#pan is like WOOHOO MEAT IS MEAT! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hedwigstalons · 4 years

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This is a first foray into TAG so apologies for any continuity issues (a common problem in my head). A little bit of festive fun and nonsense with a rescue thrown in for good measure.

xoxoxox

**Going Out With A Bang**

Christmas has arrived and for once it looked like the whole family would be able to share in the festive meal. The world had been quiet and since December 22nd and the Tracys hoped it would grant them peace for a few days more so they could properly enjoy the holiday season.

The final arrival had been John who has returned via the space elevator late on Christmas eve. He had been reluctant to desert his post as space monitor but Eos has practically threatened to pump out all the oxygen if he hadn’t stepped through through the air lock right now. He suspected she had been conspiring with Alan; those two had been mightily absorbed on the youngest Tracys last visit up to Thunderbird Five. Now, sat with a coffee in hand, he was glad to be home even if home came with a heavy dose of gravity.

Christmas morning had been a whirlwind of activity. Alan had resembled an over-excited puppy as he dashed from one sibling to the next to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Gordon had managed to find the most hideous shirt bedecked with neon candy canes that Virgil had proclaimed to to an offense to the senses. Scott had adopted his usual role of commander and made sure everyone had eaten a proper breakfast (“No Alan, marshmallows are not breakfast”). John had tripped over the step in the lounge at least twice already. It was a typical island Christmas.

As lunch time approached the assembled group of five brothers, Kayo and Brains were glad that Scott had insisted on breakfast. Grandma has declared that there would be no barbecue this year and she would be treating them all to a traditional turkey dinner. As the allotted time approached the prospect of consuming a hot and heavy meal in tropical heat was not appealing, especially as Grandma had insisted on doing most of the cooking herself. More than one island resident was caught sneaking off to the store rooms to stock up on pre-lunch snacks until Grandma had locked the stores and declaring that she would not let them spoil their lunch. She ignored the pained glances that passed between brothers that said clearer than words that lunch would definitely be spoiled if Grandma Tracy was catering.

The smell of scorched meat and the sound or curses as a pan of vegetables boiled dry signalled that it was time to set the table. International Rescue worked as a smooth machine and laying the out the dishes for lunch was no exception. Figures interwove as plates were passed along and settings made up. As the last dish was put in place the team stepped back to admire their handiwork. Even if the food in the dishes looked a little suspect the table itself was a picture of festive cheer.

“Crackers!” exclaimed Alan, the disappointment in his voice evident for all to hear. “Didn’t we order any for this year? It’s not a proper Christmas lunch without crackers”.

“I’m sure we did. I think I spotted a box in storeroom 3. You all sit down and I’ll go and fetch them.” Gordon sped out of the dining room and down the hallway that led to the stores. He soon veered off and headed towards his own room where the box of crackers had been liberated to a few days earlier. The selection of bright foil cylinders appeared identical but he knew otherwise.

As Gordon returned to the dining room, box in hand, he was pleased to see that everyone was seated already. He walked around the perimeter of the table, carefully laying a cracker across each place setting. Conversation was in full flow and only Scott noticed that the crackers were not pulled out of the box in an entirely random order. He wondered what Gordon had planned but as he was evidently not the intended recipient of whatever prank had been prepared to was happy to sit back and watch the drama unfold. It looked like Virgil would not be so lucky.

Gordon finished his round of the table and sat back in his own seat. “Ok, crackers in a circle, right? Everyone hold out you cracker to the person on your left.”

Virgil and Alan then, thought Scott as everyone complied with the seemingly innocent instruction. Soon a chain of crackers was set up around the table.

“Five...Four...Three...Two…One...”

The klaxon sounded and the crackers were dropped back on to plates as everyone rushed through to the comms room. The light hearted atmosphere had gone and been replaced the usual rush of adrenalin that preceded a rescue.

“Go ahead, Eos” instructed Scott. The AI was pretty good at filtering out the necessary rescues from the surrounding noise of global radio chatter. She had also been instructed to reroute calls to the local emergency services or GDF for the duration of Christmas day so the fact she was intruding on their family time meant the situation must be serious.

“I have received a distress call from an oil rig. It has been damaged in a storm and the crew need to evacuate. The weather conditions preclude evacuation by helicopter. Some of the crew opted to leave by life raft but the transponder has failed and all contact with the life raft has been lost.”

“Virgil, Alan and Gordon; you all get going in Thunderbird Two. We’ll need Thunderbird Four to help with the missing life raft. I’ll take Thunderbird One and meet you there. John, you’re on comms; get full details and co-ordinates and brief us once we are airborne.”

The brothers dispersed to their respective concealed chutes that let to the Thunderbirds. John was grateful to claim his seat by the comms table; the sudden rush from the dining room had left him a little dizzy and highlighted that he was not yet acclimatised to Earth enough to take a more active role in the rescue.

Grandma, Kayo and Brains retreated to the dining room. The dishes were returned to the kitchen and would be warmed through once the boys returned, whenever that might be.

xoxoxox

As the two Thunderbirds approached the rig the weather conditions worsened. They had taken off into bright tropical skies over an azure sea. Now, several time zones and climatic regions away they were surrounded by darkness. Fierce winds buffeted their craft and the pilots could feel the strain through their control yokes. Rain lashed the cockpit screens and visibility was almost zero; flying was by instruments and instincts. The seas below churned and roiled beneath them, not that those aboard the mighty ‘birds could see that.

John had made contact with those still trapped on the rig and was now in possession of the full details and severity of the situation. Eight personnel required evacuation from the rig and a further four were lost somewhere on the unforgiving ocean. Part of the platform had failed structurally and the was at risk of collapsing into the sea. A small mercy was that the crew has managed to cap off the bore hole so any potential environmental disaster had already been averted. The drilling company would be able to make the structure safe once the storm had passed but until that happened the crew was in danger. With the first four to evacuate now lost without a trace the remaining crew were unwilling to follow their colleagues into the remaining rafts and preferred to take their changes on the unstable rig.

Eos had also been busy. Having ascertained the exact time the life raft had been launched and its last known location before the transponder had failed she had run simulations using the weather and ocean current data from the area. Her high-tech models allowed her to narrow down the search area and she was able to provide Scott with a more defined zone in which the life raft should be found.

“Approaching raft rescue zone now” Scott announced as he reached the area. “I’ll see if I can locate the life raft by scanning for life signs. Deploy Thunderbird Four then continue to rig; you should be able to evacuate those remaining using the rescue cage.”

“FAB” acknowledge Virgil.

Scott activated his scanner and started a sweep of the area. It looked like a futile task, trying to locate a small orange raft in miles of dark ocean, but he trusted in Eos’s calculations. He needed to, there wasn’t a lot else to go out out here. He knew that Gordon would also be scanning the area from Thunderbird Four and it was hopefully only a matter of time before one or other of the brothers found the missing crew.

