[yorkietalkjilly]

Just got the way for Santa Claus cleared in the hobby room. Moved two big dolls and a box Raggedy Ann came in and the little dolly is ready for Santa to hitch a ride on it. He's too heavy to carry or scoot on the floor so he has to ride all the way down the hall, through the kitchen and into the den or living room. His Santa sack is all ready, too. Found a little white-headed toddler doll in bluefooted jammies back there I used to use in Christmas Eve scenes. I think he will come out this year, too, for Christmas. He's an old Cititoy doll about 25" tall, open mouth, very surprised look on his face as if he really did just catch sight of one of Santa's boots as he whooshes up the fireplace.

My sister knows I love Christmas so much she even had a South African teddy bear artist friend of her make me a jointed teddy-bear style Christmas mouse one year! She made him of the finest, thinnest of mohair and the most expensive, tissue thin pale pinkish ultrasuede for his paws, tail and big ears. Only thing is she had her make him white instead of pale gray, as most Christmas mice on the Hallmark cards and in cartoons are. hehe. He looks more like a lab mouse! So of course I named him Algernon as in Flowers For Algernon. He came in a sweet Santa Mouse suit and a sweet note from the artist. Jilly loved Algernon - was always trying to get him and did once. But she just carried him by the ear to her bed. Found a wet-eared white mouse in her little bed later! Tibbe doesn't seem that interested in Algernon. He's all about the big Santa Claus and highly suspicious of him.

My little Elf on the Shelf sure is smiling big tonight. He's so cute.