New address.

Hi,


Santa here I have a new blog spot for 2009.

santajoe2009.blogspot.com

Kind of catchy.

Santa Joe

OK, who's singing let it Snow??

Well I have not heard from anybody in a while so I think Santa might just call it a season with one more blog after this one. If anybody would like to contact Santa at anytime and for any reason Elves Tasha, Court, and Jeremy have my private email.

I am posting some pictures of my yard and neighborhood with all the snow we have. The other day we had 14 inches, and we are to get 3-6 more inches on Saturday. We have had almost 3 feet of snow since November 5th. That is a lot even for us. Now remember, this will stay with us until late April or early May (and you guys complain with a dusting). Oh, and let us not forget the 1/2 to 2 inches of ice on all the roads, sidewalks, and driveways. We need a few days above 35 degrees just to get the ice melting (Santa was in Harrisburg for that one).

Today I was interviewed by our local paper. They will be doing an article about me and BPS within the next two weeks. The interview lasted just over an hour, and I had the reporter laughing and crying as she listened to me tell about things that happened. We laughed at the different ways people dressed their dogs, and some of the people too. But we both had a tear or two talking about the child with Old Age Syndrome, the blind little girl, and even the kid who asked me to pray with him for his father who died the day before. I really felt bad when I remembered that the reporter is expecting (yes, Santa said he was sorry). But the kids are so real, you just can't make the stuff up (AND I NEVER WOULD).

So I will either post the link or tell the Elves what the link is so you can see the "Talent" in his local glory!

Well, it is late and Santa needs his beauty sleep (as we all know),

With much Santa love,

Santa Joe

Oh, Christmas Tree...

Hi to all my blog buddies... I almost hate to admit it but I am starting to miss working with all the Elves in Harrisburg (I am quite sure they miss working with the "Talent"). Oh, and for those who are keeping track of things for me we had no kids today and no dogs, kind of slow, but I am sure it will pickup and I'll let you all know...

I talked with a friend of mine who did a Mall in California and he did about 11,000 pictures. We in PA were not far off, just a few hundred behind. Way to go Elves, and to me (the Big Guy). For the first year doing it big for BPS in Harrisburg we did great by all standards. We had a increase in first time shoppers in the door (Great thing!), almost 100 Dogs (another great thing) and they will come back for sure, and well over 10,000 photos taken. From what I have been seeing in different Santa's web pages we are right in the pack with Malls, Shopping Centers, and large Department Stores. Plus we are the only ones from what I have been hearing that did a free picture. I am sure I will hear more in the weeks to come, and if it news I'll pass it on.

The only alarming thing I have been hearing is that a national poll was taken, and places are thinking about going with fake bearded Santa's again (because anybody can put it on) next season to cut on pay (Now Elves we have experience in this, what do you think?? What do you think of Court, Cindi, or Berry being Santa?). Here is my thought, if you go with a Natural Bearded Santa then next year with a fake, people will figure it out and you will loose all you gained this year(because they are mad).

Now to the photos and title, the photos are of Santa's tree in his living room (one with and without the flash).

Let me know what you think,

Santa Joe

Starting a Little R & R - YEAH!

Today was a much needed day of REST and RELAXATION.

Santa hunkered down on the couch and napped mostly...it was wonderful! The 49 days in Harrisburg, and the many deliveries have caught up with Santa.

I am starting to almost feel like the Post Office - but more reliable - and you never hear anybody going "Santa" do you? (Do you get it, Cindi?) I think I am glad I'm back at the Pole...yet again, you never know when you can hear "Looky looky, look what I have." (I still hear that in my sleep; but not as much as that BELL.) And with a big thumbs up, we found out a particular Elf does have hair (blonde and all).

OK, I know Santa is to be neutral, but I have to say GO VIKINGS !

So with much tiredness I say goodnight. Mrs. Claus and I are going to watch LadyHawk.

Santa Joe

As the blog starts to slow down.

Hello to you all.

As I said yesterday, today I will talk about the Elves and the workshops. I'll start with the easy one...the Workshops.

OK, first off Santa can not make all the toys needed by himself. So he has Elves that do the majority of the work. I also hire out the items we cannot make, but that's not much. Yes, we do take a vacation each year. We shut everything down for the month of January. But the naughty and nice list is active all year long.

