Christmas Symbolizes.....

One of the suggestions to write about on the "31 Days Of Blogmas" is what Christmas symbolizes to me. This one is hard for me to write about. As I actually had to sit back and think about. I do my best thinking when I am in the kitchen. I put together a Christmas Gingerbread Train. I went on to bake a Cranberry Orange Bread. As it was baking I started thinking about what Christmas means to me.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. As it is the one time throughout the year that you get to see and hear about people helping each out and giving of themselves. I was brought up to celebrate Christmas for the birth of Jesus Christ. To me it is much more than that. It is about family. A time when family can come together and forgive each other. It is suppose to be a time of joy and happiness. The one time of year where you can let all worries go and be happy. 

I don't know with how everything is messed up in the world and my family. It seems what Christmas is all about has been lost. Maybe it doesn't mean the same to everyone else in my family or the meaning got lost, I don't know. I got the Christmas tree up and going through the motions. It doesn't feel the same this year. 

I feel lost. Yet, I still believe in the magic of Christmas.

What does Christmas symbolize to you?

Christmas Tradition Blogmas2016

One of the things to write about on the "31 days of Blogmas" is about Christmas traditions. My children are no longer small. So, some traditions change. Some stay the same. 

One Christmas tradition is putting up the Christmas tree. I use to have a tall artificial Christmas tree with lights. AllI had to do was put it together and decorate. I lost that tree when I lived in my old in the place before this one. As the roof was leaking and ruin all my Christmas tree stuff. Things I had collected for years and the children's ornaments. 

I moved from that place into where I live now. I have no room for that size tree now. So, I replaced it with a small tree that sets on my kitchen table. Usually the kids help decorate. This year, it was only me. They had no interest. That is teenagers for you. Doesn't it look beautiful all lit up? Now to find some small ornaments to decorate the next time I go shopping.

What is a Christmas tradition you celebrate?

Photos taken by and © belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

10 Things To Buy A Blogger For Christmas

I have been writing or blogging online since the early 2000’s. Receiving a present to help me enhance or complete a blog post is thrilling. That tells me, the gift giver was listening to me.

Here are 10 things you should put on your list to buy for the blogger in your life :


Notebooks / journals : A notebook or journal is important for a blogger. As it is where they place all their ideas they jot or write down. Many times a blogger will write down a rough draft in their notebook or journal before having it go live on a blog post.


Pens or pencils – Gifting pens or pencils of different colors are important tools for bloggers. As it allows the blogger to log different things down. Which can be found at a glance depending on the color. This works for anyone with OCD who likes to be organized. I prefer pens. As I think ink lasts longer on paper. Compared to lead.


Highlighters – Highlighters are a great tool for bloggers. As the blogger can cross off the topic or idea out of their notebook or journal. Still being able to see it, access it, as a way to review things when notebook / journal is complete or to go back and reference a part written down.


USB Flash drive – Those cute little portable USB flash drives are a great resource for any blogger to store articles, photos, idea, social media url’s, blog links, referral links, references and more.


Coffee cups – I tend to drink coffee or tea when I first wake up and start blogging. My favorite coffee cup was broke. I have yet to find a suitable replacement for it. I like to find a unique one that fits well in my hand. That is different from the ordinary coffee cup.


Single Snacks – I like to keep a stash of single snack near the area I am working at. Whether it is at my desk on my computer or sitting at a park blogging on my tablet. Snacks help me deter from over eating. I tend to choose healthy snacks. As I have type two diabetes. Depending on if my sugar is high or low depend son what snack I will eat. Snacks also help a blogger to shave off hunger while writing their blog. Instead of buying a greasy burger at the nearest fast food joint.


Throw blankets – Those small throw blankets you can as cheap as $3.00 from Wal-mart are a good present for any blogger. As in the colder regions of the world. A warm throw blanket can be used to keep a blogger’s feet or lap warm while blogging. If you can't get to Walmart, you can order off Amazon and get your blanket within two days with Amazon prime.


Gift certificate – You can buy a blogger a gift certificate in any amount for them to put towards their internet bill. Or help them get cable if they are blogging on nothing but wi-fi.


Amazon codes or Paypal – You can buy a blogger Amazon codes or donate to their Paypal. That way the blogger can buy something they want online. Or use it to buy items they can get cheap to review online.


Camera – This includes camera, camera accessories and or a camera bag. As all of these will help a blogger on their journey. As good quality photos are a must on any blog.

This blog is participating in the "31 Days of Blogmas Challenge".

2 Things That Can Kill Your Dog

I was on Facebook when I came across a post by one of my friends. She mention a friend of her that has a German Shepard was recently diagonised with dysautonomia. If you never heard of it before and have a dog. I suggest you look it up and learn. As it is a nasty but rare condition dogs can get. Normally young dogs are affected. Yet, that doesn't mean older dogs are immune to catching it. 

