I'm having a free book giveaway on Christmas Day for anyone that is interested in something to read. Hopefully lots of you will get a new kindle or iPad or something equally exciting. Whatever you are all doing I hope you have a fantastic day with lots of food and love. And maybe a quiet evening to do a bit of reading :) Click on the link below and happy reading :)
http://www.amazon.com/It-Started-With-House-ebook/dp/B008L2KNEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356095526&sr=1-1&keywords=beth+prentice
Friday, 21 December 2012
Monday, 19 November 2012
Our day in Sydney
I was awoken with the
alarm ringing. I rolled over and
pressed the snooze button but not before looking at the readout. That can’t be right, I thought, rubbing
my eyes and taking a second look at the clock. It only says 3 am.
Then the memory
started to stir. That’s
right. Today my daughter and I were
going to Sydney for a shopping day.
Now, I know that this is exciting but there was a small part of my brain
that was actually a bit scared.
I’ve been shopping with her before and let me tell you I have been
walking everyday in order to build up my fitness for this trip. When she sees a shop she’s like the
Energiser bunny – she never stops!
No, she doesn’t actually spend that much money, in fact I would like to
congratulate her on her restraint, but we had to do Sydney in less than 8
hours. HAVE YOU EVER SHOPPED IN
SYDNEY!!!!! 8 HOURS!!
Well, never say I back
down to a challenge.
I navigated my little
car down the Bruce Highway at 4 am this morning, caught the shuttle bus from
the parking to the airport and checked in right on time. In fact, I think we were early. Thankfully, a lot of the shops at the
airport were closed at that time in the morning so my poor feet got to have a
bit more of a rest before their marathon.
Time to board. And it was great. I’d forgotten what it’s like to
fly. And seeing the excitement on
her face as today was her first flight, made it even more special. Feeling the exhilaration on takeoff
followed by the hour or so of looking out of the window, thankfully our decent
into Sydney was uneventful and a smooth landing was thrown in to make our
morning even better.
Now this is the part
where I brag that not only did we do our shopping but we also got in some sight
seeing and Tayla got her 15
minutes (ok, it was more like 1 minute) of fame when Sydney Tourism stopped her
and asked her to answer some questions on camera. Wow, could this day get any better? Well actually yes. We made a few new friends. Ok, some of them were not invited but
hey, friends are friends, right? I
was a bit scared for the poor man that decided I was his expert on Sydney
transport and followed my lead getting back to the airport. I figured, if I was the expert, this
man was in serious trouble. Then
there was the oh so lovely lady in the jewellery shop, that thought Tayla and I
were sisters and when she found out I was Mum, she announced that I must have
had her very young (stop laughing!).
Alright, I know that she was a sales woman, and a very good one at that
but this 43 year old takes it were I can.
We were both quite
vocal in our desire to buy the Ugg slippers and wear them on the plane home but
we showed restraint. Even though
the blister the size of Queensland on Tayla’s big toe would have rejoiced in
being encased in the deliciously soft fur, we did remember that even though
nobody knew us in Sydney – we had to walk off the plane in Brisbane. Thankfully, we chose to walk away empty
handed from that store as the lady sitting next to me on the plane home turned
out to be the property manager for the business my husbands employer rents. Yes, I know – small world. So we sucked it up and limped in
silence (well, ok, Tayla limped in silence – I may have been a little vocal
about it) back to the shuttle bus that reunited us with my little car and then
made the journey home where I was greeted by a lovely hot shower and my warm
comfy bed.
And I’d like to finish
up by thanking my beautiful daughter for an absolutely wonderful day. And I recommend anyone wishing to lose
some weight – take Tayla shopping.
You’ll lose heaps J
Friday, 16 November 2012
Killer Fiction Writers Blog!!
Yay!!! Here it is folks, my guest blog on the killer fiction writers site. Please click on the link and it will take you straight there!! Hope you enjoy it :)
http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com
http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com
Monday, 12 November 2012
Guest blog - killer fiction writers
Hi Everyone. Just a quick note to let you know that I'm doing a guest blog on a website killerfiction writers this Friday. I'm so excited!! This site is made up of some of my favourite authors that it was so nerve wracking. But I thought, you can't let an opportunity slip by, so here it is killerfictionwriers.blogspot.c
Monday, 29 October 2012
Monday, 1 October 2012
The Reunion
Well folks – it happened. I went to the reunion. And no I didn’t lose the weight. I did however use my daughter, the beauty
therapist’s knowledge and resources to the best of my ability. I took advantage of every wrinkle cream, skin hydrator, anti
sagging gel, you name it, I used it.
