MY HOME TO YOURS - WARM HOLIDAY WISHES!

Here are some Christmas pictures from my own home I would like to share and  a couple of special moments of joy I personally experienced this past year!   You may have some of your own. For me it is many little moments that make up a fine year. Can you spot my childhood sleigh or a piece of driftwood my mother had collected of which I made into an ornament. I found this collection of driftwood in an old shoe box after she passed away. On the lid she wrote "really something if you look at them the right way". Or a gift I received in the mail from a far away friend who took the time to think of me. It gives me constant pleasure seeing it waiting for me to unwrap! 

I wish you all a precious and peaceful time at this time of year. 


Happy decorating and happy holidays! 

Bev

Does your Accommodation matter or not, when you travel?

I consider what I come home to after a long day of adventure seeking as important to my holiday enjoyment as the itinerary itself! When I was 20 and backpacking the world it was on such a tight budget that I could not even think about staying anywhere but the backpackers lodges. That was then and also part of the experience. Now, though, where I stay, is something more to me than a place to sleep. I always try and find something that reflects the country's style I am exploring. If possible, I want it to have a touch of luxury, such as, a decorator's touch. I know then, that the little details will be there and I will have a smile and giddy feeling when I open the door, put my feet up and will have extended my day by at least four to five hours. I always have a modest budget, but, I have proven to myself that even on a modest budget I can find authentic, tasteful and still get great locations with views that jumps from oh hum, to, oh yeah!!

Where is your line in the sand?

Recently I was sharing thoughts with friends about PASSION. We asked each other what areas in our lives can we identify how far we would go to live the life we envision for ourselves and what would we NEVER do to accomplish what we had to do. Our "line in the sand" so to speak, which, also, can move once we have touched it's shore.

 "Any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling", generally describes the word passion. It was agreed that our line in the sand might never be known until we felt strong enough about something and then all of a sudden found ourselves in a situation that we could not have predicted.

I remember early in my administration career I heard a colleague in the office say to a client over the phone that he would have "his girl" look into something. I knew I would be that person and when he hung up, I walked over to him and firmly but with passion, advised him that I was NOT his "girl". The year was 1976. I would say that day I drew a "line in the sand" as to how I wanted to be treated. The great thing about that response was it produced the respect I needed from my colleague.

Think about what passion or strong emotion about something has compelled you to act. I believe good things can come from listening and following your passion. 

I could not have dreamt of such a fine fall!

Opportunity jumped at me this fall and I took it. Why should I not be surprised at myself.  The reason is, for the past 8 years I have focused my energy on living the life I dreamed of. At least as close as I could come to those dreams and aspirations, while sitting in an office balancing budgets, raising children and meeting mortgage payments during the 70's, 80, 90's. At 53 I found a second calling (interior decorating); I became my own boss and I could only look to myself to find the road map to what lie ahead.

This fall I booked and planned a Food and Wine tour to Sicily. My joy is in my decorating but my reward is in my adventure. AND THEN...my girlfriends said "come meet us in Provence"! I found a way! I did both! They just knew I would jump at the chance of a good adventure! This was not about leaving my clients behind or forgetting my purpose and core responsibilities. It was becoming better at what I do for my clients and better at seeing life from all angles!

I remember moments of dreaming of the "what if". As a child looking at the clouds and wondering what was behind them. As a teenager going to see "Gidget Goes to Rome" and imagining what it would be like to stand amongst Roman ruins, with James Darren, of course! I think now, this was an early indicator of my inner desire for adventure. The joy in experiencing things and places not previously known to me. Why did I take off with my backpack at 19 and travel the world for a year? What made me decide to volunteer at being a "Caring Clown" and have to meet sick children and their parents with a funny costume, painted face and a name of Taffy once a week for over a year? I believe it came from within, my spirit, nudging me to go discover what was behind the clouds.

Look back, at your dreams.