Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy New Year!

To everyone in "Blog Land", especially my followers- I wish you and your loved ones a very safe and happy new year!!!

Be safe, take care of yourself, and my prayer is for God to bless all of you and your family!





Debbie @ Uneekdolldesigns

In laws- and Dr. Phil

I rarely watch t.v. but one day I was watching Dr. Phil and I was shocked, and it struck me as funny ,when he made the statement that he doesn't do the in-law thing...ever.

WHAT???? "How can you avoid it?" I was wondering.

He proceeded to say that he made it clear from day 1 to his wife that she could visit her family at any time but he wouldn't go. Now I know some people think that is being mean, but in some ways, I can see his point.

(I think all this started when hubby wanted to stop and spend a night over at his parent's house on one of the last days of heading back on our honeymoon over twenty years ago...not a good idea! )

I told my Hubby I can see why it is hard for either spouse to go to a family gathering of in- laws and feel like you really like being there among strange people who have odd ways about them compared to what you are used to being around. (Of course Hubby's family is odder than mine!)

For example, I laugh and tease and talk a lot, (shocking, I know!) but when I get to my in law's family get togethers, I often feel like I must have a huge wart on the end of my nose! Often when I say something that would have made everyone on my side of the family laugh , all I usually get is a sickly smile at best with the in laws, if that. And, when THEY laugh about things or talk about what I would call "loaded subjects", I know it just isn't funny to me because I have no idea what or who they are talking about! It also makes me glad we cannot read other's minds, otherwise no one would never speak to each other again! Wait a minute...that doesn't sound so bad after all!

And of course there are the in-laws who dispense child rearing advice to you when it is very obvious that their own haven't turned out all that well. Or, they talk about how cute it was when their little Elmo said something that you would have washed your kid's mouth out with soap for saying! That's just a few examples, but I could write a small book if I wanted to on it.....

Often I don't say much when I do have to go visit, and I sit there trying hard to be quiet, (no easy task at my outspoken age!) even when I hear statements I strongly disagree with, or that make some interesting retorts pop in my head, or make me want kick hubby's shins under the table and give him the pleading look that says "Can we go now? "

Don't get me wrong, I realize the fact is that this is my spouse's side of the family. He grew up around these people, as I did around mine, so each of us is more used to the characters we grew up around. But , except for rare cases, I would say most people don't do cartwheels of joy when they have to vist the in-laws. It is sort of like you have to be on your very best behavior and not really be yourself . (And who really likes doing that?)

As you can most likely tell, I just got back from having to be with the in-laws. Walking in our front door after visiting was like taking a girdle off after you have been wearing it all day. (or being let out of jail...not that I have experienced either of those, mind you!)

My in- laws? I would never intentionally try to be rude or hurtful to any of them, but after this past weekend, I am beginning to think Dr. Phil had something there when he said he doesn't do in-laws! Gotta admire his honesty any way!

Men...What Are They Thinking?

I have been married a good while, over 20 years to be exact. And if I have learned one thing.... it is that men do NOT think like women!

This current holiday season is a good example-

Just the other day, my husband told me to pick up something that he could put a screwdriver in that he had bought his dad for Christmas.

I go, find an elongated gift bag, and proudly show it to him...he took one look and said, "I 'm not using that, it's for girls..."

What???? "Since when???" I ask him. He shrugged and said, "It just is, gift bags are for women.." Dear, this is not a purse, it is a GIFT bag for GIFTS! No matter, he wasn't going to use it. So, I guess he is on his own. I told him he should just wrap it in newspaper...for that masculine touch. (Or toilet paper!)

Then, we started discussing what else we should get his hard to buy for father. "How about a Lowe's hardware store gift certificate?" I suggest, knowing his dad is always working on a project of some kind around the house. Hubby makes a face and says , "That seems so cheesy to me, a Lowe's gift certificate. I was thinking about an Outback Steakhouse gift card."

"Errr, ummm, dear- isn't a gift card to the Outback Steakhouse the same thing? A gift card? What's the difference?"

He paused and said, " I guess there is none, it just seems better to me..."

I shrug and say, "oh well.."

Finally, he tells me when I get home that I am to call his mom by HER request and give her all our kid's sizes, what to get them for Christmas, but she absolutely won't buy any electronics or dvds of any kind, and would I please give her suggestions on what to buy my hubby and me?

I looked at him and said, "I am no longer doing that because I do it every year and she never likes what I suggest and I hate suggesting gifts for us anyway because I have no idea what price range they mean and I don't like asking for things from anyone but you dear. Besides, you don't call my parents up and give them suggestions- so why am I having to do this?" (I said it with a pleasant smile, mind you....)

