Welcome to What's on Second Home of the Hot Boxes

Menu: Newsletter | New and Upcoming Products | Hot Pulls | Up Coming Card Shows and Events | Articles | Links | Set Finishers | Preorders | We are Selling | We are Buying | Home

hi ya all

it is time for my annnual holiday letter

as the end of the year approaches and thanksgiving is just around the corner i like to pause ,take a deep breath, and reflect.

this helps me to get things back in focus and hopefully is reflected in my attitudes and priorities during the holidays and months ahead

i have a lot to be thankful for. god has truly blessed me this year --the shop survived a very difficult economy[thanks to your continued frienship and support ] 2 of my beloved children rec'd their masters degree -debby graduated and is teaching at sothwest high school -joel and sara both found jobs and are sharing an apartment in houston///our first grand child was born[ little madelin rose] and altho we had a scare god has brought her thu with flying colors. the cardioligst saw her last week and said every thing looks great all the holes have closed up i can not begin to tell you what a blessig she is.watching my son being a dad almost made me cry .god keeps his promises i am so glad i put him in charge and let him heal me from the years of alcohol addiction.i did not want to pass on the acoholism as it was passed down to me..thanks for bearing with me .

it has been an interesting year in the sports world. of course the yankees won so things have been restored to their rightful place syracuse however is another story the cowboys and the texans may make a run and i really believe the spurs will play for the western conference championship.

the hobby is going thru a big transition there will be (1) baseball producer-topps. one nba pannini. one hockey upperdeck. two football pannini and upper deck i beieve this should greatly enhance the secondary value of the cards aswell as their long term value i also believe we will be entering an inflationary period!!!!!!!! collectibles have alwys done well during these periods . i think the card companies will start listening more to the collectors out of necessity. i think te changes will be for the good

as we go tru the transtion i need to count on your help and patience even more.... so many of you have been loyal friends from the very beginnig and many of you have stood by me for a very long time. it is no secret that there is a ton of stress, frustration,and aggravating people that i have to deal with. and now that debby is working i have to ask myself why am i doing it? i have cosidered selling several times and have turned down offers -why!! because of the friendships i have developedwith so many of you. WE NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT WITH OUT YOU !!! YOU ARE WHAT KEEPS ME COMING TO THE SHOP EVERYDAY YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF MY FAMILIES GROWTH AND SUCCESS YOU PAID FOR COLLEGE- BRACES= CARS- FIELD TRIPS AND COUNTLESS OTHER THINGS YOU ARE APPRECIATED AT THE HOME OF THE HOT BOXES YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS AT WORK

I HOPE THAT IN RETURN I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH THE "CHEERS" OF THE CARD WORLD/ SOME WHERE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME .I TRY TO ALWAYS BE FAIR, DECENT,HONEST AND APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR TIME, MONEY ,AND YOUR FRIENSHIP WHILE I AM SURE I FALL SHORT AT TIMES IT IS NOT FROM LACK OF TRYING MY HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE... YOU ARE WHY WE ARE HERE IF YOU BUILD IT --THEY WILL COME-- THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY GOAL OUR OWN LITTLE FIELD OF DREAMS !!!!COME BY AND PLAY CATCH

i am working on the holiday plans .the kids are all coming for thanksgiving. i do not know for christmas yet i also need your input on the christmas party how do you feel about it i am on my own this year probably little or no help from the fam.

well in closing we have a ton to be thankful for i hope we are all thanking the almighty and that we are seeking him in prayer on behalf of our country and our troops who are seving all over unable to spend the holidays with their families we owe them a lot

well happy thanks giving from us to you--and best wishes for a very merry chitmas and a blessed new year. you are in our thoughts and prayers --clarence was right NO MAN IS POOR WHO HAS FRIENDS

HAPPY HOLIDATYS
THE RICES

that we are seeking him in prayer on behalf of our country and especilly all our troop who are serving all over the world unable to spend the holidays with their families we owe them a lot.