Friday, December 29, 2017

Push Pull Photo Bomb!

Welcome to the last Funny Friday of 2017! Can you believe this year is almost over?! Wow...I think our FF photo should be something from New Year's Eve because I bet you anything ONE of us will have a funny photo! If not all of us.


Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.

Funny Friday  150 X 150.jpg

Here’s today’s picture. It was submitted by Jules of The Bergham Chronicles
47 - The Bergham Chronicles - December 2017.jpg

1. Wait...Whit runs in for the photo.

2. Jules, OMG this is harder than it looks!

3. Squat, Push, Pull, pant pant...someone HELP ME OVER HERE

4. Oh yeah, no problem, 25, I got this.

5. Look at me, I'm so cute. (yes Whit we see you but look at your mom go!)


Click on the links below and let some other bloggers make you smile:

The Bergham Chronicles            http://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com
Southern Belle Charm          http://www.southernbellecharm.com
Bookworm in the Kitchen      http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/
Baking In A Tornado             http://www.BakingInATornado.com

   

Friday, December 15, 2017

Lost At The Zoo - UYW

It's that time, Use Your Words, a creative writing challenge where we are given 4-6 random words or phrases two weeks prior to posting. Then we write a story, true or fiction, poem or essays. Each blogger/author has their own style and interpretation of the words. At the end of this post you will find links to the others. Be sure to visit. These ladies are very talented.
It was a rainy February morning. The sun was no where to be found, the rain it seemed had set in the day possibly the whole week.
Zoo staff members were sent to disperse rain gear to those who were out feeding the animals.
Here I stood, cheek to cheek with an ostrich. She was such an obstinate bird. Glaring at me, daring me to make her move. Fine I thought, stupid bird, stand in the rain. But I knew that if I didn't get her in it would be midnight before I was home.
I loved my work here but sometimes I thought maybe I needed my head examined. The work conditions are horrible. Outside in any and all weather. Dirty, smelly, at times pure gross work enviroment, especially if I drew the short stick and had to muck the stalls of the elephants. Eww or deal with these big birds. No one understands how hard of a job it really is. I hear "ooh you work at the zoo? How exciting, all those beautiful animals" blah blah blah
Really people, those of us who are low on the totem pole, well, we much stalls, cut up thousands of pounds of raw meat, vegetables and fruit. Move hundreds of pounds of hay and straw several times a day. It is hard work. Rewarding yes but still hard.
Oh shoot, what was that sound? DAMN the gate! I ran over and sure enough, it was shut tight. Great now I'm locked in. I reached in my pocket just as Gertrude hit my arm with her head. Stupid bird! I yelled but she stomped her feet and ran off into the bush.
Great, now I had to go find her in this enormous enclosure but first I had to get my phone, call the zookeeper and tell him that I was locked in.
I glanced down, wait, where was my phone?! I looked around, kicked some straw out of the way, nothing.
Oh dear sweet mother of pearl, if Gertrude had my phone...
Off I trudged through the thick, following the sound of phone, I had an alarm set and it was going off. Good thing, that meant Gertrude had not swallowed my phone.
The enclosure is huge, it not only houses the ostriches but other non threatening mammals. Well, non threatening to each other, to me that could be a different story. I HAD to find my phone and get the heck out.
Over the trees I could see that the outside flood lights were on at the gate, that meant closing time was at hand. Damn it, I had to get out of here.