To my embarrassment, he e-mails his mother instead of calling and tells her we have no ideas for the kids becasue all they want are electronic related items and we don't want anything because what we need is too expensive anyway! I told him his mom is going to think I put him up to saying that and he probably made her mad at him. He shrugged and said, "It won't be the first time I have made her mad..." (Sigh)

Well, I have to say this...it certainly makes things interesting to see the difference in the way men and women think. I think life would be dull indeed if we did think the same way, and I suppose just because you wouldn't do it that way doesn't mean his way is wrong...just a different approach.

Now please excuse me while I go see if he has let go of the t.v. remote yet.....(another male oddity I don't get...)

Christmas Nostalgia

Most of us all have memories of Christmas....

I can remember quite a few as a kid growing up...and trust me, that was a long time ago!

When I was a kid, we didn't get a real tree too often. A green artifical one was out of the question...not sure why, but for years we has a small 4 foot or so aluminum christmas tree. Mom and Dad would put an electric color wheel in the corner, and I would be mesmerized watching the reflection of colors on the tree.

Mom and Dad weren't, and still aren't well off, but they always got us something for Christmas, no matter how bad things were. Even the time when Dad was laid off from work for over 3 years. I imagine they did without some things to do that, and that's what parents often do...

I know, because I am a parent of four!

I remember a few gifts as a kid, and for some reason, they stick out in my memory more than others...maybe because they were pretty simple. I got a bright red vinyl pocketbook and a rocking chair one year, and I have a vivid recollection of how exciting that gift was. Not sure why, but I felt so rich with that red pocketbook and sitting in that rocking chair!

One Christmas in particular sticks out in my mind as being one of the most thrilling I ever remember. That was the year that my parents got me a talking "Drowsy" doll. She had on pink polka dot pajamas, and short blonde hair cut in a "bowl" hairstyle. She had droopy eyes and she said different phrases when you pulled her string. I missed that doll after she no longer was around...but the funniest thing happened. ...

As an adult , I was driving into our neighborhood one day, and I saw this very same doll sitting out at a yard sale. Grant it, she was new, but the replica was exactly the same, except there was no string. You squeeze her and she talks. the exact phrases that the ancient relic did. I was thrilled to find her, and she has a special place on my library book shelf.

Now before you think I am a nutty middle aged lady who is regressing in her faculties to being a child, (Ok, at least I admit to the part of being a nutty middle aged lady!), just remember this:

Certain things we see or do often conjure up memories, good or bad- especially at certain times of the year. I guess that is why I bought that doll, because it made me remember a special Christmas when I was very young

I like thinking on the good things, just as the Bible instructs us to do. Negativity abounds in this world enough as it is, so dwelling on pleasant things is a good thing . We will stay happier and healthier , and we will be more fun to be around too!

Merry Christmas to all of you, God Bless!

Weddings? Been A While!

Making this couple- Frankenstein and his bride- today, made me realize I can't remember the last wedding I have been to! I have been racking my brain trying to remember and it has been so long that I can't recall when I did go...

I love weddings, but only enjoy going if I get a good feeling the couple is going to get along! I can remember going to a few weddings that I have to say were very amusing...

Like the one where I watched one of the groom's men turning sort of green while standing up on the platform, then he started weaving, then next thing I knew, he had keeled over backwards. No one missed a lick though, a couple of ushers came up and carried him off, and that was that! (I hope they didn't bury him!)

Or take the time I went to a wedding where the bride was twice the size of her groom. When it came time to kiss the bride, she bent HIM over backwards in her arms and kissed him. Bet I can guess who will be the boss in that union! :)

One wedding I attended, the minister got all mixed up and said , "We are here today to join this man and this woman in holy matlock...) Hmmm...isn't Matlock an old t.v. detective show starring Andy Griffith ? No matter, they were joined in holy "matlock" anyway, and I guess they are still together to this day!

While I am on the subject of wedding bloopers, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding where the dress was just too long on me, and as I went on the arm of one of the groomsmen, I tripped over the dress and fell to my knees on the steps of the platform...I should have prayed for the couple while I was in that position, shouldn't I have? :)

I even went to a wedding where the pianist was standing next to the candalabra on the platform while getting their pictures made. All of a sudden, her hair ignited. Luckily, her quick thinking hubby beat her head enough the flames went out. (Made me wonder if he had been waiting for such an opportunity to have an excuse to swat her...) It sure did stink up the place though!

Anyway, weddings are fun to go to, but as I have always said, no matter how fancy and nice the wedding, the real work comes after! ( Especially if you marry Frankenstein!)

