So much "stuff" I need to type down here, if nothing else but for me to look back on. If you are a "Newbie" and are reading this....DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! It will all run together in your brain at the first of the season if you don't! This season has been so weird. I think because we didn't get out of school (I teach if you didn't know) until the 21st of Dec. That is the latest I can ever remember us getting out for Christmas. That in turn, kept some of the traffic down. After that last Friday, traffic picked up 3 or 4 times the amount we had during the days leading up to Christmas. I think families could finally go out and do FAMILY STUFF when the kids were out (are people from the BOE reading this!). Things have gone pretty good over all. Not too many issues. Had one arch break 2 times in the same spot! The coupling had broken and I had to use a wooden dowel to put the 2 pieces together (mine are in 2 pieces unlike others who do one...look on the project pages for pics). I was stupid and didn't push the dowel far enough down...and it snapped the little end off. Fixed with another...and everything is fine. Had my red mini trees pop the breaker in a fine steady mist. That was frustrating. However, it was towards the end of the show...but still had 2 cars out front when I had to shut it down...Errrrr. Took that stupid GFI out the next day for a regular plug. Yeah, yeah. I know. But I don't think it popped in a steady rain the other night. When I was out of town, monitored on Ustream. That was pretty cool. Want to get a webcam for sure for next years show. Have lots of stuff to post and project pics to post. Freezing cold today, but hope to get some display daytime shots today and tomorrow. Might regret running it through New Years this year. Suppose to rain New Years day and a few after that. Oh well. Just have to remember to take my time in taking everything down. (Newbies....NEVER take stuff down without labeling boxes and testing elements to make sure they are working. You will regret it next Christmas if you don't!!!
With school JUST NOW getting out, it really seems like it was a short season...or the season has just FLOWN by. Either way, I really need to go back and post some project blogs and some other passing thoughts.
The "Toys For Tots" has really been awesome this year. Gone from maybe a couple of toys last year (it was very late when we started) to probably 3 or 4 box fulls of toys. (This is a really big box too, like what you see in the stores) I did "Light It Up" this year and added some big banners. I think that has helped too. Tonight, I was trying to finish up "All I Want For Christmas Is You". (Just on a whim I thought I would throw this in) Had been sitting for hours, so I got up...walked around...and thought I would check the "Box". I had gone a couple of matchbox cars out earlier, but when I looked tonight...WOW! The box was full of stuffed animals! Could not believe it. I will take these by Publix now since their drive ends tomorrow! Anyway...this is just really cool. ANOTHER REASON WHY I DO THESE LIGHTS! Really makes you feel good to collect for this charity. Need to add another next year! |
Please Read
Click on the September archive and then click on comments to see all of the 2009 display blogs. I am going to start blogging with a "Title" and also put the post into the blog so it can be archived by month. Should have done that to begin with. If you are new to this world of "Animated Displays", I suggest you not only read mine, but other blogs. They will help you learn NOT to make the same mistakes others have. Archives
January 2014
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