Friday 55 Flash Fiction #6 Christmas Cheer

Christmas Cheer

“I thought I’d make mince pies and Christmas cake” said Mother

“You know I don’t like all that stuff” Father complained “It’s stodgy and I need to lose weight."

"I’ll have fruit instead.”

“Don’t be such an old misery, it’s traditional at this time of year ,

Anyway, you’re Father Christmas, you’re supposed to enjoy it.”

Two questions, one answer.......

David’s (Authorblog) question this week is actually two:

• If you got the chance to go back to your childhood, whom would you like to say thank you to?
  
• When did you last write or receive a love letter?

If you would like to join in here’s what David would like you to do: Please answer today's question on your own blog, any time until next weekend. Just link to this blog (or to this post) so I can follow the progress of the discussion.


If I could go back to my childhood I would like to thank the person who has been the biggest influence in my life - my Dad. Luckily he is still with us, so I get to thank him without going back to my youth!

I do wish though that I had paid more attention, when I was a teenager, to what he told me, instead of thinking I knew everything – like teenagers do. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache. My Dad is the wisest person I know, and a man totally in touch with his feminine side, which in my book is so important.

When I was being bullied at school my Dad didn’t teach me to hit back, he taught me to be able to laugh at myself. If people are making fun of you, he explained, laugh with them - if they see you laughing at yourself they will stop tormenting you because the object of the exercise is to make you cry and if you’re not crying it’s fruitless! He taught me integrity and honesty. I once told him I knew someone at school had cheated in a test and got really good marks, he explained that they had only cheated themselves because if they didn’t know the answers the good marks meant nothing.

Dad taught me to always try my best at everything, no-one can expect more than your best, he told me, your best will always be good enough. He also taught me the joy of giving, the warm feeling you get by helping someone with whatever you are able to give – it doesn’t have to be money, your time is the greatest gift you can give.

Dad taught me to be compassionate and caring, to think of others, to make sacrifices. I am known as ‘Mrs Do As You Would Be Done By’, a philosophy my Dad instilled in me from an early age. Before you do anything think ‘how would I feel if someone did that to me’, if you wouldn’t like it then don’t do it, he insisted. He taught me that children are precious, to be nurtured and cherished, educated not only in facts but in emotions.

The most important thing my Dad taught me was unconditional love. A love so true and pure that it can lift you to heights some people can only dream of.

So my darling Dad – I thank you with all my heart for the lessons you taught me and for being the greatest Dad that anyone could wish for.

I Love You.
xxxx




Today was the last time I wrote a love letter.

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UPDATE ON MY DAD

Dad's doing fantastically well. Although officially he is supposed to use both crutches all the time for six weeks he's getting about on one and sometimes even none around the house! He's walked down to the local tram and gone to a neighbouring town playing bridge, he's even been on the bus! He's upbeat and eating well now (thank goodness, his eating has been a realy worry!). He's looking forward to spring to get out into his beloved garden and planning exactly which bits he's going to dig up. The new hip has given Dad a new lease of life. :)

A New Drug.....

As the season of excess is almost upon us you may be interested in this new drug.

• Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
• Do you suffer from shyness?
• Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about White Wine.

White Wine is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

White Wine can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of White Wine almost immediately, and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.
Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with White Wine.

White Wine may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use White Wine.

However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine is a major factor in dancing like an idiot.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.

WARNING:
The consumption of White Wine may be a major factor in getting your a** se kicked.

NOW JUST IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD ACHIEVE WITH RED WINE!!!

Christmas Carols Quiz Part 2 Answers.....

For all those who took part here's the answers.

1. I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

2. In The Bleak Midwinter

3. Angels From The Realms Of Glory

4. Ding Dong Merrily On High

5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

6. He's The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot

7. Unto Us A Boy Is Born

8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are

9. Little Donkey, Little Donkey Had A Busy Day

10. A Long Time Ago In Bethlehem

Well, how did you do?

Here's those who got some right, those with most right first.

Jo Beaufoix (This is Jo Beaufoix.com)
Storyteller (Small Reflections)

Elena Jane (What She Said Too)


So you three lovely ladies can claim this badge for your blog and well done because yours were the only entries I received.

