Since I’ve been living alone, I don’t take less care of myself. I actually strive to take better care of myself.
You are indisputably the queen of your own castle. And thus should treat yourself as such.
And yes, those are dog chew toys that you see. They are part of this home, and I see no reason to hide that fact.
Now where on earth is Charlie when it comes to photo ops?
If you are dining at home alone, treat yourself to a pretty table. Even if you’re going to thumb through magazines while you eat.
Time magazine, Cottages & Bungalows, and More magazine (for the mature woman) are on my list of favorites. More magazine has excellent articles and book reviews. No matter what age group you happen to fall into.
You are worth every one of these special accommodations.
I’m certainly not going to wait for someone else to treat me like a queen. In fact, I prefer it this way.
I know better than anyone on earth how this queen wants to be treated.
If it wasn’t so crowded out with holiday shoppers, I’d get in the car and go buy myself a bouquet of flowers to enjoy. That shall be on my list next time I do go out.
There is this tendency for women to put themselves last.
But this news just came out…
According to a Pew Research Center report on the latest census data released this week, marriage rates in the United States have dropped to an all-time low. Only 51 percent of people over age 18 are married today –a significant dip from 57 percent in 2000, and a shocking drop from 72 percent in 1960. If these trends continue, married couples will soon be in the minority for the first time in history.
But this news just came out…
According to a Pew Research Center report on the latest census data released this week, marriage rates in the United States have dropped to an all-time low. Only 51 percent of people over age 18 are married today –a significant dip from 57 percent in 2000, and a shocking drop from 72 percent in 1960. If these trends continue, married couples will soon be in the minority for the first time in history.
Interesting, huh?
I know I for one am not at all interested in pursuing that path again.
So if you live alone, bring out all the good stuff. Live like the
queen that you are. You will feel more fulfilled.
And you deserve it.
(You should smell my lunch simmering in the oven. It’s stroganoff, and it’s to die for!)
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Yes, I think that we tend to put ourselves last on the list. Next week I am going to relax and bake cookies for friends.
Glad that you are happy and living your dream. **so happy for you!**
xxo
Becky
Oh Brenda! I LOVE this post!! I’m already saving the link as one of my favorite posts!.. ((Hugs)) and have a great weekend! ~tina
It is so important to treat ourselves well. I love that you set a nice table for yourself! Enjoy!
I love hearing that you are taking good care of yourself. Oftentimes women do not make themselves a priority, then wonder why no one else does either. When I am talking to women, I remind them that on airplanes, the attendant always says in case of an emergency, put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping your child. A good metaphor for life. And I love that you have dog toys on your bed. Looks like mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way either!
You are a certainly living in a lovely pretty way…..i love the table complete with mags….perfect!
Melx
I agree whole heartedly with this theme! I love the time, age and place of my life now and am glad that you are enjoying yours, also!
Glad you are loving your life. Dog toys are a part of our life to but I sure hate stepping on them. Love your red hutch. Stella
You are my heroine! Yes, we are single and getting older, err… better like fine wine, but don’t cry for us Argentina, we have gone from Princess to Queen and make our own happiness! xo
Wonderful post, sweet and inspirational!
~Amy blithemusings.blogspot.com
I like the way you think. And even though I am happily married, I buy my own damn flowers
Amen! I believe in using the good china, the special silver and the crystal more than on just special ocassions. We often save our nicest things and the pretty towels to share only when others are around…sometimes we need to treat ourselves and our own family like queens and kings everyday! Love your post!
Miss Bloomers
I love the way you living! I believe that you are an optimistic and great full and blessing human!
Good clear and to the point post. Loved the photos too. What a year you have had (not even a year) and look where you have come. With love.
Brenda,
Love your thoughts! I could live by myself. I think that comes from my DH traveling so much. I like my privacy.
I love that red hutch! Has it always been red? I must be losing it because it looks different to me. LOL Of course, the dishes are the icing on the cake. I enjoy all the stuff you have including those two cute fur babies of you.
Hugs,
Connie
Indiana/Florida
Hi Brenda, I’m taking my hat off to you girl because I love your attitude. I agree that you should pamper yourself and that so many have always put others first. You are quite an inspiration to many.
Enjoy your weekend doing what you want.
