By Marsie Hall Newbold
Enquirer Contributor

Carol Suhre collects Precious Moments figurines (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

Who: Carol Suhre, 44, of Union Township, Clermont County, a law librarian for Clermont County who owns more than 1,000 Precious Moments figurines.

On display: Approximately 375 of the sweet-faced collectibles at a given time. There is always something new to look at since they are kept out on a rotating basis.

Where: In three large curio cabinets in the living room of the home she shares with husband Jim, daughter Jaime, 12, and their cat Misty. Every holiday season she sets up a nativity scene with 40 pieces in the bay window. The rest of her figurines stay in their original boxes in the spare bedroom.

In the beginning: Mrs. Suhre's interest in Precious Moments began when a high school friend, Karen O'Shelski, gave her a figurine of a girl with a goose, "Make A Joyful Noise," as a graduation present. "I just loved it," she says.

Getting into the act: "It became an easy collectible," she says. "When people wanted to get a little gift for me they knew that I collected Precious Moments and that is what they started looking for." Her husband has purchased so many that she quips: "He'll tell you he's on a first name basis with some of the women in the Hallmark stores."

Someday we'll be together: Mrs. Suhre may own many Precious Moments figurines, but one special piece has eluded her. "When Sam Butcher originally created Precious Moments, he did 21 pieces," she explains. "I have 20 of the original 21."

The one that is missing is of a little boy looking into a manger, and according to Mrs. Suhre it is readily available. "I could probably buy it on eBay," she says, a bit defiantly. "But I'm not going to do that."

Why? Is it wildly expensive?

"No," Mrs. Suhre replies. "My sister has it and won't give it to me."

Sibling rivalry: It turns out that her sister, Cheryl Vrabel of Boardman, Ohio, also collects Precious Moments. But, as Mrs. Suhre is quick to point out, "Not as avidly as I do."

The sisters have been going back and forth over this particular knick-knack for years. Sure, Mrs. Suhre could have one just like it, but it wouldn't be the one. So, she'll just do without and endure the hole in her collection.

"My husband has even offered to buy it from her," Mrs. Suhre says, laughing. "But she's not going to give it up. Oh well, she's probably left it to me in her will."

Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202, e-mail marsolete@aol.com Please include a daytime telephone number.