Decorating Delight

Decorating my home (and there have been many!!!) has always been important to me. I love to decorate, as do my three sisters, and my mother. I'm sure we all get it from Mama but, we all have different styles and tastes when it comes to decorating our homes. I've always wondered why we all do that. Obviously, our home environment is important to us; not only by the way it looks but, how it makes us feel.

When I decorate, it's a reflection of many things. Obviously my taste, which has changed many times over the years. Since I like several different styles, I have a mixture of them in my home. I also include items that have been given to me, either by family members, friends, or former students. These fixtures have become special to me and bring comfort and familiarity to my space, especially if I have just moved. Finally, I feel that my decorating is a reflection of my need to feel "at home." To feel safe. To have reminders that show where I've been, what I've seen, and how I've aged! Some of my decor has been with me for over 20 years!

Whatever the reasons that have made my family and me avid decorators of our homes, I do know that it brings us feelings of security, sentimentality, and even pride. I think we've all received positive reactions from others regarding our decorating and we enjoy that. I love it when my house is clean and orderly -- which is when the decor really shows -- and I can entertain guests and family. My husband could care less, but I relish in this stuff!

None of us (sisters) ever splurge on a manicure or designer clothes but, we don't think twice about dishing out 7$ on a decorating magazine. If we all were to walk into our Mother's home and spot a Country Living magazine, we would probably all scamper to see it first! There's nothing like flipping through all of those pages of colors, furniture, flowers, and how others have decorated.

I still think I need to assess and analyze this a little more. There must be some deep-seeded reasons for why we all "live" to decorate our homes. May it be Freudian, OCD, or some oddly rooted passion; I feel that the reason will definitely define us in some unique way......a way that only an Ayers girl could understand.

Maggie

My dog Maggie is 11 years old, blind, and almost deaf. She's trying to get used to her new surroundings at the Blue House. Today, I couldn't find her and totally freaked out! She got out of our gate and wandered off. I looked all over our property several times but, couldn't go far because of Gareth. While he took his nap, I went out once again to try to find her. It's almost useless to call for her since she can barely hear. Right before I went out to look for her for the fourth time, I asked for help in finding her. As I went outside, I seemed to know right where to go. Two houses down, in the backyard with a cow pasture, I saw her bushy tail go around the house. I took off running after her calling her. She never turned around. When I finally got to her I touched her and she immediately wagged her tail and rubbed up against me. I didn't have a leash but, she followed me home and seemed to be just as relieved as I was to get inside the house.


I thought about how amazing dogs are, to know someone immediately by a light touch and of course by the smell. Maggie seems to just know my presence and trusts me with her life. If only we (humans) would use our instincts, our intuition, and our hearts to trust others. To follow the path home on blind faith.....knowing that each step will bring you closer...... and knowing that you're being guided by love.

Inspiration

I had a small epiphany today. I realized that getting things done and actually being a "doer" comes from inspiration. When I don't feel inspired, I feel lazy. I feel basically lifeless and bored.

I think that people who watch too much TV have no inspiration. Unless of course, they are inspired by the shows they watch. For instance, I love HGTV and get lots of ideas from the different shows which inspire me to get off my butt and do something to make my house look better. TV addicts surely don't get very much done though. Let's face it, are we really inspired by reality TV?? And what about all of these teeny bopper shows like "Gossip Girl" " The Hills" and mindless, pointless other shows of that nature. I think all they do is teach our young people to be materialistic, rude to everyone, and have sex with all of their friends after they've gotten wasted at a bar in which they're too young to be at anyway. (now, yes, yes, I went to plenty of bars when I was underage but, I went to dance -- not to go home with guys and have sex. I did that when I was older!!)

If I sit down and surf channels, it's because I'm bored.....and ......you got it.....uninspired (if that's even a word). Oh yeah, I have my favorite shows like the rest of 'em. I love "Medium," "Ghost Whisperer," and "Dancing With the Stars" and I make a point to watch them each week. I wouldn't say they inspire me at all but, are a mere source of entertainment. Of course, I don't think there's anything wrong with seeking entertainment. However, if we are continually entertained by others on a daily basis, how will we ever entertain ourselves?

Get inspired! Get something done!

Writing poetry

My father loved poetry. He was able to recite very lengthy poems. When I was really young, I wrote poems. Often inspired by nature.....either sitting in the woods surrounding my home or at the ocean. It seems so difficult now as an adult to find inspiration. I never seem to have the time to just sit outside or in some calm setting and try to write a poem anymore.
I like this picture. Obviously because it's a nature setting. But, I also love how the details are set in the color blue. It changes the entire mood than if it were it's natural colors of greys, white, and browns. I also love how this picture incorporates the reflection in the water. That's always one of my favorite elements of any picture.
So, I am now going to use this picture as inspiration to write a poem. Here goes:

I looked for you today.
In the trees, by the water, in the snow.
I listened and smelled and felt and saw.
And when I let my mind go quiet and still,
I knew I wouldn't need to look far.
For you were everywhere I looked and saw beauty,
Everything I heard that was peaceful,
Everything I smelled that brought pleasure,
Everything I felt that was love.

First Post

I've decided to become a blogger because I'm so bad about consistently writing my thoughts down on paper. I've always loved to write and I'm not too bad at writing. This is my journal; to share with my family and friends. These are my thoughts and maybe even a few dreams. I hope to be able express feelings, present updates, keep track of favorite songs and photos. I hope that having a blog will make me.....no, inspire me to write. To keep track of my daily life and reflect on the things that make me happy......that make me...me.