November 1st is my gauge for how prepared I am for CHRISTMAS. Is my CHRISTMAS card photo taken yet? Is my shopping under way?
Since I traditionally send out a photo card of the dog(s), it takes some time and ingenuity. Yes, the poor dogs have been tortured annually into wearing a CHRISTMAS costume for the photo. With multiple dogs it was more challenging to get them "dressed" and then have them "pose". With one dog, CLOVER, it should be a piece of cake, right?? "CLOVER.............."
It's her first year and she's only 6 months old, so she had no idea what was going on. I think that's why it was actually sort of easy getting her to sit and stay. I was so surprised. Back in the day, before digital photography, I had to take a whole roll of film and send it off to be developed before I knew if I had a decent enough shot. This took extra time of course, so I usually started in October.
I think one of my all time favorites was dressing NIKKI and PEPPER in tuxedos and top hats. THAT was a CLASSIC.
Some people really enjoyed when I dressed CURRY and SAGE in boas and pink t-shirts that said "DESPERATE HOUSE DOGS" - with a "cut and paste" photo their Welsh Springer Spaniel cousin, HOOVER as the "sexy gardener" pushing a lawnmower - MY GIRLS were watching him from the front porch and looking out over the neighborhood......
Or maybe it was my very first card - NIKKI and PEPPER visiting SANTA at the Mall. Yes, it was PET NIGHT, so the 3 of us stood in line waiting our turn with all of the other critters. Someone was in line with their LIZARD!!
Naturally I can't show you the photo and spoil the surprise for CHRISTMAS CARD 2015. You'll have to wait until after the Holidays to see CLOVER in all her CHRISTMAS ATTIRE GLORY........
And so my internal clock is ON. I started late this year with my online shopping, but made a HUGE DENT over the past week. And then there's the wrapping........ I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!
Oh, and if you too do a bit of online shopping and haven't yet taken advantage of EBATES, you are missing money in your pocket. Read about it in my August 31st, 2014 Blog Post. CLICK THIS.
HERE'S TO THE HUSTLE-BUSTLE AND MAY YOU FEEL THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS!!
CHEERS!!
JOAN
