I am a Victorian Soul, who lives in a small townhouse that was built in the mid 1970's, not a huge Mega Mansion!! I just recently lost my Hubby Joe, who was a Retired Letter Carrier. I worked night shift as an RN on a Hospital based Rehabilitation( Physical Medicine) Unit for 37 years before I had Knee Replacement Surgery and officially Retired in 2019 after 41 years working in Direct Patient Care ... I am so glad that we retired at 62 years of age and got to spend that time together before he passed....I still do love Retirement!!!!

I DABBLE IN A BIT OF THIS AND THAT!!!!

" IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN"
George Eliot
George Eliot was actually a pen name for a woman named Mary Anne Evans......

BLOGGING FOR FUN AND FRIENDSHIP!!!!!!

Friday, January 31, 2020

3 Red and Gold Valentine's Trees in the Living Room, 2020 and Why I Am Celebrating Today

Welcome to Debbie-Dabble Blog!!
I am so happy you decided to stop by!!

Today, I will be sharing the 3 Valentine's Trees in our Living Room which is decorated in red and gold for Valentine's Day and the month of February which is America Heart Month.....

But before I go any further, I want to mention something that I have usually kept to myself other years here on the Blog as I do not like making a big deal about it....

Today is my Birthday........

I may have mentioned it in briefly here on my blog in past years but always after it was already over....

For the past 33 years, after my Mother sold the house that I grew up in 3 months after my Dad passed away, I have chosen to forego the big Birthday family celebration that my Mother had insisted upon which consisted of a family dinner that included my sister and her whole family with everyone singing Happy Birthday and a big spectacle of opening presents....
I hated this type of the thing since I was a kid......I always felt silly and on display...

32 years ago, I chose to celebrate it very quietly, usually always working on my Birthday unless it fell on a regularly scheduled day off, with just a nice Take Home dinner from a favorite restaurant, at home, with Joe and our sons......

Can I tell you how this annoyed my Mother when she was alive????  She hated how I chose to celebrate my Birthday and that it did not include her...

Joe and I stopped exchanging gifts about 2 decades ago....

Now please do not interpret this as some sort of Rebellion against Aging or anything like that....

In fact, as a cancer survivor, I have been very grateful to celebrate one more year of being alive....
 And I embrace getting older and am not fearful of it.......

But I believe in doing it with grace and dignity.....

It is just not my "Thing" to make a big splash, especially in public, about it being my Birthday......

I told Joe when we first started dating if he ever took me to dinner on my Birthday and had them sing to me or ever threw me a party, especially a surprise party, that I would walk out and leave him sitting there.....

He never did because he knew without a doubt that that is exactly what I would do.....

So why am I telling you all of this today, on my Birthday, you must be wondering??????

Because Today is my 62nd BIRTHDAY!!
THIS is the Birthday that I have looked forward to and anxiously waited for over the last 42 years!!!!

42 years ago, when I became a Nurse and started working in a profession that was chosen for me by my Mother, I dreamed of the day that I could  RETIRE!!!!

Being a Nurse was NEVER what I wanted do in life.....

And even though fate would have it that I ended up resigning this past August, TODAY, on January 31st, 2020, when I turn 62 years old and will shortly start to receive my Social Security benefits, was supposed to be my official Retirement date!!
And THAT is cause for Celebration of this Birthday!!!

I NOW get to do what I want to do!!!

We will have a little celebration....

We are going to a Hockey game tonight with our nieces and celebrating tomorrow with our usual pizza party with our sons and daughter-in-law, at home, quietly......

Again, nothing big and showy but that is just how I like it!!

And I can not tell you how happy I am to be 62 years old and now officially RETIRED!!!!!

Okay, enough of that......

I have decorated the Living Room in red and gold for Valentine's Day and the month of February.....

I have decorated 3 Trees in the Living Room for Valentine's Day......

Let's take a look at the 7 foot Tree in the corner.......
I decided to combine 2 different beaded garlands.....
And I added a heart garland....
I topped the Tree with some heart picks tucked into the top of the Tree
And I made a bow out of red velvet ribbon embossed with flowers.....

I started to decorate the Tree with red and gold rose ornaments that I bought at Big Lot's a few years back.....
I have amassed a huge collection of ornaments that could be used for Valentine's Day.....
And I also made a few too.....
I hung a heart mobile from a hook in the ceiling above the Tree that once held a hanging lamp.....
I am going to let the pictures do the talking......
I wrapped red heart wired garland around the Tree......
I decided that this Tree will stay up year round and will be decorated for the different Holidays and Seasons.....

As will the platform underneath it......
 I covered the platform with a vintage tablecloth.....
And then I decorated the platform.....
In the left corner, is a bouquet of red velvet roses and gold leaves inside of a crystal vase.....
A heart shaped candy box that I embellished.....

A Valentine's Bearington Bear.........
Thief of Hearts.....
Another embellished heart shaped candy box.......
In the center.....
More Bearington Bears......
And a Bearington Squirrel who is " Nuts about You"
One more embellished heart candy box........
Lover Boy Valentine's Bear.....
And one more candy box......
Another bouquet of red velvet roses and gold leaves in a peach bowl and pitcher.....
A Valentine's card......
A "Love" sign and a cute cherub.....
So that is the first Valentine's Tree in the Living Room.....
The next Tree is the gold tinsel Tree on the top of the TV Entertainment Center......
I decorated it with red and gold heart ornaments....
I topped it off with a bow made from red and gold ribbon......
I will share the rest of the top of the TV Entertainment Center in my next post......
In the corner by the stairs......
Is the 3rd Tree......
My LED Branch Tree.......
 That I decorated with red and gold ornaments......
Garland with red velvet roses and gold roses tucked into it wrapped around the bottom of the Tree..........
 I will share more of this area in my next post along with the rest of the Living Room decorated for Valentine's Day in red and gold.......

I hope you enjoyed seeing my 3 red and gold Valentine's Trees in the Living Room.....
 And I hope you will stop by to visit again soon!!

Thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!

If you do not have a blog, PLEASE  give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment.  If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
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25 comments:

  1. Enjoy YOUR DAY, Debbie, however way you wish! But remember there are a lot of folks who want to wish you the best day ever! Me included!

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  2. First of all, a very big and happy birthday. I hope it's filled with all the good things that are just what you want! And thanks for the reminder -- I really do need to throw a few Valentine things together! It's almost here!

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  3. It's no surprise to me that you have decorated for Valentine's day with the same enthusiasm as Christmas!

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  4. Happy Birthday! And Happy Retirement! I know just where you are coming from. In 2001, someone let it slip that they were planning a surprise 25th wedding anniversary party for us. I was sick to my stomach. I was trying to figure out how to politely approach the party planners, how to notify all the people they invited not to come. It was too late. It was horrible. And to make matters worse, at that time I made Christmas gifts for all my friends and neighbors, and delivered cookie trays for acquaintances. I sent Christmas cards to people I really didn't see anymore. They used my Christmas card list to invite people. So when my friends heard about the party, they were upset they were not invited. It was a year of apologies while showering the party planners with praise because they had hurt feelings I was not excited enough about it.

    I celebrated my 60th with my 3 month old granddaughter. I fixed myself a fancy tea tray and even went to a bakery to buy a few individual fancy desserts. And for my 70th, I am planning to get a hotel room, by myself, for a weekend.

    Due to my father's illnesses and subsequent legal issues with a girl friend, I had to leave my job early. I was able to claim my pension at 60, but I am planning a private celebration when I turn 65 since that is when I thought I would retire.

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  5. Happy Birthday!! I believe that you should celebrate any way you wish. And I need to break out the hearts. I'm way behind over here. I still have Christmas lights in my kitchen window. I'm not ready to give up the sparkle.

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  6. Happy Birthday, Debbie!! I know the joy of getting that first social security check - I started getting mine last year! Always enjoy your birthday in your own way!

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  7. Debbie,
    Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!
    Blessings, Linda

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  8. Happy Birthday Debbie, may this special day overflow with many blessings, love your Valentine's Day decorations, I didn't decorate for V day this year, due to dh's surgery.
    Thank you for visiting and for all of the helpful advice.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  9. Aww Happy Birthday Debbie! I hope you have a nice time celebrating it with your family. I like all of your Valentine's Day decorations. Thanks too for the blog visit today!

