Winding Down

I have often been accused of being like the Energizer Bunny because it is rare that I stop doing things constantly.  But after a year of steadily increasing my work load, I am going to stop working and take some time for me.  I can get together with friends more.  I will be able to read good books.  I am looking forward to filling in and keeping Elle when she is on school breaks. 

My house can become a home with more TLC.  The dogs will have someone with them much more often instead of being shut up in the house.  We can eat more healthy at home than at restaurants.  I will be able to spend Dennis's days off with him.

I hope I can do more beach time with friends not often seen, like Candee.  I can put more effort into my exercise routine that has been on the back burner due to increased hours of work.  My booths will hopefully be worked on more regularly and look more appealing. 

Maybe I can cook Sunday dinners and invite the family or friends to share those.  It sounds like a wonderful way to begin the new year to me. 

Wishing you days to savor in the 2012!

Estate Sale Treasure Hunting

My friend, Marlene, and I love to go to estate sales.  Recently we drove from Fayetteville to Manchester in search of wonderful things to put in our booths at Gaslamp Antique Mall.  I was lucky enough to snare 6 of these cute retro plates in pristine condition.

I was amazed to also find a Sunbeam avocado green Mix Master that works with two batter bowls.  I got such a great buy, that I only had to ask $34 for it.

Another irresistable find was these avocado green canisters that would complete a kitchen 's0reminiscent of the late '50's and early 60's.  Those were the days of harvest gold and coppertone as well as the featured avocado.

I am having so much fun shopping for a new old look.  It seems that younger people like my daughter and son-in-law really appreciate all the things that harken back to the times when I was young and carefree.  It seems things were much more simple then; I love that I can go back in time as I seek bounty for my antique booths.

For today, I wish you the gift of timeless treasures!

Memories are Made of These

Today has been a mixed bag for me.  Dennis gave me the gift of music, a Statler Brothers Christmas album digitally mixed to play as we went to church and then to Laura, Louis, and Elle's home for a late Christmas Brunch.  It brings back so many memories of travel throughout the Christmases past as we trecked home to Nashville to be with our parents who were probably younger than we when we first started this tradition.  As the old songs played, it brought back pictures of years past with Mom and me sitting in her beloved blue velvet chairs around the Christmas tree as we kind of watched in the background as the rest of the family sat on couches and loveseats talking and laughing as each gift was exchanged.  Mom and I both shared the quiet solitude and enjoyment of letting others take the spotlight.  I miss those times.

When they sing "The Greatest Christmas Present", it reminds me so of Dennis' dad or Dadoo as Nick dubbed him when he was barely talking.  The name stuck and all the grandchilden and daughters-in-law began the tradition of his new name.  I am not sure that he really enjoyed that name, but so like him, he never complained.  I hope he felt the love and respect we all had for him.  The song reminds me of him because part of the lyrics say, "We'll buy Daddy a new tie....we'll buy Daddy another tie."  I like to hope that we were more original in our gifts for him, but I think we did buy him a lot of ties through the years.  He's been gone for a long time now.

So, as the memories ran through my mind with all the songs of old, the tears started streaming as I missed them both so very much. 

But like the photo above, we are now part of the memories shared with our children.  Nick and Christian were missing today...in a perfect world, we would have all been together.  Oh, how we did enjoy being with Laura, Louis, and Elle first at their home and then at our home for the traditional turkey dinner.  Elle is spending the night with us; she informed her parents that she wanted to spend two nights with us.  Guess what; that is absolutely fine with us!

For tonight, I wish you fond memories of your loved ones past and present!

Places of the Heart

There are places my mind can go and calm immediately surrounds me.  One of these would definitly be any beach we have visisted.  The sound of the ebb and flow of the waves lull me into relaxation every time I am there.

Another is a dear friend's home.  As I walk into the house, there is a fountain flowing on her kitchen counter.  Soft music plays and there is always a lovely scent.  It gives the total aura of peace. (Yes, Janice, it is your home.)  In the new year, I would like to create something in my home kin to that...even if it is only one room.  We have too much stuff all around, so I am going to have to divest myself of my stuff; Mr. D will have to decide about his.

Of couse my childhood home brings lovely memories.  I still see my grandmother cooking in her kitchen; my grandfather lying on his couch.  One of my sweetest memories occurs any time "Silent Night" is played or sung.  When I was but about 3 years old, I remember Mom snuggling with me in bed on Christmas Eve when I was too excited to sleep.  As she sang "Silent Night" to me, I drifted off to sleep.  I sure do miss all of them as they have gone on to eternity...ahh the lasting impressions they left me that bring a warm and soft feeling to this heart.

So for today, I wish you travels to places that make your heart warm!

Simplicity

I keep wondering what it is that makes us so prone to get away from everything.  It would seem that for me, it is the slowing down from all the different ways I run when I go about my day to day activities at home.  Already in the four hours we have been back, I have unpacked all my clothes, the food, eaten dinner, unloaded the dishwasher, gone to the grocery, and made a dessert to take to a dinner tomorrow evening. 

What I enjoyed most about my days at the beach is not feeling compelled to be the energizer bunny, but to just sit back and enjoy all the special sights that God gifts me.  Gifts I received yesterday included sighting dolphin many different times all during the day as well as walking on the beach and picking up many imperfect shells.  It thrills me to see the dolphin frolic about in such a carefree manner!  Then to close my day, the magnificent sunset with shades of orange and red mingled with grey clouds just gave me complete serenity!  So I conclude it is what most of us consider the simple things that give pleasure.  

This morning I read an entry in the guest book I signed for the owners of the 500 sq. ft. studio we rented.  This person made a case for how much stuff we have that keeps us from living so simply.  We had all the necessities to get by for weeks...maybe even for a lifetime.  We were carefree and did what we wanted, when we wanted.  Now it is back to our "reality" of responsibities.

In the new year I plan to add more simplicity to my life.  I am backing off from working as I have.  I want to have more time to sit, ponder, and continue my musings.  Tonight, I wish you all simple pleasures that permeate your souls.

Life at the beach

For the first time in a long time, Mr. D and I have spent some together time alone at the beach.  As we were walking along the beach yesterday, he validated something that had been building in my mind.  We both like to look for shells as we walk along the shore; the day before I had a strong message that told me that I am so fortunate that God does not throw me away because I am imperfect.  Mr. D also had that same epiphany yesterday.  Man, does that let me know that God speaks loud and clear when we are quiet and still enough to hear Him.

 I also noticed that all the shells are colored and shaped a bit differently just like people we encounter. I hope that I will never look at others in quite the same way as before, but see the unique beauty of the collage of  the life he/she leads.  This morning I became aware of this, "What do I desire, not sacrifice, but a clean heart and justice to others."

So, my lesson for this trip is this, to enjoy all of each encounter that God gives me daily....to treat my fellow man/woman as if God has sent them my way so I may learn more of Him.  And...to enjoy the beauty of His creation no matter where I am.