Countdown to Christmas: 18 Days Then Why Am I So Depressed?

So much has happened this last month that I am truly not in the "Holiday Spirit".

Something is just seriously off...but I don't think I'm the only one.

I was recently in downtown New Roads, LA where there is one particular antique shop/art gallery I like to visit. It was close to closing time and the manager was decorating a lamppost outside her store.

I stopped to visit with her and she told me that all the downtown merchants were adopting a lamppost to decorate. I looked up and down the street and noticed she was the only one who had started to decorate. I hope her work inspires the others, but I have a feeling I'm not the only one procrastinating Christmas away.

I've noticed other shops where they just don't seem to have that holiday "bling" like they used to, plus the prices are SOOO HIGH!

It's not the holiday...I love Christmas.  I love everything about it from the religious aspect to secular and pagan rituals to the rampant commercialization. I just can't seem to get a grip on any of it.

Caution PROFANITY in ways only SOUTH PARK could use to enhance the true meaning of Christmas.

CAUTION! Video contains PROFANITY in ways only SOUTH PARK could use to enhance the true meaning of Christmas.

Not that I am a South Park fan, and I make it a point as to NEVER admit that I've seen "Team America: World Police" (twice), but you've got to admit that the creative genius of Trey Parker and Matt Stone has no limits. My husband, son, and I spent most of yesterday morning watching "Book of Mormon" videos on YouTube...but that is a whole 'nother blog!

It's just the rest of "life" that you can't put aside to enjoy the season. Another year is coming to an end and there is still so many things left on my to do list that will never get done.

Sometimes, "getting into the spirit" is so difficult even with the best of my Santa collection on display year round.

My family and I live in the south, so instead of shoveling snow, we trudge through piles of wet leaves and deal with "sweat" on our carports and roofs due to the every dampness of the Louisiana humidity, and the balmy air offers the perfect environment for mildew to grow on everything imaginable surface.

I don't know why we associate "snow" with Santa...but a little crisp air would be nice.

However, where the balmy days only add to my allergies, the cold aggravates my arthritis. I can't win.

Countdown to Christmas: 19 Days From Boring to Busy: Making Sure My Santas Have Something To Do!

I blogged previously on the topic of making your own heirloom Santas and here is another example of something I did to add a little extra to an otherwise boring gift giver.

 I can't recall where I purchased this Santa. He may have come from a recent collection I purchased or he was tucked in my china cabinet and I pulled him out while I was dusting and inadvertently mixed him in with the others. Either way...I thought he looked a bit boring and was in need of something important to do other than carry around a bundle of switches. I mean really, Santa, there are some good little boys and girls.

I happened upon a shop in Alexandria, LA called "New 2 U Resale Shop" (I think?) and found these little handmade cuties in a basket full of ornaments.

 I think they were just what this particular Santa needed.  I just realized that Santa's plaid pants and hat are not very visible in these photos. So, you'll just have to believe me when I say that the addition of the ornaments really perked him up and doesn't he look merrier!

Countdown to Christmas: 20 Days Some Serious Santas!

I finally put together some of my Santa collection pulling a few from the china cabinet and adding some new ones I recently purchased off eBay.

One thing about this particular group is that they are all very serious looking. I've noticed that when I create a Santa, he is usually smiling, when I buy a Santa...he's not. What is up with that?

I'm still not finished though. I'm always adding toys, ornaments, tiny trees, etc.

That and right after seeing them all set up on top of the chest, I realized I forgot to put the table runner under them.

Darn it!

Countdown to Christmas: 21 Days Another eBay Seller Rip Off

It has happened again. I was the winning bidder of this handsome Santa Claus on eBay and the seller just decided not to send it to me, nor did the seller respond to my emails.

eBay Customer Service had to step in to refund my money.

It is rather sad because he has such a great beard and hands plus I really liked the toys.

I know you're thinking that was all l needed...ANOTHER Santa!

But still, I am rather frustrated that eBay is allowing so many sellers to get away with this.

Countdown to Christmas: 22 Days Check out the Amazing Realism of Karen Vander Logt's Santas

Recently, I discovered the work of Karen Vander Logt via Santamakers Facebook page.

Her dolls are so impressive and her detail is amazing!

I borrowed a few images from her Facebook page to share with you.

