The following is what happened on the 50th week before Christmas (Sounds like the beginning of a police drama doesn't it)
I have been hawking ebay trying to find some more Byers Choice Carolers. When TheHub and I were substantially younger and our sons were just kids I bought 5 carolers that roughly represented us. At the time we were a household of 2 adults, 2 guys, and a guy toddler (all blondes). I set that out every Christmas until this year and did not set it up at all.
The main reason I didn't was because I was sick and just did not feel like digging through the holiday closet. But as I was thinking about it, our family has been added to over the years and I need to find carolers to represent us as we are now.
TheHub and I are naturally gray* (though in my mind I will always be a blonde), the sons are all adult men, we have 3 DIL's and of course Pip.
So I want a caroler for each family member, but I don't want to pay retail for them.
As is, I can use the existing blonde man for Son 1, 2 or 3 and the existing blonde woman for DIL3. I'll save the other figures because who knows what the future will bring
As luck (or constant stalking) would have it I found a woman of a certain age with gray hair, and a lovely brunette woman caroler whose nose is a little scuffed, but I can fix that easily. 4 down 5 to go!
I would like to have the rest before the end of October, so I will be looking for them daily, but I do have some time. Again this mention of having time is what screwed up my holiday plans this past year.
My mom knitted a Christmas stocking for me when I was a baby, then made one for my beloved sister when she was born. Because she never got rid of the pattern she made one for TheHub when we got married and followed with one for each of our sons. DIL1’s grandmother made her one when she was a baby and it is very similar to the one Mom made and of course she did not want an another one, The last one Mom made was for Pip. By that time her cognitive decline had begun and it took Dad counting each stitch for her
When Sons 2 and 3 married Dad was no longer with us and he was the only one who could keep her focused.
DIL3 is very skilled at knitting and had asked for the pattern. Either My Beloved Sister or I have it ___somewhere. I decided I would see if I could just find the pattern online. While looking I found not just the pattern but a kit that also included the yarn. I bought 2 kits. I know DIL3 can make her own and possibly DIL2’s. If not, I will need to hire someone to do it since my knitting skills are abysmal. Although, if you want a wonky scarf, I am your go-to guy!
So that would be the end of my prep for week 50. Maybe week 49 will be a bit better.
*Naturally gray does not mean I have that color of hair all the time. I might been seen with gray, blonde, or auburn hair. Life is uncertain and I am not about to be predictable.
I have pepper and salt hair - with more salt coming in. I may go blue when it is mostly salt - but not a delicate old lady blue.
ReplyDeleteLove your preparations.
Truth be told I have been blue, purple, or pink on occasional days.
DeleteI know I made fun of you for "not wanting to become obsessive" about next Christmas, but I looked up those Buyers' Choice carolers and they really are lovely - so obsess away!
ReplyDeleteThey are funny looking characters but I do like them, My old woman find has a fat wrinkly face__perfect !
DeleteI love this post. It's both for what you're trying to find and build to represent your now family, but the hunt! I have my mind set to a certain kind of outside fire burner/ chimanea. The ones I see are eye watering, so I'm keeping my eyes on 2nd hand sites. The game is on. I decided too, I'm not going gray gracefully. I started coloring too light, but have gradually gone to my more natural dark blond, think Drew Barrymore dark blonde, as she's on the cover of my Garnier box.
ReplyDeleteThe hunt is what I find most appealing about the carolers. That and I have a 19.99 price that I will not go over, so the hunt is even narrower . So far my best "find" was an 11.99 caroler with a chipped nose. I was able to rebuild the nose with nail polish and now only have to paint the repair.
DeleteGood luck with your chiminea hunt. Try your local buy nothing facebook site. Sometimes folks here just give them away.
Good for you planning ahead. I'm just happy that we almost have all of the Christmas things put away. :)
ReplyDeleteI have my Christmas things moved upstairs but still need to attack the closet I store it in, weed through everything, and get rid of anything I am not going to use again.
DeleteThat last line made me laugh out loud! Unfortunately, I probably am (predictable) but would like to take on the challenge.
ReplyDeleteYour Carolers family members' initiative sounds like great fun.
I think the only thing truly predictable about me is my unpredictability.
DeleteI'm thinking you've got the right idea, prepping for Christmas throughout the year. I have great ideas in the few weeks leading up to the holiday but rarely follow through because there just isn't enough time. Good luck finding the carolers!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I will find them before next year. The biggest obstacle is going to be finding them at a price I am willing to pay.
DeleteEven though I am possibly total white, I will always say I have dark brown hair! I tell critical friends that I am maintaining what I originally had.
ReplyDeleteI am not totally white. If I were I would wear it proudly all the time. My MIL had gorgeous snow white hair from the time she was quite young and she never bothered to try and change it. She was a beautiful woman and the white hair made her even more stunning.
DeleteFor the last few years I have been trying to replace or just aquire some of the same beloved ceramics my mom had while I was growing up. I am currently trying to find a Joseph that roughly matches mom's Atlantic molds nativity. I have no clue why the rest of it survived the tornado except "Joe." So far the closest to match is the same color as Mary. I found it on Ebay. However we had a Holland mold caroler set I found on Etsy. Which brings me to the question, "Did you try Etsy?" Thanks for making my search seem less weird. I have replaced 10 items and need 6 more.
ReplyDeleteI have tried Etsy, but the figures seem to cost a little more there. I am not only looking, but am looking on a budget. There are not something I need, just something I want. I meant to do it last year and then didn't think about it until October. By that times there were no bargain figures to be had.
DeleteGood luck with your hunt!
Just tell people that your hair color is whatever is on sale at Walmart!
ReplyDeleteI think anyone who knows me from the 3-d world knows things about me are very changeable though I have not tried a goth look yet! Maybe???
DeleteI love this! I hope you will find the carolers you want at the price you want by next Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else I am patient!
DeleteI've had my hair colored for so many years . . .I'm not sure what color it really is haha! I hope you find all of your carolers. Also, it is so meaningful to have stockings made by those who love us!
ReplyDeleteI change my color about like I change shoes!
DeleteI would not give anything for my stocking!