RED CAN TURN PINK . . . .

It's hard to believe that this is Twiggy's second Christmas with us.  

This week,  as I prepared to decorate the Christmas tree we cut down over Thanksgiving weekend, Twiggy was by my side- - - every step of the way.   I pulled out the strings of white tree lights and plugged them in while she checked each little bulb to be certain they were in working order!  She was such a big decorating help! :)

Once the lights had been positioned on the tree, I fetched the huge plastic storage box from the basement - - - the one that held my favorite Christmas decorations.

As I pulled out the many boxes of ornaments, I had to stop and reflect on THIS particular one.

My room-mate and I purchased these in 1967.

She and I  had been close friends during our first two years in college.  When we both decided to take a "break" from school at the same time, it was natural that we would end up sharing an apartment.  Before long, we'd both found jobs . . . she with a health insurance company and  me with a life insurance company.  Things were so much simpler in those days. . . finding a job was pretty darned easy.

That Christmas, we were twenty years old.   We had a swell apartment "within walking distance" of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. . . totally furnished with "rented furniture"  and outfitted with family cast offs!  We were on Cloud Nine.   We had it ALL - - -except for a Christmas tree. . . and lights and ornaments!  

Not a couple of gals to let a little issue of "lack of money"  stop us from doing what we wanted to do, we went shopping - - - without a credit card- - - but with just a small amount of "pooled funds". 

We  were able to purchase a couple of strings of multi-colored lights and three or four boxes of glass ornaments. . . all in RED!  Giddy with joy, we were set for some serious decorating!

To this day, I don't recall where we purchased our "real" tree that year.  However, I do remember what a beauty it was when we finished putting our multi-colored lights and red glass ornaments all over it.

The only thing wrong with that tree was the fact that we had our lights set on the "flashing" mode and couldn't figure out how to undo that.  The incessant flashing of the multi-colored lights nearly sent us into seizures a time or two, but during those occasions when we were most affected by the blinking light show, we would simply "squint" and endure it.  We were young and we were so excited about our first tree!

What made that Christmas and those ornaments even more special was the fact that I had met my "true love" that Summer . . . he was also working at the very same life insurance company that I was- - -and THAT particular Christmas, of 1967, was OUR  first Christmas together.

When my husband and I married, in June of 1968, my "former" room mate and I divided our "stuff". 

I latched onto the Christmas ornaments and flashing lights.

My taste quickly changed from "Multi-colored lights and flashing" to "White lights and steady".......

but I always loved the red glass ornaments.

Over the years, most of the "original"  glass ornaments met their end, often times thanks to one of the many Kitties who lived with us over these Forty Plus Christmases .

Sadly, we have  just the one container of "original" ornaments left from our First Christmas Together and I treat those ornaments with the utmost of care these days . . . positioning the precious few survivors near the top of our tree. . . out of the reach of our current kitties (thankfully, they don't scale the tree!) and the little hands of our Grand Kiddos.

Oddly enough, however, there is one thing  I noticed this year as I was pulling out the boxes of red ornaments that I had added to the original "collection" over the years . . . .

and that is "red can turn PINK"!!!

Yep, I realized that MANY of the red ornaments I'd purchased over the years had . . . . turned to PINK!

WHEN did they become that color?

Why did only SOME of them turn PINK?  Why didn't all of them end up like that?

Hmmmm. . .  I didn't have the answers to those questions, but I DID realize that had it not been for PINK SATURDAY and my new appreciation of all things PINK, I might not have seen the beauty in my changed ornaments.

That's right.  Had I not been walking this Pink Path for well over a year now, perhaps I would have just put those slightly different colored orbs on our tree without a thought. . . . or appreciation . . .as to how special they had become.   Perhaps I would not have realized how glorious it can be when the vintage RED ornaments take on the color of PINK !

 

 






For many more special PINK posts, please visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

Happy Pink Saturday!

DANA

Comments

[Caren]

Dana ~ What a great story! My roommate and I (we were 20 then too) had a Christmas tree in our apt. However, ours was exactly like Charlie Brown's tree. Oh, how we loved that tree. We didn't keep the ornaments when we "split" up to both get married....how I wish I had them now.

