First:  as of yesterday we’re at 2,000 subscribers…..thanks everyone.

and pictures today are in Clermont http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34142-Activities-Clermont_Lake_County_Florida.html just like most of yesterday

 

 

 

 

You HATE Christmas! You’re gonna steal it. Saving Christmas is a lousy ending, way too commercial.  Grinch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TARPON SPRINGS:  Florida’s Mediterranean Village    http://www.tarponspringschamber.com/

Dockside:  Still the  “Sponge Capital of the World”.  there is a lively sponge dock area  http://spongedocks.net/ .  In the heart of the Greek community, a mix of boats, boutiques and bakeries that run along the waterfront.  Some 25 restaurants and bakeries, Mediterranean dishes (including a flaming cheese appetizer), sponge diving exhibitions, deep sea fishing, and cruise excursions depart regularly.  Quaint and quirky shops with everything from local sponges to elegant clothing and swimwear.

Downtown:  Victorian past with vintage buildings and antique shops (over 200 dealers), art galleries, studios, cafes and B&Bs.  Spring Bayou, shady waterfront haven with many Historic Registered houses and the warm waters harbors manatees.  St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral http://www.stnicholastarpon.org/   with 60 tons of Greek marble.  Universalist Church http://www.uutarpon.org/ which houses a collection of religious paintings by world-famous George Inness, Jr.   Cultural Center, first was city how, now displays art and historical exhibits and a theater with live shows and films. http://tarponarts.org/

http://www.tarponspringschamber.com/points-of-interest#.VnA3OdHSnIU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch: [whispering] Alright fine! I’m not talking to you anymore! In fact, I’m going to whisper! So that by the time my voice reverbarates off the walls, and gets back to me, I won’t be able to hear it.

[pause]

Echo: You’re an idiot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grinch’s Answering Machine: [Grinch’s voice] If you utter so much as one syllable, I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH! If you’d like to fax me, press the star key.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the holidays are almost upon us and I got to thinking we don’t need a Grinch to steal our Christmas–we often do it ourselves.  We get so tied up in the must do’s, must buys, must write and it goes on and on and on and on and on and—yep like that–until we loose any enjoyment of the season and it becomes a chore to tax our souls, a grief that we wish to pass….something to hide away in a corner of our mind until next year when the horror returns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cindy Lou Who: Don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly. His hands might be cold and clammy, but I think he’s actually kinda… sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO YOU STEAL YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BY DEMANDING PERFECTION?

You’re not perfect, you never will be no matter how miserable you make yourself or others trying:  SO GET OVER IT. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch: And they’ll feast, feast, feast, feast. They’ll eat their Who-Pudding and rare Who-Roast Beast. But that’s something I just cannot stand in the least. Oh, no. I’M SPEAKING IN RHYME!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO YOU STEAL YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BY BEING OVERWHELMED?

While it’s too late for this year, but, in the future don’t wait till the last minute to buy presents.  I pick up stuff all year long when I see something that someone might like—my sister likes Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz  I nab collectibles, books etc on the subject when I find them (usually much better priced the further from the holidays you get—I got a whole set of Wizard of Oz. collectible plates for less than $20,)  it’s my theory that collectibles don’t have to be new—these plates for instance are no longer available except through other sources.

 

If you have several people to buy for I’d recommend that you put a list on your phone of their likes (i.e. pull over sweaters not buttoned ones), what they collect or enjoy–a Star Wars fan might like something concerning the new release or a collectiable from the ancient past when Harrison Ford was soooooo young and hot.   You don’t want to get a ballet enthusiast a pair of tickets to a basketball game.  Add to these lists as you visit their home or share an activity or event—-and again if you find something in June buy it and put it in the closet till December.  Not only will you save your season but you just might make theirs.

 

 

Or make something—if you knit, draw, sew or whatever start the beginning of the new year and make items for the special people in your life—it gives you a chance to enjoy your activities without (as some people do) feelin’ guilty about the time spent and will result in you not spending hours fighting the non-talented Christmas shopping hoards,

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch: That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? That’s what it’s always been *about*. Gifts, gifts… gifts, gifts, gifts, gifts, gifts! You wanna know what happens to your gifts? They all come to me. In your garbage. You see what I’m saying? In your *garbage*. I could hang myself with all the bad Christmas neckties I found at the dump. And the avarice…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DO YOU STEAL YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BY FORGETTING HOW FUN IT WAS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

 

 Make decorating fun…get the kids to help—it’s more fun when its improvised…not planned and the kids will be so into it all, once they overcome the idea that you are going to let them touch all those great ornaments (hint if any are extremely expensive or sentimental you have my permission to put them up yourself out of childhood hands.)  Don’t have any kids try a new design for your existing décor—-do it by room and take your time….use ornaments in different places and for different uses—make it an adventure.

 

 

Take time for you—don’t show up at Christmas a complete wreck, wishing only to leave the excessive mess of packages and a meal and crawl off into a corner to hid until the spring.  Go to the spa for a facial or a massage alone or with a good friend who isn’t going to bring you down cause something still needs done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a large family or group of friends work out a plan where everyone takes a Christmas at their house at pre-set intervals—so you (and they) only have to do a meal set up and family/friend gathering every 3-6 (whatever) years. You can further specialize this by doing things like forgiving Christmas Presents from the host site friend or family member–and they will supply the meat and main dishes while everyone else brings appetizers and desserts to share (or whatever you work out).  It give you a year or several where you only have to show with gifts and a pie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinch: The avarice never ends! “I want golf clubs. I want diamonds. I want a pony so I can ride it twice, get bored and sell it to make glue.” Look, I don’t wanna make waves, but this *whole* Christmas season is…stupid, stupid, stupid!