Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Bless your heart, Jane.    How did you know of my long time love for Tom Jones?!!!  I'm totally not kidding here.  I don't think I've ever mentioned it here on TT.  Love that picture!!  What a treat!!  Thank you.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Hi Paula, Brenda, Susie, Sue Ann and Merry!     
I think some supermarkets here have bins like you're talking about.  Moreover they have donations slips at the counter in denominations of 1, 5, and 10 dollars.  They say a monetary donation goes further as they are able to buy in bulk the items that are really needed....the basics.  The donations slips are set up right at checkout so you just add them to your bill.  So easy!

Bill and I have several charities we give to througout the year to help those in need.  Food banks rank as one of the top.  They are so vital in an economy when so many are out of work.  People who never thought they'd ever need the service are filling the lines now.  My hope is that if I ever find myself in a tight spot that there would be something to fill in the gaps for me too.

On the subject of buying for teens.....got it covered!!  They can be difficult to buy for but my own children aren't that far from their teens.  I remembered the kinds of things they were into....art and jewelry making....so that's what I got.  Art kits with paper pads attached and jewelry making kits.  Hey, I wouldn't mind having some of that stuff myself!!
 

Another service that comes up short sometimes are the Senior Citizen Centers.  I remember one year picking up a tag off the tree that said a particular senior wanted warm socks.  Socks.  Pretty simple right?  You should have seen me stressing over picking out just the right socks.  I know it was a senior lady so I wanted the socks to the prettiest, warmest socks she'd ever seen in her life.  Something really special!  I was in the department store for ages, making a pile of stocks and then putting my hand in each pair to make sure they wouldn't be too tight around the leg or that they didn't have any scratchy threads or laces.  I know....obsessive.  But hey, I like to think that the socks I picked out made her feel like a queen for a day.

Brenda, that story just breaks my heart.    I just know that someone will adopt all the children together.  I just know it in my heart.  I know there are people out there with room in their hearts and homes for a family.  It simply must be....it simply must.
:pray:  :pray:

Okay girlies and Shane!, there is much to be accomplished today so I have to dash off.  It's been a joy chatting with you.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

P.S.  Shane, did you see last nights episode of Secret Millionaire?  Next weeks episode looks like I may go through a whole box of tissues instead of just a half of one.

P.S.S.  Paula, that dolly is just the sweetest thing!!  OMG, the detail in her is just lovely.  Lucky girl!!

Tami, 
Thank you for starting this thread!  It's always my favorite at this time of year too.     I love all the trees and decorations.  Each is so unique to their family and simple delightful to see!  I love, love, love your Christmas stockings with the animal print top!!  Those are yummy!!  I wish I could stand in your livingroom and just look at each of your glass ornaments.  I'm a nut over the glass figurals!

Paula, I think your little white tree is fantastic!  I love a red and white color scheme.  The daisy lights add a touch of whimsy.  Love it!  I for one, love a Charlie Brown tree. 

Amy, your teddy bear tree is the sweetest thing!!  You've given me the idea to start one for my granddaughter next year....all pink and white teddy bears!!  Thank you!  Oh, and I love your Wizard of Oz figurals over the mantel!!  Those are great!

Now everyone, don't laugh.  I've never seen A Christmas Story so I didn't get "the lamp" in Cathy's post. :redface: Show of hands.  How many others didn't get it either?  Surely I can't be the only one.      I just thought, what a cool touch of whimsy....and then, what does that tell me about Cathy?  Quirky sense of humor!!!  You ROCK Cathy!  I simply must watch that movie now. 

I've never seen or heard of a snowing tree.  Isn't that the neatest thing?!!  That now tops my most unusual and cool tree list.  It bumped the spinning psychedelic tree right out of the top spot.  I've always thought the spinning tree was the coolest thing!  New most unusual and cool tree....the snowing tree! 

Brenda, you are right!  That is Miss Tilly!!  She wasn't so sure about being in a jar for the month but when she realized she could gaze at the Christmas tree...and be safe from Max....she was tickled pink!
 

Oh, and this is the picture over the mantel you asked about Cathy.  It's actually a print of a rose I've had for...well cripes!...for ages.  Must be close to twenty years now.  I found the shabby, chippy ultra heavy frame last year on one of my antique adventures.  The two were meant for each other, I think.  The frame has the original wavy bubble glass so the whole thing looks very old and rich with an old gold and tarnished silver look to it.  Anyway, there you go!

