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Holiday Decorating Yesterday & Today

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

The one thing that is constant during our mortal lives is change. I want to thank Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker and Carol Williams for helping to jog my mind into just how much change I've seen in 60 some years.

My earliest memories of Christmas, like most children I know, was all about the presents, what am I going to get. Give me, give me, give me. I was never disapointed as it seemed like us kids were always smothered in gifts. Looking back at my earliest years they may have been pretty lean for our family but we never knew that... two gifts or twenty it was always a glories time.

I remained a child until I was about 23 years old. At 23 I found the true meaning of Christmas. It was all about Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb... but I was still a child and give me, give me, give me, had yet to die.

The next phase for me was probably the year my mother died. She was the FORCE behind Christmas in our family. Suddenly it was all about Christmas past and remembering the beautiful production my mother made in celebrating Christmas.

The adult phase of Christmas hit me in my 40's when my first child was born (Tina) and then again amplified when Timmothy was born. Christmas is a very joyous time in our home. We do our best to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas (to us a savior is born) but we also have fun with the secular crap as well and allow Santa into the house and maybe an over abundance of gift giving and decorating.

When you know, and celebrate, the true meaning of Christmas NOTHING can rob you of the joy of this time of year. Here are a couple of pics I have on my computer of not so distant Christmas past.

I'd like to encourage you to share your happy holiday memories with us through Anna and Carols challenge post at Holiday Fun and Cheer December Challenge! 

Posted by

Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

John Pusa I still like to decorate but these days I'm restricted to decorating my office. I've learned to get out of the way and let Carol and the kids do the decorating at home.

Dec 30, 2020 01:34 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

It is a pleasure to read about your Christmas traditions, past and present.  Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2020 02:06 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I remember the older times but like so many early photos are gone.  

Dec 30, 2020 02:07 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Bob "RealMan" Timm ,

Loved the pictures you shared with us. I still remember stringing pop corn on long strings for the tree along with cranberries and making red and green chains to hang on the tree. Trying to find a few pictures sorting through so many family albums! 

Dec 30, 2020 05:06 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bob- I remember the old-fashioned Christmas tree bulbs...the big ones and the ones that look like candles but had some kind of liquid in them. I do remember the tinsel that we used to toss on the tree. 

Dec 30, 2020 06:31 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I know I remember when I first realized the true meaning of Christmas and I feel like it was one of the most special days of my life Bob "RealMan" Timm 

Dec 30, 2020 09:38 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Bob.

This year Christmas was not as it had been.  Of course, we saw all the loved ones, but at a distance.  Like you, we celebrate the true meaning, one that will never be forgotten

Dec 31, 2020 12:34 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Happy New Year to you as well Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI . I don't think I've ever been so eager to welcome in a New Year.

Dec 31, 2020 05:36 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Ed Silva this morning I was eager to dig out some older photos to put in a post today. I hope you take a look.

Dec 31, 2020 05:38 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I went through some pics this morning Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR . I hope you take a look (once I get them posted).

Dec 31, 2020 05:39 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I still think those big bulbs were the best Kathy Streib and I also remember a string that looked like little candle holders with candles in them. The bubble bulbs were really cool but we never owned any.

Dec 31, 2020 05:42 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Amen Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS . Knowing the reason for the season makes it so much more special.

Dec 31, 2020 05:43 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

James Dray my Christmas memories were shattered the year my mother was murdered. We never met again as a big family with extended family, often as many as 20 people celebrating together.

A LESSON: The murder of my mother did not wreck our family. The lack of her leaving a will did. The greed of certain family members had us fueding like the Hatfieds and the McCoys. It was horrible. Until the death of my mother I thought we had the closest family on earth. Because of her thoughtlessness we (her children) didn't speak to each other for many years.

Dec 31, 2020 05:51 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Bob "RealMan" Timm - thanks for sharing the pictures.  Now it is time for your children to carry the traditions you passed to them.

Dec 31, 2020 06:58 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I hope they will Grant Schneider and even with more zeal then we have. At this point Timmothy still lives at home and Tina returns home but the day will come when they will have their own families and their own traditions. 😌

Dec 31, 2020 07:29 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Bob,
Like you, as a child, it was all about the presents. Now that I look back I wonder how my parents provided as much as they did because we didn't have much money. We never wanted for what we needed, tho.  Over the years, of course, it became more about the reason for the season.  I'm saddened to see how it has evolved into such a commercialized event.  Each family has their traditions to make it special and looking back on those old photos is such a treasure. 

Happy New Year, Timm family!

Jan 01, 2021 07:38 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Bob what kid doesn't get excited about presents!  We all did as kids!  My Mom did a good job of making sure we knew the reason for the season and I'm glad she did.  Love your photos!  Happy Kids decorating for the holidays!

Jan 01, 2021 08:51 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thank you Carol Williams . The reason for the season certainly has been distorted by commercialism and I'm alarmed at how many people know little to nothing about the birth we celebrate and why.

Jan 01, 2021 02:17 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker the best thing is that they are still happy kids and they still love the reason we are celebrating. Can't beat that.

Jan 01, 2021 02:19 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Bob there is nothing to be wrong with being a child... I have acted like a child for the past...well never mind, :))Endre

Jan 18, 2021 10:02 PM