Christmas

I like Christmas, for the most part. I like the decorating: the tree trimming after Thanksgiving, and decorating our apartment patio with lights and decorating. But this year is different. We have new management in our apartment complex, and they have decided about THREE months ago that they were going to repaint all of the apartments. They spent about a month and a half trying to decide what color to use. They tested different color patterns on different buildings. It was kind of comical coming home to a different test pattern. They finally decided on a color set, but it took about 2 weeks just to put it on the first building. Suddenly, we got a notice saying that they were going to paint on our building between last Friday and next Friday. I came home last night to all of the buildings spray painted the same color. They went from being very slow to turbo painting the entire apartment complex. I guess next week they are going to trim the buildings and paint the doors.

Anyway, back to Christmas. Because of what is going on with the painting, we were told to take EVERYTHING off of our patios so that they can paint. So, that means we can't decorate our patios for Christmas. But guess what? They are still having a Christmas patio decorating contest! How the heck are we supposed to do that? Should I stand on the patio and hold the lights and the decorations while the judges go by??? Maybe it'll help if I put the wreath around my neck. Oh, this is also supposed to happen on my birthday, so that'll be a great birthday present to stand on the patio with all of the decorations. Can you tell I'm a little bitter about not being able to decorate my patio???

Let's talk about the Christmas tree. Corinne dragged out the tree and ornaments, and started putting the ornaments on the tree. She wanted to do it a "little at a time" because she didn't feel like doing it all at once. Since Thanksgiving, we've been sick, so we haven't been in "the mood" to put up decorations. But for some reason, it bothers me that the tree is sitting in our living room, half naked. I like a full tree, filled with decorations. And believe me, we have plenty of ornaments.

Since I was sick, I didn't go back to work until Thursday, and Christmas decorations were already out. My office likes to decorate for all occasions. When I started in September, there were school decorations. There is a small Christmas tree that they use year-round, and they had put those die-cut school decorations on that tree. There is also a goose that gets dressed up as well. She had on a plaid outfit for September. In October, the die-cuts on the tree changed to pumpkins. Lucy (the goose) had her outfit changed, but I can't remember what it was. Some scary looking scare-crows were near my desk on a shelf. (Everytime Cecelia came in to clean our office, she would curse those scare-crows. She thought they looked evil). In November, the die-cuts were turkeys and pilgrim hats, and Lucy was dressed as a Pilgrim. December, the whole office is Christmas, including the tree (with real ornaments). I haven't seen Lucy, so I don't know what she is dressed in, probably a Santa outfit.

These things I don't mind. I like the decorations. What I don't like is the music. Don't get me wrong. I like Christmas music. I just don't like hearing it 24/7 from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day. The radio station I listen to plays Christmas music continuously, and I just get so turned off with Christmas 24/7. To top it off, the station that my office listens to also has 24/7 Christmas music. ARGGG! I can't win for losing!

Let's hope that they will finish the painting next week like they said they will. That way I won't have to stand on my patio with all of the decorations for the contest.