YES! There was Gertrude. Standing by a tree, I think that's her. Yes it was, now where was my phone Would I be lucky enough to find it laying at her feet or would she have dropped it somewhere by now.
She ran off, fine, then I hear a laugh. Who is laughing? Ugh...these stupid birds, there sat Jebu on a limb laughing at me I was sure of it. I said "what's so funny Jebu?" and he flew away.
Then I knew what was so funny. Mickey had my phone and was pushing away on it's buttons. Damn it, that lemar is such a pain. I called him, he held the phone up for me to see and took off. Great just what I needed, to chase yet another animal around in the rain. Thankfully it had slackened off but seriously I had no rain gear and was soaked to the bone.
Over the loud speaker I hear " we have a lost child in the zoo, all visitors have exited the park. We need all hands on deck"
OMG a lost child??? How in the heck? WHY would everyone leave? Damn it I needed to get out of here so I could help.
Heading back towards the gate, I gave up on retrieving my phone, I was tired, wet and pissed at myself.
Just as I enter the clearing I heard Bill "SUE, SUE are you in here?" YES YES BILL I'm here!! and I took off running towards the gate. He was giving me that look, you know, the look your mother gives you when she has caught you in a mess. "Hi Bill, I know I know, but I heard the announcement, can we just get out of here and go find the child?"
He looked at me and laughed. What the Sam hill is so funny I thought? He said "Sue, you were lost, not a child, do you think we would make an announcement like that over the intercom? Come on now, you've been here long enough to know better and speaking of knowing better. What is going on with you? Do you have some man who has you so enamored you ain't thinking right?" He laughed, put his arm around my shoulder and said "damn you're soaked".
No shit Sherlock. But I kept that to myself. "yes, yes Bill I am".
"Okay I'll tell ya what, we'll discuss this tomorrow. For now, go home, dry off and get some rest."
I was very thankful. Nodded and headed toward the employee clubhouse to fetch my purse and keys.
What a day! I drove to the closest fast food joint, grabbed some food and home I went. After eating and a long soak in the tub I hit the hay. I do not remember a thing. I slept through the night. I did however have some strange dreams. Dancing cheek to cheek at midnight in the rain with an ostrich. LOL

Your words are:
cheek ~ disperse ~ ostrich ~ midnight ~ rain
They were submitted by: http://theblogging911.com/blog

Links to the other “Use Your Words” posts:
Baking In A Tornado
The Blogging 911                           http://theblogging911.com/blog
On the Border                               https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/
The Bergham Chronicles                  https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com    
Southern Belle Charm         http://www.southernbellecarm.com                                        Bookworm in the Kitchen                  http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/
Part-Time Working Hockey Mom
Climaxed                                          https://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com          

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Meaning of the End

Welcome to the December 2017 group poetry post. Each month we choose a topic or theme, each blogger then creates their own interpretation of that in poetry or free form style.
This month, Endings is the chosen theme.
I racked my brain trying to come up with something that might even remotely resemble poetry. Alas, I  came up empty handed. I kept finding myself writing short stories, essays, and paragraphs that rambled on and on.
If you scroll to the bottom of this post you'll find links to real poetry created by my talented friends.
Thanks for stopping by!

E - ending, final, completion
N - nothing stays the same
D - destined to change
I - inspiring us forward
N - new life after the old
G - giver of closure
S - sending us into a new tomorrow



Other links:
Karen over at Baking In A Tornado
http://www.bakinginatornado.com/2017/12/from-end-to-beginning-december-poetry.html

Jules over at The Bergham Chronicles
https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com/2017/12/la-fin-poetrycollaboration.html

Lydia over at Cluttered Genius
http://www.clutteredgenius.com/?p=9324

Jenn over at Sparkly Poetic Weirdo
https://sparklyjenn.blogspot.com/2017/12/endings.html

Diane over at On The Border
https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/2017/12/an-ending.html

Friday, December 8, 2017

Holiday Hideaway - SSS

Welcome to a Secret Subject Swap. This week 10 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. 

Your “Secret Subject” is:: Are family get-togethers something you look forward to or dread during the holidays?  Or would you rather run away to a resort and celebrate the holiday with your significant other?
It was submitted by: https://batteredhope.blogspot.com   

Well that's easy. A holiday hideaway is what I choose.

A lake side cabin where we could watch the sunrise and set. Relax and only do what we wanted. Read, talk, rest, hike, fish, boat or absolutely nothing at all.

 Something like this. Doesn't it look wonderful?
We could cook outside over an open fire. Maybe even fish we caught earlier.
 Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while the sun rises over the lake while we decide what to do with our day.
 My husband would definitely spend time fishing while I would walk around the lake, find a spot to sit and read or just breath.
 After a long day of enjoyment, a nice drink on the deck while the food is sizzling over the fire.
 Maybe even rent a paddle boat and take it once around the lake.
We have actually talked about this very thing and it is on our "to do" list. We both love our families but they can and do stress us out, make ridiculous demands, last minute plans that always end up being very inconvenient for us but no one else. His siblings are as different as oil and water so they do not mix well or as we used to say as kids "do not play well with others" so if I had a choice, which as an adult I do, I will always side on being "just the two of us" or a get away!
Thanks Carol!

Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:
Baking In A Tornado                        http://www.BakingInATornado.com  
The Blogging 911                   http://theblogging911.com/blog
 The Lieber Family Blog                     http://thelieberfamily.com
The Bergham Chronicles                  https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com
Southern Belle Charm                    http://www.southernbellecharm.com
Bookworm in the Kitchen                 http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/ 
 Never Ever Give Up Hope                https://batteredhope.blogspot.com
Part-Time Working Hockey Mom             https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com    
Climaxed                                        https://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com 

Friday, November 24, 2017

You Can't Make Me! - FF

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.
Funny Friday  150 X 150.jpg
Here’s today’s picture. It was submitted by Minette of Southern Belle Charm.
46 - Southern Belle Charm  November 2107.jpg
1. Duke is thinking, "No mom, I'm not moving and you can't make me."

2. Mom/Minette says, "Duke, come on, I don't have time for this!"

3. Drag me, I'm not walking another step. (Duke can be so dramatic!)

4. DUKE! Really, I don't have time, you're going to make me late for work!!

5. sighing out loud, he lifts his head, plops back down and says "do I look like I care?"

**side note, I love this dog! He is my dumplin' , my buddy! I have never been fond of pugs but the first time I met him, I fell in love. He is such a character! LOVES belly rubs and is spoiled!**


Click on the links below and let some other bloggers make you smile:
Baking In A Tornado             http://www.BakingInATornado.com
     The Bergham Chronicles            http://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com
Southern Belle Charm          http://www.southernbellecharm.com
Bookworm in the Kitchen      http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/

Friday, November 10, 2017

Wedding Bells - UYW

Ann and I were in the front yard of her mother's home, down on our hands and knees, pulling weeds. Not something I enjoy doing but I love spending time with my cousin/BFF. She is the sweetest soul, funny, smart and we share the same birthday. I however am older which she is very quick to remind me of! hahaha
I sat up on my heels, wiped the sweat from my brow as I looked over at Ann all hunched over the dirt and blurted out... SO, do you want to be my maid of honor?
She jerked up straight, looked at me, eyes big as saucers, jaw hanging slack and then it came. She squealed loud enough to be heard a mile away. I laughed so loud and hard I almost fell over!
Ann said "ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? OMGosh YES, yes yes yes!"
She leaped across the dirt and landed smack dab on me, squishing me with tons of hugs. We were both laughing and crying at the same time. It was the most elated and alive I had felt in years, except of course when he said "will you marry me".
We sat there in the front yard, all dirty and sweaty, talking details until our old bones could barely move.
When I stood up, I looked down and there was a big ol'scrape on my knee, no wonder it was burning. I said, "your momma's gonna need to find me a band aid, look what you did!" and we both laughed again.
While inside the house that afternoon, one by one, family stopped by. This is normal. Our family is deeply rooted and connected to each other. We spend most weekends together and when one rejoices, we all rejoice and when one is sad, we all gather our shotguns and go after the SOB that hurt our family. Just kidding, verbally we may attack the snot out of them but we are not violent women at all. During the visits there were lots of shocked faces, tears flowed like a leaky faucet and even a few squeals but nothing like the one Ann let out earlier. My cup over-floweth! My heart was bursting at the seems and this I thought, was how it is supposed to be.
Sheree asked about my friends, won't they be upset that one of them is not the maid of honor?
I sat and thought for a minute and replied, "No. They know how close Ann and I are, they are all very happy for me and thrilled to be guest. I might have a few acquaintances that I'll have to let them down easy but I wouldn't choose them anyway. It will be fine, besides, my day, my choice right?"
Ann pipes up and says "That's right! They'll get over it because I'M standing up with my BFF!!" Everyone laughed and took a sip of tea sweet enough to rot your teeth.

Today's words are: Maid of honor ~ Let them down easy ~ Band Aid ~ Weeds
They were submitted by: https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com     
This short story is in part fiction. I am getting married on the 14th, so in just a few short days. Ann is my cousin and will be my maid of honor. She did squeal like a stuck pig on slaughter day but the rest is intermingled with truth and fiction. Hope you enjoyed it. I am truly blessed and no Jules had no idea! Which makes this all the more touching to me.  

