Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Always Monkeys

Oh My Goodness! I got the cutest pattern from a gal in Australia! The company is Melly and Me and her blog is http://www.mellyandme.typepad.com/.
Anyways I made up 16 of these cute 23 inch monkeys for my neices and nephew for Christmas. It was a record for me 16 mokeys made in 5 days. I love this pattern so much I decided to whip up a couple more. Made a camo one for my nephew who loves to hunt and this monkey named Boomer for my neice who goes to OU..as in University of Oklahoma in Norman! Can't sell anything made from this offical fabric but sure can create and give away!
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Hope this cheers her up after her surgery today AND gets the monkey off of OU's back and they win the National Title on Jan 8!

Look for more fun Monkeys from Always Crafty 2 in the NEW year! We have a Hearts are Love Monkey to show off soon and a Birthday Monkey too! Remember ALL our Dolls are created for ages 13 and up...due to the new CPSIA law due to be active on Feb 9, 2008.

Handmade is the ONLY way to Shop!

As many of you know I love to create and if you get a gift from me 99% chance it will be handmade! Handmade is the only way to shop in my book!
I love to look and sell on etsy and this month my shoppe is closed for family time but that doesn't mean I have stopped looking. Here are some of my favorite things on etsy for December 30, 2008.
From lynncyrart http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17027724
The most amazing purse made from birch wood! If you are a purse-aholic this is the one YOU MUST have in your collection!
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I just re-connected with an old friend via etsy street team called CYA or Clean up YOUR Act Team.... I missed this gal so much and funny how my one big goal this year is to learn to create Cold Process soaps and we find each other again. MoonMaidenSoaps creates the most awesome CP soaps and more. Come check out her goodies... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5838280
One of my favorites I will be ordering tomorrow is........
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16771591
Been waiting to try this soap like forever!
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OH have to show you some wonderful artisits from Trinkets 2 Treasures!
I am sitting her looking at one of my favorite folk art artists and loving the work I have of hers next to my computer.... FolkArtFromThe Heart http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5433991
I just love this one
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Christmas might be over for this year but these ornies from prairieharvestarts http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_12&listing_id=17531685 are calling my name
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Check back tomorrow for more goodies from other etsy artists!
Get a head start on Valentienes right here!

Friday, December 26, 2008

This was sent to me by a friend on Christmas Eve...I thought it was wonderful and wanted to pass it on to all of you.


THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time)
for five yearsbut hadn't been blessed with a baby.

I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,l
ove it with all my heartand raise it with His word as my guide.

God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us with another son.

The following year,
He blessed us withyet another son.

The year after that wewere blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.

We now had four children,and the oldest was only
four years old.
I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it

As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain,make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start.

God had entrusted mewith four children and
I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding...
when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom,
although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs.


When my daughter poured
ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humorrather than the mess.

In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
"wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained thatGod gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.

This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."

But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrappedin wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said
,"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly..
That's dirty, rotten clothes.

"A wrestling match broke out
between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel,
who bent her halo and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower
in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representingBaby Jesus,
and it bounceddown the aisle crying,
"Mama-mama."

Mary grabbed the doll,
wrapped it back up
and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward
wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger and announced,
"We are the three wise men,
and we are bringing gifts
of gold,
common sense and
fur.

"The congregation
dissolved into laughter,and the pageant
got a standing ovation.

"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one,"
laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes

"For the rest of my life,
I'll never hear theChristmas story without

thinking of gold, common sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy
and my greatest
blessing," I said as I dug

through my purse for an aspirin.

Jesus had no servants,
yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree,
yet they called Him Teacher .

Had no medicines,
yet they called Him Healer.

Had no army,
yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.

Feel honored
to serve such a Leader
who loves us


If you believe in
God and in Jesus Christ His Son,
send this to all on your buddy list. or
post this on your blog!


GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happy Holidays to ALL!

