Trendsetter

Oh my gosh ... I can't believe it!!!

For the first time in the history of Me, I am on the cutting edge! I am on the right side of a trend!!
In the Pot Belly Pig days, by the time I got one and paid more than I would care to admit to, the bottom fell out of the market and they were giving them away. In fact people begged us to give them homes - free.

Same with the miniature hedgehogs that I used to raise. As soon as the male died, the prices went through the roof and I couldn't afford to replace him, so Tiggy Winkle went husbandless and I went babyless.

We imported Beanie Babies before anyone in Canada even heard of TY, and wound up selling them for half price just to get rid of them. We got $2.50 for ones that later went for $800. I still had an original catalogue which was worth over $300, but apparently has no value whatsoever when some of the pictures have been cut out.

And I'm afraid I must confess - I am personally responsible for Black October back in 1987. I happened to invest in the stock market for the first time in September.

So imagine my utter delight to read a headline in today's paper: "Versatile turquoise the "it" colour for 2010".
I'm there!

This spring, I made the bold move of re-doing the walls of our home in Newfoundland. I so loved the way that the kitchen already looked, loved the old wallpaper and have dragged my feet about changing it for a few years. After finally admitting to myself that the time had come, I stripped it and discovered wall panelling beneath. I smooshed and mooshed dry wall compound all over it.
In Newfoundland, one of the most incredible, beautiful sights are the icebergs that swim through the ocean right behind us. They were my inspiration for colour choice.

When I base painted it turquoise, Brian commented that it looked like his Grandmother's house from the 1960s. He remarked: "Usually, everything you do looks pretty good, but I don't think you're going to pull this one out of the fire."

I must admit, it was quite reminiscent of the 60's and 70's - in fact, the mohair throw on the chair is one that we bought for Brian's Mom in 1978. Of course, I never had any intention of using just one colour. I added lime green and another blue. Whoa. That was a little more vibrancy than our humble little Salt Box house kitchen could handle. So I washed the whole thing with white & have waited patiently for it to grow on me.

The jury was still out for the most part. When my sister visited this summer, she didn't comment. It wasn't like she didn't notice the change, so I came right out and asked her: "How do you like my paint job?" Her response: "I don't." But my artistic, creative friends greeted it with great enthusiasm - jubilantly, joyful. "It's totally different", they agreed, "But we love it! It's fresh & happy." "It's Iceberg" I shared. "Of course it is!" they confirmed.

I have quietly pondered the scenarios - whether it was the difference between artsy folk & someone who leans towards the more conservative; or between someone who takes comfort in having things remain the same & those who embrace change; or simply the difference between the outright, forthright blunt honesty that a sister can get away with or the unconditional cheerleading of friends. But as it turns out, none of that matters ... I just happened to be on the cusp of a trend.

It says & I quote: "This blue-green shade of cyan based on the gem turquoise is the hue that stylemakers everywhere will be suggesting that you wear and bring home this year." It goes on to say: 'Turquoise is associated with faithfulness, truth and constancy, it is a cheery colour, known to give us more confidence and a sense of youthfulness.' What better way to go into the new decade. Cheers to turquoise!!!