Tags
My ‘lady friend’ (term courtesy of my neighbor) is Clark Griswold’s twin sister, interior design version. True story. The pictures above were taken inside my condo unit last night. The pictures don’t do the decorating justice — it’s beautiful and all done, for the most part, by my lovely and talented ‘lady friend’. The joy on her face as she toiled and fretted over each detail was cute, something I laughed at as I told her so. That she would enjoy the decorating was never a question in my mind. Every weekend since September, she has had a little bag of goodies for me, Christmas decorations scoured carefully by her practiced eyes from the racks at local Goodwill stores. It’s a talent, a gift, her ability to find a gift in the midst of the mess of stuff at that store truly amazing to me. D has been dreaming of how those lovingly selected trinkets would fit together inside (and outside) of my condo unit for months. When she suggested early last week that our dates this weekend would consist of dinner and decorating at my place, I had no choice but to say yes.
While I am not really ready for Christmas to start happening yet, watching her in her element was pure entertainment. Ideas kept flooding over her as she worked, changes and tweaks implemented until the detail was just right to her. D would stand back, palms extended outward with a pleased smile on her face, admiring her handiwork. It was cute to watch. Saturday night, we worked on the tree together after dinner (stuffed shells with salad, chocolate cake and Malbec for dessert). I was merely a participant as my personal designer woman directed the festivity.
It’s a good thing that I rarely use that dining room table. We will need to invite friends over for dinner, so the festive arrangements can be shared. My kitchen table (not pictured) also is decorated, although I had to rein her in a little bit there — that table is my place to hang out, as well as the place where some of my cooking prep is done. Pretty is not practical, for the most part. Decorating also spilled out into the hallway outside my front door, where an old wooden rocking horse awaits with a red bow around its neck, as well as an old restored wood sled. The sled was used by my brothers and I, lovingly restored by my dad. Some time this week, a wreath will be added to the sled. There also is a welcome sign hung on my front door, a snowman couple wishing everyone a joyful season.
Now I can sit back and enjoy my decorated condo… until we help D’s mom decorate next weekend!
(I should probably apologize for the title of today’s blog — I couldn’t resist and it has no bearing on my ‘lady friend’… unless you talk to my downstairs neighbor. In case anyone is wondering, heels were carefully removed at my front door.)
