An Elf Decorated My House: No, My Husband Did!

Larada Horner-Miller

1 year ago

Last weekend, an elf efficiently finished decorating our house for Christmas. No, really it was my husband, Lin!

Because of the dog attack’s effect on my foot and leg, I haven’t been able to help much in decorating for Christmas. I’m low on energy and my foot and leg hurt. Also, I don’t have much Christmas spirit this year, and usually I push to have our tree up the first week after Thanksgiving. So, Lin realized all this and put a gigantic effort forth and decorated! So, in reality, he is one of Santa’s elves!

Also, last week, I signed up for the Writing Intensive I wrote about last week, and it spanned December 4 – 8, so I couldn’t muster any extra energy to help. Throughout the time I was meeting in the loft on my desktop computer, I heard Lin downstairs quietly decorating. Then later Saturday evening, I had a Zoom meeting with two friends I met while living in Loveland, Colorado. We have kept up a monthly Zoom call since 2020 and the pandemic. Again I heard, that little—no not so little elf—decorating the Christmas tree.

My Limited Contributions

I did contribute to two parts of the decorating. When Lin unboxed my Nativity collection, he just set the figurines on the buffet. Later that evening, I organized the different sets and then places the large focal Nativity set I in the middle.

The other part I helped with is a little village I put out each year on another stand. Our housecleaners came on Thursday, and the box of trees, miniature houses and the lights still set boxed on the stand. Previously I had unboxed my Charlie Brown Christmas tree and assembled it.

So before they came, when I did my major pick-up sweep I do each month before they arrive, I unboxed the trees, miniature houses and lights and set it up. That felt good.

Because of the insanity of this Christmas with my injury, Lin and I decided early on to tame down our decorations. Normally he puts up lights around the house and a Nativity set out on the patio Mom gave me before she died. That’s the Nativity set many of you saw years ago buried in the snow that looked like an Alien because of the lights. Also, we normally decorate upstairs in the loft and in our bedroom. This year, we did none of that—we decorated just downstairs in the living room, kitchen and laundry room.

Each year I make a family calendar for our family featuring pictures from that year. I really wanted to do one this year against all odds because we had two new babies this last year, and I wanted to feature them on the cover. I got it done!

Pictures of Our Decorations

So here’s what our house looks like this Christmas!

Here’s a bird’s eye view of the living room. That holiday elf is enjoying a video on his laptop and waiting for me to finish this so we can watch another Christmas movie! He probably has the Sunday Night Football game on the TV in front of him, too!

Collection of Musical Animations

Collection of Santas & Angels

Stuffed Toys Collection

Finally,

so many memories flood me as I decorate each year—the Santa dollar bill Tex White gave me as a tip when I was a beautician in Loveland. I hang it on the tree each year. I so missed the chance to touch that dollar bill this year or the other ornaments on the tree. But this year, I couldn’t do. Next year for sure!

Christmas Specials for You, My Readers!

Don’t miss out on the specials I’m offering this year. It may be too late to get an autographed book, but they will be on sale until the end of the year for 50% off. However— e-books and audiobooks can be downloaded, so go for it!! Something for everyone!

50% sale on most of my books at my Etsy Shop, Larada’s Reading Loft. Get an autographed copy!