The Evolution Of Holidays... And... America

 

I'm adding some finishing touches on Christmas inside the House.  I need to get started on my Christmas Cards Tonight, I'm late getting them done.  But our List grows smaller every Year, so, not as many to do.  So may put on some Christmas Music, make some Orange Spice Tea and get around to that Tonight, so I can Mail them in the Morning when I take Princess T to Work.  We haven't received any yet.  I will be Working tomorrow Night myself, last fill-in day I've committed to before Christmas.  I don't know I'll take on more Shifts during the Holidays if they call me, but, we'll see how it goes?  We're not doing anything Special for the Holidays anyway, no Budget to and The Man's Health has been too sketchy to be Calendaring much in.

At least with getting a Check next Payday from the Antique Mall I'll be able to give each Grandchild and Kiddo some Cash for their Pressy.  And send some to the Grandkids in Mexico too, all Three of them in Mexico have Birthdays between December 13th and January 4th!  The Youngest of the Trio's Birthday is December 27th!   So, that's a tight grouping to be able to fund right at the Holidays and those Kiddos really Need the Financial Help we can manage to help them with since their Paternal Grandma Saint Maria Died.  We found out from the Oldest, that the Middle one is still in School but the Youngest had to drop out this Year coz there was no Money to send her too.  The Middle One has Special Needs and the Youngest is an Honor Student, so felt she could re-enroll and catch up easier.  So, made sure her Special Needs Sister got Tuition and the School Uniform Money we sent them.

 

We also found out from the Oldest One that she no longer has to Support the Middle Sister, who is the Prodigal.  Apparently she's Dating a Boy her own Age now {she was Dating Older Men which wasn't Okay coz she's Underage}, and has moved in with he and his Single Mother.  Apparently the Boyfriend's Mother has taken her under her Wing, making sure she goes to School, helps with Homework and is Okay Supporting her.  Often in Mexico that's not uncommon when Children become Orphaned, someone within the Community takes them in and finishes Raising them.  Since Maria had Custody, and their Father is in Prison, and The Daughter never had Custody since she's too Mentally Ill, they are Technically Orphans there as far as anyone is concerned.   

 

The Oldest One told her Mom that the Middle One's Boyfriend and his Mother are good and decent people who really Care about her Sister, so, that's good.  She was too much of a handful for her slightly Older Sister to Raise, and needed a more Maternal Older Woman's influence.  The Youngest, like the Oldest, are Golden Children and I don't have to worry so much about either one of them.  Like their Older Sister, Princess T, they are Old Souls and Mature way beyond their Years from being Raised by a Grandparent.  I think the Middle One only has Issues coz of her considerable Special Needs, she has Academic Learning Disabilities that are profound, and, Behavioral Issues, likely due to Mental Illness.  She is a Beautiful Young Girl tho' so it's all a 'hidden' Disability.  She acts much like their Mother did at that Age and it was too much for me too, so I couldn't Imagine being an 18 Year Old Sibling trying to Raise one like that!

Long time Readers know I couldn't get our Three Mexican Born Grandchildren across the Border Legally and wouldn't do it Illegally or thru Shady Corrupt Officials of either Country.  The American Side tried to extort Money from us, lots of it, it's all so Corrupt, and Pay to Play, like this President's Pardon's being "Bought", you have no idea.  Our Immigration System is so broken and no Politicians will fix it, they've had Generations to and haven't, so, they don't really benefit from fixing it.   Follow the Money, exploitation of an underclass of foreign Labor says it all, American Businesses have prospered for Years by Hiring Illegals and making it so difficult to have a Legal Path to Immigrate or to Citizenship.  My Filipina Friend Amy, from the Antique Mall, has been Married to an American Military Man and Served alongside him.  Now he's Retired, she's now his Caregiver too as his Health failed, for 41 Years together and her being in America, and only JUST was able to become a Naturalized Citizen!  

She's so excited and when she Posted it on Social Media, all of us who are Friends Congratulated her but the vile, Racist, Hateful and ignorant broad assumption, jumping to inaccurate conclusions, of comments made by MAGA Assholes angered me.  So I responded to some of the worst ones, putting them on Blast for incorrectly Assuming she was an Illegal the whole time!!!  And the cruel but predictable vile rhetoric they parrot of this vile Administration about all Immigrants.  My Friend took the high Road and just responded to the Kind and Positive responses, ignoring all the other Trolls who don't even know her and her Dear Family.  Her Adult Children, half of them Honorably Serve in the Military like their Dad had, Loving their Country enuf to defend it and put their Lives on the line for it.  Unlike this Draft Dodging Coward of a President who thinks all our Military and Veterans, along with their Families, are Suckers and Losers.

