Lovely Eli of the blog Coach Daddy has done it again. He’s managed to get at least 54 folks to come up with 55 different six word sentences to a single prompt. This month’s prompt was “What We’d Say Without Fear.”
Such a great topic. I mean, imagine the freedom of saying something to someone without the crippling fear of their response!
Now, you might be puzzled over the concept of ” … at least 54 folks doing 55.” Fair enough. How does that work? Well, it appears that at least one of us submitted more than one six word sentence. Yes, in true Just TypiKel fashion, I somehow forgot about the first and submitted a second.
- Two submissions, Mom? Seriously?
Afraid so, son. Check these out.
6. “Life’s short, eat the damn dessert.”
Kelly M., of Just Typikel blog
28. “I’m sorry I told you first.”
Kelly M., of Just Typikel blog
Good Heavens. Bless you, Eli, for accepting a dual submission.
So, what is the story behind #6 and #28? I wish I knew. Ok, I do know the background story of “Life’s short, eat the damn dessert.”
You might remember I wrote a post a few months back about the rather sudden death of a dear friend. LLB lost her life to pancreatic cancer in just three short months. In the post I outlined but a few of the ways in which she enriched my life. She’s been gone for five months now and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. It’s just so damn hard to accept the truth that she’s no longer here. This time last year she was in perfect health and happily planning a December trip to Mexico.
When Eli fired the topic at me, my thoughts immediately went to LLB. She would be the first to admit that she took great pride in her appearance. Aged 64, she could pass for 45. One of the reasons she looked so fit and trim was her rigid adherence to a strict diet. She delighted in saying “bread rarely passes my lips.” It pains me now to remember how I’d watch in silence as she’d pass on desserts. All desserts. Why did I never, ever say “life’s short, eat the damn dessert.”I was afraid to. Afraid that I’d upset her. How I’d give anything now for just one more meal with her and the chance to encourage her to eat that damn dessert.
Moving on to “I’m sorry I told you first.” I got a little acknowledgement email from Eli and in it he asked me to share the story behind this one with him. I didn’t answer back. Why? I wish I knew. I am completely drawing a blank on this one. No memory of what drew me to come up with this gem. That lack of memory is of course causing me to question myself. Is it a case of early onset memory loss? Lord, I hope not. However I’m taking comfort in something my dear 92 year-old mom always says about Alzheimer’s. “You lose your ability to do zippers first and then your numbers go …”
Happily I had no issues with my zipper on the night I took on the wasps ..
Today is Friday. The sentence prompt for Finish the Sentence Friday, one of my favorite blogging link up groups, is “I Wish I Knew …” and so looking back over the past week there are a couple of things that have happened which fit in rather nicely.
The first one has to be I wish I knew what happened to this chap we saw on the side of the highway a few days ago.
He was trapped between a fence and the road. We called it in but don’t know how he fared.
Then there’s the discovery of the shoe.
Last summer after a swim club sleepover my son, a swim coach, came home without this shoe. He had the right, not the left. It went missing “during the night.” After fruitlessly searching various losts and founds we accepted the fact that the shoe was lost forever. Horrid mommy that I am, I pitched the remaining shoe. Guess who turned up at this year’s sleepover? YES. It wintered inside my son’s rolled up sleeping bag …
And finally, there are two fellows who attended a certain family party last night who would be forgiven for thinking “I wish I knew …”
I urge you to check out the other FTSF posts. As always our host is Kristi of Finding Ninee, this week’s guest hosts are Mardra from Mardra Sikora and Jill from Ripped Jeans and Bifocals
Enough about me and my Just TypiKels. I’m curious about you. What is the one thing you wish you knew? Or what is the one thing you’d like to tell someone? Are they saucy or mild? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
70 Responses
Yes, we all ought to eat the damn dessert! Love this one!
Thanks, Jen. I had coconut chunk frozen yogurt last night. You?
What a funny story about the shoe! I’m sorry about your friend and agree “just eat the damn dessert!!” I wonder what your other sentence was from. Funny thing memory, huh? Thanks for linking up, Kelly!!
Let’s just say I’m hoping that memory loss was a one off, Kristi.
I also wondered about the meaning behind “I’m sorry I told you first”. But fear not, my friend, you can count on me to always eat dessert. Life is, indeed, way too short. Happy weekend! May it be filled with fun and result in great ideas for blog posts because I love to read about your adventures!
Thanks so much, Mo. I wish I could remember. It’s a provocative sentence, no? Dang. And yes, should be a good weekend. Got folks coming for brunch and dinner tonight and we are out tomorrow for dinner. Yay! Have a great one yourself, dear friend.