What happened to you all? Was it too hard? Were you all busy shopping?

I 'll maybe leave Part 3 until next Christmas, give you a rest.

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Can anyone tell my why Blogger won't let me change the time on my posts?

Everytime I try it I get a message saying "illegal post time (format is: hh:mm)". I put in say 08.00 and get that message! What's that all about? Anyone? Help!

Friday 55 Flash Fiction #5 The New Recruit

The new recruit

I’m here about the job

We need a team player, who’s strong and can run.

You don’t have a problem with heights and have a good sense of direction?

You know the work’s seasonal?
This is our busiest time of the year.

“Ok you can start on December 24th “said Rudolph to the new reindeer.

Crazy....

I've been tagged for the Crazy Eight Meme by Jo Beaufoix, so here we go


8 things I want to do before I die:
1. Go on an African Safari.

2. Reach my ideal weight and stay there!

3. Go to the Gold Coast, Australia. I’ve been to Sidney but didn’t have the time to go further north.

4. See the pyramids. I’ve been to Egypt but not to Cairo because there was too much else to see.

5. Go scuba diving.

6. Swim with dolphins but in the wild, not one of those places where it’s all staged

7. Win the lottery!

8. Travel the world.



8 things I say often
1. “I love you”

2. “Crikey”

3. “Sh*t” - sorry :(

4. “Ooops”

5. “I can’t remember.”

6. “How are you?”

7. “Okey Dokey”

8. “Open another bottle of wine!”

8 Books I’ve read recently (or am still reading):

1. Sharon Osborne’s biography – Sue Crawford
   
2. My Grandmother’s Biography - My Dad
   
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
   
4. The General’s Daughter – Nelson De Mille
   
5. The Sound of Laughter - Peter Kay
   
6. So Me - Graham Norton
   
7. Indelible - Karin Slaughter
   
8. The Sleeping Doll - Jeffrey Deaver

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over

1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby

2. Amy Winehouse – Valerie

3. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

4. No More Cloudy Days – The Eagles

5. Chains – Tina Arena

6. Imagine – John Lennon

7. The World And You Tonight – Simply Red

8. This Old Heart of Mine – Isley Brothers

8 Things that Attract Me to My Best Friends:

1. They make me laugh.

2. They like to have fun.

3. They’re caring.

4. They’re kind.

5. They listen.

6. They ask me for advice and don’t get offended if they don’t like it.

7. They still like me when I do daft/stupid things.

8. They don’t criticize me.

8 People I Think Should Do Crazy Eights:

The first eight people who read this post - are you game?

The Fairy.....

click to enlarge

Here's my Christmas tree. It's an artificial tree, packed away every year before the 6th January and relegated to the loft for another year until Christmas comes around again. We used to have a real tree but no matter how many times we hoovered the carpet we couldn't get rid of the pine needles so we bought the fake one.

I remember our first Christmas in our own home I was so looking forward to choosing our very own tree and the decorations for it. We didn't have much money so the decorations were mostly home made garlands, some cheap baubles and a little fairy sitting on the top. The Fairy was actually a little doll with a cherub face, gold cardboard skirt and wings and a gold tinsel halo. She was a pretty little thing and enjoyed surveying our home from her vantage point as our family enjoyed the festivities. She saw our children grow up and saw us grow old. As the years went by we collected new baubles and tinsel but the fairy remained the same. Every year she came out of her box still looking just as pretty, never ageing, taking her rightful place on top of the tree.


The year arrived when it was time to change. We bought the new 6ft artificial tree, new lights, expensive baubles and beads, so we needed a figurehead for the top of the tree - we found The Angel. The Angel is a beautiful lady with white feather wings, pretty white and gold dress and an ermine edged cape with a hood. How could you make the poor Fairy redundant after all those years of loyal service I hear you say. Ah well, she was getting on in years and we decided it was time for her to retire, I must say I felt guilty, but the The Angel is doing a wonderful job.


What sort of tree do you have? Are your tree decorations old or new and do any of your decorations have sentimental value?

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Remember if you want to enter the Christmas Carols Quiz Part 2 Email your answers to me by Friday 14th December.

Why is it?.....