I was asked almost every day how I know what's going on? Well, I have helpers everywhere. I send Elves out everyday to see what is going on, even Santa and his look-a-likes go out. I was asked if I or my Elves can see into houses/bedrooms/ bathrooms...and the truthful answer is NO. But like anything else in the world, people talk; and alot. We really try to stay away from gossip, that is why each list is checked sometimes twice just to make sure (and if it is a close call, we always go for the nice list).

Just for the record, the song "The 12 Days of Christmas" has nothing to do with the days BEFORE Christmas; it's about the 12 days AFTER Christmas.

Now to the Elves. I have posted a few pictures of them already, but I do have a picture of the full crew that I will scan in as soon as I can. I had a great bunch with me from the North Pole, I will give you there English first names. Here we go Courtney (photos), Tasha (photos), Berry (everything), Pat (everything), Bob (nuts and kid games), Ralph (kids games), Jean (kid games and nuts), Cindy (nuts and kids games), Cindi (photos), Patty (photos), Juanita (everything), John (kids games), Johnathan (kids games), Erika (everything), Jeremy (photos), Kristen (nuts), Dee (photos), Deb (photos and nuts), Janelle (everything), and the leads - Chris and Troy.

The weather here is colder than I expected from being in Harrisburg, and we are still dealing with the ice storm from last week. All the sidewalks and driving areas are covered with 1/2 of solid ice. We are not expected to be above freezing for a week. Plus we have 12+ inches snow on the ground.

Well to the photo above... This was sent to me from a person who would like to remain anonymous (none of the Elves!). I think it speaks for itself. I also want to Thank the person for the picture; as you can see it was not posed. You are very kind (double click on it to see what is written).

Santa Joe

The day after Christmas

Hi to everybody.... I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas, and spent some time with loved ones. I know I did after all the packages were delivered, and all the cookies were tasted. We also need to remember the true reason for the season, and give joy for all that entails.

I was asked what my route was for this year. Well I start in Asia and head West (I use the date line and time zones in my favor and I use a Zig Zag flight plan to use the curve of the earth to save time.) The Zig Zag also allows me to stop at the North Pole to re-supply as needed. I try to hit the East coast of North America by 2300 (11pm), and I end in Guam (just west of Hawaii) just before sunrise. (As a reminder, not every country celebrates Christmas on the same day. A couple celebrate on December 27, and a few European countries celebrate in early January.) Don't worry, Santa has it all figured out.

I was also asked if I needed a Passport to go all over the world, the easy answer is Nope (I used my Bass Pass), just as the President of the USA, and the Pope do not need one. The reason they do not is because of who they are, what they wear, and what they fly around in. I get the same privilege each year after filing my flight plans (Santa has to follow the rules too).

I want everybody to know that here at the North Pole we are into recycling so nothing goes to waste. I say this because as of today we recycle the naughty and nice lists. So everybody starts fresh and clean...but new reports are coming in already.

Tomorrow I will talk about the Elves and workshops here at the Pole.

Santa still has Reindeer lag, so I better get some rest.

Off to bed now,

Santa Joe

Santa did it!

Hi to you all. I am going to let my special guest blog for tonight as Santa is just plain tired out. Don't worry, however, I'll be back tomorrow. Now help me give a big Santa Welcome to Mrs. Claus...

Hello everyone! I am pleased to let you know that at the close of Christmas tonight, Santa has arrived safely back home at the North Pole and is happily sitting in his recliner with his feet up. (According to him, his "dogs" are barkin.) It's so good to have him home again!

Just in case anyone is wondering, all packages were delivered according to plan and tomorrow starts the new "naughty or nice" list. Santa did find time to bring a special gift home to Mrs. Claus as well...I was so surprised, and thrilled. He knew exactly what would warm my heart. As you all know, Santa's the BEST!

I've seen pictures of Santa's brother, Barry. Santa feels really bad that he did not have the chance to say "good-bye" before he left...

Thanks to everyone who came to see Santa this year, and all the well wishers to the both of us during this busy season...you have been a huge blessing to us! I want to give a special Thank You to all of the Elves. You guys were awesome! From what I've seen in pictures, and what I've heard from the big guy, you took really good care of my Santa.... Even when Santa got squirrelly (which I'm SURE he did), you kept him on task with the children. Way to go! That's not always an easy thing to do...

I also want to give a very special thank you to Zoohiur. When looking back at all of the new friends Santa made this season, you stand out in Mrs. Claus' mind as someone who is exceptional. I hope our paths cross and I have the opportunity to give you a big Mrs. Claus hug. Your kindness to Santa warms my heart!

May you all have a blessed new year and remain on Santa's "nice" list!

Mrs. C