I feel as if “I’m sorry I told you first” may have to be a future prompt. There’s a lot hiding behind that curtain. 🙂
Well put, Mardra, well put. I just wish I could remember the reason I came up with it.
One thing I wish I knew…how to keep mom off of the thermostat.
What I wish I could say to somebody…Get a grip life’s to short!
Oh Rena, I wish I could help you on the momsy thermostat front. Hang in there. And yes, life is too short. May we all get a grip!
Yes Kelly, you can always count on me to eat dessert !! Love this !
Especially a little something, something from our chocolate friend Thomas H, eh, Jane? Discovered the absolute best icecream shop. Rain or Shine. On 4th. Have you been there? Might have to include 4th Ave on our next field trip …
As always, when I have the honor stopping by, your pictures and words made me smile (those guys and those shirts!!!). I’m so sorry to hear about your friend! My cousin is in stage 4 pancreatic cancer right now, a young mother and artist with two kids in high school who are also both artists. It’s breaking my heart. I wish I knew what in the world I could do to help.
The shirts! I know! It was so funny. My nephew – the chap on the left in the photo – kept saying to people “Of course, they told me it was a one-off.” Two shirts, both acquired in Hawaii on two separate trips. Neither was aware the other had it until Thursday night. Had they known …
I am so sorry to hear about your cousin. That is just so, so sad. And isn’t it a helpless feeling? Ugh. Sending you,your cousin and her family a huge, no, jumbo, hug.
Moment of honesty: I didn’t realize you’d submitted twice! One thing I wish I knew? When you’d write a post to put the backstory in place for “I’m sorry I told you first!” I would like to tell you I love and appreciate you and our interactions as bloggers. You certainly make this gig fun.
Oh, Eli. I was horrified to learn I’d doubled up on the submission front. Man alive, girl. Get into the game. Had I known …
And thank you for your kind words. You always brighten my day. This writing gig can be a lonely world at times. Lovely to know you and your girls are out there living and enjoying life.
LOL at you submitting twice. That’s funny. But I think the message behind your six word story is very moving. I can understand your point, and yet…I hope your friend found happiness in her self-control, and in the knowledge that she was living her life in a way which was comfy to her.
Lvely way to look at my friend’s choices. I believe she did find happiness within her self control.
I hate when I throw away something that goes with something missing and then the missing shows up. I don’t have the patience to hold onto things that at the time are useless. My husband is a pack rat and sometimes that works in his favor. Love your six word sentences. I read that post and remember the dessert one.
I’ll think of LLB when I have my next dessert.
I have to say that it took me quite a long time to toss the second shoe. I guess that it was always at the back of my mind that its mate would show up. I didn’t think it would be in the sleeping bag though.
Two submissions simply means double the pleasure – double the mystery. 🙂
Great way to look at it, Deborah. Thank you!
Always a delight to read your stories, dear Kelly! I had a delicious ginger peach ice cream for dessert last night – still thinking about it :).
Now doesnt’t that sound heavenly, Nicki. Ginger peach. Such a combo!
I am just as likely to make a dual submission, as I am to think that I left a comment on a blog post, and later realize that I never did. This seems to be happening a lot lately! I’m sure it is just because our minds are full of important things Kelly! I am going to be evaluating my zippering abilities more closely now though!
Too bad about the shoe!
Ha! You made me grin over the blog post comment comment. Oooh – see what I did there? Comment comment. I seem to be doubling up on the comments lately. And I like your observation that all of this forgetfulness and doubling up is due to us doing important things! Yes! As for the zipper efforts, you should see Mom. Whenever she puts on any sort of zipper equipped clothing she swats away our helping hands. “Stop! I have to do it myself. I have to see if my mind is functioning …” Whoa betide the unsuspecting volunteer … Yes, and that shoe! Oh man. I held on to the other one for so long in the hopes that its mate would show up …
Loving the synchronous Hawaiian shirt wearers! Did they enjoy the camraderie — or were they petulant? To be honest, I half expected one of the shirts to be worn by your Mom, although it does’t look like she was one of the subjects in the picture!
Great question, Anna. The shirt wearers were my 33 year-old nephew and my 74 year-old friend. Both found it very funny. My nephew kept quipping “and they told me it was a one off.” Great hilarity all round. Grinning here over your comment that Mom was perhaps involved. Given the chance, she’d have thrown on the shirt in a trice!
Oh wow, I wonder what happened to the bear! And those two dudes in the Hawaiian shirts? Oy. That is one battle I’ve given up fighting with my husband. I try to pick out ones that aren’t completely obnoxious, which is sometimes hard to do!!!