First of all, my own Mother Married an American Serviceman and lived in this Country {with the exception of Dad's accompanied Deployments and Tours of Duty Abroad} from Age 21 to Age 84 and never became a Naturalized Citizen, but was here Legally and carried a Green Card.  You can't apply for Naturalization for Seven Years anyway.  And there's a LOT required of you to even be Granted a Green Card.  An Immigrant can still Love their original Homeland and be Proud of their Heritage and Culture.  My Mom had to wait Two Years for her Green Card AFTER already being Married to an American GI, who was even a First Nations ORIGINAL American, before he could even bring her into the Country Legally.  So he had to apply for a Compassionate extension to his Tour of Duty in Great Britain.  She had to take English Proficiency Classes and be able to Read and Write in English.  English wasn't her First or Native Language, but she Thankfully knew some already. 

Then take and Pass a long Test with Hundreds of Questions, that most Americans wouldn't even know the Answers to of their own History and Country.  Be Counseled by my Dad's Commanding Officer who tried to talk her out of going to America since she was Married to a Man of Color and he rightly advised her things would be very hard for her in this Country, and for any of the Children they might have, with an Intercultural Interracial Marriage . It was A LOT!   My Dad made a Career out of the Military, unlike his Siblings who got out and went back to live on the Rez, who had been Enlisted for a time Serving their Country, becoz he knew my Mom would and could never adapt to living there and we wouldn't have the opportunities we would have either.  I'm Grateful for the Sacrifices my Parents made for us to have every Opportunity to access The American Dream.  Every Immigrant came for that Dream too and work hard to Earn it.

 I'm Tired of the disenchanted and shallow of America looking for handy Scapegoats to vilify and blame for everything.  To project their Anger towards, for whatever they feel upset about for how their lives are.  Or whoever they feel is beneath them and they assume they are superior to, not for the content of Character, but by Color of their Skin, their Religion, Ethnicity, Country of Origin, Sexual Orientation or Gender.  I was Happy and Proud of my Friend for Acing all the myriad of requirements she had to navigate to become an American.  It wasn't as easy for her as just having the good Fortune to be Born here.  The American Dream has to be worked harder at for many Americans too, many are Born with considerable disadvantages that become barriers to attaining it.   My Dad used to Work 2-3 Jobs all his Adult Life to afford my Brother and I Advantages he never had and would never have had, even as and becoz of being an Indigenous American.

 This may have been the 1st Photo in his Life my Dad ever had taken, he was around 23 Years Old at the time and had been in the Military since Age 17.  This is a Photo taken in North Wales, my Mom's Country, when we had Military Bases there.  His Older Brother was also Stationed abroad at the time.  Many Generations of my Native American Relatives have Served our Country in the Military to defend America and risk their Lives for it.   None were born in extreme Privilege, none would come back to an America that treated them Well.  And they aren't the only Americans Serving who that can be said of.   A lot of our Military are of Marginalized Groups, many Americans of Color and Women Serve Honorably, many of the LGBTQ Community have Served, even back when they had to do so without their Sexual Orientation being known, lest they be discharged for being who they were. 

  My Dad and The Man Served in Segregated Units in the Military during their lengthy Careers.  Dad due to Ethnicity, The Man due to his Religion.  I didn't even know or was Aware that in the 1970's LDS Service Members were often Segregated due to their Religion.  But they Serve with Honor and Integrity despite whatever challenges or discrimination they might face daily in America, not just in the distant past, but, still.  And as a Nation we should become more enlightened so that we don't treat ANY fellow Americans as an 'Enemy' and ANY fellow Human Beings with inhumanity.  Some Humans can be so Cruel and Inhumane, and not be Ashamed of it.  They should be Ashamed and held to Account for their Inhumanity by Decent Society.

