A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

I Need a Firecracker to Get Motivated


When I was younger, much younger, I would go to my Grandparents house to visit. There house was always the same. It seems that the furniture never moved. No decorations except at Christmas time, when the tree would be in the corner and stockings hung on the mantle. Maybe a Christmas candy dish would hold peppermints.

My Mom loved to decorate. She would make new draperies and slipcovers. Change the color of the walls even. We were the first to have dark paint on the walls with white woodwork. She had a flair for decorating. Holidays would come and she didn't decorate as much as they do now, but her Christmas tree was always beautiful. She would look for crystal ornaments whenever she and Dad were shopping in little shops. As she aged, her interest in decorating changed too. The house remained the same except for a new tablecloth once in a while. Her Christmas tree was always the first one up and decorated with care until the day she died.

I have always loved to decorate my home. I would move furniture around so much. that when my husband would come home from work he'd say, "I see you cleaned today." He never knew where his chair would be. I did crafts and decorated my house for all holidays. Sometimes I think it was over done. In those days my furniture was lighter weight and I could move everything but the buffet. Now I have very heavy furniture. It is big and heavy. I don't move furniture anymore and furthermore...I don't want to. I can't get motivated anymore. My decorations are down in boxes all ready to place around the house, but I don't want to get everything out. As I have aged, I don't feel the need to get all this stuff out...more work for me is what I think. I always like to clean before I put things out. My house gets cleaned regularly and I think that maybe I don't want to mess it up with stuff. I usually put out a pumpkin or two and a fall arrangement on the table. I'll get out my garland and do the fireplace and maybe a wreath on the front of the house. I do change the cushions on the front porch, so it looks more fallish, but that's about it. Am I the only one who needs a firecracker to get motivated? I would like to hear from some people who are my age and hear what you do. I don't need any motivation to do my work outside. I would rather sit on my bench in the fall breeze than go down to the basement and get everything out..Here it is a dreary and rainy day...I could be getting my fall things out or going shopping to buy some new ones, but I think I will knit today and maybe bake some ginger cookies.
Balisha

5 comments:

Lona said...

Hi Balisha. I know what you mean girl. I have to be in the mood to decorate anymore or just force myself to go and do it. I use to clean like a mad woman too. LOL! They never knew when they came home where that favorite chair was going to be. Now I clean when it needs it and deep clean when the mood hits me. LOL! I would rather enjoy the outdoor more now too than be cooped up in doors. I get enough of that in winter.That is why my daughter and I have taken up walking to get the fresh air and exercise.
I guess maybe our priorities change when we get older.I know mine has.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha, every picture you post is beautiful. Nothing is out of place. Even the leaves look perfect.
No so - in my new woods cottage.
Leaves are falling - terrace is stained with leaves and birds flying over and branches always falling. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot keep the outside of this home groomed like homes in the past. So it will just look natural. I have not decorated very much for a few years. Not motivated and do not miss it. I have a few mums in pots sitting out and will add a pumpkin on my old bench for the little girls. Christmas - a wreath on the gate. Small tree that I put on the deck. When you look out the window it looks pretty. No garland, some candles and something in the middle of the big table and that is it. All I can do and want to do at this time.
I am probably your age and you have done very well. Of course I have built 3 homes in the last 7 years:) That kept me busy.

Anonymous said...

I don't like to decorate either but I am probably more like your grandmother than your mother. I always keep a clean house but I much prefer to do things I enjoy than work on the house. I have a sister that still paints, wallpapers, and does it all. She gets upset with me because I don't notice all the changes when I visit. I have never been someone to notice what is in a house and this drives her nuts. She makes funny comments to people about me. She will say things like: "There could be an elephant sitting in the middle of the floor and Judy would walk around it and never see it". I tell her I came to see her and not the house! lol. Have a good weekend.

Balisha said...

I think that the changes that have taken place in my life have made me more relaxed and happy. I love the out of doors and want to be out as much as possible.My house and yard are far from perfect...just perfect for us.I enjoy looking at other bloggers photos of holiday decorating and sometimes get the "decorating bug" but for the most part, I would rather read a book, knit, watch a movie, watch and care for the birds, and do family things.I've had enough "hurry" in my life...it's time to smell the roses.
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Amen, Balisha, I'm with you.