The start of Hanukkah is here and Christmas is right around the corner. I want to take a moment and thanks each and everyone one of you for just being here for me.
2007-2008 was a rough year and we survived! 2009 looks to be a great year for our family. Kassy will be leaving high school and heading to college. Keelee is looking to plan her wedding.
MOM is taking some time off of her crafting to learn new things and spend time with the family!

Keep reading here cause I will be writing about all the wonderful new things we are doing as a family.

Happy and Blessed Holidays to all of you!
From my family to yours!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Been a rough week here in Dallas

This has been a really odd week here in Dallas. We've gone from 80 degree temps to down in the 20s. From needing the AC to having to run the heaters and it looks to keep up this ever changing weather trend.
On December 16 one of the senior girls at Kassy's high school was in a horrible car wreck. She is in the ICU at Parkland Hospital here in Dallas and could sure use all the prayers you can give. Her name is Andria Bledsoe...so please offer up some healing prayers when you kneel at night.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/andriabledsoe

Well it's the Saturday before Christmas and time to get busy in the kitchen. I am making my famous Sizzling Salsa for gifts and holiday parties and after that I am going to make up some of my mom and grandma's favorite cookies.
Here is a simple fun cookie recipe you can make for your family this holiday season! I bet Santa would love a few of these when he stops at your home Christmas Eve.

Sand Tarts
(4 dozen)

½ lbs sugar
½ cup sifted confectioner’s sugar
2 cups shifted cake flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter, add sugar. Stir well
Add flour, nuts and vanilla. Stir.
Shape into balls or crescents.
Bake on un-greased cookie sheet at
325 degrees for 20 minutes or
Until lightly brown.
Roll in confectioner’s sugar while warm.

Store or freeze in tight container.

Until tomorrow....... Many Holiday Blessings headed your way.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Winter Day Special

Don't laugh but here in Dallas, TX we don't get much of the frozen stuff. When we do the city almost stops. We have below freezing temps and a small amount of water in the air so that makes for thin sheets of ice on the roads and walkways. My hubby got into work okay in the old station wagon but i have the new explorer and Kassy and I are staying inside nice and warm. She's suppose to be at school BUT Mommy walked outside and fell so she is not going anywhere. The school will have to just understand or deal as she says.

SO since I am home working on special Monkeys for the neices and nephews Christmas gifts I decided to have a special Winter day Special. If you visit my etsy shoppe you will find 2 HUGE Soap Cakes. Both Cakes are over 4 pounds of soaping goodness!
The cakes look like real bundt cakes that you can display and cut up into slices, slip into cello bags (You will get with the cake) and send home with your holiday guests. I think this is just a fun way to end a holiday gathering. I have one ready for our EVIE Celebration for my family ...NOW you can order one for your family AND It if free shipping!
Come over and get yours today. We only have one of each cake left!
Lemon Pound Cake
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18456567

( we can cut the slices for you and put the cake back together)
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Lemon Poppy Seeds Bundt Cake
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18460933
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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Boomer Sooners One Down BCS to GO!

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Man Man oh Man alive I am very excited! Can you tell! My sister and her kids live in upstate Ok. I love to go visit them and if we ever won the lottery you can bet your boots that is where we would buy some land and settle down. Not to sure how my Dallas born and bred hubby would survive but long as he has his football, basketball and hockey I think he'd be fine.

My 2 of my neices go to college or I should say the university in OK. One goes to OU and the other goes to OSU. Don't ya know they have had a fun house this NCAA season! My sister watches and roots for both schools.

Both Elsie and I are deaf so we can't use the phone but we sure do burn up the texting when football is playing! Tonight was awesome! I think my upstairs neighbors might complain with all the hollarin and stomping I did all by myself when they announced Sam Bradford won the 2008 Heisman! I scared' ole Chico right out of his red and white sweater.
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I know I know I live in Texas and should have been rooting for Colt and it would have been fine had he won but it is awesome that Sam won! NOW if I could just talk Kassy into going to OU I would be set. They do have a great AG dept there...Maybe in 2 years after she gets her Community college done she'll look north of the border.

