I will be the first to say that I really don’t like it when people skip Holidays.  For example, don’t put your Christmas decorations out before Halloween.  I know in the retail business, they want to get as much “sale time” as possible but I personally just do not like it when I pass an isle with Christmas tree ornaments and then two isles down are the Halloween costumes.   Let us enjoy Halloween and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas…  You all know that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays besides Christmas so I like getting as many days as possible with enjoying pumpkins, ghosts, witches and mums….

BUT, I wanted to share with you a very special and exciting event that will be taking place here in Scottsboro next week onThursday, October 8th. The Wimberly House will be having an author come to their shop to celebrate and welcome the“Elf on a Shelf” co-author, Carole Aebersold.   

It is always exciting when you actually get to meet an author of a book  and you get to have a “real” signature in your book.  Carole Aebersold  is even more special because she has connections right here in Scottsboro.  She is Danny Bridges’ first cousin (for those of you who need some help associating this connection, Danny is Becky Bridges’ husband, Alicia Bridges Bell’s father, Brett’s Bell’s father-in-law, Brent Bridges’ father and Courtney and Carley Bell’s grandfather- hope that helps some. Ha!)  Carole and her assistant will be staying with the Bridges while in town so that we be lots of fun for them to get to visit with family for a day or so…  I am sure Becky will show them around the area and show them what a great place that we all call home.   Carole started this company with her daughter, Chanda Bell and they have unbelievable requests for book signing all over the United States so we are so lucky to have them coming to Scottsboro, Alabama.  Carole keeps busy traveling all over to large cities and major book stores.

The  book’s full title is The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.  This was their first children’s book and is a hardbound book that shares the secret of how Santa really knows who’s been naughty or nice.  Carol is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and is a former teacher and the former editor-in-chief of Dayspring Magazine.  She spends her time today being a writer and motivational speaker.  Carol is very involved in arts, advocacy, and occasionally performs with local community theatre groups.  She has three grown children and she is also has two grandchildren.  She and her husband in Powder Springs, Georgia.

I know you all must be wondering how did Carol come up with the idea of this story and why did she come up with the story….So I thought I would share with you —in her own words how it all came about.

“The first time the elf arrived at our home, my children officially adopted him by giving him a name. Each year he would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving.  His sole responsibility was to watch the children’s behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the North Pole and was now resting in a new and different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him but talking to him was a different matter all together. My children shared many secrets with the elf, and while he was under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf was under no such orders where grown-ups were concerned.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the “elf is watching,” for errant behavior to be modified.”

My girls have had “Elves” for several years and they are a part of our family each Holiday Season.  They arrive at our house on Thanksgiving morning too.  My girls know that they will celebrate Thanksgiving with us each year and then be a part of our every day lives until they return to the North Pole on Christmas morning.  I will be sharing with you more about our Elves (their names are Eunice and Claire) when December rolls around.  They always bring lots interesting days and nights for the Green’s….Ha!!

So, if your child or grandchild does not have an Elf  or even if they do, you need to make plans to go by The Wimberly House next Thursday to get your “Elf on the Shelf” book and Elf that comes with it signed by Carole Aebersold.  If you would like to go ahead and pre order your book, you can do that by calling The Wimberly House at 259-5416 and they will take care of it. This beautifully illustrated children’s book includes a commemorative certificate and comes packaged in a keepsake box which includes the family’s new scout elf direct from the North Pole.

I can tell you right now, if you have children and they do not have an “Elf”, they will be wanting one when they start hearing all of their friends talk about their elves so I would get ahead of the game and get your Elf and book while I am telling you about it…Ha!

I hope you with children or grandchildren will give these ladies a great turn out by going to the book signing at The Wimberly House on October 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.   There will be treats and drinks for the kids and it will definitely be a fun time for all.  If you would rather purchase the book and Elf (they do come together) without them not knowing- you can do that too.  There is a limited number of The Elf and Shelf books so if you want to be sure to have one for you, then call Shannon at The Wimberly House  at259-5416 today.

Before I wrap this up, I wanted to share with you some pictures of the inside of the NEW Comfort Inn and Suites which is located off of Highway 72 past Walmart.  With the holiday’s coming up and family members will be coming into visit, there is no better place for them to stay than either Comfort Inn or Comfort Inn and Suites.

Above is a picture of the area that you can check your emails or do any other work and communication that you might need while away from home. 

The breakfast area is great and roomy too. This is one of the nicest areas at a hotel that I have seen and they have a little of everything for good breakfast.  I love the bagels and muffins…Ha! Always have fresh fruit too.

My Purse Give- Away for this week is a Free Night at the Comfort Inn and Suites.  This could be used for you and family or would be a great treat for you to give some guests visiting during the holidays.

Remember, to win this “Give Away”, you have to do nothing but visit my Purse site which you are doing by reading this post. (If you are reading this through the email, make sure to go to pennyspurse.com and you will be registering).  You will know when you are the winner. Trust Me!!!

Last week, I never got an email from the winner so hopefully this week, I will hear from one of you.

So make sure to visit pennyspurse.com each day this week and just maybe you will be the WINNER of a free night at Comfort Inn and Suites!!

Tomorrow, I will be talking about some more “history” ….