I’m modifying the rules to fit the “blogsphere.” Thanks Kem for sending this to me.

Welcome to the ‘Christmas Edition’ of getting to know your friends.

 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper for kids and family gifts and gift bags for friends gifts or when I have to go to a party and bring a gift
2.Tree–Real or Artificial? Artificial…saves money all the way around

3.When do you put Christmas tree up?   It’s up now…anytime after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Who says I take it down…lol…usually sometime in January…it’s fun putting it up…but I sure hate to take it down.
5. Like egg nog?   No…don’t like the stuff.
6. Do you have a nativity scene?   On my computer…does that count.

7. Favorite gift received as a child?  Black Barbie Doll, record player and the list goes on and on…I received so many.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Who said I was buying anything this year… (smile) but that would be for my mom

9. Easiest person to buy for?  Myself…because I know exactly what I want.
10. Worst Christmas gift? A bunch of Christmas stuff in a basket that I couldn’t use until the next Christmas…I’m like…excuse me, but could have I gotten something I could use during the rest of the 11 months.

11. Mail or email a Christmas card?  Mail…what’s that…you know I’m the email queen…but yes, there are old friends I still mail Christmas cards too…everybody else–EGREETINGS!
12. Favorite Christmas movie?  Although not really a Christmas movie, but they show it every year around this time is IMITATION OF LIFE…that movie has me in tears every time I watch it. I also like Scrooge.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?  The day after Thanksgiving–Black Friday.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  Do you want the truth or fiction (hee hee)? If I did, I wouldn’t put out in cyberspace.
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas?  Glazed Ham/Pound cake/Sweet Potatoe Pie/Pecan Pie and my mama’s cornbread dressing (not that jiffy stuff).

16. Colored or clear lights? Both
17. Favorite Christmas Song? This Christmas by Donny Hathaway & Silent Night by the Temptations run neck-n-neck!!!
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? When I lived elsewhere, I would travel back home for Christmas…but now that I’m living at home, I stay home.
19. Can you name Santa’s reindeer’s? Yep (I think…) Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitson… and Rudolph

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? If it’s at a friend’s party or holiday party, gifts are open during the party…all other gifts are open on Christmas Day (unless I sneak and peek).

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Not having my entire family around due to distance and/or death…but I have plenty of good Christmas memories.  

Okay, here’s what you’re supposed to do and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy and paste into a new blank BLOG POST. Change all the answers so they apply to you. It’s the season to be cheerful!! So here’s wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas!!!

I once believed that if I loved the man I was with unconditionally, that he would return the love unconditionally. Not only would he love me, he would always have my best interest at heart.

I once believed that if I opened up and just be myself that he would learn to appreciate me for who I am and not for what he could get out of me. I thought communicating my innermost thoughts and feelings would bring us closer and that maybe my opinions actually did matter.

Reality stung when I realized that I was the only person in love, not him. Feeling as if I spent wasted hours and wasted years on something that was not to be; wondering sometimes hopelessly if I’ll ever find true love or continue this life’s journey by myself.

Here’s something I wrote earlier this year when I was guest blogging:

The internet has become the new way to meet people; whether looking for a casual or long-term relationship. Although dating is dating, virtual dating adds an extra element. There are pros and cons to virtual dating.

Pro - You get to learn a few things about the person before meeting them in person.
Con - The person on the other end of the computer may not be who they say they are.

Pro - Both parties are given a chance to be attracted to the inner beauty and not be blindsided by the person’s physical attributes.
Con - A picture or description can be fabricated and what you see when you actually meet might not be who you envisioned.

Pro - You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
Con - It can be anti-social and you won’t be able to see how the other person acts in a social setting.

Overall when it comes to virtual dating safety is important. Although you may chat, instant message, etc. on a daily basis, in reality you still don’t know the person. If you decide to meet in person, someone close to you should have all of the other person’s information just in case something happens. I would even suggest that not only do you meet in a public place but take a friend along with you (even if the friend sits at another table).

Beware, the person on the other end of the computer screen can be whoever they want to be while hiding behind a screen name.

Virtual dating doesn’t always mean real! Virtual dating can be fun, but it can’t replace face to face interaction.

Shelia M Goss writes women’s fiction. She’s the Essence Magazine Bestselling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true and Paige’s Web. For more information, visit www.sheliagoss.com or www.myspace.com/sheliagoss.

Made you look, didn’t I?
Why wait on someone else to pamper you, when you can pamper yourself. There are several things that I absolutely can’t do without (well I could but…)
The Top 5 things I use on a daily basis are:

1. Pink Motorola Razr Phone

2. Sweet Pea Bath and Body Products

3. Issey Miyake Eau de Parfum Spray or Calvin Klein Escape Body Spray

4. Sansa MP3 player

5. Shock-o-late M.A.C. Lip Glass
What are some things you absolutely can’t do without?

© 2007 by Shelia M. Goss

Is it his smile that keeps me coming back,
Or is it the smooth sound of his voice?
Is it the smell of his cologne as he walks on by,
Or is it the teardrop I saw fall from his eye?

Is it the way he caresses my body,
Or the way he holds my hand?
Is it how he lifts my spirits when I’m down,
Or seems to know when to be just a friend?

It’s the essence of the man.

His walk
Smoother than a panther on the prowl
His hands
Sliding against my soft skin
His fingers
Roaming, making me melt with each touch.
His tongue,
Slithering, lingering, touching my g-spot.

