Be Thankful And BE The Best Gift Anyone Could Ever Receive

 

So, Sunday we went to STUDIO 108 COLLECTIVE'S Christmas Event and Nan's Antique Mall EVERYTHING GOES was also having a Christmas Parking Lot Sale too next door, so, along with the other Boutiques and Chazzas in that Strip Mall there was a lot going on.  Princess T asked if she could tag along becoz she said she was Bored, so she'd be Okay hanging out with Grandpa and I.  *LOL, what can I say,  she cuts to the chase with brutal honesty. Smiles*  Besides, Timmy and Matthew weren't back yet from their big Road Trip she didn't get to go on, but were sending her Pixs of it all, so she wanted to send dueling Fun Times Pixs.  *Bwahahaha*

They'd gone to Jerome, Montezuma's Castle, Meteor Crater, The North Rim of the Grand Canyon and a slew of other Attractions, so, she was Jelly.  *Winks*  They did get Home earlier than expected by Sunday Afternoon, so they got Home before we did.  *Ha ha ha*  It had been Timmy's Birthday Trip and all Three were supposed to go, but, she couldn't get off Work this close to a Holiday.  So, she was out Buying him his Birthday Pressies while with us, she got him a LEGO Plant that looks like a Chrysanthemum made out of tiny Banana shaped pieces, and {all pictured below} an Emotional Support Pickle.  *LOL*

So, that's all the Cool Stuff Timmy is getting for his 19th Birthday from his Straight Female Bestie.  *Smiles*  There was a LEGO Plum Blossom Kit too, so we did waffle a bit on which of the Two to Buy.  We both were slightly leaning towards the Chrysanthemum, so, it won out.   But, I'm showing you what the Cute Plum Blossom looked like too.  I'm not a LEGO Fanatic, but, I do like these, and as far as LEGO's go, they're a lot less Expensive than the other Kits which can cost into the Stratosphere now.   The Adult LEGO seem to be priced more reasonably and aren't even in Lockdown at the Stores like the spendier Kits which are in Locked Cases now like Electronics and such are.

The Man sat in the Truck while she and I picked up the LEGO, coz he wasn't feeling robust enuf to tackle a Wal-Mart right before Thanksgiving.  Especially one over by Metrocenter, which is a Human Sideshow for damned sure after Dark and a scarier part of the City.  *LOL*   He joked that she and I looked like we Fit In better, so, we'd probably be Okay and not need him as our Bodyguard.  *Bwahaha*  Besides, after the Sun goes down and he's got Sundowners going on, he's had enuf Fun for the Day and just wanted to get Home by then to watch his Reruns of his Programs.  *LOL*  We had dragged him around a lot and tho' he'd wanted to go, a Girl's Day Out Shopping Marathon is not an Olympic Sport Old Men are typically up to once they Sign Up for it.  *Winks* 

I really did Behave tho' and used amazing restraint, I didn't indulge in too much Retail Therapy, no Budget for it and so I was very selective about inexpensive choices that still gave me the same Rush of The Thrill Of The Hunt.   At the Christmas Event I only picked up an Altered Art 1960's Show Ribbon that is Black and White and now has a Bling Crown on it's Center.  It's perfect for this Year's Christmas Tree additional Ornamentation.   At Nan's Antique Mall I picked up some Antique unusual maker Canning Jars with Zinc/Milk Glass/Glass Lids that were priced so Cheap, I'd of had Non-Buyer's Regret had I not Scored them.  So, I got Four of those.  A couple of Vintage Forks, and some Antique Metal Coat Rack Hooks in a Box Lot of them also priced ridiculously low. 

