We had a bit of a downer in the first week in January. I didn't bother to share, as who needs downer posts.
But, this week I tackled our damaged and vandalized Christmas decorations, mostly the 'feature' blowups out by the street.
My husband had worked so hard on our decorations and we found out after the damage how much it means to our little subdivision.
Neighbors had tried to intervene, when the two cars of 'adult' vandals then disappeared, leaving a stream of our lights all the way across the street. Hubby posted the info on the community web-site and we had over forty comments and oodles of sad faces as everyone so enjoyed our yard---since they were kids our crazy displays.
Several area Mom's and Gramma's would bring strollers in the daytime for the baby and toddlers to look at. We didn't realize how much of a tradition our home had become over the years.
One woman commented, "That is terrible! Every time I would drive by I would roll my window down to hear the music and enjoy the display."
Another: "We love your house! My little guy calls it the Christmas house!"
We move the decorations around each year and the display always ends up looking quite different. We have music selections which are connected to different colored lights which we play throughout the season. Luckily that system is very hidden within the trees and not an easy target.
All the community support really helped my Hubby, though he was disgusted and took everything down very early. We usually leave things up until the second week in January.He dumped the 'destroyed' blow-ups in a bin, and I pleaded with him not to throw them away.He was finally gone last week for bowling which had been cancelled because of the snow and ice storms we had been having, so I pulled the two blowups out of the bins to survey the damage. I honestly didn't have the heart to photo the damage. But I did take this photo on the sewing last seam of our Gnomes Roasting Marshmallows...my personal favorite.
Repair Day.
The Gnomes only had three slashes in them, and they were pretty easy to fix. I chose to switch thread colors to fix each tear. I sewed from the inside wherever possible. Some of the slashes were two feet long, pretty hard when they are only 3-4 foot high to begin with.
But, the results was great...and they look like new ( they are only three years old to begin with. )
The big damaged project was the 12 foot high Santa in the Balloon. This had thirteen slashes from 1 foot to 3 feet long. Honestly---that is a lot of hate to take out on an Inanimate Smiling Blow Up.
I sewed, sewed, and sewed, 3 hours later, I had to test it, so, I took it outside and blew it up on the front deck.
Hubby was still not home, so I hurried and got it tied down to a chair and put it right in front of the stairs. I had just finished when I heard the truck pull into the driveway. Yes, the sewing really holds the seams shut.
I grabbed my phone and caught him coming up the walk. A smile, a BIG SMILE...worth every stitch.
Here's Santa with his slashed face and now creased beard...waving at him. Most of the damage was in the upper balloon thankfully, as it was easier to work inside such big slashes. If you look close you can see a few ripples and puckers.
BUT, Hubby's grin says it all...and the Holiday Spirit has been restored, and everything is safely packed away until next year. Our security cameras were out of range of the area under the trees, but I guess we will be upgrading our security system next year.
We can't always rely on our neighbor running out in his underwear to save our displays.
Special Thanks, Rob!
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That smile on your husband's face just screams happiness, excitement and joy. Sandi, I'm so sorry this happened to you -- I had no idea. How awful -- just terribly mean. The photo of your home "before" shows a yard of people who care and have such spirit. I can see why the neighbors love it. And I'm so sorry you had to experience that. You've had one awful year, haven't you? But well done on the repairs. A lot of people wouldn't know how to do that (like me) and you made them almost like new. Trust me, no one will see the puckers you mentioned. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYea, it was a bit of a downer. We really don't think it was local kids---we are at the front of the subdivision, and it was just so gutsy! We had great neighbors, so that was a ++++! Thanks for visiting! Sandi
DeleteChristmas 1968, Clifton Heights, a Philadelphia suburb. Driving my two daughters round the lavish seasonal decorations in a wealthier area nearby. One house roof sported a life-size three-dimensional model of Santa Claus in his sleigh. How did they get it up there?
ReplyDeleteA lifetime ago. My younger daughter, on the back seat and cooing at what she saw, is now sixty.
What was going through my mind? Confirmation that the US was – and probably still is – a foreign country with respect to the UK. Culturally and, especially, socially different. Where in Britain would I have to go for similar bright lights? Nowhere in London, my previous home. Putting in the effort and spending what looked like large sums of money seems to proclaim a shared communal spirit. No Londoner gives a toss about what the neighbour think. At most, on a downstairs window-sill, a two-foot artificial Christmas tree that could be dismantled and folded away on December 29.
Could your vandals be jealous? Or just mindless? When I was young and uncontrolled after my parents split up I engaged in vandalism, albeit on a much smaller scale. To me, during that period, adults seemed irrelevant.
You seem philosophical which is to be commended.
I had missed your comment? Oh, it's a bit crazy here. This year was many people did not get up their displays because of very cold/icy/rainy weather. The weather gave us a few days after Thanksgiving to set up, and the day after we took it down we were snowed with 10" which stuck around for quite awhile with really cold temperatures. Thanks for visiting! Sandi
DeleteOh, Sandi, you must have been heartsick. When I see the thugs that wreak havoc in the department stores I get so mad I can't see straight. Something needs to be done to these losers that do this kind of thing. Your sweet hubby with thar big smile is joyful to see and he must be so proud of your seamstress abilities. xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteYes, it is just mean people for sure. Hubby was very heartsick. He's a (if you tick me off I'll take my toys and go home) kinda guy. So I just let him grumble and rant, but all the positive comments from the subdivision, as word spread what happened, really helped. I'm just glad everything could be fixed, and we will up our security system some more. Hugs, Sandi
DeleteI'm glad you found out the neighbors love your yard! Don't let the actions of mean and messed up people harm your community. You are bringing joy to many. I'm glad the repairs worked!
ReplyDeleteWe've received great support, makes all the work, worth it! Thanks for your support, too! Hugs, Sandi
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