For the Love of Gold

I know gold is probably NOT the decorator choice any longer.  Silver, Polished Nickle, and Bronze seems to have taken over where gold hung proudly from chandeliers, lamp bases, and faucets.  But I have to admit gold is still hanging from my chandeliers, still the base of many lamps and still on my bathroom faucet albeit a little tarnished.  So in honor of my undying love of gold, the living room in our home stands as a shining example of decorating with gold for the holidays.

Added one of Kim Klassen's 12 days of Christmas textures and linking up with Misty and Kim for.....




 
Only one more day until Christmas is here.....!!!!!

Until next time......

Oh Such Memories

When I retired from AT&T (actually I took a really good offer that I couldn't refuse) back in 1998, I decided that I wanted a part-time job, just something fun a couple of days a week.  I went to work immediately for a decorator/gift/floral shop and was with them for about 3 years.  While there my knowledge of design grew by leaps and bounds.  It was a beautiful shop (I say was....because like so many other shops like this one, got caught in the recession and closed) with talented designers.  At Christmastime the shop was a Christmas wonderland, one decorated tree after the other, all with different themes.  But down the street was another great little shop, "The Stamp Shack".  I had already ventured into the land of rubber-stamping and was slightly, oh come-on, totally addicted to this new hobby.  Well, I managed to get up the courage to speak to the owner about the possibility of working there and lo and behold as quick as a wink she called and asked if I could start....oh happy, happy me.  January 2001 I became an employee of the Stamp Shack and remained there until it closed in December 2004.  2001 was one of the happiest days, 2004 was one of the saddest.  I cannot begin to tell you the fun, the infusion of joy, the paradise on earth, where troubles evaporized kinda place the Stamp Shack was.  Best boss ever, best co-workers ever where Marti and I became best buds spending 2 days a week together for 4 years sharing laughter and heartbreak, meeting and working with other fabulous women, teaching classes, attending workshops, being part of the shows for the retailers only crowd.....it was like a safe house for the soul, perfection, signed- sealed- and delivered.  So you can imagine what it was like when Glynda (the store owner) told us she was closing.  We are all still grieving a little and that has been 7 years ago.  But today, some of us gathered together to celebrate those happy memories and talk about how none of us have aged a bit, even tho all of our children and grandchildren have continually grown and aged.  Glynda and her husband, Harry moved almost immediately after the Stamp Shack closed to Arkansas, and only come back for short visits to see their 2 daughters and their families.  But today was the day to visit, catch-up, laugh, and re-live the golden times.  We have already lost a Stamp Shack "family" member to cancer and another one is suffering from both cancer and dementia, a double-whammy, so let this be a lesson to us all.  Don't wait to contact old friends, stay in touch, meet for lunch, drop a line, even an e-mail, because life changes, life moves on, and sometimes if we wait too long we miss those golden opportunities. 

Harry & Glynda....they are loving their life in Arkansas

My partner in crime while working at the Stamp Shack....Marti.  We were known as Lucy and Ethel, it would depend on the day as to who was who...!!  

Roxie, one of the youngest ladies that worked at the Stamp Shack.  Roxie has 2 small children(who are ofcourse a little older now), worked a full time job (still does), is a Stampin' Up Rep and still made time to work at the Stamp Shack....whew, makes me tired just thinking about all that...!!

Sue Anne, love her...she did not "work" at the Stamp Shack, but taught many a class and was definitely  a fun part of the "Stamp Shack Family"....

 And she belongs to the clean-plate club.  Cleaned that plate to the very last drop.....

And our special friend, Cris.  Cris has had it pretty damn rough lately.  She has been suffering from dementia for the last 4 years and this year was diagnosed with breast cancer and has had to endure radiation and chemo.  Makes you stop dead in your tracks sometimes to really think about what others
encounter in their lives.  Cris still has her laugh that you can recognize anywhere and a husband that is totally devoted to making her life as easy as possible.  He truly takes his marriage vows, in sickness and in health, to heart.  What a blessing.

And my grand-girls....I said breakfast, they said where?  Actually they enjoyed the conversation and  remembered coming to the Stamp Shack when they were little, playing with the stamps and making their own Christmas Cards.   Again, good memories.  And today we made more memories.

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it."  ~  Richard Bach

Until next time......

It's Bah Humbug Day

Everyday delivered in my e-mail inbox is a sweet little inspirational quote for the day.  Along with the inspiration there is also other bits of information that might be of interest to us readers.  Today is "Bah Humbug Day'...not sure I needed or wanted that info, but it did get me thinking of those that consider this whole season nothing but bah humbug.  How sad for them that they miss the feelings of glad tidings and great joy that abound during this time.  I know that somedays I am not filled to the brim with glad tidings, especially this year.....in fact I had a good cry earlier this morning missing what was and never will be again.  But then, I stop and realize that my cup does runneth (runneth?? is that really a word??) over with joy.  Today my 2 granddaughters are coming to spend a few days with me before Christmas.  We have been celebrating Christmas like this for years and years.  I can't even remember when it first began, but it has become a tradition every year.  My grandson Brandon was part of the fun too until he got married a year ago and that stopped his tradition of coming to Nana's house, never did understand why he would rather spend his time with his "wife" than with his Nana.  (you know I am kidding....right?)  Now that Brie is 18 and Bailey is 21 I don't know how much longer this tradition of ours is going to last but I am going to enjoy each and every moment and feel that great joy and glad tidings.  And PS....if you are feeling Bah Humbug, you are instructed to say it outloud 12 times in a row and that should get rid of those humbugs.  OK?? 

Sharing a few more pics of our home decorated for the holidays....

Here they come.....

Gold is the color of the day

Love these unfinished letters that you can buy at most any hobby/craft type store.  I painted mine gold, glued on flat back rhinestones, added a metal "Christmas", added some greens, berries, and ribbons to create this cute little joy.  I notice that one of the baubles is missing off of the J...next year.

In my frenzied days of Santa collecting I spotted this in a cute shop close to where our daughter lives.  It was expensive (over $100.) much too much to spend on a Santa Claus.  But as luck would have it this tiny shop allowed you to put items on lay-a-way and that is what I did.  A little each week until I had it paid off.  I really think sometimes that credit cards should be banished and lay-a-way should take their place.  Some people get in too much trouble with too many credit cards.  We have made it too easy to get credit.  I was one of those "that got into trouble" and it takes some time to crawl out of that "credit card hole".  Oh my, I am sounding like a "bah humbug"...better stop and remember my glad tidings. 

Hope the final days before Christmas finds you filled with glad tidings of great joy...

"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it."  ~  Philip Stanhope

Until next time......