Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks!Written by Daggi Pulz
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from depression, Christmas season only makes it worse. Another reason is belief that Christmas has become too commercial. In fact, over 50 percent of people polled said that they think Christmas should be toned down a bit. “It definitely has become too commercial with people putting out decorations two months in advance, but spirit behind it has generally stayed same for most people” declared Sarah Geiger. A third common reason why Christmas isn’t favored by some is that there is often a feeling that everyone else is having a better time than you. The constant belly-full-of-jelly laughs around company water cooler may have you thinking, “Did I miss something? Am I being left out? What’s going on?!” Other more common dislikes are constant money spending, overeating, and Christmas parties. Christmas time can also remind people of a lost one, which could make anyone, have a miserable Christmas time. All of these horrible things that tag along with Christmas could make even Satan cry a tear of sympathy for people who just can’t see joy Christmas can bring. It’s a shame not everyone can be happy during this time of year, but being depressed on Christmas is completely understandable. These poor saps seem to miss Christmas bliss train every year, but who knows; this year maybe, just maybe, they’ll catch it.
Daggi Pulz is co-webmaster at http://www.links2see.com an online family directory. She can be contacted at Daggi@links2see.com
| | Garden Art...from trash?Written by Jane Parr-Whitehead
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More fabric-these same fabrics can be used to make "tent like" areas for private enjoyment of your family. While not usually found in trash bins, fabric can be had very inexpensively in close out bins at fabric stores. Bamboo poles make structure. Even more dramatic beside a pool. An informal cabana! Pottery-broken pottery is found at garden centers and nurseries. Sweet talk them into letting you have some! Large broken pots look great as is, or can be faux painted to look as though they are centuries old. Or try smaller pieces glued together to make a sculpture all your own. Paint, glue mirrors or tile pieces to make a mosaic, or leave as is. Make this large enough to make a "statue" in your garden! You can add necessary "works" to make this a fountain! Lamp stands-old lamps taken apart, tall stands of any kind, and anything that you can add that is tall and slender can be weatherproofed to make a grouping of candle stands for garden. Again, three, five, or seven work best. With or without candles, these are attractive and catch eye! Especially among low growing flowers. Or you can line your driveway with these for a luminary look! Fence Posts-an old, tall, but sturdy fence post makes a great pole for use as a flag hanger. Just screw hardware into post. Mine has plant hangers and a small lantern hung from it also. A welcoming sight! Potpourri of Ideas-Are we there yet? Are your creative juices flowing? Here are some off wall ideas. Do you have a broken box fan? The square grates are wonderful for painting and hanging as faux gates, wall decor, or wherever your imagination takes you! Snip out a design from grate for an even better look. Have an old touchier lamp? It too is great for painting and "planting" in garden, decked out with plants on top. Bury bottom to keep it from tipping, or you can add concrete to base. Look around house and garage and see with new eyes. Check out dumpsters and neighbors trash! Old TV tables can be cut out for plant pots to sit down in. How about window frames? Old pool balls, golf gear, fishing gear, boat parts and oars, wooden anything! Some of these things need to be painted with clear or colored outdoor spray paints to keep them looking good, whether look is "old" or new. A note: Always think about this...in some places, taking something from someone's trash or going through a dumpster, is illegal. Please check local ordinances before you take a chance. And, another thing to keep in mind...sometimes you may find people with "not so nice" intentions hanging around dumpsters. All I am saying is...always be careful! Happy Decorating!
About the Author: Jane Parr-Whitehead has been a professional Home Decorator for over 15 years. She now offers “Home Decorating via the Internet” from her site. Editor of a Home Decorating Newsletter, once a month, enjoy reading about Home Decorating, Decorating Childrens rooms, Animal Print Decorating, and much more. Visit her site at http://Decorativeartsbyjep.com/
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