Tag Archives: writing prompt

Ketchup With Us #32 – New & Improved!

Posted on December 15, 2013 | 4 comments

Dear Friends,

It’s the season of giving and Mel and I want to do just that. For this link-up, there will be no special assignments, no requests for pictures or videos, no 57 word jingles about your most inspiring elementary school teacher. All we’re asking for this year is a holiday post, past or present, of your choosing. And perhaps a little help spreading the word to bring in a new linker or two.

Mel and I have a very special place in our hearts for Ketchup and we hate to see it go. So we might be changing the format a little in the hopes of breathing new life into it. Ideas are always welcome!

Merry Kwanukkah, everyone.

Michele & Mel

For a QUICK EXPLANATION of this link-up, click here. In short, Mel and I will post a picture or video with a prompt on the 1st and 15th of every month. And, with each prompt, we’ll feature a linker from the previous KWU. Which reminds me …

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Andrea

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

The rules are … THERE ARE NO RULES! Just guidelines. And we’d be truly honored if you posted our button on your page and followed us on Facebook (Michele /Mel), Twitter (Michele/Mel), Instagram (Michele/Mel) and Pinterest (Michele/Mel).

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 32

Please link up a holiday post, old or new. Piece of cake. But not fruitcake. That stuff blows.

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Ketchup With Us #31

Posted on December 1, 2013 | 5 comments

It’s holiday season and we could all use twice the money, twice the energy and twice the sleep. Am I right?

Well, Ketchup With Us wants to help. Mel and I are giving you the opportunity to send your holidays greetings to someone. Right here. Right now. It’s free, it’s easy and you won’t lose any sleep over it. It’s your message so send it however you want … a video, a still shot of you/child/pet/etc. holding a sign or even just a written message. All we’re asking is that you reach out to someone.

Merry Christmas, Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw.

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Lance

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

olddognewtits.com

‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 31

Send someone holiday greetings. WHO? Anyone! Friend, family, person you’ve never met. WHEN? Now! (Duh.) WHERE? Below! HOW? Make a video! Dress up the dog! Hold a sign and snap a pic! Bribe your kid to do it! Or just write a special message.

Her sign says “Merry Christmas, Mags and Tuck!!!” She worked on it all day. So far be it from me to say “But the words aren’t big enough, Vivien!” (Well, yes. I thought it. Then I decided simply inserting a caption is what a ‘good’ mom would do.)

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Ketchup With Us #30

Posted on November 15, 2013 | 10 comments

In honor of Movember, Mel and I are talking ‘staches. And the amazing men who wear them. We like to make things easy around here so we’ll give you a choice. You can respond traditionally in word or you can just link a picture. It’s entirely up to you. Here goes …

So many soup strainers out there. From Chaplin and Gable … to Selleck and Mercury… to Depp and Burgundy. How do I choose?

Easy.

My dad (c. 1976).

That’s my brother in the picture with him. Those two have always been very close. And today, they are heading out together on the journey of a lifetime as they board a plane to see Africa. Would everyone please take a moment to send them some positive energy and, if there is such a thing, mental lion repellant?

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Dana @ Kiss My List

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

olddognewtits.com

‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 30

In 57 words or less … OR with just a simple picture … tell us about your favorite mustachioed man.

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Funny Text Exchanges – Everybody’s Got One

Posted on November 7, 2013 | 9 comments

So I’ve taken on a big writing project. Huge. At least by my standards. (We’ll talk more about that later. Maybe.) Anyway, in the meantime, several things are liable to take a hit. Like laundry, timely bill paying, my interpersonal relationships, basic hygiene and sometimes, just maybe, the blog.

I know. There are six people who are really upset right now.

Well relax, six people. I won’t let you down. My point, and I do have one * … is that I’ll just be trying to make you laugh … or cry … or go hmmmmm a little faster these days so I have enough time to get to everything. Which brings me to today’s writing prompt, brought to us by MamaKat. It’s soooo easy. All I’m asked for today is “A funny text exchange.”

Fortunately for me, I am surrounded by a gaggle of ~~half-baked lunatics~~ … ~~card-carrying nut jobs~~ … sharp-witted comedians with which I often exchange my idiot brand of humor. You guys remember Vanessa, right? Here are just a few samples:

The Toe Circumcision series (Warning: nasty photo within) …

Three days later, when I was a little less shy about it …

Two weepily nostalgic mothers looking at baby pics of their giant kids …

… Or just daily minutiae.

* The first book written by Ellen DeGeneres who, by coincidence, does a recurring segment on her show called “Clumsy Thumbsy” about funny text exchanges courtesy of auto-correct. Sadly, I text with the dexterity of a fifteen year old so I don’t encounter many of the errors. Don’t worry though. I’ll keep trying.