Gordon was at least more comfortable that Scott. Underneath the surface of the ocean he was protected from the worst of the storm conditions. Other that the occasional deep swell that would shift his ‘bird slightly off course he could almost forget the tempest playing out on the surface. He was used to working in limited visibility so the darkness was no hindrance to him. He maintained radio contact with his sky-bound sibling as they scanned the rescue area, starting in opposite quadrants to maximise efficiency.

The brothers swept the area using a mix of radar and life signs scanner until “Woohoo, I win!”

“Gordo, this is not competition. Do I take it you have located the raft?”

“Sure have. Sending through the co-ordinates now. So how do you want to go about extraction?”

“The conditions are too rough for you to tow the raft. I’ll snare it with a grapple and return it to the main rig. From there we can get them aboard Thunderbird Two. It’s not going to be comfortable for them though. I want you to try and attach a communicator to the raft so I can let them know what is happening.”

“FAB”.

Attaching a communicator to the side of the raft would require a trip to the surface. A prospect Gordon wasn’t looking forward to as the swell still hadn’t abated. It would also require some careful piloting.

Gordon surfaced the submarine. His powerful lamps soon illuminated the orange box that was being tossed about on the waves. He hoped those inside had strong stomachs because it was one hell of a bumpy ride they were being subjected to. He monitored the rise and fall of both the life raft and his own craft until he was familiar with the pattern the waves were moving to. Then, at the optimal moment he fired a small cannon. A disc flew through the air and adhered itself to the side of the life raft with a dull thunk.

To those inside the raft the sound of something solid hitting the side was disconcerting. Their fear soon turned to elation as Gordon’s friendly voice was heard inside their craft.

“This is International Rescue. Please report your status. Is anybody hurt?”

“International Rescue? Thank goodness, we thought we were lost for sure.” The relief in the speaker’s voice was palpable. “We are all a bit bumped about. One head injury but no signs of concussion.”

The rescue plan was soon relayed to the crew in the raft and while they were not enamoured with the idea of being suspended below Thunderbird One they were pleased that their ordeal would soon be over.

Back at the rig Virgil and Alan were concentrating on rescuing the eight remaining crew. Virgil was holding a hover over the rig while Alan was on winch and rescue cage duty. The rig was creaking and groaning in the storm force winds and the pair knew they needed to work quickly.

Alan lowered himself and the rescue cage to the deck of the rig. The surface of the platform was exposed to the elements and the most dangerous aspect of the rescue would be stopping himself and the crew being blow off the side of the platform. For now the crew were safely holed up in one of the cabins on the surface of the rig.

Alan ensured his gravity boots were engaged and that he was attached to a safety line before he risked exiting the rescue cage. The short walk to the cabin felt like a marathon as he braced himself against the vicious gusts. The checker plate surface was slick with the rain that was still falling in torrents and even the gravity boots were struggling to get a purchase. It was with some relief that Alan reached the cabin and entered. His safely line prevented the door from being closed and he had to shout to be heard above the elements.

“So, who needs a lift home?” he grinned. He easy manner and smile instantly calming those waiting for rescue.

He was pleased to see that the crew were already kitted out in full safety gear including harnesses and helmets. This would make his job a whole lot easier and save him having to escort everyone to the rescue cage individually. He connected the safety line to an anchor point within the cabin and instructed everyone to clip in. The line acted as a guide rail and would allow everyone to traverse the deck safely between the fixed point of the cabin and the rescue cage.

Alan issued instructions on how to harness in to the safety cage. Then, one following close behind the other, the line of eight crew fought their way across the deck, gripping the safety line for support. Only once the last crew member had reached the cage did Alan release the anchor point in the cabin and begin his own return journey. Form there it was just a matter of activating the winch and they were being safely swallowed up into the belly of Thunderbird Two.

There was no chance to rest though. The evacuation from the rig had been the easy part; the real challenge would be to secure the life raft which was even now on its way to rendezvous with them, suspended from the base of Thunderbird One. Once Alan had settled the crew from the rig into the passenger bay he returned to the winch cables.

The plan was to attempt an air to air transfer. It would not be safe to transport the life raft all the way to land underneath Thunderbird One, nor was the idea of individually winching out the four trapped inside. The solution, although far from ideal, was for Alan to to attach Two’s grapple to the life raft. Scott would then disengage One’s grapple leaving Two free to winch the life raft inside the cargo area where there was plenty of space. The manoeuvrer would be challenging and not without risks.

Alan looked out of the open hatch in Thunderbird Two, grim determination on his face. Thunderbirds One and Two were being hovered expertly side by side. His two oldest brothers seemed to act in perfect unison, each acting to correct against the still-buffeting winds at the same time. The life raft was swinging wildly about on the end of its tether and Alan felt sorry for the four poor souls he knew were contained within. He took aim and fired the suction grapple but the erratic movement of the raft in the gusting winds meant his first shot missed. He recalled the grapple and tried again. The raft swung in and out of his line of sight and the whole exercise felt faintly reminiscent of a fairground game but one that had four lives as the prize rather than a misshapen stuffed toy. With a fair dose of luck on his side the second shot flew true and the suction grapple adhered firmly to the room of the raft. Scott quickly disengaged the line from Thunderbird One. Alan activated the winch mechanism and drew the raft inside the safety of the giant transporter ‘plane.

With the rig workers all safely accounted for the final task was to collect Gordon and Thunderbird Four. International Rescue would then be able to drop their grateful passengers off at the nearest airfield and head for home.

It might not have been the Christmas they hoped for but there was something about a successful rescue that lifts the mood. The International Rescue secure frequencies were soon filled with cheerful chatter between Thunderbirds One and Two and Tracy Island. Gordon attempted to lead everyone in song but soon stopped when Virgil threatened to dump him back in the ocean. The only disappointment was that Christmas day was nearly over by the time everyone had safely returned to base.

xoxoxox

It was a weary crew of operatives that gathered in the lounge again once post-flight checks had been completed and dirty uniforms discarded.

“I’m starving” groaned Scott as he kicked back and relaxed in an easy chair. “I thought Christmas was meant to be a time of eating to excess but instead I feel like we missed about four meals.”

“You’re always hungry” Virgil retorted, stretching out and taking up about three sofa spaces “but I know what you mean. I could almost contemplate Grandma’s Christmas lunch after all that. I’d go and fetch some food but I’m too comfortable now. Hey, Johnny, you fancy digging out some snacks?”

John was interrupted in making an indignant response about Virgil being perfectly capable of fetching his own snacks when their Grandmother appeared. “Welcome back, boys. I know you must be tired out after today but you need to look after yourselves. I’m not having anyone heading off to bed without a proper meal. We saved lunch so I want everyone back in the dining room in five minutes. I just need to set the table again.”

There was a collective set of groans that had more to do with facing their Grandma’s cooking in reheated form than the prospect of shifting off the sofa. However, everyone knew that if they didn’t face the meal tonight she would only wheel it out again tomorrow and Grandma’s cooking was one thing that did not improve with age.

