The silver cake stand

 

I love pieces on stands, so naturally I love a nice cake stand.  I remember this one always sitting in one of the cabinets on display.  It is a silver plate and was received as a wedding present for my parents in 1968.  I don't ever remember Mom using it, but I know she did.  Somewhere there are pictures from my 1st or 2nd birthday, and the cake is sitting on this stand.  I remember because apparently, I wanted to try to eat my plate rather than my piece of cake LOL Anyway, when we divided up the household, this came to me.  And I cherish it.  I have used it multiple times over the years. I have used it both as a cake stand and as part of a centerpiece for my dining room table.  It just looks so pretty when it is shined up.  Being silver plate, it does require cleaning every now and then.  And honestly, the decorative work around the rim can be a pain to polish, but I love it too much not to do it.  This is one of those pieces that always makes me feel connected to Mom.  Even though I don't remember her using it, I know she did and when I use it it just makes me feel close to her.  Hopefully one day one of my nieces will want their grandmother's cake stand and they will use it just as we both have.  That is all. 

Decorating the Tree

 

Christmas 2020

You know, I really never expected to be at this stage of my life and to be decorating my Christmas tree by myself.  Decorating the tree was always a family tradition. Now that is not to say that all of the family got to decorate the tree.  Growing up, Dad and Bill put on the lights, then Mom, Grandmother and I decorated the tree.  Eventually it turned into Mom and I decorating the tree and Grandmother telling us where to put the ornaments LOL  And once Heidi came along, she got invited to decorate the tree as well.  Dad and Bill were still relegated to lights duty.  Often the decorating of the tree would take place around my birthday. We did not do it the weekend after Thanksgiving because we usually had company with us.  And Thanksgiving was sacred to Mom so no decorations went up during that holiday weekend. 

Christmas 2021

When I have been in relationships, I always decorated the tree with my partner.  I don't know if it meant as much to them as it did to me because I just love to decorate for the holidays, but I appreciated the assistance. Memories were created.  Good memories and that is what is important.  And now, here I am, by myself and decorating the tree on my own.  And to be honest, I'm having a wonderful time.  I've got my records playing and I am reliving so many memories when I pull the ornaments out of their boxes.  It makes me smile.  It makes my heart smile.  And it is important to me that I can still enjoy this on my own.  I am enveloped in love and in the spirits of those gone before me and those still here while I hang each ornament on its branch.  It is no less special than it was 30 years ago.  Different, yes, but still no less special.

Christmas Toy Tree 2023

I will admit, though, that I have gotten frustrated when putting the tree together.  Several sections of the lights are not working, and I cannot figure out how to fix it.  So, there are some dark sections of the tree.  Oh well. This is still a great precursor to December for me.  I still have to finish up the tree tonight and then start decorating the house.  My goal is to have it done before my birthday next Friday.   I often make jokes on social media about my spinster status, but I actually wear that title with pride these days.  I have learned that being lone does not equate being lonely. Decorating my tree tonight only reiterates that philosophy.  Now, time to get back to it!  Hopefully I can finish up tonight!

Bea and the Tree 2024

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Slow down and notice the things that make you smile. 

 

Time for some Christmas shopping

 One of my favorite things to do in life is give gifts.  I have always enjoyed it.  The thrill of the hunt for the perfect gift gets my adrenaline pumping.  And more often than not, it will be a gift that the receiver never expects.  I pay attention when people say things and I file them away.  The result is often something unique and memorable.  At least it is for me.  So now that we are going into the Christmas season, I am really in my element.  I've been shopping for a few months now, picking up things here and there. I will often be out somewhere and see something that reminds me of someone, and I have to go ahead and snag it. I do, though, get a person what they ask for if they tell me specifically what it is they want.  That was usually the case when my nieces were younger.  But these days, I rely more on my creativity.  

Today is Black Friday and I have yet to buy anything.  Oops.  Luckily, the websites where I shop online have their Black Friday sales extended for a few days.  Tomorrow, I hope to participate in small shop Saturday.  While I have things to do around the house, like get the tree up and decorate, I will try my best to get out and do some local shopping.  I think it is very important to support local businesses and artisans and Christmas is a great time to do that.  I love Christmas shopping, so I am ready to really get into the thick of it.  And it is never about getting something in return.  That does not matter really to me.  I just enjoy the love that goes into each gift.  That is what is important. 

5 Things I am Thankful For

1. My BFA Class

When I went to college for the first time in 1993, I did not know it at the time, but I was to make some lifelong friends. I met everyone in my BFA class that first year but did not get to really know many of them until our first year in the acting program, 1994.  These people are so dear to my heart and have such a big place in my heart. We lost one of our members several years ago but know that she's still with us, looking out for us. Now that we are mostly all over the age of 50, we try to get together as often as we can in different combinations.  And each time, it's as if time has stopped.  Our connection is deep and true, and I am extremely thankful for that. BTW, Margaret on the right of the picture was a theatre ed major but she was still one of us!

2. Trips to Disney World

I have had the pleasure of going to Disney World 4 times.  I am truly hoping that my last trip in 2015 was not my last trip, but time will tell.  I am thankful that I got to go each time. It is a magical place that brings joy and happiness to so many people, including myself. I credit Disney with giving me more time with Mom.  When we went in the summer of 1990, that is when she had her gallbladder attack.  Because of that, the doctors discovered the tumor on her liver - metastasized breast cancer.  If she had not had the gallbladder attack, by the time the tumor would have been discovered on its own would have been too late.  Thanks to that trip to Disney, I got 6 more years with her, and I am extremely thankful for that. 

3. The Dawn

Each morning, I get up before the sun rises. There is something so special to me about seeing the first light of day.  It means that another opportunity awaits. It means that I have been given another day to make a difference. It means a fresh start each day.  I am thankful to see each new morning. 

4. My Family

I won't go into too much detail here.  Just know that I am eternally grateful for the family that I was born into.  I could not have asked God for anything better. 

5. Cream of Mushroom Soup

Without it, my life would be incomplete.  That is all. 

Better mental health lately

 

I can definitely tell that my mental health is maintaining a good place.  That is a good thing for me, obviously.  My bouts with depression occur much less than they used to.  And when they do happen, they do not last nearly as long as they used to.  In fact, I cannot even remember the last time I was truly depressed.  Yes, I have been sad, and I have had moments of melancholy, but not real depression like I used to get. If you have never experienced depression, just know that it takes over your whole body and it is very draining.  I am thankful not to have dealt with that in a long time.  

Even now, when I do have those moments of sadness, I am able to refocus that energy in a more positive light.  Doing my daily devotions and having my moments of mindfulness help a lot with that.  But I have also learned to be grateful for what I have and that feeling enables me to redirect into a positive life atmosphere.  There are times when I get so frustrated because I cannot go do things that my friends do because of my budget, but I have learned to be thankful that at least I have a budget.  Not everyone does.  I know that this makes me sound very Pollyanna, but I do not mind that label.  Finding the good in situations has done wonders for my psyche. 

It's good to be in a good headspace, especially going into the holidays.  Normally the holiday season is what draws me out of my slumps but now I am beginning my holidays at a better level of mental health.  I like how that feels and can't wait to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I have worked hard to get here and will continue to focus my energies for more improvement going forward.  That is all. 

We Are the World

 We Are the World was released in the spring on 1985 and became an overnight sensation.  This is one of those songs that whenever it comes on I will just stop and listen.  It has a powerful message, and it still rings true today.  I think it is a very appropriate song for this week of Thanksgiving.