During one of Martha Bear's visits to Nancy Kamp in Oklahoma City, the subject of redecorating the interior of the Kamp home came up.  Since Martha saw herself as one of the best bear designers around, she offered her services free of charge.  She had made suggestions to Jane Marie in Florida in the decorating of Stately Martha Manor, and the place was such a showcase that Martha Bear® was considering giving tours!

Although grateful, Nancy was somewhat concerned as to what Martha Bear® might suggest because Martha was known to prefer the fancy and lacy and sweet and delicate.  Now, while Nancy appreciated the fact that the taste of all creatures is not the same, an entire household of frilly stuff would cause the House of Kamp to tremble from the sheer sugar shock of frou-frou.

Apprehensive, Nancy watched Martha Bear® while the gentle bear worked late into the night, scouring decorating magazines and library books, and watching home shows on television.  She listened to Martha's tales of her fabric store adventures around Oklahoma City and silently shuddered.

The moment of truth arrived the last night of Martha Bear's visit.  Nancy steeled herself for the worst of all that was saccharine. 

"Now Nancy," Martha Bear® told her, "If there is anything you don't like, just let me know and I'll work on it.  You won't hurt my feelings."

Nancy understood that a bear saying her feelings wouldn't be hurt and the reality of emotion were two entirely different matters.  The mistress of the house would just have to pretend to like it all.

It was at this point that Martha Bear® presented her planning board, explaining she had glued different fabrics and pictures into a creative collage.  This represented her idea of what Nancy's new surroundings would be.

To her utter amazement, Nancy was instantly drawn to the rectangular creation because the overall pallet was a combination of soft peaches, pinks and golds, her favorite colors.  The lines of the furniture pictured were clean and classic. 

"How did you know what I like, Martha?" Nancy wondered in amazement.  "You never asked me." 

"I went into your closet.  Often times, the clothes one wears chosen represent the style and colors with which a person would like their home to be decorated."

Near to speechless, but not quite, Nancy said, "I don't see one piece of your fuss and feathers.  Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn't mean to be rude.  It's just that I expected too many embellishments and ..."

Martha Bear® smiled to herself and patted Nancy's hand.  "There, there," said the gentle white bear.  "One step at a time.  One step at a time."

Check out one room in Nancy's home that neither she nor Martha had anything to do with - our CDO's cool room.

Our Bear Stories

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