And I’m proud of it. And
just quietly they actually do work.
Sure they didn’t take 20 years off me, but then nothing other than a
plastic surgeon could have done that, but my skin looked better than it had in
years. Add to that I wore all
black so that most of the lumps and bumps were disguised, and even though I
don’t think that I looked great, I did look the best I could look for this 43
year old who has slightly neglected her figure. Ok, there was one older gentleman who asked if I had worked
with him in the 1970’s but I’m putting that down to dementia. And may I say, I had a great
night. I laughed harder than I
have in years. I even crossed one
thing off my bucket list (to have my photo taken sitting behind the news desk. In fact I’m so proud of that particular
moment I’ve made it my Facebook profile picture!)
Yes quite a lot of people didn’t remember
me, but that’s ok. I was always
the quiet one, who quietly went about my daily work, never really getting
involved in other peoples business.
I liked to think of myself as the quiet observer. I will admit with age the quiet part is
fading and I’m sure there are quite a lot of people (my husband included) that
wish I would just shut up at times.
Oh how time changes us.
Lets just say that most people carry age
well. What’s the saying? People are like a fine wine. They get better with age. Well, one thing is for sure, this crowd
did. In fact, I’m quite jealous of
some (one lady in particular didn’t look any different to what she did 21 years
ago), but I can say in all honesty not once did I feel inadequate or judged. No one really cared about any of
that. Everyone was just so happy
to be a part of this event and to see long lost friends. Add to that I made a new friend (the
wife of a man that I once worked with) the night could not have been
better. So if any of you out there
are facing a reunion and are worried about how time changes us – don’t be.
I am so grateful to have been a part of
that team and would like to thank old friends and new for an absolutely
wonderful evening. I look forward
to the next one!!
It Started With A House
Meet Lizzie. She’s 31 and having a mid life crisis. So she bought a house. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.But she gets more than she bargained for. She didn’t expect the engagement ring, the lazy cat, the
stalker or the drop dead gorgeous handyman. But she did already have the crazy family and sex crazed
Grandma. So when she decides to
find the rings’ rightful owner she kind of hoped that the Universe would be on
her side. But that would be too
easy wouldn’t it?
Lucky for Lizzie the Universe seems to know what it’s doing.
For Australia and US
For those in the UK
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Free Book!!!
Hi Everyone
Just a quick note to let you all know that my novel 'It Started With A House' will be available for free on Amazon from 14th August 2012 to 15th August 2012. Here's the link for anyone interested.
http://www.amazon.com/It-Started-With-House-ebook/dp/B008L2KNEW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344830143&sr=8-2&keywords=beth+prentice
I hope you can get your copy and give me some feedback and that you enjoy reading it!!
Just a quick note to let you all know that my novel 'It Started With A House' will be available for free on Amazon from 14th August 2012 to 15th August 2012. Here's the link for anyone interested.
http://www.amazon.com/It-Started-With-House-ebook/dp/B008L2KNEW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344830143&sr=8-2&keywords=beth+prentice
I hope you can get your copy and give me some feedback and that you enjoy reading it!!
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Shopping for that dreaded under garment!!
Ok. Today I went shopping for an
under garment that all of us ladies need. Now in case you don't already know,
when God handed breasts out, I happened to have gotten up early that day and
was well and truly at the front of that queue. So I’m sure you can understand,
this is not a shopping day I enjoy.
But the time had come, I needed more support.
So it was with a deep breath, I
rallied all my courage and prepared myself to hear those words I did not want
to hear – the girls had grown. (In
fact, between you and I, I think they may have a life force all of their
own.) But it needed to be
done. I could put it off no longer
– my old faithfuls needed to be retired.
So it was with a lot of deep breathing I walked into our very large
department store and headed to the appropriate section.
What I was confronted with was rack
after rack of the most beautiful garments I have ever seen. Lots of beautiful colours, all
embellished with diamantes and lace.
What was I worried about?
This was wonderful. I’m
almost positive that I could find something not only practical but also
beautiful.
Just as I was looking through the
racks dreaming of wearing such gorgeous items, I heard a voice behind me and
turned. As I made eye contact with
the sales assistant I was asked if I needed help.
Well, actually, Yes, now that you
mention it, I did need help. I
couldn’t understand where my size was.
Ever helpful, the lovely lady took one look at my assets and politely
directed me to other racks closer to the back wall. Dutifully following her, I stopped as she carefully selected
an item and held it up for inspection.
I turned and looked over my shoulder thinking that a representative from
Cirque De Soleil must be behind me but to my horror I realized that she was
recommending this to me.
