I know this because my wife Mayang told me it was. The stores were trying to tell me last month at the Mall in September that it was Christmas, but they didn’t fool me for a second. Christmas is when brings in people to start hanging her Santa’s lighted sleigh on the top roof, her lights around the railing on the patio roof, and the windows facing the street. Plus for the first time ever she had hooks installed around the car port before it was painted, and now the New/Old Honda has never looked so good under the blinking lights. Maybe I can sell it and get enough money to buy a new car? Should I put balloons on it?
The lights are up and working, she ran a test and insured that all was well. I went to my digital light meter and watch it racing like it was a Formula one machine. My all-time best on my electric bill was P12, 500 but I feel that this is the year we hit the 13 thousand Peso mark. I can only hope.
Some would say that I’m over indulgent with my wife and our girls and I’ll freely admit to that. The reasons are simple, I mull over the things I do, against the things they ask of me. The score card is tilted in my favor. I wanted an above ground pool, I bought it set it up in the back yard, used it for a couple of months and took it down because it didn’t really fit. So for 4 years it been packed up and stored away, albeit we do use the pool ladder quite often.
There are many more examples I could give, but suffice it to say they tend to give me my way very often, so I return the same to them. Anyway 4 sets of pretty brown eyes, trump one old set of blue eyes.
During every Christmas season, I hand over control to Mayang, and let her will be done. Christmas Eve is where I get my reward, the look in her eyes when she decides that, that this Christmas was the best ever. Her family will all be there waiting until the stroke of midnight when all presents are opened, and four to five hours later they head home toting their treasures. What person would try to stop that? It’s certainly not me. Any way she worked so hard making her Christmas curtains I’d better be silent.
Being from a large Irish Catholic Family, plus ten years in Puerto Rico where Christmas is a big deal like it is here in the Philippines, I also remember how many holidays I’ve missed, by being at sea during so many of them. I’ll admit it’s because of her enthusiasm that I have learned to embrace the season once more, as I did when I was young.
I know I’m preaching to the choir, when I say it’s all about the family, and especially for the kids. I think that small piece of knowledge is why I smile and say “Yes Honey” to each and every one of her requests.
I sum it up in the words of Joseph to the Three Wiseman; “I don’t care what star you’re following, please get those camels off my lawn.”
Hey, I like your style, as we say in our home alot , “Your “COOL”…I think your alot like me .. a young mind trapped in a older mans body…heheheheh …Yeah, its cool you are like that with them, Maybe its because like me, I think about what they did not have, before they met us, (at least in my case, this is true)… and of course, being in love has a little to do with it also .. hehehe,.. and ..the love that is given back…….And it makes me feel so good…… to see those stars in their eyes ….Have nice holidays dude…..
Lenny;
I must agree with what you said, plus it’s far easier to be a nice guy than a jerk. A hp,e with no tension is fun.
Hi Paul a lovely posting mate it make me home sick for the phill as saddly i will not be home this xmas but yes it is the best time off the year to be there mate and i am missing it a lot the food and most off all my dear wife and how own little home there that we have i always say it is god little place where we live up there in the hills mate at night there u come out side and u can hear a pin drop as it is so lovely no cars or bus and not a lot off ppl yet so it is just right for us and when the moon is out wow it is so good i dont down my way mate it is about one hour out off the city down south and it is ggod own place there…………..peter martin tassie
At least you don’t have to climb your mast to put up your lights which, apparently, I’ll be doing. It was that Mexican Navy Capitan’s idea, & Jeanne has already planned to pick the lights up at Costco this week. I suppose it could’ve been worse, if I’d shown her your article it could have been Santa, a sleigh & reindeer to rig. Now, about that mast-climbing monkey I’ve been looking for…
Peter;
Christmas is the best time here, the breezes off the mountain are cool and relaxing. It was hard to adjust to the quiet, as I sail on ship’s and was used to the noise, but I quickly got used to the calm. I hope you can get back soon, as I remember when I had to go away to sea and missed so much of my girls growing up.
Mike;
Get up that mast and rig those lights, but ask the Navy Captain to supply a couple of seaman for the working party.
Ha-ha, that makes for an expensive ladder. I am also a bit to over indulgent with what the wife wants and thankfully the kids are too young to want much…
We use to not put up decorations/lights, but, with the new businesses up and running we are actually preparing to get started hanging lights this year… Maybe I could stop by and borrow your pool ladder for a while 😉
Mike K.
At least I got some use out of the money I spent on that dumb pool. I’ll gladly lend the ladder, hand you a beer and try to sell you the pool. CHEAP!
Paul,
All you need now for your car is a wreath for the grill and Rudolph on the front of your hood lol. Mayang did a nice job decorating, but would have liked to see you on that ladder hanging lights up. Next year will be there for Christmas season, really looking forward to it. So when is the big shopping day at SM Mall? Looking forward to hearing that adventure. Did you go to Subic and get your Turkey for Thanksgiving? Anyway you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving Holiday and drink several SMG’s for me. They go well with turkey!
Papa Duck;
Me on a ladder hanging Christmas lights? That’s the funniest thing I read in years (lol) Hire people, they need the money for their Christmas. I’ve not been told about the Mall trip yet. But I feel it will be soon. Having Turkey with friends and not cooking this year. The drinking of SMB’s, that’s a given.
Ha-ha, don’t think you would sell it cheap enough for my taste though
Mike K;
If I stumble over the boxes once more, you might be surprised.
Paul,
I think this is the best time to say, “Merry Christmas”!
Jonathan;
Even in August it’s not too early to start saying “Merry Christmas” And if we say Merry Christmas here the PC Police won’t come after us (lol) So Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hi Paul – Lovely looking festive house there! I love Christmas and New Year! Can’t blame your wife, we also put all the trappings of Christmas ( minus the curtains though), and here in Manila.. gosh, it’s so Christmas..sy.. he he. Have you been shopping already? malls are always closing so late now.. big bucks for them! he he 😉
Sugar;
My wife is letting me rest up from the cost of painting, so the mall are for next month. Hey she likes her curtains! You enjoy your Christmas season and the best to you and your family!
Hi Paul,
Your house looks great. My wife says you’ve outdone everyone here in Minnesota. Christmas decorations and warm weather are a wonderful combination. I love to hear Bing Crosby sing the song this time of year but snow is overrated. We look forward to three years from now, going out on a tropical night to look at Christmas decorations. Happy Thanksgiving!
Robert;
Thank you! Last night I went to a friends house for Thanksgiving, It’s just a short walk up the road. A warm night with a nice breeze and we ate outside under a fruit tree and had a great meal with even better company. As we used to say in Puerto Rico when I lived there; “The palm tree’s look good with lights on them!” See you in three years!
Paul,
It looks like the UK has adopted the Philippines Christmas. Christmas goods have been in the shops here since Sept, no background Christmas carol music YET! lol.
I noticed an elderly couple in the neighbourhood have had a Christmas Tree with obligatory lights, in their window since October, lol.
Regards,
Chas.
Chas;
So there you were sitting at your local pub talking about the Philippines and Christmas. The next seat over was this guy in the merchandising field who over heard you. He went back to his bosses and presented the idea as if it were his own. He got a promotion and a bonus. And the jerk never even bought you a pint! Life can be so unfair. (lol)
Paul,
Ha ha, thats happened to me in the past but, it works both ways,lol.
Chas;
I’ve gotten some of my best ideas from a bar (pub), if I only had written them down!