Got up and went to the mall today.  First time I’ve been there in 1-2 years.  I wouldn’t have gone, but needed to go to JC Penney and that means going to the mall.  Fortunately Penney’s opened at 6 am today, so going at 8:30 am worked well.  The early birds were gone and the normal shoppers hadn’t yet arrived.  Got everything done in about 1-1/2 hours.

Then started in on the outside lights.  Patrick came over around noon and helped immensely taking out the old rebar at the curb that held up last years decoration, putting up the new decoration, and stringing all the lights around the house.  The Peace star decoration in front of our house looks great.  Not so with many of the others.  For whatever reason, many people didn’t turn theirs on and many just plugged in the lights around the edge and didn’t put up spotlights.  All our hard work over the past month, and the impact just isn’t there.  I am so disappointed in my neighbors.  As I’ve mentioned earlier, never again.

Tonight started in putting up the inside decorations.  Got lots of all the glassware and other chachki’s packed away and have lots of decorations unpacked…and sitting here, there and everywhere.  Will finish up tomorrow.  Also still have to do a bit outside.

Need to start baking Magic Cookie Bars tomorrow as well since our office party is Monday night, and I signed up to bring a dessert–which will be Magic Cookie Bars since they are quick and easy to make.

I love Christmas, but it’s way too much work.