“This is one of our most popular
sellers as it is extremely comfortable,” she smiled. Well, I suppose it ticked the box on practicality. I listened as the sales lady listed all
the wonderful things that this particular garment had to offer.
“It also comes in a selection of
colours,” she continued. “We have
black, white and beige. Which one
do you prefer?” she asked with a smile.
I turned slightly and looked longingly at the pretty pink one behind
me.
Now, I don’t want to complain as once
I had put all my prejudices aside I found out that the sales lady was not
lying. It was extremely
comfortable and after buying it in both black and white (unfortunately for me
they were out of stock of the beige one) I walked out of the store smirking at
the pretty little braziers, thinking that they may be beautiful, but were they
as comfortable as this? And safe
in the knowledge that if
I ever fall out of an airplane without
a parachute I’d have absolutely nothing to worry about. All I have to do is slip off my t-shirt
and shimmy out of my new under garment.
It already has built in handles.
For anyone that is interested here is the link to my author page on Amazon.com. It's early stages and I hope to update it soon with some photo's and more info. Please check it out and leave me some feedback . Thank you!!!! :)
http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Prentice/e/B008N6DZCI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343127801&sr=1-2-ent
http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Prentice/e/B008N6DZCI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343127801&sr=1-2-ent
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Day One!!
Ok. Day one of the diet.
I woke this morning and enthusiastically jumped out of bed excited that
today was the start of the new me.
I decided that the first thing I needed to do was to weigh myself. So into the bathroom I went and removed
all my clothing (I see you’re all cringing already :) ).
Pulling the scales out from the place I hide them behind the laundry
basket, I tapped them with my foot to get them up and running, took a deep
breath, closed my eyes and made the dreaded step.
Finally plucking up the courage I opened one eye and looked down. Once I leaned forward enough to see
over the boobs I looked at the little digital read out and saw that they were
broken. No, I didn’t break
them. It turns out the battery was
flat.
Job number one tomorrow – buy new batteries.
It was kind of down hill after this. I did help a friend of mine clean a house and I did have a
walk on the beach with my daughter.
That’s calorie burning isn’t it?
Well, I certainly hope so because after I cleaned the house, my friend
and I grabbed a quick cuppa and I may have upgraded mine to a Gloria Jeans
Mudslide Mocha. Decaf of course.
So it seems tomorrow is actually the day I get serious. I mean there’s no point dieting if I
didn’t even know my starting weight is there?
Sunday, 15 July 2012
My weight loss journey :)
I really need to lose some weight.
My good friend called yesterday to inform me that the workplace we
worked at twenty years ago is having a reunion. Yes, a bloody reunion.
Don’t get me wrong, it will be fun and I’m going to enjoy catching up
with some old friends that it’s been far too long since I last caught up
with. And a night out on the town
with my good friend is just what the doctor ordered. They’ve even created a web page for all past employees to
get onto and update their profile with stories and photo’s. Sounds great doesn’t it!
Yeah, well that’s all good in theory, it’s just I don’t look quite the
same as I did back then.
I could give you the excuse that two children have changed this body
but I will be honest and tell you that it’s been sixteen years since I last
gave birth. I think I’ve had
enough time go to the gym, don’t you?
I have tried a few things at home. I even invested my hard earned money into the Zumba DVD’s
thinking that in no time at all I’d look like the lovely lady on the box. Inserting the DVD into the machine, I
turned around and closed every blind in the living room in the hope that if any
of my neighbours were peeping tom’s they would be spared the scene that was
about to unfold. My husband of
course had set up camp on the lounge waiting with excitement as his wife was to
become a Latin dancing goddess right in front of his eyes. Well, what he did get was a half hour
of entertainment. Yes. Half hour was all I could do. This is in no way the fault of Zumba
but completely the fault of the family gene that made me completely
uncoordinated. It was after I had
tripped over my own feet for the tenth time and nearly put my back out I
realized that I wasn’t cut out for the Latin dancing goddess bit. Time to try something else.
Over the years I’ve tried Fernwood and Curves as well as one of the
smaller local gyms but the problem was never with the gym itself. They just can’t physically make me get
up off the couch and go can they?
I have even spent a bit of time at the Dojo that my children did
JuJitsu at, but after knocking my son to the ground in a very unintentional
move, I decided that that also wasn’t for me.
Bikram Yoga was fun, but I will admit to sitting on the floor with my
back against the door, secretly moving the towel blocking the draft coming in
from under it. Whilst I struggled
to stay conscious just sitting there, I watched the woman in front of me literally
bending herself in half, and decided there and then that this wasn’t for me
either.
I even tried normal yoga once.
