Holiday Meme

Thank you, Ronnie, for reminding me of this meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Always gift bags of fabric or paper.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. It smells like the real thing when we put pine-scented spray on it.

3. When do you put up the tree?
The first day of Advent.

4. When do you take your tree down?
I prefer to leave it up until Epiphany (Jan 6) but it usually comes down any time after New Year's Day,

5. Do you like eggnog?
I love it but my waistline doesn't.

6. Favourite gift received as a child?
A white polar bear stuffy with a red collar.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
The budgies. I never know what toy will impress them.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
The dogs. Anything that squeaks delights them.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, the figures are made of clay.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I don't send cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift ever received.
A giant Star Wars picture. (I've never seen the movies so am not a fan.)

12. Favourite Christmas movie?
Mine is A Christmas Carol. Ron's is Prancer.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Early in November or even late October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes. My neighbour gives me gifts I can't use so I pass them along to charity shops or the annual animal rescue fundraisers.

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Shortbread, which I always make. I also love turkey. We only have it once a year, but the leftovers are frozen and we enjoy meals for a few months after.

16. Lights on the tree; coloured or white?
We had white for a few years, but now it's tiny blue lights.

17. Favourite Christmas song?
Once in Royal David's City always sends shivers down my spine. I also love John Rutter's Nativity Carol.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We are at home this year.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, but why?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. Ron struggles every year to get it absolutely straight.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning after breakfast.

22. Favourite ornament theme or colour?
A large collection of musical instruments. We also have quite a few tiny dog ornaments.

23. Favourite for Christmas dinner?
Turkey with all the trimmings, including sprouts.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year?
An indictment for the Orange Menace.

25. Merry Christmas to all
And to all a good night.

Glory to Ukraine

A Meme from Long Ago

Ronnie reminded me of this meme that I did way back when, and since she shared her answers from then and now, I have done the same. I didn't look to see what I had written in 2009 before I decided on today's answers.

1. I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments. What do you choose?

Then:
Produce: Grape tomatoes
Frozen: Dr. Oetker pizza
Dairy: Cheese
Meat: Pork back ribs
Canned Goods: Italian wedding soup

Now:
Produce: Mushrooms
Frozen: PC ice cream
Dairy: Cheese
Meat: Chicken thighs
Canned Goods: Italian wedding soup

2. Let's say you're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?

Then:
socks
underwear
t-shirt

Now:  
Sweater
Comfortable shoes
Underwear

3. If I were to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 4 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?

Then:
"You're absolutely right."
"Whatever you say, Sir."
I learned something today; I can go home now."
"When do you want it?"

Now:
"Whatever you like."
"Sounds good to me."
"Dinner's ready."
"It's your turn to take the puppy out."

4. So, what 4 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do them, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?

Then:
Eat breakfast
Kiss Ron good-bye and hello
Read my email
Laugh at the dogs

Now:
Play games on the iPad.
Watch shows recorded on the PVR.
Eat breakfast.
Visit my favourite blogs.

5. You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?

Then:
I've never had road rage. I'm a patient and cautious driver, so I'm sure I've inspired road rage in many others.

Now:
I never get road rage. I'm very patient and careful.

6. You just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?

Then:
Read spanking blogs
Bake something yummy
Do a logic puzzle or Sudoku
Write some blog posts
Read a book

Now:
Play games on the iPad.
Prepare some posts for the blog.
Bake something yummy.
Binge watch some favourite tv shows.
Tackle the pile of mending.

7. We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?

Then:
I haven't been to a zoo since I was a child, and I loved to visit the goats, peacocks, and bears.

Now:
I don't believe in zoos. Wild animals should not be kept in cages.

8. You just scored tickets to the taping of any television show of your choice. You can pick 4, so what are you going to see?

Then:
Restaurant Makeover
Coronation Street
Kitchen Nightmares
Canada's Worst Handyman

Now:
Dragon's Den
Real Time with Bill Maher
The Great British Bake-off
Escape to the Country

9. You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?  

Then:
Chocolate fudge brownie
Tiger tail (orange and licorice)
Rocky road

Now:
Chocolate with loads of peanut butter and chocolate chips
Chocolate with loads of caramel and chocolate chips (both are President's Choice brand)
Pistachio

10. Somebody stole your purse/wallet. In order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?

Then:
A letter from my chiropodist
A card with the number of my printer cartridge on it
Plastic penny holder
A note with directions to a mall in a nearby town
Bottle of hand sanitizer

Now:
Health card
Proof of vaccination
Key to the church sacristy
Driver's licence
PC Optimum card

11. You are at a job fair, and are asked in what areas you are interested in pursuing a career. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?  

