Hi Karen - I think I've been battling some seasonal affective disorder(SAD) I've been feeling kind of low lately and out of sorts - I'm hoping decorating for Christmas will help me get over the hump!

That brings me to my other problem....Sweetie, not sure about her and holiday decorating going well together, Panda's a good boy compared to li'l Miz Diabla.
We'll see....

It's been fun seeing everbody else's great new finds to play with and the beautiful holiday decorating that's already started.

I was playing around w/my china cabinet arrangement - it needs lighting added, but it's not in the budget for this yr.

Here's where I am - still needs tweaking, I have some $$$ pieces in attic I would like to add still, they're packed away for their own protection from you know who(s)! LOL

Sorry you're feeling out-of-sorts, Jim. I hope when you dig your holiday things out and TAKE PICS, we'll be able to help cheer you up. I love looking at the pictures you post!!

Where *do* you find all your Staffordshire doggies? I feel lucky to have one black/white one! I don't even see them in Antique stores.

Now get out those holiday goodies so the kitties have more 'things' to play with LOL. ;o)

patty cakes - It's sunny here today, that always helps one's mood.

When I was actively collecting the Staff dogs yrs back I would find them at places like Marshall's, Bombay co and various interior design shops and the occasional catalog. I never knew where I would find them and the hunt was fun!

Ebay would be excellent source now for new and vintage - I would leave the antique alone unless they fall into your price range.

Here's a site you may enjoy browsing - they have a nice selection of Staff dogs and other things as well. McGee's Gift Shop

I think your china cabinet turned out gorgeous. Love the way you set it up. Thanks for the link, will check it out later tonight. I've bought most all my Staffordshire type greyhounds off eBay. Prices not bad, since most are reproductions. I did inherit a couple of real ones from an old friend years ago tho.

I'm so sorry you've felt so down. Sometimes that happens this time of year. I think if you start decorating, it will help lift your spirits. (glad sunny days do that too for you, I'm the opposite. LOL. Give me gray days! In Phoenix we have sun something like 330 days a year, so anything else is a real treat for me. And with our fool heat, the sun isn't a friend. Its still been high 80s here in fact. But Thanksgiving we might actually get Fall weather. LOL. That would be a change.

As for your little 4-legged terrorist, she must be something if she makes Panda a good boy! I may have a helpful tip to try on her. Jazz kept knocking things over as he's always wanting to be UP. And two weeks ago, he was breaking something every day, and I was just ready to shoot one of us! Especially with the decorating facing me. First, I hung my wall tree, and put another tree on the corner table in familyroom. But I left them undecorated at first for him to check out and get use to. However....I put some Pine Sol in a spray bottle, and sprayed the heck out of both trees, and the garland I hung on the mantle. (boy, house smelled good too. LOL. I love Pine Sol). He's had NO interest in the wall tree, and has only sat on the table by the other tree and looked at it. I put decorations on it today, so we'll see what happens. But everything I've put out so far, he's left alone! One table that he was a pain about getting on, I put a small bowl of Pine Sol on it in inconspicuous spot. He jumped up there, then got right down. So maybe I've found a way to teach him that some things in my house are NOT his personal play-things! Sure hope so. I've got my Lenox Nativity set up without him caring, and a big centerpiece I made last year has also been left alone. So far so good. I expect to find some ornaments on floor at some point once trees decorated but that's normal with cats. The Brat Cat, TY, always had to have one to play with, then he'd leave rest alone. (by the way, a friend of mine who has cats actually puts up a small tree just for them!! LOL. Unbreakable ornments and things that would interest them to bat around or play with. Maybe I should try that next!

hugs, Karen

jim..sorry your feeling 'down'...hopefully, once you start your decorating..that should perk you up. Honestly, that's where I thought you've been..Busy Up to your knees in Decorations! I'm waiting anxiously to see when your done, as you do have a 'Following' here..lol
Your china cabinet with your Staffordshire collection is set up beautifully..
jane

It's always a pleasure to see your pics, Jim. I hope the happiness of the season will start to cheer you up. Your hutch is really wonderful. What an amazing collection of Staff dogs! I have one pair and I love mine.
Lynn

Thanks for the props all and encouragement.

Well my mood didn't get any better this AM, it's a typical grey Nov day in Chicago and....my sister was laid off from her job today! It was unexpected!

It should be a fun Thanksgiving!

Sorry to hear about your sis, Jim. I have 5 grown children/2 son-in-laws, and pray their jobs stay safe! Maybe she could find something in retail for the season? I'm sure she is able to take advantage of unemployment, so maybe after the holidays she'll be able to hopefully find something. It's beyond horrendous what has happened to the economy of out country, with the end result being huge lay-offs, and closing of companies/businesses.

I'm very familiar with those gray winter days in IL~i'm from a very small town a couple of hours from the windy city. They can get you down, so get busy on that decorating, will ya? We need some new pics!!

Try to give thanks for what you DO have on Th'gvn Day, even tho I know it isn't as easy as it sounds. Have an extra helping of your favorite pie w/whipping cream~that's sure to make you feel better! ;o)

((((( Jim))))) and for your sister too. We will be thinking about both of you.

Hi Jim,

I was just thinking about you the other day--you pointed me to that great Christmas book with Charles Faudree's and his sister's homes last year.

Sorry to hear about SAD and your sister. Things will get better soon!

Take care,
Nancy

Jim, I'm so sorry to hear you're affected by SAD. It's not easy to fight and I wish you the best. Also very sorry to hear your sister was laid off. That's never a good thing, but always worse this time of year, I think. I hope she is eligible for unemployment and finds another job soon.

I hope that you and your sister and family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Your china cabinet is gorgeous. You have a lovely collection. And I love your apothocary jars in the other thread.