The Stories of Santa

Most children the world over have heard of Santa Claus, or a variation of him. In America, he’s imagined to be an immortal old man who lives at the North Pole and makes toys to give to children each Christmas Eve. We see him in books and movies as a rotund, jolly old soul, his white beard flowing over a red suit trimmed with fur and gold buttons. And, of course, always chortling that merry greeting: “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

You may be surprised to learn that Santa Claus hasn’t always been Santa Claus. He has quite a history, beginning in present-day Turkey. But first, let’s start in the New World.

The legend of “Sinterklaas” (sounds a lot like “Santa Claus,” doesn’t it?) was brought to New York by Dutch settlers in the 1600s. The Dutch first called him “Sint Nicolaas,” which eventually evolved into Sinterklaas.

Sinterklaas had a sidekick (companion) named Black Peter. Tall and lanky with dark hair and skin, he was the physical opposite of Sinterklaas in looks and was believed to give punishments to Dutch children who’d misbehaved. He also sported a large sack that many children were afraid of, believing he carried naughty little ones away in it. He was also said to hand out coal, which birthed the tradition of mischievous children finding coal in their stockings on Christmas morning. In a way, Sinterklaas and Black Peter were the “good cop/bad cop” of their time.

The Feast of Sinterklaas is celebrated in most Roman Catholic countries on December 6 and is primarily a celebration for young children. The Eve of the Feast of Sinterklaas, on December 5, is celebrated in lowland countries – such as The Netherlands – by all ages, including the religious and non-religious. People give gifts, poke fun at each other, and generally just have a good time on this day.  This story is bit hard for me as I don’t know how you couple a “good cop/bad cop” with Santa.

Saint Nicholas the man from whom the legend grew, began life simply as Nicholas in AD 271 on the southern coast of what is now Turkey (at the time, the land belonged to Greece). The son of wealthy parents who raised him to be a devout Christian, he found himself orphaned at a young age when they died in an epidemic. He became a priest and dedicated his life to using his wealth to help those less fortunate.  This story is my personal favorite.  Imagine dedicating your life to using your wealth to help those less fortunate.

One popular story tells how Nicholas saved three sisters from being sold into slavery. Their father couldn’t afford dowries for them, and without a dowry it was almost impossible to find a husband. It’s said that Nicholas, who was fond of throwing gifts through open windows, threw a bag of gold into their house on three separate occasions, landing in either the girls’ stockings or shoes. This kind and selfless act saved three sisters from the auction block, and also began the tradition of children putting out stockings for Saint Nicholas to fill.

Nicholas the priest eventually became the Archbishop of Myra (now Demre, Turkey, near Anatolia), making him the youngest archbishop of his day. He lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who began persecuting and locking up the clergy while robbers and murderers ran free. Nicholas was imprisoned for a time, but eventually released.

After his time in prison, he attended the famed Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died on December 6, 342 or 343 in Myra, but his remains were taken to Bari, Italy in AD 1087 after the region fell to Islamic forces. The day of his death was decreed by Rome to be his “name day,” on which the Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated.

Popular American author Washington Irving was the first to write about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas in 1809 under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. He wrote of Saint Nicholas arriving on horseback every Christmas Eve, but not accompanied by Black Peter as in the Dutch story.

The combined Dutch American Saint Nicholas was “fleshed out” by Clement C. Moore in his classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” also known as “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” From Moore’s poem we were given the names of Saint Nick’s reindeer (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen), how he laughed, and even how he looked when he laughed. He was referred to as a “lively old elf” who entered and exited houses through the chimneys.

A famous American illustrator named Thomas Nast is the man we have to thank for the larger version of Saint Nick. Nast drew Santa for Harper’s magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s, and showed him to be rather round and filled out. His imaginative contributions of Santa working at a North Pole workshop and carrying lists of who was “naughty” and who was “nice” became staples of modern Santa lore. Santa’s girth grew again in the 1930s when ads for Coca Cola depicted him as a full-sized human rather than an elf.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  May “selfless acts” abound !!!!!!!

Ready for Fall? 5 Top Tips

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Roof repairs: If you can safely get onto your roof to inspect for missing shingles or other factors that may lead to a leaky roof, now’s the time to do it!  If not, call in a professional organization and have them take care of the rooftop work for you.  Here are some local companies that you might consider:  http://www.metroroofing.com/ http://www.dunriteroofing.com/ to name a couple.  The best way to get a great roof is to get a roof referral from a neighbor or friend.  You’ll get the best information that way.