Then:
Professional mime
Copy editor for a big newspaper
Paint stirrer tester
Porn control officer at the Canada-US border

Now:
Copy editor
Concert pianist
Dressage expert
Chemist

12. If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?

Then:
Relax, smile, and be friendly.
Love and happiness will come in time.
Follow your dream, but figure out what it is first.
Don't be afraid to take risks.

Now:
Decide what you enjoy most and stick to it, no matter what.
Smile more and be friendly.
Don't be so self-conscious. Nobody's looking at you.
Do your best and be proud of it.

A New Meme

Here's a new meme that I borrowed from Ronnie. Please feel free to use it on your blog to tell us more about yourself.

What can you see out of your window? 
Lights on the paper carrier's car, streetlight shining on a maple tree's leaves blowing in the wind. It's still dark outside.

Choose five words to describe yesterday.
Rain, toenails, sandwich, laundry, telephone.

The most memorable death in your lifetime (other than family)?
Stan Rogers, a great Canadian folksinger, who perished in a plane crash.

Tell us 3 things about yourself that your readers don't know.
As a teen I performed in a folk group.
Years ago my next door neighbour was a famous Canadian author.
I love Spam. We often have it with pancakes on Sunday morning. The combination of the saltiness of the meat and the sweetness of the maple syrup is delicious.

What was the last conversation you had with someone.
A Zoom meeting with several people for a project I am working on.

Tell us about a kindness from someone.
I spilled some tomatoes out of a bag and a kind woman helped me pick them up.

What was the last song you heard?
Hey Jude by the Beatles.

What is the most expensive item you have bought in the past month?
Besides vet bills, we bought a new breadmaker as the current one leaks.

What three things would you take to a desert island?
Seeds, a shovel and a short-wave radio.

What are your plans for the weekend.
Library, laundry and love (after a spanking).

That was fun!

An October Meme

This one 's from PK via Ronnie - How well do you know your significant other?

Name a food he won’t eat?
Anything a tiny bit spoiled or squishy or moldy.

You go out to eat; what would he drink?
Beer if it's lunchtime, and red wine if it's a dinner out.

What’s one thing you do that just about guarantees you’re getting a spanking?
Saturday, 4:30.

What is his nickname for you?
He doesn't have one, and doesn't use my name either.

What is something he likes to do?
Check the weather on the iPad.

What is his favourite store?
Amazon.com

When he is on the phone, who is he talking to?
His son.

What are his favourite shows?
His all-time favourites are The Wonder Years, Breaking Bad and Cheers. Current shows are 48 hours, Dateline and How it Really Happened.

What’s his favourite implement?
The long red shoehorn.

What would he never wear?
Shorts, because he thinks his legs are too skinny.

What’s his favourite food?
Coddled eggs for breakfast, BLT for lunch, and steak for dinner.

If you could change one thing about your significant other, large or small, what would it be?
I wish he would speak in a normal tone of voice and not mumble, so I wouldn't have to ask him to repeat everything he says.

What is his favourite sport?
American football.

What is something that you do that he wishes you didn’t?
He doesn't like it when I hum a tune I've just heard (which is pretty much all day long).

What could he do all day long and not get bored?
Read or watch CNN.

How does he like his coffee?
Strong with little milk.

How long have you been together?
36 years.

What is your perfect world for yourself and your relationship ten years from now?
I hope things would be exactly the same, with both of us in good health.

A Summer Meme

This meme comes to us from PK at New Beginnings, and I couldn't resist!

Do you like blue cheese?
I love it! Danish blue is always in the fridge.

Coke or Pepsi?
Diet Pepsi please.

Do you own a gun?
Not now, but when I was in high school I belonged to a gun club, learned to shoot a rifle and had one of my own.

What flavor of Kool-Aid?
I don't drink it, but lime would be my favourite.

Hot Dogs?
They go for a dip in their kiddie pool.

Favorite tv show?
Currently running - Doc Martin. Past shows are Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, and comedies Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Believe in ghosts?
Yes I do.

What do you drink in the morning?
Water to take a calcium tablet, then coffee with breakfast.

Can you do a push-up?
Only the easy kind.

Favorite jewelry?
Three silver rings.

Favorite hobby?
Right now it's iPad games, but I also like gardening and crochet.

Do you have ADD?
No. I can concentrate on a task without difficulty.

Do you wear glasses?
Yes, all the time.

Favorite cartoon character?
Bugs Bunny.

Three things you did this morning?
Let the dog out, ate a bowl of cereal and washed last night's dishes.

Three things you drink?
Tea, water and beer.

