The "Guess our Ages" contest!

Dear Readers,

We'd like to announce an exciting contest here at the Basement! As you may have noticed from our profile to the right, Margie and Edna are not real people (no matter how real they may seem at times). The ladies are fictional characters created by two friends and blogging buddies, Jane and Beth. You can read more about M&E's origins here.

Now, it's no secret that Margie and Edna aren't exactly spring chickens. But does art imitate life? For this contest we'd like you, our readers, to guess the actual ages of Jane (aka "Margie") and Beth (aka "Edna"). Please send your guesses via email to margieandedna@yahoo.com (with "AGES" in the subject line). All guesses must be submitted by Monday December 7th at noon EST. (Incidentally, if you know either Jane or Beth in real life, you are not eligible for this contest.)

While there is only one entry allowed per person, you may include two guesses (one each for Jane and Beth's ages) per email entry. Whoever's guess is closest to our actual ages wins the following:

• You get to choose the subject for an upcoming blog post. Whatever you ask us to write about, we'll write about it--the sky's the limit.
• If you're a blogger, we will also run your ad in our sidebar for two weeks!
• Bonus prize: if the winner is also a member of Entrecard, you win 500 credits!

Edna: Margie, I don't know about this...a true lady never talks about something so crass as their age.

Margie: Don't talk about it then, nitwit. Just let people guess.

Sunday Funnies

'Tis the Season!

Image property of whatsbuzzin.com

Happy Thanksgiving

(courtesy of elphie76)

The Christmas card dilemma

Edna: Margie, I'm a little worried about our Christmas card list. We've got a long list of friends and family who usually get a card from us, but I don't think we can afford to buy that many brand-new Christmas cards this year. What should we do?

Margie: Let me study on that. Well, we could take the ones we've gotten over the years and erase all the signatures then resend. I guess that's called recycling.

Edna: You'd best think a little harder, because all those signatures are in ink. If we can't afford to buy Christmas cards, we surely can't afford a dozen bottles of white-out.

How about this: we take our old Christmas cards and cut them in half. Nobody writes on the inside front cover anyway, leaving us plenty of room for a message. We could mail them as post cards!

Margie: That sounds like my idea. I think Grandma used to do that so I don't see why we can't.

Edna, where will I put this picture of me and my Margiedales? I want everybody to get one.

Edna: That's NOT your idea, you glory hog. It's a better idea, actually. As for your Margiedales...well, you can just send those on your own. I don't want my name on any of those pictures, thank you very much.

Margie: Your name will never be on anything that belongs to me, sister. Go get your own men. You can buy the stamps to mail the cards too.

Edna: And you can kiss my wrinkled tushie. Those cards are from both of us, you freeloader, so we're going halfsies on the postage.

Now, you go dig out our box of old Christmas cards and I'll head on down to the post office. Have your coin purse ready, I'll expect you to pony up your share for the stamps as soon as I get back.

Margie: You're in luck, sister. Taylor Swift just paid me for a video of the Margiedales. Eat your heart out.

Edna: Oh Lord, folks, she's gone delusional again. Margie, dear, maybe it's time you went to your room for a little rest. I'll get you some warm milk and your pills.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Margie: Edna, I was just sitting here thinking about Mama and Thanksgiving dinner. I wish I had a plate full of her good food right now. What a fine cook she was. Remember when she made Apple Dapple cake? I bet our readers will like this recipe.

Edna: Mama really was a good cook, and the house always filled up with such wonderful smells at the holidays. She used to shoo you out of the kitchen because you kept snitching food while she was trying to cook, remember?

Margie: I do remember. Do you remember how I'd beg Mama to cut the cake before Thanksgiving and she never would? I cut a piece once and ate it without anybody noticing. Mama was so mad when she found a piece gone but I told her you did it.

Edna: That doesn't surprise me one bit, you were a sneaky little so-and-so. You haven't changed much, actually.

Another thing that hasn't changed in all these years is what a picky eater you are this time of year. Heaven forbid I make anything for us with sweet potatoes, squash or pumpkin in it! You yell down the house and I never hear the end of of it. Well, this year I'm making this Pumpkin Roll Cake, and if I hear one squawk out of you I'm throwing away all your movie magazines. You hear me??

Margie: That looks delicious, sister.

Sunday Funnies

Margie's Motto:

Fun Friday

Margie: Times sure have changed. I watched Beach Blanket Bingo last night. Remember those old beach movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello? I thought they were grand when I went to the movie theater to see them.

I look at them now and think how silly they are and the acting surely left a lot to be desired. I can't talk about the music or I'll really get tickled.

Watch them sometimes and see what you think. I only regret that I can't get that good popcorn we had back then. It's not the same now either.

Great American Smokeout

Margie: Today is the Great American Smokeout, Edna. I'm sure you remember that I was a smoker once. That nicotine is a powerful drug but it is possible to give it up. I know I certainly feel better.

Besides, I couldn't smell a thing when I was smoking. When I walk by gentlemen now, I can inhale their good smelling cologne. Of course that also means I can smell the food you burn up every time you try to cook.

