No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.

We got our tree this afternoon during an impromptu break in Virginia's studying for her final exams. Being fully immersed in the 'student' lifestyle, we cheerfully purchased our tree for the rock-bottom price of $23 from the local Home Depot. I've never seen such a miserable bunch of people delivering what should be the symbol of joy and happiness for millions of people. I suppose I shouldn't expect much from people who celebrate Christmas without even the faintest chance of it snowing.


Virginia and I are both fans of the Griswald style of decorating and are slowly adding to the number of Christmas lights in our collection. The tree as it stands today is wrapped in seven strands of lights totalling in 175 bulbs; each shining gloriously like those little Lite-Brite pegs. I can't tell you enough how glad I am that Virginia is on board with me about the need for multi-coloured bulbous lights adorning our tree. If Christmas wasn't just a little tacky, where would all the fun be?

Where's the tylenol?

cb