De-Christmassing the Abode

Twelve of the 21 luminaries that we put out on Christmas Eve were still lit when we awoke on Christmas morning--I think that is a new world record or something. There were a couple flamers--the ones that catch fire, which adds so much more excitement to the the whole lit-candle-in-a-bag-on-your-sidewalk experience. We even had a combo this year, with a flamer that remained lit until morning! Big excitement in our place. It's good that we set the bar low.

After Lin's Rockin' New Year's Eve, when we got out for a nice dinner with the kids, drank a bottle of champagne, and took down the real tree in the family room, I pretty much crapped out around 10 or 10:30. Loser, I know, but I'm an early riser and not really a stay-up-late kinda gal. I awoke to Beirut-style fireworks going off at midnight (and beyond) and Grace trying to hide underneath me as I slept. I'm not sure who gets that many fireworks for the calendar flipping over to a new year, but I guess some of my weirdo neighbors do. I wouldn't be surprised if they were shooting guns into the air as well, as that is the kind of peeps that live around here. Not real bright, but big on bang.

I'm heading off to prepare for de-Christmassing the house today. Joe's getting the boxes out of the attic, the real tree is out in the yard, and I'm ordering the kids to get the decorations out of their rooms. It's a major endeavor around here and I didn't even put out all of the stuff this year. I don't like putting it out and I certainly don't like putting it away either. All of this fuss equals Mom being crabby. (Warning Will Robinson!) The family is already planning what they'll be doing so as to not endure the wrath of me. It must be scary as the temp is freezing already and they are all willing to go out in the cold to take down the outside lights. Why do I think Hobbes is once again, the guy to "help" me?