Are you decorated?

[pope1982]

Our home is in the third category, dangerously close to teetering over fourth.
Trying to get my tired butt together and contribute you know, peace on earth etc etc.

[HALEY]

We got our tree up and decorated so far, But Mike is still out of town, so i don't think the outside lights are going up this year.. maybe... i'm just not in the Christmas mood yet... But i will be cause of Micah.

[Marilyn]

No decorating done at all!! We just have not had time. I've been baking fruit cakes and that takes a lot of time. Just too much to do!!! Hardly any shopping done, and I'm one who likes to get it done early. Really don't know how I'm going to make it, but guess what needs to will get done. Christmas tree was bought but is on the back porch in a bucket of water waiting for us. Hubby said we'd get it up this week, but our 3 year old 60" Sony Wega TV is going out, (they extended the warranties on the 2004 & 2006 models, ours is a 2005) so he's been spending the evenings searching for the best deal on the best quality, most reliable, most energy efficient product when he's not working on someone's bid or plan. He's trying to get more work, and he's having to meet when they want to and get things done as quickly as possible. It's definitely a buyer's market in an unstable time for prices of his materials and labor. He laid off his superintendent yesterday, just not enought work, so he has to do it all for a while.

[gja1000]

our 3 year old 60" Sony Wega TV is going out, (they extended the warranties on the 2004 & 2006 models, ours is a 2005) so he's been spending the evenings searching for the best deal on the best quality, most reliable, most energy efficient product when he's not working on someone's bid or plan.


OHHHHH!!! Don't tell me that - I have a (almost) 5 year old 60 inch Sony Wega!!! We haven't had any problems so far - what were its first symptoms???

No decorating at all in my house. I keep saying it will happen soon, but no one is listening (like anyone but me will do any decorating! LOL) I think I may get some things done this weekend - hope so!!!

[Nina]

Haven't even started yet. Just can't get motivated.

[Tiramisu]

G-kids put up the smallest (6') of my three artificial trees and decorated around in the kitchen and den. It's beautiful and I love to decorate, but that's all we're doing this year.

[Janet]

I'm done early this year. I put the finishing touches on the tree Monday and it took until last night to get someone to help me put the boxes back up in the attic. I didn't put up the same tree as last year. I bought a 6 foot tree at Wal Mart for $35 and it's really pretty. I'll take a picture of it later. It is one of those prelit trees and I love it. So much easier, but I still didn't enjoy putting the rest of the decorations on. Hopefully when Ricky has a wife and kids we'll be welcome at their home so I won't have to decorate at all.

[DianaB]

I don't have anything out yet!!! I keep trying to think of a time when Jaci can help but between work, school, and her boyfriend, I can't think of a good time. I'd at least like for her to be here to help get me started. I have so many ornaments that no one helps me finish it. Then there's also the other decorations to sit around. So much work.................so little time!!!! I keep thinking...........next week!!!

[Ponyup]

I'm completely done, decorating & shopping. Now I just have to wrap & enjoy the holiday.

[2tiredmom]

Trees up and decorated. Now I just need to finish up this weekend shopping.
All gifts are wrapped and under the tree except what i haven't bought yet of course.LOL:tree1::gbhouse::presents2:

[DianaB]

I'm completely done, decorating & shopping. Now I just have to wrap & enjoy the holiday.

Ok.........that's it.....................................I'm jealous!!!!!!! How could you be almost done and I've barely started!!!!! I guess I better get my rear in gear!!!!

[Marilyn]

OHHHHH!!! Don't tell me that - I have a (almost) 5 year old 60 inch Sony Wega!!! We haven't had any problems so far - what were its first symptoms???

No decorating at all in my house. I keep saying it will happen soon, but no one is listening (like anyone but me will do any decorating! LOL) I think I may get some things done this weekend - hope so!!!