Another friend and I decided to give it a go after our attempt at a Thai
boxing class had left us so sore we could barely move. Personally I enjoyed the class very
much and barely contained my laughter everytime my friend tried a pose and
fanny farted, but the instructor of that particular class was very serious and
it was recommended that this also wasn’t for us. So what next?
Well I’ve heard Spanx are good.
Maybe I should give them a try.
It’s not just the weight.
If it wasn’t for my absolute miracle worker of a hairdresser I’d be
completely grey and thank god my daughter decided to become a beauty
therapist. I may be ageing but I’m
doing it hairless in all the right places. Also she has access to the very best products money can buy. I’m just not sure if we actually earn
enough money to keep up my new addiction.
I would love to join weight watchers again as I have successfully lost
weight with them in the past. I
didn’t successfully keep it off but that was not their fault either (that’s the
fault of the family gene that keeps me addicted to chocolate). But I can’t afford it.
So I’ve decided I’m making my commitment to you. I’m going to go on a diet and I’m going
to get some exercise and report to you.
I hope you don’t mind but you’re going to keep me honest. So over the next ten weeks I’m going
tell you how I’m going. I’m also
going to print out my invite to the reunion and put it on the fridge along with
an old photo of myself. I have no
intentions of ever looking like that again as I know it is humanly impossible
for me to so and also I am ok with getting older. I just need to make a few improvements along the way.
So it’s with a sigh that I put on the joggers and hit the pavement.
And if I fail on this adventure, I think I’ll upload a photo to the
reunion site, that way they may not have quite a big a shock when they see me.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
My new book!!
I did it!!! I successfully uploaded my very first book to kindle!! I can't tell you how excited I am, I enjoyed writing it so much. If it's successful I'm already had way through writing my second book.
For anyone wanting to check it out it's title is 'It Started With A House' and its chick lit with a bit of romance, mystery and humour. Well hopefully you'll agree about the humour bit :) Please check it out and leave me some feedback. I would love to hear what you all think - good and bad. I should be able to put it on amazon for free for a while, just learning how all that works but at the moment it's a dollar.
Happy reading and if you like it please, please tell your friends
For anyone wanting to check it out it's title is 'It Started With A House' and its chick lit with a bit of romance, mystery and humour. Well hopefully you'll agree about the humour bit :) Please check it out and leave me some feedback. I would love to hear what you all think - good and bad. I should be able to put it on amazon for free for a while, just learning how all that works but at the moment it's a dollar.
Happy reading and if you like it please, please tell your friends
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Facing a fear!!!
Today one of my fears
came true.
I was locked, with no
way out and no one to hear me, in a freezer. I don’t mean a chest freezer or something you would find in
your kitchen. I mean one of those
massive walk in freezers.
Here I was helping my
lovely friend in the canteen at the local footy club and I was given the task
of going outside to the refrigerated truck to retrieve a bag of chips. A harmless bag of frozen chips.
Easy, I could do
that. No worries.
Yeah, that’s what I
thought. Until the door swung
closed behind me, plunging me into darkness. It was so dark I couldn’t even see my hand on the end of my
arm.
There I was in the
pitch black, freezing cold, screaming my lungs out for anyone that may be
listening. Of course this
particular truck had been parked behind
the building away from the crowds of children and parents that would have run
to my rescue.
Visions of every
television show I had ever seen involving people dying in a freezer sprung to
mind as I clawed my way around the door in the hope that I would find something
that would open it. I continued to
scream. Actually I should be more
honest and say it was more like a blood curdling scream that was coming out of
my mouth. Along with the hammering
on the door, a heart that was beating at approximately a million beats per
minute and a throat that was closing in fear, I saw my life flash before my
eyes. The thought “I can’t die
like this’ did filter through my
brain along with the question of how long it would take for me to turn into a
popsicle, all the while the hammering and screaming continued. I knew that the ladies in the kitchen
would come looking for me eventually but with all the chatting and burger
making that was happening in there I wondered if that would be today.
Of course I eventually
found the handle, and yes it was not in
the obvious place near the edge of the door, I opened the it and embraced
freedom. With shaking hands and
legs, I wiped the tears from my eyes, grabbed my chips and walked back inside,
holding my head high and praying that after that performance nobody had actually heard me. Because yes, it was exceptionally
embarrassing once I knew all I had to do was open the handle.
Sunday, 17 June 2012
A Cup of Coffee
My life consists of cups of
coffee.
Well at least that’s what my family
thinks. They think because I have
the luxury of time that means that all I must do with it is sit around with a
relaxing cup of coffee without a care in the world.
“Aren’t you bored?” is the question
that I get asked regularly.
If only I had that luxury.
No I'm not bored!