The worse part of dysautonomia, is there is no known cure or no know source of how a dog could catch this. Nothing confirmed. There is specualtion it could come from garbage or dead rotting animals. Dysautonomia is a death sentennce to most dogs. Rarely do dogs survive dysautonomia. In the rare cases some do survive, it takes a year or more of recovery, which can be costly.

During the same thread on Facebook it was brought up that peanut butter is highly toxic with Xylitol. Xylitol has been banned in some countries, but not the USA. When I learned this, the first thing I did was check to see if my peanut butter had Xylitol in it. As I like making homemade treats for dogs with peanut butter. Mine does not.

While Xylitol is good for diabetics and people with metabolic syndrome. It is not for dogs or birds. It can be deadly. As it can cause low blood sugars in dogs. Since I am a type 2 diabetic, I know what low and high sugars feel like. I would not want any dogs to experience something like that. It is not fun. Sugar going to low can kill as easily as if it gets to high. 

I want to mention before closing that because an item says sugar free, it doesn't mean it is sugar free. As other forms of sugar can be in the item disguised under a different name. Such as Xylitol. What I mention in this article is nothing compared to the mounds of information avaiable. To be a good responsible pet owner, one must be informed of the dangers that can kill our pets.

Photos from Pixabay. The peanut butter was taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

5 Christmas Generators – Do You Use Them?

I like to use to generators that have been created all over the internet to help enhance my articles and blog posts. The generators can also be fun just to play around with. In order to find them all you have to do is put different words in your search browser. Such as : Christmas generators. I tend to use Google for this. As Google seems to be able to find more websites.

Here are some of the websites I came across for Christmas generators :

1. Christmas Elf Name Generator
It is easy to use. You add your name and your sex to determine what your Christmas Elf name will be. The names can be written on name tags and used at Christmas parties held at the office, work or home. I turn out to be Gingerbread Iciclecrackers.

2. Christmas Text Logo generator
To use this. You click on the letter you see with the print that you want. Another window opens with more options. To create your image. you can choose to visualize it. Or automatic download. I always visualize it before downloading. As I hate downloading something. Then realizing I don’t like only to delete it.

3. Draw Names for Gift Exchange
This website is a good for helping those families who draw names to buy presents for during holidays or other celebrations. Many families do this. Compared to buying a present for all your extended families that have large families. A gift exchange is less expensive. How the website works, you need to place the list of the names in the square box. Proceed by clicking 'Then click here to generate your name list'. Scroll down and you will see your list of names. You set it up to where spouses don't pick each other, or siblings don't get each other too.

4. Christmas Elf Generator
In this generator, all you have to do is choose male, female or neutral for the generator to choose 10 random elf names. This is great if you want to create a Christmas story, poem or give out elf names to friends at a party. Don’t like the names choose. Click again. The names will change.

5. Funny Christmas Newspaper Generator
This one will cost you a little something if you choose to use it. It can be a Christmas gift for a loved one to hang on their wall. Scroll below, add you first and last name, the city you live in and the state. Add a photo. You can customize the text or use what is already suggested. Click preview my newspaper. Buy if you like what you see.

Do you use Christmas generators?

Naughty Or Nice List Blogmas 2016

Get an instant report from Santa Clause what he has written in his naughty nice list. All you need to do is put your name in and push ask Santa to get the Nice-o-Meter working.

This is what Santa says about me - Just when Santa was about to give a naughty rating, this one came in with a good deed. Great work! Back to the nice list. But watch out for interrupting when others are talking, and burping without an excuse me. Even when I think noone is listening. Remember Santa hears all.

10 Ways To Make The Nice List 

1. Baking Christmas cookies

2. Making a Gingerbread house

3. Leaving a plate of cookies and eggnog out for Santa

4. Helping to put up the Christmas tree
5. Helping to put Christmas decorations
6. Wearing that ugly Christmas sweater your Aunt Helga gave you last year

7. Choosing a child or family from the angel tree to bring gifts to

8. Helping pass out Christmas dinner at the local food bank or shelter

9. Leave a present or homemade treats on your neighbors porch. Knock and disappear before they can answer the door.

10. Go Christmas caroling

10 Ways To Make The Naughty List

1. Knock down the neighborhood snowmen.
2. Not believing in Santa
3. Tearing down neighbors Christmas lights
4. Picking on siblings
5. Not doing chores
6. Throwing snowballs when no snowball fight is going on
7. Trolling the Christmas forums
8. Not shoveling the sidewalk or drivway

9. Not putting ice melt down and someone slipped
10. Not wiping your feet after coming in from the snow or rain.

Can you think of anything else to add to the nice or naughty lists?

Photo from Pixabay.com, a free use photo sharing website.