Everyone shuffled through to the dining room to help finish setting up the meal again. Gordon gulped as he realised that everything had been reset. The crackers had been placed back in their box when the first iteration of lunch had been cleared away and Kayo was now in the process of laying a tube across each plate. He scanned the table but he had done his job too well, the crackers looked identical.

The sinking feeling deepened as Scott’s hand landed on his shoulder from behind. A low voice growled in his ear. “Well this should be interesting. Cracker roulette. I know you didn’t get those out the store room earlier, Grandma had them all locked down tighter than Fort Knox. The question is, little bro, are you feeling lucky?”

It is one thing to play a prank when the victim is carefully selected. It is quite another to have that control taken away. Pranks come with retribution and Gordon knows that each person around the table would have their revenge somehow, the unknown is the price he would be expected to pay.

Everyone returned to the seats they had vacated all those hours previously. The crackers raised to signal the start of the meal.

“Five...Four...Three...Two...One...Merry Christmas”

Except the ‘Merry Christmas’ was partially drowned out by a shout as one cracker erupted as a highly effective glitter bomb. Sparkles of red and green coated those that had been holding either end.

Uh oh.

Gordon’s chair crashed to the floor, knocked over in his haste to exit the room. He took off at a sprint but his attempt at escape was futile. The way no escaping the wrath of a now twinkling Kayo and Scott.

“Gordon Tracy, I’m going to be finding this stuff for weeks! Just you wait until I get my hands on you.”

Pranking Kayo comes at a cost. Usually a very painful cost. She caught up with him half way to the lounge and expertly tackled him to the floor. Scott arrived moments later. Between the pair of them Gordon was soon trussed up in tinsel. Scott threw him unceremoniously over his shoulder and carried the prankster back to his chair in the dining room, ensuring his younger brother got smeared on copious amounts of the glitter in the process.

There were a few sniggers as Gordon was fastened to his chair. He knew there was no point in trying to escape his tinsel bonds, Kayo had made sure the knots were firmly tied and out of reach.

Gordon tried appealed to their better nature. “Aw come on. It’s Christmas after all. You can’t let me starve while you all eat. That’s just torture.”

“Oh you’ll be eating, Gordo.” Kayo’s voice had taken on a dangerous edge. She freed his hands while making sure he was still unable to escape the chair. “You’ll sit there until you have cleared your plate like a good boy.”

Scott started heaping large portions onto Gordon’s plate, carefully selecting the most suspect looking parts of their Grandma’s cooking.

“There might even be...dessert.”

Gordon gulped and picked up his fork. The price for his prank was high and it was time to start paying.

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #scott tracy #virgil tracy #john tracy #gordon tracy #alan tracy #kayo

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imagineromanreigns · 7 years

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Summer Love (Sequel 2 H.I.S.M.A)

Can you do a part 2 on how I spent my anniversary?

can you do a sequel? please with chocolate on top!

this def needs a part 2

The clock finally struck 4:00 PM and I was out of the door. I didn't bother to stay for the staff lunch or even acknowledge it was going on. There was somewhere special I wanted to go, and I've been waiting long enough! After pulling out of the parking lot, I tuned into my favorite radio station. My phone started to ring with one of my coworker's name on the screen.

"Nope." I mumble and put my phone on airplane mode.

Two hours later, the smell of BBQ seeped through my vents as I neared the parking lot. As I neared closer, it looked full. Crap. There were even vehicles parked in lines down the road. I came to a sudden halt when a round, curly redhead waved her short arms. My eyes lit up with a face splitting smile. It was Maggie!

"Hey, Candace! Pull in over here, darlin! Take that curve down until you reach the back of the bar."

I nod and drove through the opened gate. Once I parked, a red four wheeler roared down the road and stopped behind my truck. Maggie was holding on to a tall, thin man with a bushy grey mustache. She hopped off and immediately pulled me into a big hug. I hugged her with the same strength, as we said how much we've missed each other.

"It took long enough, hot stuff!" She perched her hands on her hips.

"I know! We don't have spring breaks, so I had to wait all the way until the summer."

"Well, I'm so glad you came. And uh," she looks back at the bar, "he still doesn't know." She winks.

I started to get excited all over again. "Oh, good! I can't wait to see him."

"I can't wait either! I've been anxious all day for this moment." She turns to the driver, "Chuck, this is Candace. My little friend I told you about."

Chuck hops off the four wheeler, grabbing my extended hand. "Nice to meet you, beautiful." He kisses my hand. "How was the drive?"

"Thank you, it was peaceful." I smile warmly.

"Sounds alright," he nods. "Well, you're just in time for some good BBQ."

"Oh, yes! Get out of those business clothes and get comfortable. Put your things behind the bar, then meet us on the patio." She kisses my cheek before heading off with Chuck up the road.

I grab my bag from the backseat and hurry into the bar. I change in the bathroom: jean shorts, converse, tank top, and a plaid button down that I left open. I graze through the thick crowd until I make it to the bar, where I place my bag in a cabinet. As I near the patio, I see him holding a beer to his lips before laughing at something. To his left was another familiar face, his friend, Charlie. Without guessing, I'm sure he was responsible for that laugh. Charlie looked in my direction with surprise as I stepped on to the patio.

"Shhh." I put my finger up and catch him nod with a smirk.

Once I was close enough with the smell of seasoned meat swooning my nostrils, I spoke. "Please tell me you haven't run out of those steak burgers yet?"

"Just laid down another round—," he turned around, "oh shit!"

I bat my eyelashes all bashful. "Hey, Joe."

He put the spatula down and hauled me into a big bear hug. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, breathing in the scent of smoke and body wash. A juicy kiss was planted on his cheek, as he returned one on my forehead.

"Don't tell anyone, but I've missed you." He says low against my forehead.

I giggle, finally allowing myself to let him go. "Likewise."

"Well, well. Hello again, gorgeous. Thought his ugly face scared you off." Charlie gives me a hug and peck on the cheek. "Happens to me all the time."

"Yet you still keep coming back around." Joe flicks his middle finger up.

Charlie shrugs, "the cost of not having any other friends, mate." He takes a swig of beer.

"Sounds like a bromance to me." I raise a brow at Joe.

Joe wrinkles his face, "Dreadful."

"Oh sure now that Candace's back, you don't find me desirable." He playfully sighs, "I get it. Guess I'll be on my way. All by my lonesome."

"Much appreciated," Joe nods his beer bottle as Charlie laughs and walks off.

I shake my head at the playful banter. "You too are adorable."

"Not as adorable as you are right now." He wraps an arm around my shoulder, kissing my forehead again. "This was a great surprise by the way. Now I see why Maggie was extra excited about today."

I place my hand on his wrist. "I know. I was worried she would get too excited and spill the beans by now."

He splashes marinade on the patties. "Nah, she's been keeping her cool this whole time. Straight poker face. But today I don't think she could control it any longer." He grins.