What keeps me coming back?

The lists goes on and on.
To sum it all up, it’s the essence of the man.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. I enjoyed my much needed break. I enjoyed time with my family and did some bargain shopping. These next few weeks will be busy because I plan on taking off from Christmas until the new year. I have 2 projects that I have to complete prior to then. Anyway, enough about me. How was your Thanksgiving?

Something from the past:

Why Are You Playing Games Part II(As The Music Fades)
By Shelia M Goss

I’ve been thinking about you more than I should

And your actions are doing me no good.
I was there for you whenever you called.
But when I needed you, you couldn’t be found.
When I’m not there, you should understand why.

I gave you my time, and you gave me some lies.
Tell me, Do you get a thrill on playing these games.

Do you look at the caller id, because you can’t remember my name.
Why Are You Playing Games with me?
If you’re not playing games, I do apologize.

But if you are, please stop wasting my time.
I know you’re busy, but I’m busy too.

And no matter what, I seemed to make time for you.
Communication is a two way street.
Verbal, not just in between the sheets.
See I’ve been down this road before

And to be honest, I can’t take much more.
So I ask you, Why Are You Playing Games with me?

I’ve given you the benefit of the doubt,

And now I’m seeing what you’re really about.
You tried to take advantage of my kind heart.
I’ll move on, before I let you tear it apart.
Time and time again, I’ve given you a chance.

So as the music fades, remember this is our last dance.

I’m on a much needed vacation this week, but will be back next week.

In the meantime, check out some of the pics from the Paige’s Web book release party this past weekend:

The picture machine broke so instead of the book cover they went with fall colors.

Nice decorations

Me in the red.

I won a door prize…a book…hopefully I’ll get a chance to read while on break.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!

P.S. - I’ll probably be checking email remotely from my laptop sometime during the week.

My Life from A to Z
A - Age: late 30s
B - Best Friend: They know who they are.
C - Choice of Meat: Beef
D - Dream Date: hmm…let me think on this one…dream date are you out there…
E - Exciting Adventure: taking a cruise on the Nile River and visiting the pyramids in Egypt
F - Favorite Food: chicken fetticine alfredo, bar-b-que, steak
G - Greatest Accomplishment: Ask me this in about a year (smile)
H - Happiest Day of Your Life: Every day because every day is a blessing
I - Interests: Writing, Reading, Travelling, Surfing the Net, Chatting with Friends (online/offline)
J - Joke: Couldn’t tell a joke, even if you gave me the punch line.
K - Kool-Aid: Any variation of RED
L - Love: It’s possible…still waiting on that dream date
M - Most Valued possession: duh…my computer
N - Name: no, my mom did not spell my name wrong…it’s s-h-e-l-i-a…not the other way.
O - Outfit You Love: Black top/skirt/leather boots

P - Pizza Toppings: italian sausage
Q - Question Asked To You the Most: It’s a tie: When are you getting married or Why you don’t have any kids?
R - Radio Station: XM Radio
S - Sport: Basketball…will watch Football if I’m with a guy I really REALLY like
T - Television Show: Any CSI, The Unit, The Game, Cane, Ugly Betty

U - Umbrella in the rain?: Now you know I can’t get the perm wet unless I’m wearing a hair weave…lol
V - Video: The Color Purple, Friday(s),  Love Jones, Love & Basketball, Waiting to Exhale, Purple Rain, The Best Man, Two Can Play that Game, etc
W - Winter: Love it if I can be cuddled up with some sexy guy
X - X-rays recently?: that’s a little too personal…but NO.
Y - Year Born: okay, this goes back to the letter “A”…let’s just say it was in the 1900’s
Z - Zodiac Sign: Virgo–and you know this.

If you’re reading this blog, be sure to repost and do your own A to Z on your blog (I bet you’re saying Oh No Shelia Didn’t…hee hee).

O.P.B. stands for Other People Blogs. These are a few places I visited this past week. Check them out:

 Film Reviews 2 Go

This episode is about American Gangster starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. To listen, CLICK HERE.

Mr. Slish talks about men and cheating in his post Sloppy Joe.

Rule #1

1. Don’t stay out the entire evening. Come home at a reasonable hour. Before 12 midnight is recommended. If you don’t live with your lady. Make sure you know where she is right before you step out. If you’re good at what you do. You should already have her used to an 11pm phone call before bedtime. Tell her what she needs to hear and she will go to bed knowing that her man loves her. LADIES CHECK OUT WHAT ELSE MR. SLISH HAS TO SAY!!!

Jackie Writes

When does a life experience or situation become BAGGAGE? EXPERIENCE…or…BAGGAGE? |

Eye Candy of the week, courtesy of Adrianne Byrd.  Don’t forget to visit her site on Thursdays:

HOT HUNK THURSDAY PRESENTS: D’ANGELO (MY, MY, MY)

There are many love songs talking about the end of relationships and how hard it is to say good-bye. Relationships end for a number of reasons, someone cheating, beating, or what have you…but what if it just didn’t work out…what if you love the person but know that he or she is just not the one for you and you’re only wasting each other’s time or avoiding the inevitable–a breakup??? How do you end the relationship or do you just let it fizzle out?

When do you know the spark is gone in a relationship…when it’s over…no going back…no recharging of the batteries…okay you get the point