Okay, now I'm off to finish up my Christmas cards.  Have a most lovely day everyone!!

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I went with a simplified decorating theme this year.  White and tarnished silver.  Next year it will be back to the traditional colors.  I just couldn't physically manage all the boxes and hanging the glass garland by myself as I usually do.  This year, simple is best.  

Included is a picture of a favorite bear sitting in a pile of mop buttons in an apothecary jar, hugging an antique Christmas bauble.

Merry Merry!

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Shane, 
You were posting while I was still typing!!   

Yay for you!!!!!!  And your co-workers too!!!  What an excellent idea to take a few bucks out of each pay period.  Now THAT is the holiday spirit taking hold throughout the year.       LOVE that!!

Bill and I came across a television program last week about millionaires going "undercover" to realize or remember there is life beyond their high living and to give back to the community.  The stories are amazing.  Bill and I are not millionaires but, I have not wished harder to win the lottery in all my life!  I would love the opportunity to give away thousands and thousands of dollars to people on a mission to do good things in their communities.

Thank you, Shane, for your post!!  Most excellent!!  My heart is full to brimming hearing such goodness happening in a time that is tough for so many!    

Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Hi girlies!    
We're back and the diningroom table is plum full of toys for all ages!!  From babies to pre-teens there's a little bit for all.  Yay!!  There are dollies, Barbies, Hannah Montana's, Matchbox cars, Legos, droid toys, building blocks, games and art kits.  Whew!  We went to Wal Mart (my goodness, they have cheap prices!), Toys R Us and Michael's and filled up three shopping carts to brimming!!

It's the most fun I have every Christmas!!  It also makes me a little sad and oh, so very thankful for the life I have.   I get all choked up when I'm buying the gifts because of the story my mother-in-law told us years ago.  You see, the year Bill and I were married, his parents signed up with a local church to help out a struggling family at Christmas.  We gathered clothes and toys and food and she delivered it all on Christmas eve.  Long story, short version:  A little boy in the family told her that years present was even better than the last.  She asked what he received last year and he told her, beaming with pride,.....a red balloon with a face drawn on it.   Be still my aching heart!       

That's part of the reason I go with toys without all the bells and whistles.  The simplest gift is often times the best of the bunch.  The other reason is because I think there are far too many toys that undermine creativity and thinking skills.  For criminy sakes, there was one aisle we went down today that everything was talking, beeping and blinking!!!  On a side note:  Have you noticed how many kids have their noses in a hand held device while out to dinner with their parents?  What happened to communication of the family sort?  I digress.
 

Yes Dee, we did have fun!  Thank you!  Isn't it just the best feeling to know that in our own little way we've made a child's Christmas just a wee bit brighter?  After all, Christmas gifts truly are for children. 

On a side note:  I encourage everyone to give a little something.  Whether it be time, food or money to a favorite charity or organization.  Every bit makes a difference to someone somewhere.

Now, I really must get to the TT Christmas card list!!        

Warmest Christmas wishes and biggest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

You girlies have given me some excellent ideas!!  Thank you. 

I need to know what the most popular toys are.  You know, the one's kids are asking for for Christmas.  I'm not talking IPods here or expensive electronic gadgets.  I'm talking toys for little kids that use imagination and quiet play.  Bill and I are so out of the loop without little crumb crunchers around.  Although, that will be remedied soon!!

We are leaving in two hours to start shopping for the TOYS FOR TOTS program, a charity for toys for children in need.  My physical therapy group has a box that is sitting empty.  EMPTY!!  So, to remedy the case of the empty box, Bill and I are going to fill it to overflowing ourselves.  Yay!!

Anyway, we want to buy toys that children are asking for.  The usual suspects are Legos, dolls and Barbie type dolls.  Which one's?  Is a Hannah Montana doll a good one?  I haven't a clue!

Your help would be so very much appreciated!!  Thank you in advance!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Edited to say:  I've got the bears covered.   

A suggestion to add to your auction:

If you would like to learn more about me or my work, please visit my "me" page.

Then post the link there.  Or, if you're tech savvy, post a page from your website on your me page with link buttons. 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Real quick.....one size larger eyes, set just outside the seam, eliminate the white and airbrush for depth around the eyes and a little around the nose and ears, with a tad bit more airbrushing around the paw pads. 

In other words, pretty much the same as everyone else has said!!  Ha!

Happy tweeking!!   

Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta

I had lunch with a stuffed animal because I'm NOT crazy!  Ha! 