Hugs, Noreen
Brenda , I am a widow , I loved my husband dearly and I miss him , but after being single for almost 4years I can’t see me ever being married again. I love my home that I am decorating just for me . I love doing what I want to do when I want to do it whitout checking to see if it’s alright with anyone else . There are some lonely times, I wouldn’t mind going to a movie or out to dinner with a man. But for the most part I am happy with how my life is going. It might be different if I was 20 years younger.
Love all of your vignettes Brenda! Your lamp with checked shade…wooden box with bottles…and your precious pup! Happy QUEEN day…enjoy!
Hi Brenda,
Love your table all set for lunch it is so pretty. Lunch sounds great…
I have ate my lunch many of times reading my favorite mags too!
Funny though, I will read them more than once and sometimes from the back to the front. I always miss something that I did not see before.
Have a great weekend!
All the Best,
Christine
Amen ! More and more we know why you are our hero!
A while back you mentioned body pain and arthritis. Have you ever considered movement or dance therapy. No, no, not the salsa or the kind a your local gym but taught by a physical therapist or dance therapist. A friend who has RA found the experience life altering in dealing with somatic pain. I know you are not a “group” kind of person and neither is she. The therapist maintains a calm, quiet, relaxing and therapeutic environment throughout. Good for the body and the mind.
I agree, Brenda. And even though I’m happily married and wouldn’t want to be single right now, I still believe single women should treat themselves like queens. They are worth it.
This is a wonderful post and you deserve to be treated the way you want. You have come out of an awful year to now be living in a beauitful house, filled with your favorite things, and you are the Queen of your castle. And you are right, many women forget to take care of themselves! Annette T
So true, Brenda. And it makes us stop and enjoy the simple pleasures of life that can be rushed by and missed!
Loved this post, Brenda. Get out all those pretty things and enjoy them. After all, they are YOUR pretty things. It’s all about health now and living well. I believe we are to treat our bodies like temples and respect and nourish them. What a gift to be healthy and strong and happy. Carry on…you do it well. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
you should definitely go & buy those flowers. really pretty ones. what a beautiful place to enjoy. i say use the pretty dishes & glasses, why not? we are all special enough to do so. everyday is such a special day to celebrate. you need to speak to your little doggies & say look i need you to be ready for photo shoots when i’m ready, do i need to write a contract or should i give you a special doggie treat so you will work with me? ha. ha!! (:
New found freedom is a wonderful thing when it includes a happy heart.
Spoken like a true survivor.
Erin
Hi Brenda! This was a great post! It is so important to take care of ourselves and I’m proud you’re do this! What a pretty little table!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
You sound happy and content, Brenda! Your home looks lovely! XO
I have lived on the back burner all of my life. Putting myself first was like tabu because for some reason guilt would set in and made me feel like I was neglecting someone….I was, ME! When my last child left home I looked in the mirror one day, gray thinning hair, wrinkles, less teeth, hairs on chin, stretch marks, way too much extra weight and dry skin. “Who are you?” I asked myself, “I don’t know who you are.” This is what I had left to work with, a total ship wreck. It is hard to raise oneself up. I love my husband dearly, but I know I would never marry again either. I know what I have now, hard telling what one would get the second time around.
Amen I agree… whether you live alone or with a home full of kids and animals and an occasional Husband..mine travels alot…it is up to us to treat ourselves well!
Took me way too long to treat myself as well as I treat others.
Love all of your cozy spots!
good for you Brenda, I think youve discovered the real you at last! I love this post its so positive! I hope you have a wonderful first christmas in your new home there!!!
all the very best to you! ((hugs)) krissie from winterwood
I wonder if there is a way to get way back to your first blog entry. I have been scrolling down to the end of each page and clicking on Older Blogs, and at this rate I will grow old and decrepit before I get to last year. When did you start the blog, anyway?
-LOIS
Good for you- This made me think of the old Queen For A Day show…remember that? Only you can do it every day! xo Diana
Good advice for all woman.
And your place is looking adorable.
Fondly,
Glenda
Brenda, I love youe table and decorations and I think it’s important to treat yourself well.
My mum lives with hubby and me ,and it took a lot of encouragement from my family for me to take ‘me time’ and not feel I was ignoring Mum. Hubby’s been doing his own thing ’round the house for ages,but I felt If I didn’t do things Mum’s way or spend every minute of the day with her — I was neglecting her. She is 94 and had been living on her own for many years after Dad died.