It was so funny, Jill. The shirts were purchased by two different people, on two different trips from two different stores. Happily both chaps had the personalities to carry it off. My nephew (a shirt endowed) kept telling everyone who’d listen “and I was told it was a one off.” As for that bear, well I truly hope things worked out. He was trapped between a busy highway and a fence. Happily the cars were all slowing down to look and the conservation folk were alerted. The best news is that we didn’t hear anything on the news. So fingers crossed.
That is hilarious, about the shoe. Yes, to eating dessert! And a double no to the shirts:)!
Grinning over your beyond apt comments, Allie. Thank you.
I just love that prompt, “What We’d Say Without Fear.”
Gosh! there are so many but dare to bare it 😉
I am curious too about that bear…what really happened to it?
I wish I knew too….
Hope you had a lovely weekend, Kelly
xoxo
I am having a lovely weekend, Ruchira. Thank you. It’s a three day long one here in Canada. I am hoping the bear negotiated the busy traffic and is happily minching on some blackberries warmed by the sun.
My goodness….I’m really struggling with those answers to those questions this morning. You, my dear, are making me think way to hard and I have not even finished my morning coffee yet! LOL! I really have not had time to think much about anything this summer, so my brain is a little fuzzy. But upon reflection…..seeing my sleepy face in my coffee mug….I wish I could go tell a certain someone or two that life is indeed to short….it is what it is and I am who I am….just roll with it, baby….roll with it!
Loving your comment, Debbie. Yes, it is what it is and I am who I am. I’m going to adopt that philosophy today. It’s a long weekend here in Canada and I was going to spend the day doing chores. But Mom just called to ask me out to lunch and a walk through some gardens here and I’ve said to hell with the chores. Off to have fun.
I have to admit that my favorite one is all about the desserts. In one house that we owned, we had that phrase hand painted in french. No that there was one member of the family that needed to be reminded of it… Great post, Kelly. Enjoy your week.
Hand painted in french? Love that. Such a great concept made even better by the panache of the french. I am going to Mangez lunch avec ma mere this morning. She just called. Am chucking the chore concept in favour of a good meal with great company. It a holiday here in Canada and the sun is shining. Perfecto. Have a lovely week yourself!
I’m just laughing at the shoe and the shirts right now! No gems of wisdom to pass on about “I wish I knew…”
Oh Katy, isn’t the whole thing just so damn TypiKel?
Your, “I’m sorry I told you first.” really resonated with me, although, mine would be, “I’m sorry I didn’t say it better.” Which brings me to the, “I wish I knew…” A dear friend of mine took his own life 2 years ago and he was also best friends with my oldest son. I found out first and definitely was not gentle in letting my son know. (He & I laugh about now, it was that not subtle) So, I wish I knew out friend was as unstable as he was. I had an idea, but didn’t know the depth of his struggle. Every day, I think of him and remember that people need others to pay attention and sometimes be pushy in keeping track of their loved ones. Oh, yeah, and eat the damn dessert ’cause you never know what tomorrow will bring! 🙂
Oh, Deb that is so tragic. I am sorry. We really don’t know what goes on in other peoples’ lives do we? And I too could have used “I’m sorry I didn’t say it better.” I am glad that you and your son laugh about your revelation now. And yes – eat the damn dessert. I had two, yes, two ice creams yesterday. At different times of the day, mind. Still. Two.
I actually happen to check out the dessert menus at restaurants to see what dessert I will have before I decide on what dinner I will order because I want to be sure to have room for dessert!
Now that ‘s smart, Elda. I like that idea.
“Always check the sleeping bag.” I’m writing that one down! LOL!
And yet it seems so obvious, no? I was sure that he’d have checked out his sleeping bag. He went on and on and on about the places he had looked for the damn shoe. And I was driving all over popping into the various parks board lost and founds … Man alive.
That poor bear. Yeah. What could you do but call? And so sorry about your friend. When you think how a year ago all seemed well. Another reminder for me not to fight the present even if I’m not getting all the things done (like regular blogging) that I think I should be getting done. We can’t get the days back can we? xoxo
NO we can’t get those days back. I need to remember that too. Amazing how often we need wake up calls, isn’t it. And don’t fuss over the regular blogging. I’m here to read yours whenever you post!
Kelly, I too am so curious about what was behind that second submission. I feel like double submitting is something I would do as well. I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.
As for what I would tell someone… I have some ideas in mind. Probably more saucy than mild. : )
Grinning over the “probably more saucy that mild.” Imagine if we all spoke the truth all the time. Golly. Life certainly wouldn’t be dull.
