Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it? - Page 7

Julie928 · ‎04-08-2013

@homedecor1 ~ I'm so sorry for all of the loss you've endured. Sometimes life can be hard ~ a few years ago a longtime friend of the family passed away. He was around for as long as I can remember ~ he was like a dad to me. (My parents divorced when I was very young so I never met my father). He lived just down the street from us. Everyday I walk our dogs past his house and let me tell you it's still hard. Awful, really. What's strange is everyday when I walk Paisley past his house she starts barking. There's nothing there to cause her to bark, at least nothing I can see. Maybe he's still here in some form watching over us. I sure hope so.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@Spurt wrote:
@homedecor1

Im so sorry to hear about your husband's health issues......and two of the saddest things are seeing the passing of family/friends as you beautifully expressed. I can so relate.....

Our once boisterious and fun get togethers has shrunk dramatically --- seeing so many relatives---great aunts, uncles and aunts, parents, and even young cousins have passed...........and then adding in seeing some fairly young friends pass away unexpectedly puts a meloncholy mood on these occasions as we remember those that are absent.

My sister is the one that loves to hosts the holidays and special occasions.........and she re-connected with a couple of cousins that live in town that we haven't been able to get together with, although invitations were sent but other things that came up prevented it from happening. It's funny you mentioned this in your comments because this Saturday we actually had lunch together and got to catch up and share fun memories and what's currently going on in our lives, with promises to keep in touch......Im glad my siter was persistent in her efforts.....

And the other sad thing is realizing I'm not the young energetic person I used to be and seeing how all the work in decorating for Christmas and unpacking and re-packing and storing it all, begins to take its toll............the other seasons I can handle---I do some for spring/Easter (piece of cake) and don't do much for summer (a flower arrangement and a Jim Shore basket for 4th of July, and a couple of red/white/blue accents in living room and kitchen, for rest of summer it's a few sunflower items, I do quite a bit for fall, and really go big on Christmas---but each year I wonder if I should start downsizing in my tree and decor.....but then I will miss some of my favorite pieces......but I realize there is a time and I hope its far away that I will have to be practical...and really par it down as I get older.......It is sad, @homedecor1 and difficult to part with special treasures, so I send you a big HUG and hope that tasks goes smoothly for you.

Oh and one question..........as much as I like decorating......I cook very simple dishes (and I consider my style "almost homemade"), I don't mind vacuuming and dusting but the other aspects of cleaning aren't my favorite (especially cleaning ovens, and scrubbing the bathroom come to mind) so @homedecor1and @Mominohio are you available for hire to do some cooking and cleaning for a decor friend???? Thank you both for sharing your thoughts---so well written! In fact this whole thread has been such interesting reading from the group! ....Thanks @Julie928 for starting it!

@Spurt

Truth be told, if I was younger, and if I felt better (bad knees and a foot that needs surgery and hurts everyday) I would think about starting my own cleaning business.

Yep! I like it that much!

I would love to combine it with a type of decorating business, where you clean for a client, but also do some decorating for them. Either use what they have and make it different or get them to choose a look they are interested in and put it together for them.

In my mind, cleaning and decorating go hand in hand. I tend to do them together.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@Susan Louise wrote:
@PA Mom-mom wrote:
Notice how many replies begin with "my mom." For those who, like I have, lost their mothers, and for those mothers of young and not so young children, realize how much you are needed and appreciated. You may not hear it all the time, but your children are paying attention and love you.

@PA Mom-mom

I was blessed with 3 moms...

My biological mom (died 5 yrs before I found her...she was only 49...I'm adopted)...
My adopted mom (died when I was 9 after battling cancer for 3 yrs)
My step mom (my adopted dad's 2nd wife...died in 2003)

@Susan Louise

Wow! That is a lot of loss for a little girl.

But that is also a lot of love. No greater love than giving a child a chance at a good life, when you know you aren't the one that can provide it.

And no greater love than choosing a child that needs a home and being so wanted and loved.

You were indeed blessed to have three moms who must have really loved you, to put you first, and to choose you to be their own.

Remarkable women.

mousiegirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@homedecor1

Im so sorry to hear about your husband's health issues......and two of the saddest things are seeing the passing of family/friends as you beautifully expressed. I can so relate.....

Our once boisterious and fun get togethers has shrunk dramatically --- seeing so many relatives---great aunts, uncles and aunts, parents, and even young cousins have passed...........and then adding in seeing some fairly young friends pass away unexpectedly puts a meloncholy mood on these occasions as we remember those that are absent.

My sister is the one that loves to hosts the holidays and special occasions.........and she re-connected with a couple of cousins that live in town that we haven't been able to get together with, although invitations were sent but other things that came up prevented it from happening. It's funny you mentioned this in your comments because this Saturday we actually had lunch together and got to catch up and share fun memories and what's currently going on in our lives, with promises to keep in touch......Im glad my siter was persistent in her efforts.....