Well tonight is OU's Night and better said it is Sam Bradford's Night!
Congrats ...Heal the hand... and go out and Beat the gators.
OU MUST win on Jan 8!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Come by and enter my friend's giveaway

One of my very favorite artist and friend is Simple Country Blessings. She creates patterns that are easy to follow and very unique.
You must come by and and check out her latest giveaway. Just comment on her blog and you might be the lucky winner of her darlings prim candy canes for your tree.

http://simplecountryblessings.blogspot.com/

Not only that right now is the perfect time to visit her shoppe
http://www.simplecountryblessings.com/
She has a sale going on.
Hope over and check out her patterns and finnished goodies. You will be blessed!

Good Eats for the Holidays

My baby brother called the other night, he wanted to know how to make some of the Christmas Cookies our mom and grandma puckett used to make. So that got me going through the recipe box. Thought I would share one of my favorites off all times with you. Might even make them for our Evie Party on December 23.

Apricot Balls
1 pound of dried ground apricots
1 lemon
1 orange
(lemon and orange ground peek and all)
2 cups sugar
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 box powered Sugar
(Lemon wedges to garnish the dish once complete)

Cook the ground apricots, lemon and oranges along with 2 cups sugar together for 15 minutes.Stirring all the time. Add one cup chopped pecans, stir and set aside to cool.
When the mixture is cool roll into balls the size of marbles. You will want to dip and cover each "ball" in powdered sugar. Place into tightly covered bowls or dishes.

If you like to bake or cook during the holidays make sure to check out my etsy group. T2T Team on etsy... http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=t2t+team+pif

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Santa's Secret Shop Hop Last Day

Today is the last day for Santa's Secret Shop Hop on Etsy. What is it you ask....


Trinkets 2 Treasures Team is having a special promotion on Etsy Nov. 20 to Dec. 10.

Look for our special promotional graphic in the participating T2T Etsy Team shops.

Each shop that contains the Santa graphic is offering a special deal just for you.

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It's time to get hopping and start shopping for some great specials from the T2T Etsy Team.


Come by and check them all out
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=santas+shop+hop



My specials are free shipping on all dolls and ornies and every order gets a FREE LUMP OF Coal for that person in your life who has been a little naughty.
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http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5155740

Monday, December 8, 2008

There are some wonderful souls out there and ONE Special Angel in Bartlesville OK

Okay let me just say I am highly allergic to cats. I love them so much but they really really make me sick. When I head north to Bartlesville to visit my sister and her family I have to take mega doses of meds just so we can visit. I do it cause I love my family and all her 4 legged babies.

My sister sent me this...Hope it is okay I am passing it forward. Soon as I find out who this wonderful soul is they will be getting some Sassy Soaps in the mail as a big huge THANKS..... Please read this...it's a bit long but oh so worth it.

Sunday, December 07, 2008


A kitty miracle!
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Pets and Animals

This is "the rest of the story" concerning the giant cat I brought home the other day.

When I walked into the "kitchen" at the SPCA to check my fosters out to see if they had healed there was a cat in a carrier on top of the freezer. I looked at him and said hi and other nice things and then it hit me, there is never a good reason for an animal to be in that room if there isn't an examination going on. I said to the workers "what are you doing with this cat?" and one woman just shrugged her shoulders. I had just interrupted a euthanization. I looked at the cat again and said "Whats wrong with it? It looks like a perfectly good cat" and the reply was that he had a spot the size of a pencil eraser of ringworm on his ear and that they don't deal with ringworm in the shelter. This is their method of stopping the disease.

I reached over and grabbed the carrier and stuck it on the floor between my feet protectively and said "You're not killing this cat, he is going home with me."

And I took him home.

The truth is I cried on the way home, I felt really overwhelmed and I was dissapointed at the prospect of the continued responsibility of all the kittens at least thru the first of the year. I have to keep them out in the cat cage and it means modifications now with cold weather here. I am done with all these kittens in my house even part-time... my personal cats are upset and it is too cold to have them feel like they have been run out of their own home.

