Saturday morning, and it's time to put on that old thinking cap. Join Jenny Matlock at Off On My Tangent for Saturday Centus. Jenny provides a writing prompt, and all you have to do is write a story of 100 words or less. No pictures, no profanity and no splitting the prompt.She even leaves the link live for a full week, so you've got plenty of time to craft a tale to share. And make sure to visit all the links, this is an amazing group of writers and you never know what they will come up with. You'll laugh, you'll cry... it's better than a night at the movies! It's so much fun to see how the same prompt speaks so differently to everyone.
This week's prompt is in bold, blue font. My take this week is for every person out there who struggles to make their holiday picture perfect. Martha Stewart and reality don't usually meet, no matter how we try!
Mother Brown was stepping aside, letting her host Christmas for the first time. After months pouring over Martha Stewart magazines, her home was perfect. Handcrafted placecards at each table setting. Cinnamon sticks and apples simmered on the stove, scenting the air. Stockings painstakingly crafted of vintage linens culled from antique stores. Simple, elegant mantel, with evergreens, magnolia leaves and berries gathered by hand. She was pleased. Not a single thing the old bat could criticize.
Now for the tree. Opening the first box, she stared in disbelief at the bin of tangled up holiday lights. And uttered some words that Mother Brown would definitely not approve of!
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43 comments:
Isn't it amazing what we go through to impress the in-laws! You've told an amazing realistic story!
Teresa
This would be the story of my life...I really loved it!
This was perfect in its resonance, Kat, and so well written. I loved it, especially the quick punch of "the old bat" against all those lovely words.
Excellent.
=)
I'm with Sue. The "old bat" completely took me by surprise after reveling in Marthaeque tranquility and perfection. Kat, you rocked it!
What Cheryl said. I gave up pleasing my m-i-l many years ago. Now I just collect her comments for repeating back to my Best, and let my frustration out that way.
you took me away from the moments at hand...
as any good read, should do, i believe, Kat :)
and added a smile for good measure.
as always, i am never disappointed :)
(please accept my family's heart felt thank yous for all your prayers and kindness, regarding little isaac) (hugs)
I loved your abrupt change in tone at the end, and the reference to Martha Stewart mags. Well done, Kat.
Happy Holidays.
xoRobyn
Fun use of the prompt and one I bet lots of gals can relate to....
Kat, this is just wonderful. You really caught me by surprise at your ending. Gave me a real chuckle, I can't even imagine you saying "Ole Bat". Hugs, Marty
I always wonder how do the lights get tangled.... I keep them properly..!!
plateau
LOL! I thought everything was going to be perfect all the way to the end. Great surprise ending, Kat!...Christine
Hi Kat! lol lol From cinnamon sticks to the old bat in 100 words or less! Love it! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie
LOL, the things we go through to impress people. I loved this because it's so true in so many homes. I loved this.
I loved your descriptions! That mantelpiece looked glorious. ;-)
Really enjoyed your story.
I'm sooo in this story, lol!
You painted a fabulous picture of the behind the curtain hectic activities, every major festive season brings along...old bat, yes, very hard to please, even the best will be faulted... :)
Great writing! It made me laugh!
Hahahah! I feel the same way when I look at my strings of tangled lights! Although my brother came for a solution for that problem years ago - store each string of lights in its own plastic bag. Then at least you only have to deal with untangling one string, not twenty!
Of course, you could also just buy a pre-lit tree :-)
Good luck in my giveaway!
Rod is way too anal to let the lights get tangled. He has a SYSTEM, which is why he does it and not me!!
Fun Centus Kat! You had me laughing. laurie
Kat,
As usual, beautifully done. The bitchy twist at the end was perfect!
Can you believe I had 2 husbands, but never had
M-I-L?
Great work and Namaste.........cj
Thank goodness I never felt this way about my in-laws. And now they are in a better place, God rest their souls.
Every time I read your little blurbs, I get to the end and say.... "where is the rest of it? Hmm, this was interesting and I want it to go on."
Love it! At first you think the character is really into Christmas, wanting everything to be just perfect for their first soiree - and then you discover it's because she's afraid of criticism and disapproval.
I love nasty little turns - life is so full of them!
Kudos on a job well done.
Oh, Kat! It sounded like such a picture perfect Christmas until you slipped in those priceless words, "the old bat"! Ha, ha! Been there, done that! She should save those tangled lights to choke the old bat with...oh, my, there I go again!
I so wish that I had thought to snap some photo or videotape the fight in Walmart! I was just trying to get out of gunshot range!
Malisa
Girl, you had me from the beginning, as any good story should. You have such a gift... looking forward to more.
hugs ~lynne~
...just when everything was going smoothly... nice twist
...just when everything was going smoothly... nice twist
There's always something.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Been there, done that, not with my MIL, but with others.
Hope you're enjoying the season!
Hi Kat!!! Oh girlfriend I was soooo happy to hear from you!! Times have been tough on my familys health lately, but all seems to be ok for the minute....
But Kat....I need to know what happened?!! Did the "old bat" approve finally? Or did the tangled Christmas lights cause a snafu? I really wanted this story to go on! I really need to check out the Saturday centus....I thought it was going to be about saving money with coupons or something! *winks* Vanna
This happens to me every year! As always, I'd love to hear more of the story!
XO,
Jane
LOL! It sounds like you are writing from experience! This was great fun, Kat! I love the "old bat" line too! I hope the tangled holiday lights didn't spoil her Martha Christmas! Awesome job!
Ha! I loved this! I did an old bat interpretation for this weeks prompt!
What an amusing and well written SC.
I really enjoyed this.
I bet Martha Stewart has 'staff' to keep her lights all tidily bundled.
hope you are having a wonder Christmas season.....
I think you hit the nail on the head with this one....that was kind of me in a former life.
haha the mother brown ways sound just like my aunty. made me laugh!
To my fellow Texas Blogging Gal, I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, peace, and love.
Merry Christmas!
Yoli
Apron Senorita
Christmas Blessings to you and your family, From my mountain to yours Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Kat, I just wanted to stop in and say Merry Christmas. Love ya and can't wait to read more of your stories next year. Have a Very Blessed and Merry Christmas. Hugs, Marty
Merry Christmas Kat...hope you and your family are doing well...
Hi Kat! Just stopping by to check on you! I hope all is well at your house. Enjoy Cait's visit! Wishing a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, joy and love to you and your family!...hugs...Debbie
Would you believe my tree is not up??? It's in a box! LOL! I'm sick and in my PJs, blogging. I finally had to cry "Uncle!" as I said in a post on my blog so I won't waste space here tellling you, but I can SO identify with this, Kat!
Couldn't let the holiday go by without dropping by to wish you a Christmas both merry and bright! May all the joys of this holy day be yours.
Merry Christmas, my dear friend...
Love you much!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Ah, the perfect Christmas. I rather think it's the imperfections that make it perfect!
Hi Kat!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday with your friends and loved ones.
Merry Christas even if it is the day after!
xo, Bonnie
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