And the other sad thing is realizing I'm not the young energetic person I used to be and seeing how all the work in decorating for Christmas and unpacking and re-packing and storing it all, begins to take its toll............the other seasons I can handle---I do some for spring/Easter (piece of cake) and don't do much for summer (a flower arrangement and a Jim Shore basket for 4th of July, and a couple of red/white/blue accents in living room and kitchen, for rest of summer it's a few sunflower items, I do quite a bit for fall, and really go big on Christmas---but each year I wonder if I should start downsizing in my tree and decor.....but then I will miss some of my favorite pieces......but I realize there is a time and I hope its far away that I will have to be practical...and really par it down as I get older.......It is sad, @homedecor1 and difficult to part with special treasures, so I send you a big HUG and hope that tasks goes smoothly for you.

Oh and one question..........as much as I like decorating......I cook very simple dishes (and I consider my style "almost homemade"), I don't mind vacuuming and dusting but the other aspects of cleaning aren't my favorite (especially cleaning ovens, and scrubbing the bathroom come to mind) so @homedecor1and @Mominohio are you available for hire to do some cooking and cleaning for a decor friend???? Thank you both for sharing your thoughts---so well written! In fact this whole thread has been such interesting reading from the group! ....Thanks @Julie928 for starting it!

@Spurt

Truth be told, if I was younger, and if I felt better (bad knees and a foot that needs surgery and hurts everyday) I would think about starting my own cleaning business.

Yep! I like it that much!

I would love to combine it with a type of decorating business, where you clean for a client, but also do some decorating for them. Either use what they have and make it different or get them to choose a look they are interested in and put it together for them.

In my mind, cleaning and decorating go hand in hand. I tend to do them together.

@Mominohio I take this for my knees Andrew Lessman Glucosamine with Chondroitin, and for aches and pains, once a very badly sprained ankle, I use SportsGel, which I buy at Vitacost, just slather it all over the sore areas, no smell once it dries, and it works wonders for me.

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@Mominohio

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad knees and painful foot! Ill pray for your healing and removal of your pain.

That would be an interesting concept for a business.........cleaning/decorating

That's why I dont mind dusting or vacuuming gotta have a nice clean surface for the decor.....and vacuuming just makes the room look nice and clean! And I always give th house a real thorough cleaning before I put up my new decor...........

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Spurt @Mominohio

years ago I had decided to do a cleaning business with my good friend ...we had a great business! We both shared our love for cleaning & cooking by offering full service.

We had "dinners to go" where our clients could pre-order (menu left week we cleaned) and on cleaning day - they'd come home & dinner would be in frig or if late job in oven. They could also order on off weeks - We had that business for 10 successful years. We also catered events under 50 people.

It was a great way to put our "skills" to work we loved (and make great $$ too!). She had knee problems and I moved - we had a great time. I always thought where I live would be a perfect place to resurrect my business then decided it wouldn't be the same w/o her!

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@homedecor1 wrote:
@Spurt @Mominohio

years ago I had decided to do a cleaning business with my good friend ...we had a great business! We both shared our love for cleaning & cooking by offering full service.

We had "dinners to go" where our clients could pre-order (menu left week we cleaned) and on cleaning day - they'd come home & dinner would be in frig or if late job in oven. They could also order on off weeks - We had that business for 10 successful years. We also catered events under 50 people.

It was a great way to put our "skills" to work we loved (and make great $$ too!). She had knee problems and I moved - we had a great time. I always thought where I live would be a perfect place to resurrect my business then decided it wouldn't be the same w/o her!

@homedecor1

WOW that sounds like a service I would like to take advantage of. And if you enjoyed what you were doing, and co-owner was someone you liked working with, sounds like it made it all the more fun---and its rare when someone really enjoys the work they do!!! Ten years is a long time for a business too!......

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

yes it was a wonderful way to make extra $$ from doing something we loved. The business bloomed into another few years we did home parties and most the stuff we see on Q actually we sold way before VPH. I still have some of the beautiful home decor pieces we sold.

Sadly, our distributor went out of business & both of us were at the end of our real employment time to retire & couldn't get investors or we would still be doing that!

Maybe this is why im so antsy don't like to sit still or be home.

ILUVChristmas · ‎12-01-2010

I am happy to iive in an area where we can enjoy all seasons. My mother would add touches of the different seasons throughout the year. So maybe I got some of that from her . To me it is fun and creative to deocrate for each season. I just don't want to look at the same ol same ol all the time lol. I like many of you have lost many family members and friends , some at young ages. So sometimes it can be a sad time decorationg esp for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But we have to remember life carries on and there are others still with us to make these holidays special for. So when it's all put up, i am happy and the scents of the seasons are so divine...just puts me in a happy mood.

lol I was just thinking...right now I have beach decor all around, and in a few weeks Halloween will be going up. Such a drastic contrastic