So, bringing what turned out to be an 18 pound cat the size of an Ocelot into the house was a bit much for me, but I couldn't let him be murdered over a spot of ringworm.

So, yesterday the SPCA called, they have a prospective owner for the cat. Seems that the people had lost a cat that looks like this one and they had seen it on the website. Their cat had been missing for a year and a half. I told the girl to come over... she looked at the cat and wasn't sure and brought her mom back today.

Seems mom didn't need any one else's opinion and was very happy to say that this was her cat. She even brought pictures to prove it.

This cat was literally seconds from being killed and stuck in the SPCA deep freeze until it could be taken to the dump... and I was lucky enough to walk in at just the right moment.

I am so thankful to have been in the right place at the right time to have made a difference. Even though I didn't know how I could do it it worked out fine. In a few days the people are going to readopt their cat (and yeah I know, even though they were going to kill it, the original owners still have to do it to get it back.)

Luke, as his family calls him is going home after a long journey and even though the SPCA workers were laughing at me (in a friendly way) for trying to save them all and never being able to succeed... I took their ribbing and left with him anyway just like I have left with countless other cats.

This time there is a happy ending!

Now, I want to say that I mean no ill will ever for the folks at the SPCA, they are doing the best they can with what they have. Problem is they don't have much and there is only so much you can do. I know they can't save them all... I know I can't. However you can do something to help. Donate, Volunteer, and spay and nueter your pets and any strays that you meet. If you know of an animal that needs to be fixed, take it upon yourself to do it! You can eliminate suffering with this simple kind act.



Check Luke and his family (My big sister Elsie and neice Lesley) out.

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I really can't wait til we head up north for our next visit. My chico loves her cats and he is only 6 pounds...wonder what he will think about BIG LUKE???
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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Football Football and More Football

In my house FOOTBALL is what one lives on Saturdays and Sundays! OH MY Thank heavens for texting cause my sister and I are both deaf and we both love to talk football especially Texas and Oklahoma College Football. I live in Texas and my sister lives in way upstate Oklahoma in a town named Bartlesville. She has a house full kids. One goes to OSU (Oklahoma State Univ), one goes to OU (Oklahoma University) and 2 are still in high school.

So you can imagine how much fun fall is for us. Now I love the Aggies but they don't do so well so I love to follow the Sooner (that's OU). If one of my girls went to Texas then I would change who I follow...ya get me.

Well today the BSC come out with it's compuater decision on who will play for the national championship. They got number 1 right ...BOOMER SOONERS but number 2 they messed up on....... I thing OU should be playing Texas. The only team they lost to this year was Texas and they had the SAME record.
OH well when the NCAA wakes up and asks ME how they should decide the National Title winner then it will be all right.
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NOW the other FOOTBALL TEAM we never miss is the Dallas Cowboys. I tell ya I was never so happy to see a Yankee than when Tony Romo's pinkie healed and he came back on the field. TODAY oh well you win some you loose some.
Today my dammit doll got the stuffings beat out of it.
What??? You don't have a Dammit doll...(or dang it if you watch your mouth).
Football, Basketball (don't get me on the Mavs), Soccer or just about any sport you can think of I can make ya one. They are small dolls that you can beat the snuff out of when your team is doing bad. I added lavender to mine to help me de-stress after a cowboy loss.
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Come on over and check them out...... They would make perfect gifts or stocking stuffers for the Sports fan on your list.
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You can find them in our Always Crafty 2 shoppe http://www.alwayscrafty2.com/dammit.html and also in our etsy shoppe
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5155740§ion_id=5598139

We make these dolls for all kinds of teams, sports, illnesses and even military. Just drop us a note if you want one made for you.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Another Angel Got Her Wings

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I am sad to report that Jasmin Soriano lost her courageous battle with Cancer this morning. She passed with her family at her side. We will miss her greatly, she has made a incredible impression on our school and our family. Her strength and strong spirit evident in her fight against this disease.