Stone rabbit looks quite handsome in the ornaments. It would make a great Christmas card.

Happy Pink Saturday.

[Diane]

I loved your wonderful story! Hubby & I bought blue ornaments for our first tree - I still have some of them that managed to survive fallen trees and little hands.
Stone Rabbit is too adorable modeling those precious ornaments! ☺♥☺ Diane

[Barbara]

Dana, Wonderful story full of great memories. I see you had plenty of help, cats and rabbits make great helpers.

Beautiful tree.
Barbara

[Claudia]

I remember a tree in our dorm room with lots of lights - I don't know who supplied the ornaments! I've had those older ornaments turn pink myself - I loved your story, Dana. The stone rabbit and your kitty seem to agree!

Happy Pink Saturday!

[Keetha]

What a fun post - - - The Stone Rabbit is STYLIN' in those ornament ear bobs!

Yep, the first boxes of bright red ornaments that hubby and I bought in 1975 have turned into a lovely pink shade too!

[Dixie]

Dana... I always love the stories you share... You're the treasure!

hugs and Christmas Blessings. Dixie

[Sheila]

I loved this, Dana! And I've noticed the same thing about some red ornaments turning pink. Hmmmm... a mystery to be solved. Maybe a Pinky artist can tell us.

My first Christmas in Florida, Mr. Magpie took a buther knife went into the woods and chopped down a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I was a grad student and wanted a tree for my apartment. It was a sad little thing, but it really was funny and cute! It sat inside a huge wicker basket that stood about waist high and was elevated on top of something in there. LOL!

Happy Pink Saturday. Love the Stone Rabbit's ear baubles...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[g]

Oh, Dana, what a great story. I've been thinking about these very same transitions - going from being a child in a home to making one's own home, and making one's own Christmas. I love the fact that you divied up the goods and you got the ornaments - I bet she is somewhere looking at her portion and also fondly remembering those times. Your story is more poignant than most Pink Saturday stories of yours.

What a clever observation about the red glass fading to pink.

[Rose Broadway]

Dana, what a neat memory you have with your ornaments. This morning I pulled out a Christmas decoration I haven't used in years.

20 years ago I made a green beaded tree and put it under a glass dome. I decorated it with the beads from my first rosary that I was given in 1957. Over the years two of the beads had been lost, so the rest of the beads made perfect decorations! Under the tree I have lots of presents with name tags on them. Two of our daughters-in-law, and four of our grands hadn't even come on the scene yet, so there's no gifts for them, and no room to put more. Ah, well...I think they'll understand.

Have a wonderful Christmas!
Rosie

[Sally]

Dana, I enjoyed seeing your vintage ornaments; I don't have very many left either, and mine seem to just fade rather than turn another color.

[jeanne]

Dear Dana, I love your story so much. What a wonderful memory. I definitely think you were right to choose the tree lights and ornaments. I bet your room mate doesn't have anything to remind her of those fun years. How wonderful to be close to the Plaza. Life was good then and you had a life's experience to remember.
Pink is a form of red or vise-versa. The bulbs look pretty in pink. So does the stone rabbit. Did your dh go to dental school after you were married?

I love the light with Twiggy inspecting them. Cats are so curious. I do not like blinking lights either. It is not a calming feeling.

Your tree looks pretty with the pink/red bulbs. I would like to see the whole tree. I love the ribbon in the tree as well. Good luck with the rest of your decorating. It is fun but also a chore.
Don't work too hard.

I am missing you. We both have busy lives,
But that is a good thing.

Love to you Dana, and your family too. I bet those grands keep you hopping...

Jeanne

[heather]

what a sweet story! how awesome it is that you saved them all these years :)

[alaurajane]

Hello Dana; What a beautiful memory you shared.. I so enjoyed reading it,,, so sweet,, and how cute the Stone Rabbit looks in them.. he is not one to be left out.. lol Happy Pink Saturday,,, and a great weekend..