Moving On... you can't reason with Ignorance, you can only put it on Blast when confronted with it or just ignore it.  Some folks will choose to remain ignorant and Hateful their whole lives, that's their choice, it doesn't have to be ours.  We can be the AmeriCANS, and represent America in Positive Honorable and  enriching ways to each other and the rest of the World.  Now on to how The Daughter's Gig went.  We were supposed to be there by 12:30, and were JUST about to arrive when we got a last Minute Text saying the Cleaning Job would have to be Cancelled, the Kids were Sick, could we re-schedule for Thursday perhaps!?   It's a very long Commute and due to Holiday Traffic had taken over an Hour to get there, but, Sick Kids happens.  I told The Daughter she'd just have to accompany me to the Shops in the area I would have hung out at while she works, since, Hell, we're way over there now anyway.  *Shrugs*

Well, we're halfway now down the Freeway when she gets another Text from the Client saying she's running a bit Late, but, Sorry, she'll be there shortly after 12:30, so just wait on her.  WHAT?!  Ruh Roh, The Daughter now realizes the 1st Text wasn't for her Tuesday Client's Housecleaning Job, but with another Client's Housecleaning Job that would be on Wednesday Afternoon!!!   Fuuuuck... now I'm trying to navigate a side of the city unfamiliar with me to hurry up and get back to Client No. 1's Home and not be too late now!!!   Shit.  Of coarse I get disoriented, flustered, get lost for 15 more Minutes, so we arrived half an Hour Late!!!   She was Cool about it when The Daughter explained we thought that 1st Text had been from her and not another Gal she Cleans for, both have Children.  Whew... so, all was well, she just had to Work until 5:00 p.m. now, which put us in the thick of Rush Hour traffic coming back Home.

But, I had a Big Time having my Mediterranean Luncheon and Shopping at Fav Shops in the Eastside location.  "Ivy & Sage" never disappoints and I got tons of fresh Blog Fodder to Share here and in Future Posts up to Christmas.  I did a small bit of Retail Therapy and bought a OOAK Snowman to go with my Collection from the Artisan that I've bought from before over the Years.   And I bought a Gourmet Jam called "Lime in Da Coconut" {had it before, Loved it, they only had Two left}, some Christmas International Gingerbread Cookies that melt in your Mouth and I Buy every Year as a Guilty indulgence, and a Felted Wool Pom-Pom Christmas Garland from "World Market".

I've only downloaded my Images from my Phone taken at all the Stores and Events I've been to since last Thursday up 'til now.  Most of my Photos were taken with my Old School Camera and still need to be downloaded to my Computer from the Memory Card.  So, lotsa Imagery is coming for Future Posts and you've just been getting a small Sampling for the past few Posts that were taken on my Phone.  It has a good Camera but not much Memory so I don't take a lot of Pixs with it, just instant ones I wanna Share immediately in Real Time, mostly on my Book of Faces Page with Family and Friends that might never Read or even Visit my Blog.  In fact, few folks I know Read this, only Princess T's Young Friends seem to like falling down this Rabbit Hole into our Lives.  *Winks and LOL*

I personally find Blogs to be more intimate and revealing than Real Life tends to be, just from the Blogs I follow and my Observations about the Blogging Community as a Collective.   I think you can Know a fellow Blogger almost quicker than you can Know someone in Real Life you've had interactions with for Years, mebbe Decades.  In Real Life of Modern Day America, Honestly, so many people are disconnected and superficial with their interactions with one another now.  It didn't used to be like that and I think a lot of Young People are being shortchanged with how Isolating Socially that can Feel and often Be.  So, they turn to their Devices to fill that Void left by a Society that is Isolating more and more from one another and not necessarily connecting in meaningful ways anymore.  That's my Observation and Opinion, as a Dinosaur of a different Era and Time that I recall being SO different from Now.

My New Snowman's Name is William and he's holding a Tree.  I agonized of which to get... this one or a more expensive one called Jim, that was pictured several Pixs back in this Post.   Jim was a bit bigger and heavier and I couldn't justify paying $15 more for just that, when I Liked them equally, so I went for less expensive.  *Ha ha ha*  Plus William's Grey Scarf matched the Color of his Beanie and Jim's didn't... so William had more Fashion Sense.  *LMAO*  I'd agonized before when I bought Snowman No. 1, Oscar, on whether to get him or Arthur, whose still unsold and there.  I did toy with getting Arthur too but resisted spending over budget impulsively, which, can happen.   Plus, my Vignette is full now so one more would be hard to find Placement for in it.