Yes, I do meet my friends for a cuppa
but this time is not wasted on idle chit chat. We spend the hour discussing our lives, our families and our
careers (or lack there of) and I listen to every worry that they have. I don’t pretend to know the answers or
even help them, but isn’t there a saying “A worry shared is a worry halved”?
We can’t always solve the worries of
the world with just one cuppa, sometimes it takes quite a few, but we battle
on. It’s what we do. And to some of those on the outside it
may look frivolous, relaxing and indulgent but don’t always judge a book by its
cover. Some of the concerns that
we all have are major and just talking to someone about it can make all the
difference.
All I do know, is that when we part,
my beautiful friends usually have a smile on their face and a little bit more
spring in their step because whatever the problem may be, they know that there
is someone out there who understands.
They are not alone with their battles.
So please don't underestimate the
power of a cup of coffee. It may just save someone's sanity
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Everyone has a story
Everyone has a story don’t they. Whether its happy or sad, exciting or boring, life altering or just life sharing, we all have our story to tell. As I sit here in the church listening to the priest tell the story of my lovely friends life and how she has just collected her express ticket to the pearly gates, I can’t help but wonder what my story is. I know that I haven’t done anything earth shattering or life altering, but I guess, like my beautifulfriend I have made an impact on some peoples lives. And I suppose that says a lot. And it’s important. I think it’s more important than some who have much more important jobs with big fancy titles, or who think they are someone just because of their jobs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that they are happy doing what they do. I just wish they would get off my case and allow me to be happy doing what I do. And that’s being a mother.
It’s a job that I absolutely love, yet I feel that I am being made redundant in. However, unlike when you are actually paid to do a job and the boss calls you to the board room only to hand you an envelope stating you are redundant and this is your pay out, being made redundant by your teenagers is a long drawn out process. It’s a job that has been life consuming for the past 18 years and now all of a sudden they have a licence and a job and a life of their own. I mean, how dare they? Don’t they think about poor old mum sitting at home alone, with no career because she has just dedicated her entire adultlife to raising them?
No. They are much more concerned with how they are going to lower the springs on their car so that it will be virtually dragging on the ground making it look totally ‘sick’. Or how much bigger they can make the massive holes in their ears. I mean seriously, I could put a bloodychain and padlock through it. Hmm,maybe that’s what I should do. Chain him to the couch and make him stay home a bit more often. Then again, maybe not.
I looked over at my friend Georgie’s kids. Georgie would be my second best friend in the whole world, next to my husband of course. When she phoned me to say that Therese had left us for an eternity of peace, I couldn’t quite believe it. She was only 47. We’re not supposed to die and leave our children until we are at least 87. What was God thinking? Watching your children grow is the most precious gift of all. One that makes my heart cry for my friend Therese.
RIP my beautiful friend and know that your children and your husband will be watched over and cared for. Not in the same way that you watchedand cared for them, but in the best way that we all know how.
Monday, 11 June 2012
I know I'm old
I know – I’m old. I’m 42, oops 43 years old and my life is
over.
At least that’s what my teenagers lead me
to believe. In the words of my 16
years old daughter – “I need to get out and live Mum. Before I get old and have no life. This woman came into work today – she was 41. I don’t want to be like that.”
Yes, 43 and I’m old with no life. And here I was thinking the total
opposite to that. I was thinking
that finally my children are nearly off my hands and I can go back to doing
whatever the hell I want. My
husband and I can move out of home and start to see things we have only dreamt
about. You know the things that
you couldn’t afford to do with kids.
Don’t get me wrong we’ve had some great family holidays and if I were
rich I would love to take my kids with me to see the world. Only now they are teenagers we would
have to take their respective girlfriends and boyfriends with us. They wouldn’t want to be stuck with
just Mum and Dad for company, would they?
I always feared the day that they would
grow up. I could never imagine
wanting them to move out of home.
In fact, ten years ago the very thought of it would have made me
cry. But I think that’s what the
teenage years are all about. Who
looks at their 6 year old and happily thinks about the day he/she will move
out. Ask that same parent that
same question the day she turns 16.
See if you get the same answer.
I used to think about the mother bird
throwing her babies out of the nest and think ‘how could she?’ Now I envy her courage. Her ability to just do it. To put her beak up their backsides and
push.
Every time they come home moody or
intolerant, or say “What would you know Mum? You’re old’ I sit back and
fantasize about getting my size 6 shoe and shoving it somewhere the sun don’t
shine.
Please believe me when I tell you I love
my kids and I’m actually really proud of the people they are growing into. I just wish that in their eyes, I
didn’t have to grow old as they grow up.
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