John setting up the Christmas tree lights.
Shelley caught fixing the Christmas tree lights.
Shelley: Remember what every neighbour said to us when we moved in?
John: Of course.
“Welcome to the neighbourhood. Just so you know, this street is renowned for it’s Christmas decorations. Don’t let us down.”
Shelley: It’s time. Go get ’em, tiger.
John: I’m on it.
Shelley: Oohhhh. Everything’s perfect right down to our little Christmas tree on the balcony. Shall we go for a walk?
John: Absolutely.
Shelley: Honey, what’s wrong?
John: We need more.
John: There. That’s better. No one can accuse the Smiths of only giving a half effort. What do you think?
Shelley: Beautiful. But we’re done. Christmas is not a competition. Christmas is for giving and family and love. Agree?
John: Agree. Come here.
Shelley and John: Mwahhhh! Kiss. Kiss.
Beep! Beep!
Honey Did you See That? 
Just love you guys so much!!!!! A couple of little deer on the front lawn would be good?🐝
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No. No. No. Babs. Don’t encourage him!!! 🙂
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Thanks Babs but I’m not sharing that suggestion! IT will never end. 🙂
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Christmas is a time of giving, receiving and brown outs.
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Exactly. I look forward to a brown out with a house full of family. Not really. 🙂
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No matter what we did outside to decorate, our neighbor across the street would do us one more better later that day. (year after year) It was fun at first, but now that I’m older, it’s getting too tough to get all that stuff out there and set-up. They brought in help this year and I’m doing less!!
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I read your comment to John. He needed to get some perspective. I’m not quite over they brought in help. Are you kidding me??
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Nope – They are still at it ! 🙄
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Hi Shelley,
I completely agree: as much as I like to see the Christmas decorations – and we’ll certainly drive around the city to look – we don’t want to compete. We’ll put out some, to celebrate, but that’s all.
Have a happy and peaceful Advent time,
Pit
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You are a wise man, Pit. 🙂
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🙂
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Did you
Sent from my iPhone
>
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I did. They’re wrapped around a tin Christmas tree. Done and done.
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I love a happy ending! Great job on the decorations!
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Me too. The best bit is we’re friends with the truck driver. That truck pretty much put John over the edge.
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So nice to see your smiling faces! It’s been a while since we’ve connected. You are so ahead of me, I still have pumpkins on my steps. The place looks awesome, you guys must be so happy. Everything is a competition now! Feliz Navidad. 🙂
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We are ecstatic. Now to finish the shopping and one more wee painting project. So excited that it’s our turn to have the kids and wives for Christmas. 🙂
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Love a happy ending! Luckily my neighbors aren’t into the competition!
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Officially neither are we! I may have to remind John, though. 🙂
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Oh holy night! LOL Loved the finishing touch photo. What a hoot. Thanks for the lunch-break giggles. Hugs!
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Hey Teagan. You’re welcome. I still have to talk him down every time we drive by the houses. Have to stay strong on this! 🙂
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If you don’t decorate the RV too, your neighborhood decoration police may come knocking. Maybe a petite Santa with a sleigh and reindeer running along the roof?
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I’m not sharing this with John! What’s wrong with you people??? Stop enabling him. 🙂
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Looking good! I forgot what that’s like, as living in a NYC apartment we don’t put up as many lights. Have a Merry!
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But think of the trend you could start. You’d be ahead of the curve. Second thought, don’t, it’s a rabbit hole.
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Lol, not a competition, eh? 😉
Looks great, want to come do our house next?
Cheers, glad you’re back, Lynne
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Thank you. Yes. We will come and decorate your house. Your RV house, that is.
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Yay! Of course, that’s what I meant! 😉
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Done. Are you still travelling?
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We are home till spring-ish, with a short trip here and there. You?
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We are here until the 31st and then are booting it south. Have rented our house for four months. All is ready.
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Good for you! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
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It’s pretty!
It kind of amuses me though to read this right after there has been big demonstrations on Europe towards more ecological means, eg no unnecessary use of power… lucky it’s Christmas! 😉
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I hear you. Ak.
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“Christmas is not a competition.”
Now that is something to remember these days.
Nice decorations, BTW.
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Ha! Ha! Thanks because the Smiths are dusted and done.
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House looks great, Shelley. In my neighborhood most homes put those electric candles in the windows and a wreath on the door. I can handle that! In Bill’s neighborhood there is one guy who decorates every square inch of his yard and house. He starts before Thanksgiving. Cannot imagine what his electric bill costs. Enjoy Christmas in your new home!!
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Thanks. An electric candle would have been perfect. John is going to lose it when he sees our bills even though we bought LED. Have a merry Christmas.
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Wonderful share….
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Thanks for reading. Only a week later, construction trucks fully lit up toured by us. 🙂
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…Wow! Couldn’t believe it when Corey Crewe posted the link to your article in the Globe and Mail. I’ve always wondered what happened to you and Mr. Smith after you left Port aux Basques. Wonderful to see you’re both doing well. I’m sure you don’t remember me, but you two were great teachers, and Mr. Smith always pushing us to be our best.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!
Joy Pierce
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Joy, this is John….I do remember you! How are things after all these years?
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Things are good!! Living in New Brunswick, just outside of Moncton. I’m into IT, and currently doing some private work out of my house. I have a 16 year old son who doesn’t love sports like I used to. lol I certainly miss those days. I had all intentions of becoming a Physical Education teacher after school, but gave up on the dream after a discouraging conversation with my high school Guidance Counselor.
It’s wonderful to see that you both followed your dreams in life. If more people were like you the world would be a better place. 🙂
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Who was this Guidance Counselor anyway??? I’ll have to have a look on facebook. So much fun to hear from friends and students from wayyyyy back.
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John, I sent you a private message on FB. 🙂
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I bet if you sent me a picture of you from way back when I’d remember.
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…I can certainly do that. How can I send it to you? 🙂
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honeydidyouseethat@gmail.com
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I will send it to your Facebook account as a message. It will probably go into the “other” column, though.
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I’ll definitely check.
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