Monday, October 12, 2009

We Should All Have Friends Like This


For those of you who have been following me for a long time, you may remember me referring to my dear sweet friend Stacy in prior posts. She is my mentor, the one responsible for my foray into yardsaling and thrifting. We are two old souls who were probably separated at birth. Visiting her home is a truly extraordinary experience. Everything you see has a history, a story behind it. From the art on her walls, to the lamps and clocks on her furniture, and speaking of furniture, well, let's just say, one step inside her front door and you are completely blown away. Most of her pieces are one-of-a-kind, acquired over the years from high end antique stores to the local Goodwill. You would never know the difference. Stacy and I go back a few years, but most recently, she was my daughter's art teacher. Stacy's talent in art knows no bounds. She can transform just about anything, and her knowledge of art has been as asset to me in more ways than I can say. I have so much fun picking her brain. Even more fun is hearing her relay the stories of how she obtained some of her vast treasures. She has an antique decanter, that is in the shape of the Eiffel Tower and plays music when you pour. Her collection of vintage handbags and jewelry would make you drool. I cannot say enough about this girl, except to say that she is very special to me.

I have rule of thumb when it comes to making friends and it goes something like this - a true friend is someone who is happy for you when something good happens to you, and sad with you when something bad happens, and NOT the other way around. I've had my share of the latter over the years and I've gotten alot better at weeding them out. My husband has never understood how I can just "release" a friend as quickly as I sometimes have. I tell him that they broke my "rule" and I don't consider them a friend. I strongly feel that it is important to one's well-being to surround themselves with people who make them feel good about themselves. I would have friends that I thought were my friend, but somehow, every time I left their company I would be questioning myself as a person, a mother, a friend. I would finally realize that it was a pattern and that it wasn't ME, it was THEM. They would say or do things to make me question myself and second-guess myself. It takes time and experience to establish a core group of true friends, and once you have, you TREASURE them. Stacy is one that I treasure.


Why am I going on about rules??? Well, because I may be the world's biggest hypocrite!!! Poor Stacy has sold her beautiful home and is about to move her wonderful family into another beautiful home. Anyone who's ever moved knows what a huge undertaking this is, especially this time of year. Their move-out/move-in date is December 7th!! And anyone who has ever moved also knows, that with any move, comes a "purge". You want to bring as little with you as possible, to make the move a little bit easier. And starting fresh in a new home, means not wanting so much "stuff". Just like when you redecorate a room. You start out not wanting to hang anything on the walls, because you just want to enjoy the "newness" for a while.

So what makes me a hypocrite you ask?? Well, I should be feeling sad for my poor friend who has all of this going on, and instead, I'm, well, OVERJOYED!!!!!!!! No, no, no, not overjoyed that Stacy has all this on her plate, but overjoyed that she has chosen ME as the benefactor of all of the treasures that did not make the cut!!! Stacy chose me because she knows how much I will treasure them and appreciate them. And if I were in her situation, I would want to do exactly the same thing.

So, how do you thank someone for something as big as this? Well, until I can come up with something befitting (and I'm open to any and all suggestions) I will dedicate this post to Stacy and share with you just a few of the goodies she has so graciously passed along to me.


This is just a fraction of what was given to me by Stacy. There will be more pictures to come. And, even better, some of these goodies will appear on my Etsy store, which has unofficially opened (go to Etsy and my store is kimmcl@comcast.net). So stay tuned for more info on my Etsy debut, because of course there will be a giveaway!!!!

Before I leave, I will end this post with my one of my most prized possessions - a birthday gift from Stacy I received back in August. It is only the most bee-u-ti-ful stein I have ever layed eyes on, and my stupid camera doesn't do it nearly enough justice (can you guess what I'll be asking The Man to get me for Christmas???).


12 comments:

Rita said...

Hi Kin,
've discovered your blog by Queenie's blog. I'm very glad I did as I find it nice and inspiring. I especially like your today's post as there's so much truth about friendship. I'm happy for you that you found a friend like Stacy. Those treasures she gave you are simply unique.
Come and visit my blog at http://www.ritashabbychicrose.blogspot.com/
let meknow you've dropped by by leaving a small thought.I love reading comments, most of tthe time they can really make your day or even enrich you with pearls of wisdom - this is the part i like best.
Warmely
Rita

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh wow! Magnificant treasures you've shown! I'm sure you'll love them dearly -- they're beautiful. Hope your friend will still be close by.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

The stein is beautiful! Your are fortunate to be the recipient of so many pretty things. Hope you and your friend can continue to say in touch and be apart of each other's lives in the years to come.
I also, had to "let go" in several situations many years ago. Unfortunately sometimes you find out who your "real" friends are when "real life" kicks in - but then I know I am better off in the long run.
Have a great evning.
Glenda

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Hey Kim!
I really loved this post...it's so true about friends, and I have never heard it said so well in my life....you have such a wonderful way with words...and are so right about all that you said. I think I really needed to hear all that you said too. Thank you girl!
Your friend Stacy is a treasure that's for sure, not only does she laugh when you laugh and cry when you cry....she gives you the most gorgeous things too! I loved seeing all of those treasures!

Congratulations on your shop...you are gonna be sooo successful in this new and wonderful adventure!
Big Hugs,
Queenie

Anonymous said...

I hear ya about the friends. I had to drop two earlier this year. I was like you...I kept questioning myself why it was that I kept hanging around these people. They always seemed to make me feel worse instead of better. I won't lie, I miss them some, but you know what? I bet they don't miss me at all.

I'm glad that you have a true friend in Stacy and she has a true friend in you ;o)

bj said...

O, I hope your dear friend isn't moving AWAY from your town. I know how it hurts when a good friend has to move far away and you don't get to see them very often.
Your treasures are wonderful..the biggest and best....your friend.
hugs, bj

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Hey girl!
Boy do I hear ya! Friends should lift you up, never be jealous of you, and be happy when good things happen to you. Yet be tender enough to point you in the right direction when needed. I have had to let go of a few "friends" for similar reasons! But your friend Stacy sounds like a keeper!! She must truly know you will take care of the gifts she gave you. Wow...that's what I call friendship! Oh and Ahem...you are a Phillies fan....game on!! Go Dodgers!! LOL!

Joyce said...

Treasure these items but treasure your friendship with Stacy! Oh and you made me laugh in your last post when you had a brain freeze and kept saying THINGIE. I do that all the time too:)
Joyce

Anonymous said...

I too have a friend like yours! When she moved to Florida to be with her daughter she gave me all kinds of beautiful things- my how blessed to have such friends!

I love you purse bank!! I collect those sweet things and am planning on doing a Pink Sat on them!!

blessings
mary

Southerner said...

My best friend from first grade has always lived in another state since we were 19 so I am here to say that the miles don't mean a thing. We are still close and just pick right up each conversation. i really count her as a sister.

southerninspiration said...

Well, aren't you the sweetest friend...I think I know WHY your friend shared all her treasures with you!! Thanks for coming by my blog today and leaving some loving comments!! ;)
I'd love to have you come by often! Look forward to seeing what you put in your shop!! ;)

Suzanne

Carolyn said...

I agree good friends are to be treasured and I am glad yours gave you some of her treasures.
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog.
Take care,
Carolyn