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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: Living Life

Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

Morning glories!  This month my Tell Us About (TUA) co-hosts are getting together to write to Gail’s theme choice – laughter.  This was tougher than I dreamed it would be.  Made several attempts at writing about laughter from different angles before deciding to show you what makes me laugh, rather than just telling you.

Tell Us About

 

Are you new to the Tell Us About (TUA) series?  Let me tell you about it!!  TUA is a global writing challenge where bloggers from all around the planet(!!) respond to a different prompt on the third Thursday of each month.  I joined the group about 5 months ago and have so appreciated the invite to do so, and the opportunities to do some creative writing on my blog.  You can find my other TUA posts here:

Tell Us About –

  • Play
  • Scent
  • Gardens and Gardening
  • Ways I’m a Curiosity
  • Travel
  • Imagination
  • my theme choice for September, Legacy
  • Hometowns

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Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

 

Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

 

Each month we are asked to provide a summary of our upcoming TUA post to the other hosts of the Tell Us About series.  My summary for this post read:

 

Leslie loves to laugh, or cackle as her Prince Charming describes it.  And nothing makes her cackle more than the loves of her life.

 

However, I am not very good at laughing at myself.  I think because the mistakes I make, times when I say the wrong thing, the occasional Freudian slip, or the mispronunciation or use of the wrong word, all embarrass me.  And I can be clumsy – more so these days than ever before. A slip or trip can almost bring me to tears (with fear for the potential of breaking a hip).  Would love to be able chuckle at those times but not very successful at doing so.

So, what does make me laugh?  As I do in so many of my other posts, I was planning to relate the way my loved ones make me laugh.  As you will read below, I stuck to that plan.  But as I sat to down to consider what tickles my funny bone, makes me ROTFL or LOL, I realized that my kitties, many of the bloggers I follow, and a couple of crazy folks on IG also make me laugh.

Here are a few things that have turned my giggle box upside down lately.

My Loved Ones

 

My family makes me laugh.  The grandbabies are all funny in their own ways.  Right now, Cami, the 3-year-old, probably takes the cake with her expressions and mispronunciation of common words.  Declan, almost 2, can be very serious one minute and goofy the next, playing hide and seek with his silverware at dinner.  Cady, 13 and Cia, 7, have outgrown the silly stage and are more sweet than funny.

My daughters and my sister, Valerie, really make me laugh.  At times, loud guffaws of laughter.  Brennyn and Valerie are sarcastic and have a dry sense of humor.  Lauren and I are sillier.

PC is very quick.  He can turn anything into joke.  I wish I could think that fast.  Sometimes I struggle ‘getting’ the point of jokes or riddles.  But he is very clever and makes me laugh every day. He has adopted some of the crazy make-believe words my girls, and now their children, use.  Whenever he says ‘shaw-shee’ instead of horsie (or horse, like most men would say), I laugh and love him a little more.

My Mom

 

Mom was funny and said the darnedest things.  Many of her comments that made me laugh most came from her Ozark Mountain upbringing and expressions.  One of my favorites was something she said when encountering an unfortunate looking person.  Mom would say ‘They can’t help it if they’re ugly but they could stay at home.’  And there were additional versions of that…  ‘…they could put a pillowcase over their head.’  Or ‘…they could put a sack over their head.’  Really awful, I know.  But so funny when she would say it.

Lauren found a partial list of her expressions and sent me a picture of it last night.  Oh, Mom.  One that my sister and I say to each other all the time is ‘It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.’  And depending on the day, she might add, ‘And I’m beginning to weaken.’

Movies

 

We rented a theater to watch “Barbie” this summer.  All of us together with the exception of Lauren’s husband who had to work that day.  I thought the movie was really cute but I was so enchanted by my 4 grandchildren, I didn’t see a whole lot of it.  My sister and I went to see it together in September when I visited her.  We both laughed out loud.  I might have snorted.

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Steve Martin’s “The Jerk” still makes me laugh.  All of us quote lines from the movie.  And when I was in Tennessee, Valerie reenacted the scene where Martin discovers he’s in the phone book for the first time.  I chortled.  Then recorded her for the whole family to enjoy.

 

Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter
Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

 

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” with John Candy and Steve Martin is also hilarious, in the collective opinion of my whole family. And poignant, at the same time.  One of the funniest scenes, that has me ROTFL-ing every time I watch it is the ‘going the wrong way scene’ below.  So. Silly.

 

 

These days there aren’t silly, crazy fun movies.  Everything is violent, bloody horror, or super sexual.

Commercials

 

Retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning went to the University of Tennessee just like I did, only a few years later!!  I loved watching him play for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.  And now I love watching him in commercials.  Some of them for Nationwide Insurance with country music star, Brad Paisley.