At the Parking Lot Christmas Sale I picked up a couple sprigs of Faux Pine Boughs with Real Pinecones to tie onto my Antique European Bread Boards.  One also had glittery faux Snow on it, the other didn't, so, each is different and I'd needed that Purchase, so, now don't have to seek it and pay more in a Craft Store.   The Parking Lot Christmas Sale had Yard Sale Low Prices on everything Holiday related, so, there was plenty of inexpensive choices to Jazz Up your Holiday Decorating on The Cheap.  I hadn't seen it Advertised, so that was a pleasant Surprise we weren't expecting.  Princess T had Scored the Emotional Support Pickle for Timmy at one of the Boutiques there too.  They also had Emotional Support Potatoes.  *LOL*   She, Timmy and Matthew often exchange Funny Gifts with one another that have a Twisted Sense of Humor they all Share, it's Adorable!

 

She got some Dinosaur Shaped Plush Tater Tots from Matthew for her Birthday!  *LOL*   The Weirdest shit they can Source is always their most Fav Gifts to both Give and to Receive.  And The Gay Boy Posse Love the same shit that she Loves, so, they can't go Wrong buying for one another becoz they're like Triplets from Other Mothers.  *Smiles*  Anyway, she showed me all the Pixs streaming in from The Boy Posse and I must say, the Photography was Stunning and Calendar Worthy.  There were Waterfalls and places they went that even we haven't seen yet in all the Years of Living in Arizona.  So, I will have to get their itinerary Map to do a Road Trip too come Spring, so we can retrace their Route.

So, above is my Show Ribbon.   I actually have an Altered Art Show Ribbon Champagne Tinsel Christmas Tree set up Year Round in The RV Garage Mahal, so, after Christmas on our Main Tree, it will be switched to that one.   I began my Collection of Altered Art Old Show Ribbons as Christmas Tree Ornaments when my Friend Myko began making them.  Myko moved to Washington State and now my Friend Shelly makes them and I've added a few every now and again.  I have a huge Cache of Old Show Ribbons and may begin making some of my own once we get the Art Studio up and running.   It's a Fun way to Repurpose something that otherwise you might not find a Use for.

We also stopped by our Antique Mall Location in Phoenix, I always run into Vendor Friends there and Staff that I know well, some used to be at our Location as Staff or still have Spaces in both.   I picked up a Vintage Green Midsized Suitcase with Green Silk Lining, perfect for Christmas and less than half the price they were Selling for Online.  I can now make a Christmas Vignette with it by the Fireplace either Open or Closed.  I have a Thing for Vintage Suitcases and I do have a small Red One I already had, that I might bring in for the Vignette too.  Princess T picked up a bunch of Vintage Playboy Magazines and some Smalls from our Downtown Antique Mall Location, she spent way more than I did during this outing.   She has a healthier Budget.  *LOL*

She was funny coz she wanted to look thru the stacks of Playboys in the Locked Cases and is Proud that her Great-Uncle, my Brother, once Worked for Playboy.   So, she was Buying the Magazines from that Era her Uncle was a Photographer.  But, she wanted her Grandpa and I to be with her while Buying and looking thru them, so that, she wouldn't feel as awkward or inhibited with some Older Lady Key Dealer.  We have Zero Inhibitions, she knows that about Grandpa and I.  *LOL*  As it turns out, both the Older Female Key Dealer and the Young Female Cashier, both said they like Playboy too and find it less creepy when Women are Buying them than when Men are.  *Bwahahahaha*   So, her comfort level was validated, the Cashier is an Art Major and often uses them for Drawing Nudes. Which is what our Granddaughter is using them for also.  So, they had that in Common, their Passion for Art and getting Anatomy of their Subjects right/correct.   Princess T would still like to mebbe become a Tattoo Artist someday.