Today’s post is a writing challenge. This is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they used them. 
Links to the other “Use Your Words” posts:

Baking In A Tornado                  http://www.bakinginatornado.com
Cognitive Script                         https://cognitivescript.blogspot.com/
The Blogging 911                   http://theblogging911.com/blog
On the Border                           https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/
The Bergham Chronicles                  https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com    
Southern Belle Charm                    http://www.southernbellecharm.com
Bookworm in the Kitchen                  http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/  
Part-time Working Hockey Mom        https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch   
TaylorLife                                     http://www.TaylorLife.com   
Climaxed                                       https://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Indian Summer Jubilation

This month our theme is: Joys of Fall but since you know I like to be different, I decided to come up with a title with an explanation just a tad different.
At the end of this post you'll find links to the other brave and talented bloggers. Be sure to stop by and say hi! Again, thank you for indulging me by stopping by to see my attempt at poetry.

Trees standing tall
limbs outstretched to the sky
leaves green and vibrant
today in the sun and warmth

Tomorrow it changes
trees stand tall
limbs outstretched to the sky
leaves are changing
from green to gold to orange to brown

Brown they fall
fall down to the ground
dry and crinkled they lay
until we rake them up into piles

Piles of leaves
stacked high and full
We step back and look
smiles crack open our faces

Eyes bright and round
we step back and run
we jump high and fall
into the leaves and roll around

Loud squeals of delight
leaves flying into the air
laughter floating down the street
folks stop to stare

These are the days
warm and crisp
days of fun filled laughter
Joys of Fall

Links:
Karen at Baking In A Tornado
Lydia of Cluttered Genius 
Diane of On The Border

Friday, November 3, 2017

The Elusive Hor d'oeuvre - SSS

Welcome to a Secret Subject Swap. This week 11 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. 
Imagine found on Pinterest

