We are spending some quiet days at home slowly taking Christmas down and filling black trash bags with debris. I'm pretty proud of myself. As I look at the things I'm packing away, if I don't really like it, I'm putting it straight in the Goodwill bag.
When I was struggling with my closet to find funeral clothes, I ended up with a big pile of discards on the bedroom floor. I just left them where they were until we came home on Tuesday. I pushed them in the corner and Wednesday morning they went in the bag! I think I have found a new therapy.
For the most part, I have been getting Christmas out all by myself. Bless Louis Dean's heart, the last few years he has been dreading the holidays so I am trying to spare him the stress. And I am planning on reducing the stress for both in the future. While I have been working - and taking plenty of breaks to rest and read - he has been playing some 'new' old songs.
He has been playing this one a lot!
I think it's wonderful how an 82 year old man can still get so excited about music and life.
He calls this tune a feel good song.
The songwriter wrote this for Faron Young and Louis Dean likes the way he sings it best.
He's also been doing the grocery shopping.
Thursday I made us a big garden salad for a late lunch.
This is the only 'clean' corner in the kitchen.
I had cleaned the den last week and the perpetual tree that lives in there just had white lights on it.
I decided to make a 'Cardinal Tree' out of it.
Summer has gifted me these ornaments over the years and added the white cardinal ribbon this year.
Yes, the Santa wall is still up.
I will be taking it down next week......when I remember where I put some of the regular paintings that will go back up. Possibly under the bed in the guest room.
I will need to look in there.
Today we meant to go over to Dallas and see Amber and the family and do Friday, Pizza, Popcorn, Coke and Movie Night. However, I woke up with a stomach bug and have stayed in here pretty much all day. I am writing from the bed with my laptop on the white bed tray.
They have had more than their fair share of illness the last few weeks and I did not want to introduce them to yet another bug!
While this room is not technically a 'clean' one - I decided since I'm in here - to light the candles anyway. Wednesday I washed all the bedding - sheets, comforter, bedspread, pillow shams, and cases.
I even ironed all the pillow shams. I took all of Christmas out and dealt with the extra debris that had accumulated.
I decided to leave part of the decorations as a winter theme.
A vintage suitcase holds all the pieces to this table scape.
I keep my essential oils underneath the pretty pillows and white satin bow.
And the diffuser has been in full time use the last few days.
Actually, it is in full time use most days.
I thought this verse would be perfect for February - the love month.
Tomorrow I hope to feel like getting up in the storage building attic and unpack our Valentine coffee cups. I'm putting all my Christmas dishes on the shelves in the downstairs part of the storage room and I am so excited about having this extra space to store things. Once Valentines Day is over - those cups will be on the shelves I've saved to put my Texas themed dishes and other seasonal pieces on.
This funny photo came up in my Facebook Memories today.
Everyone needs these 'bones!'
I remember back in 2004 when I had recently divorced after 41 years,
Summer was so surprised to discover I had a sense of humor.
I think I had always had a wishbone but it wasn't until I grew a backbone that I developed my funny bone!
I usually like to close my journal post on a positive note.....
but I have not been able to get this quote out of my mind.
There may be a reason for that.
Perhaps I'm not supposed to.....
I memorized this poem over 30 years ago...
Let's not forget to pray....
Thoughts and prayers
ReplyDeleteFeel better
Christmas should never be stressful
I am so sorry you are sick! But glad you did not go to Amber's. I think you need the rest. Your bedroom is so pretty. Still praying!
ReplyDeletei have often wondered how the 2 of you keep up with the decorations you display in your home. they are so beautiful, warm and cozy but i know how much work that can be. and i could never do all the decorating or underrating by myself!!
ReplyDeletei like the cardinal tree. i have been thinking about how cute my valentines tree use to be, yet i just don't have the energy right now to decorate it!! i admire that in you...your zest for life!!!
rest and recuperate linda, until you feel better!!!
Joni’s words ring clear this week for sure. Praying for you to feel a whole lot better asap. Getting stuff out of the house is a real challenge for me. I suppose it is for everyone. I was so tickled to find a box of paperwork that I had stashed a year ago could all be shredded. Leave it long enough and it isn’t important anymore. 🙃 My diffuser and Essential oils got a work out in January. Now I have been putting out a pitcher of clean water with a few drops of tea tree oil. I dump it every morning. Supposedly, it’s an old-time remedy for cleansing the air. A relaxing weeknd to you and Louis Dean.