My Collection of Three Gnomes and Two Snowman from this Artisan I've amassed, make a nice Vignette, along with whatever else we stuck up there on our Holiday Interior Vignette behind the Sectional Sofa.  And, you can see the Felted Pom-Pom Wool Garland now hung.  They Felted the Wool like Tie Dye, see Pixs Below of Close-Ups of the Felted Wool Pom-Pom Balls it's made of, Wooden Beads in between.  "World Market" does get in some really nice Imported Decorations for the Holidays.  So, I'm always Tempted to get at least some.  I kept my Dia de los Muertos Frida Kahlo Felted Ornaments hung on the Vignette from the last Holiday coz they transferred well with my Colorful Christmas Theme of this Year of Bright, Cheerful and Fun Decorations.

It's Simple little things to add to the Holidays that Delight me more than receiving Pressies from anyone.  I like the Reason for the Season, and the Atmosphere of Decorating for it, that's enuf for me personally.  I don't even feel a Need for a Gift Exchange and would have a great Christmas even if there were no Gifts for me.   Some Christmases that were leaner than others, we concentrated only on the Kids and/or the Grandkids exclusively.   Kiddos like the Gift part.  *Winks*   I do miss having Christmas Parties to go to.  And when you're no longer Working, or your Employer doesn't Host them either anymore, it's not like many folks throw Christmas Parties at Home anymore.   Like the Old Days when we all seemed to and Hosted many a one over the Years and attended even more that our Friends or Family Hosted over the Years, or our Employers did, when everyone just did.  And now... don't.

There has been an Evolution of the Holidays... and... America... no doubt about it.   We've devolved in so many ways really, and that's a Shame, I don't mind Evolution if it's a Positive one, Positive Changes I not only embrace and accept, but am Thankful for.  We can be Nostalgic or Sentimental about what Used to Be, but, if Now is Better, it's easier to Release The Past and not Long for it again necessarily.  But, Negative Change inhibits that considerably.   Hard to move Forward or accept Negative Change becoz it is a Weight to bear that isn't Pleasant, isn't Comfortable, isn't good for us.

On a Positive Note, The Young Prince Called me this Morning and told me the Talk he and Allen had went well about splitting for good.  Allen is helping him pack and pay for the Move back to Arizona, they had a Civil Mature discussion about the benefits to them both trying to be amicable about Divorcing.  They want each other to Be Well and have a Good Life Moving Forward, that's important.  I think they didn't have Shared Vision for the Future and Love isn't enough if there's no Shared Vision, becoz different Visions for the Future can only lead to Division and probably a measure of resentment if one Person Sacrificed their Vision for the others different one.  It will be beneficial to both of them if the Civility and Care for each other Holds?

I did find out why the lengthy Layover in Denver of 5 Hours going back.  Clovis has a small Airport that only Flies in and out of Denver.  Even with a 5 Hour Layover, there were only 4 People on the Plane as Passengers flying back on a Commercial Airline.  That can't be profitable and would operate at a Loss, so makes perfect sense now.  You couldn't have One Passenger on a Commercial Flight anywhere... even only 4 is not profitable for the Airline.  He did say Clovis Airport is expanding and will have another Gate now, a lot of Texans fly out from Clovis apparently.  A lot of Clovis Residents live in New Mexico and Work in Texas but don't wanna Live there.   Allen will Rent a POD from U-Haul and just have it delivered so The Young Prince can just Fly back unencumbered, but his Stuff will already be here.

I think once his stuff is back here he'll feel less anxious.  We always form attachments to our possessions and losing them all would be hard for anyone, no matter how little or how much you have.  Most of what he owns is his Art and he's put a lot of Heart and Work into his Art, as any Artist does.  He's not trying to take anything that is Allen's or leave Allen with nothing, he has everything he Needs here and we don't have room for a Household full of stuff.  So he's leaving all their Shared Household items and majority of furnishings there, only taking his personal items and Sentimental items that belonged to him before he was ever Married and has been handed down to him from our Family.  Allen doesn't want or Need any of that anyway.  Allen isn't losing any possessions that are his, or that they mutually made a Household with, it will be left for his use.  We have a full Household of Stuff, everyone's Stuff.  Too Much Stuff.  *LOL*

