It's no secret that I get overwhelmed by Christmas decorating. Because unless you want to hang your garland along with a year's worth of spider webs, first you have to clean. And if you're anything like me, then once you start, you realize just how disgusting your house is. It's a real if-you-give-a-mouse-a-Christmas-cookie situation. Nevertheless, yesterday I started decking out the fireplace, then moved on to the tree only to discover that my (albeit ancient, slightly leaning, floor model) pre-lit specimen needed a little more hot buttered rum (hashtag drinking-puns-from-a-teetotaler). Good thing I already stocked up on lights:
Lights: Sylvania, Hobby Lobby
Then again, I bought these to replace the extra strands that I add (I like a lot of lights), which had also died. Sigh.
Yet despite my borderline bah humbug attitude, I don't hate Christmas. Oh, no. I love Christmas. And so I want it to be special and can never do it (or anything else I care about) halfway. Is it any wonder that one year I got so stressed out I didn't put up a tree at all?!
When the husband got home from work, I told him about our low-wattage situation. And he said, "Did you plug everything in?"
Um, what? Wasn't there just the one plug?
Evidently not, because in a blink we had this:
Which just goes to show that things are never as bad -- or as dim -- as they seem. Also that, like a toddler, I shouldn't be trusted with outlets.
Anyhoo, time to bust out the ornaments! The newest are these cacti and French fries, just a few of my favorite things. 🌵🍟
Ornaments: Wondershop, Target
So, here's to merry mishaps that melt into, not springs, but succulent surprises.
And to jacking up the electric bill Griswald style.