Happy Holidillos!

I really wasn't going to make any more new stamps this year. I thought I would just save my money and wait until 2012 but when I decided to go to Florida and get Lynn to teach a couple of classes, I figured what the heck. So in addition to the new stamps we're using for one of the classes, I've added some new Texas Christmas images. Clearly these should have been marketed a few months ago but that didn't happen. So if you haven't already started making your holiday cards, well, you're probably screwed. Or maybe you'll find some time between now and then (9 weeks? Yeah right. You're screwed). Or if you're one of those A-types, you're already finished but you can always start thinking about next year!

I'm going to spread them out over a few posts so it will seem like there are more and I won't have to hurt my brain trying to come up with 'ideas' and such. First up, Happy Holidillos! The actual Dancin' 'Dillos stamp features only the pair in the center but they line up very easily in case you're into line dancin'. Despite having lived all my life in Texas, I have never been line dancin' and unless there is an enormous cash incentive... well, let's just say it's not happening. These are just stamped in black and colored with colored pencils - note the shadows under their boots - makes a big difference! The Happy Holidillos! is stamped on a die cut thing with holes cut out for ribbons. I can't find the packaging in my wreck of an office so I have no idea who makes it.

Here's one I did with a Quickutz die. The saying fits both pretty well.

And if you would prefer that your 'dillos don't dance - like maybe your a hardcore Baptist or something - here's a more static version.

As I've mentioned before, I grew up Baptist so I know of what I speak. Not 'crazy' Baptist but crazy enough. When I was a kid, I remember some of the older church ladies saying that playing cards was a sin and once I went to a Baptist camp where the boys and girls couldn't swim together. We were 7, for cryin' out loud! Good grief! Happily, most of the people I know have evolved a bit since then but there is still plenty of crazy to go around!

Oh, which reminds me!

[uh oh, somebody stop him! unplug his keyboard!]

At some point in my happy little Baptist life, it was decided that my church would provide an alternative to Halloween. It was called a Fall Fest and was just about as exciting as it sounds. Apparently there were some who were concerned that celebrating Halloween was not biblical and probably satanic and definitely bad for children's teeth (we didn't have widespread childhood obesity back then - probably because kids were running around their neighborhoods trick or treating!).

And it wasn't about safety. Did you know that there has never been one instance of poison candy or razor blades in apples on Halloween? Not one - EVER! Any story you heard growing up was just an urban myth. Look it up.

Children have enjoyed Halloween and all its traditions for years and years and I have yet to meet a single person who worships satan.... although I guess that might be one of those things you keep under wraps. Anyway, I don't care if you worship satan or money or Star Trek or the pecan tree in your backyard, just don't come knocking on my door trying to sell it to me! Anyway, I'm glad my parents weren't completely crazy and allowed my brothers and me to have a little fun on October 31. I just read about something called Jesusween. Seriously. You can read about this idiotic and misguided concept HERE. These kooks want you to wear white on October 31 (does that include a hood and a burning cross?). And don't forget to pick up a few packages of these:

Sounds like they harvested Jesus and made him into delicious candy!

See? There's plenty of crazy to go around. And people get itchy when confronted with Islam or Hinduism or Mormonism. Same thing.

Well, ok, Mormons really are out there.

But to be clear - I thoroughly enjoyed my upbringing in the good ol' Baptist church. Lots of great memories but I've moved on. Too much stagnant thinking for me. But if it works for you, great! Bless your heart!

And as usual, all of this amounts to a big fat nothing since I turn off my porch light and turn on the electric fence on Halloween. But if I see a bunch of people on the street wearing white and singing hymns, I'm turning on the sprinklers!

Comments

[Susan G]

You're just too funny! I'm married to the son of a Baptist minister so I've heard many stories of his growing up in that household including what he and his brother weren't allowed to do. Some crazy stuff! Being a Methodist, and attending Baylor in the 60s, was an eye-opener for me. Wearing a raincoat over your shorts to go to PE class--come on! Love the new 'dillos.

[Julia]

Ok, so I am an A Type and my 200 Christmas cards are all done. BUT! I gotta make some more with this dillos! I will be in Solado on hte 30th so I hope they are there for purchase! Shopping is about done so there is still time for more cards and what I don't use this year will be a head start on the next. Can't wait to see the rest, so hurry up and post em! :)

[Curt O'Brien]

I have laughed so hard over this post. Jesusween? Really??? I even went to their website and laughed some more. Do they not have enough religious holidays of their own? Then you had to go and add your comment about turning Jesus into delicious candy. Honestly, I think you are one of the funniest people I've read. I so love your sense of humor. And "Baptist" would have been the last religion I would have guessed that you were brought up in. Thank you for the great laugh. I certainly needed it today! LOVE the dancing "dillos" but I need to be extremely careful while typing that! Best, Curt

[Jackie]

That is hilarious! I just found your blog by way of Curt and I am enjoying your posts. I needed some laughs this morning and "turned Jesus into delicious candy" just cracked me up! Keep up the good work, I am off to browse around some more!