Seal It Off: Inspect doors and windows to ensure that the weather-stripping is in good condition.  This will keep your house warmer and cozier in the winter months.  www.homedepot.com and www.lowes.com are good places to shop as well as your local hardware store.

Hot Stuff: Make sure that your heater and ventilation systems are in good working order!  Clean out accessible ducts and replace filters where necessary.  This is the most overlooked item on the list because people forget how important it is to maintain your heater.

Chimney Sweep: Creosote, a black substance that builds up in the chimney when wood is burned, can cause chimney fires.  Inspect your chimney for creosote and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional.

Gutter Check: Now’s the time to clean out those rain gutters again!  If you want to do it yourself, make sure that you can safely access the gutters and then scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.  There are many great sites on line to show you the best way to do this but one of the ones that keeps coming up is http://www.ehow.com/how_2418_clean-gutters.html

Unclutter in 10 Easy Steps – The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

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Clutter, which is defined as things that lie about untidily, is often linked to creativity or laziness whichever family you come from.  So, just how much imagination will it take to tidy up your space?  To be exact, you can make it happen in 10 easy steps.

Step # 1: Set A Schedule – It can’t be next Year!

You are much more likely to stick to a routine, whatever it may be, if you work on a schedule.  In addition, this allows you to clean when you can minimize interruptions and maximize your time.

Step # 2: Set A Goal For Each Room – Love it or Dump it!

If you can visualize what you want, you will be better able to achieve it.  By setting goals for each room, you can note the things that need changing and work toward that goal one day at a time.  There are wonderful organizations little-used items such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.  If you can’t remember the last time you used it, then it’s probably time to get rid of it.

Step # 3: Create A Timeline

When do you hope to have your home completely free of clutter?  One week, two weeks or even a month?  Depending on your schedule and the amount of clutter that you have, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before you can kick back and relax again.

Step # 4: Start Small – It’s a Big Job, But Someone Has To do it!

The clutter in your home didn’t appear overnight, and it won’t disappear overnight either.  If you start small, you will be less likely to get frustrated and give up midway through your cleanup.

Step # 5: Categorize Your Clutter – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

When cleaning, it’s important to categorize your items into groups.  By separating the items that you want to keep, toss and donate, you will be able to move through your clutter quickly and efficiently.

Step # 6: Letting Go

A good rule of thumb for uncluttering your home is to get rid of anything that you haven’t used within the past year.  If it’s still useful, consider donating it to a good cause.  Otherwise, toss it.

Step # 7: Storing Your Seasonal Apparel

When storing seasonal clothing, purchase a sturdy plastic storage bin with a lid and roll your clothes instead of folding them in an effort to maximize storage capability.  When full, snap the lid on and slide the unit into your closet.

Step # 8: Closet Organization – Use Things that Are Sturdy for Storage

Did you know that your choice of clothes hangers can greatly impact the storage capacity of your closet?  Wire hangers take up less space and can save your shirts from getting that annoying shoulder bump that often arises from the use of plastic hangers. Check out the www.containerstore.com

Step # 9: Shoes Blues

When it comes to storing shoes, many homeowners are fighting a losing battle with clutter.  How many pairs of shoes do you own?  How neatly are they stored?  If your shoe storage has you down, try purchasing clear lidded shoe boxes.  These handy creations can house each pair of shoes and can be stacked neatly in your closet.  And best of all, you can see your shoe collection without having to sift through a sea of sandals.

Step # 10: Read The Labels

If you have medicine, food or anything else with an expiration date in the home, check to make sure that the items are still good.  If the expiration date has already come and gone, throw them away.

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Tips

A pest is not just a word that’s used to describe an annoyance; in fact, it’s also the term given to a destructive animal that destroys crops, food and even livestock.  Whether you have a garden that has become a hot spot for neighborhood pests or you simply want to keep them from entering your home, it’s important to keep in mind several do-it-yourself pest control tips.

Spruce Up Your Space

One of the most attractive places for a pest is that which is filled with food.  Ants love anything sweet, including sugar, so make sure that any spills are cleaned up completely.  It’s equally important to keep your food containers and bags sealed properly to avoid a problem.

Landscape Designs That Pests Hate

If you have weeds in your lawn, remove them to avoid attracting pests.  Additionally, pay close attention to the plants and/or flowers that you use in your landscaping as certain types tend to attract pests, while others repel them.  For specifics, ask a local gardening professional or a representative from your local home improvement gardening center.