In everyday life why is it

• you have just enough time in a morning to do what you have to do when you get up at your usual time, but if you get up 10 minutes later you still manage to do everything? Why not get up 10 minutes later every day?
  
  
• as soon as one thing goes wrong others follow?
  
  
• toothache stops as soon as you get to the dentist?
  
  
• when you’re looking for new shoes or a dress you can never find what you want, but when you’re not looking and you’ve got no money you can find the perfect thing?
  
  
• you can’t do a thing with your hair until the day you’re going to get it cut?
  
  
• when you’re trying to hide a present the person it’s for always walks in?
  
  
• it’s a nicer feeling when the hairdresser washes your hair than when you do it yourself?
  
  
• food always tastes better when it’s cooked for you?
  
  
• when you get back off holiday you just want a bacon buttie and a cup of tea?
  
  
• the item of clothing you most want to wear when you’re in a rush to get out is always in the ironing bag?
  
  
• whenever you’re trying out a new recipe the supermarket doesn’t have that essential ingredient?
  
  
• your nails can be beautiful but as soon as you’re going somewhere special one of them breaks?
  
  
• you can never find that ‘item’ you put away in a safe place?
  
  
• there are more questions than answers?

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Remember if you want to enter the Christmas Carols Quiz Part 2
Email your answers to me by Friday 14th December.

Friday 55 Flash Fiction #4 Feed Me

Feed Me

I’m getting fatter, she thought

He keeps feeding us even though we’re not hungry.

He obviously loves us, he looks after us all so well.

Anyway the other girls eat everything he puts in front of them.

They’re all fat.

Gobble, gobble, gobble, how much longer is it to Christmas I wonder? thought the turkey.

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Remember if you want to enter the Christmas Carols Quiz Part 2

Email your answers to me by Friday 14th December.

Christmas Carols Quiz part 2.........

Remember the first Christmas Carol's Quiz? Well here's part Two.

You all did so well with the last one I'm sure you'll find this one really easy.

You remember how it goes - the initials represent the first line of Christmas Carols and Songs.

Here's an example:

O.I.R.D.C. - Once In Royal David's City - get the idea?

Email (through my profile) your answers to me by Friday 14th December then on Saturday 15th I'll post the answers and the winner(s).
All those who get any right can claim this badge for their blog. You'll notice it says Part Two so it will look slightly different on your blog to Part One.

1. I.D.O.A.W.C.

2. I.T.B.M.W.

3. A.F.T.R.O.G.

4. D.D.M.O.H.

5. I.S.M.K.S.C.

6. H.T.L.B.T.S.C.F.

7. U.U.A.B.I.B.

8. W.T.K.O.O.A.

9. L.D.L.D.H.A.B.D.

10. A.L.T.A.I.B.

GOOD LUCK!

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I'll just slip this in quietly, no I won't I'll shout it out 'cos I'm proud as punch

Mimi (Mimi Writes) has given me this award

You know my motto - You can't have too many awards.

Thank you Mimi xxxx

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UPDATE ON DAD

My Dad came out of hospital on Monday, on crutches, and is doing great. So good in fact he went out last night playing Whist! He didn't walk there, luckily there is a service called Ring and Ride which will pick him up at the door, deliver him to where he's going, then pick him up and take him back home. We are all thrilled that only 2 weeks after having a full hip replacement, and after months of agony, Dad is back in the land of the living, because to be honest he'd all but given up

Millenium.....

David’s (Authorblog) question this week is

What was the best Christmas present you ever received?

If you would like to join in here’s what David would like you to do:
Please answer today's question on your own blog, any time until next weekend. Just link to this blog (or to this post) so I can follow the progress of the discussion.

Well this is an easy one to answer for me.

MWM and I celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary in December 1999 which coincided with the Millenium, so to celebrate in style we decided to combine Christmas presents and spend Christmas 1999 in Sri Lanka and New Year's Eve in the Maldives.

We arrived in Sri Lanka two days before Christmas so had time to get settled before the festivities started.

Click on photos to enlarge

photographs copyright 2007

We had a lovely room on the ground floor just a short walk from the bar. Here's MWM just on his way back with a drink for us as I take it easy on the patio!

Father Christmas did the rounds on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day the staff staged a Nativity play close to the pool.

They even had a donkey!

It was a bit strange watching a Nativity play in the sunshine but we didn't complain!

We visited the elephant orphanage,

there was a new born there, you can just see it hiding underneath its mother.

And we followed them all down to the river for their daily bath.

I also got to ride an elephant on the beach but unfortunately I can't find the photograph. Here's one of the beach though!

Then it was time to fly to the Maldives. We stayed at a small island called Olivheli View. The islands are disappearing at a fast rate so it's probably not even there now!

Our bungalow was right on the beach, here's MWM sitting on the patio enjoying an afternoon drink.

Here's what he was looking at - me looking at the fish!

Here's me sitting on the bench you can see in the last picture. All the white in the bottom of the photograph is the sand! I've used a cut down version of this photograph for my blog banner.

And me sunbathing at the water's edge.

New Year's Eve was a big party night as you can imagine and close to midnight we were invited to follow the band down to the jetty where fireworks had been arranged

They had set up two messages in fireworkds saying Goodbye 1999 and Happy New Millenium.

Before we knew it the time had come for us to journey home. All the time we were in the Maldives I scoured the horizon looking for Dolphins, but for all the tropical fish we saw whilst we were there, I never saw one dolphin. Well, not until we were on the speedboat heading for the airport at Male, when a school of dolphins swam alongside our boat for the 30 minute journey! My dream came true! It was a truly memorable holiday, one fit for the Millenium.

Christmas Carols Quiz Part 1 Answers......

For all those who took part here's the answers.

1. O Little Town Of Bethlehem

2. Silent Night, Holy Night

3. While Shepherds Watched Their Flock By Night

4. Away In A Manger

5. Good King Wenceslas Looked Out

6. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All The Way.

7.Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

8. The Holly And The Ivy

9. On The First Day Of Christmas

10. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Well, how did you do?

Here's all those who got some right, those with most right first, in the order I received them.

Jo (This is Jo Beaufoix.com)

Ciara (Ramblings and Whatnot)

Pip (Fortean Times)

Ruth (Me, My Life, My Garden)

Belle (Diary of a Housewife)

Topchamp (Bad Jokes and Oven Chips)

Red Dirt Girl (Red Scribbles)

Pig in the Kitchen

Lisa (To Kill A Mockingbird)

Belle (Rosneath)

Dumdad (The Other Side Of Paris)

Marmie (Twaddle and Everyday Rubbish)

Mary (Mary's Writing Nook)

Diane (Diane's Place)

Carole (Pea's Corner)

Mother of Invention (Spilling Out)

Mama Bear (Bears In Exile)

Elena Jane (What She Said Too )

Storyteller (Small Reflections)

Joe Ralph (PD Warrior)

Misty Dawn (My Dogs Keep Me Sane)

Flowerpot (Flowerpot Days)


All those listed can claim this badge for their blog.

I hope you enjoyed the quiz, look out for Part Two coming soon.

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AS IT’S CHRISTMAS – ALMOST……

I have a busy day today – we’re going on the Santa Special! This is a special train that runs every Saturday and Sunday, from now until 21st December, on the East Lancs Railway . They even ran one on Christmas Eve when it fell on a Sunday – how magical is that? If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you may remember I did a post about the War Weekend, another event on the ELR.

Anyway, this year we are a party of 13 on the train today – MWM, me, youngest son and DIL, Kai, Nate, DIL of eldest son (he’s working), Sam, Harry, Gracie, our friends T&K and their grandson. The adults are more excited than the children because, apart from MWM and I, it will be their first time on the Santa Special. Sam has been doing this trip since he was about 18 months old with us, for Kai it will be his third year, the second time for Harry and the first time for the rest of the children. It’s a really lovely couple of hours, the train is decorated, the staff dress up as elves, fairies and snowmen, they have a brass trio playing Carols going up and down the train, and then of course Santa arrives to give the children their presents. Adults get a mince pie and a small bottle of sherry – so that’s quite nice too! I’ll try to get some photos and do a post next week time permitting, but in the meantime you can see some official photos from previous years here.

Anyway if I don’t get back online before Monday, have a great weekend and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do – which will give you loads of scope!