The Red Bow and the Right Time By Jackie UlmerHave you ever said to yourself "I'll do XXXXX when the time is right?" Have you delayed something important to you, waiting for the right time to come?
Two years ago, a good friend of mine gave me a wonderful birthday gift. It came wrapped in beautiful paper, and had the most exquisite, red bow I had ever seen on the top of it. Honestly, the bow was just as exciting as the present! I no longer remember what the gift was, but I sure remember that bow! It wasn't just a RED bow, it was a shimmery, iridescent red that stood out among ALL other bows. After I opened the gift, I put the bow carefully in my bows and ribbons box, eagerly awaiting the right time that I could place that bow on just the right gift and extend that delight to another.
Along came my children's birthdays, and they were 5 and 8 at the time. "No," I thought to myself. "They won't really appreciate that bow yet, so I will wait awhile." Along came my husband's birthday. "He doesn't care about fancy bows. Now is not the right time for that bow." Well, that went on for over two years, with no occasion, gift, or person just right for that SPECIAL bow.
Last weekend, my family was going in all different directions. My husband was off with the children and was hurriedly getting my son ready for a friend's birthday party. This included wrapping the new Aaron Carter CD for his friend. "We're leaving now," my husband called to me, and I came racing down the stairs to say goodbye to everyone. Suddenly, I was stopped dead in my tracks! And there, right before my eyes, sitting in the front seat of the car, was the gift for my son's friend, WITH MY BEAUTIFUL RED BOW ON TOP! A million thoughts raced through my mind, and none of them very nice! "How could a ten year old possibly appreciate that bow?" "What were you thinking by putting THAT bow on that gift?" "Absolutely not! My red bow is NOT leaving this house!" Fortunately, common sense took over, and I kissed them all goodbye, thanked my husband for the NICE job he had done getting everyone, and the gift, ready, and walked back inside, stewing to myself!
Then, it hit me! Two years of it "not being the right time" for that silly little bow, and now, it's gone for good. Gone to a ten-year-old, to toss in the trash at the ice skating party. I realized how I had cheated MYSELF and my family of the joy of having a beautifully wrapped gift with that bow. Wouldn't my daughter, who loves shiny things, have been thrilled to have that on a special package, and then put it on her head, as she likes to do? Wouldn't my husband have felt special with a special gift wrapped with love in that beautiful bow? I was waiting foolishly for a time that was never going to arrive! Then, I began to think about how many other things I have put off for "just the right time." What things are you putting off for another time?
How many times have you said or heard - "I'll start XXXXX when the kids go back to school." "Once the holidays are over, I'll get serious about XXXXX." "When XXXXX happens, I'll do XXXXX." There IS no right time for anything. Never has been, never will be! The only time you have is RIGHT NOW! Don't cheat yourself out of the possibilities that lie before you by thinking that there is a "perfect time."
RIGHT NOW, do something you have been putting off! Today is a gift, and that's why it's called "the present!" And, it has a beautiful, red bow on top!
Note: I do the same thing with stationery, cards, and gift bags!!
This is another purchase from a thrift shop in Venice, FL. She was only $3.00! Isn't she sweet?
I have been wanting a skirt vase since I saw a picture of one Becca has. (I think she calls them skirt vases.) While in Venice, FL I shopped in several antique and thrift stores. This is where I found these. I saw the white one first and didn't buy it because it was more than I wanted to pay. We went back to Venice on Saturday to a craft/art show, and I went into a thrift store and found the following vase with the lady dressed in a rust colored dress. She was only $7, so I immediately bought her. Then I went to the antique store and inquired about the lady in white. They were having a sidewalk sale, but the vase wasn't there. I asked if she was on sale and they finally went down on their price! She was $10! She is smaller than the other one, her beads are real! I love both vases! I guess two makes a collection, now I'm collecting skirt vases! My husband brought home these beautiful yellow roses so I could use my new vases with them. Only problem, these roses were unusually big!
I'm also showing the vases empty so you can see the flower pockets better. This little lady in white has "real" beads! (They are attached, not painted on!)
We didn't actually do any sunbathing on any of the beaches as it was so terribly hot, even the sea breeze didn't help much. These photos were taken at Venice Beach the day after Tropical Storm Alberto passed through, the sky was still dark and gloomy and the Gulf stirring more than usual.
Someone recently gave me a new book written by the author of Footprints. It is entitled "Footprints," and she writes about each line of the poem, giving many scriptures on each page.
We are back from our vacation in SW Florida. Even though we live near the ocean on the east coast of Florida we still enjoy going to other places in Florida, especially to the west coast since the gulf area is a little different from the Atlantic Ocean where we live. One thing the west coast has that we don't are the fabulous sunsets over the water! This photo was taken in Punta Gorda, at the bay area where we stayed.
This June cup and saucer has pretty pink roses on it. It is a Regency English cup and saucer.
As a child I always wanted a bride doll, don't know why I never had one. I bought this one on sale for under $15 about five years ago. It is displayed on top of my jewelry armoire in our master bedroom.
The Red Bow and the Right Time 
I love strawberries! Strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberry scones, or just plain strawberries! Let's not forget strawberries dipped in chocolate, yum! At our Faith Sharing Group meeting Monday my friend served strawberries and a delicious dip made from just sour cream and brown sugar! I've never had that combination before, it is really good! Try it! I just mixed sour cream with the brown sugar until it is a light tan color, and sweet to the taste. How's that for a recipe!
This is the latest tea book I recently bought, it has some good teas on the go ideas! The little tea cup is from my Mother's tea cup collection.
I already had another pretty little tea cup that coordinates so well with the one Judy sent me! Don't they look sweet together! The one on the left has an iridescent finish, the roses on both are very similar.
I have always loved dolls! When I was little I received a special doll each Christmas. I would go to the large department store and see their window display and make the decision of which doll I wanted. Sometimes I knew immediately, sometimes I had to think about the decision for a while. I still have some of these dolls. Some day I'll show them on the blog.
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