I have a Shift Tonight and should Price some Merch to take in with me again.  I'm waiting for it to Warm Up in the She Shed, but it's still only 53 Degrees Outside, so a Non-Climate Controlled Space is too Cold yet.  It's early tho', and I CAN Price some Merch here in our Bedroom while watching the TV without interruptions or being disturbed.  The Family know if the Door is Closed, don't bother me unless it's real important.  The Dining Room is still messy with Stuff that shouldn't be in there.  I don't think it will get cleared out before Christmas tho'.  It migrated in there from other Rooms we did clean and clear out of Stuff so the Holidays would have less clutter laying around that shouldn't even be in the Main House.  We got that one Ram Mount hung, so it freed up a lot of Floor Space it took up for a long time, too long.

 

I also NEED to get at least some of my Christmas Cards done, but here I sit Blogging with The News on TV as background noise.  *LOL*  I Priced a Fisher Price 1970's Multi-Store that was from Sesame Street, I don't have all the Furnishings and People that came with it so priced it accordingly.  I'd not seen one secondhand before, so it's a harder to Source piece.  {See Below}  I think it's Circa 1974, but definitely from the 1970's.  I still have to Price the Fisher Price 1970's Castle, also Circa 1974, I have the Queen that originally went with that, hard to Source also.   I'm Pricing them the same and figure Christmastime is the best time to Showcase them in the Showroom.  I already have the Fisher Price Farm, Silo and Animals For Sale in the Showroom.  You have to keep it all up very high so irresponsible Parents don't dump their Kids in your Showroom to Play with what's For Sale like it's McDonald's Playland.

Honestly some Parents are crass and unfit enuf to do that, then you got Little Ones on the Floor, scattering Merchandise that trash your Space and make a Fall Hazard for Shoppers.  And manhandling Product and their Parents have Zero Intentions to Buy or recompense you for any of it, if they break or lose pieces of it.  Often, the most Negligent ones, they've wandered off and left their Kids Unsupervised and unprotected from possible Harm.   And almost worse, if they stand there and actively encourage that kind of inappropriate Behavior in Stores!!!   If I roll up on them I take the Toy from the Kiddos and tell them I'll put it up front for their Parents to Buy it, that's sure to cause Drama and a Headache for the Parents when they don't.  *Winks and Touche' Motherfuckers not up to the Job of Parenting and Training your Children of Societally appropriate Boundaries and Respect for what's NOT theirs!*  I Hope their Kiddos throw a big Meltdown Fit they will now have to Deal with!  *LOL*

I had Special Needs Kids I Taught better Behavior than that, so a Child without Special Needs is Teachable IF the Parents are up to the Job!  Sadly, far too many aren't and mebbe their own Parents weren't either?  Of coarse we've got Suburban Housewives with means Stealing Toys for their Kids and Crafts for their Projects and think it's not Criminal or they won't have consequences.  And their Husbands often not much more Honest and Law Abiding either, so, The Kids of theirs Learn what they Live... and don't stand much of a chance to turn out much better.  Granted, Older Kids who know better and may have been Raised Right can make equally poor Choices too, but their Families will be ashamed of such behavior and Deal with it appropriately.   Nature versus Nurture can be a mixed bag.   You'll often become what you will just Be at your very Core and Essence, the Content of your Character will be revealed.

Wednesday Night Shift went well, I was working with Three Friends of mine and we had good coverage, unlike Monday Night.   It was slow for the first 3 Hours and then was Mad Busy for the last Hour when the Extra Person isn't there, they leave at 7:00, it's busiest always during the last Hour.   So it would make more sense to stagger that Person's Shift closer to the end of the Night IMO... instead of 4-7, have them come in 6-9 instead.   Coz Crazy Ed got caught up with a Customer buying a shitload of Coins in the last Hour which made coverage Hairy for me and the other Co-Worker left.  Ed couldn't help it, the Guy was spending a lot of Money and did buy a lot of expensive Coins, but literally had tied up an Employee for over an Hour looking at and examining Coins in that Case!!!   So all the other Customers had to wait a long time to get Cases opened for them.

