Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Words for Wednesday - and a Wonderful Surprise

Yesterday, our children surprised my husband and I the most wonderful 25th wedding anniversary gift. Thanks to them, we now have a beautifully assembled scrapbook of photos and memories from our married life, which includes some letters from dear friends and family. 


wedding anniversary photo album, gift

The time and effort that went into this project has totally has overwhelmed us, and it is

something we will treasure forever. I cannot believe how resourceful our kids were; they found photos we didn't even remember existed, and clearly spent many hours on this project! Their efforts, as well as those of the friends and family they were able to contact to contribute, are all very much appreciated!

gift, 25th anniversary


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It is still my month to host the weekly writing challenge, Words for Wednesday. I've been busy working on my blog design and celebrating my anniversary, so unfortunately I was not able to post a new section of my "Mindy Story" yesterday, using last week's words. I am planning to provide a new chapter sometime soon! I also have decided to wait until next week (my last week as host of Words for Wednesday) to reveal how I have been selecting the word prompts!

You may have seen the sneak peek of the word prompt yesterday - but here it is again, along with an explanation of what Words for Wednesday is all about.

How to Participate in Words for Wednesday:

The writing prompt is usually in the form of six (or twelve) words, or a phrase, but may also be a photo, an idea, or anything that might inspire a piece of flash fiction. 
There are no deadlines or rules or prizes. Everyone is invited to participate, as often or as little as you choose. Feel free to write a single sentence or an entire story from the prompt.  
Publish your work in the comments below, or on your own blog with a link back to this blog post. If you publish your work on your own blog be sure to also leave a comment here. That way everyone can find, read, and comment on your post.
Note: As with any comments on this blog, anything considered inappropriate, derogatory, offensive or spam will not be published. 

Here are the words for this week:


timer, sunshine, fan, bark, technical, crock pot
AND / OR 
business, application, rehearsal, experiences, significant, horizon
Words for Wednesday was a meme originally created by Delores of Under the Porch Light. She used this weekly writing prompt to encouraged others to write something creative. 
Unfortunately, Delores began to have computer issues, and could no longer provide the weekly prompts. Elephant’s Child took over for a while, and then she organized volunteers to share the responsibility. Drifting through Life hosted in July, Randomosity in August. 
September has been my month, so you will find the prompt here next week as well. In October, I believe the prompts will be provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue, but will be published on the blog Elephant's Child.
I promise to respond to recent comments that have been made on this blog soon - and to resume my visiting schedule to my other favorite blogs. But, before I do, I hope you will forgive me if I spend some time enjoying my wonderful anniversary scrapbook!

wedding anniversary photo album, gift

After all that, I can't wait to see what all of you do with this week's words! 

Do you think Mindy, my fictional character, will ever celebrate a wedding anniversary?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

31 comments :

  1. My goodness! That certainly is a gift to be cherished forever. What a wonderful gift your children have given you. It is love and thoughtfulness personified.

    You are forgiven although, in truth, you have nothing to be forgiven for...you've been very busy.

    Below is my effort using this week's words:-

    "It was as if someone had drawn a curtain on the SUNSHINE. A SIGNIFICANT change threatened. The temperature had dropped suddenly. She reached out and turned off the FAN. It was no longer needed. Gusty winds arrived without warning. Heavy, threatening clouds loomed over the HORIZON.

    The day’s REHEARSAL had been purely TECHNICAL, just like all her previous EXPERIENCES before the hard-nosed director, but she felt, as always, his BARK was fiercer than his bite. She’d noticed the slight glint of interest in his eyes. He was all BUSINESS; he always was. As ever, it was difficult to know what he was thinking.

    Today she had tried a new APPLICATION of her method; of her presentation; a new style to her approach. Now she just had to wait for his decision; a decision, she knew could take days. Nothing ever changes.

    Lost in her thoughts, she reflected on the day’s happenings as she checked the contents of the CROCKPOT. She’d set the TIMER hours ago, earlier in the morning before she’d headed off to the theatre. She knew he’d be home soon.

    As was their habit, they’d enjoy a couple of Scotches before dinner, and then they would share a bottle of quality Shiraz with their meal. She’d prepared his favourite meal - Boeuf Bourguignon.