I wonder who you said that to…one of the kids? A friend? Your mother?
Your wasp spraying outfit is adorable – you really should market that!
Isn’t that outfit fetching? Thank you. The only problem is the goggles. They steam up within seconds. My son does a wonderful rendition of me gasping “I can’t see! Am I near the nest?”
I definitely agree to eat the dessert, which is why despite my diet, I still try to find the ability to eat the dessert. Of course, it is the best part! Have a great week!
Hi Stacey. It’s really all about the portion control, isn’t it? I have to keep reminding myself of that. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Hope you have a great weekend.
Hope the bear found his way home. I enjoyed this post so much – you made me laugh out loud, and I need that today! You’ll never find me passing up dessert, unfortunately. There must be a happy medium somewhere!
I do hope the bear managed to make it home. He darted across a busy highway and had to leap a road divide to get to his island of safety. As for dessert, well I think it really is all about portion control. I find the summer the hardest time. Everyone is making the yummiest of desserts. So happy I made you laugh out loud, Lana.
Kelly, this is just wrong! You got us all curious about “Sorry I told you first’. I was hanging in there for the story. Waiting for it… waiting for it… and it didn’t come! I wish I knew the story behind this answer 🙂 If you can’t remember it, please can you make one up? Or in typikel fashion – two stories? 😉
I know – it is so frustrating. I remember sending it off to him as “sorry I told you first …” but why did I? Ugh. But then again, maybe I SHOULD just make up a story… Thanks for the nudge.
Eli emailed me once about the 6 word challenge and I was so excited! Then I buckled. I had NOTHING! Blamed it on the mom brain. Ugh. “Life’s short, eat the damn dessert.” <– my new mantra, btw. 😉
Oh that delightful “mom brain.” I can well relate, Jhanis.
What a thought provoking idea. There’s so much I think we all wish we knew. Definitely a prompt for the journal, that’s for sure. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Mary.
Your posts always make me laugh. I love this one, especially. The blue shoe? Hilarious. The shirts… did they call each other and plan it?? As for the double entries, hey… we’ve ALL been there. You are not going crazy or getting Alzheimer’s. Yeah, it’s just like that. No worries!
If you knew my nephew, Amy, you’d be grinning at your “planning” comment. He loves to dress uniquely and the concept of turning up in the same shirt as someone else must have been rather alarming for him …
Here’s the one thing I wish I’d known earlier and am grateful to know now. In six words, too!
Pay attention to this beautiful world.
YES.
I have been thinking about you and meaning to get over here to check in on you!! It’s been such a hit or miss summer with blog reading! I actually read one other post on another blog TWICE and didn’t EVEN REALIZE IT. Yes- the second time I read it, I was enthralled as though I had never read it before…
I wish I knew how to keep my short term AND long term memory.
Off to go see if I can zipper…
(LOVE that Eli published both your responses! And brokenhearted about your friend… I think there is more fulfillment in keeping control in your life than saying yes to dessert, ya know? I’m betting she found that in how she kept her healthy habits… just a guess. 🙂 )
But ME? Hell yes! DESSERT PLEASE!!!
Oh, and forgive me if I have already read this before and commented… apparently it can happen.
OH you made me smile, Chris. Thank you for your lovely comment. I think you are right about my friend. She did find fulfillment in keeping control in her life. I’m going to think of her dessert abstinence in that light from now on. As for the hits and misses of blog reading this summer, I’m with you on that point as well. I try to get to them when I can. I’ve been known to reread one or two myself! Off to check out the Mom Cafe now …
Great post, Kelly! I suppose the one thing I wish I knew is what makes life most meaningful (or even how to make sense of it all).
Too funny on the shoe. I can recall dozens (OK, probably hundreds if you consider the “what does this go to – can’t remember – chuck it”) of times where I’ve discarded something and usually a week or three later, find the pair or answer or need and suffer regret. Often it’s something you can’t buy a new piece for with the only option of replacing the entire unit (a silly support rod on a rotisserie comes to mind – tried doing it with wire repeatedly but it took tons of time to rig and didn’t work).
On deserts, I have an appetizer and dinner focus and care little about sweets to end the meal. Perhaps LLB didn’t share your sugar fondness? Maybe passing on desert wasn’t a forfeit for her? Sounds like (I did read your memorial post) she lived her life well. We all should aspire to a life so well lived.
Grinning here, Nanette. Those silly support rods for the rotisserie are exactly what I would be missing as well. And yes, I suspect you are right about the sugar fondness. She did live her life well and I don’t think she’d change a thing, other than the ending. Here’s to finding those missing shoes in a more timely fashion …