 |
| The Blue Cup by Joseph DeCamp |
~DAY ONE STAYCATION~
With the HELP of WIKIPEDIA we can better define and describe staying put this year instead of going somewhere far away to get away for a much needed VACATION.
A staycation is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance, sleeping in their own beds at night. They might make day trips to local tourist sites, swimming venues, or engage in fun activities such as horseback riding, paintball, hiking or visiting museums. Most of the time it involves dining out more frequently than usual. Some people may include one or two overnight visits at relatives, friends or a longer trip. Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010. Staycations also became a popular phenomenon in the UK in 2009 as a weak pound made overseas holidays significantly more expensive.
Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.Well…...there you have it. WE are having a STAYCATION. We don't have a pool in the backyard, but that does sound like a winner. The eating out….will do along with THRIFT MEALS because we must…we must.
Debated on taking a real vacation FAR FAR AWAY from everyday living on the Prairie…..and decided on a STAYCATION for our time off. Easier on the pocket book and easier on the decision making for getting away. This year we stay HOME and through out the year, LORD WILLING, we will make plans to go many a mile from here.
This year, I get to sleep in and allow my body, soul and spirit to hopefully get refreshed as sorely needed. We discussed if Hubby should work on the Kitchen. I said, "YESSSSSSSS!"
After giving it some more thought, I knew I needed to let Hubby clean out and organize the Garage before moving on with the Kitchen. So I asked him one afternoon about it. He agreed that the Garage was in need of his time and muscle. One event after another has taken precedence over the Garage for 7 years. SEVEN YEARS. That's a very long time to wait for an organized Garage when you love ORDER. We took the bull by the horns and worked something out between the two of us.
If he can make headway on the Garage then he will have more space to work on the Kitchen Cabinet fronts and the Kitchen will come together faster. It will be a more enjoyable experience if he can have the Garage cleaned out and space to comfortably work on the Kitchen. I need a happier Camper. That's the recipe for a happier Husband. A CLEAN GARAGE.
DAY ONE:
TODAY, I had VICTORY! I decided on THE THEME of my vintage Kitchen and what she will be. Since the cabinets are white…and I have been collecting BLUE WILLOW DISHES…it seems like a BLUE WILLOW THEME. Like the idea. Crisp and clean. It may sound so silly to some that a grown woman cannot decide on or make up her mind about a theme for her personal Kitchen…..I am one of those tired, weary, worn out peri-menopausal Ladies that wasn't able to decide with the Kitchen under construction what THEME to use to decorate. Today, this was put to rest. I could have easily had a Celebration of LIFE Service for the death of the lack of decision making. Final last words...You were a nusiance and I'm glad you left the building. Tell Elvis Hello for me.
It feels good to be able to say…finally…I want this particular theme.
A few weeks ago, I was at Dillons Grocery store to see if they still were selling the Blue Willow Dishes that I had been buying off and on for the last two years or so. They were, plus I noticed Tea Towels with the BLUE WILLOW THEME on them and a rush of excitement surged through me. My passion for decorating returned. It seemed like I had met up with a dear friend that I hadn't seen in many a year. Or like having the sun finally come out after weeks of having rainy days.
Bought a tea towel and thought after a PAY DAY I would go back and buy more of these. I haven't seen tea towels like these before. Whahlaah. SHE COMES HOME WITH MAMA.Hubby got up early today for DAY ONE OF OUR STAYCATION. He's working like hotcakes getting the garage cleaned out. It seems impossible that we have been here in this little TOWN for 7 and a half years. You've heard me say it before….life got in the way and the garage took on a different life than being a garage to park our auto in. The window of time to go through this mess of a garage was not opened until now. Right now.
I know that I know that I know that I know that the Garage had to be placed first on the list of our STAYCATION THINGS TO DO.
We had made a deal that while we are staying HOME for the week that we will occasionally dine out in nice restaurants for luxury. Hot today, so there is need to cool off during the heat of the day.
Dragging with me my hubby….before heading out for an early Supper, I had already penciled in on my calendar that I was going to go look around at a shoppe that's only open on Saturdays to LOOK at the store's BLING. Cha-ching. A looking I will do. Guess what we found? Blue Willow Dishes. Same brand that Dillons sells. Was so pleased. Bought them at a fantastic price.
As we drove to PAXICO for BAR-B-Que at a rustic restaurant, my sweet Hunny said it looks like you're having a Blue Willow Birthday this year. I thought he meant because I had these dishes. No, he couldn't keep quiet and said that he had some Blue Willow for me for my Monday Birthday. With excitement I asked, "Did you get me a PLATTER!!???"
Shocked, he asked, "How do you know these things?" He had bought a Platter for my Birthday gift along with more of the BLUE WILLOW Tea Towels, Baker's Gloves, and Hot Pads. I am really excited about it all. He went ahead and gave me the Platter and etc. when we got HOME. EARLY BIRTHDAY. Was thrilled.
We did have a very relaxing Supper at PAXICO'S LONGBRANCH. The environment wasn't busy, service good and the food was great. We enjoyed our time together. So ending DAY ONE, I eye balled some BLING, purchased BLUE WILLOW DISHES at an awesome price, decided on Kitchen Theme, had a great Supper with my Hunny, received my Birthday gift from Hubs, Garage Clean out is underway and the evening is here. PRAISE THE LORD. Should be able to rest tonight knowing we have begun a much needed stay at HOME.
I don't do well with a messy house all about me. Low energy levels and time restraints have been a challenge to my ailing body. I have to work when I can.
My prayer today is:
Dear LORD…..Please Lord, let us have a time of refreshment. We so need it. Please allow us to have this much needed Staycation at HOME where we can get caught up. Please LORD. No Family deaths, no illnesses, no emergencies, no injuries, no torment, no rude interruptions, please God. Please.
In Jesus name I pray and ask,
AMEN.
It's root-beer thirty. TIME to slow down and unwind. I would like to wash my BLUE WILLOW DishES and get them ready to be placed in the Dining room China Cabinet. AND though I know that there are wars going on in the world, pressing issues of all kinds….the war that rages in families is a heart ache. I need my HOME to be a HAVEN far, far away from the hellish breakdown of families and relationships that have gone sour.
There is always HOPE with GOD. He is much bigger than the problems that might be pounding the death out of families. God is good and greatly to be praised. He definitely has a good plan for each person. May we embrace HIS ways, be healed and set free.
Blessings,
d
Let all things be done decently and in order.