Edna: Margie, I have to say, I'm glad you gave up smoking. That secondhand smoke always did worry me, but your cigarettes also took a big chunk out of our household budget. Now that you quit, we've got more money to spend on special tea.

Plus, I guess giving up smoking means you'll live longer. Lucky me.

Margie: Edna, you are so right. I really couldn't afford to smoke anymore. The government decided to discriminate and put that big tax on my smokes so it didn't hurt to quit. They won't get my money.

Yes, we have more tea money and more money for chocolate. I sure hope lots of people will give up smoking today. We'll all outlive you.

Edna: I highly doubt that, since I'm younger than you AND I've never smoked a day in my life. But then, I guess the stress of living with you is what's going to send me to an early grave.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Once again, we'd like to extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to the following bloggers for giving us two very nice awards.

Dave at The Rooster Crows at 4am listed us at #2 on his list of top 15 blogs and gave us a Best Blog Award.

We also received the One Lovely Blog award from Spinning Lovely Days.

We are touched and honored that our fellow bloggers enjoy coming to read our blog. Thank you both so much for our awards!

Love, Margie and Edna

Happy Birthday Barbara Payton

Margie: Edna, today is the birthday of actress Barbara Payton (1927- 1967). I bet our readers never heard of her. Actually, I probably never would have either but she was in some of the movie magazines I used to read.

Remember that magazine called Confidential? Lawsy me, I didn't dare let Mama catch me reading that. She said movie magazines were "pure trash."

Edna: Hmm, count me in with our readers who've never heard of her. But I have to say, it doesn't surprise me one bit that you'd be reading magazines Mama thought was trashy.

Goodness, but she wasn't very old when she died. What happened?

Margie: Edna, it's a tragic story. She supposedly got her movie roles via the old casting couch routine then she began drinking which led to her being called a "party girl." That was not what a female wanted to be called back then.

In the end she died a prostitute on a park bench. I wonder if the library has her autobiography?

Edna: Oh my, that is a sad story! But I bet it's not an unusual one, especially for Hollywood in those days. I'd be curious to read her autobiography, her story sounds like the kind of thing they would make a movie-of-the-week out of.

Would I know any of her movies?

Margie: Probably not. You never liked that kind. I do know one thing for sure, Edna. She was a smart lady to have an affair with that delicious Guy Madison. What a hunk!!!

Sunday Funnies

Edna's Fun Friday: Weezer!

Edna: Even though I may be a half-deaf, creaky old lady with arthritis in her hips, I still know a toe-tappin' song when I hear one! Now, I'm not that familiar with these Weezer folks the kids are into, but they sure do make a mighty fine music video. Even though it's a contemporary song, this video has a retro look to it that I just love.

You know, in her younger days, Margie looked a little bit like the pretty girl in this video. But Margie certainly didn't have the men falling all over themselves to get her attention like this young lady does, no matter what Margie tells you.

Veterans Day 2009

Margie: This Veterans Day has given me a new thought about our veterans. I watched the Fort Hood Memorial yesterday and realized how the life of one veteran affects so many others. I guess I just hadn't looked at it in quite that way before.

I saw the spouses who have to go it alone now, the parents who have suffered the loss of a child, the children who will miss growing up with one parent, and all the brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, and friends who mourn.

I mourn with all of you and I am grateful for all those who serve our country now, then, and in the years to come.

Edna: Margie, you're so right. I'd also like to add my words of thanks and support to all our veterans and their families.

We found a lovely poem that we'd like to share with all of our readers today. The words of this poet so closely mirror our own feelings. Please read it and think of the veterans you know, and those you don't know, who put themselves in harm's way for all of us.

Remember
by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,
All for the freedom of our country.
Leaving their families and heading off to war,
Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night
Determined to stay strong.
Watching friends be killed every day
Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them
Although there is little to do,
For those who have died in war
We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.
Remember all the battles fought
Remember all the tears families cried
Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated
Veterans Day is the day
For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers
To be remembered

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you'd like to find out more about contributing to nonprofit organizations that support United States Veterans, please go to the Bloggers Unite Veterans Day: Who Will Stand website for a list of links to various organizations.

As a special thanks to our American Veterans, there are free food offers for soldiers at both Applebee's and Outback Steakhouse restaurants today. Applebee's is offering a free meal to all Veterans and Active Duty Military, just show proof of military service. Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage to all Veterans and Active Duty Military, also with proof of military service.

Margie the Meanie

Edna: Margie, you've been especially crabby and mean lately, so I bought you this book. It's called "Anger Management for Dummies," and I think you should read it carefully. Hopefully it will help you be a little nicer to me.

Margie: How thoughtful! I'll have to read it later because I'm in the middle of another good book right now.

It's called, "How To Live With A Dummy." Very interesting.

Edna: You see, Margie? That right there, that's exactly what I was talking about! My book is a real book and I was just trying to be helpful, whereas you made up a book title to be hateful towards me. Mama and Daddy would be so disappointed in you....

Margie: Edna, if you weren't so concerned about yourself all the time then you wouldn't think everything is about you. You are not worth wasting my time by making things up about you.

If Mama and Daddy were here I'm sure they'd call the Repo man and have you moved on down the road.