We've had two problems, one fixable, the other not so much. The projection bulb has gone out twice and had to be replaced. That cost over $200 each time. Now the light engine is going out. There is a blue hue across the bottom of the screen that is worse at times and causes blue clouds or spots to appear on the screen. If you go on Sony's website and research the Wega problems, they have pictures of some of the light engine failures. It costs about $1,800 to replace the light engine, so it's considered not worth fixing if this goes out. We're researching for the day it's no longer viewable. The problem is supposed to get progressively worse once it starts. It could last 2 more days or 2 more years according to the Sony authorized repair people we have consulted.

Now about decorating, I still have not done anything. By the time I get home from work around 6 p.m. and we eat supper & clean up the kitchen, it's almost 8 p.m. and it's dark outside, I have laundry to do, and fruit cakes & other things to work on. The evenings fly and it's time to go to bed to get up and get ready for work. There is absolutely no time. I'm hoping this weekend that I can finish the fruit cakes and at least get the tree up. Not sure when I'll shop for gifts. With just one vacation day left that I'm taking Christmas Eve, there's just no time. I'm thinking that I'll play hookey on the day after Christmas. We don't have that day off, but no one will really be working much, so I think I'll tell everyone I'm making "sales calls" in my hometown. :D That's a code even my bosses use from time to time. I'm just much more honest and almost never take advantage of this little loophole. Most of the branches will close at noon the day after Christmas anyway. All our customers will be off.

[gja1000]

We've had two problems, one fixable, the other not so much. The projection bulb has gone out twice and had to be replaced. That cost over $200 each time. Now the light engine is going out. There is a blue hue across the bottom of the screen that is worse at times and causes blue clouds or spots to appear on the screen. If you go on Sony's website and research the Wega problems, they have pictures of some of the light engine failures. It costs about $1,800 to replace the light engine, so it's considered not worth fixing if this goes out. We're researching for the day it's no longer viewable. The problem is supposed to get progressively worse once it starts. It could last 2 more days or 2 more years according to the Sony authorized repair people we have consulted.




Thanks for the information! We will watch for that. We've had one bulb go out - but understandable as hubby watches it all day/evening every day for the past 5 years. So far, so good (again, fingers crossed). Mom has a 42 inch Sony Wega which has yet to have the bulb replaced - I imagine it will go out soon as her TV is four years old.

Thanks again for the heads up!

[judy]

Right after the cleaning woman comes, I will set out the tree, and my angels. I'll buy the wreath this week. My neighbor has one candle light in each window and it's just beautiful. I think I'll copy him. I hope he doesn't mind - they say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I'm going to look for red candle lights.

[Janet]

I think the candles in the windows are beautiful too. There are quite a few people who do that around here. He probably won't even think you're copying him.

[gja1000]

Right after the cleaning woman comes, I will set out the tree, and my angels. I'll buy the wreath this week. My neighbor has one candle light in each window and it's just beautiful. I think I'll copy him. I hope he doesn't mind - they say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I'm going to look for red candle lights.

Judy, if your red candles emote red light - your neighbor might get a different idea :D (red light district???) :eek:

[gja1000]

I FINALLY have my Christmas tree up! Whooo Hooo! I don't think we are going to get the outdoor lights up this year - oh well, maybe next year! :o

[pope1982]

First on the street to have Christmas decorations up outside lol

A blowup snowman and a reindeer made of twigs with an animated head that turns from side to side. They both light up at night. I will work on the rest of the decorations after I get my parents moved after the 1st!

[Janet]

Okay now...where are the pictures???? I MIGHT start decorating next week...but not sure.

[DianaB]

We should start a new poll on this!!

[judy]

I never did get those red lights! I got solar lanterns during the summer, which are so pretty in the windows.

I will put my tiny little solar tree up soon. I have a nice wreath to hang, and I think I will buy a small potted tree for the porch. I saw the coolest wreath yestrerday on TV. It's a round wreath with a peace sign in the middle. I can make that so easily, and put yellow ribbons on it for our troops to come home safely. I think I will put that on the door, and put the other wreath on the back, on the deck.