She was even more Jazzed when I told her about the Hidden Playboy Bunny on every Cover of Playboy, so, she spent the rest of the Night trying to locate them on the Dozen Mags she'd bought.  *LOL*  She was finding them way quicker than Yours Truly, sometimes I couldn't find them at all on some Covers.  *Smiles*   The Daughter got in on the Act and so that's how we whiled away some of Family Time on the Night of the Sabbath.  *Bwahahahaha*   We'd also renewed NetFlix so I watched some more Comedy Specials.   I'm glad we had a Fun Sunday coz Today I seem to have a house full of people not Feeling 100%.  It might be something going around, severe Allergies, or the Air Quality being Poor, we're just not entirely sure?   The Man has a VA Hospital Appointment at Podiatry Tomorrow at the Main VA Hospital.   So, I may also have him checked out to ensure he doesn't have RSV or Pneumonia, which can be deadly for someone his age with comorbidities.

We'd also had Dinner at Chino Bandido while we were out Yesterday, but, I still don't have much of an Appetite, so have more than half of it left.   Princess T Loves Chino Bandido's Jamaican Jerk Rice with Emerald Chicken, so, she got it too and if I don't eat mine, she'll eat it, so, it won't go to waste.   I don't think The Son or Princess T have to Work on Thanksgiving Day.   She said she's not gonna eat or want a Turkey TV Dinner since she doesn't like Turkey, or Stuffing, or Cranberries... so... she'll opt for Ramen for Thanksgiving.  *Bwahahaha*   We don't have anything Special Planned, just Chillin' at Home together.   We don't expect Guests either, but you never know who might drop by anyway?  Most drop by with Food... so... no complaints there.  *LMAO*  When we do make a Turkey and a Ham we always Share with Friends and Neighbors too.  We're not big on eating it as Leftovers for Days.

I'd of liked to have made a Ham, ours tend to turn out really good.  But, there are no Ham TV Dinners, so, Turkey it is this Year while we're going Ghetto Thanksgiving on a strapped Budget.  *LMAO*   I mailed all of my Out of State Christmas Cards and will hold on to the Local ones for a few more Days before mailing them out.   You can see the Local ones propped up in that Chair by the Christmas Tree awaiting mailing.  *LOL*  I always give Princess T some Christmas Cards to hand out to her Friends, they think it's Quaint that anyone still does that, so they enjoy receiving them for a Flashback Retro Christmas.  *Bwahahaha*   You forget that their Generation really never did Letters and Card exchanges ever.   Hey, they're really Into Vinyl Records again, so mebbe they'll resurrect such things as Card Exchanges or Letters, ya never know?!  Everything Old is New again!  *Winks*

Okay, so neither one of The G-Kid Force were Taught Cursive in School, so they can't Write it or Read it.  So, while at Chino Bandido we decided to take Home what we didn't eat there and Label the tops of the Container for whose it was.   Princess T Laughs, does a Kindergarten type Scribble on hers and says, LOOK, I used Cursive!   We all Laughed so hard we Cried.  *Bwahahahaha*   I don't find it actually Funny that now we have whole Generations of Young folk who can't Read or Write in Cursive becoz our School Systems were Experimenting with that whole Idea that it would be irrelevant in the Future.   In fact, there's so much they didn't Teach that they're churning out some functional illiterates in so many ways IMO.  Few can participate in Critical Thinking and often I have to explain what Words are that an Adult should already know and not have to get a Dictionary to find out what it means, when I'm talking to folks under 50!!!

Above is one of Princess T's Older Sisters who lives in Mexico.  I Love when she Shares recent Pixs and Hope to meet her, her Husband and their Two Adorable Children one day.  Her Dad has fathered a lot of Children, so, Princess T is one of 15.  *Gasp, yeah... he's a Breeder and should be Neutered.*  I don't even know all the Names of her Older Siblings, but, this Sister has stayed in contact with us.   She is the one that Abuelita Saint Maria had said looked the most like Princess T, and they both reminded her of her Dearly Departed Husband, Salvador's Father, who was Assassinated when Salvador was only 13.  He was of Spaniard Heritage and still had Family in Spain, was very high up in Government, and that happens in 3rd World Countries and Banana Republics, so, we should take heed of that Fact when we devolve into what our Politics seems to be heading towards.   This Sister went to University in Spain... she's Smart and Adorable.  But, I'm highly biased about any and all Grandkids.  *Winks*

