Tuesday, December 31, 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR



HAPPY NEW YEAR


A new year and new decade is upon us.  Hard to believe twenty years have gone by since Y2K. This is a bittersweet day as we give way to old memories and make way for the new.  Wishing all of you the best the new year and new decade has to offer - may it be a year and decade filled with health, happiness and prosperity.


Friday, December 20, 2019

CHRISTMAS MEME



I'm using the Christmas meme making the rounds of blogland.  Thank you ladies for sharing.

Wrapping or gift bags?  For me it's gift bags unless there is no way to use them.

Real tree or artificial? We always have an artificial one these days. I miss the smell of a real tree though. 

When do you put up the tree?  Usually Thanksgiving weekend.

When do you take the tree down? Usually the day after New Year's - sometimes even New Years Day.  Growing up though I remember my mom never wanted to take the tree down on January 6th (Little Christmas, she used to call it)

Do you like eggnog? I love eggnog. Not exactly on my low carb diet, but a little at Christmas won’t hurt… I hope.  Hell, it's Christmas and carbs don't count.  

Favorite gift received as a child? 
I remember two, a Toni doll and a transistor radio.  (is there anybody out there that even knows what those things are?)

Hardest person to buy for? My son-in-law followed closely by my older grandson and my husband.

Easiest person to buy for?  No one.

Do you have a nativity scene?  Yes

Mail or email Christmas cards? 
I send out very few, but I use snail mail for them.

Worst Christmas gift ever received?  I guess I'm lucky I can't remember any worst gift.

Favorite Christmas movie? I love "The Gathering".

When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early. I HATE crowds and I’m not shopping once the hordes begin.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present to a local charity?  Yes,I just did that.  I had several board games that had never been opened and I donated them to the Firemen's Christmas Toy Drive. 

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  Christmas cookies and trifle.

Lights on the tree; colored or white?  For years it was only white but our new tree gives us a choice so we have them rotating between white and color.  I think I know love the color best.

Favorite Christmas song?  Oh, Holy Night

Travel at Christmas or stay home?  Home. Just like with shopping, I hate the crowds and spending it with family means airports and such.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?  Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Prancer, Vixen - Rudolph, of course. Guess not

Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Always Christmas Eve for our presents. Santa's presents on Christmas morning.

Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the randomness of our tree. No theme, no rhyme or reason. 

Favorite for Christmas dinner?  Prime Rib, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, asparagus, and trifle for dessert.


What do you want for Christmas this year?  Health and happiness for my family and friends.

Who is most likely to respond to this? No longer have any idea who will stop by.


This was fun and also easy, I copied PK's post and so many of our answers were the same.



Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Didja know?

Do you know the meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas song?  I heard bits and pieces over the years but this seems to cover all twelve days.  I must admit by the time Christmas arrives, I hate this song.

The Partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

The Two Turtle doves are the Old and New Testament.

Three French Hens represent Faith, Hope and Love.

Four Calling Birds are Matthew, Make Luke and John.

Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law - the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six Geese a Laying - the six days of Creation

Seven Swans a Swimming - the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

Eight Maids a Milking- represent the eight Beatitudes.

Nine Ladies Dancing - the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Ten Lords a Leaping - The Ten Commandments

Eleven Pipers Piping - stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolizes the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed.


Now I know - there are still some things I'm not sure about like the eight beatitudes and the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed.  I probably knew them at one time, after all, I went to Catholic school almost my entire life but...




Saturday, December 14, 2019

Christmas Memories




I was looking for something in my document files the other day when I came across this story.  I began reading and it was as if someone else had written it.  But then, I felt that way about so many of my stories - it was like automatic writing. Anyway, it's appropriate for the season and so here it is.