"May I?" My hand reaches for a juicy, steak patty in a tin pan.

"Wanna make sure they taste the same?"

"Absolutely!" I take a bite, instantly moaning.

"I take it they do." He laughs, looking down at my chewing mouth.

I just nod, taking another bite.

As the afternoon rolled into the evening, the guests were full of delicious BBQ and drunkenly singing karaoke. I've never laughed so hard in my life! So many deaf tone, off key singers and off beat rappers. But they were happy. Simply enjoying themselves at Joe's place. This added to my own happiness. As I casually glance back at the bar, where I last sat heartbroken and tipsy, two young women were being approached by two young guys. Their blushing was infectious, as the guys charmed them with their best game. Young love was being created right before my eyes.

"Alright, everybody! This song is going out to all of the lovers! Both single and taken!"

Everyone laughs at the small joke, as Maggie grabs the mic. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton starts playing and instantly the women were all revved up. One tipsy patron yelled out to Maggie to “SING THAT SHIT”, while others swayed their drinks in the air.

Joe’s arms draped over my shoulders, followed by a cheek kiss. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say my dear Maggie is really tipsy.”

“You know, it could be the only reason why she’d dedicate this song to all of the lovers.” I laugh.

We joined in with crowd, swaying and singing to the song. Every time Maggie sang the chorus, it sent Joe and me into hysterics. She would sing it with such passion and determination. Even though she’s been the only contestant so far who could actually sing, it didn’t stop us from laughing. The crowd gave a wild applause as Maggie ended the song and took a bow.

“Whew! That one does it to me every time!” Maggie spoke, “Is everybody having a good time?”

The crowd answers in ‘woohoos’, ‘Hell yeahs’, whistles and claps.

“I’m so glad to hear that.” She takes a napkin and wipes her face. “You know, we wanted to give you guys a special ‘Thank You’ for constantly keeping this bar afloat. To know that there’re so many people that come here from all different walks of life and leave in good spirits, it means so much to us.

“With that being said, I would like to give all of my love and appreciation right now to my young, handsome boss.” Maggie grabs a cup from someone in front of the stage. “Thanks, darlin.” She takes a sip, “Joe! Here’s to our four years and many, many more! I love you like my own son and you’ve been nothing but good to me. Cheers to Joe!”

The crowd send their drinks in the air, as they all look back at Joe with gratitude. I grab onto his arms, looking up at him with the same gratitude. He modestly put his hand up, smiling in appreciation. Then he blew a kiss at Maggie, in which she caught and placed over her heart. It was such a beautiful moment that I was honored to be apart of.

Maggie, Charlie, Chuck, and I began throwing away trash as the patrons were filing out. Joe was at the door bidding everyone a goodnight and thanking them for coming. When he was done, he joined us as we crowded the bar.

“Okay, guys. We can call it a night!” Joe claps his hands. “I appreciate y’all for cleaning up. Frank and his people will be in tomorrow morning to finish up with the floors and such.”

“Alright, mate. Get some rest. You did one helluva party!” Charlie and Joe slapped hands and hugged. “You too, gorgeous. Nice to see you again.” He kissed my cheek and hugged me as well.

A few seconds of us all bidding our farewells, we hauled out of the bar. Joe set the alarm and securely locked up. With my bag in one hand, he tossed his free arm over my shoulder.

“Ready?” He looks down at me.

“Yes sir.” I grin.

He drove us to his house in a comfortable silence, as the radio played Soft Rock. We turned down the road that led to his Bed & Breakfast. A smile crossed my lips. What a night we had there. We finally made it to his home that was behind the Inn.

“Welcome to your home away from home, Candace.” He looked over at me with a smile.

“Why, Joe. How thoughtful of you!”

He shrugs, “Well, ya know. What can I say?”

“Silly.” I shake my head on a smirk.

He unlocks the front door, letting me walk in first. It was just how I imagined: manly and tidy. It was almost too sophisticated to be a bachelor pad.

“It’s hard to believe that only a man stays here.”

Joe snorts, “I get that a lot. A man simply can’t have a clean, wholesome home?”

“It’s possible, but HIGHLY unlikely.” I retort. “It’s a beautiful home though. I’m a big fan of wooden interior, so that alone wins me over.”

“Thank you, Candace.” He wraps his arms around me from behind. “I’ve really, really missed you.” He spoke into my ear.

I closed my eyes on an inhale from those words. My head was glued to his chest and I felt his calm heart beat.

“I’ve missed you, too. Like crazy.” I began, “I thought I was being dramatic because it was only one night. But you made me feel so special and I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”

“No, you weren’t being dramatic. You made me feel the same way. It felt so natural with us that night.”

My eyes open at a thought. “Why didn’t you ask me for my number before I left?”

He sighs, “Honestly? I felt that I wouldn’t see you again. Yeah, we said that we’d see each other again but I didn’t believe it. You’re from the city. I figured there’s nothing here I have to offer you that’ll make you want to come back.”

I turned to face him. “That must’ve happened before?”

“Yep, a few times.”

“Well, as you see, I stand before you once again. I know it’s been a few months and I apologize for that. On top of not being able to take off from work like I wanted, I was still dealing with my breakups. I told myself that there wasn’t any way I would come back here with that baggage. I wanted you to see a happier me, not someone who was pitifully, broken-hearted. Not to mention, I also felt that you didn’t mean it when you said you wanted me to come back.”

“I understand wholeheartedly. You had to experience an unfortunate situation that would’ve gave anybody the blues. So don’t apologize for that.” His fingers twirl ends of my hair. “Plus, you’re a busy woman. I just figured that if it’s meant for us to see each other again, somehow, it’ll happen. But mark my words, Candace, I meant what I said. I wish now that I would’ve gotten your number. The sound of your voice would’ve given me less sleepless nights until I saw you again.”

I couldn’t resist it anymore. I planted a kiss on his lips, finally feeling restless from staring at them as the moved. Joe responded by engulfing me in his arms tighter, vigorously kissing back. My hands clasped his neck, pulling him more towards me. I dreamt of this moment since the day I left. I wanted to do this when he held me as we laid in front of the fireplace that night. My senses heightened for him, causing me to moan as we continued kissing. I pulled back to catch some air, while reigning in surprise at my actions.

“I’m so sorry!” I look up at him. “That wasn’t sup—oh!”

Joe effortlessly picked me up and pressed me against the wall. My neck was scorched in heated kisses.

“Joe,” I breathed.

After a few more kisses, he connected his forehead with mines. His chest was rising with every breath, eyes closed.

“Don’t you dare apologize.” He slowly peeled me from the wall and made sure my feet planted on the floor.

There was a moment. We just stood there facing each other not knowing what to say. The thick air was starting to settle around us. Our breathing was becoming steady. I still can’t believe I just did that. Was it the liquor from the BBQ that made me this bold? I didn’t think I drank that much. Or was it simply me making up for lost time? I don’t know where it came from, but I’m stuck between liking it and being totally horrified.