We will not forget her, her memory will always be with us. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as they try and cope with this loss.

My family as well as the school family have worked long and hard to raise funds to help out Jasmin and her special family. It is so sad to loose such a young and spirit filled child. It helps to know that she is now an angel and watching over all of us.

Please please keep her family and our school family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Look how close the holidays are!

Congrats to Malissa she is the winner of a Trio Set of Snowmen ornies from Always Crafty 2!

LOOK HOW CLOSE THE HOLIDAYS ARE!!!!!!!!!
If you have not started your holiday shopping best get busy!

We'd love to help you out so.................


If you shoppe on eBay check out our store Always Crafty 2 and More. It is our holiday shoppe so come by and pick out some goodies for your tree or maybe to go UNDER the tree. Most of our ornies and Dolls are free shipping in the USA.
http://stores.ebay.com/Always-Crafty-2-and-More

IF you shop on etsy then we have your covered there too! Our shoppe on etsy is SassySoapsNSuch http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5155740
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From Now Through December 10 one of the street teams I am a member of Trinkets 2 Treasures is having a Secret Santa Shop Hop. You can find all my team members offerings on Etsy by typing in T2T team in the tag box. If you are looking for the specials just type in Santa Shop Hop in the tag search box.
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=santas+shop+hop
Right now there are 172 offerings for our Secret specials come by and check them out.

MY etsy special is FREE SHIPPING ON ALL DOLLS AND ORNIES IN MY SHOP.
Now through December 10 if you mention my blog when you make a purchase... you can take advantage of buy one soap get a second same soap free. YEP you buy a soap and I will double it. BUT in order for me to know you get this special you need to mention I read your blog in the comment box.
ALL orders thru December 10 will get a free Lump of Coal Soap scented in Dirt.
(Smells like fresh bag of potting soil).
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Come by the Lemon Poppy Seeds Marketplace and check out the folk Art and extreme primitives there.
http://www.lemonpoppyseeds.com/shoppes/psalwayscrafty2/

Also if you like just good ole prim or maybe even country style head over to Country Fried Primitives and check out all the girls have to offer.

http://www.countryfriedprimitives.com/shoppes/cfpalwayscrafty2/

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and REMEMBER to SHOP HAND MADE :)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

New goodies on eBay from Always Crafty 2

Just in time for the holidays Last minute shopping frenzy! This was our monthly theme in Age*Before*Beauty or AB4B on eBay this month. I listed a few new goodies so come over and peek.......


My favorite one has to be this set......
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I made them up for my mom but she only put them out one time for 2 days and the rest of the time she had them wrapped up and stored in her house. Well she went to be with the angels in Oct o7 so I decided to get them out and give all the dolls a make over and update. So I did and listed them on eBay. They are big babies that is for sure.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Primitive-Nativity-Mary-Joseph-Jesus-Doll-AB4B-SF-D_W0QQitemZ270312134318QQihZ017QQcategoryZ1217QQcmdZViewItem

Check out my eBay store and see all the wonderful gifts I have to offer...
http://stores.ebay.com/Always-Crafty-2-and-More_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

Shoppe now and get them in time for Christmas!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Always Crafty 2 on Lemon Poppy Seeds

We just added 2 new items to our Lemon Poppy Seeds Shop and both have FREE SHIPPING!
In fact all our products (expect the candle) are free shipping in the USA right now and discounted shipping for international orders. International orders will receive an invoice for shipping costs!
http://www.lemonpoppyseeds.com/shoppes/psalwayscrafty2/

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Today is our Monthly Launch on eBay for AB4B or Age*Before*Beauty...
I've just started adding my newest goodies to my shoppe but if you want to peek visit me at
http://stores.ebay.com/Always-Crafty-2-and-More_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

We added this tree today
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270311314363&ih=017&category=1217&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST

This western Santa
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270311326525&ih=017&category=1217&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST

Many more to add tonight and tomorrow!
Come by and check out all our goodies!