Countdown to Christmas: 13 Days Santa's Little Helpers...American Horror Story "Coven" the Holiday SpecialS

Who knew?

I decided to catch up on the season of American Horror Story "Coven" that I refused to watch on television because I am sick of commercials.

Did you get that TV executives! SICK of them!

I'm a bit spoiled to Netflix and I am pretty sure I can no longer follow a weekly show because I would probably forget most of what happened the week before and be like "HUH?" especially with the complexities of this show.

The American Horror Story series are not only wonderfully written with outrageously developed characters who are superbly portrayed by amazing talent...the cinematography is spot on! It is so visually appealing (or unappealing) that I find it very difficult to decorate for visual "happenings" taking place. In fact, I had to turn OFF the TV so I could blog. I don't want to miss a frame!

But is is the appropriate source of entertainment one should indulge in while decorating the house for Christmas?

Probably not!

But, I just love it!

So, KUDOS to my favorite ladies: Kathy Bages, Jessica Lang, and Angela Bassett! You did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life.

I'd hate to offend theses lovely ladies by saying they are perfect for these roles but Damn, guurrrllzzz! you are all so incredibly skilled at your "craft" (just trying to be punny) and I am really enjoying this series.

Countdown to Christmas: 14 Days Celebrating the Holidays with Public Schools in the South

I have two jobs that both involve my visiting different schools in different Louisiana parishes.

One thing I have come to notice is that these schools don't worry about what is "politically correct" or "sensitive" to the religious preference of their students. They just flat out enjoy the season.

Sitting outside the office of one particular elementary school was an artificial tree decorated with colored lights and sparking ornaments. Beside the tree were bikes which I assume was an incentive for some sort of fundraiser. Caucasian Santa and Mrs. Claus mechanical dolls poised on a table, loomed over the sign up sheets in their lethargic, hypnotic way.  (You'd have to read my previous post about white Santas and the irony that this was a predominantly non-caucasian school)

Albeit, there was no Creche nor religious symbolism, the spirit of the upcoming "Winter Break" was well depicted.

However, when I entered a high school in another parish this morning, Christmas hymns were being piped over the intercom system and "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" greeted me when I walked in the door.

I loved it!

Of course, I'm up for celebrating ALL holidays and educating our young people on all religions and customs.  Choosing a preferred religion is a personal decision, but respect is a public responsibility.

So, whether you are for spreading a little holiday cheer in public spaces or vehemently against it, remember the overall effect that is being sought...

Countdown to Christmas: 15 Days Santa's Little Helpers...Guardians of the Galaxy and Other Fun Times with Family

Guardians of the Galaxy

Sometimes you just need a little help getting through the Holiday Season filled with Joy...and I'm not talking about the dishwashing liquid!

Well, I had some fun watching Guardians of Galaxy with my sons. Of course, they didn't offer to take me when it came to the theater! But snuggled on the sofa with a fire flickering the gas fireplace made it even more special!

This is a great family movie. With the exception of some--how did they put it?--cartoon violence, it is action packed with awesome effects and very likable characters...with the exception of how-they-say-it-in-the-biz...a seriously undeveloped antagonist. Plus, the writers could have done more with Drax and his dialogue. If you have a character who speaks so profoundly, then by all means, let him speak! Groot had more dialogue than this thesauric character. (I made thesauric up, so I should get credit for it!)

But Rocket is my favorite! Not that Chris Pratt doesn't bring it! I am just a bit biased.

When I was a little girl I had a pet Raccoon named Raquel and I have to give kudos to the CG Arteeests who really captured the constantly moving hands and curled up nose of Rocket's facial expressions. Bradley Cooper deserves an Academy Award! 

Thank you Oreo and friends for making this possible. 

"WHO?" do you ask is Oreo? 

Read the credits! 

Thanks to all those involved who brought Stan Lee's characters to life. If you weren't familiar (as I wasn't) with the Guardian of the Galaxy comic book series...well, now you know at bit about it. If you are a diehard fan of the series, please...let us newbies just enjoy a fun family film. 