Joe cleared his throat, apparently trying to snap out of it as well. “Um, if you go down this way you’ll see my room on the left at the end. My bathroom is in there as well. So you can get settled in and shower if you want. I’ll go put on some coffee.”

“Sounds good. Um, thanks.” I nervously pick up my bag and head to his room.

After a quick hair wash and cleaning, I linger in the shower for a minute. The water felt amazing cascading down my skin. It just occurred to me that I’d been on the go since eight o’ clock this morning. I’m pretty sure it’smidnight by now. I turned the knobs off and climb out of the tub. The aroma of coffee beans filled the air. I could definitely use a cup right about now.

I let the coffee scent guide me into the kitchen. Joe was standing by the island going through his phone. He was now dressed in a white wife beater with loose burgundy pajama pants. His hair fell in damp tendrils and I could smell that body wash from earlier. He looked up from his scrolling with a grin.

“Everything good? I went ahead and used the guest bathroom for a shower as well.”

“Of course. It’d be much better once I get some of that coffee.” I grab a seat at the island.

“Coming right up.” He winked.

He poured two mugs of hot, black coffee. We added our own portions of cream and sugar.

I blew over the mug. “That was such a beautiful speech by Maggie tonight. I was almost in tears.”

Joe blushed, “Completely caught me off guard. She’s the greatest, I tell ya.” He takes a slow sip.

“She really is. If it wasn’t for her contacting my receptionist, I wouldn’t have known about the BBQ. You should’ve seen my face when I heard her voice!” I chuckle, “It was like an answered prayer. I truly couldn’t remember how to get back here. After all, I just drove last time and magically ended up at the bar.

I smile at the remembrance of our phone chat. “I missed her as well. She said she searched the internet nonstop for me until she finally came across the accounting firm.”

“I’m gonna have to give Maggie a raise for all of her hard work. She truly made my day, today.” Joe genuinely smiles. “By far the best surprise I’ve gotten.”

“Cheers to Maggie.” I lift my mug.

Joe clinks his with mines. “Here, here.”

I take a smooth sip of my coffee. “So how do you end your night after a busy day of running a bar?”

He bashfully answers and reaches his hand to me. “Come on, I’ll show you.

We approach glass doors that stood behind the kitchen table. He unlocked and slid one open, then led us onto a gigantic porch. He guided me to a reclined, patio chair. He grabbed my mug and placed it on the small night stand next to the chair. After he seated himself, he guided me down until I sat back comfortably on him.

“Look up at the sky.” Joe instructed.

I did so and was so astonished. “Oh my, look at those stars!” I gasped. “They’re so many.”

I’ve never seen the sky this beautiful in my life, ever! I could actually see the moon in all its full glory, just lightening up the several shades of black and blues in the sky. The stars were spread out like decorative ornaments. Their shimmers were undeniable.

“It’s a sight to see, isn’t it?” Joe chimed. “Sometimes I’m even left speechless. Looking up at these skies have gotten me through many tough times. All I have to do is stare up and breathe away everything that’s bothering me.”

“That’s exactly how I’m feeling right now.” I shake my head. “I’ve never seen the sky like this in the city. I’m almost jealous.”

“Don’t be, Candace. Just look at it this way: you now have a place to come and see it in this form whenever you’d like.”

I almost feel teary eyed. Joe was filling my heart up in ways I couldn’t imagine. Back home, an ideal date or romantic getaway would be an expensive thing. They weren’t ever this simple; a cup of coffee and gazing up at the stars. This was the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced and I didn’t want it to end.

I gasp, “Is that a shooting star?!” My eyes spread wide at the white stripe zip through the sky.

Joe confirms with a cool grin. “That sure is. Hurry and make a wish.”

I wanted to shut my eyes like an excited child would to make a wish. But I was too amazed! When it was finally gone, I turned to face Joe.

“I’ve never seen a shooting star before!” I whispered, “That was so cool!”

He nods, “They appear all the time out here. I’ve been seeing them since I was a kid.” His hand glides vertically up my arm. “Did you make your wish?”

“Ugh, no. I was too excited to see it that I couldn’t close my eyes.” I pout.

“Well, you know you don’t have to close your eyes to make a wish with a shooting star.”

“Now you tell me!” I playfully slap his leg. “I take it you made your wish.”

“I surely did.”

“I want to tell you my wish.” I turn to face him, now sitting on his lap.

He sits up at attention and sets his hands on my thighs. “I’m all ears.”

I take a breath. “I thought back to when you said that you had nothing to offer a city girl. And I want to tell you how wrong you are. You’ve given me so much to appreciate and this is my second time seeing you. I’ve never had a man cook for me, actually listen to me, comfort me, and make me feel this way from simple things. Like drinking caffeine while star gazing. If this is what a country boy can offer me, then I’ll take all of it and more.”

I feel myself getting nervous, so I start to twist my fingers in my lap. Joe soon notices my nervousness and he rubs my thighs, coaxing me to take my time and relax.

“I say all of that to say I’d love to spend my summer with you, Joe.” I sigh victoriously, “That was my uh, wish.”

Joe stared at me for a moment, completely surprised at my statement. I almost regretted my declaration until my mouth was seized by his. They were so soft, kind, and sincere. When he grabbed my face, pulling back from my lips, his smile couldn’t have been more established.

“You’ve just made my wish come true, Candace.”

#imagine roman reigns #imagineromanreigns #romanreigns #roman reigns #imagines #Leati Joseph Anoa'i #request

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operationrainfall · 5 years

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CONTRA: ROGUE CORPS is one of those games that people love to hate. And I’m not saying everybody is wrong that’s reviewed it so far, nor am I saying I necessarily know better. What I am saying is that whenever I see something which the aggregate tells me is irrevocably horrible, I tend to want to disprove the consensus. Or at least offer an alternate viewpoint. After all, I’ve actually been excited for CONTRA: ROGUE CORPS since I saw the surprising trailer unveiled way back at E3 2019. I may have been the only journalist woohooing and raising my fist in appreciation, and for a simple reason – I’m a fan of the CONTRA series. Yes, it’s generally hard as nails and beyond brutal, but it’s one of those series I grew up playing. Sure it’s not very intellectually stimulating or terribly deep, but sometimes you just need an excuse to blow away alien scum. So seeing as how I finally started playing my preorder copy of the game, let’s see if it scratched that violent itch.

