Bucket List - Item 5 - Part 2

Here is Entry 2

It had all started with that stupid note in the bottle.
Why did it have to be me to find that stupid bottle?
She’d been walking along the beach near her beach shack and found the note with the ransom demand in it. Kelly had phoned the police and they had gotten the young mother back but the kidnapper had been stopped from getting his money.
And that had been when the trouble had started for her. Some journalist had found out it was her who’d found the note and she’d ended up on the front page of the local newspaper. Tonight when she got home from work she had been greeted by a gun and a madman. Not the best start to her weekend off.
“Where is he?!” shouted her kidnapper.
“I don’t know I hardly know the guy” I shouted back which was true Detective Mike had interviewed her and had asked to have a coffee with her tomorrow.
The kidnapper had asked her to ring Mike and then had snatched the phone and started making demands. Kelly had not really paid attention especially a week of catering to other people’s demands. Though she had made out a midnight deadline.
It was now 11.55pm
The lights suddenly went out. Then the madman was being cuffed and led away.
“You ok?” asked Detective Mike
“Just glad its over!” Kelly said.
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this!”
“Oh shut up and kiss me.” I said and he did.

Janet Tronstad's Comments - Creative use of bottle for ransom note. Detective Mike is a great hero.
Love the kidnap theme -- and Detective Mike is great. Good job in setting up the story here. Thanks for sharing it. Also like that the heroine takes the initiative!

For the other stories in this challenge go to the following website - http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/love-inspired/beach-party-writing-challenge-janet-tronstad

It was quite challenging but fun to create

Bucket List Item 5 - Part 1

On Friday I created two x 250 word storys as part of Janet Tronstad's Beach Party Story Challenge. The short story had to include someone coming home, letter in a glass bottle and a midnight kiss

Here is Entry 1

Valerie strolled along the beach enjoying the feel of the sand on her feet and the wind in her long wavy brown hair after five weeks in hospital these were moments to treasure. Like the day she had met Patrick though being sick in front of him before being rushed to hospital due to gall bladder complications was the best first impression, though that had not stopped him from coming and visiting her. He was a great new friend who made the last five weeks bearable. Told her to call him no matter the time and during the long nights just chatting to him had calmed her. The day before a glass bottle with the sweetest letter from him had arrived and ended with “I know we haven’t known each other long but would you consider being my girlfriend as I am in like with you.”
“Hey Beautiful you headed my way?” came a familiar baritone voice.
Valerie turned her head towards Patrick and smiled. Patrick stood in front of her waiting for her answer.
“I am in like with you and yes I’ll be your girlfriend.”
Patrick opened his arms and Valerie walked into them.
Six months later – New Years Eve 2011 11.59:50pm
Valerie gazed into Patrick’s eyes as the countdown started. The last six months had been incredible and now today their wedding day was nearly over. They were at his beach house for their week long honeymoon.
“Happy New Year Valerie!” and then Patrick kissed her.

Janet Tronstad's comments - Great tone to story. I liked that he said 'I'm in like with you' rather than 'in love with you.' And a nice happily-ever-after.
Ah, you covered it all -- from meet to marry to honeymoon. Thanks for sharing your entry with us. Good job.

Bucket List Achievements Thus Far

I have only partially done 2 on the list.

1. Might do this for my birthday in October


2. Will keep my out for people who I know who ride motor bikes


3. Learn a new skill - I'm a support worker and i've learnt how to do transfers. Transferring people from chair to bed, bed to chair, chair to shower chair....


4. Learn a new language - may do this next year


5. Write a 5000 word short story - look above to next blog - have written 2 x 250 words short stories in a challenge


6. Have dinner at 3 to 5 different international restaurants

(1) In June I went to the Philipino News Years celebration and had a chicken and spinach dish with rice

(2) In July I went to a Japanese restaurant and had a savory mince & vegetable in a thin omlette

Broken Cisterns

Vanity vanity all is vanity... lately i've been feeling this quote. I moved towns for a fresh start and have reverted back to old habits. I'm an emotional eater which does not help with my weight. When life gets me down I read a lot and lately what i've been reading is like eating fast food and being surprised that your still hungry 30 minutes after you've finished the meal. It's true all is vanity when your seeking self fulfillment. Yet The one thing that truely brightens my day is reading these 365 Promises for women which are actually scriptures. A big DUH! So if I truely want to enjoy life I need to spend more time listening to God's words which will truely satisfy my soul and not in a diary filler kind of way by similar to a cow chewing curd. Contemplating passages and tid bits over and over.

Bucket List 2011

My bucket list for 2011 include

1. Tandem Skydive


2. 30 minute Motor Bike Ride


3. Learn a new skill


4. Learn a new language


5. Write a 5000 word short story


6. Have dinner at 3 to 5 different internation restaurants


7. Save money for an overseas trip in 2012


8. Meet a nice guy and go on a nice date

Achieving these will only be half the fun!