TheBanyanTree: Pam's curse

[Sachet]

It started years ago when she first ran afoul of the dreaded Christmas 
Tree Light Curse. And being the loving friend that she is, she just has 
to share. It's evidently my turn to benefit from her bountiful sharing 
this year. Or maybe it was the harassment that I gave her by making the 
Christmas Light earrings that one year and this is the year of payback. <g>

I bought all new Christmas lights last year. One would think that would 
mean that the lights would still work this year, wouldn't one?

I remembered to test the first string and all was well. Bright white 
little lights all along the string!

Trying to keep Cloud, our 4 month old Golden Retriever puppy from 
"helping" me was distracting, so I forgot to test the next string. Drat! 
Got them all wound around the tree, nestled just so in the branches, 
plugged them in and only half the string lit up! What's with that?!?!
So I take them all down and test the other strings. Two more only light 
up halfway. I have never ever had that happen! I was walking around 
mumbling about Pam and her Christmas Tree Light Curse, much to the 
amusement of my family.

I finally find enough strands to complete the tree, and it looks nice 
with alternating strings of white and then blue lights.

Time for the garland! Also new from last year. But I can't find all of 
it so I am left with only two strands of golden garland, which is not 
enough and my daughter, Chelsea, the Christmas Tree purist declares that 
we can NOT mix garland colors. Aaaggg!

So there the Tree stands all shiny and twinkling but barren of 
ornaments. It won today's battle. I give up for now.

...Sachet (seeking solace with hot apple cider and whipped cream)