Edna: You know, I have had it up to here with your bullying! Dr. Phil says you have to confront a bully, and that's exactly what I'm doing right this very second. Margie, I just don't understand how you can have so much fun being so mean to people, especially your closest kin. But I tell you what, sister: I won't stand for it any more!

Margie: Edna, you've been having these tantrums since you were 2 years old. I'll go get you a cup of hot cocoa because that always calms you down. Would you prefer it in a cup or in your baby bottle?

Edna: I'd prefer it down at Bailey's Tavern, which is exactly where I'm going so I don't have to sit here and listen to you anymore. If you say you're sorry, I might bring you home some pretzels.

Margie: Don't forget your curfew, sister.

Edna: Don't forget to kiss my grits.

Mud Pies

Margie: Edna, I was just reading about how children are so obese these days. Folks talk about diets and eating healthy and I'd like to shake them because there's a simple solution.

In our day we ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. Why?

Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

Edna: That's certainly true. We didn't have Gameboys, iPods and Playstations to keep us busy and sedentary inside the house. Besides, if we'd tried to stay in the house all day, Mama would have given us a swat for being underfoot and sent us right outside.

But you know, those were also safer times, too. We could play by ourselves all over the neighborhood, and Mama and Daddy never had to worry about someone snatching us away or doing awful things to us. Times have certainly changed, sister.

Margie: You are so right. We could even walk to the store by ourselves. Nobody had a cell phone or computer so we had to walk to see our friends.

Edna, I think what's saddest of all is that kids today don't make mud pies.

Edna: You're right, that is pretty sad. Although I suppose that means that their sisters have never made them EAT a mud pie, either.

Sunday Funnies

Fun Friday

Margie: Here are some of my favorite male stars from old TV shows.
Recognize them?

Chad Everett: Dr. Joe Gannon
Medical Center

Michael Landon: Little Joe
Bonanza

Chuck Connors: Lucas McCain
The Rifleman

Tony Dow: Wally Cleaver
Leave It To Beaver

National Railroad Month

Photo courtesy Model Trains

Margie: Edna, did you know that November is National Model Railroad Month? I bet Cousin T feels like celebrating. That boy sure loves a train.

Edna, did I ever tell you about my time in the caboose? Oh, never mind, you'll just call me a floozy. Do you like trains?

Edna: Oh, I love trains! There's nothing like the sound of a train whistle--do they even have whistles any more? Toot toot!

Margie, maybe we should buy Cousin T a model train engine for his collection. He has quite a setup out in his tool shed. We could get him an engineer's cap, too.

Margie: Edna, have you been in the Special tea again? Go in your room and toot.

That's a great idea. He'd love the cap and we could have his name put on it.

Edna: All aboard!

King Tut Day

Courtesy of touregypt.net

Margie: I am proud to celebrate King Tut Day today although it actually falls on the 4th. This day is to recognize the date of the discovery of King Tutankhamen's Tomb.

I was a librarian most of my life so I know all about King Tut. Maybe Edna dated him once? If you'd like to know more then I suggest you visit your local library for books on Egyptian history.

Edna, did you ever study King Tut in school? I don't think you cared much about history. You were more interested in your hair and nails.

Edna: Oh, please. Margie, the only reason you know about this holiday is because I told you about it, so stop acting like such a know-it-all. Besides, you're flat-out lying to these folks: I know good and well that everything you know about King Tut you learned from that Steve Martin song.

Just you remember, Margie, God punishes liars.

Jack-o-Lantern Recycling

Edna: Margie, I know you're a big believer in being helpful and teaching new things to our readers, so I think you're going to like today's blog post. I'm sure most of our readers have left-over jack-o-lanterns just sitting around, and they must be wondering what to do with them. What do you say we give them a few suggestions?

Margie: Edna, you know me so well. I think that's a wonderful idea. There are many ways to recycle those pumpkins. One way is to beat it up with a hammer and use it as a facial mask. Not only does it soften your skin but all that good fiber goes straight to...

Well, what's your idea?

Edna: Margie, that's excellent! I think since recycling is so popular right now, everyone will surely want to hear what we have to say about this.

I was thinking that since the pumpkins are already hollowed out, why not use them as receptacles for things? You could fill them with bird seed and hang them in the trees for all the little birdies. Or, for the do-it-yourselfers, I think they'd make handy storage containers for loose screws and nails. Well, as long as you plug up the eyes and mouth....

Margie: Edna, that's fantastic! The birds would surely love that.

Cousin T usually makes me a nice cap and handbag out of his pumpkin. They work well until they start to rot then I get some odd looks from folks.

Edna, I wonder if we could freeze a pumpkin for next year? We do have to be frugal.

Edna: I suppose we could, but I don't know what it would look like next year when it thaws.

Margie, do you have a picture of yourself in your pumpkin cap and handbag? I'm sure our readers would love to see it.

Margie: Edna, you know I do. This is from last year when I also had the cute dress. Actually, I gave away autographed copies of this picture for Halloween.

Picture property of cookie_dough33

Margie: You know, Edna, let's think about how to use our leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Edna: Sounds good Margie. I've already got an idea for a charming set of ribcage windchimes...