Fabric Scraps Are Flying

I can not go into a fabric store without buying something. It is like being in a bakery!

Ummm, ok, maybe not that tasty, but I sure do love looking at the styles and colors and envisioning what it could become!

I think one of the strangest things about having a business online is the randomness of sales. On second thought, brick and mortar stores probably say the same thing.!

After all.who knows what makes people decide to stampede to a shop and start fighting over the merchandise or grabbing things right and left and clamor for more one one day, then the next, crickets are heard?

I have a way of handling that... it is called my surf board theory...you get on and ride the wave of activity in your shop untill it ebbs away. Then, you wait for another wave to come along. It may be a big one, or it may be a puny one, but just the same, it is a wave....and any wave is better than no wave.... (Er, I think so anyway...I have never surfed a day in my life and do not plan to, so what do I know?)

At any rate, I am busy cutting and creating... and if you come to my house, just follow the trail of scraps of fabric that are all over the place. You will be sure to find me at the end of one of them. I try to keep things neat, but in a rush, I throw being a neatnik out the window.

I guess I had better get back to work now...I am starting to babble and I have to get some things done tonight or they won't get mailed off in the morning!

Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me

Stocking Stuffers

With the holidays coming up, I bet some of you out there could use a few not too expensive ideas and also unique items for stocking stuffers. You know, besides the oranges, walnuts, and new toothbrush most end up getting? Spice it up this year and get some things they will still be talking about next year!


Visit Amy Jo's Handmade and see this ....


http://www.amyjoshandmade.etsy.com/




This "stuffed taco" is sure to be a hit with a mexican food lover on your list! Who wouldn't want something this cute in their stocking?




A man is often tough to find things for, but we women know that we like a man to smell good when he is near, so this bay rum goat's milk soap is a great stuffer for any guy's stocking!

You will find it and more at CarvelCountrySoaps:


http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com/







While you are at it, remember that most any one on your list can use some refreshing and moisturizing lotion. No matter what climate you live in, lotion is a nice luxury to have on hand, and even better when it smells like mint and rosemary! How refreshing is that?

Pick some up from BL Soaps and don't forget to get a few extra for yourself!


http://www.blsoaps.etsy.com/






I have one more cute stocking stuffer to show you-


But first, let me ask you, do you like S'mores?
You know, the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate all mushed together in a wonderful and high calorie delight? Of course you do!


But who wants the calories along with it? (Well, I guess I don't really care when I am eating one!) But one way to have a S'more in your hand and have it not add one more pound to the hips is this S'more notebook from Refresh:


http://www.refresh.etsy.com/









Who couldn't use a notebook to carry with them in case you need to write something really important down? (Like your mother -in-law's birthday, or a reminder not to forget what it was you are supposed to remember not to forget! )


There are so many wonderful little ideas at Etsy for stocking stuffers...but the time is now to get them or you may be shedding tears of remorse that you didn't act sooner!

New Shop!

Just a quick note, I decided to expand my horizons, and am opening a new online shop in addition to my Etsy shop. The web site is called Art Fire and it looks promising!

(Not that they promised anything, but it is nice to think positively, don't you agree?)

I just added a few new designs there, including a new Queen Elizabeth I character and an Audrey Hepburn from My Fair Lady.

If you check it out and like what you see, and decide to sign up there as a seller, be sure and use The Old Curiosity Shop as a referrral! :)

Link: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=12181

Not Again!

Just a postscript to last evening's blog on the adventures of raising teenagers....
My college age daughter , ( the one I stayed up till 1:00 a.m. for ), went out to her car this morning and in a few minutes I get a call from her on her cell phone that she is stuck in some snow.

I peek out the window, and she was up to the car's hind end in packed snow. And it was packed underneath too...yipe! (All because she turned the car in the wrong direction to avoid it.)

Dejavu...this exact same scenario happened last year. I thought she had learned from it, but...well...let's just say I wasn't too happy about it. Hubby was at work so I had to don full gear and shovel and try to get her out. The car was packed in...wind was whipping so hard I kept losing my muffler. I don't like cussing, and don't do it- but I admit I was searching my vocabulary for the way I was feeling...and the words I knew didn't work...LOL

I tried for 20 minutes to get her out...my teenage son tried helping...we just couldn't get it to do anything. Oh well- I called Hubby and as it stands, he is now out there trying to get her out.

(Why don't young people listen to our wise and ancient wisdom from years of mistakes and experiences? Or at least learn from their previous errors?)

I can't wait to see what happens next...LOL