Current worries?
None at present. I was worried about our sick dog, but sadly that worry ended last weekend.

Do you believe in magic?
Sleight of hand? yes, it's very clever. The Harry Potter kind - no.

Favorite place to be?
Our cathedral.

How did you ring in the New Year?
Had cheese fondue, and celebrated early with Prosecco then bed.

Favorite color?
Blue.

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
I haven't tried it, but soft cotton flannel is very nice.

Can you whistle?
God no, and I HATE being near anyone who does.

What are you doing right now?
Typing this meme, listening to online radio and playing Wild West on the iPad.

Where would you rather be right now?
I'm perfectly content to be where I am.

Favorite food?
Pizza! That's a combination of foods, so if I have to choose a single food it would be cheese.

Favorite sex toy or spanking implement?
Rose paddle.

That was fun! Please try it too!

Have you ever...

Brand-new blogger Shell created a meme that I know you will all want to try. Thank you PK for sharing your version of it.

Have you ever...

Had one of your kids unknowingly pick up or use one of your implements?
I don't have any kids, and when the  grandchildren come to visit, all implements are safely out of sight.

Hidden an implement?
I once bought a red stocking with 12 different implements in a post-Christmas clearance sale at Cane-iac. A few are simply too severe for use, and I don't know how to dispose of them. They are hidden at the bottom of a drawer.

Had an uninvited audience for a spanking?
Only the dogs.

Had an implement break while being in use?
Yes. Wooden spoons seem especially prone to mishap. Isn't it lucky that leather never breaks?

Stood up or walked out from a spanking?
Never. Why would I?

Purchased an implement yourself...for yourself?
I make all the implement purchases, although sometimes Ron points out something like a bath brush or spatula when we are out shopping.

Had a session where all the implements were used?
We have far too many implements for that. It would take hours and my bottom would be too numb to enjoy it.

Had to explain "weird noises" coming from your bedroom?
Not that I can recall. We are the only two in the house.

Been spanked outside of the comfort of your four walls?
Yes, in a borrowed apartment.

Spanked your significant other?
No. I once asked Ron if he wanted me to spank him and her replied, "you are the spankee; I'm the spanker."
Been spanked in a hotel room/resort?
No, but it sounds like fun.

Been spanked with your own belt?
No. My belt has little metal dogs on it and that would be dangerous. I bought a belt at a thrift shop for the purpose.

That was fun! Please feel free to share this one with your friends.

A Meme from PK

PK came up with an interesting meme that I just had to try, so here goes:

1.What bill do you hate paying the most?
Mastercard. It's always higher than I thought it would be.

2. When is the last time you had a romantic dinner?
Hallowe'en

3. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Playing games on my iPad

4. How many colleges did you attend?
Two universities and one college.

5. Why did you choose the shirt you are wearing right now?
It matches the leggings I have on

6. Thoughts on gas prices right now?
A lot lower than they were a month ago

7. First thought when the alarm goes off in the morning?
My alarm clock is a little dog coming out from under the covers, shaking his head, and I think, "Oh, no, we're going out into the cold."

8. Last thought you have before going to bed?
Nice music on the radio.

9. Do you miss being a child?
Oh, no, not at all. Childhood was an unpleasant time for me.

10. What errand/chore do you hate doing the most?
Buying a case of beer, because it's so heavy and I hate asking for help carrying it to the car.

11. Up early or sleeping in?
Always early -- see #7.

12. Found love yet?
Yes, I have!

13. Favorite lunch meat?
Liverwurst

14. What do you get at Walmart every single time?
A smile when I see real live Walmartians!

15. Lake or ocean?
Lake. Oceans are scary!

16. Is marriage outdated?
It isn't necessary for a happy relationship.

17. Ever crash your vehicle?
Absolutely not.

18. Strangest place you’ve brushed your teeth?
In the basement, over the sump hole, before we had running water.

19. Somewhere you’ve never been but want to go?
Britain

20. At this point in your life would you want to start a new career?
Yes, I already have, and I love it!

21. How old are you?
Old enough to know better.

22. Do you have a go to person?
No, I'm self-sufficient.

23. Are you where you want to be in life?
I never really knew where I wanted to be, so yes, I guess so.

24. Growing up what cartoons did you watch?
Bugs Bunny, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Tom and Jerry.

25. What about you do you think has changed since you were in high school?
My confidence and my ability to socialize.

26. Looking back was high school the best years of your life?
Oh my, not at all, but they were better than public school.

27. Are there times you still feel like a kid?
Yes, when I eat peanut butter straight from the jar.

28. Did you have a pager?
No.

29. Was there a hangout spot when you were a teenager?
There might have been, but I wasn't one of the in crowd so I didn't know about it.

30. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with?
Yes, I was polite and had lots of toys for my friends to play with.

31. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out to you?
A male teacher in Grade 7 who threatened to spank us if we didn't do our homework. Another male teacher in Grade 11 who said the same thing to me directly when I missed an easy question he asked me.

32. Do you tell stories that start with when I was your age?
No, because nobody wants to hear that sort of thing.

Thanks, PK!

A Holiday Meme

This creative meme has been circulating lately, so here's my take on it.

1.  Name something people hate to find on their windshield?  
Flyer advertising some grand opening

2. Name something a man might buy before going on a date?
Flowers

3. Name something you cook in the microwave?
Scrambled eggs

4. Name an item found in an old man's wallet?
Health card


5. Something always stocked in the fridge? 
Butter

6. Name an item found in a Grandma's purse? 
Tissue

7. Sport where you might lose a tooth? 
Boxing


8. Name a fruit that isn't round?
Banana

9. Name something you put on a Christmas tree?
Angel

10. Name five people that you think will do this? 
Check my blogroll

 Don't forget to Complete the Caption!

An August Meme

This must be the season for memes. Here is another one from Terpsichore. I believe I did this one a number of years ago, but it's fun to see if things change over time.

Who's oldest?
Ron

Who was interested first?
I was. He didn't like me at first, because I was hired for the wrong reason, he thought. But time passed and he realized how special(!) I am.

Same High school?
No.

Most sensitive?
Me.

Worse temper?
Him, definitely. I keep my anger under control, but he doesn't.

More social?
Neither of us. We are both introverts who prefer our own company.

More stubborn?
Him.

Wakes up first?
We both wake up when the dogs do, but I get up with them and he goes back to sleep.

Bigger Family?
He does.

Flowers?
I love them.

Who cooks the most?
I do.

Cries more?
I do, but very rarely.

Said I love you first?
He did.

Better singer?
Me by default because I have never heard him sing, even though he was once a boy chorister. 

Better driver?
We are both competent and safe drivers, but he thinks all women are bad drivers, so I let him drive.

Hogs the remote?
I do because he doesn't know how to work the PVR or BluRay.

Better cook?
I usually do the cooking but he is also a good cook.

Clothes And Shoe Hoarder?
Neither. We both declutter regularly. One in, one out is the rule.


No, not much has changed since last time.

An end of the week meme

Terpsichore published this meme recently, and I liked it a lot, so here goes!


1.  Name a place where you have always wanted to make love with your partner.
Outdoors, somewhere secluded.

2. What is your least favorite implement for a discipline spanking?
Dressage whip.

3. Name or describe a piece of lingerie in which your husband loves to see you.
Black garter belt and stockings

4. Do you favor silver jewelry or gold? Besides a wedding ring, do you have a signature piece that you wear often or even every day?
I love silver jewelry. I always wear a silver ring that I bought in Colonial Williamsburg, a Celtic ring with characters that mean joy, prosperity and fruitfulness, and Ron's baby ring with his birthstone.

5. What was the worst job you ever had?
My first summer job was in the bindery of a printing plant. The work was too heavy for me and I just wasn't any good at it. The next summer I worked in a newspaper\s editorial department as a proofreader and enjoyed it much more.

6. Is there something your husband does (or doesn't do) around the house that drives you crazy?
He does lots of jobs around the house, so no complaints there! The only thing that bugs me is that he won't give a straight answer to a question, but says "I guess so" or "I don't know".

7. What is the hardest thing you ever had to learn? Could be school, career, life, or even ttwd.
I learned the hard way to keep my mouth shut instead of spouting wisecracks.

8.  Besides a spanking, tell us something that always brings a tear to your eye. Could be a movie, a song, a memory, or something else.
I usually keep my emotions in check; keep calm and carry on, stiff upper lip are my mottoes. But if I'm feeling low and somebody shows sympathy to me and encourages me to open up, the tears come easily.

9. What was your favorite grade in school (K through 12) and why?
None of those. I always dreaded September and the return to school, because I was socially awkward and felt like an outsider, and the teachers didn't like me much either. Grade 13 was better because it was in a new city, people didn't know I was an outcast, and I sort of remade myself to make up for the past.

University was much better, and teacher's college was absolutely the best year ever, because there I met a huge number of fellow students who had also been outcasts. I learned there that the word for us was "isolates".

10. As a child, did you have a favorite stuffed animal or doll that you took to bed?
I loved stuffed animals and had a huge collection of different ones. When I was very small I had a stuffed toy - a cat or something - that I was never without, until it got too dirty and my mother threw it away. I was furious!