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First things first, I will concede that ROGUE CORPS is a messy title. Not just visually, but in terms of the precision of how the game and its systems work. I’m not saying that to be cruel, but sadly it’s just a fact. Having said that, I still found myself enjoying the basic loop of the gameplay. Picking a character, going through missions, beating bosses, getting rewarded with items, then using said items to upgrade my character. Now if you’re an old fan of the series, most of that probably stood out to you. Usually you don’t have progressive upgrades in CONTRA games, you just fight from level to level. And while I respect developer Toylogic for being ambitious and taking chances with the title, I couldn’t help but come to a conclusion as I played – ROGUE CORPS isn’t truly a CONTRA game. Again, not a slight, just a fact. In a way, ROGUE CORPS is a mishmash of various games wearing a CONTRA suit. In many ways, it reminded me of a mix of Gauntlet, Smash TV and DOOM. Which in a way isn’t that surprising after I researched other projects developed by Toylogic. One that particularly stood out was Kid Icarus: Uprising. That’s another great example of using the window dressing of the series, but totally reinventing how it sounds and plays. And much like Kid Icarus: Uprising, ROGUE CORPS fires many shots that miss the mark, as well as some that hit dead center.

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The game starts with a surprisingly epic introduction, illustrated in a comic book style. It tries to encapsulate the entire history of the CONTRA games, showing how the aliens invaded and were beaten back. Or so we thought. Turns out, they left a present deep in the Earth’s core, and it suddenly erupts into a living nightmare called Damned City. This twisted location is so dangerous that most humans go mad just stepping foot there, and that serves as the excuse for our eclectic team of heroes, the titular ROGUE CORPS (or I guess technically Jaegers, according to the intro). Whatever their name, this fearsome foursome is the strangest band of heroes found in any CONTRA game. There’s team leader Kaiser, who looks like the cybernetic caveman ancestor of Bill Rizer. Then there’s Ms. Harakiri, who somehow got fused with an alien parasite that she stabs to gain temporary power boosts. Then there’s Gentleman, a hideous insectoid alien that is apparently on the side of the angels. And then there’s my favorite, Hungry Beast (HB for short), a giant mecha panda with a scientist’s brain in his noggin. Though you’d be hard pressed to call the heroes from other CONTRA games normal, this bunch makes them look boring by comparison. Oh and there’s one more character named Lily, she’s your pilot as well as the narrator of the story.

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Now, as I said earlier, the basic gameplay is fine, with some provisos. It plays like a twin-stick shooter in a quasi 3D environment. I’m used to CONTRA being a 2D platformer, so this was a bit of a learning curve, but thankfully my recent addiction to the twin-stick genre helped my immersion. As you run around blasting hordes of foes, you have a couple things that help. One are the special skills unique to each character, which can be activated at any time, and then have to cool down before using again. Kaiser’s skill adds spreadshot bullets to his attacks, Harakiri gets stronger, Gentleman throws black holes that scoop up small foes and HB lays down several turrets which both shoot foes and deflect bullets. I like that amount of diversity, and it goes a long way to making the game feel fresh. Each character plays a little differently, dictated both by their size and movement speed as well as their primary and secondary weapons. I much preferred Kaiser and HB, since their machine guns pushed back foes, while Gentleman and Harakiri fired a laser that cut through enemies, but didn’t repel them.

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I also appreciate how whenever you use a missile attack to clear the screen, the animation changes depending on your character. Kaiser rides the missile like in Dr. Strangelove, for example. Then there’s also Finishing Moves, which can only be used against nigh unkillable gold enemies. To stop them, you have to shoot and dodge attacks to dizzy them, then get close and press A to watch the blood flow. These are spectacularly violent sequences, and I only have two issues with them. First, enemies don’t stop moving just cause you’re murdering one of their buddies, and crowd up close and personal. This means you have to immediately dodge away once the sequence is over. The other problem is sometimes the animation doesn’t play properly, and instead you just see your character pose slightly before the attack activates.

More Rogue Action on Page 2 ->

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Besides all that flashiness, you’re much more maneuverable in ROGUE CORPS. Not only can you run around and jump, you can also dodge foes, avoiding damage. The dodge can also be used aggressively to knock foes off balance and dizzy them, as I said earlier. My problem with this mechanic is that once you’ve dizzied a foe, you can pick them up, but there’s usually no reason to. If there’s a handy meat grinder around, toss an enemy in, but it’s not satisfying or effective to toss foes into each other or against walls. There are also sequences called Shooting Galleries, where the camera pans to quasi FPS and you aim your sight with the right stick. While these have the benefit of more clearly displaying the action, they also are cumbersome and frustrating. And they don’t just occur when you’re facing stationary turrets and foes, but in boss fights as well. In fact, the first massive boss fight against an angry metal skeleton, which is teased at the end of the demo, is fought in Shooting Gallery mode. I struggled and struggled with him, doing minimal damage, until I realized I could move forward while in that mode, and once up close and personal, I started to do massive damage. Problem is, it’s not intuitive that you’d be able to move forwards and backwards in a mode that normally forces you to a horizontal plane.

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When boss fights don’t involve that mode, I tended to enjoy them more. Sure they are time consuming and more than a bit grindy, often involving waves of lesser foes distracting you as the boss rampages around, but they still were a fun challenge overall. And while it’s true they do overuse the first boss a lot, since he shows up later as a recurring mini boss and even in a upgraded form, there’s some very distinct boss designs here. I loved the giant metal skeleton’s design, as well as the fiery chariot boss. Hell, even the recurring boss is a neat design, looking like some bloated Toxic Revenger. My biggest issue isn’t that the game is ugly, but that the camera angles and magnification often made it hard to make out the visual niceties. Compounding that issue is that the most common grunt in the game, a sort of red fleshy skeleton, is completely generic looking. Which is frustrating, since some of the others are great, like the flying baby heads, the giant mouths that burst from concrete and even the roller skating buzz saw bastards. It’s also frustrating because in general, the CONTRA series is known for fantastic enemy design, be they robotic terrors or organic nightmares.

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I liked the idea of weapon and character customization in theory, but in practice it proved more than a little confusing. This is in part because even the game’s internal guides don’t do a great job of explaining what’s required. An example is that whenever you work on an upgrade, it requires not just items to dictate the properties, but curiously also requires a sufficient number of them. This is compounded by referring to these items as B.A.D. (an acronym I don’t recall the game explaining). It’s very confusing, and I still can’t say I fully understand the system several hours in. However, it’s still fun to experiment, and I strongly recommend you use this system. Not only can it make your guns more powerful, it can add new effects such as an increased critical chance or inflicting status ailments. Best of all is you can make it so your weapons fire longer without overheating, and I strongly suggest you invest in that feature. Other than customizing your weapons, you can also put your character in the surgery room and upgrade their body parts. This is pretty similar to weapon customization, other than offering different doctors. Each one has different potential chances to either improve or tweak your stats, and most of them cost cold hard cash. For that reason alone, I mostly stuck with the one doctor that was free, but feel it’s probably best to bite the bullet and risk using one of the others.

Sadly there are some typos in the game as well.