  

Luckily it was all Polite and Patient Customers, who didn't get bent out of shape.  *Whew*  I brought Candy in for Employees, we have a "Kandie Drawer" Labeled {Spelled like that intentionally}, and we try to keep it Stocked.  I had an overage of good Halloween Candies at Home I wanted to get rid of, so everyone was thrilled with the selection.  *Smiles and Winks*  I bought a 1950's Mini Knee Hugger Elf, Made in Japan.  A Vendor had a whole Bowl of them.  Photos will be in another Post as this Post is heavily Imagery loaded already and I need to get it finished Today.  *Smiles*  I did get 11 Christmas Cards Mailed.  Only a few more to do now to be finished.  I remember when we used to send out about 50 or so when all our Friends were still Alive and everyone participated in Holiday Card Exchanges.  Now, a lot of Friends are either Dead or don't exchange Cards anymore.

That's how I'd often find out someone had Died actually, if their Families didn't inform us.  The Card would come back labeled "Deceased ~ Return To Sender" by the Post Office, so it wouldn't try to be redelivered or more Mail sent to them.   So, you would have some Closure.   If a Card wasn't Returned, but we didn't get an Exchange, I'd keep the Person on my List one more Year.   Sometimes an Illness or Hospitalization had happened and they couldn't send out Cards.  But, after that, if no response, I'd just assume they no longer wanted to exchange Cards or keep in Touch anymore and cross them off our List.  If they resumed later, they would go back on, sometimes they'd just Moved and we didn't have a New Address for them.  Many of our Friends were other Military Families, so Moved a lot when Stationed somewhere else.  Keeping in Touch takes more effort when you're a Global Nomad.

Princess T was lamenting about how nasty her Boyfriend's Sister's Habits are.  She doesn't like having to share a Bathroom with nasty Males, but is more appalled when a Female is nasty with their housekeeping habits.  She said she's tried Shaming his Younger Sisters into not being such Nasty Bitches.  *LOL*  Oh, I'm sure she lays into them, she lays into any Males in this Household who have not Cleaned up after themselves, especially in a Shared Bathroom!  *LOL*   Her Brother and Allen were particularly the Target of her ire about the Shared Bathroom here.  Whose Wet Towels are on the Floor, whose Banana Hammock is this, that's Nasty, get it out of here, I'm not Touching it!!!  *LMAOROTF*  Her Uncle is good about tidiness, The Son always has been, so is The Man, so those Two Males you never have to Clean Up after ever.  Mando is very good too, no problems with him either.  The Daughter is only messy in a Kitchen, Dishes... dirty Dishes is her downfall.  Otherwise she LIKES to Clean!

I create Clutter, but I'm not dirty, in fact I loathe a dirty Home.  And I do function best in Order and Tidiness, not Chaos, so I can be my worst Enemy at times.  I'm pretty sure the Clutter Issue has more to do with being Bipolar than anything else tho', coz I can be either very rigidly Organized or very Disorganized and Chaotic in my ways, no middle ground.   Manic Impulsivity is usually to blame {compulsive buying/collecting} and Depressive Lethargy {inability to clean/organize}.  Since I have Mixed Episodes, leaning more towards more Manic ones that Depressive ones, the clutter is the end result Side Effect of the Disorder I've always had and try hard to manage without Medication.   Disorganization and Hoarding tendencies, and coupled with also having ADHD, it magnifies the Behaviors twofold.   You Hate it, but continue to do it, so you're always running damage control behind yourself.

I've watched Shows and read Books on how to curb and Manage Messiness and Clutter associated with my Condition, it's Helpful to a point.  But, you'd almost need regular interventions to help you Manage it successfully long-term and that's not in the Budget, our Insurances don't provide it as an Option, so, the Kiddos try to help me with it now that they're all Grown.  And I try to help them with their Side Effects from their Conditions and the Managing of it, as a Team Effort.  Sometimes we even Succeed.  *Winks and LOL*   The Tamale Festival is this Sunday between Noon and 6:00 p.m., we'll attend closer to Noon.  They at least Advertised it a little better this Year so I knew when it would be.  Some Years we missed it coz of lack of Advertising for it.  You can't go if you don't know the Dates it's being Hosted Downtown.  Less Churches participate now and more Businesses instead.  I liked when the Churches had Tamale Booths and their Parishioners made the Tamales.