11. What was a make-believe game you loved to play when you were a kid?
It was a spanking game - no surprise there. I was the stern teacher and had very unruly teddy bear pupils who were spanked for every misdemeanor.

12. Look in your closet. Is there a lot of one particular color? Are you drawn to that color when you shop?
I look good in blue, so most of my clothes are in various shades of that colour. I also like reds.

13. What is your favorite alcoholic beverage? What is your favorite soft beverage?
I enjoy white wine, although I wouldn't turn down a glass or red. I usually drink water throughout the day, along with tea at lunch and mid-afternoon.

14. If you could have your dream job for a day, what would it be?
I already have it.

15. Describe your wedding gown. If you didn't have a gown, tell us about what you wore. If you were going to get married again, what would you pick today?
I made it myself, and it was floor-length, white and pale green, with short sleeves. If I were to marry again, I would wear something comfortable and blue.

16. Tell us about your first car! How old were you? Did you give it a name? Do you remember how much it cost?
I was in my twenties, and it was a green Renault, totally unsuitable for Canadian winters. It was cheap, and I called it Kyrie.

 
And there you have it!

The Latest Meme

I love this meme that Ronnie posted last week, so here goes:


Age?  Old enough to know better

Bed size?  King, with plenty of room for the dogs.

Chore you hate? Dusting

Pets' names?  Blue Bird, Green Bird, Big Fish, Little Fish, Little White Fish. One dog has the name of a character from Cheers, while the other does not.

Essential start to your day (items)? Rice Krispies, water and calcium tablet, then iPad for my favourite games.

Favourite colour?  Blue

Gold or silver?  Give me silver every time, but not the kind you have to polish.

Height?  5' 7", down from 5'8". I'm shrinking :(

Instruments you play (in head or real)? In the order I learned them: tambourine, recorder, vibraphone, guitar, clarinet and piano. Next on my list: violin.

Kids?  No thanks

Living arrangements?  With my partner

Music you love?  Folk, sixties and seventies oldies.

Nicknames?  Nana

Job?  Editor

Overnight hospital stay other than birth?  Twice in six months for surgery thirty years ago.

Pet Peeve?  Rudeness

Quote from a movie?  "Follow the Money" from All the President's Men

Right or left handed?  Right handed

Siblings?  None

Time you wake up?  Between 5:00 and 5:30, or whenever the dogs wake up

Underwear? Always

Vegetables you dislike?  I like them all, but hate cilantro. Does that count as a vegetable?

Workout style?  Running to pick up dog poop before the dogs eat it.

Best dish you make?  Chicken cacciatore, using Jamie Oliver's recipe. If you do all the prep ahead of time, it really does take only 15 minutes. 

Best place to visit?  Of places I have been, Salem, MA. That was some weird shit!

A December Meme

CAN YOU FILL THIS OUT WITHOUT FIBBING?

You bet I can...

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? 
Rice Krispies.

2. Worst Christmas present?
An apron from my daughter-in-law. It made me feel so old.

3. Worst pain?
It's a toss up between my first gall bladder attack and the post-surgical pain.

4. Favourite place you've travelled?
I love the maritime provinces - especially Prince Edward Island.

5. How late did you stay up last night?
8:30. It had been a long day.

6. If you could, would you move?
Yes, I wouldn't mind living in a country cottage.

7. Favourite toy as a child?
My collection of china animals.

8. Favourite TV show as a kid?
The Mickey Mouse Club.

9. How do you feel right now?
Anxious about the upcoming Christmas entertaining.

10. When was the last time you cried?
Last year, at a Christmas movie we watch every year.

11. Who took your profile picture?
The publicists for the Harry Potter series.

12. Who is the last person you took a picture with?
My grandchildren.

13. What's your favourite season?
Spring.

14. If you could have any career, what would you pick?
I've finally moved into the career I always wanted, and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

15. Do you think relationships are worth it?
It's not good to be alone. People are necessary for a happy, well-rounded life.

16. If you could talk to ANYONE right now who would it be?
My aunt used to make a delicious fruitcake that I loved, not the kind I was tempted to leave on someone's doorstep. I wish I could ask her for the recipe.

17. Are you a good influence? 
Yes, I like to think so.

18. Does pineapple belong on pizza?
No, although I love fresh pineapple.

19. You have the remote, what are you watching right now?
I'm watching the latest crisis on CNN and catching up on recorded Coronation Street episodes during the commercials.

20. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
On Christmas Eve we exchange gifts when we have company, but we always open each other's presents the following morning.

21. Lights on the tree; coloured or white?
Both. We have a mixture of white and blue.

Happy Holidays!