The Buzz On Mosquito Control

Nobody likes mosquitoes, but they are still a part of life and it’s important to deal with them.  You may not be able to rid your entire yard of these nuisances, but you can make it a place where they are not welcome.  One way of doing this is to remove anything that could result in standing water, which attracts mosquitoes.  Remove old flower pots, tires or anything else that could be a place for water to gather.  Not only is this a health concern as mosquitoes often carry diseases, but it’s also a good way to clean up the yard.

Home Repair

If you know that pests are getting into your home, the next logical step is to find out how.  Once you locate the entry point, repair the area so that it no longer allows for outside intruders to enter your home.  If you notice cracks, holes or other needed repairs, make sure that they are corrected to prevent future pests from setting up shop in your space.

Pest Control Products

In some cases, homeowners are forced to deal with pests by using products designed specifically for the purpose of pest control.  These products, which are commonly available at any retail and/or home improvement store, should be used as directed in order to prevent harm to yourself, your family and your pets.  It’s important to keep all pest control products locked in a cabinet and out of reach of children.   Here’s some handy sites that you might want to check out. http://www.doityourselftermitecontrol.com/ Personally, I would hire this done because I don’t know everything about termites.  But if it saves you money and it is not dangerous, I would go for it. Spiders are another pest that really get you in the Spring and some are very dangerous.  http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/spiders.htm You can also go to your local Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/or Lowe’s  store http://www.lowes.com and ask them what works best for your area.

Please bookmark this blog to receive more helpful hints.

5 Quick and Easy Home Improvements

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Go Green: A few changes to the landscaping of your home can make a world of difference!  You might want to consider planting some fruit trees in the backyard, adding a touch of color with some bright and unusual flowers, or perhaps finally starting the vegetable garden you’ve always dreamed about.

Add a touch of color: Feeling creative?  Why not give the family room, bedroom or bathroom a whole new look?  By focusing on the improvement of one room at a time, you’ll find that what can seem like an overwhelming job becomes fun and simple.  Repainting a single room can be inexpensively completed over a single weekend.

Bright and beautiful: Replacing the light fixtures in your house with personally selected pieces can drastically increase your home’s beauty and value.  Choose a cohesive look for the entire house, or decorate room by room!  The installation of new fixtures is generally a quick do-it-yourself task.

Tile it up: While it might seem like a daunting task, installing new tile in a kitchen or bathroom can be easily accomplished with a little know-how and the right supplies.  Your local home improvement warehouse will have everything you need to revamp and personalize the flooring of your choice!

The beauty beneath: Always dreamed of having beautiful hardwood floors?  Choose a room, pull up the carpet, and you’ll be on your way to accomplishing just that!  Repairing, refinishing, and staining the floor is a simple step-by-step process that you can achieve without the heavy expense of installing new wood panels.

Give Your Curb Appeal a Punch!

Whether you are looking to sell your home or just think it’s time for a new look to improve your curb appeal, here are a few simple ways to spruce up your front porch without taking a bite out of your wallet!

What to do with Concrete?

If your home has a simple concrete porch, there are a number of great ways to give it a more refined appearance that won’t involve replacing it.  One option is using concrete paint.  Available in many colors and textures, you can create the look of a more expensive stone porch at a fraction of the cost of replacing it.  Here’s a company that can do it for you.  http://concretecafe.com

Take a Picture?

Most homes have a front entry that includes a covered porch or front door entrance.    During the winter months, have your lights on a timer to give an additional welcoming touch at sun down.  Also, if your entry is “post card perfect” make a picture while the snow is on the ground.  These are great pictures for marketing and give people in the heat of summer another view of your house.

One of the easiest ways to dress up your exterior entry is to choose interesting and complementary final touches.  A new mailbox, a handmade or antique-looking street number sign, and a nice welcome mat can all make the space look more homey and finished.  If you have the space, also consider adding a few chairs and a small table, or add the nostalgia of a porch swing.

How to Negotiate the Best Car Deal

Do research online.  Decide on a fair price.  Look up Blue Book Values for the cars you are considering.  Be sure to compare apples to apples because it will make a difference in price.

For example if you want GPS or a DVD player in your car include those features in all searches.

Use other dealership offers to entice a salesman to drop the price even more. Be prepared to walk from a dealership if they won’t initially meet your price – but leave your contact information should they decide otherwise!  The prospect of a lost sale will make people more negotiable.

