Well, it’s happened. I’ve officially started thinking about Christmas. Is that not kind of ridiculous? You and I both know it is, but let’s agree to put it aside.

Have you seen this Thing of the Month site? It’s the perfect site to get you thinking about gift-giving and if you’re new to it (like I was earlier today), consider this my first gift to you.

We all have at least one hard-to-buy-for person on our lists. You were going to get them a gift card, weren’t you? Nah, you can do better than that. Trust me. How about Flying Object of the Month?

If they don’t at least smile when they open this, you are allowed to take them off your list for next year. Honest.

Or for the kids, the Toddler Toy Club.

Award winning, well-designed, and eco-friendly toys are delivered every 4, 6, or 12 months, depending on the package you buy. Can you say “Lead Poisoning Free Christmas?” I think you can.

There’s so much more and it appears that more clubs are being added all the time. Check back before Christmas a few times so you’re on top of things.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this one thing that is killing me about this site. This. I know they’re not responsible for it, but why why why didn’t I come up with this? It’s a cardboard house, people. Cardboard.

PS: IF YOU’RE BUYING, HERE’S OUR LIST:

Dashiell: Handmade Birdie
Toddler Toy of the Month Club
Little Musician Club

Neil: Flying Object Club
Beam Bot Club

Me: Tin Toy Club
Mobilehome

News flash: Columbus Day means the Post Office is closed.

Dumb ass.

Somebody has giant baby cheeks and it ain’t me. They’re pretty frickin’ cute. Fun to squish.

And for those of you who read neilsattin, you already know about Dash’s breakthrough in communication. “Uh!” means, “do it again, daddy! do it again!”
He started up with it again this morning, making Neil put down his computer and come in from the other room to kiss him between the eyes. As soon as he’d set the laptop back on his lap, “Uh!” Again and again. He had us crying it was so cute.

Hmm… weekend wrap up… what did we do? Our attempt to spend Saturday morning at a local flea market was thwarted by Nascar. I know it’s the end of the season and all, but don’t bother holding the flea market for six vendors with Nascar memorabilia and some old video tapes. I was pretty disappointed but Neil’s suggestion to stop at an antiques store we passed on the ride home turned everything around. It’s one of those places with dozens upon dozens (seemed that big anyway) of stalls of pretty random stuff. Dolls, pyrex everything(!), books, and I’m pleased to report, no Nascar. I left there about 90 minutes later with a big collection of magazines from the 1880’s and 1890’s and a bag of correspondence from the 1940’s. I was in heaven! I’m still going through it all, but I expect to have a lot of it up in my etsy shop by the end of the week. Paper crafters, take notice!

Yesterday we had a house full of people for a reading of Louis Frederick’s latest screenplay. Glasses of wine in-hand, we read through it, with everyone having at least one part. (I was Old Woman and Clerk Over The PA or something like that.) It’s good stuff, Louis. Very good.
He’s in town for a few more days and will be staying with us tonight. Hope you don’t mind a little crying baby with your free bed and meals, Louis. We got some teeth coming in.

Off to the post office to ship out some goods and then on to the thrift stores to try to find Dash’s halloween costume. Stay tuned for more about that, but I’m looking for a tiny (6-12 months) gray suit. Anyone?

It’s inevitable. There’s going to come a day as a blogger when you just don’t feel inspired to write. Call it a funk. Call it writer’s block. Call it I-can’t-believe-it’s-80-degrees-in-October-I’m-off-to-the-beach. Any way you slice it, you need to post something and you need to do it now.

Enter the photo journal. Pictures that inspire you in some way and will inspire the internets to check them out and to keep coming back. In my case, they’re usually pictures of Dash. He’s cute, what can I say. But today, no Dash pics. What’s inspiring me today are pictures of recent items added to the HappyDashery.

Check ’em out:

So there you have it. A little tip for you and some fun pictures to boot! See you all later. I’m off to the beach!

Happy Tuesday everyone. Dash is down for his nap (like a good little squealer) so it’s time for a fun post.

I got this from One Good Bumblebee and decided to do it myself. I don’t think the Gangsta part worked out but everything else is pretty good. Anyone think it’s weird that my first pet’s name AND my favorite flavor is Vanilla? Might be related, might not. I don’t feel comfortable saying here.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Vanilla Prius

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Coffee Pumpkin Chip [I don’t think this one worked out for me]

3. YOUR FLY Guy/Girl NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
T-Sat

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Navy Panda

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Joy Brunswick

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Satto

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Pink Coffee

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Ned Harry

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Vanilla Gummy Bear

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Agnes John

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Thompson Toronto

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Fall Morning Glory

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Apple Slippery

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Toast Lilac

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Collecting Sun Tour