I love you, Ellen. I assume you’re reading, right?

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Ketchup With Us #29

Posted on November 1, 2013 | 10 comments

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a stupid accident that resulted in an even stupider injury. I’ll bet someone actually just raised a hand that was holding a cup of hot coffee and scalded him/herself. (snicker)

That’s exactly my point.

I’m a proud spaz and am willing to bet lots of you guys are, too. Remember, as I sit here typing, I am now four weeks in recovery for one of the most painful, most bloody and easily most stupid injuries I’ve ever had. But the boneheaded accident with my foot was just the tip (pardon the pun) of the iceberg for me. (Sigh) I’ve got millions of them.

“I don’t WANT to!” I whined.

“Oh, come on,” they pleaded. “It’ll be fun.”

So I entered the cage, stood on the painted feet and waited. Already knowing what was going to happen. Whoosh! The ball sprang from the machine. Directly into my left cheekbone knocking the “protective” helmet from my skull.

“I told you,” I managed.

This picture was taken right before the incident … even though my fat-with-youth face already looks swollen. (Vanessa calls the younger me Kelly Kapowski of TV’s Saved by the Bell.) After the incident, the manager shut the batting cages down for a while. And I most certainly wasn’t smiling.

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Brain Tomahawk

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 29

In 57 words or less, tell us about your DUMBEST INJURY ever. (Or, if you’re like me, pick one of them.)

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Ketchup With Us #28

Posted on October 15, 2013 | 8 comments

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeen!!!

Halloween is coming. The season of bloodthirsty vampires, chainsaw-wielding madmen, decomposing zombies and the many other gruesome flavors of undead. (looking around room nervously) Wanna know what I’m most afraid of right now? (screaming in terror) THE FACT THAT NOBODY IN THIS HOUSE KNOWS WHAT THEY WANT TO BE YET FOR HALLOWEEN!!! Cut to me in the middle of a crazy crowded party-supply-house/discount-store/thrift-shop wrestling other last minute shoppers to the death for the perfect costume pieces for everyone. And waiting in the lines. Oh, dear Lord … THE LINES!!!!

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

We know you guys are busy. Mel and I speak busy fluently. So this Ketchup link-up is going to be super easy. As in it could take a mere five seconds to a take a terrifying OR terrified selfie and share it with us. Oh, and just for Halloween, Ketchup is offering a killer (sorry, couldn’t resist) prize this time! See details at the end of this post.

Here’s mine. It’s the same face I make when my kids won’t stop bickering.

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

The Shitastrophy

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 28

Make your best terrifying OR terrified face. Then, post it on your blog or tweet/Facebook it to Mel or me and we’ll link it up. BONUS: You get ten extra entries in the Ketchup Halloween Contest (see below) if you submit a picture.

KETCHUP HALLOWEEN CONTEST!

Thanks to Grace Hill Media, Mel and I are giving away a 40th Anniversary Exorcist Prize Package which includes a three-disc Blu-Ray + Ultraviolet combo pack featuring an extended directors cut, the original theatrical version, a 40-page book from director William Friedkin as well as a never-before-seen documentary. The Ultraviolet also allows viewers to watch the movie on their TV, Computer, Tablet and Smartphone.

CLICK HERE TO WIN

The contest is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not you submit a picture. But remember, sending a picture and tweeting about the giveaway via this rafflecopter can earn you ten extra entries each. The contest ends on Thursday, October 24, 2013.

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Ketchup With Us #27

Posted on October 1, 2013 | 7 comments

Fall is coming. Or, rather, it’s HERE. For most of the world. The season begins on September 22 but, in my neck of the woods, we’re still wearing shorts and flip flops. And swatting away mosquitos. But that’s beside the (ridiculously unfair) point. So you can imagine my ~~unbridled fury~~ … ~~clinically unstable thoughts~~ … frustration when Mel (the nerve of that woman!) posted this picture on Instagram.

Seriously, Mel? Footie pajamas?!!? We’re not even close.

Fall comes a little later around these parts. We’re still breaking a sweat walking from the house to the car. Oh, but I’ll know when it’s here. Because I’ll be pulling these bad boys out of the closet. These … and all of their beautiful brothers and sisters.

*** * * * * * * * * ***

I own 10 pair. Because sometimes you need heels, and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes black, sometimes brown. Sometimes knee-high, sometimes calf, sometimes ankle. Sometimes Peter Pan, Western, biker, dressy, rain or Uggs(-ish). No matter what the occasion, they’re always there for me. And I love them for it.

Thank you, Fall, for reuniting me with my babies.

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Amy Ragg

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 27

In 57 words or less … what for you personally signals the coming of Fall?

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My Day in Pictures

Posted on September 20, 2013 | 6 comments

6am – Waking up when it’s still dark blows.

7am – This shot is supposed to represent breakfast. Which I made for three people but skipped myself.

8am – Sometimes I’m jealous of moms living in nudist colonies.

9am – Finishing up an article and catching up with MamaKat.

10am – Would someone please put soap on the grocery list?

11am – Off to a freelance writing appointment. In my RENTAL. Grrr.

12pm – The welcoming private home where my appointment took place.

1pm – My lunch from The Green Fork. There’s spinach and avocado in that cup. And I love it. I just can’t always be around people a few hours later. (cough)

2pm – Thank you, Target, for not being Wal-Mart.

3pm – Checking my girl out early to make it to her volleyball game.

4pm – We WON!!! Also … they had NACHOS!!!

5pm – “Well, your dad’s not home yet so you’re stuck with me. Sorry!”

6pm – Fish tacos. I’m kinda proud of myself. Of course, if I hadn’t been chronicling my day, we probably would have had Hot Pockets.

7pm – Getting an estimate on redoing all the finishes in my hideous kitchen.

8pm – Taking a break from homework to catch up with Herve.

9pm – “You guys … nobody fed Milo today.”

10pm – “Mom! You’re finally reading it. What part are you on? Do you know about Vera yet?” my boy to his illiterate mother who managed to put off the book he has so wanted me to read for almost a year now.

11pm – Because without teeth, what are we really? Turtles?

Midnight(ish) – Night, everyone.

This post was written in response to MamaKat’s weekly writing prompt – “Take a picture every hour and show us what a day in your life is like.”

A rock star I’m not. My gig is actually way better.

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Ketchup With Us #26

Posted on September 15, 2013 | 7 comments

Ever see a movie and just love a scene in it so much that you can’t stop thinking about it? You even dream about it? Except, in your dreams, YOU’RE the star reenacting everything. Singing, dancing, flying through the air, whatever it calls for. (looking around room at the sea of open mouths) Aww, come on. I can’t be the only dreamer here. Seriously?!!? (smoothing hair and skirt to gather self) I think it all started when I was a kid and I dreamed I was Lois Lane in the famous flying scene in Superman. The Christopher Reeve Superman. Sure, he was cute. But, dude, I could fly!

**If I could reenact one movie scene, it would be … Oh, screw it. It’s my link-up. I’m listing three.**

I’m her. I chose the first duet because the footwear seemed WAY more comfortable.

I’m her. Yeah. Bad footwear. But who cares? I’d reenact it every day if the world would let me.

I’m him. Best footwear ever.

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Mrs. Tee

RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 26

In 57 words or less … if you could reenact a scene from any movie, what would it be?

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Ketchup With Us #25

Posted on September 1, 2013 | 6 comments

Man, have I been hit by a lot of birthdays lately! As you might know, ODNT just celebrated her 2nd birthday. (Naturally, I forgot and wrote about it a week later.) Oh, and my friend, Derek? 40! And his wife, Ashley? Also, 40! (Yes, I just outed you two on national blogavision!) Who else? Who else? Oh, yeah. And Ketchup!!! Did you guys know that KetchupWithUs turns one today? Yes, that’s right. Mel and I have been making asses out of ourselves wearing full-body ketchup costumes in public for no pay for a whole year now! My mom is so proud. It’s a banner day here at ODNT!

I only wish we had more birthdays to celebrate around here. It’s too bad. Because it really feels like we need just one more, doesn’t it? Just one more birthday would make the place feel festive. I might even decorate. Or bake a cake. (I know, right? Me? Baking?) Oh, well. Guess we’ll just have to settle for celebrating ODNT, Derek, Ashley and Ketchup.

Oh, wait!!! Have I mentioned yet that TODAY IS MEL’S BIRTHDAY?!!? No, I don’t think I did. (wink) Just to mess with her. Out of playful spite. (To the birthday girl. You guys probably shouldn’t be reading this part.) You know I love you, my friend. And I can’t wait for the next time we get together. I’ve been practicing my Bitchy-Resting-DuckMouth.

Hey, you guys! Go tell Mel Happy Birthday! Or Tweet, Facebook, Instagram and Pin her. And read her blog! It’s way better than mine … plus you might actually learn something while you’re there.

Now … onto to KetchupWithUs #25 …

June 10, 1977 – My parents took me to see Donny & Marie Osmond the day before my birthday. It’s all I wanted. I was so little. I wore a pretty, purple dress. And I truly believed I’d get to meet them that night.