December 15th, 2022

Taadaa!  This is the entirely of our exterior Christmas Decoration. It ain't much. On the other hand, considering that my plan was to do nothing at all, it is a Christmas Decoration so it counts!

Here is something you probably do not know about me.  There is a tiny, bratty little toddler that lives inside of me that hates being told what to do.   I suppose most people don't like it really. But when this tiny rebel rears it's ugly head I do things like, tap the lawn with the toe of my shoe flaunting the sign that clearly says, "keep off the grass".  It makes me gently graze wi th the tip of my pinky finger whatever object in the store bears a sign firmly saying, "do not touch".      

It doesn't happen always. Most of the times we are told what to do, I am in complete agreement with the order so it's not a problem.  Things like, "Come to a complete stop at a stop sign".  I do that with no problem.  Or like, "Take one antibiotic, twice a day for ten days".  I do that too.  But then there are the other times.  Yikes.

The times where my boss walked by my desk and harshly directed me to do something that I was already doing.  "Hey!  I know my job.  I know how to do this!".   Yeah, that never went well.  Or being instructed to do something one particular way, when they way I do it is perfectly fine. That just sets my teeth on edge.  It irks me.

I think the entire thing came to a head when we lived in an HOA neighborhood.  Neither of us had ever experienced such a thing so we had no idea how ill suited we were to it.  The very idea that we had to get permission to paint our house the exact same colour that it already was, seemed ludicrous.  The first time it happened I was, "Wait, what?  You mean to tell me that we paid for the house and the insurance, we maintain it and pay the property taxes but you get to tell us what we can and cannot do with it?"  Yeah it was a problem for me.

One of the most aggravating examples came when we decided that we wanted a small shed in our, fenced (by the way) backyard.  We did our research ( of course we did) and found a company that could make a little shed that not only looked like a mini-version of the house but could be painted the exact same colours.  Coolio!  We checked very carefully in the HOA manual and there was NOTHING in it about sheds.  But just in case, we talked to our neighbors about the idea and they very kindly wrote letters saying that they were fine with it.  We submitted our request along with the shed specs and the letters and we waited.  And waited. And waited. And waited.  Eventually the word came back and the words was no.

Just no. No reason, no explanation just no. Naturally we asked why.  And we asked and asked and asked!  Eventually we learned that one member of the board, ONE PERSON, did not like sheds and therefore, no shed.  Dang.  And the thing with HOA's is that you have no recourse.  If it's no, it's no.  Very Aggravating.

So when our first Christmas season here rolled around and several neighbors Very Kindly and politely told us that most everyone on our street put these tiny solar lights on their mailboxes, I smiled and nodded.  Then they went on to say that it would be nice if we also put tiny solar lights on our mailbox.  Again and smiled, nodded and then did absolutely nothing.

Why?  Because, sometimes I am, apparently, three years old. Geez.  There was no reason why not.  Just I didn't want to because I didn't want to.  This little dance continued with the advent of the  Christmas Season for several years. My lovely neighbors, who I really like, would so politely and kindly  mention it and I  would smile and nod and not do it. Basically being a brat.

This year, on his own without saying a word to me, Tim ordered some tiny solar powered Christmas lights.  He put them on the kitchen counter and there they sat while I mulled this over.

First I had to admit that I am not the only person who lives in this house so mine is not the only voice that should be heard.  Then I further had to be honest with myself and say that the lights, in and of themselves,  are in no way offensive.  And in fact, it's quite nice to drive down our street at night around Christmas time to the line of lighted up mailboxes.  Then the last thing I had to be truthful with myself about was the reason I was saying no. It's not as if I was ordered to put up these lights, it's not a law for heaven's sakes.  It was just a kindly request.

And so yesterday afternoon I found myself and a bag of white zip ties endlessly wrapping tiny solar lights around the mailbox.  I got a little dizzy going 'round and 'round the mailbox pole (heehee dizzy chick).  I was very careful to not obscure the house numbers or impair the opening or closing of the mailbox door.  And it looks just fine.

Tim and I both admired it out the front window once it was full dark last night.  It's done.  The rebellious toddler was squashed back into the box it needs to be locked in and we are finally, at long last, compliant  Christmas mailbox-wise. 

And I am rather proud of myself and pleased to learn that even at my advanced age, I am still capable of personal growth.  Yay me!