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  10. Happy Birthday, Debbie! I'm glad you get to celebrate the way you want to. After all, it is your day. I don't like being made a fuss over either as I don't enjoy a lot of attention. Love your big tree! I have my little tree still sitting in the dining room which I will use for my Valentine tree this year although the four foot one is still up in the family room. Sorry I haven't been around a lot lately. I took about a month's break and just started blogging again. All the best to you in the coming year. Hugs and many blessings...Sandi

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  11. Happy Birthday Debbie. I hope your day was great celebrating with your family. Age is just a number.
    Your living room is awesome. I love your gold tree.

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  12. What a joy to visit your blog today and have the tour of those stunning trees, they are a real delight a feast for the eyes. Wishing you a happy Birthday and a wonderful retirement. Time to do do exactly what you want to do.

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  13. Happy 62nd Birthday Debbie! 🎉🎈🎂🎁🎈
    Happy retirement too!
    Hope you have a fantastic quiet day with family!

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    Replies
    1. J,
      Thanks so much for stopping by and for your Birthday and Retirement wishes!! I could not find any other way to get in touch with you so I am doing so here...
      Hugs,
      Deb

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  14. Happy Birthday Debbie. I will turn 62 in April. So we were both born in 1958!!! I am with you about celebrating our birthday's with grace and dignity. I have never been one for the hoopla for birthdays. Enjoy your day. The Valentine's Day tree and all the decor you have for this holiday is so pretty.
    Enjoy.
    xoxo
    Kris

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  15. Happy Belated Birthday! Best wishes: Love, Peace,Health,Friendship,Happiness...God bless you!What an adorable Valentine's tree!

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  16. It's really a good thing your retired....because I don't know how one could do all this and work, too! Amazing decor---and way beyond my energy level at this point. We live such a quiet life---that just a visit from the grand once in awhile is about it! Hugs and I'm sure you are ready for Valentine's Day, more than anyone else in blogland!

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  17. Happy Belated Birthday; I think you should celebrate your birthday ANY way you want anytime.And I hope you are enjoying your retirement; it took me a while to get the hang of it! Personally, I like a small deal made of mine with immediate family and a nice meal out caz that is a treat for me. And if I get wishes and gifts late, it delightfully stretches out the occasion! My ex and his wife used to get subs for the kids and go to the beach on Mother's Day and I LOVED that tradition, too. Making traditions you love (especially with kids) is what's important! I just love your 7' tree. I have to admit that although I have made garlands to sell, have filled a bag with V. goodies for my Secret Pal at church, and will make a bunch of Valentines for a bunch of people, I have only added a red glittered V. sign to my Christmas wreathe. Am busy getting ready for the 2/15 dollhouse/train show where I rent tables and sell my dh crafts.

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    Replies
    1. Kathy,
      Thanks so much for the Birthday wishes....I am enjoying my retirement very much so!! Now that I have the house decorated for Winter and Valentine's Day, I hope to do a bit of crafting!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
      Hugs,
      Debbie

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  18. Oh Wow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you had just the kind of birthday you wanted!
    I was never a fan of all that sitting round looking at the birthday person opening their presents when I was a kid either - SO embarrassing! I really struggled on our wedding day to for exactly the same reason, could people stop looking at me please!
    How wonderful to have a partner who understands that you mean it when you say ' no surprise parties!'
    Congrats on the official retirement too.

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  19. Happy belated birthday Debbie. I am finally visiting a few blogs after fighting this awful cold. The Valentine tree are so pretty. Hugs.

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  20. Debbie,
    Your place is so decorate for Valentine's Day. I have not done anything. Being away put me way behind. Congratulations, you are being featured on over The Moon linky Party.
    I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/02/over-moon-linky-party_9.html
    Hugs,
    Bev

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  21. Happy retirement birthday, Debbie! Thanks for sharing your lovely Valentine's trees @Vintage Charm!

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