Tag: tradition

Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Lights

On By Michel McDonaldIn Christmas3 Comments

Darrin bought a Christmas tree at Sears in 2007.  We never celebrated Christmas with a tree before that because it was Chips job was to decorate Trees every year at department stores, so he just didn’t like the thought of having to decorate trees anymore.  He didn’t think I would want to so we just never had a tree.  I was so happy that he bought this one because I just love to decorate it every year.  It was a tradition throughout my childhood to have a tree and I never got that as an adult until the last few years.

Unfortunately, when you buy a pre-lit tree, you have complications with the light sets.  This one light set in the front went out last year and I could never figure out how to fix it.  I tried pulling out the fuses and replacing them but that didn’t work.  I tried pulling out every light from the whole set, but that didn’t work.  I was at my wits end with this tree because it wasn’t just this T shape in the front, most of the lights in the back were out too.

I finally found the problem today.  The tree is still up because I didn’t want to take it down until I found the issue, and I did.  Here is the issue.  The first light in each light set has a white plastic … what are those things called?

The white one is a different shape from the green one, so you can’t just put the green one in it’s place; and the bulbs in the white ones are glued in.  I was afraid if I tried to pull the white one out, the bulb would break and cut my fingers.  I did eventually get it out though and was able to take the bulb from a green one and put it in its place and replace the bulb which lit the whole set back up.

I am down to 4 replacement bulbs and there are still at least 3 sets that are out so I’m going to fix them today.  I tried looking for these bulbs to buy a new replacement pack, but nobody has them.  It’s just my bad luck isn’t it?  I did find that they have them at NewEgg, but they are out of stock.  I clicked the “AUTO-NOTIFY” button and left a note saying “I need these in about 11 months LOL” so when they get them in, hopefully I can buy them for $14.99.  I don’t need the set, just the bulbs.  If I can find the replacement bulbs at the hardware store in a little pack of like 10 or 20 then I’ll buy that.  I don’t care how I get the bulbs, I just want them because they don’t last very long; I have already gone through the entire package of replacement bulbs that came with the tree.

So if anyone else has had the same issue, now you know how to fix it.  It’s the white one…

Zombie Pumpkins

On By Michel McDonaldIn Halloween1 Comment

People are always talking about my pumpkins as if they are these great works of art.  I mean, they really aren’t but I’m not complaining because I love the attention.  Ok so they aren’t always talking about them but you know what I mean.  They talk about them occasionally, happy now?

I used to buy the pattern books at the drug stores like Walgreen’s and Rite Aid but then I discovered that you could get them for free online so I started downloading patterns.  I even bought a pumpkin carving CD which allows you to custom make your own design.

I have also found sites such as Zombie Pumpkins where you can buy patterns which you will never see in the pumpkin masters books.  They are constantly updating them to add new patterns so every year you will have fresh new designs.

I haven’t made a new pumpkin since 2007, although I did buy an Edward Cullen pattern from Zombie Pumpkins last year to make for a friend of ours.  I was rushed to finish it so I didn’t even have time to get a picture.

This year I have been asked to carve a pumpkin for one of the ladies at the doctor’s office so I am going to search through the Zombie Pumpkins catalog and find 2 new patterns and this time I will get a picture.

I’m having trouble deciding which one I should make though.  She told me to choose so it doesn’t really matter to her which one I pick, just as long as it is fabulous.

I’m thinking that I want to do a semi traditional pumpkin face but I hate tradition so I want to go with a pattern.  I’m thinking of the Bicycle Girl Zombie from AMC’s The Walking Dead or this cool unique creation called Root of All Evil.

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with tradition so if I do a face I was thinking either Hammy or Horton.  I really want to do Happy Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas so maybe I might do that one.

UGH I’m so indecisive.  I have until Thursday to make a decision because on Thursday afternoon we will be taking the pumpkin to the doctor’s office to give to her.

I’m thinking that since I am going to be buying 2 patterns for $2 I will just go ahead and buy 2 pumpkins.  This way she will have 2 awesome pumpkins to display on her porch for Halloween.

There are a lot of cool patterns on that website.  I just wish I could make all of them.  If I could, I would have some pretty cramped up hands.

I will try to decide before tomorrow night so that I can have the patterns bought and printed before I carve them Thursday morning.  I want them to be as fresh as they can be since they will be sitting out for the weekend.

As soon as I finish carving them I will post the pictures.  Well you didn’t think I would keep them to myself did you?