'Tis the Season! (photo credit Josh Sharrow) Thinking Out Loud Again Chronicles
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Aunt Bethany: "Is your house on fire, Clark?"
Clark Griswold: "No, Aunt Bethany. Those are the Christmas lights."
~ from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
I'm not overdoing it on the outside Christmas lights this year, like I usually do.
I'm not, I swear.
Earlier this week, on an unseasonably calm evening, I took advantage of the mild weather and strung a mere TWO strands of evergreen garland wrapped with white LED lights around my deck rail, to be able to enjoy their cheery luminescence from my knotty pine bar room that overlooks it.
Just a few pretty white lights, reflecting thru the wall of windows, for when I entertain friends with a glass of wine or a few cold beers, while we share our joy of the holiday season.
One extension cord. Two strands of lights.
Understated. Classy. Sufficient.
Well, except the red velvet bows on the posts DID add a touch of charm, anyone would agree that I needed to put those up.
And oh yes, that twig bench that sits on the deck? It looks much prettier with that strand of multi-colored lights arranged around it. It helps set off the evergreen and red bows around the rail and makes the deck look so Charles Dickens-like.
But that's it. I'm not going crazy with more than that. I'm way too busy, it's too much work and I don't want the additional electric bills.
However...last nights slip, I can't be accountable for. I was not in my right mind.
After coming home from Thanksgiving dinner which produced a carbohydrate-induced fog and plummeted my blood sugar levels, I rummaged thru the garage and excitedly found the extension cord. Not just ANY extension cord. But, the two-head one with the remote control and in a brief moment of lack of resolve, I hung two strands of white lights across the fence.
So, that's just five altogether and I'm not putting any up on the garage or the front porch railings this year.
I'm not, I swear.
The green light bulbs I replaced in the back entrance and front porch lights? Well, they don't count.
They're not strands of lights and well, geeeez, I have to have porch lights. So it makes sense to have them be a festive color during the Christmas season. That's just logical thinking there.
It all looks very nice and I will leave it at that.
My son even remarked "the house looks good outside", (high praise from a 15 year old) and nodded and understood when I told him that this year I would not be going wild with the boxes of lights, like I have done in the past.
I'm not certain, but I think his "yeah, OK Mom" was accompanied by an eye-roll. I couldn't tell for sure as I was still a little blinded from staring at the 100 watt light bulb while taking it out of its electrical socket to replace with my Christmas green one.
At any rate, I look forward to a holiday season without any of my temper tantrums that have always occurred as a result of having half a strand burnout, as they will inevitably do on a ten degree below zero evening, with a wind chill of "you're basically dead if you step outside".
It will be so nice not to have to take down 147 strands of lights in January's deep freeze. I look forward to having feeling in my fingertips all winter long this year. We tend to take being able to move our extremities for granted, until we notice our fingers beginning to resemble 7-Up flavored popsicles while standing outside adjusting electrical cords.
I will be so proud for not making a fool of myself in front of the neighbors when I stand outside in my slippers, sweatpants and ski jacket, trying to string yet another set of lights around something, anything, even if it's the downspout of the gutters.
Not to mention being able to sleep secure in the knowledge that the 747 airplanes coming in on the red eye flights for landings to MBS, will not mistake my house for a runway. Imagine how well rested I will be this January!
Oh, there are so many things to be thankful for now that I've FINALLY gotten control of this Christmas light addiction. I can put the spirit of yuletide in its proper perspective!! Moderation, as in all things, will be the key this year regarding decorating.
I just have to run into the store when I get out of work to pick up a couple strands of lights for our Christmas tree.
But, that will be no problem for me and my strong resolve this year. No siree!
Even if they're on sale and I pick a few extra boxes up, I'll just put them away for next year. I'll be able to stick to "the plan".
My son needn't worry he'll see his mother outside in her pajamas in a blizzard, frantically stringing "just one more set"...
Nope, I'm not going overboard. Not this year.
I'm not, I swear.
Really.
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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers! |
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Josh Sharrow says:
On November 27, 2011
at 05:59 PM
Hey!! Nothing says Christmas li1ke a 12 foot inflatable snowman!!!
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Diane Szczepanski |
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