Facebook has many business pages for specific makes and models – email some of the owners to ask if they like their car.  Talk to local mechanics and ask what they would buy given the choice of (narrow it down to 3 different cars).

Tis the Season…Creating Memories

Christmas Decorating Ideas

Along with the Christmas festivities comes the desire to decorate your home with twinkling lights, wreaths, trees and even yard ornaments featuring the theme of the holidays.  If you want to make your next Christmas decorating venture a real holiday treat, consider the following ideas:

Homemade Wreath Decorations

Create your own lighted wreath by taking a short strand of mini-lights and wrapping them around a plain wreath.  You can use either multi-color or clear lights, and this approach can easily be used for both indoor wreaths and garland decorations.

Creating A Modern Centerpiece With Classic Holiday Style

Use a clear glass vase or bowl as a centerpiece and fill it with round glass ornaments.  For Christmas, the combination of silver and gold or red and green will be ideal.  When paired with the beauty of a simplistic glass holder, the ornaments will add a very modern twist to a very traditional color combination.

Holiday Decorating Scents

A nice bowl of fresh fruit, including oranges, tangerines and apples will give a nice welcoming holiday scent to your home.  For many, the smell of fresh fruit is reminiscent of the December season as fruit baskets are common gifts that are exchanged during Christmas.  You can place the bowl on your dining room table or in the family room, both of which will offer guests the ability to appreciate your style.

Display Your Christmas Cards

Take some felt or fabric and create a hanging decorative piece to show off all of the Christmas cards you receive.  You can use a small safety pin to attach the cards to the fabric, so that the beauty of the front of the card is seen.  This can be hung on a wall, or support post or beam or the railing leading up your stairs.

Turn Out The Lights

Turn out your normal overhead lighting each night, light up the tree and burn candles throughout the house for a peaceful and relaxing setting.  Watch your favorite Christmas movie, sing carols and just share good times together.

Homeowner Tip #3 – Painting

Don’t scrimp on tools.   Marine wool 1/2 nap roller covers, a good quality paint brush, “Shur-Line Edge Like a prom (TM)” can all make your painting task easier.   Masking tape, drop cloths, and high quality paint.  Shur-Line also makes a great extension pole if you want to balance on a step ladder.  You can also check with your local Home Depot, Lowes and other household stores to find the best deal.  But I can’t stress enough how important the quality of paint you choose is to your project.

Check out this great article by Home Depot, http://bit.ly/9TzqhO

What a difference a fresh coat of paint makes.  Another great article or video about how to choose paint, paint colors, etc. is great information, Creative Ideas : How To Choose Paint http://bit.ly/cWzXfE

If you would like a copy of my home decorating hints for the holidays, just send me an email and I’ll send it to you right away.    Feel free to subscribe for more really helpful and useful posts.

Don’t Wait to Go to Hospital if You are Having Any Symptoms of a Heart Attack or Stroke

Life has a way of getting things in perspective.  Last night, I was with a couple who are in the processing of downsizing.  In their 70′s, they are looking forward to moving into a home that is more manageable.

The husband did not seem quiet up to par when I got there but his wife explained that sometimes he experiences hypoglycemia.  She gave him an orange and his color returned and he didn’t seem as clammy.  His symptoms were dizziness, sweating, his head tingled and he felt funny in his chest.  His coloring improved and he said that he felt better but  I continued to recommend that they go to the hospital.  The wife said the hospital wouldn’t do anything and they would be there for hours.   They tested his blood pressure and didn’t seem to be too upset by the results. You could really tell that the husband did not want to go or bother with a trip to the hospital.  But something really bothered me about all of it.

As I was leaving, I looked at the husband directly and I said you know you can’t undo what a heart attack or stroke can do, please reconsider your decision not to go to the hospital (7:00 p.m.).

7:45 a.m. (Message on phone) Vicky, please hold up our paperwork.  NAME had a heart attach last night and is in intensive care.

So for all of you who put things off, don’t ignore what your body is telling you.  It is serious and the stroke or heart attack won’t wait.     If you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, please go to the hospital immediately.  Also, you don’t have to have all the symptoms on the list to be having a heart attack or stroke.

A heart attack and stroke can irrevocably change your life.   For a complete list of symptoms of a heart attack go to  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Conditions_UCM_305346_SubHomePage.jsp

To my precious clients, I wish I could of made you go.  I hope this post saves someone’s life today.  Don’t wait if you are having any symptoms.  It can change your life.