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 |  Empty or full, shiny or a little in need of washing and sometimes just cracked! |
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I heard about these blogs and wondered why people would want to air their dirty laundry online. But I feel safe on this site so maybe it's worth a try. We'll see. This blog is complete. Please find my new blog from the link below...
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Another December. Another Humbug.  Another Blogville News to prepare.  I have the notion to make the December issue into a free-for-all bumper Humbug edition and throw caution to the wind. What do you think? I think people will be too busy and preoccupied by crap Christmas to spare time to write the usual contributions so can I BEG ANYONE who passes by here to please think if they have anything they'd like to send to the Newsletter? Anything humbug orientated, old or new would be welcome. Here's a few suggestions - 1. 'Dear Santa' letters. This gives any writer plenty of scope but remember the Newsletter is only 18+ rated.  2. Humbug jokes and cartoons. 3. Original Humbug Poetry and songs. 4. Humbug stories, anecdotes or articles. 5. Humbug wish lists for other bloggers. If you can add any suggestions please let me know. If you'd like to contribute please send whatever you have as soon as possible. Stockings greatly appreciated; I especially like those black fishnet ones.  Come on folks - this is your chance to make The Blogville News for December something different and special. At least let's make it fun. To match the mood of those who love the season and to cheer up those of us who hate it. It's success depends on YOU...YES YOU...HEY COME BACK HERE... AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE BLOGGER THIS MONTH. There have been seven DIFFERENT ones so far and I trust you to keep on highlighting the many and varied talented bloggers out there. My dad turned 87 today - I hope I inherited his genes. lol |
| Okay, I had my list prepared with many, many more reasons and explanations as to why I find this time of year so distasteful. Phrases like 'prolonged agony ,' 'painful memories,' 'greed and profit,' 'lost meaning,' and 'lot of fuss about very little,' were bubbling to be included, but you know what? I could write five hundred blogs on the subject and it wouldn't make an ounce of difference. It will come, it will go, some will love every minute, others will breathe a sigh of relief when it's all over, so why waste energy and words on something so predictable and fleeting? Nah, instead I'll tell you about my day. This morning my friend crackedbizkit picked me up and drove me over to the beautiful town of Newark where she lives. We tackled a few queries she had regarding WDC on her talking computer (Hey even her printer speaks - I'm jealous  ) then walked to the town and put the world to rights over a few vinos. Nothing lifts the spirits more than the company of someone intelligent, amusing and warm-hearted. Not to mention the dry white. Later our friends June and Chris joined us and we enjoyed a good wander around the lovely streets and shops of this historical town, followed by a meal in another pub. All in all a change from the humdrum and an escape from the troubles. So thanks my friend for a lovely day and I hope you'll continue to grow and enjoy the world of WDC, as I have done. crackedbizkit also presented me with a fridge magnet she thought was designed just for moi. It reads - The Five Steps to Happiness. 1. Find a man who loves housework. 2. Find a man who makes you laugh. 3. Find a man who has a great job. 4. Find a man who's a great lover. 5. Make sure none of these men meet each other |
| I hope I don’t make enemies through this entry and I will say first off I realise most people enjoy this time of year and I hold nothing against them for that. I understand the pleasure of celebrating with family and enjoying some time away from the daily grind, but sad to say I despise this ‘season’ I refer to as Humbug. Believe me you couldn’t call me any name I haven’t heard before – misery guts, killjoy, warped, sad old cow, Scrooge are amongst the more polite ones. I have been asked to explain and analyse why I feel this way and quite understand those who leave now because they don’t want their high spirits affected. Pause here…listen to the sound of retreating footsteps and doors slamming. Okay, anyone left? No matter, I maybe need to do the self-analysis thing anyway. Naturally, as a child I was excited by the prospect of new toys, good things to eat and drink and parties at school. But even then there was an underlying inexplicable sadness. Maybe due to the fact I lived in a small house with three generations where family tensions were evident all the time and heightened at times when the whole family were forced together. And I hated those male cousins of mine who visited every year with their noisy, brash behaviour, ridiculing my new soft toys and breaking the lovely things I intended to treasure. All together now…awwww poor Scarlett. Lol During teenage years and in a new home with just my parents and older sister who was my arch enemy at the time, things deteriorated. I was a troublesome teenager and wanted to be out with my friends, not stuck at home with a dysfunctional family. I sulked at not being allowed to play my new records, having to endure the Queen’s speech and resented the visit of grandparents and those even more obnoxious cousins. Selfish maybe, but teenage years are notably difficult ones for many. I remember one particular year when The Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ was to be broadcast on television for the first time. Parents gave in to my demands to watch it despite reservations as to how my grandmother would respond. Sure enough half way through the film some dancing girls arrived on the scene showing a small amount of cleavage and an inch of thigh. Grandma predictably hit the roof. “Come on our Percy, we’re going home NOW.’ Off went the television, out came the playing cards and rum bottle and ruffled feathers were smoothed. Except mine…Louder now…awwww poor Scarlett. Lol In later years before I married and moved away, I remember the Christmas Day we received a call informing us my American grandpa or ‘Pops’ as I called him had passed away. A week later another call to say my dad’s only brother had died – one of the few times I’ve seen my father cry. There is much more so this will be Part 1 of my analysis. You may leave now – muttering ‘Grumpy old Woman,’ or other carefully chosen words. But before you do just one more time... awwww poor Scarlett |
| You know I'm not normally one to complain but I have to say that someone around here is seriously beginning to brass me off. I'm bored with the lack of imagination displayed, the same old, same old approach to things and the shortage of ability to show any originality or flair. I've always admired those who 'dare to be different,' providing they aren't harming anyone and quite enjoy a challenge myself, so it's tiring when there's no adaptation or attempt to create a broader picture. I refer of course to the resident WDC painter and decorator. I've been a member of this site for five years and as far as I'm aware, not one lick of paint has touched the walls in here. Wishy-washy I don't like and I have to grit my teeth every time I look at the sickly yellow surroundings at the best of times. Then along comes autumn and we're exposed to the predictable, childish graphics associated with Halloween and a screen so dull and dark it's enough to depress the most positive of people. I breathe a sigh of relief when it's removed but sure enough by the end of November out come the insipid, repeat decorations associated with Humbug. Of course it would be politically incorrect to decorate the site with traditional C******** images and I'm not sorry about that, but winter scenes and snow-laden trees hardly relate to all members on the site at this time. Apart from which the colours are weak, watery and hardly uplifting. Obviously this is only MY opinion and I hold nothing against those who like the same old decorations year in and year out. Each to his/her own. But I have to say it would make a change if it wasn't so predictable and bland. Still, I guess in some ways if we don't personally let the painter and decorator know about our preferences, then we can't expect any alterations. I think it would be rather interesting if WDC members were encouraged to decorate the site themselves, just as we do in our homes. After all, we all pay for the pleasure of residing here and as mature people I'm sure we'd manage to add colour, our own brands of humour and combine our likenesses and differences in a compatible way. Still, it's trivia in the great scheme of things isn't it? What IS truly important after all? Answers on a postcard please. So, what has occupied my tiny thoughts and tickled my simple-minded humour today? 1. My favourite act DID go out of the X Factor last night.  So much for optimism. 2. I put the Africam on this morning and watched a previously unobserved, high-speed species dash by the water hole - a white van. 3. We took our stepdog Ted for a walk in glorious autumn sunshine, got lost and all ended up covered in mud. 4. We walked into a pub for lunch just as the song 'Love Changes Everything' started to play. There's no such thing as coincidence? 5. By chance I came across this little verse in a book my sister gave me - The test of the heart is trouble And it always comes with the years. And the smile that is worth The praises of earth Is the smile that shines through the tears. Sniffle...pass the tissues please. |
| Today looked gloomy as regards activities and plans but deciding to tackle them with patience and humour has paid off. I now see the positive achievements I've made today and a couple of added pleasant surprises too. Nothing big, but small steps help us reach our goal in time. 1. We've been to the gym. Not done the full program but physical exercise is a good way of working out frustration and releasing endorphines or whatever they're called. I love the swimming part; today I decided I want a mermaid's tail for Humbug and a set of fully furnished rocks to live in and invite my friends over. 2. I've smoked less. Okay, I know every cigarette is one too many but if I can make a start cutting down while stressed, who knows what may happen if or when times are better? 