Masks and Memories

I got a late start yesterday on attempting to get the new V-Day decorations on the tree. I had my husband's birthday celebration dinner started on the stove by 10 a.m. I was up the night before until 1:30 in the morning getting his Red Velvet Cheesecake baked. I knew the idea of attempting to have the V-Day tree finished in time for his birthday gathering was not a realistic idea, but what's reality got to do with anything? It's February and I have a Christmas tree standing in my dining room.

I got as far as having all the Mardi Gras decorations removed and sorted out to be packed away when my children all appeared. Oldest son home from work, oldest daughter visiting for her Dad's party and youngest son home from school. Just for fun, I told them I would like to get a photo of them with the Mardi Gras masks on before I packed them away. Was I shocked when they said they would actually participate.

In a matter of minutes however, the silliness truly broke out and although I was looking at the faces of two grown adults and a 15 year old, I was suddenly transported in time to when they were all young children. The older two were about 9 and 8 year's old when the baby arrived in late November. I thought it would be fun to make them matching outfits, snap a photo and introduce our newest family member in our Christmas cards. This launched what would be a very long tradition of the children's yearly holiday picture minus the matching attire. Back before the amazing world of digital photos, I would gather the 3...place them in some type of pose, snap off 24 photos and run to the one hour film developing place. I would hold my breath in hopes of just one of those 24 being an acceptable photo. Who's eye's were closed, who was making bunny ears...who had just poked his or her sibling??? I would eventually laugh as I enclosed the final product in the year's Christmas card, but believe me, during the photo taking process it was anything but a laughing matter. One moment I was a crazed Mother yelling and seconds later I was saying...SMILE! To finally see their angelic faces captured on Kodak paper was miraculous. I was always grateful they were still photos and not videos, yet now that they are grown, I would welcome the opportunity to hit the play button and rewind the years.

Last night I was able to do just that. All it took was a view through a camera lens and I was looking at 3 "children" who still know how to push my buttons. I snapped a few photos, looked at the results and suddenly realized my oldest son had his mask on upside down. Sensing my irritation it was all they needed to bust out in to laughter. If only you could see the smile on my face right now...

Sunshine on my shoulders....Makes me Happy....

Sunshine on my Tree makes me happier! I don't know what it is, but every now and again the sun enters through the window so perfectly that when it reflects off the tree it is just magical! I'm sure it has everything to do with the glittery decorations and the colors of purple, gold and green that really make it sparkle. I can't believe how accustomed I have grown to it and sadly watch each calendar day pass knowing that it will soon be time to transform it in to a tree to celebrate Valentine's Day. I will use these next few days to fully enjoy what is left of the Mardi Gras tree. The decorations will soon be gone, but the memory will linger and the anticipation of what will unfold is exciting. A blank slate...a new opportunity to release the creativity and a whole new experience to delight in.
Back to John....
"If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while"
Until then....

An Unexpected Vision

*** I had started on this post yesterday. I guess under my self induced Nyquil coma I had hit the wrong button last night and it didn't publish after all. I will just pick up where I left off...

I don't know why, but today the site of the tree is depressing me. In fact, everything is depressing me. In all honesty the past few days have hung like a dark cloak. I can't shake the gloominess. I don't know what it is. I know that it is not like me to feel so down and that in itself is making it worse because I keep telling myself I shouldn't be feeling this way. Shake out of it!!! I turn to look at the tree once more from where I sit in my office. It strikes me as sad. The hanging masks steer back with lifeless eyes as if even the tree senses something is wrong. Perhaps it is feeling the sadness of the world. I am lost in thought when the sound of a new email in my inbox catches my attention. It is from a dear friend whom I don't get to speak with very often which makes it a pleasant surprise. I am somewhat relieved to read that she too is struggling over some of life's bigger questions. Not that I wish to see her miserable, but it lets me know that we all go through it. We write a few lines back and forth and before long we are sharing laughter over the miles that separate us. I mention how I woke to another thrown up fur ball from my cat on the carpet. I confess that I read through all the posts on Facebook and it irritates me to see how many people are so darned happy. I ask...do you think they really are...can it be??? Don't any of these people wake up to cat throw up I ask? She laughs. She understands. I decide it's time to just step away from the computer for the day. As I do, the sun decides to make an appearance for the first time all day just in time for it to set. It casts a beautiful glow in to my dining room and illuminates the tree in such a magnificent way that it appears to be enjoying some kind of celebration. I once again get lost in the vision of it only now I am warmed and renewed by its jubilation.

A Big Thank You!