I see absolutely nothing wrong with that sentence.  I find it to be quite true actually!  :crackup: 

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Those are some mighty pretty rose you have there Brenda!!   

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Here is me      feeling sad for you.  I'm sorry.

Sending heartfelt bear hugs your way,  :hug:
Aleta

Hi Gaby, 
You've been missed.  Do pop in a little more often if you can......and show us pictures of your jewelry!!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Hi Peta, 
I finally got my information to you!  Couldn't decide on the size I wanted to do, so chose either of two.  Anyhoooooo.......if you didn't receive my note, please let me know.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

:dance: Yay!!  I remember Justin and Brittany's first apartments.  Isn't it fun to be able to help them set up house?!!  Now tell me, is this apartment closer to Portland so you'll be able to visit?  And how about that lunch date?  We're on for sometime in December.....right?!!
 

First apartment....how cool is that?!!!  You're such a great mom!   

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Unfortunately, there are a couple of more people who've left as well.         It's such a shame. 

Hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh you sweet girlies! 
Do not fuss over the silly little biopsy.  I'm not....so you can't.    That's the way it is.  I've worked myself into a tiz over these things before and they've turned out just fine.   :dance: Besides, in two weeks I have family flying in from Boston and Alaska for Thanksgiving and I have a kajillion things to do as well as a Holiday Faire to prepare for.  There is no time to think unhappy thoughts!!  (Denial is a brilliant thing, isn't it?!!  Ha!)

Besides, I have more range of motion in my shoulder now due to that shot!!   And, I'm signed up for physical therapy!  Maybe I can skip surgery altogether!!  :bday: Yippee skippee!!  Now I'll be able to get a good night's sleep too.  Wahoooooo!  And by golly, I do think my ear ache/neck thing IS connected to my shoulder.  Who knew?
 

Make it a great weekend everyone!!        Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:  Aleta

I have a couple of favorite emoticons:     and :hug:   The first one for opening the conversation on a happy note and the hugs at the end of the post for....the hugs!  I always give people hugs goodbye in the real world.

I find that I use this one  :crackup: when I crack myself up.  If I ever use this one  you'll know I'm mad as a hornet caught in a bug box.  If you ever get that one from me, expect a follow-up PM or e-mail.  These two  :bday:  :cake: I like to use for a party in a post!  It's too bad they don't come with tootle horns and streamers or it would really be a party!!
 

Enough silliness for the afternoon though.  I need to get some work done!  Oh, and hey.....my doctor appointment went really well.  I got a shot in my arm and I need a biopsy.  And what about the ear ache?  That may be linked to my arm!  Confused?  That's okay.  You'll be just fine too!!
:crackup: HA!

Best and warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Psssst.  What does BBAA stand for?  I could make up a name but I'd rather know what the real one is!   

Congratulations, by the way.    Lovely, lovely bears.    It would be oh, so difficult to pick a favorite.

Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Bless her little cotton socks is right!!     She's going to be the cutest King on the planet!  Pictures, lots and lots of pictures!

Hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

HAHAHAHAHA!!  You funny girlie, Shelli!    

Actually, this is me today... :twisted: .....I have a raging earache  so I'm outta here to go see the doctor!  Maybe then I'll be back to my      self.

See ya later!  Try to stay out of trouble , okay?  Ha!

Hugs and hugs and hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thanks Tami!!      

You're right too, about people perhaps misinterpreting the emoticons.    Golly darn.  And there I thought I was on to something!    I've no clue as to the bear with the straight face emoticon.  Perhaps he's....um.....oh shoot, I don't know.  One thing is for sure though, he's in between happy and sad!  Oh, I know!  :dance:  He's indifferent or neutral!  Now that I've figured out that little puzzle for the day......    

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

We've all seen what happens when the wheels fall off the bus, so to speak.     I read an interesting article (okay, I only scanned the article...who has the time to read a full article these days?) about using emoticons to interject feeling and/or tone of voice while conversing on the internet.  I know it takes a little extra time to add them to your text but it might prevent a flat tire, roll over, or an all out catastrophic incidence that throws people out of the bus like we witnessed yesterday.    Just an eensie weensie suggestion.:whistle:     

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Thank you, Sue Ann!!       You're a doll!!  And just for the record....I probably am a little daft, truth be told.  I think the glue and glitter have gone to my brain!
 

A happy Friday everyone!!  Warmest bear hugs,  :hug: Aleta