CHRISTMAS MEMORIES



We were finally finished. 444 Shady Elm Drive was festooned in her holiday garb for the last time under our ownership.  Barry carried me over the threshold as a young bride more than forty years ago, and every Christmas since we would drape fresh pine, fairy lights, and red bows across the width and breadth of her welcoming arms.  We stood back and admired our handiwork.  Next, we would decorate the tree that stood sentinel to our front porch.  Berries, strings of popcorn, and packets of birdseed tied to its boughs would welcome our flighted friends.  Here’s where the kids would put out the reindeer food as a welcome to Santa’s friends. Every inch of this house provided a loving memory, but it was time for Barry and me to begin another chapter in our lives.
The stately Victorian lady was a beauty and the porch is what sold me on the house all those many years ago.  It was more house than we needed or could afford at the time, but we managed. The previous owners worked with Barry and held the second mortgage because they wanted to sell to people who would love the house as much as they had.  We were that couple.  We spent lots of time and money keeping her beautiful as she aged along with us.

It wasn’t always easy, but Barry held my feet to the fire (or should I say lit my bottom on fire) many times over the years when I overspent our very carefully crafted budget.  Once our son came along and I was a stay at home mom I had to economize even further, and Christmas time was always a red-bottomed time for me.  It was very difficult not to overspend our budget, not only on presents but on making the house a beautiful tribute to Christmas.

All of those memories came flooding back as we worked.  This year, when the Christmas decorations came down from the attic, they wouldn’t be packed up and stored for the following year. This year, our children and grandchildren would be urged to pick out their favorite items and take them as they left for their own homes.   There were very few exceptions – things I couldn’t part with no matter what the consequences, then or now.

Things like the twelve-piece Dresden Nativity set I purchased our second Christmas.  I was still working and planned on having it paid off before Barry knew the true cost.  Unfortunately, our son came along before that happened.  When Barry saw the bill and what was still left to pay, there was hell to pay.  I not only received the very first belt spanking that had me sitting on a welted bruised bottom for days but somewhere in our memory box is an essay on trust among husband and wife.  That was as difficult to write as the spanking was to bear.  The pages became tear-stained as the lesson became clearer as the words filled the page.

The first year we were married, Barry purchased this God-awful angel as a tree topper.  Gaudy doesn’t even begin to describe it but Barry loved it and for years it adorned the treetop.  He would lovingly gaze at its gaudy beauty and hang it in its place of honor.  It reigned supreme for ten years before I couldn’t stand looking at her any longer.  I found an angel to take her place and replaced his angel while he was at work.  He may never have noticed until our daughter, bless her heart, commented on how beautiful was our new angel.  A battle ensued, ending with the warning that the old angel better be back in place or my ass would be toast.  Since I’d burned the old angel, my ass was, indeed, toasted to a crisp. That essay on respecting your mate’s desires and personal possessions is also in the memory box.

We came inside as the day began its journey into night. Barry lit a fire, put on the old Christmas albums, and we started the task of decorating our inside tree.  Years before, Barry finally convinced me that it would be much more convenient to have an artificial tree. And here’s the reason for the next Christmas bottom warming memory. After much searching, I found one that I thought would make me happy.  It was a seven-foot beauty, with over a thousand pre-strung lights and the price tag was in the range of the lights.  My reasoning was that we would have the tree for years and if we amortized the cost of what we would spend on a real tree yearly, it was a bargain.  Barry didn’t agree – I was over his knee getting my backside warmed before the first ornament was placed.  We still have the tree and for years Barry reminded me of how expensive it was by giving me the number of spanks amortized through the years.  Another essay on how we were never to spend more than $200 without first consulting the other partner is boxed along with the others. 

The box with the Santa Claus suit was set aside for our oldest son.  Obviously, it hadn’t been used in years, and when we pulled it out, Barry and I both laughed.  He found the suit in a used clothing store and as a lark decided to buy it to play Santa Claus for our kids.  That long-ago night, when the kids were in bed, Barry tried on the suit.  We were teasing and playing around, and he was telling me what a naughty girl I was and how naughty girls were spanked.  There I was, sprawled over Santa’s lap, getting my bottom spanked when our son walked into the room.  He came over and started pummeling Santa with his little fist telling him to leave his mommy alone.   What a snow job Barry thought he did as he tried convincing our little one that he must have been dreaming.  It wasn’t until years later that our son confessed that he knew it was Barry all along and said he’d learned a valuable lesson that he carried forth into his own marriage. 

Then there were the ornaments we purchased each year, reminding us of a special vacation or events in our life – ballet slippers, ice skates, a Hawaiian beach shirt, a cap and gown and the infamous cheese board (paddle) Barry purchased the same time he bought the infamous Christmas Angel.

Once the tree decorations had all been placed, the lights lit, the Nativity Scene arranged under the tree, Barry and I sat back to admire our hard work.  We were exhausted, but there was one thing left to do.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Yes, let’s get it done.”

He bared my bottom and placed me across his lap.  “Now let’s get this bottom in the Christmas spirit,” and he began to spank so that I too was decorated in red for the holidays.



Do you have any Christmas memories tucked away?  Like the couple in this story we gave most of ours to our daughter when we moved to the motor home.  I still get to see them when we visit them at Christmas.

Monday, November 18, 2019

CHRISTMAS IS COMING




With the holidays looming just around the corner I'm thinking of those not as lucky as most of us.  This is a good way to get in the spirit, so to speak, while doing something that will make another family's holiday a little sweeter.




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Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Happy Halloween



HAPPY HALLOWEEN


Once a year, Ellie came alive.  The rest of the year, she had to shine her light under a bushel.  Halloween was the only time she could come out to play and use her own name, Eldora and live freely without hiding her real self.

People always thought her strange.  After all, she lived in the musty old cottage at the edge of the wood and grew all sorts of things.  There was always something strange hanging from the rafters of her back porch.  Of course, not many people ventured to the back porch.  The cottage backed up to the woods and children, from a very young age, were urged to stay clear because nothing good came out of the woods.  She had very few friends except for her black cat, Beezee and her parrot, Tikka.  A few of the townsfolk would come by to purchase some of her herbs and occasionally she was called upon to make up a poultice for someone’s festering sores, or bring down the fevers of some of the townsfolk, otherwise, she was left alone.  Once in a while, some children would come to taunt her but she would cover them in white light and they would be on their way.

Every year prior to Halloween, Ellie would make it known she would be away visiting and that a friend of hers would be watching out for the cottage and Beezee and Tikka. She didn’t think most people would even notice but just in case, she perpetrated this lie every year. In reality, it was just Ellie turning into Eldora.  She could be herself, a witch, but people would be frightened of a witch living in their midst all the time but somehow, at Halloween, it was okay because she would be gone as soon as the holiday was over and Ellie returned.      

Ellie or Eldora had been living this way forever.  No one seemed to think how odd it was that she never grew older, the truth was they didn’t much care as long as she stayed to herself.  One year, prior to Halloween a special visitor came to call.  Ellie was startled, he came through the back door and just materialized in her kitchen.  She went to check the door. It was still closed and locked.

“How did you get in?” She inquired.

“Unlike you, I use the powers I have been granted all the time.”

“And what are you doing here?”

“I was sent by your forbearers to make you see the error of your ways.”

“Whatever are you talking about?”

“You have been granted special powers, yet you hide them.  These powers were given to you to share with the world, but you only bring them out sparingly and then only once a year. I’ve been sent to help you correct those bad habits.” 

“But the people don’t know I’m a witch.  They’re afraid of witches and ghosts and such.  Anything they cannot see, or feel or touch frightens them. I’ll help if they ask but I don’t want to impose;  I only want to live peacefully here in my little cottage with Beezee and Tikka.”

“Not anymore.  I’m here to see you share your gifts as they are meant to be shared.  From now on you will always be Eldora.  Ellie no longer exists.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I’m here to give you the courage and incentives you need.  Now come to me.”

Ellie stepped forth.  She was as meek as the mice that lived in her attic.  The visitor morphed into a handsome man, tall and tanned, with shiny black hair and sparkling black eyes that peered into her very soul. 

“My name is Cade.  I was once where you were until centuries ago, one of your ancestors taught me to be all that I am.  I am returning the favor.”  He took her in his arms and kissed her.  It was the first time, Ellie had ever been kissed.  Is this the kiss of the prince and he’s turning me into a frog, or is he the frog. He released her and as she stepped back from him, she was happy to see neither of them had physically changed. Emotionally, was a different story.  She felt young and pretty and full of lust for this handsome stranger.

“Cade, can you kiss me again?”

“I’m going to do more than that Ellie.  I’m going to impart lessons you will remember.  These lessons will be repeated until you realize your full potential as a witch, not just at Halloween but throughout the year.”

“So will you be staying with me permanently to teach me?”

“I will be with you until the lessons are learned and firmly instilled in your mind and body.”

“When will these lessons begin?”

“Right now, come with me.”  Cade took Ellie to her bedroom.  He sat on the edge of the bed, pushed up her skirt and pulled down her pantalets.  “This is going to hurt, but it must be done,” he told her as the first smack rained down on her creamy white buttocks.  She winced as the force of the slap registered in her brain and on her body.  The next smack came just as forcefully only this time she was not as shocked.  He delivered each succeeding stroke with an enforcing statement.  After thirteen spanks, her bottom was throbbing and pulsing and her mind reverberated with every lesson imprinted by his hand on her backside.

When he finishes the spanking and stood her up, she realized she was more Eldora than Ellie.  Cade kissed her and that kiss sent her into tailspins.  They kiss and the spanking had awakened desires she never before experienced. 

“Sleep now, and dream about Eldora.  I will return if you need any more lessons.”

Instead of dreaming about Eldora, Ellie thought about Cade and how many more lessons she would need before she was fully schooled. Somehow, she didn’t think she would ever learn enough.


Happy Halloween everyone – do you have an Ellie living in your neighborhood?

An Oldie brought forward for the holiday.  Do you remember?
                                           


Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Everybody Loves a Meme

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Is anyone still around?  I've turned into one of those lurkers.  Once in a while I'll think I should post something and then weeks go by.  I've even saved a couple of posts in draft , so who knows, you might hear from me again before the year is out.  My cousin posted this meme and I just had to share.



 How old are you backwards: 47 until the end of the week
* Surgeries: yes
* Tattoos: yes
* Ever hit a deer: no
* Rode in an ambulance: no
* Ice skated: yes
* Rode on a motorcycle: yes
* Stayed in hospital: yes
* Last text call: Pam
* Last text message: Reminder about bocce ball today
* Watched someone die: yes
* Pepsi or Coke: Neither - but Iike Pepsi a bit better
* Favorite pie: Lemon Meringue
* Favorite season: Fall
* Broken Bones: yes
* Received a ticket: yes
* Favorite color: red
* Sunrise or Sunset: both - they both mean I've lived another day
* Ocean or mountains: Ocean
* Breakfast or Dinner Date: Definitely dinner
* Iced or Hot Coffee: Both


I'd change the background but I no longer remember how.  So Sad

I'd say stay tuned for more Aimless Ramblings, but you might have to wait a long while. Enjoy the day.

Monday, July 8, 2019

Are YOU?

Saw this on FB this morning.  Think I may have seen it before but today I'm being a little nostalgic.  Today would have been my mom's birthday - she died 26 years ago but this October I'm reaching the age she was when she passed.  It's scary and makes me realize just how precious are the memories we often just throw away. Savor the memories because they are all too fleeting.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2019

NEVER HAVE I EVER

NEVER HAVE I EVER - as opposed to PK's Have you Ever.  This is fun.  Give yourself one point for every thing you've not done.  Let us know how you did in the comments section. Feel free to elaborate.   Me, I got 4. Anyone want to guess which 4 they are?



1.  Received Stitches
2.  Been to Niagara Falls
3. Had Chicken Pox
4. Got a tattoo
5.Flown in a plane
6. Shot a Gun
7. Failed a test
8. Graduated High School
9. Broken a bone.
10 Been spanked in public
11. Seen the Grand Canyon
12. Been skiing
13. Punched someone
14. Been Divorced
15. Swam in the ocean
16. Drove a car
17. Been stung by a bee
18. Changed a dirty diaper
19, Been to another country.
20.  Been arrested
21. Served on a jury
22. Slept in a tent
23. Ridden a bike
24. Had sex outside
25. Heard a coyote howl


See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.






Thursday, January 17, 2019

MEME

This meme started with PK, I think and more recently I saw it on Blondie's Blog.  It's long and it taxes your brain (well at least mine) but it's fun,


1. What bill do you hate paying the most?  I don't pay the bills but the cable bill seems ridiculous to me.

2. When was the last time you had a romantic dinner?  I think it was New Year's Day.

3. What do you really want to be doing at this time?  Exactly what I am doing.

4.  How many colleges did you attend?  Two

5, Why did you choose the shirt you're wearing right now?  Not wearing a shirt.

6.Thoughts on gas prices right now?  They're ridiculous - every state except CA seems to be a whole lot lower than ours.

7.First thoughts when the alarm goes off in the AM.  Have no need of an alarm.

8.Last thought you have before going to sleep?  Thanking the Lord for another day of living.

9. Do you miss being a child?  Sometimes, it was a nice easy time.

10.  What errands/chores do you hate doing the most? Anything to do with housework.

11. Early riser or late riser?  Unfortunately, usually, an early riser even when I don't want to be one.

12. Found love yet?  Yes, many times, husband, children, fur babies, friends, family.

13.Favorite lunch meat?  I really don't have one but if I had to choose I guess it would be ham.

14.  What do you get at Wal Mart every single time?  My husband

15. Lake or ocean? Ocean

16. Is marriage outdated?  Depends

17.  Ever crash your vehicle?  I've been hit but never hit anyone else.

18. Strangest place you've brushed your teeth?  Have no idea.

19. Somewhere you've never been but want to go.  Vancouver

20. Would you like to start a new career?  Absolutely not.

21. How old are you?  74

22.  Are you where you want to be in life?  Geographically or emotionally?

23. Do you have a go-to person?  Yes, first and foremost my husband and after that, I can say I'm lucky enough to have several.

24. Growing up what cartoons did you watch?  Tom and Jerry,  Hekyl and Jekyl,, Bugs Bunny

25. What do you think has changed since you were in high school?  Everything, including me.

26. Looking back, were your high school years the best?  While they were great, I don't think they were the greatest.

27. Are there still times when you feel like a kid?  I wish, but then my body and the mirror remind me those times are long gone.

28. Did you have a pager?  Never

29.  Was there a hangout spot when I was a teenager?  I guess it had to be Stewart's Root Beer.

30. Were you the type of kid you'd want your kids to hang out with?  I guess so, I was adventurous but not bad.

31. Was there a teacher or authority figure who stood out to you?  I had several high school teachers that I admired greatly. One of my college professors that stands out was a Prof. Eaton, he made American History come alive for me and to this day I thank him and think of him often because of it.

32. Do you tell stories that begin with "when I was your age"?  At some point, I'm sure I have but it was so long ago it's like the dark ages and it takes someone my age to relate.



See you later for more Aimless Ramblings. 

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

A CHANCE TO START AGAIN



IT'S HERE

CAN YOU BELIEVE ANOTHER YEAR IS HERE
A CHANCE TO BEGIN ANEW

HOPE IT'S FILLED WITH HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL.