Saturday, December 29, 2012

More Aimless Ramblings

I got a Christmas card the other day that was forwarded to us from a person I worked for when I first moved to California.  He mentioned we have been exchanging these once a year cards for forty years.  I thought that's not possible but guess what, no matter how I counted, it still came out the same. Would we recognize each other after all this time? I don't think we've even exchanged pictures since 1992.  It made me think about how many things have changed and how many things have remained the same.  It's funny but you don't realize all the changes until you look at them as a whole.  They happen a little every day so you get used to them a little at a time but when you look back, WOW.  

Another  recent epiphany happened when we were visiting the grands.  We were looking at old photos and they asked who those people in the photo were. When I answered me and Grampy, they stopped and seriously looked at us.  They are much too polite to say anything but you can see their brain saying "no way". You know you are older, you know you look older, but you don't realize how different you look to those who have only seen you as older. In my mind I'm not as old as the calendar says.  I still think I'm the age my daughter is now.  I know that's not possible but that's what my mind tells me. The mirror and my body say something else.  The years fly by in the blink of an eye.

2012 was a pretty adventuresome year for us.  I became an aimless wanderer writing Aimless Ramblings.  Along the way we have made many changes, had lots of laughs, seen some great new places, visited with family and friends,  met some fantastic new people and experienced great personal loss.  But we've survived. Pretty well actually, considering we're together, along with a crotchety old cat,  24/7 in a 32' feet of space. We've had some rough spots but not many. 

2013 - already thirteen years into the new millenium. Wonder what changes this new year  will bring?  Resolutions anyone?   

I hope for better things for the world during this next year.  It would be wonderful if we could all learn to accept each other's idiosyncracies, without judgment,  and just live and let live.  Do I think it will happen?  Unfortunately, the answer is NO, but I'm a sunny girl and I think if we each tried just a little it might happen someday. One day at a time, one step at a time. Everyone would benefit from this one resolution.

" Everytime you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a 
prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future"   
                                                    Deepak Chopra

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

MORNING SEX



She was standing in the kitchen, preparing our usual soft-boiled eggs and toast for breakfast, wearing only the T-shirt that she normally slept in. As he walked in, almost awake, she turned and said softly, "You've got to make love to me this very moment!" His eyes lit up and thought, "I am either still dreaming or this is going to be my lucky day!" Not wanting to lose the moment, he embraced her and then gave it his all...right there on the kitchen table. Afterwards she said, "Thanks," and returned to the stove, the T-shirt still around her neck. Happy, but a little puzzled, he asked, "What was that all about?" She explained, "The egg timer's broken.



A holiday miracle would be still fitting into my clothes after the holidays.


After the stress of the last couple of weeks I thought everyone would enjoy a little levity.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and all your holiday wishes came true.  
See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.




Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Greetings


WHATEVER YOUR FAITH OR PERSUASION, HUBBY AND I WISH YOU THE BEST FOR THIS SEASON AND IN THE YEAR TO COME.



                                                                             



THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP.





See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

THOUGHTS OF CHRISTMAS & OTHER RAMBLINGS


Christmas, Christmas Time is Here
Time for Laughter, Time for Cheer
I've been good but it can't last
Hurry Christmas, Hurry fast


This song kept running through my mind til I couldn't stand it anymore so I looked it up and found it was "The Chipmunk Song".  I know I'm dating myself here but I remember when it first came out.  We must have played that song 50 times, don't ask me why but it must have appealed to all of us.  Whenever I hear that song I think of my siblings, parents and I that Christmas Day.  Now it's umpteen years later and I can still picture us as we were then.

Yesterday, Bas used the Mammas and Pappas Song Monday, Monday, in his comment and New Bea commented that now the song was running through her head all day.  It's funny how songs trigger other memories.

Enough Aimless Rambling.  In my last post I queried if I should post my usual Monday story on Christmas Eve or a different time. Most everybody suggested I post the story as usual because it was TRADITION, another song that will be running through my head now. So it will be up on Monday as usual. Thanks for the responses.

This was posted on my FB page the other day and I immediately sent Santa a text.  


Photo
He better be checking his list and getting it right.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Just one bit more rambling, this is my 200th post.  See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.





                                                                               

                                                                                 

                  

Thursday, December 20, 2012

What Do You Want?

 Christmas Tidings Everyone

Are all the stockings hung, packages wrapped, tree decorated, cookies baked, grocery shopping done, house spotless, toys assembled, mani'd and pedi'd, makeup on, and as submissive and congenial as can be?  I thought not.  After all you're only one person and don't have all those elves that are helping him. Take note of the drink in his hand also.  No wonder he's so darn jolly while you are pulling out your hair trying to get it all in with a smile on your face and the Christmas spirit alive and well in your head.

Take heart it will soon be over and quicker than you can imagine.

To add to your list, I'm asking your opinion. When do you want my Christmas story?  Should I post as usual on Monday, Christmas Eve Day or earlier?  Let me know.

'til then see you later for more Aimless Ramblings. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Decisions - This Week's Story



As she walked along the beach she thought about the last few days.  The rhythmic crashing of the ocean against the rocks reminded her of her marriage - the senseless beating of her head against an impenetrable force, day in and day out.  This time, however, she reacted in a way she had never done before.  She packed a bag and left a note saying:

   I need time and space to decide how and if we are going to continue. I can’t live the way we have and I don’t like what I’ve become in the process.  Maybe this respite will remind us of what we once had and what we could still have if things were different.
                                                                         Lottie

She and David had been together since senior year in college.  They both went to law school and married shortly after graduation, each knowing exactly what to expect of the other.  Or so she thought.  Both she and David had agreed that once they passed the bar they would seek employment with a large law firm for a few years to gain experience and build up their resources.  Once they felt financially secure they would head out on their own. They didn’t want to compromise their ideals for a large paycheck.  They would rather live on less and sleep at night knowing that was reward enough.

Five years later and they were still trudging away at Smith & Anderson.  David was in his element and so wrapped up in his work that they rarely had any time alone.  Everything, social life included, involved either clients or colleagues from Smith & Anderson.  Lottie hated their life and especially hated going to work.  Once in a while she was allowed to take on a pro bono case but they were few and far between.  Her reason for going into the law was to help the underdog.   Firms like Smith & Anderson were all about billable hours and very little about helping the underdog.  In most cases their clients stepped on and bullied the underdogs in every way possible. She didn’t want to be Erin Brockavich but she did want to make a difference. Many times she had tried talking to David about her feelings but it was like talking to a mirror. 

When she refused to take a case to which she was assigned, one of the partners urged David to convince her to change her mind.  She was appalled this would be asked of him and even more appalled when he did as he was bid.  She gave David the reasons she didn’t want the case.  He harangued her that she was an attorney and everybody was entitled to a good defense.  She agreed but said it wasn’t going to be her. They argued for days and one morning he called her a spoiled brat and said her problem was that her parents had coddled her so much that she thought she should always get her way.  He said what she really needed was a good hard spanking.  She laughed at him and said this was the 21st century and he was no Neanderthal.  To her surprise, he reached for her, put her over his lap and wailed the daylights out of her.  When he was done, she gathered all the dignity she could muster and went into the bathroom and locked the door.   She stayed there until she heard him leave for the office.  She knew she had some thinking to do  where to go to get a better perspective.  Before leaving, she called the office and told them she was taking a leave of absence.

She drove to the coast where her parents had a beach cottage.  She had always been able to think more clearly when she was near the water.  This time of year, the coast was pretty much deserted and she wasn’t disappointed to find most of the places were closed for the season.  She had stopped at the grocery store before heading to the island to stock up on the things she might need for the next few days.

On her first day there she ran into a fellow “escapee” while walking the beach.  He too had come to the island to think. He had her laughing like a school girl and she realized that was the first time she had enjoyed a conversation in a very long time.  He too was married but it was his wife who urged him to get away for a few days.  He had recently been diagnosed with MS and he was trying to wrap his head around this news and how he was going to rearrange his life.  Lottie said her problem was not nearly as devastating as that.  He told her problems were all relative and it was how you dealt with them that mattered.  His theory was he could either learn to live with it gracefully or fight it every step of the way.  He wanted to find a way to fight the disease but also learn to accept it so that it had little impact on his wife and children.

On their walks, she listened more than talked and little by little she began to realize how stilted her thinking had become.  She knew she had to get out of corporate law.  One decision down; one to go.  The next decision would be based on how David would react to her decision.  Over the next couple of days she formulated a plan to present to David. 
On Peter's last night there, they met for dinner at her place.  They roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace and were just enjoying each other’s company when the door opened and in walked David.

“Well, isn’t this cozy” he said sarcastically.

Peter immediately stood up and extended his hand to David.  David didn’t take it.  Peter told Lottie that he better go and thanked her for dinner and her friendship over the last week.  David just stood there and glowered.  Lottie gave Peter a hug and wished him good fortune in his quest to conquer his demons. 

“What do you have to say for yourself, Mrs. Braddock”? David said once Peter was down the walk.

“How about, Hello, David.  How are you?  When did you finally realize I was gone?”

“Don’t get all snippy with me.  I wasn’t the one with another man”.

“Oh, David, this isn’t about Peter.  Our problems have nothing to do with Peter.  He is just someone I met here who is trying to deal with his own demons, nothing more than that.  He has a wife and children and has just been diagnosed with MS” answered Lottie.

David calmed down after that and came over and gave Lottie a big hug.  He apologized for thinking the worst but told her he couldn’t bear the thought of her with another man.  He knew they had problems but he hadn’t thought that was one of them.

“You’re right, David, it’s not.  Our problems only involve us and Smith & Anderson. While I have been here,  Peter has helped me see things more clearly and I want to talk about them but just not tonight.  Tonight I just want your arms around me and enjoy you.  Is that okay with you”?

“More than okay” then kissed her like he meant it.   The way he kissed her years ago. 

That’s a start Lottie thought to herself.

The following morning they went for a walk on the beach and then came back to the cottage to fix breakfast.  Lottie asked David to listen to what she had to say and when she was finished they could discuss it.  She began by telling him that she was quitting her job.  She told him she would either look for a job in the DA’s office or open a small store front law office and the rest depended on him. 

“We have some big decisions to make” she said

“How big” he asked.

“Are we going to stay married big” she said.

“How did we get from you quitting your job to our getting a divorce” he asked.

“David, I’ve been telling you for years that I can’t continue living as we have been. You are so involved with work that I never see you. You are either late at the office, entertaining clients, or working at home.  Smith & Anderson consumes all your time.  If you are not going to be present in our marriage there is no sense in prolonging it.”

“Is this because I spanked you?” he asked.

“That is what you got out of this conversation?  Prior to last night, spanking me is probably the most physical contact we’ve had in months.  No it is not about the spanking.  I love you David but I don’t love the way we have been living.  There has to be a change. I don’t expect you to make any decisions today.  Take some time the way I have. Think about what’s more important to you, our marriage or the law firm?

“Honey, I don’t need to think about it.  You are more important to me than anything.  I am sorry I have been so neglectful that you don’t think you matter.  I’m here now and I want you home with me”

“That’s good enough for me for now David, but not forever.  Long term changes have to be made”.  He went to her and took her in his arms.

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the beach and each other.  David left Monday morning and Lottie was going to close up the cottage and be home by that evening or noon the next day depending on the weather.  

On the way out of town she stopped at the general store and for some unknown reason checked out the bulletin board posted by the door. There was a notice there that Donald L. Watson, Attorney at Law was selling his practice.  She took down his number and called when she got to the car.  They made an appointment to meet the following morning so she drove back to the cottage.

The meeting with Don Watson went well.  He had been practicing law for the last thirty-five years and wanted to retire.  His client list had allowed him a reasonably successful living.  He preferred to sell his practice to someone who would be willing to continue in the area rather than selling his client list to a larger firm on the mainland. Lottie left the office armed with all of the particulars.  This could be their answer.

She started to call David to tell him the good news and realized her phone had been turned off.  There were 16 messages and 22 text messages all from him. She pressed dial and when he answered and heard her voice he was all over her like white on rice. 

“Are you okay?  Where are you?  What happened? Why aren’t you home?

“Which question would you like me to answer? She asked.

“All of them but as long as you are alright you can answer them when you get home.   You are alright aren’t you”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry my phone was off and I didn’t realize it.  I am on my way and will be there soon. I’ll explain when I get there.  Love you.  Bye honey”.

When he hung up he thought to himself she was damn right she had some explaining to do.  She left just after a spanking and like it or not he planned on giving her another one when she finally got home. They would go from there.

When Lottie walked in the door several hours later, David greeted her with a big hug and kiss.  When he let go, he took her hand and led her over to the couch where he proceeded to drape her over his knee.  She was sputtering and asking him what he was doing?

“I’m spanking you.  Do you have any idea how worried I was when I wasn’t able to reach you?  You were supposed to be home yesterday.  I called the police and the hospitals to see if they had any information on a Charlotte Braddock.  That’s why you’re getting this spanking.”

He started off giving her some hard whacks over her jeans.  She kept yelling ouch, ouch.  He told her she would know the meaning of ouch in just a moment.  He raised her up and unbuttoned her jeans.  As he slid them down he could see the pink of her bottom through her thin panties.  It turned him on.  He stopped a moment and then remembered how worried he had been waiting for her and began smacking her again.  He stopped again and lectured her about her cell phone.  She told him she was sorry.  “Too bad” he told her and slipped down her undies and once again began spanking her bottom until it was a fiery red.  When he was finally satisfied that she was truly remorseful he stopped smacking her tush. 

Seeing her draped across his lap, he could feel the heat of that delicious red tush, and he could feel something of his own. How could he be so turned on by just spanking?  He felt moisture on his pants and looked down to see his wife’s glistening labia.  She was as turned on as him.  He started rubbing her back in slow circles.  His hand extended down her back to her flaming tush and continued the circles.  He could hear soft moans as he continued fingering her.   He heard “don’t stop” and he felt her whole body shudder as the first wave came crashing into her.  He rolled her over and she saw him undo his zipper and watched him stroke himself as he prepared to enter her pleasure zone.  She spread herself as wide as possible but was restricted by the jeans and panties he had lowered earlier. He grabbed her hips and slammed into her.  He felt her shudder just before he released his sperm.

He lay there on top of her getting his breath back to a more normal level.  When he felt he could speak all he could say was “Damn, that was something I never expected”.  Lottie mmmm’d in agreement.   

He raised himself off of her and helped her up.  “How’s the tush? ” He asked. 

“Fine, everything’s fine”  she replied with a smirk.  “I never expected that welcome home”. 

“Me neither”, David said.  “I knew I was going to spank you but what came after that was a complete surprise to me.  It didn’t happen the last time I spanked you.”

“Well the last time you spanked me we weren’t exactly on good terms” she replied.

“We are now, aren’t we”?

“For the moment, but as I said things have to change and I can’t wait to tell you what I think may be the best opportunity we will ever come across”.

With that she explained about Don Watson.  He could see how excited she was about the prospect.  He asked some pertinent questions and she could tell he was beginning to be interested.  She told him she thought the best thing would be for them to make another appointment with Watson.  He agreed and told her he would call him that afternoon and set something up.

He said he had to get to the office and went off to take a shower.  She followed him to the bedroom and began unpacking.  She was excited and hopeful.  This could be the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. Mentally, she began making lists of what needed to be done to transition to the cottage full time.

When he left he told her he wasn’t sure what time he would be home.  There was a partner’s meeting at 4:00 and they had asked him to stick around for it.  Lottie didn’t like the sound of that.  How would David react if they asked him to become a partner? Would that be the end of her little dream, the end of them? She decided not to think about that, there would be plenty of time for that if her thoughts came to fruition.  She kissed him good by and started straightening up the house.  David would not make a good house husband. She opened the fridge and saw the first thing she would have to do was hit the grocery store. 

When she was just putting away the last load of laundry, David walked in the door carrying a bouquet and a bottle of champagne. He offered them to her and she got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She accepted the gifts and began walking toward the kitchen.  When she put the items on the counter she turned to look at David and knew.  He picked her up and twirled her around kissing her the whole time.

“Guess what?, he said.

“What?”, she said knowing what he was going to say and not knowing how she would be able to be happy for him.

“I’ve been asked to become a junior partner in the firm.  Do you know what that means?  It means  a bigger office, more prestigious clients, a larger salary not to mention a bigger bonus.”

She knew it and knew by the way he was telling her the perks he had made up his mind, accepted the offer and never even gave “them” a thought.  She tried to be happy for him. She offered him her congratulations with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.  He uncorked the champagne and poured some into the glasses she took out of the cabinet.

“Here’s to us” he said.  “To our future”.

“To us” she raised the glass and tried to take a sip but it just would not go down.  He told her to go put on something pretty they were going out to dinner to celebrate.  She did as she was bid with a heavy heart.

While they were at dinner, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.  He handed it to her.  She took it and was surprised when she opened it to find a key.  Perplexed, she looked at him, and asked

“What’s this?” 

He told her it was both real and symbolic.  First and foremost it represented the key to his heart.  Secondly, it represented a key to the future. Thirdly, it represented the key to their new law offices.

She moved her hand over to touch his and thanked him. “You know I love you and I know you love me, but I will keep the key close to my heart to remind me when you’re working the longer hours required of a junior partner. Is that why you’re giving me a key to your new office, so that I can come visit you once in a while?”

He looked at her and laughed. 

“Sweetie, that key represents the key to our new law offices, not mine.  Did you really think I would accept a partnership in the firm knowing how you feel?  I should spank you for having such low expectations of me.”

“You’re telling me you told them no”

“That’s what I am telling you. When I got to the office this afternoon I immediately called Don Watson. We talked for a long time and if everything is agreeable to you, we will be buying his practice.  It wasn’t until they offered me the junior partnership that I knew eventually it would mean losing “us” and that was unacceptable.  I didn’t outright turn it down, I told them I needed some time to think and talk it over with you, but I am assuming it would be alright with you if I turned them down.”

She was up and across the table in a flash throwing herself onto his lap.  She whispered in his ear, “Get the bill, I don’t want dinner. I want you. I also want that spanking for jumping to conclusions.  Then I want a repeat of what we did after the spanking”.

 “Waiter, check please”.

                                                          THE END




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Laughter, The Best Medicine


I think we could all use a little levity about now, hope this inspires at least a grin.


A Great Way to Sell Bibles...



A pastor concluded that his church was getting into very serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new Bibles that had never been opened and distributed.

So at his Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the Bibles door-to-door for $10 each to raise the desperately needed money for the church.

Jack, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task.

The minister knew that Jack and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were likely capable of selling some Bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie who was a local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment.

Poor Louie stuttered badly. But, NOT WANTING TO discourage Louie, the minister decided to let him try anyway. He sent the three of them away with the back seat of their cars stacked with Bibles. He asked them to meet with him and report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts the following Sunday.

Anxious to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked Jack, "Well, Jack, how did you make out selling our Bibles last week?"

Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Jack replied, "Using my sales prowess, I was able to sell 20 Bibles, and here's the $200 I collected on behalf of the church."

"Fine job, Jack!" The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand..."You are indeed a fine salesman and the church is indebted to you.."

Turning to Paul, "And Paul, how many Bibles did you sell for the church last week?"

Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, 'I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 Bibles on behalf of the church, and here's $280 I collected.'

The minister responded, "That's absolutely splendid, Paul. You are truly a professional salesman and the church is indebted to you."

Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, "And Louie, did you manage to sell any Bibles last week?" Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope. The minister opened it and counted the contents. "What is this?" the minister exclaimed. "Louie, there's $3,200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 Bibles for the church, door-to-door, in just one week?"

Louie just nodded.

"That's impossible!" both Jack and Paul said in unison. "We are professional salesmen, yet you claim to have sold 10 times as many Bibles as we could."

"Yes, this does seem unlikely," the minister agreed. "I think you'd better explain how you managed to accomplish this, Louie."

Louie shrugged.. "I-I-I re-re-really do-do-don't kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure," he stammered.

Impatiently, Peter interrupted. "For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said to them when they answered the door!"

"A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said wa-wa-was," Louis replied, "W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to b-b-b-buy th-th-th-this B-B-B-B-Bible f-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b-bucks---o-o-o-or--- wo-wo-would yo-you j-j-j-just like m-m-me t-t-to st-st-stand h-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you?"

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Sarcasm As Its Best


love these, I was going to put my favorite ones in color, but they are all so good I decided to color them all.


A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on The gallows or of some unspeakable disease."

"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your 

Policies or your mistress."


"He had delusions of adequacy."
- Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
- Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
- Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
- Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new Play; bring a friend.... If you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second.... If there is one."
- Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."
- Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."
- John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."
- Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."
- Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
- Paul Keating

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily."
- Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."
- Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"
- Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown Him away and kept the stork."
- Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
- Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... For support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music."
- Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
- Groucho


See you later for more Aimless Ramblings

Friday, December 14, 2012

Thoughts of Newtown




MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES FACING THE DEPTHS OF THIS TRAGEDY


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Comment Responses

Blogger is being a real butt tonite.  I have been trying for 90 minutes to try and reply to the comments on my latest post.,  Let It Snow  and I've only gotten to answer three, Grace, dancing barez and Minelle.  So before I have a hissy fit,  I'm writing this post so I can respond without further damage to anything within my reach.


Cat:  Thanks so much.  I see you agree with me about the snow.  It looks so pretty on tv and the movies, but in real life, I'm done.  

Hubby and I are better.  It rarely happens and when it does usually doesn't last long.  I think the fact that we have been living together in a 32 motor home since February is testament to that and the fact that  neither of us are dead or maimed is a major feat. lol. Daughter is very impressed.


Lillie:  I'm answering your comment on the latest story and this post.  When I read your post today about the bathing suit, I had to laugh too because it was so timely.  Glad you and Ian were able to compromise.

I'm not sorry about the colorful tush.  It was worth it.  Sometimes I wish he would step out sooner but as you would say be careful what you wish for.  I don't think this will happen at this stage of our lives though and it's a good thing because I'm not real good at the "obey" thing, it's like a red flag to a bull.  


Julie D: I'm not a James Bond fan but hubby did like the movie.  To me it was okay but I did fall asleep so I may have missed some of the best parts.

SNP:  I highly recommend Argo and Lincoln.  I think you would enjoy them, especially Lincoln.

Lucy Lou:  Yes  we seem to be back to ourselves.  Thanks for your good wishes.  Of course, Cars counts.

abby:  Yes, happy and content.  Sorry you're getting the snow but glad it's you and not me.

Bea: Thanks, mood is much better.  Hope Springs was bad, hubby sat through it too, I figured I owed him Skyfall.  Was the Michell Pfeiffer movie the one with Chris Pine.  I saw that too but hubby and I went to the same theatre and saw different movies.  I think he saw Savages.  We do that a lot.

Well, that concludes my responses for now.  I am not nearly as frustrated as I would have been if I had continued getting "locked out".  Hope everyone has a good evening.

See you all later.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Let It Snow (on tv anyway)

The weather outside isn't frightful, (bright sunny skies)

The breeze is so delightful (gusting. Tiny berries keeping falling out of the tree, sounds like hail)

We've really no place to go (this time of year the mall is definitely out)

So, off we went to the show.

Sorry but the tune of Let It Snow keeps going through my head.
Thank you Lord that it's only in my head.

Have seen several really good movies lately.  First, was Lincoln with Daniel Day Lewis.
Abraham Lincoln is my favorite historical person.  I've loved him since I don't know when, warts and all.  Anyway, it was a great movie and I urge everyone to see it.

The second movie we saw was Argo.  It is the story of the Canadians that were able to get out of Iran during the hostage crisis with help of the CIA.  It is a testament to the ingenuity of those involved and very well told.

The third movie was Skyfall.  I am not a James bond fan but hubby just loves them and we  have a policy, one movie for me and one for him and it was his turn because I made him sit through Hope Springs (which was even boring for me, but don't tell him that).  Anyway, he loved it.  (I fell asleep).

Things between hubby and I are better.  I am not in a snit anymore and his mood improves when mine does.  I know that but sometimes I just can't help it, I want to be moody, sarcastic and downright bitchy.  It feels good.  He bears it instead of baring me, but that's his way.  Usually when things have passed and we're dancing again, I feel his aggravation.  This time was no exception and red was definitely my color.  

Got all the presents mailed, our little tree is up, so very cute and we are all nestled in here in our little home.  It's wonderful having our friends just down the street.  We been friends forever and our kids have grown up and old together so it's just extended family. Miss our own kids and grandkids but really enjoyed the time we had.  Next year it will be Christmas is California, God willing.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.






Monday, December 10, 2012

Winds of Change


December 7, 1941, the day of infamy was a life changing moment for Betty Jo Kress and Jed Vincent.  They were high school sweethearts and the night before they had been crowned King and Queen of the Middleton High School Senior Prom. They were riding high and looking forward to the rest of their senior year.   After listening to President Roosevelt’s radio speech about the tragedy of Pearl Harbor things changed.  Jed made up his mind to enlist.  Since he was under age he needed his parent’s permission.  They refused telling him to finish high school first.  Six months seemed like an eternity to him but he respected their wishes.  He would be eighteen by then and wouldn’t need permission.  Betty Jo was grateful.  She didn’t want to think about Jed leaving Middleton much less going off to fight in a war. She knew she would have him for at least six more months.  There was no doubt he would enlist the minute he was able but until then they could be together.

During those six months Betty Jo tried to convince Jed not to enlist.  Her brother had enlisted as well as most of the eligible young men in town.  They were now off fighting in places she couldn’t even pronounce and one of them had been severely wounded.  She didn’t want that for Jed but no amount of coaxing was getting through to him.  As a matter of fact, he told her he would take her over his knee if she mentioned it one more time.  She knew that was no idle threat.  He had spanked her before when she hadn’t obeyed.

After that Betty Jo accepted his decision.   She also talked to Jed about getting married prior to his enlisting.  Jed loved Betty Jo and wanted her to be his wife just not under these circumstances.  He tried talking her out of it but she was as adamant about this as he was about enlisting.

“Am I going to have to spank you?”  he asked after she brought it up again.

She just smiled sweetly and went about making the necessary plans.  Neither of their parents were thrilled with the idea of them getting married but they would both be of age and didn’t need anyone’s consent.

They graduated high school on June 16th and were married on June 17th.  After a weekend honeymoon, Jed enlisted in the Navy the following Monday.  He had made that concession to his new wife. She felt better knowing he would be on a ship most of the time, or at least that’s what she thought at the time. She would continue living with her parents until basic training was over and then, depending on his assignment, would find a place of their own until he was shipped out.

On June 26th he reported for basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.  She promised to write every day and made him promise to write as often as he could.  He asked her not to come to the train station to see him off knowing it would be hard on her.  She didn’t listen and in addition to a long goodbye kiss she received a sharp swat to her backside for not listening. She giggled - at least it had lightened the mood some.
                                            --------------------------------------------------------
After basic training he received a three day pass before returning to his assignment at the Naval Shipyard at Long Beach, CA.  They had a joyful reunion until Betty Jo told him she would be coming to California to be with him.

“Absolutely, positively not”.  I won’t be available and could be shipped out at any time.  I want you here and not in a strange city with no family around.”

 She begged and begged until he finally took her over his knee and spanked her silly telling her that was the end and he didn’t want to hear any more.  Betty Jo never said another word but planned on going to Long Beach on her own once he had reported for duty.
 
Betty Jo didn’t tell anyone her plans, not her parents or her closest friends.  She didn’t want anyone trying to talk her out of them.  She wanted to be with Jed or at least as close to him as she could until he was shipped out.  Once he was permanently assigned there was no telling how long it would be before they saw each other again. 

Jed was a little surprised that after the spanking Betty Jo hadn’t mentioned coming to Long Beach again. That was not like her – she was as stubborn as a mule.  So he was happy that when the day came for him to leave she just sweetly kissed him goodbye and promised to write every day.  The usual histrionics were nowhere to be seen.  He should have known better.  

One week later the local bus took her to the city where she boarded the train to Long Beach. Before boarding the train, she mailed a letter to Jed telling him of her plans.  It was a long trip and she hoped the letter would reach Jed about the same time she did. She was a little nervous but hoped Jed would understand.

On the trip she met the wife of another sailor and they became fast friends.  Vera Watkins had rented a small cottage close to the shipyards and she asked Betty Jo if she wanted to share the rent.  Betty Jo was thrilled.  She not only made a friend but had a place to stay and because she had her own room she and Jed would have some privacy if he ever had free time. Vera also told her the local airline factory was looking for workers because all the men had gone into the service and they were desperate for help.

When Jed wasn’t at the train station when she arrived she was a little panicked.  Vera reminded her that mail was slow and maybe he hadn’t received her letter yet.  She pointed out that her husband was not there either.  Before leaving the station, Betty Jo sent a telegram to her parents stating where she was and that she was alright.

Vera’s husband was at the cottage when they arrived.  Billy was so happy to see his wife.  Betty Jo hoped Jed would be that happy too.  Vera introduced Billy and told him that Jed was also a sailor and stationed at the shipyard.  Billy didn’t think he knew him but told him there were so many guys working all different shifts that it wasn’t unusual but that he would ask around when he got back to the yard.  Then Vera and Billy went into their bedroom and she didn’t see them again until the commotion started.

Around 8:30 that night there was a loud knock at the door.  Betty Jo wasn’t sure she should answer but then heard

“Betty Jo Kress Vincent if you are in there you better open this door.”

The loud knocking got louder and Betty Jo just stood there.  She couldn’t find her voice or move her feet.

Just then Billy came storming out of the bedroom in his boxer shorts with his hair all askew.  He walked right passed Betty Jo and grabbed open the door.   Jed saw Billy and never even blinked.  His left hand grabbed Billy’s shoulder while his right hand jerked out and punched Billy square in the nose. Billy and Jed continued to exchange punches.  Finally Betty Jo yelled:

“Stop it, stop it now, both of you stop it”

 Someone must have called the police because they heard sirens wailing and then the police car stopped right in front of the house.  Two policemen came out carrying their billy clubs.

“What’s going on here” the one demanded, while the other broke Jed and Billy apart.

“I opened the door and he punched me” Billy said.

“You’re damn right I did.  You’re screwing my wife” Jed said.

“I am not.   My wife is inside and we were sleeping peacefully until you started all that noise” Billy responded.

“Who are you?” the policeman demanded of Betty Jo.

She sheepishly answered, “I am his wife” coming to stand next to Jed.

“Again, what is going on here?” the policeman asked.

Betty Jo started to explain when Jed stepped in and said this was all a terrible misunderstanding.  He said he overreacted when a strange man answered the door in his underwear since this was the address he had for his wife.  He extended his hand to Billy and apologized for the fight.  Billy shook back.

Vera had come out during the fracas.  She put her arm around Betty Jo and took her inside.  She came back out and asked the policemen if they were done and if so she wanted to take her husband in to fix the cut on his lip.  The cop said that if Billy didn’t want to press charges it was over as far as they were concerned.  She thanked them and took Billy inside, closing the door and leaving Jed standing there.  The cops turned and walked back to their cruiser. 

Jed stood there not knowing what to do.  He knew he didn’t want to knock on the door again so he just stood there.  Betty Jo opened the door and stepped out on to the porch.  She looked at Jed with tears streaming down her face. He pulled her to him and hugged her so tightly she couldn’t breathe.  They stood in each other’s embrace for quite a while. When he finally broke way he told her he had been frantic.  Her parents had contacted his commanding officer to get in touch with him when Betty Jo went missing.  He was so frightened that something awful had happened to her.  She told him she sent him a letter from Davenport when she boarded the train for California.  She explained that she didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want anyone to stop her from making the trip.

“Well, you certainly caused a lot of trouble, Betty Jo”.  “We were all worried sick until you sent that telegram.  That’s how I found you.  They called my commanding officer again to tell me you were here in Long Beach.  Why didn’t you listen to me and stay back in Middleton?”

She said she was so sorry she had made everyone worry. 

“Not nearly as sorry as you are going to be missy”.

She was trembling now.  She knew she was in big trouble.

“Do you want to come inside”? she quietly asked

“Not unless you want your friends to hear you getting the spanking of your life” he said.
 He asked her to walk with him. She explained her reasoning in coming to California, told him what Vera had said about working at the airplane factory.  She said they could build up a nice nest egg for when the war was over.   They walked hand in hand for what seemed like hours and when she finally couldn’t walk another minute she asked him if he had forgiven her. 

“I’ve already forgiven you Betty Jo. What you say makes so much sense but I would be much less worried if you were with your family, especially once I am shipped out. Don’t think I am not happy to see you and know you are alright, I am.  That doesn’t mean you are not getting the spanking I promised earlier.  Let’s go get something to eat and then I will walk you back to the cottage.  I’m due back at the base at midnight.”

“But Jed, can’t we even spend the night together” she asked.

“No Betty Jo, I told you I wouldn’t have much free time here.  That’s why this was such a mistake. You spent all that money for nothing”

“Not for nothing” she said.  “Seeing you is worth every penny” and snuggled in closer.

Part II
When they returned to the house there was a note from Vera stating that she and Billy had gone out for the rest of the evening.  Betty Jo knew it was to give her and Jed some privacy.  When Jed saw that note he immediately told Betty Jo to go into the bedroom and wait for him.  He used the facilities and then calmly walked into the bedroom.  Betty Jo was sitting on the bed, clothing removed from the waist down.  His heart weakened for a moment and then he remembered how frantic he was and how much trouble she caused.  He saw her hairbrush on the dresser.  This was going to be so hard for him because what he really wanted to do was take her in his arms and make passionate love.  He picked up the hairbrush and sat on the bed next to her.  He motioned for her to lay across his lap.  She was already crying and the first slap of his hand made her yelp.
“Honey, this is just a warm up.  You are in for a long hard spanking”.

He gave her a few more hard slaps with his hand.  He stopped for a moment and lectured her about her misdeeds and then began plying the hairbrush to her already pink bottom.  Betty Jo was sobbing wildly by now and he could see the circular imprints of the brush on her tush creating a purplish hue.  He didn’t want to bruise her so he put the brush down and finished up with his hand.  When he finally stopped she was crying so hard she was almost incoherent.  He held her in his lap and comforted her.

“I am so sorry I had to do that, sweetie.  I hope it will be a reminder the next time you pull a stunt like that.  You have to learn to listen to me when I tell you something. It will always be for your own good.”

They sat there like that for a while when he said he had to go.  He told her he wasn’t sure when he would be able to see her again.  She told him she would be here.  She didn’t plan on going anywhere except to work if she got that job.

He kissed her goodnight.  He was shipped out two days later.   He got word to her through Billy he was being sent to the Kaneohe Naval Air Station in Hawaii.
                                                     ========================
Her letters finally caught up to him two weeks later.  The letter telling him she was on her way to him in Long Beach among them.  How he wished she had stayed in Middleton.  But she hadn’t and at least Vera and Billy had proved to be good friends.  He was glad they had her back. 

She awaited Jed’s letters with trepidation.  She knew that anytime he could be assigned to an aircraft carrier and then would be part of the fray.  So far he had been lucky.  The Navy had assigned him to an air station and it wasn’t long before his mechanical aptitude had him working on aircraft.  He had been at Kaneohe for a little over a year when she finally received the letter telling her he had been assigned to a ship and was probably already at sea.

Betty Jo had taken the job at the aviation factory.  She was one of hundreds of ladies joining the workforce during World War II.  She loved her job.  It made her feel that she was contributing to the war effort in addition to saving a nice little nest egg for their future.  The longer she lived here the more she thought why go back to Iowa.  California had so much more to offer.  The climate was wonderful and Jed could still farm if that was what he still wanted to do. They could buy a piece of property in the valley and build a little cottage for them and add on as the children came. The lifestyle was different too.  People didn’t seem as interested in everybody else’s business.  They just seemed to enjoy life more, everything was much more casual, like being able to wear overalls and pants rather than dresses, skirts and stocking and heels.  She couldn’t imagine what Jed would think if he saw her in her work clothes.

Betty Jo made quite a few friends in addition to Vera.  Many of the ladies were spouses of servicemen too while others were just moms trying to make a little extra money. A lot of them volunteered at the local USO hoping that maybe they might catch some news of their loved ones or ease the pain of a soldier away from home and his family.  They would often meet after work to go to a movie or the local juke joint that was close to the factory.  Once in a while Betty Jo would join them but most nights she would just go home and write a letter to Jed. 

She was home the night the telegram came.  She had just finished writing a letter to Jed and was getting ready to hit the sack when the doorbell rang.  At first, she wasn’t going to answer it but the boy called out “Western Union, I have a telegram for Mrs. Jed Vincent”.  She felt as if her heart stopped beating.  She went to the door on trembling legs.  When she signed for the telegram she saw it was from her parents.  This still had to be bad news.  She opened it and read:

            Mom had accident    STOP
            Needed at home   STOP
            Come ASAP  STOP
            Dad

She was relieved and angry at the same time. What kind of accident? Was Mom hurt badly?  Why was she needed at home, was it just to cook dinner and do the washing?  All of these things went through her mind.  She took a moment and realized she needed more information.  Her parents didn’t have a phone but she knew she could call the exchange and they would get a message to her Dad.  She rushed down to the corner store to use the pay phone.  She would leave a message at the exchange and arrange a time to call back when her dad was there.  It would be days before she could get home so a couple more hours wouldn’t matter.

When she got through to the exchange, Dorothy Miller answered.  She and her sisters operated the local exchange.  The four sisters were all spinsters and lived in their ancestral home where the telephone exchange was housed. 

“Miss Miller, this is Betty Jo Vincent.  I am calling

“Oh honey” I’m so sorry”.

 Dorothy broke in before she could even finish her sentence.

“What happened Miss Miller.  I received a telegram from my Dad telling me Mom had an accident and that I was needed at home”.

“I am sorry to tell you this but your Mom was in a truck accident and is hurt pretty badly.  She is in the hospital in Davenport.”

“Thank you Miss Miller.  Can you get a message to my dad that I received the telegram and will be there as soon as I can.  Can you also get me the telephone number for the hospital?
“Of course, Honey, just hold on and I will connect you direct”

When the Davenport General Hospital answered she explained who she was and what she wanted.  She learned that her Mom was in serious but stable condition.  She asked the operator to get a message to her Mom that she would be there soon.
                                                 ======================================
When she got back to the cottage it was very late.  Vera wasn’t home yet.  She had the mid day shift at work and wouldn’t be home for another hour.  She knew she couldn’t sleep so she spent the time packing and getting ready to leave in the morning.  Seeing Betty Jo in tears when she walked in the door , and the telegram on the table, Vera thought something had happened to Jed.  Betty Jo explained it was her mother and that she was going to leave in the morning.  Vera told her not to worry about anything she would take care of whatever needed to be done regarding work, etc. 

Betty Jo bought a ticket the next morning and was on her way to Davenport by the afternoon.  She would be home by the end of the week. Home, she thought, my home is in California not in Middleton anymore.  She hoped her Mom would have a quick recovery so she could get back to her new life.  On the long dreary ride to Iowa Betty Jo wrote a long letter to Jed telling him about her mom and how she realized she didn’t want to live in Iowa anymore.  She hoped he would feel the same and if he didn’t she would just have to convince him.  This time the train ride was dull and boring.  There was none of the camaraderie she had experienced on her first trip. Of course, this time was different.  She knew what awaited her.

In Davenport, Betty Jo took a taxi straight to the hospital.  Vera had wired her dad the arrival information.  She had phoned and left a message with Clara Miller that she planned on going straight to the hospital and to please pass on the information to her dad.

The hospital receptionist gave her the room number.  On the elevator, a couple of ladies were whispering to each other.  She couldn’t hear anything but they were both looking at her and shaking their heads. She didn’t think anything of it until she walked into her mother’s hospital room.  Her mother was sitting up in bed and her dad was by her side.  He took one look at Betty Jo and pulled her over his knee and started spanking her.

“How dare you disrespect your mother and I by dressing like that.  We raised you better than that.  If you think you are too old for a spanking, you’re wrong. You will always be my daughter and I expect you to behave and dress like a lady, not some Hollywood movie actress. You should be ashamed of yourself”. 

When her father was finally finished spanking her, he stood her up.  She didn’t say a word.  She tried to keep as much dignity about her as she could as she went over to her mother and gave her a big kiss and inquired as to her injuries.  Her mother was doing a lot better and expected to be released in a couple of days.  Her concussion was what had worried them most and the worst was over.  The rest of her injuries were scrapes and bruises and all healing well.  

When she thought she could finally address her dad in a respectful manner, she turned to him and told him that she was sorry if she embarrassed him but this is how she dressed now.  It was accepted where she lived and lots of young people dressed this way.  She didn’t think it was in appropriate to be wearing slacks.

“Well, you’re not in California now and I expect you to dress decently while you’re here.  What does your husband think of this new wardrobe?”

“While I am here, out of respect for you, I will not wear pants out in public.  As to my husband, he has bigger things on his mind than my wardrobe”.

They drove home in silence and true to her word Betty Jo continued to wear the skirts and dresses she had left behind when she went to California.  She helped out doing the cooking and cleaning and taking care of her dad and mom when she came home.  Once her mom was well enough to take over Betty Jo made arrangements to return to California.  Jed’s parents as well as her own tried to talk her out of it to no avail. Prior to her departure, this time around she made the rounds of saying goodbye to everyone.

When she arrived at the cottage she saw the note. Billy had been wounded and was being sent to the naval hospital in San Francisco and she was on her way to him.  The next day she received a long letter from Vera telling her she wouldn’t be coming back.  Billy would need a lot of rehabilitation and was being transferred to the hospital in Richmond VA.  When he had recovered enough they would be going home to Ohio.

Betty Jo went back to work as before and mourned the loss of her best friend.  She was able to find a new roommate to share expenses and she lived that way for the next two years.  Her letters from Jed would come sporadically and she might get ten or twelve at a time. He had never responded to her about her desire to stay in California.  It had been four years since the last time she and Jed had been together.  She received a letter from him shortly after she returned to California.  Enclosed was a letter her dad had sent to him telling him he better plan on taking her in hand when he got home because she was turning into a hussy.  Jed asked for an explanation but she had never written him about it.  She was angry with her dad.  He had no business interfering in her married life and she sent him a letter telling him just how she felt. 

 Part III                                         
The war in Europe was over.  Soldiers were returning home and going back to the jobs they had prior to the war.  This meant that more and more of the ladies were let go or just went back to being housewives.  By this time, Betty Jo had been made a supervisor and was one of the last of the ladies on the line.  She was sad to see that part of her life end but so happy that Jed would soon be coming home.  She had received word that his ship had docked in Hawaii two weeks ago.  She hadn’t heard anything since and she was getting anxious.

She was returning from the grocery store when she saw him.  She nearly dropped the bag of groceries and went running toward him.  When he saw her he too came running.  They held each other for what seemed like hours before they let go of each other.  He picked her up and carried her inside. 

He hadn’t been mustered out yet – that would take about another two weeks but he had a pass until he had to report for the final muster. They spent a good portion of that time making love and the rest getting reacquainted.  They were practically children when they married and after four years apart there was a lot to talk about. During that time they had both grown up and matured.  She was no longer the naive small town girl he had married and he was no longer the gangly teenager she had married. With their whole lives ahead of them and they had plenty of time to make decisions about their future in the days and weeks to come.

On the third day he was home she asked if he would like to go out. She told him she would pack a picnic lunch and they could hop in the car and take a drive.  He suggested the beach.  When they got to the car she got in the driver’s side. 
“I’ll drive, he said.

“No, honey.  I’ll drive, you just sit back and enjoy the scenery”.

“I said I will drive, now give me the keys” he growled.

“Fine” have it your way, as she hurled the keys in his direction.

She slid across the seat and he got in the driver’s side.  She was miffed. He took off and when he asked the quickest way to get to the beach she told him he was the driver and he could figure it out.

“If that’s the way it’s going to be I will figure it out”

Eventually he did find the beach and then the fun really began.  When Betty Jo emerged from the changing room she was clad in a two piece bathing suit.  Jed went apoplectic.  How dare she parade around in something that skimpy.

“It’s not skimpy.  Look around, there are lots of people wearing them” she said.

“Well, that may be, but they are not my wife.  Now go back in and cover yourself.” he demanded.

“I won’t” she said.

“Either you go back in and get decent or I will upend you right here on the beach.  Is that what you want?”

She turned around and stomped back to the changing room.  She put her sundress back on and came back out.

He started lecturing her on how she was a married woman and had an obligation as his wife to do as he said.  She told him that may have been true back in Middleton but it was not how she intended to live.  She had been making a life for herself while he was off at war and she didn’t need to be told what to do and how to act.  She had done just fine on her own. 

“Well when we go back to Middleton I expect you to obey me and make me proud” he said.

“I don’t want to go back to Middleton.  I want to stay here”.  She went into her spiel about how lovely it was and how they could have a fresh start, how many opportunities there were and on and on. 

“Our home and families are in Middleton.  You are my wife and you will do as I say and I say we are going back to Middleton” .

She picked herself up, grabbed her purse and ran back to the car.  She got in and drove away leaving him standing there.  She knew she would get her butt blistered when he made his way back to the cottage but she didn’t care.

He hitched a ride and got home about an hour after her.  When he walked in the door she was standing in the kitchen drinking a glass of water.  He grabbed her arm, hauled her over his shoulder and carried her to the bedroom.  He deposited her on the bed and told her to roll over on her tummy.  She heard him unbuckling his belt.  It was moments later she heard the whoosh of air before the first crack of the belt hit her backside.  She winced but didn’t even have time to absorb the pain before the second crack landed. There were no words spoken. No breaks. On and on it went but she refused to give in. She grabbed a handful of blanket and just bore it.  She hadn’t even realized when he stopped.  She heard the front door close and that’s when she began to cry.  Great tears rolled down her cheeks and her body trembled with her sobs.   Her butt was on fire.  He had never spanked her so hard before and had never used the belt.  And always, after being punished he would hold her and comfort her.  Leaving her as he did hurt almost as much as the spanking.  She was bereft. She lay there on the bed and must have fallen asleep because when she awoke it was dark.

She went into the bathroom, turned on the light and saw her backside.  It was still crisscrossed with faint pink stripes and there were areas that were starting to turn black and blue. She rubbed in some lotion, washed her face, put on her robe and went into the dark living room.  When she turned on the lamp she was surprised to see Jed sitting in the chair.  She saw that he had been crying. She walked on through to the kitchen and saw the water glass she was using yesterday when he came home.  She picked it up, filled it and was just about to sit down when Jed came in.  He told her they needed to talk.  She agreed and winced as she sat down on the hard kitchen chair.  She noticed a look of concern and regret.

“First off, I want to apologize for spanking you while I was so angry.  I think I took four years worth of frustration out on you and there was no excuse for that.  I hope you can forgive me. I noticed you winced when you sat, are you alright?”

“Which question do you want answered first”, she replied.

Betty Jo, please, let’s not play games”

“Okay. Yes, I can forgive you but I’m not sure I’ll be forgetting anytime soon.  My tush is bruised but not nearly as bruised as my heart.  I know I shouldn’t have run off like that but I was angry at you too.  You just dismissed me like yesterday’s news.  It hurt.

“I know.  I just love you so much and I am so scared.  You have no idea how many of my shipmates received “Dear John” letters.  Being separated for so long is not normal.  The wives and girlfriends are left behind.  With the exception of missing their loved ones, their world hasn’t changed.  For the guys, on the other hand, everything has changed.  They’re not only missing their loved ones, their living in a strange place, with people they didn’t know yesterday and who might be killed tomorrow.  In letters home you’re trying to pretend things aren’t as bad as they really are while in reality it’s hell.  You’re trying to be brave and keep up a strong front when you are scared to death every minute - not only of dying but of living because tomorrow is the unknown in a world turned upside down.

Knowing you were waiting for me is what kept me going. Then I come home and you are not the girl I married.   I don’t mean it derogatorily, it’s just that I married a sweet 18 year old naïve country girl and I come home to a savvy, beautiful 23 year old city woman.  A woman who has been on her own in a big city, away from family and friends, and has built a life for herself.  I am scared to death that you may not want me to be part of that life.  That’s why I want to get you back to Middleton.  It’s safe, I know what to do there, where to go, how things should be. Do you understand what I am trying to say”.

“Jed, I do understand and no I am not the same girl you married.  But my love for you hasn’t changed.  I have been living in a world I didn’t know existed and I find I like it.  I don’t want to go back to being a small town girl again, I am not sure I can.  I am not trying to threaten or anything like that, I am just being honest.  Life here can be so much better if you will just give it a chance.  Will you at least give it a try?”

Jed listened to every word she said.  After being involved in such turmoil for the last four years the smallness and safety of his hometown seemed very appealing.  On the other hand, Betty Jo was right – there was so much more opportunity here in California. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to farm any more.  He was a damn good airline mechanic.  The Navy had seen to that. Finding a job wouldn’t be a problem because many of the nation’s aircraft companies were located, if not in this immediate area, here on the West Coast.  With the GI bill he could even go on to college and get an engineering degree. He was young enough.

When Jed stood up and came toward Betty Jo she flinched.

“Oh, that hurts Betty Jo.  I would never really hurt you. I promise I will never spank you in anger again.   I just want to hold you in my arms.  Tell you how much I love you and ask for time.  I can’t give you a decision right now but I promise I will give it serious thought.  I just need to hear that you love me too and that you won’t leave me.

“I love you too Jed but you did hurt me.  I am not just talking about the spanking.  That hurt, yes, but you never said a word to me before or during the spanking.  Then when it was over you just left me and that hurt more. 

“I’m so sorry.  I was so mad at myself for taking my frustrations out on you.  When I realized what I was doing all I could think of was to get out of there.  I was embarrassed by my actions.

“I’m sorry too for both of us.  I don’t want to go back to Middleton, but if that is your decision, I promise I will try. I can’t promise that I will like it or that I won’t end up resenting you for it, but I will try.  It’s just that after living here it seems so stifling to me, maybe it will be different when we are together but I couldn’t wait to leave when I was there during my mother’s recuperation. Let’s enjoy our time here now and once you are discharged and we go back to see everyone maybe you will feel the same way”

“That sounds like a plan, Honey.  We’ll do just that. We won’t make any decisions until then.  Now let’s see if I can erase your memory of that last trip to the bedroom”, he said with a wink and a smile. 







See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.