    Thunder rumbled overhead. The scent of imminent rain was in the air. She heard his car pull into the driveway. They wouldn’t discuss his or her day. He would act, as he always did, as if she’d not performed before him."

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    1. You have really done this word prompt justice, Lee! I Love the twist at the end!! Thanks for participating!

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    2. Well done Lee. A nice peek into their lives.

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    3. Always enjoy a surprise ending, well done.

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    4. Goodness, now this was an interesting trail and discovery of them all with all 12 words for you as well! Bravo.

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  2. What a perfect anniversary gift! I hope you had a great day!

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    1. Thanks Carlee - it really was a perfect gift - and the perfect day!

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  3. What a beautiful gift from your thoughtful children!

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  4. A great twist...your kids are so thoughtful!

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    1. They are very thoughtful and kind - I am proud of them both!

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  5. What an absolutely perfect gift. I suspect your eyes leaked. Huge smiles and slightly misty eyes.
    I am not sure I will play with the words this week, life has got in the way a bit. You are right, next month the prompts will indeed go up on my blog. The following months are yet to be decided.

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    1. Sounds like we have both had busy weeks, EC. And yes,my eyes did “leak.” We were on a video call with my daughter at college, and my son brought the book out to us then - so she saw our reaction as well.

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  6. What a blessing...your children and that scrapbook. Happy Anniversary!
    -Lori

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  7. Here we go....
    "I'm not very technical." Julie moaned as she looked over the selection of crock pots.
    "Oh, these are soooo simple." the sales woman cooed.as she gave Julie a quick over view of the various features. "This one has a timer and a fan to help cool the pot down after cooking."
    Dave nudged Julie. "Leave your money in the bank." he said. "Come over to my place. You can sit out by the pool in the sun while I grill our dinner."
    Julies eyes lit up. Good looking AND he can cook. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

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    1. Happy dances. Lovely to see you playing with words again. And I love that winner, winner, chicken dinner phrase...

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    2. Goodness, great word work, and you've got me ready for chicken now! I best get some lunch quickly!

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    3. I could just copy the comment by EC here ... my thoughts exactly!

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  8. We've been having a terrible heat wave here so I've been using my crock pot like crazy. It's just been to hot to turn on the stove. Even the sunshine hasn't taken a break in weeks. I'm sure the bark on the trees is ready to melt at any time. I am trying to give the air conditioners a break and use the fans more, but it just seems to technical to have to put the fan in front of the windows when I could just as easily set the timer on the air conditioner and really be cool! Have a wonderful anniversary! Yours is a month behind me. Ours is August 21st but we are 24 so you have me beat by 11 months haha. I think Lana has been married the same length as the two of us.

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    1. “the bark on the trees is ready to melt” - words of a writer, for sure! Happy belated 24th and early 25th Rena! Those years have gone by quickly, haven't they?!

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  9. That just HAS to be the best anniversary gift ever! What a wonderful keepsake.

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    1. I wouldn't trade it for any piece of jewelry!

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  10. what a wonderful gift and the fact that your kids did it all without you knowing is even more special. Congrats on 25 years and on raising terrific human beings :)

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    1. I was worried about my daughter when she was home - she seemed very tired. She was! I stay up late blogging, so she would have to wait for me to go to bed so she could get started sorting through photo albums! Thanks Leanne!

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  11. I am in tears over that gift! What a wonderful, beautiful, unforgettable thing to do! Absolutely perfect!
    And congratulations!!!

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    1. Thanks Diane. I agree - absolutely the best! I feel very lucky.

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  12. Hooray, I found this post pretty quickly this week. I know I probably posted wrong last week, but I'm here and in with my Words for Wednesday. What a treasure they prepared for you. Very loving indeed! Here's my link for all 12 words.
    http://twincitiesblather.blogspot.com/2015/09/old-fences.html

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    1. Glad you found the post more easily this week, and just popped over to your link. Well done - and love the photos too.

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  13. Congrats, Susan. You and your husband have done the best job of raising your two. It's obvious. That they would plot and plan such a wonderful present is proof of that. What a treasure.

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    1. Thanks Kelly. I was very touched by the significant effort that went into it all! From what I know, your kids are pretty awesome too!

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