But, I do take a Business Card of those Businesses that have good ones, so that I can seek them out at their Business Locations too.   Our Friend Amber makes the best Tamales and Shares them often with us, so I usually have no need to Buy some from an unknown Maker of them.  Everyone's Tamales are different, it's like Chili or Salsa, so many variations of the same thing that nobody's is exactly the same.  The Size of the Tamale interests me less than the Content of Meat to Masa Ratio and how moist it is.  I'd prefer a smaller Meatier Moist Tamale over a larger drier one with too much Masa. 

 And, Meatless ones are Okay too if the Ratio of Cheese, Chiles, Fruit or whatever is correct too.  Don't go heavy on the Masa and don't make it too dry or I won't like it.  I do like Tamales whether wrapped in Corn Husks or Banana Leaves, but Banana Leaves impart a Special Flavor I prefer a little more.  Yucatecan Tamales from that Region are therefore my Favorite if I can get them.  It's a diverse and distinct Region Specialty using Banana Leave and Achiote and Epazote that differ significantly from other parts of Mexico.  And sometimes I can find them at the Tamales Festival if anyone from that Region has a Booth.  I will always Buy those.  I'm hopeful to find Yucatecan Tamales this Year at the Tamales Festival.

Our local "Food City" and "Ranch Market" Hispanic Grocery Stores carry the usual Sonoran Style, which is most common in Arizona, so I can get them anytime and do have some in the Freezer right now that they offered for Christmas.  But, I trawl The Tamale Festival to try out some new Vendors Tamales every Year that we can get down there.  Amber should be dropping some off around Christmas too, she eats over here a lot, joining us for Meals when she visits.  We joke that she has Mealtime Radar built in and seems to know when there's Food being prepared.  *LOL and Winks*  But, she's generous of bringing over good Food too, so the reciprocity is definitely there between our Families.   The Daughter and Amber did live together for about a Year way back when they were Young and before either of them had Kids and they are BFF's since Childhood.

I'm not sure when her Oldest Daughter is expecting that 1st Grandchild by T.J., and I did tell you how upset she was about all of that.  And, that they picked out a "Children Of The Corn" kinda Name for the Boy Baby, of Jedidiah!!!   OMG, I couldn't help it, I Laughed when she told me coz she deadpanned that shit and dropped it with such disgust when telling us, that it was like Dark Comedy and Gallow's Humor, I couldn't help it or stay Serious.  It got her to Laughing too... she then went into an SNL type skit of what Nicknames should she or we give that Kid so she doesn't have to call him damned Jedidiah!!!?????  

 She said she don't wanna hafta call out that Name in Public and seem like some backwards Hillbilly Cult Member of some Weird Creepy Religion!!!  Then she asked The Man, in all Seriousness, if that was a Mormon Name?!  *Bwahaha*  OMG, I laughed so hard my Sides hurt!!!  Amber is a Riot even when not trying to be funny.   Poor Kid, he'll have a very Weird Special Needs Mother, a Geriatric Terminally Ill Father and a ridiculous Name from the Day he's Born!!!   Amber's Oldest Daughter is a really Odd Strange Young Woman in a Creepy way.   I don't feel at all comfortable around her and there's not been very many People I've ever encountered that I can say that about... her Energy is 'Off' and Dark, is the only way I can describe it, and her Behavior is beyond bizarre and off putting.   I had to tell Amber I didn't want her Daughter over here, she was Creeping us Out too much and not Welcome.  

That's a hard thing to say to a Mom and I've known Amber since she was a Child and she's like Family to us.  But, she admitted SHE doesn't even feel comfortable around that Daughter!!!   She didn't Raise her, her Ex did, and Joe did a good job, so it's not that, but Amber has a lot of trouble bonding with that one becoz she's not feeling okay around her either and Joe said he doesn't want anything to do with the mess that Daughter is choosing with T.J., he more than disapproves, and I agree, it's a bad situation from every angle that Amber's extended Family is likely gonna have to Deal with.   Since, T.J. is not only too Old to still be Fathering Kids, he has Grandkids that will be way Older than this Son.  But has Stage 4 Cancer, and his Parents are in the 80's, so, Amber's Family will have this messy situation to Clean Up long-term.  I don't think Amber's Daughter is capable of fit Parenting, I ain't gonna Lie.  I just Hope the Baby is Born Healthy and Normal?

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Merry Christmas from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian