I love the look of a tree with all white tiny lights, but, I am never satisfied when I can see the cords shining. Since my tree has twigs added to it, I like to use lights with the brown cord. These are VERY hard to find. I have never found them here, but have run up on some in other cities. They are called vine lights, and are just like regular tree lights except the cord is brown. It really disappears into the tree. I bought some last year online and just received my order for some more this year. They are wonderful if you wish to light a grapevine wreath, or those reindeer for the lawn. You can find them here, Save-on Crafts. The vine lights, set of 50, end to end string are $2.99,,,that’s 15 and 1/2 ft. You can get longer ones, but they do not string end to end. Also, if your decorating scheme runs in the white or cream direction…you can get the same light on a white cord. It’s such a shame when the cord color distracts from the overall look. And now, it doesn’t have to. This info may come too late for this year, and I know you are just wishin’ I’d relayed this to you earlier, but…it is just so hard to remember all the things I need to share. Know what I mean? Even if you don’t need them this year, or even order from this co, at least you know they are available if the need should arise. That’s what I’m here for, friends. Just doing my job!

Lynne, at Lynne’s Little Corner of the World, tagged me for this..so here goes:

5 THINGS I WAS DOING 10 YEARS AGO

1. working at the preschool where I am still
2. helping my last child thru high school
3. directing the drama in our church’s Living Christmas Tree
4. shopping for Christmas, I’m sure
5. teaching private piano lessons

5 THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST TODAY

1. go to work and practice 3 programs
2. go to drug store to pick up prescriptions
3. stop at TJ Maxx on the way home from work…Christmas Gift
4. go to the bank and make a deposit
5. try to get some gifts wrapped

5 THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE

1. fund a research program to find some medical help for Alex
2. give more to missions
3. start a school to teach music and art to under priviledged children
4. buy a second home in on Maui
5. travel the world

5 THINGS I WILL NEVER WEAR AGAIN

1. high heels
2. mini skirt
3. teased hair
4. bikini
5. leggings

5 FAVORITE TOYS

1. Nintendo DS
2. Palm Pilot
3. Art supplies
4. Bubble Blower
5. Light up Rudolph nose

5 PEOPLE I TAG

1. Jean..What’s Up at the Stauffer’s
2. Kat…Just A Beach Kat
3. Tracey…Show Me State of Mind
4. Dianne…Glasses of Grace
5. Jill…Who Could Ask For Anything More?

How is your shopping going? I’m getting it done, but I need to rant a bit…so beware.

1. I do not want to hear your life story, or your latest date info, or what you are cooking for dinner, or what your shopping list includes. No one else really cares either. Please do not make the other shoppers in your vicinity suffer thru your woes. We have enough of our own. Save those conversations for when you get home. Your cell phone usage should NOT infringe on my desire to shop with only the sounds of Christmas carols blaring in the background.

2. If I buy an item and it is fragile, please have enough care not to just throw it in the bag with everything else. And, when I ask you to please wrap an item in paper to protect it, don’t look at me like I asked you to pay for it, carry it home for me and wrap it and place it under the tree. I do not want to cause you any extra work, but I also want to get my gifts home safely.

3. Please be kind to the little ones. Babies do not enjoy shopping. It does not amuse and delight them as it does us. Find a way to trade out with a friend or hire a babysitter, but please no more, “I told you to shut up.” or “I’m telling Santa not to bring you anything.” I feel so sorry for these little ones who are forced to trudge thru store after store while you wait for something to strike your fancy.

4. That being said, keep an eye on your older children. I do not want to dodge them in the aisles as they chase one another. I do not want to have to watch out for them as I am navigating the aisles. I also doubt that the management of the stores like the fact that they have shaken and dropped every toy within reach…AND pushed every toe of every singing snowman or Santa or dog in the store. PLEASE!

5. If several people are in line and by some great miracle a cashier opens up a new register…and says, “I’ll help the next one in line.” She means that she will help the next one in line…not the person who can high-tail it over there the fastest. I guess it is one of the great mysteries of retail…but WHY do stores put in 25 check-out registers…and never open but 6 of them…even during the busiest shopping time of the year? Are they hoping to fool us into thinking maybe, just maybe one day all the registers will be opened? We know better.

6. Show a little kindness, people. If you have a buggy full and someone gets in line behind you with one or two items…offer to let them go ahead of you. It won’t cost you a thing…it will makes someone’s day, and Santa will be sure to notice.

7. This is just a personal gripe of mine. It probably doesn’t even register with most of you, and that’s just fine. But, this is my blog and it will make me feel so much better to include it. O.K. You know how when you buy those gift bags from any store in town and the are hanging on a rack by the little plastic doo-dah at the top? In case you were wondering, the plastic doo-dah should be cut off BEFORE using the bag to place a gift in. It just makes sense, people. The doo-dah does not add to the aesthetics of the wrapping and is akin to leaving the price tag on. I know this has probably never occurred to you before and I don’t really know what it says about me that it bugs me. But, it does….and I feel better just sharing.

Now, all this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it…so do with it what you will. Oh, yeah…MERRY CHRISTMAS!….and HAPPY SHOPPING!