 

Or this insurance commercial with NFL quarterback Patrick Mahommes and Jake from State Farm.

 

What is it about insurance commercials that I find LOL funny?

Social Media

 

  • My sister – but of course – finds some silly things and shares them on Facebook.  Example:

Tell Us About 11.2023: Laughter

 

  • Brennyn sent this earlier in the week.  She remembers all the years I set baskets of her stuff and her sister’s on the stairs for them to take up to their rooms.  Only to watch them walk right by said baskets night after night after night.  Real life stuff.  That can make me laugh til I am crying.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Betches Media (@betches)

 

  • And Lauren sent the graphic below.  As my mother would say, “More truth than poetry.”

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shitheadsteve (@shitheadsteve)

 

  • Finally, there are the folks I follow on Instagram that start my mornings off with a belly laugh.  One of my favorites is comedian jesus_nalgas.  This could easily be Lauren or me in Target at Halloween.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jesus. (@jesus_nalgas)

 

  • Hollywood_gengen pokes great fun at the ‘hood’ classroom and daycare teachers.  Love how she struggles with the clap all teachers use to get their students’ attention.  That is so me.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by HollywoodGenGen (@hollywood_gengen)

 

  • The Real FitFam El Paso is the first place I go on Instagram.  They bring us all things EP…traffic updates, notifications about crime, accidents, the situation on the border.  But they also make me laugh.  Fun.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FitFam El Paso (@therealfitfamelpaso)

This was a surprisingly hard post for me to write.  I started searching for photos of the grandbabies that are giggle-worthy.  But there were sooooo many!!  How to narrow it to a few.  So, I nixed that idea, and just summarized the ways they make me laugh.  But I have to leave you with a few parting shots.

 

 

https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WhatsApp-Video-2023-11-15-at-19.40.14_b7830f35.mp4

 

Your Turn

 

What makes YOU laugh?  Do you consider yourself funny?  I would say I am goofier rather than funny or humorous.  Anxious to see what my co-hosts have written about laughter in their lives?  So am I.  Let’s find out…

  • Marsha who blogs at Marsha in the Middle, once again goes back to her school days and tells tales on her friends.  Will you laugh until you cry?  Or, will you shake your head at such silliness?
  • Debbie at Deb’s World shares personal stories of laughter and the importance of being able to laugh at yourself. Plus the power of a smile.
  • Gail at Is This Mutton wonders why so little on TV is funny these days, and why we seldom see older women making us laugh.
And…
  • The Frugal Shopper, Penny, began writing a review of fun television that made her laugh and then wandered through several definitions of laughter concluding that laughter was a very healthy thing to do.
  • From Mary Katherine at MK’s Adventures in Style loves a good belly laugh, and writes about what has given her good ones over the years.
  • In Suzy at The Grey Brunette’s reflection on laughter, she dishes on her favourite TV comedies, applauds hubby Michael’s distinctive British humour, and introduces the quirky personalities of pals Sarah and Laura, alongside the charming antics of her furry companions, Myrtle, Shannon, Sadie, and Luna. 
  • Sue from Women Living Well After 50 looks at the importance of laughter & feeling connected for a healthy lifestyle after 50.

This has been a hectic week.  I am looking forward to a quiet weekend.  Hope to get the house whipped into shape for Thanksgiving.  What do you have planned?

Thank you for stopping by to spend a little time here with me.  Hope you’ve been reminded of some things that bring laughter to your life.

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

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About Leslie Roberts Clingan

I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

Comments

  1. Joanne

    November 16, 2023 at 4:01 am

    Aw, those photos are precious! I find that often the things I think are so funny that really get me laughing don’t seem nearly as funny in the retelling later on. I love watching comedies because I just love to laugh.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 9:40 pm

      I am just terrible retelling stories or telling jokes. I get the punch line mixed up or meander too long trying to get to the point of the story. But I love to laugh, too. And my sister makes me laugh every single day. So thankful for that.

      Reply
  2. Mary Katherine

    November 16, 2023 at 7:21 am

    Leslie – I see we share a love of Steve Martin! I get most of my laughs from social media these days as well. I LOVE your mom’s expressions, and may have to adopt “it’s a great life if we don’t weaken”!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      We still watch old video clips of Steve Martin when we need a good laugh. My husband has enjoyed reading all of Martin’s books. I read “Shop Girl” and liked it very much. He has always been so goofy but that kind of humor is harmless, good fun.