Zoinks! As Shaggy loves to say, I was invited to a party and the whole mystery team will be there, which normally means that something will go wrong. I swear they can't go anywhere without something out of the norm happening. Getting dressed for the shindig with great anticipation and a slight case of nerves. Wow...I was going to be in the SAME room as Velma, Shaggy, Daphne and Fred...ahh Fred. Whew, who didn't have a crush on Fred too bad he was all starry eyed for that ding bat Daphne. *eye roll*
Upon arrival, I'm a bit early and I scan the crowd. No mystery team anywhere. Sighing internally I think it's probably Daphne, she's making them late. Surprised at my own jealously I realize I'm not fond of her, I've never met her, she has done me no harm but I just don't like her. Shrugging off this feeling I walk over to the table to see what delicious hor d'oeuvres are awaiting my taste buds.
The room is buzzing with excitement, the noise level has increased, something is happening. I turn and there they are! Shaggy and Scooby saunter in all regal and gangly at the same time, followed closely by Velma in her sweater dress looking very smart.
The crowd goes silent, I stretch my neck so I can see better, ahh yes, there he is, Fred. And draped across his arm like a minx is Daphne in a sequin ball gown. Freddy is looking dapper in his tux. Wow, they really are the perfect looking power couple.
I'm star struck. Standing there with my jaw gaping open like some school girl, I start to back up and BAM!
I spin around to apologize and see the most mesmerizing eyes looking deep into my soul.
Stammering I manage to peep out a very feeble "hi". He chuckles, and says "pardon moi madame." Tips his head and off he goes.
Oh man...I have no idea who he is but wow, just wow. He has my attention and that of every red blooded woman in the room. You can feel the estrogen level rise along with the heat! Woo weee!
Evening rolls into night, the air cools, the atmosphere is relaxed, chatter is seamless and everyone is enjoying themselves, that is until the lights go out.
A few shrieks, What the what's, and a calm voice is heard over the crowd, "Please everyone remain calm I'm sure it is a breaker" and poof, as quickly as the lights went out they have returned. But what is missing?
The hor d'oeuvre table, not just a platter or the food but the entire table?!?! Now how in the heck did that happen in 2.4 seconds? Shocked and dismayed the head waiter rushes over to Freddy. "Monsieur you must help, our hor d'oeuvre table, she is gone!"
Freddy replies "Who is gone? What does she look like, I'll get the gang right on it!"
The head waiter shakes his head, "no no, not she, zee table sir, she is gone."
Velma walks up and says "we understand sir, Freddy stop being such a dope, we will look around." Now Freddy, where is Shaggy? Did he and Scooby take the table?"
Looking around the crew sees Shaggy and Scooby on the balcony enjoying a HUGE plate of, well let's hope it's food. Hard to tell it's piled so high. Gulp and it's gone! HOW do they do that without choking?
Being the curious person I am, I start looking around. I find a few shrimp on the floor, almost like a trail. But it ends at the wall. Hmm I wonder if the wall moves, like in the old movies. OMGosh! Wouldn't it be exciting if they asked me to help!! Okay I tell myself not to jump the gun, look around and see what other clues I can find.
Lifting a curtain here and there, moving a plant, walking around the corner and opps! I bump into Velma.
Oh my word! You're Velma! She giggles and extends her hand to me. "Yes, I'm Velma and you are?"
I shake her hand almost too vigorously. "Hi yes I'm RaeDeen of RD Investigations." 
"oh yes, I heard someone earlier tonight mention you were here, you have a wonderful reputation for solving crime that precedes you."
I am taken aback, someone here knows me, I'm not even sure how I was invited to this shindig much less someone KNOWS me or my reputation?! I'm flattered.
"Well, I'm sorry, I was just looking around, you know there were several shrimp on the floor where the table was and it almost looks like a trail but it ends at the wall. I was scoping out the situation when I bumped into you."
That's great, we could sure use your help. Let's go over and I'll introduce you to everyone and we can solve this mystery and get home at a decent hour." Velma walks and I follow.
Freddy, Velma, Daphne and I discuss what happened prior to the lights going out, what we've all observed over the nights event and who is suspect. Of course, we have to clear Shaggy and Scooby first. With them being the chow hounds that they are, everyone suspects it is them who have absconded with the table.
Velma and I team up, Freddy and Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby who of course start looking in the kitchen but are quickly chased out by the chef who is screaming "NO DOGS in the kitchen!"
We make our way back over the wall, feel around and sure enough my suspicions were correct, the wall swings open and there behind the wall is the table! Lots of ooh and ahhs come from the crowd and a few laughs.
seems we have been set up. The master of ceremony begins to clap and the crowd joins him. He quickly makes his way over and shakes our hands. "Ah yes I knew I could not fool you two, such intelligent women you found the table. I did this as a way to highlight your talents and end the evening on a high note! Yes it worked!" he seems very pleased with himself. We laugh and everyone claps.
A short time later as we are leaving the grand ballroom, Velma says, "we made a great team RaeDeen, if you're ever in our neck of the woods and find yourself bored, we'd love to have you join us." Oh man, I'm so flattered. "thank you, thank you so much, we did make a great team. and I will definitely look you up if I'm ever up your way."
Daphne and Freddy say they farewells and down the steps they go towards the Mystery van. I roll my eyes again. Velma releases and giggle. I am red faced. Oh gosh "I'm so sorry, how do you work with her?" Velma says, "you get used to it".
Scooby licks my face, seems he likes me too. hahaha
I watch them climb inside and speed off to their next case. Wow, what a night. Can you imagine if I was actually able to work with them on a daily basis???? Nah, I shake my head. Daphne would need a dose of reality and some humble pie if I had to stay around her, Shaggy and Scooby are a hoot and so much fun, Velma would challenge my intellect and Freddy, well he'd be a distraction.
Walking over I wait while the valet fetches my car. What a night. What a night indeed.


Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:
Baking In A Tornado                        http://www.BakingInATornado.com  
The Blogging 911                   http://theblogging911.com/blog
 The Lieber Family Blog                     http://thelieberfamily.com
The Bergham Chronicles                  https://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com
Southern Belle Charm                    http://www.southernbellecharm.com  
 Bookworm in the Kitchen                 http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/ 
Never Ever Give Up Hope                https://batteredhope.blogspot.com  
Part-time Working Hockey Mom         https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch      
TaylorLife                                      http://www.TaylorLife.com  
Climaxed                                       https://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com 

Your “Secret Subject” is:
Scooby Doo and his gang need your help to solve their latest mystery. How do you help them? Who do you get along best with? Who do you roll your eyes at all the time? Who solves the mystery?
It was submitted by: http://www.bookwormkitchen.com/                           
Thank you Karen at Book Worm Kitchen, this was a lot of fun!