Hang a Shining Star Across the Highest (Stolen) Bough...

Can you believe Christmas is almost here? Where does the time 

go?!

We all have happy memories of the Christmases from our past. Memories of the special little times that define the Holiday season for us. My Sister and I share one very special memory.

The year we stole a  Christmas tree.

Before you contact the authorities, let me explain. Back  in the eighties, my Sis and I lived far from home. We arrived at our family homestead and discovered our Dear Mother had not gotten around to getting a Christmas tree. A Christmas without a tree?! That would never do! So we hopped in the car in search of a tree.

Unfortunately, by that time,  most tree sellers were sold out, and had packed up and moved on. After circling the town we came across a lot with a few trees still left. The lot was closed, and the trees left were pretty shabby. Still, we managed to find one that was somewhat presentable, and after hoisting it over the padlocked chain link fence, we took it home. Hoisting a pine tree over a chain link fence is not as easy as you might think, especially when you are blessed with the "Complete-Lack-of-Coordination" gene that my Sister and I have. We were covered with  pine sap and needles, but were happy to have a tree. A "free" one to boot! We spent the rest of the day fluffing up the branches, making the tree look presentable and watching "It's a Wonderful Life", while we decorated it. The tree looked very pretty when we were finished, and, as I said, we thought that the fact we got this lovely tree for "free" was something of a Christmas Miracle.

The next year,  we attempted the same stunt at the same lot, and were confronted with a sign that said, and I am paraphrasing here: "IF YOU ARE TAKING A LEFTOVER TREE, PLEASE LEAVE PAYMENT IN THE ATTACHED ENVELOPE". My Sister and I felt bad. Had someone seen us taking a tree, and thought us a couple of Grinch-like criminals? We found a tree, paid for it, and left. That tree didn't have the same "Christmas-Miracle" vibe as the previous one. 

The next year, I found an  artificial tree on clearance, and that was the tree we used for the remaining years we spent in that house.

For my Sister and I, though, nothing will ever match the magic of our special little stolen tree. 

Heavy Haband-ed

If you look about this page you'll see links to the sites of many fine retailers. These ads contribute a tiny bit of revenue to the author of this blog each time you order a product from them through this site.

I am grateful to all these advertisers, and I appreciate them agreeing to post their advertisements here. There is one company out there, though, that refuses to advertise here, even though I am a loyal customer/fan.

Yes, I am talking about you, HABAND!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this company, it is a mail order firm that sells apparel (and other items) you don't usually find for sale anyplace else. Their clothing lines feature styles, colors and accessories that any Grandma and/or Grandpa would love. From banded faux argyle golf  sweaters, to ladies' dusters (aka: Grandma Jammies), to Velcro™  walking shoes, this firm has it all! Each item is seemingly made of the finest polyester blends, and come in styles and colors you couldn't possibly find anywhere else. When was the last time you saw a pair of lime  green check adjustable-waist pants?!

If there is someone on your gift list this holiday season who seems impossible to buy for, Haband may just be the answer to your troubles. As an added bonus, they offer all kinds of free goodies when you order; like imitation jewelery and bottom-of-the-line electronics. Another perk of ordering from them, is, once your initial order is registered, you will be placed on their mailing list, and begin to receive ads from them  seemingly every other day! Each mailing comes  with a folksy note from "Duke" Habernickel, the company  founder. This man is the greatest copywriter on earth! Once you read his description of Haband's exclusive 3' Pre-Lighted Christmas Tree for $24.99 (with the enclosed certificate), you must have one. If you want more, no problem, as each additional one is only $19.99, each! Apparently, you should hurry though, as Duke says they won't last.

I have bought some items from this company over the years, and it really stings that they will not advertise on my site. Maybe this heartfelt blog will change their mind.

If they don't, I am only buying three or four Pre-Lighted Christmas Trees, tops!

UPDATE 11/13/2009: The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and finds out what a moron he is! This morning I received an email from a nice man at Haband who pointed out to me that the day before I posted this, the company had accepted this site into their affiliates program. It is actually all Perfect Wife's fault, as she handles all the advertising stuff here. I am too big a person to make a big thing about this, though.

Our apologies to all the good folks at Haband.

So now, if you scroll down, you can see that Haband is the newest member of our little advertising family. If you order any of their fine products through this site, this blog will get a little financial kiss in the mail from them. It's a win-win for all parties involved!

I guess this means I will have to buy a bunch more Pre-Lighted Christmas Trees!