3. I've collected my mother (da da da da -Play theme from Jaws) from Derby station after she spent the week with my sister. I smiled as she shuffled onto the platform, blind as a bat (I don't need my glasses you know) in her best purple hat then declared she needed the loo. Helped her find that, then the flushing device, the tap, the drier and finally the car. Chatted amenably on the way back and deposited her back in La La Land with dad. No doubt he's already in trouble, lost control of the remote and will no longer be able to fart, sneeze, chew nuts or speak and she'll be losing her glasses, blaming everyone and everything else for her problems and forgotten she even went to my sisters by now. In other words 'normality' resumes. 4. My dear friend crackedbizkit sent me a lovely new ducky through the post this morning. What a pleasant surprise. I've named her 'Damsel,' as she was sent with WUB to this lady in distress. Thanks my friend 5. Now I'm off to watch one of my favourite programmes 'The X Factor.' I know, I know, I'm a sad person. But if my favourite gets through the next round that will be my fifth wickle positive of the day. So, a better day that anticipated - the only way is UP and I'm determined to get there even if it takes a while. Thanks my friends for all the ways you help too. |
| Time to release The Blogville News for November and I hope you'll enjoy it. Please send your thanks to those who work so hard to make this little project a success. Nothing much else to report. Cold, dark and damp here in England. Humbug hype grippng the more ethusiastic citizens. Me? Well, I managed to clean the bog and put the Newsletter together. Do I mark those up as positives? I also have a twitch in my lip - stress I assume. Is there a cure? Go read the Newsletter folks, nothing happening in this blog is there? |
| To all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving I wish you a happy and peaceful time. To all those with problems may you find comfort and the strength to battle through. I'd be lying if I said I feel hunkydory and although I realise others are in the midst of traumas, I still feel my little world is lyng in pieces at my feet. There is little to blog about when your mind is whirling with a problem that won't just go away. Remaning positive is difficult but somehow the fight must continue. So, I take you back to the last issue of The Blogville News and the little challenge I set regarding statements made in blogs. Here are the correct answers. 1. ‘After all my bad news the past few days I am very happy to have a little good news to impart here in my blog. One of my dearest friends has found his way into WDC and I could not be happier. I would like all of you to meet…’ This was written by David McClain   when he introduced ccstring to WDC. Who could have imagined what an amazing effect this unique man would have on us all. Thanks David McClain for doing us a great favour and please know you are in my thoughts as I type. 2. ‘As I slowly positioned the sensuous belt around my waist, adjusting it so that one side teasingly grazed my right hip, I felt the bulge of hardness against me. Firm, yet oddly cool. I could feel the rubber beneath my hand, as my hand glided along the smooth surface I tingled with excitement and anticipation of what was about to happen. I slowly inched up, needing to reach just the right spot, parted the sheer fabric which revealed the small dots I knew marked the spot of my intended focus and took a deep breath, knowing I was moments away from pure satisfaction. ‘ Written by the very lovely Nada regarding her experience with an electric drill. Hence the birth of 'Toolwoman.' 3. ‘I fear soon I will have the need to do things that I had hoped wouldn’t be necessary in a place such as this. I followed a man among you. A man that has until now been a good little boy and has minded his manners!!! Hehee. BUT!!!! I have seen over the past few days a CLOUD!!! Not a puffy little pretty thing that floats across the sky that gives us a short rest from the sun…OH NO!!!! This thing I’ve seen now forming over there on the horizon is not a thing of puffiness!!! But I have seen this DARK THING BEFORE!!! And I fear it will grow until it takes every bit of life out of the hole dang place!!!!!’ Easy peasy huh? Our very own ccstring declaring revenge on David McClain which led to the hilarious Duck War of old. 4. ‘A strange habit I have, amongst all those disgusting ones, is to make mental lists of five. Five things I need to do when I get in, five people I need to e-mail, five reasons to be thankful etc. It’s always been five for some reason. Maybe it’s because my birthday is on the 5th; a good job then I wasn’t born at the end of the month. Imagine – 31 things I must do today. God; I’d be exhausted and a bigger failure than ever. ‘ Yours truly of corset. It still amazes me what a deep and long-lasting effect this had on other bloggers. I'm still scrabbling for a list of five reasons to be thankful, even though there is no official Thanksgiving in England. I know I can do it despite my negative feelings. 5. ‘This is just a small fragment of the conversation and is not an exaggeration. I don’t think I ever did find out about Nikki’s new place. My wife and I once saw a T-shirt that read, ‘People say I have ADD but that’s a bunch of…oh look, a chicken.’ When one of us gets sidetracked in a conversation, we’ll often say to the other, ‘Oh look a chicken,’ just to get back on track. Well, with my father-in-law there’s a whole bunch of chickens.’ partyof5dj couldn't possibly have imagined the outcome of writing this one I'm sure. Great hilarity ensued and there will always be chickens running around Blogville I'm sure. So there you have it. Nothing profound or earth shattering but small things are all we can reach out for at times. Out of the HUNDREDS of entries only one person gave all the right answers. Congratulations to Nada - Merit Circle on its way. I hope to release The Blogville News tomorrow. No big deal I know but it's all I have to keep my brain occupied and I hope it will bring a little light relief to others. It's been difficult to put together and I know you will understand some contributors have not been able to write for various reasons. I pray for easier times for many of us and the strength to hang in together and share our shattered dreams. I so wish there was a group hug facility on WDC. Bless you all today and always. |
| The day before my son dropped his bombshell I'd spent a very confusing and frustrating afternoon attempting to pinpoint places on my world map where he was travelling and where my WDC friends live. The map came with a pack of coloured flags which were perfect for the task but there were nowhere near enough and I couldn't find any more in the shops, so had to improvise. The map has been mocking me all week and I'm not sure what will become of it eventually, but here's a few shots of where I'd got up to. As you can see the USA is rather a crowded area which used up all my flags, so I had to use various other pins. I'd suggest some of you move states or even countries to help out with the overcrowding. There's plenty of room down under as I only know of two WDC members in Australia. pencilsoverpens looks a bit lonely too. The shiny pins were tracking my son's travels - I guess I won't need to buy any more. Not much of a blog, but I'm trying. Very trying, I know. If you'd like to be added to my map just let me know your location. There's time still to vote for your favourite blogger of the month; the Newsletter may be delayed a little as many of you are engaged in Thanksgiving preparations.    |
| My sister is coming over for a few days and I apologise now if my time in here is limited. I shall then attempt to focus my scrambled brain cell on The Blogville News. So with that in mind can I please ask you to - 1. Vote for your favourite blogger. To date only five votes have been cast. 2. Could all contributors let me have their articles as soon as possible. It will take time and effort to get it into place. 3. If you have a question you want our resident genius ccstring to answer please forward it to him. 4. If you want to be added to an official Blogville News Group list let me know. 5. Please send your suggestions for improvement and tell your friends about the Newsletter. That's it. Nothing more to say except thank you for your continued support, advice and personal stories of family problems. We all have them; we are all tested and have our crosses to bear and I don't think I deserve any more sympathy than the next person. I just pray my heart is as big as many of my readers so I can cope with whatever lies ahead. |
| I find it strange I mentioned how my uncle said it's a good job we don't know what the future holds in my blog the day before I received my bombshell. My Uncle Jack is someone I feel is always watching over me somehow. He wasn't blood-related and he lived a fair distance away from me but I loved him to pieces. He was Scottish, a gentleman, loved my mother's sister faithfully and although they never had chidren I believe he considered me almost his own. He wrote poignant and often hilarious poetry and in later life when everything went belly up told us 'Never lose your sense of humour son.' When he knew he was dying he went out and bought whisky, chocolates and Playboy magazines. His beloved wife was already in a home, a victim of Alzheimers but he still impressed the importance of laughing in the face of adversity. I try to take his philosophy on board so I give you a recent conversation with my parents who live in La La land. Mother 'What's the date today?' Me 'November 11th - Armistace Day' Pregnant poise. Mother 'That rings a bell.' Me 'Yes mother, it's your wedding anniversary too.' Mother to Father 'Oh did you know it's our wedding anniversary?' Father 'What?' Hearing aid gone AWOL again. Mother 'IT'S OUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.' Father 'Oh How many years?' Mother 'I can't remember. Do you know?' Father 'Pardon?' Sheesh Me '62 years of wedded bliss.' RAFL 'Mother 'Well there was a war on when we got married you know,' Me 'And you two have kept it alive and well for 62 years.' Pause Mother 'It's not been all bad you know, Your father and I have been through a lot.' Father 'Yes, but we were just too idle to get a divorce.' This morning I delivered their shopping as always on Monday. My mother went into a frenzy about maybe being charged for the packet of peanuts I bought my dad. So important in the great scheme of things. My Uncle Jack was right. Never lose your sense of humour. If I can retain mine I will prevent my son from having to meet his mum in La La land and he will know whatever happens we can one day laugh about it. |
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