Still learning

I have made it a point to learn to build a blog this year. So far, I'm not doing too good at even getting into my own blog. So therefore I haven't blogs as much as I want to eventually. I bought a book from Amazon.com by This Hussey called "Create Your Own Blog." It arrived today, as just as soon as I finish the current book I'm reading, I'll tackle it. So far it looks a little tough, but the reviewers gave it great praise.

This year has started out with a sad note for my brother's family,and my families as we learned of the illness of my nephew. It has made me so very sad. My nephew, the first born grandson of my parents, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the esphosigus before Christmas, and he and his lovely wife waited until after Christmas to tell my brother and sister-in-law. The cancer has spread into the liver and lipnoid glands. He is taking chemo, but that will only buy him some more time on Earth.

As a counselor, I have found myself monitoring my own grief stages, and have worked throught the denial, and bargaining stage. I don't feel angry, but do wonder why someone who has lived a good life, not drink, nor smoke and taken care of himself is given this awful disease. My nephew is a deacon in his chruch and has raised two lovely Christian daughters. He has accomplished everything he set his mind to doing. He is 10 years younger than me.

I have all the great childhood memories of playing with him, teaching him songs to sing and play on the piano. He and his brother being in my wedding and his wedding and the births of his daughters. I have fantastic memories of his generious nature and caring heart.

I am planning to go to Dallas in about 3 weeks and have a nice visit with him, and the rest of my Dallas area family.

One thing I have also thought about his approaching death is that he has been given a golden opportunity to tell everyone he loves them, to tell them good by and how very much he will miss them. It is another opportuntity to mend fences, and complete any unfinished business.

The fourth stage to griefing is depression, I am fighting hard not to slip into that great abyss, as I know the rest of the family is fight this as well. The last stage is acceptance. I guess I have accepted this tradgic situation, but don't like it one bit. There is really no other solution.

That is all for today. Accept for this thought: Live everyday as if it were your last. Tell those you love you love them. Savor every moment of life and cherish each precious gift of love you receive. And of course, don't say no to dessert.

Mary

Christmas Decorating

I love to decorate for Christmas, and from what I am reading on blogs many others of you do as well. Since I usually have at least 2 dinner parties and the family over during the holiday, I try to have something a little different every year. To do this, I have some type of theme, a color scheme in mind or I may have seen something that spoke to me. Your inspiration can be something as simple as a plaid ribbon.

A few years back, I fell in love with a plaid ribbon from Hobby Lobby. That year everything had the ribbon incorporated into the design. Glass candle/flower holders on the table were wrapped with the ribbon. Plaid Christmas balls were hung from the tree, and rolled around the three candle holders. Three large bows tied together with streamers topped the Christmas tree. The ribbon was entwined in the garland that hung from the mantle, and a big bow topped the wreath on the entrance door. Pinecones were hot glued to the ribbon and hung on the French doors into the study. The door into the messy office became a giant gift with a tag hanging from the plaid bow that read “do NOT open until Christmas” Of course everyone had to peep behind the closed door.

Another year my inspiration was the color lime green instead of the traditional Christmas green. The country theme can be a lot of fun, using rustic items you may have around the house. Wrap gifts in craft paper or brown paper bags.  I like to use red, white, blue and brown for the county theme.

I have used a Victorian theme, which I still use and always have a Victorian inspired tree, from which I hang my vintage and antique ornaments.  The tree in recent years has become more shabby but chic in its look with more pink and less gold. The reds have been replaced with a cherry red. There are a lot of handmade ornaments and memory hanging from this tree.

As a result of all this different themes every year, I have lots of stored Christmas decorations. And have sworn off of collecting more, making more, or even buying them on clearance.  I can tell you this year has been a year of withdrawal. The only bright spot is I made ornaments to sell in my booth, about 7 shabby but chic pink rose glass ornaments and 4 red rose glass ornaments. I’ve also explored using thread spool as ornaments, but am still working on displaying the spools and how to hang them from the tree.

 So what this blog about today is the fact that I'm not putting up a tree this year and very few decoratings. Because.... there is a baby grand piano on a trolly laying on it's side waiting for the movers to move it to its new home. A long story, but my advice it not to pre-buy for a new home. More to come.... In writing and the movies this is known as a cliff hanger.

Mary

China tea sets

I just got back for my booth where I put out a vintage child's china tea set. It is in very good condition and very unusual in that it has a covered casserole, oval platter, gravyboat with attacted under plate included in the set. I wish I had thought to bring my camera and taken a picture. I just love the way it looks on the little table.
Mary

Sharing

This is my first attempt at blogging. So be patient with me. I hope to fill this blog with things I love. Today, I love being alone and having time on my hands to do this. Yesterday, I worked a tiny bit in my three antique booths. Love going there and seeing what has sold since my last visit the previous week, or days ago.

In case you are wondering, the booths are located inside Uniques and Antiques, at beautiful downtown Plainview, Texas. The three booths reflect my different interest in antiques, Old World, Shabby but Chic, and Americana. I try to reflect the concept in each of the booths with separate colors and looks. My son says they look the same to him. What do men know? The merchandise comes from estate sales, ebay, auctions, garage sales, and thrift shops.

I started in the antique business about 8 years ago, as a type of mental therapy for myself. At the time, I was working at Hale County Crisis Center and counseling rape and abuse victims. Some of the victims were little girls 3 and 4 years old. I was so angry at the perpertrator that I felt I needed an outlet, and at the same time, I was dealing my mother's estate, and needed a way to sale her furniture and old things, that I didn't have an interest in keeping.

I thought having a booth for a few months would nicely take care of both needs. This has been an absolutely positive experience as it keeps me busy looking for new (old) items for the booths. The first booth was called Granny's Place, as my idea was to fill it with things I remembered from my grandmother's homes. This booth was located at Broadway Gifts and Antiques which has since closed, but I had a booth at Uniques and Antiques before that, and asked Rick Davis the owner if I could have another booth just before BG&A closed. It has been a good marriage. I opened the third booth one just recently when the ladies next to my first booth closed shop.

I also have repurposed items in the Shabby but Chic booth, and include craft items with the most recent items being hand painted cabbage rose gift bags and glass ornaments.

This blog will include craft projects, recipes, tips for better living, as in real life I am a psychotherapist and councelor. Sorry no free sessions, just tips for a better life.

Today's Tip
Take time to be thankful for your blessings during the holidays. It will help you to set priorities, manage your time better, and sleep soundly.