Holiday Decor III

Seandor, what a gorgeous home. I love that moulding -- I want to move to your neighborhood!

A bunch of Santas

Thank you wrightie - it was a bit of a wreck when we bought it 5 years ago - Here is one of the reasons we bought it - the original Victorian bar - complete with brass rail. this is in the games room (aka Canada Room) on the third floor)

Our collection of Christmas pencils, etc. Every year Santa places something like pencils or tall swirl sticks in our stockings. These have been saved for more than 25 years - and they are always displayed on the bookcase using My Dave's old bottle collection as stands.

I love it! I wonder if we could find jobs in Springfield ... I'm ready to move.

It sounds like you've done an awful lot of work in just five years - very impressive.

Jobs in Springfield come in two forms - high skill finance, insurance, and education positions (lots of colleges around here) and low end service jobs - Wal-Mart etc.

This used to be the hubub of industry and was known as the "city of firsts" - first American gasoline powered auto was built here for instance. But industry abandoned the city starting in the 1970s - and free trade and the global economy has only made things much worse for factory workers.

BUT if you are part of the middle class - you can get a real deal on an old victorian home in the historical districts. We bought ours in 2002 for $175,000. Our most recent tax assessment - based on 2006 data, values our house at $299,000. With the market slump it is probably worth a lot less now - but still more than our total investment thus far.

OMG on the price / investment. As for the economy, that makes me sad! It sounds a lot like the situation in upstate NY, where I'm from. I'd move back up North if I thought that we could maintain our current income and lifestyle. I nearly went to grad school in Springfield back in '90 and I do like that area. Well, you've got yourself a beautiful old home and I think I remember seeing photos of your garden a while back -- also very lovely!

Thanks wrightie . . . Maryland probably has better winters :-)

Beautiful, Michaela! I love the house too. I love wood. That's the job situation everywhere! I would only add high tech (in certain areas) and health care to the better jobs.

Don't work Dave too hard! He needs to take things a bit slower now.

You try telling him that! He has the "small man" syndrome. Has to prove he can do everything. So he has a heart attack then three weeks later he insists on running the snow blower because he presumes I'm mentally retarded when it come to things mechanical. the silly thing even has an electical starter so I don't even have to pull on anything.

His cardiologist told him the chest pains he felt afterwards was because he had overexerted himself (duh!)

But the idea of a "mere" woman moving all the snow is too morifying to him - and to have the neighbours help, why - that's even worse.

If you know any cure for "small man" syndrome - short of open heart surgery, please let me know. Thanks.

Big Woman.

Uh . . . well I am taller than most - but not THAT big!

The Wizard of Oz is on. I remember when it used to come on every Easter!

Here's a trivia question for you...

What other actress was considered for the role of Dorothy?

Charlotte Rae ;)

Shirley Temple.

very good Victor. How about - who was supposed to be the Tin Man before Jack Haley took over the role?

That one I don't know.

Buddy Ebsen. He was hospitalized two weeks into the filming as he had a severe allergic reaction to the silver paint. I wonder how that changed his life?

Jan, I love your idea of a "favorites tree"! I might start doing that next year. Your village looks very nice, too! I showed my 15-yr.-old dd your Groom tree because she's a Trek/Wars fan and she said, "I really like these people!"

Michaela, your pencil/stick tradition is fantastic! What a great memory maker!

I have a small village set-up, mostly WalMart buildings, that the kids love to (have me) put out each year. Only problem is there's no room for it anywhere, so we pull out my potting table that's in the pantry/computer/laundry room to the middle of the room. Becky takes out her little one inch Polly Pockets and such to play in the village!

These are my two favorite buildings - the Pine Tree Inn and Ski Lodge from the White Christmas movie.

This is my cat Smokey - we nicknamed her Godzilla because she likes to sit on the table in the "town square". In this photo, she's staring intently at the Toy Factory - there's a tiny conveyor belt with glued-on toys that she's fascinated with.

These two will be 'decorating' my house Christmas morning with lots of love and fun, so I hope you don't mind if I post a pic of my grandchildren.

Polly, they're so cute! The one on the left has a mischievious twinkle in his eye!

Thanks, Jamie is 8 and Jenna 5. She is definitely the sparky one, and he's a lovebug. They are the light of my life.

Very cute Polly! Anita, now that you mentioned that, it does ring a bell. Of course, Jack Haley could never be Barnaby Jones!

oh my goodness... so many good pictures... love the mini roses & the brug... & the santas and the village pics and godzilla is the best

Allison

I have to laugh. My cats always had to be right in the middle of everything too.

Our cats each received their annual gift of catnip-stuffed mice yesterday. I just love watching the ridiculous things my usually laid-back older cat does after a whiff or two of catnip!

I love the idea of a 'Groom's Tree'!! My DSIL would have motorcycle and car ornaments all over it. I'll have to consider the idea for next year.

Sue, love your village. I think I'd probably like the toy factory best...Smokey has good taste LOL

Polly, those 2 have got to be SO much fun on Christmas.

Michaela, I just love all the woodwork. I can't imagine what a job it must have been. the floors look magnificent. (your oriental rug is just what I would have picked). it's cool that you decorate your brug. I usually have something on my rubber tree and a big snake plant, but didn't get around to it this year. it was my granddaughter's idea.

Candy, we used to hang a stocking for our cats with a catnip toy in it and it drove them wild because they couldn't get to it. too funny. they couldn't open it until Christmas.

I'm glad everybody likes the groom's tree. have to tell DH. Of course all the Star Wars/Star Trek are his, and the Dad/Grandpa ones the kids have bought him, and the Air Force ones, but I get a kick out of him opening boxes and saying, 'This one's mine, this one's mine, this one's mine.'

Polly - I looks like Santa better come through for those kids to avoid a karate chop.

Well the wrapping is done. That has got to be the worst part of Christmas. It's such a waste when you think of it. Yet, it wouldn't be Christmas without the gift wrap!

Al, I think Santa is one of the karate masters. It was at a karate function. Jenna might take him, though.

They are tons of fun for Christmas. They were here today and sat staring at their presents under the tree---can't we just open one, Grammy, can't we, huh, can't we, why can't we?

Cats are so much fun at Christmas, especially with the ribbons.

Well here are a few pics of my home decorated.... This is my fireplace which I usually keep low key with my gold tree and a few candles....

My lazy reindeer! I just love him sitting in funny positions...

I love red bows with bells and I have them up in several places...I find it makes a big difference. LOVE BOWES!!!

My tree light up!

My tree with the flash on LOL

Closer pic of some decorations my daughter helped pick out...can you tell? She is 4. I think this picture is pretty!

My decorated banister with cards and other things...

Wow! Your tree is beautiful - you have one smart little girl!