Hugs;
Alaura

[Tami Kenner]

Dana...I always hang on to every word of your stories! I loved that one..and I love your new "pink" ornaments too! Enjoy!
xo Tami

[Marie]

Lovely post, oh so helpful Twiggy! Happy PS, and your ornaments are lovely in both colors!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

[Furniture Stores]

Love the picture of Twiggy the light checker. Just another great example of how smart cats really are! :)

[Pam Snow]

Love your story of the red (now pink) ornaments.
Thanks for sharing.

Happy Pink Saturday.

[Marina]

Dana, Wonderful story full of great memories.
Thanks for sharing.

Happy Pink Saturday.

[Chris]

I love your tree. I met my husband in 1967 too, and because of the Vietnam war, we were married in 1970 when he got home. I used to have a ceramic rabbit very similar to the Stone Rabbit, but he committed suicide when he jumped into the bricks on the hearth.

[Linda @ A La Carte]

What a fun post! I enjoyed the memory story and the lovely red shiny brites! So sweet!

[Brenda]

Pink is the new Red y'know. It's so you, really. I can't even imagine you would not have a tree with pink ornaments. After all, I come here to get my "pink fix", LOL!
Hope your tree is full of perfectly pink vintage ornaments that make you smile. B=)

[Spencer]

Hi Dana!

I laughed myself silly over the Stone Rabbit with the ball earrings....Hilarious!

Wow! What a lucky gal....your balls turned a glorious shade of pink, didn't they? I love 'em!

Have a wonderful week....

Hugs,
Spencer

[sue]

Dana, What a wonderful story about your roomie and you. I think you made the right choice in selecting the ornaments. They hold such sentimental value and wonderful memories for you.
Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!
~ Sue

[Sandy]

Such a sweet story Dana. And not only did they change to the lovely color of pink, but it looks like one of those red bulbs shrunk, lol.

[Mary Lou]

I had fun reading this!
Mary Lou

[Beverly]

I guess it was meant to be - the pink balls, that is.

You were destined for some pink.

I had some change to pink once, too.

Happy Pink Saturday, Dana. Your e-mail made me laugh. Cut and paste. ;-)

[Jillian]

Dana, I LOVED your story. Brought me right there to being young again and pooling money.

Such a lovely memory and how neat your ornies turned pink for you!

[kayellen]

You are too cute!!
and your bunny is making me laugh:)

Thanks for the smile tonight!

Goodnight,

kayellen

[jeanne]

Hi Dana, I came by to say hello. I know you are busy with the Christmas rush. Me too. In fact I am going shopping today for my daughters. I wish I had some inside info on what they want for Christmas this year. Usually I give them money but this year we will be with them and gifts are a must. My boys are easier to buy for.

Christmas love coming your way today,
Jeanne

[Nancy]

I remember when you found Twiggy at the storage unit...it was about my first visit here! He lucked out that day! I love your story, Dana. Oh my, can you believe our ornaments that we bought new are now vintage? Just like my wedding gift toaster that's everywhere in antique stores!!!!
The few red turned pink ornaments surely are more special each year. Getting out those ornaments that haven't been out in years...well...it's just like Christmas!!! haha
Beautiful story, Dana. Enjoy the season. xoxo Nancy

[jeanne]

Hi Dana, we are getting so much snow. Great big wet flakes. It is beautiful outside. What isn't beautiful is we have to drive to TN to visit our son and family tomorrow. We are supposed to pick up our grandson at the airport on the way. It could be canceled. We'll see. Our oldest daughter will be there too. She is doing great these days. I think we talked on the phone 5 times recently. That's a record. I am so happy.

I am busy wrapping gifts and making myself a bit crazy. I bet you are too getting ready for your 'to do's' I hope all goes well Dana.

Gotta run I am packing and wrapping. LOL.

Love, Jeanne xoxo

[Kathy Baker]

I have an interior design site and I am interested in purchasing a link on your website. Your site looks great and I would love to be part of your blogroll. Or, if you prefer we could exchange links.

If this is possible, could you let me know how much you would charge for a basic text link. My site is located at http://www.genuinestyle.net.

Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you.

[Jean]

I love the story of your red ornaments turning pink and all that came before and after! Such special memories! Came by to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!

Hugs,
Jean