[gja1000]

I saw the coolest wreath yestrerday on TV. It's a round wreath with a peace sign in the middle. I can make that so easily, and put yellow ribbons on it for our troops to come home safely. I think I will put that on the door, and put the other wreath on the back, on the deck.

Judy! I would so love that wreath too! My daughter made me a lighted wreath this year, or I would have her make the peace wreath! Next Year!

[pope1982]

Okay now...where are the pictures????

Just posted a few pictures Ms. Janet, sorry I've been very busy! Playing catch up again here tonight :confused:

[2tiredmom]

Check out my album pictures. I made a basket full of goodies in front of my fireplace.

[Marilyn]

Only decorations we've been working on are for the wedding. Gotta get some Christmas ones up though. Just too much to do!!!!

[Gina]

I have not decorated, matter of fact I was buying a new tree this year and I was out the day after Thanksgiving went to Sears. My darling husband says we will buy it next week well next week came and they are sold out.. Can you believe it!! Most of the stores by me Loews , Home Depot are all sold out of trees. What its the first week of December. I always remember the stores having an after Christmas sale. Looks like they don't order as much these days..

I hope to decorate by next week... and post photos.. I can't wait to see everyone's decorations..

[Blueyes]

Mike decorated outside last weekend. We have a huge blow up Grinch that we have had for years. My youngest grandson LOVES him, lol! Every year we think will be his last, but ol' Grinch just keeps working:rolleyes: We brought the boys home with us today to stay for a week, and we'll go cut a Christmas tree!!

[gja1000]

We brought the boys home with us today to stay for a week, and we'll go cut a Christmas tree!!

HEY! Don't those boys go to school! ;) I know you are so happy to have them with you!

[gja1000]

My little lighted wreath is on my porch by the front door. I think that is the only outside decorating we will do. I put the tree up this weekend, so I'm pretty much done.

[Lindsey]

My outside lights have been up for a few weeks, and last week we put up our new Christmas tree with our new decorations :D I also bought a cute LED snowman family (3 snowmen) that are on my three shelves in the living room with garland, and 3 LED little praying angels which are on the mantle with garland. Scott and I need to still buy stockings for ourselves, and one for Layla :D

[Blueyes]

HEY! Don't those boys go to school! ;) I know you are so happy to have them with you!

They are home schooled this year. They have done so much traveling to churches in preparation to go to Scotland, they had to have something flexible. I have never been a fan of home schooling, but I must admit my opinion has changed! It is so organized now, and the curriculum is great. Rachel does an unbelievable job of teaching them, and it helps that they learn easily.

...and I'm so glad to get to spend so much time with them:D

[gja1000]

That is really cool, Betsi! I can certainly understand the reason for home schooling! I know you are enjoying having them this time of year!

[DianaB]

I believe homeschooling can be really good for the kids or not. It depends on the parents. I taught Jaci up until 4th grade. She did so well and I loved being the one teaching her. When I finally sent her to school it was really hard on both of us but I had some health problems come up and felt that it was best at that time. I taught A-beka and I believe that it's one of the best curriculums out there. I believe that if people really saw a good homeschool they'd see how good it is, like you.

On the other hand, I've had a young girl that was in our homeschool group contact me through Facebook and her spelling is just awful!!! I believe that she's a sophmore or junior now. I was very disappointed in seeing that some of the very simple words were spelled wrong. I believe that not all parents do a good job at schooling. I can't say for this mother.....maybe the girl just can't spell......I don't know.

Betsi, I'm sure that your daughter is doing a wonderful job!! I know how rewarding it is to be the one who does the teaching and I'm sure that she feels the same way!!

[Blueyes]

Thanks Diana. Rachel is actually my dil. I have 2 sons:) She is giving them a strong foundation in phonics, so they don't have a problem spelling...so far, lol! My crazy son is also teaching them Greek!! He graduated from a seminary, so Greek was a requirement:rolleyes: The kids LOVE it, and they are learning the alphabet now:D