      Reply
  3. mireille

    November 16, 2023 at 7:22 am

    I really enjoyed your post: had to watch the trailers and loved your grandson and his toes! I still remember laughing till I cried with my mom in Mexico when we decorated our tiny tree with tiny ornaments, drew stockings and hung them because our stuff was still stuck in a case waiting for customs! We made ornaments out of paper and things around the house.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    Reply
  4. Gail

    November 16, 2023 at 7:45 am

    Most of my best laughs have been with my mum (mom). Whenever we go out with a plan to eat somewhere (less often now she’s 91) I would be sent to stand in the doorway of a prospective place to sniff. We called it the “old fat” test. If I could smell old fat (for cooking), we wouldn’t go in. It did make us laugh! Enjoyed your post.

    Reply
  5. Nancy

    November 16, 2023 at 7:56 am

    Gerben always cracks me up! A partner with a great sense of humour is the best!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 9:20 pm

      Absolutely…sense of humor is a very important quality in a life partner. Glad you found a fella that makes you laugh.

      Reply
  6. Cathy

    November 16, 2023 at 7:57 am

    Love this post and thank you for the laughs. There were many. My favorite is your grandson licking his toes. lol

    Reply
  7. Lisa

    November 16, 2023 at 9:19 am

    I enjoyed reading about the things that make you laugh! The Halloween shopper in Target was great and I may have laughed out loud at the one where the cats are watching the people eat ice cream cones!!!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 9:02 pm

      Aren’t those kitties so funny? PC is the biggest kitty fan and shares crazy kitty videos with me all the time. I should have mentioned how our own kitties have us in stitches everyday. Life sure is better when we have something to laugh about.

      Reply
  8. Jennifer

    November 16, 2023 at 12:13 pm

    Oh Leslie! I am so glad I stopped by today! You made me laugh. Truly. Well, your mom especially made me laugh. “They can’t help it if they’re ugly but they could stay at home.’”…..is probably one of the best quotes ever! I think your mom and my mom would have had a great time together!:) Sadly, I don’t often laugh (I even mentioned that in a recent post…sigh) but you got me laughing! Thanks, friend! Love those memes too….and that silly boy eating his feet!!:) Happy Thursday to you!

    Reply
  9. jodie filogomo

    November 16, 2023 at 2:17 pm

    The memes, YES. I swear I get so addicted to FB just for the memes.
    BTW, did you know my license plate is HAH HAH? Because my laugh used to be so different and funny.
    XOXO
    Jodie

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 16, 2023 at 8:11 pm

      I love that license plate. It would work well for me, too. I know my laugh is pretty obnoxious at times but it kind of identifies me. We were walking through Walmart, and I was laughing, and the mom of some of my long former students recognized me from two aisles over because of my cackle. Glad to know I am not alone with my big laugh.

      Reply
  10. Marsha Banks

    November 16, 2023 at 9:00 pm

    Leslie, I think it’s wonderful you have so many people with whom to laugh. That is a true blessing. And, there is funnier like a good put-down couched in pretty words! Southern women are so good at that! Those memes and Instagram reels are hilarious!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 17, 2023 at 9:55 pm

      My mom liked to say that something that was painfully true – a very obviously true statement – was more truth than poetry. I think that is a prime example of what you say about the put-downs and expressions of Southern women.

      Reply
  11. Debbie Harris

    November 17, 2023 at 11:10 pm

    Oh Leslie you made me laugh with your post – your mum’s sayings in particular! Your grandchildren are so cute and I’m happy they make you laugh, you can’t not laugh at kids and their toes can you? A really lovely post for this month’s prompt 🙂

    Reply
  12. Amy Johnson

    November 18, 2023 at 6:19 am

    Nothing makes me laugh harder than a child, especially a toddler. I remember when two of our grandchildren were fighting and crying over the order of how markers should be color coded, I just burst out laughing. They were crying, and I couldn’t stop laughing. It was hysterical. I love all those funny Instagram posts. I can sure relate to the items-left-on-the-steps one.

    Reply
  13. Penny

    November 19, 2023 at 7:02 am

    Oh that was just such a lovely read Leslie, you made me laugh and chuckle!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 7:02 pm

      Thank you, Penny. It is fun to laugh. And once I get started, my tickle box flips upside down and I can’t seem to quit giggling.

      Reply
  14. Suzy Turner

    November 19, 2023 at 7:24 am

    Awwwww that last little video is so CUTE!! That really made me giggle! I didn’t have kids but there is something about a toddler’s giggle that really is contagious, isn’t there?!!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      November 20, 2023 at 6:52 pm

      Thank you, friend. His little toes are pretty sweet. As is the rest of him. Declan has the best laugh and everything he does makes me laugh.

      Reply

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In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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