Please Note:Â Links to external websites scattered randomly throughout this journal have been placed there by the smartass webmaster and do not necessarily represent the ideas, comic stylings, or desires of the other Tortuga Twins. But they gave me the power, and power corrupts. -- BR
This month we finish our Decorating Elves installs for the season. We also dabbled in a few holiday parties with family and friends.
Our christmas card lit by 'Decorating Elves'
Christmas on the patio
This month marks the end of our install season. By the 15th of December there really isn't enough time for lights to be up. Unless it's an emergency, nobody wants to pay for an install that's only gonna be up for 15 to 20 days. I got one last install on the 15th. The family usually goes out of town for the holiday but this year they decided to stay home at the last minute. That worked out great for me 'cuz it helped me hit my install goal. Now, all I have to do is sit back and hope there aren't too many service calls.
Some of our handy-work
More of our handy-work
There were really only two homes that needed any real amount of attention. They both had GFI breakers or outlets installed. GFI circuits are the bane of an "Elves" existence. They are very sensitive to moisture and voltage changes. So any time it rains (It never rains in Florida, ha ha) they are likely to pop. If the homeowner doesn't understand how they work, they end up calling us to fix it.
As a treat to his crew, Jay (One of the other Franchise owners) rented and amazing limo to drive everyone around to look at lights. He rented from one of his customers that made their money on internet porn sites. He gave him a great deal. We all piled in and had a little 3 hour tour. Some of the lights were amazing. It's interesting how all of our styles are different. I saw a few things I'll be using next year for sure.
The limo was off the map! It held 16 people comfortably. In addition it had strobes and a laser show. The audio/video system was also very impressive. We thought it'd be weird driving around in a giant Barbie Pink limo, but it was actually a lot of fun. After seeing all of Jay's best work, we dropped everyone off and headed home. What a great time!
Giant Pink Limo
Posin' in front of the limo
Limo interior complete with laser show
Posin in the limo
Next up was Christmas Eve. We decided to do it at our house this year since there was some drama and health issues on Sharon's side of the family. I really haven't heard from my Dad's side at all this year and my dad went to visit one of my step brothers in the islands for Christmas, so our house it was. Sharon baked some stuff and made a couple of pumpkin cheesecakes. (YUM) Her and her aunt also made a great chicken salad, potato salad and a smoked salmon ball. I'm not much for salmon but this thing was awesome.
Sharon and I on the patio, X-Mas eve
Jasmine gets a new hair extension
We had all of Sharon's local family over. It was really nice to see everyone. We made less food than last year, even though I know it sounds like we made a lot. There was so much left over last year we had to cut back. Needless to say, there was still quite a bit left over but we put a good dent in it the days afterward. We even used the leftover Spiral ham to make ham and bean soup and split pea soup. Boy have we done some cooking this year.
Sharon, her aunt and cousin
Santa Kathy!
Lastly, Christmas. My favorite gift was the smoker/cooker Sharon got me. It's a really cool design. Check outwww.orionoutdoors.com for more info. It'll describe it better than I could. Since I got it I've smoked a pork roast and a turkey breast. Both were awesome! I got Sharon some pajamas (She loves Pajamas), a bunch of our favorite TV show seasons, and of course some unmentionables. (So I won't) (But I'll suggest a fun site -- BR)
Thanks to everyone that sent me cards and holidays greetings by email or text message. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and wish you a prosperous new year! Arizona's right around the corner!
That's one insane limo!
