The last from Last year...I hope.

Hello to my favorite blog followers!

I bet you are wondering what happened with my blogging from last year. I will attempt to explain. As you followed along, you could probably tell that I was getting sicker and sicker and on the 23rd I was miserable to say the least. I could not breathe, lay down or sit, let alone sleep. My medical plan has a 24hr help line. I called and was advised to go the hospital where I would be admitted at least over the weekend because IF I had what they thought, I might not be able to take care of myself appropriately in a hotel room. However, I could always go home, and be admitted to the hospital there.

Okay. Think about it. If you were going to be in the hospital, would you rather be in your home town or in the far away city of Harrisburg PA? I chose home. With the help from family, I was able to get the first flight out. I called Bass Pro and explained why I could not continue.

When I arrived home, my cell phone was melting from all the calls! Mrs. Claus took me straight to the clinic from the airport and this is what the doctor's diagnosis was. I had H1N1, which turned into double Metastatic Pneumonia with a double ear infection to boot! I was also extremely contagious - so NO seeing any kids. They did gave me a choice: stay in the hospital or go home and not leave until I came back in on Monday for a re-check. I chose home.

I tried to talk with Bass Pro, but they were too angry (as if I had any control over becoming contagious). My Santa boss was way more understanding on the phone, and shared that I was NOT the only Santa to go down that week.

I received many more calls, and I just asked Mrs. Claus to handle it as I needed to pass out. I did help Bass Pro get out of a jam, and Mrs. Claus forwarded special instructions that a child had shared with me about their Christmas wish.

So here are the final numbers for 2009. I had over 11,000 pictures taken with over 26,000 people through my lap (and you wonder why I got so sick). This year Bass Pro "went in a different direction" which means a different Santa and the Harrisburg Mall (which had a Santa for almost forever) stopped having one starting this year as they lost too much money competing against me. I wonder what they are thinking now?

SO starting November 17, I will be in Grand Rapids MI at the RiverTown Crossings Mall. I flew out to see the mall and found it is large and very impressive.

I will start Blogging more each day and please ask questions.

God Bless.

Santa Joe