Here's a rather crappy Panoramic View and Shot of the Parking Lot Christmas Sale going on as we arrived.  *LOL, I suck at Panoramics* They'd Hosted the Sale there and in all the Shops for both Days of the Weekend.   They were going to be having an Evening Celebration as well, but, it's a long ways to go and I don't particularly like driving at Night unless I have to.   Especially during Holidays when I know too many people may be drinking and driving.   It was a gorgeous Day tho' and the Weather was Sublime for it.   It's finally Cooled Down to a proper Desert Autumn... which, it doesn't get any better than that IMO.  It's why Snowbirds flock to Arizona to Winter here, becoz Autumn and Winter in the Desert are Perfect... and they can escape the inclement Weather and Natural Disasters where ever they come from.

I took a few more Shots of the Parking Lot Christmas Sale Tables.   This is the Vendor I got my Pine Boughs at on The Cheap... she had several Tables of Christmas Decor.   All of the Vendors in the Parking Lot also have Booths in Nan's Antique Mall, so this was a great way for them to not have to do or redo their entire Mall Space for just the Holidays.  Our Mall used to do that and it was very well attended and received, an inexpensive way for Vendors to Sell in the Parking Lot as well and not have to Rent extra more expensive Space inside the Mall for Holidays and Theme or Seasonal Specific Merch.  I don't know Why our Mall discontinued the practice, but, they haven't done it for Years now and they should get back to it given how Flat Sales are inside the Mall, even during the Holidays now.   It Stimulates Trade and that's what they should be striving to do.

This Vendor had a lot of great Red & White Vintage Graniteware, Two Tables full, which is Ideal for Christmas.    And there were so many Cute Craft OOAK items that Vendors had handmade.  I'm a Sucker for OOAK Handmade items.  I am not opposed to Crafts, tho' some Purists are, I happen to Buy more Crafty Objects that Appeal to me than those Commercially made, whether Modern or Vintage.   There's just something about Handwork that cannot be replicated by a Machine that cannot Critically Think or Express itself Artistically.   So, Yes, I'm a Fan of Handmade Objects and I always Support Local Artisans that Create their own Products.   There were a couple of Cute Shadowboxes I was Tempted to Buy {a couple Pixs below}, and I should have, since, they were only Three Bucks each and now I have Non-Buyer's Remorse for not scooping both of them up.  *Le Sigh*   Tho', I did Photograph them.

I liked these Old Ice Skates but already have a much Older Black Pair that I use for Holiday Decorating.   I didn't even check the Price coz I wasn't really there on a Buying Spree and intended NOT to Buy much, due to Budget constraints right now.   It makes you much more Selective and not so Consumer Driven and I am trying to get better at that anyway.   I actually watched a scary Docuseries on NetFlix last Night called "Buy Now, The Shopping Conspiracy", it Mirrored what I already knew about the insidious Nature of Modern Marketing and had top People in the Industry who are now Whistleblowers about it.   I've long complained about the Disposable Society we're becoming and how everyone consumes so much more than is necessary.  The intentional waste and the Lies,  insatiable Greed and insidious tactics of major Retailers.  If you haven't seen this I'd highly recommend you watch it, it's important to be informed.

 

Above is the Two little Christmas Ornament Shadowboxes I shouldda, wouldda, couldda Bought and didn't.  *Le Sigh and Eye Roll*  It's not as if Six Bucks outlay wouldda broke me... so... sometimes I can be just Silly about restraint I don't need to have.  *Winks*   These wouldda been Keepers and I could Sell Off at least Ten other Ornaments I don't use anymore to justify the Purchase and keep to my Five To One Rule.  *Smiles*   Below was another Crafty Christmas Table, I really enjoyed the Craft Object Tables best of all.   But, like I said, I came away with far less and that's Okay too, it's a Discipline I'm Working on and Hope to Continue thruout 2025 in fact as a Goal.   I want to get the necessary Home Improvement Loans Paid Down and then Paid Off quicker that we had to Finance recently, and, since Buying this Home in 2019.  It's sometimes never ending how much more you have to replace, thus, watch that DocuSeries to understand Why that intentionally is.