10 Christmas Songs To Listen To This Holiday Season

Another way I enjoy getting in to the Christmas spirit is listening to Christmas music after Decemeber 1st rolls around. I am going to share ten different Christmas songs in no perticular order from one to ten. A list looks better when it is numbered. Many of these songs I do not know how orginal wrote them or the year. I am sharing ones you can easily look up on Youtube to hear some of my favorite singers.

10 Christmas Songs To Listen To This Holiday Season

1. "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town", this is a song I have heard all my life. It reminds me of children Christmases. You better watch Santa Clause is checking his list. he is checking it twice.

2. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" By Twisted Sister, featuring Lita Ford. Many people, not just band members are out traveling during the Christmas seasons. Such as our young men and women in our armed forces.

3. "The Little Drummer Boy" sung by Bob Seger is about a little poor who has nothing to offer for Christmas to the new born King except playing a song on his drum. A song that proves you don't have to spend money to give something from yourself to someone else for Christmas.

4. "Silent Night" by Stevie Nicks. I have alwasy enjoy listening to her beautiful voice. I really don't know what this song is all about except sleep. It has always brought tears to me eyes. If you know please explain it to me.

5. "My Decemeber" By Linkin Park. This song is an apolgy and someoen not wanting to be alone. They realize holidays are better spent with others, than alone. If you are not talking to a loved one or friend, Christmas time is the perfect time to make amends without placing blame on who is right or wrong.

6. "So This Is Christmas" sung by Celine Dion is about Christmas a day where families come together to celebrate. No matter if they are poor or rich, or the color of the skin doesn't matter.

7. "Jingle Bell Rock". I had to share this song to liven up my spirit. As I was to get up and move around. dance or start baking my little ol head off.

8. "Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry. This is another song that gets me moving and in the Christmas spirit. When I feel like I am pressed for time during the Christmas season. I listen to this and know I am not the only one.

9. "Carol Of Bells" by Metallica. This is an instrumental. You can tell it has Metallica's touch, any true fan would recongize their music. Even if a Christmas tune is put to it.

10. "Christmas In Hollis" sung by Run DMC. If you like 80's rap, here is a Christmas one to add to your list. 

I hope you like my selections. As these ten songs doesn't begin to put a dent in all the different Christmas songs. Nor sung by various singers. I hope they help you get you in to the Christmas spirit.

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

Photo from Pixabay.

10 Christmas Movies To Put You In The Christmas Spirit

Getting in the Christmas spirit I am going to share some of my favorite Christmas movies. I will number them from 1 to 10. yet, they will be in no perticular order of how much I like them.

10 Favorite Christmas Movies

1. "It's A Wonderful Life" is an American Christmas drama made in the 1940's. First time I viewed it was in black and white. Til this day it is one movie I must see each Christmas. As I love Christmas miracles.

2. "Elf" is a comedy released in 2003. If you like Will Ferrell, you are sure to laugh in the epic journey of a hald elf/ half human searching for his father.

3. "The Nightmare Before Christmas", it took me a really long to actually watch this movie. As it tends to be on the darker side of Christmas stories. I can honestly say it is one of my favorite Christmas movies. I wish I had not waited so long to see it. If you haven't watched it yet. I suggest you do. 

4. "Home Alone (1 -3)", who can forget a kid left behind on Christmas by his family. Robbers try to rob his place while he puts up all kinds of traps. All the while his mother tries to get back to and stuck at an airport. 

5. "Jingle All The Way" is a comdey stariing Arnold Swazenager, as a dad trying to buy his son one toy. All stores he goes to is sold out.  Does he get the toy? Who knows. You will have to watch the movie to see how it turns out. Be prepare with a bag of popcorn to munch on with a stomach full of laughs.

6. "Gremlins" is a 1984 comedy horror flick. What is a gremlin? Well, it is a creature that is not very nice. It gets created out of another cute little creature if three rules are broken. 1. Never feed after midnight. 2. Never get wet. You will have to watch it to find out what happens if number 3 is broken.

7. "Earnest Saves Christmas", When Santa passes on his magical bags of gifts, some how earnest was choosen. The antics he pulls to save Christmas will have you laughing for years to come. 

8. "Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer", the Christmas season can't pass without watching a movie with Santa's bravest reindeer. Ruldolph starts off being bullied by all the other reindeers as they laugh and call himnames. To turn out to be Santa's only hope to lead Santa's sleigh to deliver all the gifts to sleeping boys and girls. 

9. "The Santa Clause (1 - 3)", Tim Allen plays in this comedy. As he sees the real santa fall of his house and dies. He picks up the suit when Santa disappears. Little by little he turns in to Santa Clause. This is a funny comedy that lasts for three movies.

10. "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", this is a comedy made over a couple of times. Each time the Grinch steals Christmas. As he hates Christmas. You learn why he does. You also learn all it takes is one little girl to help him grow his heart  many sizes. 

Hopefully the different year of the movies doesn't give away my age to easily. Lol. Have you seen any of them on my list?

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Photo from Pixabay

Can You Believe My Daughter Wants That For Christmas? Blogmas 2016

One of the ideas on the list to write about, is to write about what my family wants for Christmas. This is a fairly easy one to write about. As I always ask my children to write a wish list of up to twenty things they want for Christmas. I only promise at least one thing off that list. If I can find an the item on the list and afford it, I will try and get what is on the list. The list is basically a wishlist of sorts. It can be something they need, want or something off the wall they know I could never afford it. It is to be made in fun, which gives me a baseline on  what to shop for.

What My Daughter Wants For Christmas

My daughter wrote a list of what she wants for Christmas. She wants fake nails. Every time I get them for her, she doesn't use them. She sets them aside and loses them. I later find them on the floor around the house. Yet, she is sixteen, maybe she is mature enough to take care of them. She also wants more pencils to sketch with. She was talking about all kinds of shade pencils in different colors. I am not sure where to find those but I will look. of course being a girl she asked for more make up. I think it is time to get new make up. It has been awhile since I bought her any. She also wants waist high pants. As she has learnt that style looks good on her. Plus, she doesn't have to keep pulling them up. She has requested different multiple band shirts. Problem is, I don't know which bands she wants. As we don't listen to the same type of music. Now I need to figure it out which ones without her finding out. She is being practical. As she asked for more cotton socks. White ones to be exact. I guess she is tired of having multi colored socks and not being to find mates. She wants globes fro Christmas. As it is something she likes to look at and display. She is also in to those plastic flat wrist bands. I would rather get her something shiny, like a bracelet to go with any outfit. She is asking for another tablet. That is not going to happen. She broke her last one leaving it on the floor and stepping on it. She still has a phone and laptop she can connect to the internet. She has also asked for a gift card from one of three places. She wants from the book store, Rue21 or Claire's which are all located in the mall.

What My Teenage Son Wants

My teenage son was simple. He asked for money and gift cards. He is eighteen, I really didn't expect much else. He did ask for at least two more pairs of jeans.

What My Eldest Son Wants

My eldest son is twenty five, he asked for tools to be able to work on vehicles. As he is tired of paying out money to others to fix his vehicles. When it is cheaper to do it himself.

Shopping For My Grandson

I have asked my grandson's mom what to get him. At least ideas of what not to get him, that we do not buy him the same thing. That was a no go. I have asked three times already, and always get the silent treatment. I think a  loud noisy toy is in the works for my grandson. lol.

My Boyfriend Wants

My boyfriend always asks for things he knows I can't afford. I tell him when we win the lottery baby. I buy that for you. We both laugh.

Well, it looks like I have a nice list of things to choose from. All them seem pretty simple to find. I am sure I will find some surprises to add to the list. 

What is your family asking for Christmas?

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Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website. This blog participates in the "31 Days of Blogmas".

What I want For Christmas? Blogmas 2016

You would think writing what I want for Christmas would be an easy task to complete. In reality it isn't easy at all. I can give anyone a general idea of what I want for Christmas, that part is easy. 

As I am a writer. Anything that can help me with my writing would be appreciated. Such as a paid program on the computer that all writers are raving about. Notebooks / calendars to help me jot down ideas to write my blogs about. Pens and pencils are one of the greatest tools a writer can have.

I love to take photographs of nature, wildlife, food and more. Anything that would help me get further in doing this would be most helpful. One of the things I love to take photos of are items I plan to review and write about. Things I have purchased and tried / used. Receiving an Amazon card would work wonders to help me pursue that option. 

Anyone that knows me, knows I love to cook and create new recipes. I love creating in the kitchen. Receiving anything for the kitchen, whether it be a kitchen tool or ingredients to help me create new recipes would greatly help me do something I love.

My oven went out in my stove during the summer. I haven't been able to replace it. As my home was going under much needed home improvement projects. I was able to get me a table top stove in the process. I found it at Walmart for $89.00. It is smaller than a regular oven. Receiving smaller size pans would greatly help me with my baking needs. As most of pans are to big to fit in the table top oven.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, I wish my family would be more joyful or willing to help me make our families holiday more magical. Instead of complaining about helping me make homemade gifts, decorating the house or plain out refusing to do anything that has to do with Christmas. I guess if you can get them to do that. Instead of me feeling like I am the only that cares to celebrate the holiday beyond buying gifts for others, it would make me happy. If you could do that, bring the holiday spirit into my home, it would be a dream come true.

As for needing anything physical, I have everything I need. I learned along time ago it doesn't matter if the dishes are mismatched. Or I have to do things differently to accomplish what I want. Christmas is all about gathering together as a family.

What do you want for Christmas?

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This post is one in many of the mini series "31 days of Blogmas". Some photos are from Pixabay. While others were taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.