Check out her biography and her website!

But for now, enjoy!

For more images of her beautiful Santas, and the work of other gifted Santa Artists, visit the Santamakers Guild Gallery.

Follow Karen Vander Logt on Facebook

Countdown to Christmas: 23 Days I BRAKE for THRIFT STORES

Today, while traveling to south Louisiana, I had to stop a couple of time to stretch my legs and get my blood flowing. One thing about having fibromyalgia and arthritis is how painful car trips are on my back, legs, and feet. Not to mention how sleepy I get with the November sun so low in the sky shining in my eyes.

I was traveling through Vidalia, Louisiana on my way towards Natchez checking out both sides of the street for a place to stop and eat that wasn't "fast food".

I spotted a church run thrift store (can't recall which saint it was named after) and did a "Yewie" (How do you spell that word that means a U-turn? Hmmmmm) to see what goodies they had to offer.

I used to brake for antique shops but now I don't do it as much to shop, but as to do research. This way, when I find a "treasure" at a thrift store, I'll have an idea of its "worth".

Which brings me to this question...how much is something worth? Of course, I get excited about something I pick up at a thrift store for $2 and find out the same item is selling for ten times that on eBay. I feel what something is worth depends on how much fun it is for me to "find" and how little I actually spend on it.

Thank goodness for Thrift Shops!

I believe a typical antique shop is for "displaying" collectibles for sale at generally competitive prices but a thrift shop, whose goal is to keep the items donated from piling up, prefers to sell cheap and fast making more money off quantity that quality. Obviously, I like to support that whole "quantity" thing and have to admit that I enjoy wheeling around a cart full of cools stuff!

After my brief stop in Vidalia, I went on to Natchez, MS and hit a few shops downtown including St. Andrews.

Natchez really is an adorable town decorated for the holidays with a Christmas tree right in the middle of an intersection! There are several antique shops, a consignment store, and a thrift store downtown tucked in amongst the other shops and NON "fast food" restaurants.

I did manage to find some fancy bath salt in the thrift store (sometimes, I just like to pamper myself) and I only had time to briefly walk through a couple of shops. 

Countdown to Christmas: 24 Days Kurt S. Adler Santa Claus Redux

Who doesn't love to accessorize!

Somewhere, I could have sworn I had already posted a blog featuring this particular Santa but I've either lost it or my mind...but probably both.

So, here goes all the things I thought I had blogged about this Kurt S. Adler Santa.

First...Let's talk about Kurt S. Adler, the leading importer of holiday decorations for over 65 years, and not Kurt Adler, the composer. Just so you know that there is a difference.

As an importer of some of the more quality decorative items, his company's products are generally very collectible.

This particular Santa just needed a bit extra. In my efforts to encourage my readers to add to their favorite Santas and create their own heirlooms, I felt this one was another good place to start.

Originally, he came with a bag of toys and a simple plastic bugle in his hand.

I've upgraded him a bit and I hope this is an encouragement to others who want to make their Santas extra special.

I spruced up the bag by adding a blown glass polar bear Coca-Cola ornament, moved the horn to the bag, added a shiny candy cane, and an older plastic nutcracker.

My personal favorite was adding a baby doll to his arms and classy green tassel ornament.

Even though she was in "played with" condition, she still added personality that some of the small porcelain dolls just could not do!

My favorite place for him is near the fireplace because the flickering flames reflected so beautifully off the sequin design on his coat.

I hope this give you some ideas!

Countdown to Christmas: 25 Days WHITE RABBIT! WHITE RABBIT! WHITE RABBIT!

For years my son, Ross, and I have a tradition that was derived from a tradition I learned in college from my friend, Tracy. On the first of the month I attempt to "White Rabbit!" him before he"White Rabbit[s]!" me in order to have good luck throughout the month...or at least BETTER luck than who got "White Rabbit[ed]).

Yes, it is for real!
"Rabbit rabbit rabbit" is one variant of a common British superstition which states that a person should say or repeat the word "rabbit" or "rabbits", or "white rabbits", or some combination of these elements, out loud upon waking (or first moment) on the first day of the month, because doing so will ensure good luck for the duration of that month.

Countdown to Christmas: 26 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 28 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 29 Days HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Countdown to Christmas: 30 Days

Countdown to Christmas: 31 Days