It all started in the 1920's so it's not 'New',  intentional obsolescence began with Light Bulbs in the 1920's.  They had actually made a Lightbulb that could last 99 Years, but there was no Profit in that, so they began making them with shorter Lifespans intentionally to stay in Business and profit more.   The same with Products that used to be able to be Repaired and now intentionally are designed so you can't, or would have a very difficult time, repairing them or finding parts to and thus must replace them instead incessantly, even if you'd rather not.   Anyway, watch the DocuSeries, it will Open your Eyes if you weren't already Aware.   I was Aware in part, but it's so much worse than I ever Imagined and they Hide so much of it that we don't See and therefore they can Cover Up what they're doing.  The Unsold Merch that is Destroyed Intentionally is Obscene. 

 What they're shipping off to 3rd World Countries to Deal with is Disgraceful.  Places like Thailand and Ghana have become Corporate 1st World Country dumping grounds.  It's called Waste Colonialism and causes Harm to the People and the Environments of those more vulnerable impoverished populations, especially with hazardous waste materials, which most Synthetics are.   The New Products introduced to keep Consumers Buying is also Obscene.  For example Shein, which is a Company all the Young People J'Adore, Princess T does and Buys a lot from them, produces up to 10,000 New Products EVERY DAY!   Do the Math to know that's not Sustainable.  And they're not the only ones, makers of Electronics, especially Phones, are some of the worst culprits.  And Plastics is a huge problem since it's not biodegradable and particles gets into the Air, Water and Food we're breathing and digesting... and most Packaging now is such Consumers can't avoid it.

But enuf of the Dark Downer Stuff, of which there is plenty enuf to dwell upon.  This is mostly a Post of Fluff of Life, the Holidays, what we can still Feel Good about.  *Winks*  It was Uplifting to be around the Holiday Merchandising and the Christmas Songs playing without people griping about it already.  *LOL*  Yep, it's a pet peeve of mine that folks can't stand Holiday Music during the fucking Holidays... oh the Horror of having to Listen to Uplifting Holiday Jingles while out Shopping or Working during The Season!  *Eye Roll*   Come On, suck it up Buttercups, first, it's not all about YOU.  And... it's not gonna Kill ya to listen to some Christmas Holiday Music instead of the usual Muzak or incessant repeated shit you'd usually have to listen to whilst Shopping or Working!  

It sets the Mood and the Atmosphere for it being the Holidays for Chrissakes.  The Complainers begin complaining on Day No. One usually and their Complaints are more grating to the Ears to Listen to than any Music!   I'd rather listen to uplifting Holiday Music than someone's bitching and complaining any day.  WTF?   Do they have to be such a buzzkill and Downer during the Holidays just becoz they appear to be Misery personified and cannot get into the Holiday Spirit?!   Fuuuck!   Seriously, every Year I do have to remind someone complaining about it being Christmas, that they don't have to Celebrate it, be Joyful ever, but, we don't Care to fucking Hear it all the time, Okay, so please shut the fuck up and be Miserable Silently will ya?   You're a Black Cloud Person and horrible to be around, especially during the Holidays.  Stay Home and don't infect everyone else's Holidays.   Too Much?  I don't Care, it irritates the Hell outta me and needs to be said becoz Secretly many people feel that way and just don't say it, too Polite or PC to. 