It turned out I was making myself miserable and suffercating her.
Now I take time for me, treat myself to something nice occasionally, sleep in sometimes,AND we are all happier.
It was amazing when I realised the most important person I had to look after was ME.I do that now and everything else falls into place. My Jack Russel lives inside with us and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I haven’t been following you regularly for very long, but from what you say and what others say about you,you are an amazing lady…definately Queen of your home….and I will be a regular follower from now on if that’s o.k with you.
Hope you get your flowers!!!!
Have a lovely Christmas
God Bless
Barb from Australia
Hi Brenda,
I couldn’t agree with you more on this one! Sometimes…well, oftentimes – I tend to put myself last and I know how important it is to make sure that you make time for yourself and surround yourself with the things you enjoy, whether it be your favorite items, decor, etc. Whatever it is that makes “you” feel like the queen you deserve to be! Thanks for reminding all of women of all ages – that they shouldn’t be treated any less than that! Good for you for enjoying life and surrounding yourself with such lovelies!
Happy Holidays!!!
Hugs,
Jessie
Totally agree with you Brenda, 100 per cent!
I’m glad I caught your post because I didn’t understand your comment. I agree with you on many levels. Many times when I was single I treated myself with good dishes and real napkins, but for the most part. “Queen” meant not having to play maid later cleaning up! So I used paper and that made a difference in my demeanor, if you know what I mean.
I feel badly that marriage is not on the rise as it used to be. I understand the myriad of reasons and feelings that women have for not getting married…and men, too. But what about companionship? When I met my husband, he had been widowed. He had no desire to get married again, but did say, thankfully, that he had plenty of room in his heart to love again. And he did. And that eventually led to our marriage. I’m not sure where I am going with this…just to say, enjoy your time alone, but leave yourself open to what life brings you. You deserve it all.
XO,
Jane
Oh gosh, this particular subject has been so hard for me. I have neglected myself for years now. I just quit caring. I really want to be better, but it’s so hard. Thanks for the article, it’s a good reminder to me.
Yay, you!
I think you have a fantastic attitude and applaud your treating yourself well. You DO deserve it!
But I also agree with Jane: please leave yourself open to possibilities. You never know…
Hugs,
Pam
Your home looks gorgeous you have made it look homely and warm , and good on you for feeling the way you do ,well done x
Amen, Brenda! and oh, how warm and inviting your home looks.
I am glad you are a happy Queen in her castle that is decorated beautifully. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Great post! It took three difficult marriages for me to realize that I actually don’t like being married. I am a Free Spirit and have a Gypsy Soul. A Whimsical Eccentric to boot. These “attributes” are not condusive to a healthy marriage. There’s a lot of nice men and I like them quite a lot, but I have no desire to be hitched to one like two oxen plodding along.
Love your posts Brenda. Jude
you are the frist blog i read and u make my day
Thank goodness women are finally realizing that it doesn’t take being married to live a happy and fulfilling life. I am much happier being on my own. There is no one making demands on my time but me. I love sitting by myself having a lovely meal and reading a book or leafing through a magazine. A glass of wine is perfect for a dinner for one and if I want company I go to lunch with family or friends. Enjoy your life, you deserve it my friend.
Hugs,
Laura
You are a beautiful Queen Brenda and your castle is lovely!
Brenda, this post is wonderful -You should write a book and title it Queen of your castle.
( seriously!) Your home is absolutely lovely! and yes we end up with dog toys too on our bed
So well said Brenda! It’s so important to treat yourself well!
Take care,
Pam
Brenda ~ I love this post, for if we don’t take care of ourselves ~ who will? Even though I am happily married and have been taking care of my husband after surgery, I snuck out on Saturday for a massage. It was wonderful and so worth it. Light a candle, soak in a hot tub and put on some warm pj’s and a good book or magazine (a perfect evening of rejuvination)
I agree 100%…
xoxo
Brenda, I am so happy for you. I have been on my own for some time now and really love it!! I spend time with my children, grandchildren, and friends. I decided that after 2 tries I was not going for the 3rd strike out. No way! I will spend the rest of my life taking care of ME!! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
You sound happy Brenda.
I love your little blue house. It is so cozy.
My hubby travels some for business so I am home alone quite often. I love it! I can stay in my jammies all day if I want to.
Do you think you could share your stroganoff recipe with us?
pam