Samtiques ~ Clocks, Antiques and Collectibles Blog

I’m dreaming of a . . . White Christmas! Ho Ho Ho! Would be very happy just to have some RAIN — heard on the news we’re over 15 inches behind for the year — the 3rd driest year since the 1850’s. I remember huge cracks in our yard in the 1950’s and the lakes around Austin at very low levels. As much as I don’t agree with the practice, we are feeling sorry for the deer and have been putting corn out for them since summer. So, some rain (or snow) before the end of this year would be wonderful!

Christmas tree time is here — and I wasn’t going to put one up since our grandkids have moved away. But, thanks to my good friends and other family members, I decided that putting one up would heal my “Scrooge” feelings. So, to the shed we go . . . to get the tree and all the trimmings.

An hour later —

No tree could be found in the shed. Where was it? Terry and I put our heads together and decided that we had pitched it last year because the middle section of that pre-lit tree had burned out several years ago. Why have a pre-lit tree when you have to add lights to it?

So, off I go on a shopping spree — yeah, before Christmas is a GREAT time to find a DEAL for a tree! Did I really want to spend $300 for a new tree (pre-lit, of course, and over 4′ tall)?

Not really, but it looked like that was the “deal.” Then . . . I happened into Michael’s, thanks to a coupon deal from my friend, Betty. The coupons I had weren’t good for a Christmas tree, I learned, but the nice folks at Michael’s had just reduced a $300 tree for the second time that morning. It was 7.5′ tall (a bit bigger than I wanted), but it was beautiful, and the best part . . . it was pre-lit!

Terry almost had a cow when he saw the size on the box label. We both thought a 4-5′ would suffice our Scrooge-ness.

Four sections of tree later, we have erected our new tree and plugged it in — it works! Yea! So, now it’s time to fluff out the branches and start loading it up with ornaments. Terry brought in 4 tubs to get me started.

On the last trip in from the shed, with another load of tubs in his arms, he asks . . .

“Guess what I found at the back of the shed.”

Yep, our old tree was there all the time! Waiting patiently for us to “bring it home.” Oh well, that’s the way it is sometimes. Looks like we’ll be recycling it — ’cause I really do like our new, big, all-sections-light-up tree.

Only problem with our big new fluffy tree — I don’t have enough ornaments for it. Had to go shop for more last night and may need to look for more today! We’re close to the $300 mark that was too much originally for that tree at Michael’s. They get you going and coming!

Now, let’s talk about the car bail-out . . . . what a year!

‘Tis the season for thanksgiving 2008. So many things cross my mind as I think about what to be thankful for — and, as most folks my age might say, health comes to mind first. It’s a gift that is often taken for granted . . . . Of course, my family is high on the thankful list as well! How blessed we are to have our children and grandchildren! Our friends are very important to us, and many are like family. More blessings and reasons to say “thank you, God.” And then, I ponder what might my life had been like had I been born in some other country. I am very thankful to be in these United States of America — and even better, TEXAS — where we have so many freedoms, privileges, and opportunities. No. 1 in that group would be the freedom to worship as we wish.

When my Dad was still with us, we started a tradition of writing down our thoughts each Thanksgiving onto a white tablecloth. I treasure those notes on that cloth now and those memories of this holiday with him. I am thankful to the person who suggested this practice to me. As I make a sweet potato pie tomorrow, I will be thinking more of him and how much he loved that recipe. Now, Terry says that’s the pie he’d like — so, Dad made a sweet potato pie fan out of him — and also Melissa.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday — love the food, the gathering of family and friends, and the fall season. It is my wish that all of you will have a wonderful time with your family and friends. Oh . . . and, of course, that the Texas Longhorns will be victorious against the Aggies. I claim Colt McCoy as one of our McCoy relatives — he’s just the best!

Again, Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for checking out my website — even if it’s been a “while” since I’ve updated it! My goodness . . . where DOES the time go when you’re retired? Anyone else experiencing this problem?

Of course, in this business . . . the older the better. OK, I can’t get away with that as an excuse either. It’s just so hard to take time out to work on the website when there’s so much more to be done — like, go hunt for MORE junk treasures. You know, what may be “junk” to one person is a “treasure” to another!

We are on the road again — this time headed to Iowa on a buying trip and to see relatives (as time permits). Terry has plans to attend a national clock show in Missouri while we’re in the area, and he’s hoping to find more to add to his collection or for resale. And . . . no, we do NOT keep all of the clocks wound up and chiming in our house. In fact, if I want to know the time, it’s easier to check out the digital clock on my oven or the cable tv set.

So good to hear from several of you through emails — thank you, Billie Sue, for making all of these contacts possible! And yet, how sad it is to learn about several of our classmates who have passed away recently. My sympathy goes to the family of all those.

One person who was reported as deceased at our 40th reunion seems NOT to be — Martha Morris. Martha, if you’re reading this . . . please contact me! I’m SO wanting to hear from you again!

Can’t wait to see all of you at our 50th — meanwhile, I have pounds to lose or else a better place to shop for BIG Women’s clothes! Any suggestions?
Put your hand down, Jerry . . . .

Thank you for visiting our Samtiques website after reading about us in the Update newsletter.

Some of the items we have for sale can be viewed by clicking on the link to the right. If you have a particular interest or special item you NEED, please email us at sam@samtiques.com, and we’ll check our inventory to see if we can make a match.

Better yet, please put March 27 – April 5 on your calendar to visit our booth at the Cole’s Antique Show in Warrenton, TX. If you’ve never been to the Round Top Antiques Show — which has expanded to Warrenton and many other little communities in the area — you are in for a TREAT! Our advice is to wear comfortable shoes, bring your water bottle, and be prepared for any kind of weather if you choose to shop in the fields. Our other tip is “don’t think you can cover it all in a day!”

Cole’s offers you free parking next to the building, over 200 vendors, air condition shopping, and best of all . . . indoor restrooms. The Cole’s only lease to vendors who bring in antiques and collectibles — no new stuff, no crafts, no junk. We are in Booth #8, and we hope to see you there in March. If the Fall is a better time for you, that date is September 25 – October 5.

Again, if you have any questions . . . please email us at sam@samtiques.com — hope to meet you soon!