledge that Santa Hubby would come through.

So it was with huge anticipation I gazed at the Christmas package I got from Hubmeister this morning (who else would go through the trouble to make me laugh so hard?):

I was soooo sure an Abmat was in there, waiting for me to do crunches, waiting to be hauled out later this afternoon – before dinner – to help me earn that extra piece of Primal Cheesecake for dessert. Oh, yeah, I imagined every second as I tore into the package. Literally. *Insert blissful sigh*

Right. Turns out the man’s such a tease! Here’s what I got instead:

Yeah, okay, I’m grinning. It wasn’t what I expected, wasn’t anything close to what I wanted. But I guess I must’ve been an awfully good girl, huh?

Naughty or nice, I hope Santa brings you all you want and more! Merry Christmas!

-Melia (who plans to go out and get herself an Abmat tomorrow. . ..)

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

December 19, 2012December 19, 2012 | Melia Alexander

So. . . Yeah, it’s that singing thing again. Woke up to it. Wasn’t sure if I should cringe or smile.

Some people are frantic through the holidays. Me? Not so much. I figure if I can’t have fun with it, why go there? So, gifts, cards, and baking this year were limited – as in, I stopped when I felt like it, and what I got was what I got. It’s made for a far more relaxed holiday season for me, and that makes me smile.

Gotta admit, though, that it’s beginning to look like Christmas really is on its way — at least, for the Alexander household. Take a peak.

It even snowed! (View from the day job office.)

And, of course, I had to see my CPs Donald Power, Lainey Rogoza, and Meredith Clark. — And, of course, I had to take time to see my CPs Donald Power, Lainey Rogoza, and Meredith Clark.

No, not my tree -- the kitties would have WAAAYYY too much fun with one like this. Pretty, though! — No, not my tree — the kitties would have WAAAYYY too much fun with one like this. Pretty, though!

A sampling of workshop and bakery output -- phew! — A sampling of Melia’s workshop and bakery output — phew!

Hmmm. . . Ready or not, there are six days ’til Christmas. Now to figure out what to get Hubby. . ..

-Melia

Partying With My Roses

December 16, 2012July 3, 2014 | Melia Alexander

Ah, the holidays. Presents. And decorations. And parties – the best part! Recently, my RWA chapter, Rose City Romance Writers, got together to celebrate – minus the holiday champagne. I was having such a great time sucking in writing brilliance from my chapter mates, I didn’t snap pics of EVERYTHING. (Surprising, I know!)

With Kylie Wolfe, Tammie King, and Laurel Newberry

Me and Therese Patrick — Me and Terri Patrick

Anywho, a couple of pics, great writing friends, and awesome conversation, and the party was over too quickly. (Personally, I like Jessa Slade’s suggestion that we party once a quarter!) Some snippets of conversational wisdom:

1. Rejection is a good thing. When rejections are announced, we all cheer, ’cause it means a writer is getting her precious work out into the world.

2. In a world of rejections, writers need to remember to bask in the things that do go well — meeting deadlines, a positive comment from a critique partner, or even one from the editor / agent who rejected the submission. It’s too easy to get pulled down in this business, and without looking at the positive things we do well, no matter how small, our writing could suffer. We definitely don’t want that!

3. Having a debut book is crazy exciting! Ask any author. 🙂

4. Lightning strikes create bestsellers. Authors should be out there with a lightning rod AND an umbrella. The book needs a certain “something something” that causes it to take off, besides good writing, ’cause, let’s face it, there are always books we all feel should be best sellers — like our own! 😉

5. Roses are generous people. Not only were writing and industry advice freely given, we also collected donations for a women’s shelter. Whether we like it or not, there are those around us who are in far greater need than we could even imagine.

The holidays are busy. I get that. But it should also be a time to slow down enough to visit with family and friends, and to reflect on what makes this time of year special for each of us. You know, you gotta stop and drink the champagne!

What are your holiday celebrations like?

-Melia

Decking the Halls

December 6, 2012December 12, 2012 | Melia Alexander

Well, okay, sometimes life just happens and you wake up one morning and realize it’s December, the halls have yet to be decked, and you have yet to post this week’s blog.

So, I offer you a visual of where my priorities are when it comes to decorating for the holidays: