I'm Done

This has been an interesting week here in Blogland.  People have been stunned, hurt, and disillusioned by trust betrayed.  Many things have changed since I jumped on this bandwagon, bloggers have come and gone, some I miss, some I don't, but still I remain. It's a place to share thoughts, feelings, jokes, stories, whatever I want to aimlessly ramble about.  What people take from this blog is up to them, but I can assure you that what you see is what you get.  As for my comments, you have no idea how long it may take me to make a comment. You see, I have no filter and those who do not know me personally could easily take my words in a manner that could be hurtful to them or someone they love, so it is the one place I try to temper my words before commiting them to the ethers.

I've just finished reading the latest post of Red Booty Woman.  To me, the woman needs help because while I don't think she is the first, nor will she be the last, to embellish what otherwise may be a dull life, she carried the hoax far beyond the realm of normalcy.  To me, her latest post is not a cry for help, but a cry for sympathy. I think she's sorry but not necessarily sorry for her actions but because she was caught.  

My opinion is, and we all have one, is that I'm done with the drama. Her fifteen minutes of fame have long since expired.  I wish those most deeply affected by this betrayal, peace and prayers to move forward and not give her anymore of the attention she desperately craves.  They have given her enough of their time, love and friendship and she has 'kicked it to the curb' over and over again.

DONE and here's something a friend had posted on FB that is much more important than any words that may spew out of my head.

Enough aimless ramblings for today.  See you again.

The Article

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.  For most of us stateside it was a three days. The weather here was perfectly summer and I hope those of you along the east coast weren't too bothered by Arthur. We had a fun weekend filled with friends, food and lots of other stuff.  Enjoy the week and hope you like the story.



Maxie had a deadline, and it wasn’t helping her too focus on the subject.  Deadlines made her more of a procrastinator if anything.   She was in the midst of writer’s block and she had a 10,000 word article due Thursday for the next months' magazine issue.  Her editor had been leaving her cryptic messages since last Tuesday.  She planned to write it over the weekend, but that went out the window when her friend Jessica called and invited her to spend a couple of days with her at her beach cottage. She said her husband was on an out-of-town job, and they would have the place to themselves.

There was no way she could turn down Jessica.  They had been best friends since forever and now that Jess was married, they rarely got an opportunity to spend any time alone.  Two days together, drinking beer, lying on the beach, gossiping and reliving old times was too many temptations to ignore.

Maxie didn’t have to check with anyone because she was on a break with her fiancé.  She was engaged to John Brennan for two years.  He kept pressuring her to set a wedding date, and she kept blowing him off.  He finally had it and told her that until she was ready to commit, she could consider herself single. She loved Josh but saw no reason to rush into marriage.  They got along great, had fun together in and out of bed, and since she was unable to have children, she didn’t see any need to rush.  Truth be told, she really didn’t care if they ever married.  Growing up she watched her mother marry and divorce four guys, she was now on her fifth.  Obviously she wasn’t a poster child for marriage so it meant little to Maxie.  Unfortunately, Josh Brennan was one of those upright guys who did everything that was expected of him.  It probably came from being raised in an Irish Catholic family and going to a school taught by Jesuits.  Not that she had anything against Jesuits or Irish Catholics, it’s just they seemed so uptight.

Anyway, she missed Josh and she never thought he was serious about this breakup.  She figured he would have called her by now, but it had been six weeks, and she hadn’t heard from him.  That probably had something to do with her writer’s block so a stress-free weekend at the beach should do the trick.

Maxie arrived at Jess’ wearing her bathing suit and a cover up  with a twelve-pack of Corona, a bag of chips and guacamole and a large tote containing her cosmetics, sun screen and a change of clothes.  Jess was already sunning on her deck; Maxie popped the top off a couple of Corona’s and joined her.

“So what’s been happening in your life?”  Jess asked Maxie.

“It’s been pretty boring.  I haven’t heard from Josh, and I was sure he would call;  I have an article due by Thursday that I haven’t even started yet, and I broke my favorite vibrator.  Other than that, everything’s good.”

“How about you?  How’s married life.” Maxie asked Jess.

“I’m okay.  Married life is not so good at the moment. Cam went away this weekend because we had a huge fight, and I thought we could put some space between us.”

“What’s the problem?” 

“There’s tons of little things but the biggest issue is he wants me to quit my job.”

“Why?”

“For one thing, I foolishly told him about this jerk that keeps hitting on me and secondly, we want to have a baby, and I haven’t been able to get pregnant.  We’ve been through all the tests, and the doctors say everything’s fine, he thinks it may be stress, and we should just relax and let nature take its course. But Cam thinks my job is putting added pressure on me.   Obviously, not getting pregnant is stressing me out, but Cam being on it all the time isn’t helping.”

“I’m sorry, let’s forget about all of it and pretend we are young and carefree again like we were in high school.  Just with alcohol” and they both laughed.

Jess was reading on her e-reader and Maxie was people watching.  One of her favorite things to do at this cottage, which was right on the beach provided so many interesting things and people, Maxie eyes were tired.  She was about to doze off when she saw this couple walking together, holding hands, when he let go and swatted her backside, not once or twice, but continually as they walked up the beach toward the parking lot.

“Jess, put down that book and watch this.”

“Watch what?”

“See that couple, he’s spanking her bottom right here in public.” 

They were drawing attention, and she could hear other people yelling him to stop.  The funny thing was the girl was not trying to get away.  It would have been very easy for her to take off, but she didn't; she continued to walk right next to him as he swatted away.

“Don’t you find it fascinating that she is allowing him to continue?” Maxie asked Jess.

“Not necessarily, haven’t you ever read anything about traditional marriage or domestic discipline or any other names given to that lifestyle.”

“I read Fifty Shades of Grey, but that was a novel.  This is real life.”

“Many people, in real life, have that kind of relationship.  It comes in all sizes and degrees.  Some couples just like to spank or be spanked and it is part of their lovemaking.  Other couples choose to have one partner, most notably; the husband lead the relationship as head of household.  And then, there are other couples, that have rules and regulations the submissive partner must adhere to or he/she gets punished.”

“How do you know so much about this Jess.  Are you and Cam one of those couples you referred to.” Maxie asked.

“When I first met Cam he asked me if I liked to be spanked. I told him he was out of his mind; that no one in their right mind liked spanking.  He told me I was wrong, but he didn’t bring up the subject again until about a year ago.  He gave me some websites to check out, which led me to blogs, and I think there may be more of them than there are of us.” Jess told her.

“Have you and Cam ever tried it.”

“No, but I’ve been thinking about because I think it’s something Cam would like to try. Do you think its something you would ever try?”

“I never gave it a thought.  Josh would give me a bottom slap occasionally. Once when we made love, he gave my bottom a good whack and asked “Whose your daddy?” because he said it was something he saw in a movie.  I didn’t mind, it was kind of sexy, so I probably would give it a try.” 

Jess said that in her research, she found that once upon a time in the not too distant past, it was an accepted behavior.  Men often spanked their wives.  Along came the sixties and woman’s lib and the practice of wives obeying their husbands and getting spanked if they didn’t, went the way of black-and-white television. 

Maxie laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Jess asked.

“I was merely picturing my mom obeying any one of her past four husbands and that maybe if one of them had taken her over his knee, he might still be around.  Perhaps I should suggest to Bob, he do exactly that, and he might be around for longer than the others. What the hell, she’s probably getting ready to boot him out soon anyway, it’s been over two years now, and she has to be getting close.” 

They both laughed.

“I can just hear that conversation now.  ‘Hey Bob, I think you should take my mom over your knee and give her a good spanking occasionally.’” Jess said.

Jess went back to reading her book and Maxie back to people watching.  Their last conversation kept rolling around in her head.  Her phone rang, it was her mom. 

“Hey, Mom,” and she started giggling.

“What so funny?”

“I’m with Jess at the beach cottage and we were just having a conversation about you.”

“And that’s funny.”

“Well, the topic was funny.  I saw a man spanking his girlfriend and Jess was telling me about some research she did on the topic and that years ago men routinely spanked their wives.  Now, don’t get all in a huff, but I suggested that perchance if any of your four previous husbands had spanked you, you might not be on number 5.  I said perhaps I should talk to Bob.”

“You think that’s funny.  How did you find out?  I know we didn’t say anything to you.”

“Find out wha…, you mean he actually spanks you?”  Maxie was incredulous.

“This topic is closed, Maxie.  Don’t ever bring it up again, do you hear me.”

“Oh, mom, this is too good.  I’ve got to tell Jess.  She won’t believe it.

“Tell me what?” Jess piped up.

“Bob already spanks my mom.”  Maxie was beside herself and trying very hard to hold back her laughter, especially when Jess was hooting and hollering in the background.

“That’s it, Maxie.  I’m hanging up now and don’t you dare repeat this conversation to anyone else.  Tell Jess too, and be sure to tell her I know where she lives,” and click went the phone.

Maxie was laughing so hard, she had tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Can you believe it?” she asked Jess.

“No, but stranger things have happened.  Maybe it works.  As you said they’ve been married over two years now.  This one might last.”

“You know Jess; I think I just found the topic for my article.  This will practically write itself,” she said as she lay back in the lounge chair to soak up more sunshine.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Happy 4th

I wrote this story a couple of years ago and thought I would repost today. If you're celebrating this holiday, hope it's a great one and everyone stays safe.

The two couples had been friends forever.  Sandy and Liz were both teachers and had met each other before Jim and Ben were even in the picture.  When each had met their respective mates. they waited a while before they got them together.  When it finally happened, the guys were like two peas in a pod.  They bonded immediately and became a fearsome foursome.

They often spent time together, both together and separately.  The girls shopped together, and since they taught in the same school and frequently saw each other every day. They shared recipes, books, gossip, some secrets and a like sense of adventure. The guys would often play golf on the weekends and then meet the girls afterwards and the girls almost always shared their adventures with the guys. Sandy was definitely the bold one and Liz often went way beyond her comfort level.  There were times when Kevin and Dale were aghast at some of the stories.

When their kids were older, the two couples decided to purchase a cabin in the mountains near their hometown.  Linden Lake had always been a getaway for them. They figured it would be a good place to get together with the older kids and eventually their families.  The cabin was very rough, and both families spent their weekends and summers renovating it until it became a real home away from home. This was the first 4^th of July, they would be really able to relax and enjoy the holiday. The festivities included a short play,  parade, a craft fair and later in the evening fireworks over the lake.

The 4^th of July parade was a tradition in Linden Lake.  The local service clubs put on a dramatization of the signing of the Declaration of Independence prior to the parade and then the actors would join the parade.  Most of the town folk would also dress up in costumes reminiscent of the timeframe. 

Sandy being a history teacher was in her element with the Linden Lake Parade.  She decided she, and Liz should dress up a little differently. One of the English Revolutionary War generals, “Gentlemen Johnny” Burgoyne, was always known to bring along “ladies of the evening” on his campaigns. She thought this would be so much more fun to dress up like them rather than the usual costumes people wore.  When she approached Liz with the idea, she was a little hesitant but was bulldozed by Sandy into getting aboard.  Neither of the girls shared the plan with their husbands. When Sandy showed pictures to Liz she blanched.  She knew that Dale would not approve of his wife being attired in such an outfit in public.   Sandy eventually convinced her it that the bathing suit she wore to the last pool party was much more suggestive.  Unfortunately, Sandy did not know the price Liz paid for wearing that bathing suit.  One of the secrets she didn’t share with Sandy was that she had received a good bottom warming.

                                                               ∞∞∞

On the morning of the fourth, the guys left early to start working on the parade set up.  The girls planned on arriving just before the parade began. The guys would save them a place in the viewing stands. They got quite a few hoots and hollers on the way to the stands. When Kevin and Dale saw their wives, both their mouths were agape.  Kevin pulled Sandy down on the bleacher seat so hard she yelped.  He asked her what the hell she was thinking.  She explained to him what the outfit was about, but he wasn’t listening.  He just kept lecturing that it wasn’t appropriate to wear at an outing for families.  It consisted of bloomers, a camisole top and a corset.  Once he calmed down a little, he had to admit to himself she looked pretty fetching but he wasn’t about to tell her that.  He told her they would finish discussing this later and was just getting up to leave when the parade started and they had to stay put. That is when they realized Dale and Liz weren’t there.

 As soon as Dale saw his wife, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the stands.  He never said a word to her as he led her to the car.   He still did not say a word to her on the way to the cabin.  She knew she was in trouble.  Silence did not bode well for her bottom.  When they reached the cabin, he opened her door and helped her out.  In the great room, he led her to the couch and immediately pulled her over his knee.  Then the lecture began.  He must have lectured her for what seemed like hours while, in reality, it was probably only about ten minutes.  When you are upside down over your husband’s lap, time seems to stand still.  Finally, he began to spank her, and he really let her have it.  She was squirming in no time.  The smacks continued to rain down on her behind as she kept asking him to please stop. When he was finished, he kept her over his knee.  When she calmed, he helped her up, kissed her and told her he loved her, but she knew better and he was very surprised she hadn’t learned her lesson after the bathing suit episode.  She told him she didn’t think it was so bad.  He smacked her bottom and asked her if she wanted more.  She told him no.  He said if she wanted to wear the outfit, she could do it in the privacy of their bedroom.  She was told to wash her face, change, and they would return to the festivities.

When they got back to town, the parade was over and Liz was grateful.  Her bottom was in no condition to be sitting on the hot, hard bleachers.  They caught up with Kevin and Sandy in the parking lot.  Sandy asked Liz where they had gone.  Dale answered for her.  He said he didn’t like his wife in the get up and took her home to change.  Kevin remarked that was where they were headed.  They agreed to meet up later for lunch at the local outdoor grill.

                                                             ∞∞∞

After lunch, the two couples wandered through the craft booths.  At one of the wood crafting booths, there were all manners of paddles with cute sayings, like “Board of Education,"  “For Unruly Wives," “For Bear Bottoms” “Attitude Adjuster”  and so on.   Liz tried directing them away from the booth.  Kevin smirked and said he was going to buy the one “For Unruly Wives” because it might come in handy.  Dale leaned over and whispered in Liz’s ear that her face was as red as her bottom had been earlier.  Sandy noticed the interchange but remained silent for the moment.

At dinner, they decided to watch the fireworks from their deck instead of dealing with the crowds of people downtown.  It wasn’t quite dark when they returned, and as they waited, Sandy suggested they played a game of Truth or Dare. Sandy was always instigating and liked to find out everybody’s secrets.  She didn’t think there was any secret she didn’t know about Liz but after that interchange at the wood crafting booth, she wasn’t so sure.  This would be a good way to get the answers.

They all moaned at the suggestion but started to play nevertheless.  Kevin, Dale and Liz all had their turn and were laughing at the silliness of it all.  Sandy posed her question to Liz.  Truth or Dare – “What did Dale say that embarrassed you today at the wood crafting booth?” Liz gave Sandy a look that would melt ice.  Sandy ignored the look and asked Liz again.  Liz still didn’t answer.  Kevin stepped in and told Sandy to pose another question.  Sandy said that wasn’t how the game was played and posed the question again.   Dale could see Liz was upset and said he didn’t want to play anymore.  He went out to the deck, and Liz followed.

Sandy yelled out spoil sport.  Kevin told her that was enough.  She started to go out on the deck when Kevin stopped her and said to cool off and leave them alone for a bit.  She whirled around and told him he wasn’t the boss of her, and she would do what she wanted.  Sandy went out on the deck and continued to tease Liz about being a spoil sport.  Finally, Liz had enough. She turned on Sandy and told her it was none of her business. Sandy wouldn’t let it go.  Kevin told Sandy that she was being an unruly wife and ruining everybody’s good time.  He told her to remember what he had purchased that day. She told him she remembered, but he wouldn’t dare. He just grinned.

  

Just then the fireworks started over the lake.  They all oohed and aahed  at the spectacular display.  They could hear the patriotic music playing in the background, and it was a reminder of what this holiday represented. Sandy leaned over and whispered to Liz, she was sorry she had upset her.  Liz squeezed her hand, and all was well.

Next Sandy told Kevin she was sorry she had behaved badly.  When he reached in to whisper something, Sandy figured it was to tell her all was forgiven.  If it hadn’t been so dark, everyone would have seen her face redden.  What he told her was the fireworks were not over and that yes he would dare.

There's another of my older 4th of July stories posted on the other blog in case you're interested.  See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.