I agree with you on that.
Reminds me of the nutcracker I've had for many years (my mother gave it to me a long time ago; it's from Germany). What I think is cool about it is that the soldier is actually outfitted like a palace guard at Buckingham Palace. He has the big, black furry hat, and nice soldier's costume painted on. I've never actually used him as a nutcracker, per se, but I've put him out on the Christmas dinner table every year, with the Christmas pine greenery and flowers centerpiece, and 2 tall red candles. 
LL Bean's Duck Boots are the most sought after boot this season, about $140. Back orders on most sizes project delivery dates of March 2015 with over 100,000 people on the waiting list already.
but they sure are functional during inclement outdoor weather! Another tidbit is that L L Bean has practically a lifetime warranty on these; I've know people who've sent them back after years of use, and they'd repair them without charge, and send back to the owner. 
You are hardly alone. Never useless you're always lovely.
(That helped to lift my spirits out of my useless funk from this morning. 
)
We were at the filming in 2012. It was elbow to elbow on Main St.
I didn't see the Discovery thing last night but I did read about it and saw a funny picture from everything. Apparently the guy's arm almost broke or did break from the snake. I don't know but what an idiot! All snakes are evil anyway.
I agree: that guy was an idiot!!
The older ones had copper windings, all the manufacturers have gone to using aluminum windings. Most of the time if you overloaded the copper windings, you might get lucky and it would just blow the fuse. You could let it cool down and put a new fuse in and get the lights back on. The aluminum cores are not so forgiving, they tend to burn out & you have to replace the transformer...That happened on my street about 8 months ago. A transformer up on the pole went BOOM! and blew up. The electric company workers had to come by an replace it. Those things weigh over 900 pounds! That's why they use a crane truck to hoist them up, while the electric worker pushes it into place, and secures it on the pole.
The electrical worker also mentioned to a neighbor, that these used to be better made with (I think he said, copper or something like that to insulate them), but now the electric company only buys some kind of ceramic? or plastic? inside (cheaper, made in China). If it overloads and overheats, a fire starts inside and the transformer goes BOOM and the power goes out! The neighbor didn't get all the exact detailed facts, but he did say that the transformers are going to be blowing up more frequently now, once the older ones need replacing and they use these newer ones.
Oh, he's also a great chef. I particularly enjoyed his Christmas show last year, that included his family and relatives, who all came to his apartment for an elegant Christmas dinner.
Yes, I bought a pair over 20 years ago that I still have. (since I don't live in the snow belt anymore they don't get much use. Actually none) I know that I didn't pay over $15.00 for the pair. I love it when that stuff becomes a fad and people give up their first born to be "fashionable".I've been wearing these way before they were considered cool or trendy. Pretty much, if you grow up in New England, you've had a pair of these at some point. Mine are all black which I far prefer over the two-tone brown ones. They might not be dainty,
You are absolutely not useless.Every year about this time, I start stressing out
I like this one because I collect nutcrackers.
I like this one because I collect nutcrackers.
I wasn't until you asked. Thanks for the heads up. The winning house was amazing.
Sometimes it takes an "experience" to make a believer. I had my first when I was little and have believed ever since. Now the chance that aliens may one day come to Earth scares the carp out of me.