I just knew when I started on this year long experiment that there would be more to it than met the eye. I had hoped that it would engage people and give people permission to be who THEY want to be...not what other's expect. The overall theme...HAVE FUN! I am so enjoying the feedback I am receiving and love that there are others who want to join the journey. I would like to publicly thank Miss Jane Ann Lance for her generous donation of authentic Mardi Gras beads which she offered to send to me from her home in Alabama. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I opened up the box to find her wonderful gift. The moment I placed them on the tree, it just seemed to come ALIVE! I encourage you to check out Jane's website at http://www.enhancedbylance.com/ Jane Ann is a very talented Real Estate Home Stager. Another friend, Janet Gibson Wood commented on one of the photos that the tree looked like a piece of art. I LOVE that! Now that the tree is completely decorated I wish to do something to honor it even more. Putting on my thinking cap...It is my desire that with each month and change of decorations...the occasion can be celebrated in a unique and memorable way. For now however...I will just enjoy each day as it is. Another reminder that yesterday is past, tomorrow isn't guaranteed so LIVE and celebrate TODAY!

Demolition Day

I finally found the time to remove the Christmas decorations from the tree in the dining room to make way for our year long celebration. Can I just tell you...some times it takes just as long, if not longer to take down the decorations. I think for me it's the last time to absorb all that was before placing it away to welcome all that will be. I mentioned in an earlier post the story behind keeping the tree up until New Year's Day. I would start the demolition process every Dec. 26th. I did this for years and years until a friend pointed out that it was bad luck to remove a tree before New Years day and in fact...we were supposed to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. During my continuing research for this blog...I have since found that many people believe it is bad luck to keep the tree up in to the New Year. They believe the tree should be packed away prior to New Year's day. They reason you must remove the old in order to make way for the new. I am not a very superstitious person. I believe that whatever works for you is what works for you. It is just another way that we put the opinions and beliefs of others before our own. Hold dear to your own belief systems!!! I did welcome in a new tradition this year. My friend Nanette said that at the strike of midnight on New Year's eve you are suppose to open up your back door and take a broom to symbolically sweep away the troubles and sorrows from the previous year. After that is finished you are to open the front door to allow all the blessings and new energy to flow in to the house.
My youngest ( who is the only one who seems to have the stamina to watch the ball drop every year ) was very excited to partake in this new twist. If you BELIEVE it works...it WORKS! And even if it doesn't, it will forever be one of my fondest memories with my son of which I hope to repeat over and over again.
Until next time....

Did You Know???

Back from a fun time looking for mardi gras supplies for the tree. Found some fabulous things from the Christmas display aisles now 75 to 90% off! When it comes time to make the topper for the tree I will either attempt a big Jester Hat with bells...OR...I really wanted to do something elegant with ribbon and peacock feathers. I couldn't find any peacock feathers in my store searches today so I decided to go on line. Well...look what I found....VERY INTERESTING...

In an article titled Why is it considered bad luck to bring peacock feathers in to the home, here is the response....

It has to do with the beautiful, eye-shaped markings on the peacock feathers. Many cultures associate them with the evil eye, and to bring the evil eye into your home is to invite trouble and sorrow.The association between peacocks and the evil eye is illustrated by the Greek myth of Argus, the monster whose body was covered with 100 eyes. He was turned into a peacock, with his eyes all over his tail feathers.The "evil eye" is the belief that someone (especially witches) can curse you by looking at you in a certain way. Cultures throughout the world and throughout time have come up with various ways of warding off the eye. You can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye

Comments???

"Hey Mister...Throw me some beads!!!"

On Day 4 of my Year in the Life of a Christmas Tree Experiment

I am headed out today in hopes of finding some great decorations for the tree. The overwhelming response has been to decorate the tree for Mardi Gras. I have never personally participated in a Mardi Gras celebration so I have been doing my research about the history and traditions of the holiday. I can already tell that this is going to be the biggest test for me and the ability to keep the tree up all year long. I am not a fan of the colors associated with the holiday and so the thought of looking at them for a few weeks time is already making me a little wobbly in the knees.

I discovered the following information about the beads and the colors of purple, gold and green while doing my research. These colors were introduced by the Rex organization during his first roll. Purple represents Justice; Green represents Faith and Gold represents Power. OKAY...if I can just wrap my mind around the representations of Justice, Faith and Power; I should be able to not only tolerate the tree, but truly embrace it in all its whimsy.

I will reward my efforts at some point with a King Cake. Let the celebration begin...

Day 3 of my experiment, what have I learned so far?

I had no idea when I started on this experiment, that I would get such wonderful feedback and support from numerous friends. I must admit I'm feeling a bit like the character Julie in the movie Julie and Julia. Thankfully however, I won't need to be doing something every single day through out this year like Julie had to. I have no desire to learn how to dress a duck. Although I would be up for the challenge, I would prefer to clothe him in a bow tie and top hat to sit as a guest at the table, not as a guest on it.

I am still questioning my fortitude to seeing this through an entire year. I have a pretty full plate as it is already. I blog twice a week as a contracted blogger, I am still in the process of editing my first book, I am launching a brand new business and hosting a new talk show. Given all the distractions, I see the tree as a symbolic reminder of living my life to the fullest and having fun! It represents to me my ability to honor myself more than I fret over the opinions of others. Viva la Tree!!!

I am posting a picture of the tree in its holiday glory...Next stop...decorations to turn it in to a Mardi Gras celebration. Let the party begin!!!