Now, I’ve been trying to help showcase the positive aspects of ROGUE CORPS, but I need to spend some time with the messy bits. While I can look past muddy visual effects and grindy mechanics, I can’t ignore the following. One particularly offensive problem is the pause menu. Quite simply, pausing the game doesn’t stop the action. I noticed the enemies kept moving afterwards, and I am pretty sure I’ve taken damage as a result. I understand the missions have time limits, and maybe the developers want to encourage you to watch the clock, but in my mind, pausing means everything has stopped. Taking cheap shots when I’m taking a break is problematic in the extreme. Another problem deals with the aforementioned camera angles. Often these will not properly display everything happening, and more than once an enemy was hidden by the camera angle. I only noticed cause their health bar was visible. I also was annoyed that often the various planes of the battlefield would trap foes in odd places. Considering the game usually gates you in areas until you beat all the enemies, this wasn’t helpful. It was also difficult that sometimes the controls were less precise than I would like. Often I would aim with the right stick and the moment I let go, the gun orientation would shift. And while I did enjoy the boss fights in the game, I almost wish the mega boss fights were structured differently. I would have preferred if ROGUE CORPS took a page from Mechstermination Force, which ironically is based loosely on the earlier CONTRA games. Having large foes that I took down in distinct phases, whittling away their armor and causing new threats to surface, would have been much better than the Shooting Gallery approach. Yes, it shows the bosses better than the standard camera angle, but I just wish the combat was consistently the twin-stick format.

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In the end, I still enjoyed CONTRA: ROGUE CORPS. Yes, it’s a hot mess, and many things aren’t properly explained for my tastes, but the core mechanics are fun and work pretty well. Which makes it more of a shame this title was so poorly received. I admire Konami and Toylogic for taking a chance on something different here, even if it didn’t work out perfectly. As a fan of the CONTRA series, I still don’t feel ROGUE CORPS was a traditional experience, but also think it has something to offer fans. Now that playing it has put me in the proper frame of mind, I think I’ll finally start playing my copy of CONTRA Anniversary Collection.

Too funny not to use.

OPINION: ROGUE CORPS is Fun, Despite its Quirks CONTRA: ROGUE CORPS is one of those games that people love to hate. And I'm not saying everybody is wrong that's reviewed it so far, nor am I saying I necessarily know better.

#Contra #Konami #opinion #oprainfall #Rogue Corps #Toylogic

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fitnessexpert00-blog · 5 years

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The 20 Registry Gifts Couples Can’t Live Without

New Post has been published on https://fitnessqia.com/awesome/the-20-registry-gifts-couples-cant-live-without/

The 20 Registry Gifts Couples Can’t Live Without

Obviously, being with the love of your life is the best part about is married. However, there are a few small luxuries we can’t forget about. Getting all dolled up, spending time with loved ones, and of course, getting a few gifts from our friends and family are on that list.

The wedding registry is surprisingly one of the hardest things in your long listing of marriage scheming obligations. Traditionally, couples put together a registry to stock up on items for their first home together. This usually means cookware, bedclothe, kitchen gadgets — you know, the essentials. It may be easy to write off these items as things you already own — but starting a life together is a great reason to upgrade from those plates or bowls you’ve been collecting since college. Whether or not you lived together before your bridal( or lived on your own for a long time !), a wedding registry is a great opportunity to obtain pieces you’ll have for years to come( and even some extra cash !) — that reflect you as a couple and your life together.

We recommend Zola, an online registry and wedding scheming site. They offer over 50,000 gifts from all the brands you already love( or lust after) such as Le Creuset, KitchenAid, and Sonos. They also know that not everyone needs a new situate of cookware or wine glass when they get married. While you can find all of the newlywed home staples on Zola, the site still has you encompassed if these aren’t the ONLY items you need. They offer airline and Airbnb gift cards, fitness class, and personalized cash monies, which are perfect if you’re saving up for a honeymoon or a pet. Who wouldn’t wanted to go ?!

Most of the item’s on Zola’s site ship free, constructing it so easy for your guests to click “add to cart” without having to pay insane shipping fees or wait forever for their items. They also offer controlled shipping, so if you’re moving right after your wedding, your guests can send the gift straight to your new address or simply prevent your mail from being bombarded with packages the couple weeks after the wedding. PLUS: anything left on the registry after your wedding date is 20 percent off for six months. Woohoo!

We polled our readers on their most-used and favorite gifts they get from their registry. Scroll to the bottom to see their number one favorite!

20. Luggage

Whether you’re about to take the honeymoon of your dreamings or anticipate a lifetime of travel together, a new set of luggage for you both will certainly come in handy. You could go for something higher end that will last forever or opt for a set that includes all the essentials.

CALPAK

3-Piece Luggage Set

4 colorings available

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CALPAK

2-Piece Luggage Set

3 colours available

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19. Garment Steamer

This is one of those items you don’t realise you need until you eventually have it in your life. No more putting your clothes in the bathroom while you shower or worrying about getting those last-minute wrinkles out with a flat iron.( We’ve all done it, right ?) All of you and your partner’s attires, button-downs, and dress gasps is meant to get a serious makeover.

SALAV

Garment Steamer with 360 Swivel Hanger

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SALAV

Handheld Garment Steamer

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Source: Aimee Mazzenga for The Everygirl

18. Nice Dishes for Entertaining

Even though it will probably sit in a cabinet for part of the year( seeming all sorts of gorgeous, of course ), it’s a special gift that will remind you of that person every time you have people over. Who’s excited for the holidays at your place?

Crate& Barrel

Savannah Oval Platter

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ED Ellen Degeneres

Flat Serving Bowl

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ED Ellen Degeneres

Serving Bowl

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Crate& Barrel

Welcome II Platter

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17. Smart Thermostat& Doorbell

Obviously, we love the Nest thermostat and doorbell system because they’re just gorgeous.( Yeah, I know, I did just call a doorbell gorgeous. Sue me .) However, they are also an incredibly practical gift to ensure the safety of your home. Know when packages are being delivered, if someone is at your doorway who shouldn’t be, or when your in-laws are just “stopping by”( for the third hour this week ).

NEST

Learning Thermostat

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NEST

Hello Doorbell

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16. Vitamix

From smoothies to sauces to soups, a good blender is a necessity in your kitchen. The Vitamix is a fan-favorite for good reason because you can stimulate smoothies, juices, nut butters, soups , non-dairy milks, sauces, dress, and more with it. If the Vitamix is too big a splurge for you, Ninja makes a great professional option at a lower price.

Vitamix

Explorian Series E310 Blender

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Ninja

Chef High-Speed Blender

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15. Crockpot

That small crockpot you got for yourself in your first college apartment won’t cut it when you’re cooking meals for the both of you. Register for something that will last the test of hour and has enough space for meals for the both of you and for parties or entertaining. No matter if you’re running gourmet or whipping up the usual buffalo chicken dip( a true classic ), you’ll use this one A Plenty. We love employ the Crockpot for our weekly meal preps !

Crock-Pot

Programmable Slow Cooker

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Ninja

4-in-1 Auto-iQ Cooking System

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Source: @daniellemoss_

14. Something Precious

Some of the best things to receive as gifts are the ones you’d never buy for yourself. Some of our readers suggested a keepsake frame, a nice decanter, and a Waterford crystal vase as items they had on their registry( or were gifted by surprise) that mean so much to them now. Instant family heirlooms! It’s a reminder of the loved one who purchased it for you, and plainly, it’s gorgeous.