I mean Seriously, how many of you would deliberately Invite anyone to Share your Holidays with you and be around during Celebratory times, who you KNOW will Ruin it for everyone?   Not me and I'm not Shy about saying so.   I know some folks do struggle with Depression and all that and for many the Holidays magnifies their Negative State of Mind, I Get It.   Go get Professional Help to move you thru it in a Healthy way... dumping that Angst on everyone around you is likely not gonna benefit anyone else, or you either, just sayin'.   If you're Lonely, Sad or Bitter and it's just too much to see everyone else Joyful, I can understand that being a struggle, but, that's an Inside Job you have to Work on, we can't do it FOR you.   I can't be Joyful FOR someone nor should anyone have the burden of being the ones responsible for anyone else's Happiness... or having to endure their Misery becoz Misery Loves Company.   And that's probably not a popular Opinion, but I've dealt with being Bipolar and so have many Loved Ones, it's no excuse to Wreck other people's Holidays or Joyful Experiences.

And, I am Blogging about it becoz I know before the Holidays are a Wrap, at Work or out in Public, you are gonna run into those Downer People who loudly and incessantly complain about Christmas... or Halloween... or Easter... pick a Holiday.   Nobody wants to Hear it, Okay, just putting that out there.  If what you're about to say isn't an improvement over Silence, mebbe keep it to yourself.   If you're loathing the Christmas Music playing, quickly Shop and just leave the fucking Store.  You have Options and you don't really have to Fixate on it or gripe to everyone around you as if they Care how Miserable you're being.   The Adult Kids and The Man aren't great Fans of Christmas Music, but Princess T and I Love it and they know damned well, it's gonna be Playing this time of Year, every so often in the House, usually on the Living Room TV Seasonal Music Cable Station.  So, head for a Space in the House where you can Listen to whatever the Hell you want to, that's all.  *Winks*

 

And despite themselves, some Years when I've struggled with Keep Up with the Holidays, Decorating, Traditions, Rituals, Sights and Sounds and Smells, it's them that asks me when I'm gonna do it, coz they MISS it!   And Help me with it when they can see I'm having a hard time now doing it all by myself.   Go figure!   The Young Prince said he can't wait to get Home for the Holidays coz at their House it just looks like any other Day and so there's nothing he looks forward to except banal sameness.  He'd give anything to joke with me about having my Christmas Music on, Candles that Smell like I'm Baking something Divine, and usually overdecorating for every Holiday to give our Home the Atmosphere of what's being Celebrated and carrying on Family Traditions they've always experienced since they can remember.  *Smiles*   Now they're asking for those most Nostalgic items of the Holidays they Loved most and I'm giving it to them while I'm still Vertical.

 

And mebbe you didn't have all that, mebbe you have a lot of Triggers during Holidays of Past Traumas you can't Forget?   But, you have the Option now to make your Present and your Future Memories better ones to replace some of the Ugly ones and make them less Dominant and Living Rent Free in your Head anymore.   We've all experienced Trauma in Life, you can hardly get thru Life's Journey without some and it is often a lot to Unpack and Deal with most appropriately.   Many have far more Trauma than others and my Heart aches from them.   I'd really like for them to replace at least some of the Pain with Joy they can Manifest in the here and now.   We can't Change our Pasts, but our Present and our Future can be different.   And I do Hope that this Holiday Season you experience some Joy, Hope and Happiness, even if in the Past it has eluded you my Friends.  Big Virtual Hugs to all the Hurting People, I'm not trying to not be compassionate, but to remind you that Hurting People tend to Hurt People and that is just a vicious Cycle none of us needs.

The Daughter has been tirelessly Working in The RV Garage Mahal for me and the Progress she's making in there is her Gift to me for Christmas and it's a Priceless one.   The Son did the same with the Property Outside and that too looks Amazing and his Gift to me for Christmas and it's Priceless as well.  You don't have to spend Money to Gift someone with your Time, your Talents or perhaps your Treasures... so allow the Reason for the Season be imparted in how you interact with those in Life you truly Care about.  YOU are often the Best Gift they'll ever Receive.

*******

Blessings, Love, Light and Happy Thanksgiving, Be Thankful... Dawn... The Bohemian