Countdown to Christmas: 16 Days Letting My Community Down

I attended an annual Christmas party at our local museum.

I had just come from work two hours away, and after trying on four "holiday" outfits that no longer fit, I changed back into my rumpled, non-festive work clothes, added a Santa pin, and headed to the party.

There is always great food at this particular party and I must admit that the yearly membership dues are well worth the bellying up to the trough to support our museum.

I live in a relatively small and close-knit town, so I tend to know a lot of people through my previous involvement with my community.

But as I visited with other guests that I literally had not seen since last year's party, I realized that my participation in my community was seriously laking.

I haven't been to church in a few years. Really, since my father died. Just a few days after he passed, I sang with my church's choir as we performed Handel's Messiah. Some of my choir members were surprised to see me there so I told them I was doing this for my father.

Shortly after that, hot flashes made being draped in a polyester robe unbearable and the fibromyalgia and arthritis pain made sitting in the pews equally distressing.

To make matters worse, I began to loose, not only my voice due to chronic bronchitis, but my spirit as well.

I would sit there in church disagreeing with most of what my pastor was saying. This was very upsetting to me and I was really having a hard time sorting it all out. Without proper "spiritual" guidance, I simply drifted away.

Then there was the occasion where our congregation were prompted to read aloud a promise of our financial support for exorbitant building funds  on what I deemed an unneeded addition to our church.

From my perch in the choir loft, I looked out over something I felt had been conjured from of a demonic horror film as the congregation droned out some form of a Gregorian chant that completely unnerved me. This was the same congregation that I had observed from a seat in the choir loft just a few month before, that held aloft small glowing candles, there faces lit like a chorus of angels as they sang Silent Night at the Christmas Eve service.

I stopped going to church after that.

My lack of church attendance went unnoticed by my pastor, but the occasional email and phone call from my choir director was really the only encouragement I had to return. However, when I did show up for an Easter service...I looked over at my husband and told him that I could no longer be spiritually lead by this particular pastor. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, the pastor resigned shortly after that, but I still have not returned to my church to meet our new pastor.

My involvement with my community dwindled because most of the people I volunteered with were also church members or of that ilk that would quickly criticize my fall from Grace.

This was a journey and I had to take along.

I just wish someone could have stepped up to help my youngest son.

I learned the hard way that no matter how much you do for your community or church, when you need THEM...

This isn't the best way to embrace the Christmas holidays and attending a wonderful gathering at our museum should not leave me feeling so forlorn.

But this is how it is for so many people during this time of year.

Be kind to one another. Offer not only merriment to the poor, but to those who are poor in spirit.

Countdown to Christmas: 17 Days Unraveling the Christmas Tree

We dragged our artificial tree from its eleven month hibernation yesterday and spent the majority of the day unraveling one strand of pre-lit twinkle lights because half the strand was out.

And no, it did not need a new fuse. My husband checked. Or maybe it DID just need a new fuse and I should have checked it.

Let me put it this way.

I asked him to find something I could use to pry the tiny fuses out of the plug. Instead, he went out to the shop to get his fancy multi-meter and upon "checking" the strand with his fancy multi-meter, he declared it dead. He NEVER did as I asked (to change  out the fuse) however, he did go on and on with his thesis about how a mulit-meter works, etc.

So, after painstakingly removing NOT only the strand of lights but the also  the entire row of lower limbs (because we did not have a strand of lights that matched plus the lower limbs are so low that they are a pain anyway) with a Dremel tool and unwrapping the next row seven limbs and rewrapping a remaining strand of lights of allow for the branch (yes, I said "branch" as in ONE branch) that had no lights...there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth!

I keep envisioning some eight year old Chinese girl tiny fingers clipping millions of those little green horseshoes to attach the strands of lights to the limbs.

Thank goodness for National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation"!

We'll be the hap-hap-happiest bunch of assholes this side of the nut house!

One of our holiday traditions is to watch Clark "Sparky" Griswold demonstrate everything his father taught him about exterior illumination. It is one of those inspirational films that kicks of the Christmas season reminding us not to set out goals or expectation too high!

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.