Waterford

Lismore Vase

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Kate Spade New York

Hinged Double Frame

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13. Comforter/ Bedding

It’s time to toss the bedclothe you’ve had forever and upgrade to something you and your partner can love and share( or fight over who’s hogging more of the blanket !). Asking for an uber soft, plush set of white sheets or a white duvet will go with any decor “youve got in” your space and are quite easy to clean.

Brooklinen

Core Sheet Set

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Brooklinen

Luxe Duvet Cover

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Brooklinen

All-Season Down Comforter

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Downlite

Goose Down Hotel Pillow

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12. Glassware

Whether for entertaining or for your usual at-home wine nights, you’ll get so much use out of these. Opt for something timeless that will look just as good on your bar cart in a few years as it does now.

Duralex

Picardie Highball Glass

Set of 6

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Libbey

Balloon Red Wine Glass

Set of 4

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Source: @alainakaz

11. Roomba

A robot vacuum will utterly change your life, especially if you have pets or anticipate owning a pet in the future. Some might be wary of putting an expensive item on their registry, but fear not! This is a gift friends and family can easily go in together on to attain the bill more bearable for them all while giving you a gift you’ll love.

Roomba

Roomba 690 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuuming Robot

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Source: Stoffer Photography for The Everygirl

10. Espresso Machine/ French Press/ Coffee Bar

Adding one of these machines to your kitchen will save your commute time, reduce your weekly Starbucks bill, and maybe increase your appreciation and love for some java. If you think you can’t induce your morning beaker of joe as good as the barista, think again. These machines make it so easy to get the coffee shop taste without the price. Here’s our tips for constructing very good beaker at home !

NESPRESSO

Espresso& Coffee Machine

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Ninja

Hot& Cold Brew System

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Barista& Co.

French Press Coffee Maker

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Cuisinart

Single Serve Coffee Brewer

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9. Le Cruset Dutch Oven

This is a piece that will last forever. If you love slow-cooking( who doesn’t love some homemade chicken noodle soup ?!), this will become your new favorite kitchen tool. You can set it on the stovetop or right into the oven, and it makes all sorts of snacks. From soups, stews, and sauces to braising meat and frying chicken, there isn’t much a dutch oven can’t do. A little-known secret is that a dutch oven makes amazing homemade bread! You can forgo Keto merely this once.

Creuset

Round Dutch Oven

11 colourings available

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8. Instant Pot

Your registry is a great place to ask for those kitchen appliances you’ve always wanted but haven’t purchased for yourself. The Instant Pot is an Everygirl( and Everymom !) favorite because of its ease. Only got back from the gym and need dinner on the table in time for The Bachelor? The Instant Pot it is! Here’s a list of some of our favorite Instant Pot recipes to make for the week ahead .

Instant Pot

9-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker

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7. All-Clad Pots and Pans

While we’re on the topic of cooking, you’re going to need some good pots and pans to get you started. We love All-Clad for it’s usability — these cook evenly around, stimulate you feel like a real chef, and they’re dishwasher safe. Win, win, and win.

All-Clad

Stainless 10 -Piece Cookware Set

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All-Clad

Hard Anodized 10 -Piece Cookware Set

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All-Clad

2-Piece Fry Pan Set

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Stainless Steel 5-Piece Cookware Set

All-Clad

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Source: Stoffer Photography for The Everygirl

6. Good Knives

A good decide of sharp, high-quality knives will take your cooking to the next level. Whether you’re whipping up one of Joanne Gaines’s recipes from Magnolia Table or only the usual taco night, you’ll feel more confident than ever in the kitchen. Here’s to eating in more!

Wusthof

Gourmet Steak Knife Set

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Material

2-Piece Knife Starter Set

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Wusthof

Gourmet Cook’s Knife

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Wusthof

Classic Utility Knife

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5. Dyson Vacuum

If you can’t tell, the best registry items are the ones you might not want to budget to purchase yourself. Enter our( and yours !) favorite vacuum of the century: the Dyson. There are multiple different options to choose from, such as if you want a cordless or corded option. It’s a great gift for a group of friends or relatives to go in on together. Thankfully, Zola stimulates that easy.

Dyson

V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum

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Dyson

Ball Multi Floor 2 Vacuum

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Source: @daniellemoss_

4. Electric Kettle

With our Keurig and Nepresso, it can seem counterintuitive to bring an electric kettle into your kitchen. However, a good one will change your life. Boiling water was never so easy, and you’ll go crazy for all the uses you never knew you needed. A cuppa never savor so good.

OXO

Cordless Electric Kettle

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3. Everyday Dishes

While receiving a gorgeous define for holidays or special occasions is nice, it’s even better to get a high-quality set of dishes that you can use every single day. Go for a matching set in a place-setting that seems reasonable for you. If you have company over a lot, you might want to go for a place-setting of 10 or 12. If that’s not the case, eight is probably perfect for you both.

Crate& Barrel

Dinnerware Set

Black and White Collection

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Crate& Barrel

Hue Low Bowl Set

6 colors available

Shop now

Source: @daniellemoss_

2. Honeymoon

After all the wedding planning stress, the first thing on your listing should be some good’ ole R& R. However, with all that money we just spent on a wedding, it can be tricky to fit the perfect honeymoon into your budget. Putting the airfare or hotels/ lodging onto your registry is easier than you’d think. With Zola, you can register for Airbnb, Delta, Southwest, Hotels, and Uber gift cards to help with the travel and lodging expenses of a honeymoon.

Because there are so many other small travelling expenses you might need for a honeymoon, Zola offers honeymoon and cash monies. It basically sets cash to put straight into a( virtual) honeymoon savings jar. There are larger cash funds to fund your entire honeymoon, as well as smaller funds for jaunts and various things you might do on your honeymoon. If couples yoga, surf lessons, backpacking gear, or a brew tasting are on your honeymoon to-do list, there are options to start a money fund for it on Zola. Jamaica, here we come!

If a honeymoon isn’t inevitably in the cards for you right now, you can also register for money funds for experiences in your city. Museum memberships, athletics tickets, cooking lessons( a great idea to learn how to use all these new cooking utensils !), a down payment on a house–the possibilities are endless.

Source: Alaina Kaczmarski for The Everygirl

1. Kitchenaid Mixer

You had to have known this was coming up somewhere! The Kitchenaid mixer has been a staple in kitchens forever. I entail, could we ever forget Monica Gellar’s orange one? Not merely is this mixer super Instagrammable and appears gorgeous on your kitchen counters, but it’s also practical, especially for anyone who likes to bake or entertain.

Kitchenaid

Artisan Stand Mixer

10 colorings available

Shop now

What was your favorite item you registered for? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was in partnership with Zola, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

The post The 20 Registry Gifts Couples Can’t Live Without seemed first on The Everygirl.