ReplyDeleteCleaning up and clearing out is a good way to keep our minds busy and also releases the need to hold on to things. Time does heal and I like that quote. So many times it seems that we do get sick after going through something traumatic like a death in the family. Our body and souls need some rest in order to recover. Take good care and be good to yourself.
ReplyDeleteSweet Linda, so sorry you are under the weather. Stay strong. I loved reading that LD's singing again. I have a big smile on my face, for I know about Faron Young. My mother loved his music. Of course he was pretty to look at...she would say. So good you are donating things. I have to do that, myself. You are in my prayers. You, your family, and friends. Blessings to all.Love you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteOh dear Linda....it's a shame that those of us who love decorating for the holidays find ourselves with a bit of a struggle packing and unpacking...comes with age I suppose. I am still packing our Christmas decor away too. The months ahead will help you recover and remember good times.....thinking of you and sending good thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI always find such peace and contentment getting my house in order in times of stress. I know it's a hard time for you but you have faith and family to see you through. I hope you are feeling better this weekend. Take care and go easy on yourself! Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeleteLike your little side table with the candle and diffuser. I too cleared out my closet and was amazing at how much better I felt and how much more I saw I had to wear. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteNow that Marvin is retired, we are going through a lot of things, trying to decide what to do with it. Many are sentimental to us but have no meaning to our children. I told Marvin that sadly, some things need to be tossed as no one wants it. I am really trying to get rid of things I do not use. I have one big box loaded for the thrift store and I am saving some boxes for more purging. You are right, in some ways it is therapeutic. I love the Joni Quote. I have always admired her!! It made my heart ache to see the applause and cheers in New York state. That is just pure evil. Hope you are feeling better from your bug. Hugs and prayers.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda :) I hope you are all well soon. I just LOVE your "white" room, it's so beautiful and definitely has that winter feel to it. You decorate so nicely! And the salads look so nice presented that way!
ReplyDeleteYour pretty bedroom looks like a great place to rest and recoup!Sorry you missed time with the quads.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Joni was talking about the things the Bible itself has said were wrong, but over time not only now accepted, then normal, and lastly, applauded by most of society. 😮 Our eyes become closed to it, and soon, a generation or two will not know the Scriptures, I'm afraid!
Love and hugs!!
Dear Linda, Has been a long time since I have heard "Four in the Morning"
ReplyDeleteand I loved it! Just a sweet, old country song. Take care and hope you
are feeling better soon. Phyllis
Linda,
ReplyDeleteHope you will be feeling better soon...Rest & Re-Coup! Losing a loved one and funerals are always stressful and our bodies get worn down both mentally and physically.
I have been following several bloggers who have embraced a more minimalist approach to living and several of them have featured guest speakers who specialize in living this lifestyle. I listened to one speaker who has written several books and explains how our possessions or having too many really cause us more stress in our lives than we realize.
While I may never be a total "minimalist" I have carefully purged, donated and sold many things over the last several years just sitting in my attic or closet that wasn't being used or I had gotten tired of. I looked at a old house video we did for insurance purposes from 2003 and was shocked at all the excess décor and clutter! If you look at pictures of my house today its a much different story. It looks fresher, cleaner and more open. I definitely like the less is more approach and have tired to make sure that clutter doesn't creep back in.
I love to decorate seasonally but have scaled back so it doesn't become something that ends up being more of a chore than something to enjoy. BTW...love hearing the old country songs! It reminds me of my late grandmother who loved Ray Price, Charlie Pride and Jim Reeves.
Hi LInda, I'm at our beach house at the moment - not much internet but lots of relaxation - have been wearing the same old cotton dress for days... it's really hot (hot for us that is - almost 30 degrees C) cheers
ReplyDeleteI’ve really pared down my decor the last few years. It’s just easier, and I’ve gone through my clothes, too.
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy your weekend!
Your bedroom looks like an angel lives there - oh wait a minute - an angel does live there. Hope you feel better and very thoughtful of you not to share it! Love, sandie
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I have been enjoying your blog. So much creativity and can-do spirit, in a very real and positive way. You make me want to do better. That Joni Eareckson Tada quote made me remember those children still being held at the border. We don't hear about them anymore, so the action is now accepted. It tears at my heart. Frances
ReplyDelete