The day the Christmas lights went up was always an exciting day when I was a kid. I grew up in a two-story house and the fact that my dad got to go on the roof blew my mind. Two stories was SO TALL. He was practically in the clouds. My brother and I always wanted to go on the roof with him, and we were never allowed to – except for one time. My mom let us join my dad on the roof over the garage…she clearly didn’t think that decision through, because every time after that when we’d ask if we could go on the roof she’d reply, “no it’s too dangerous,” and we’d say back, “but it wasn’t dangerous that one time!” She probably wanted to stab us. Anyway. I swore that when I had my own house, I would go on the roof whenever I wanted! And I’d eat dessert for breakfast!
Yesterday was the day I made good on that childhood promise.
Obviously I’m referring to going on my roof, I think it’s pretty clear I’ve had dessert for breakfast…too many times.
My dad came over to help me hang Christmas lights, and he suggested about 87 different ways to accomplish hanging them that did NOT include, “going on the roof.” I’m pretty sure he was in cahoots with my mom. Finally I just said, “It would be really super easy to just go on the roof, lean over, and hang the lights. It would probably take like ten minutes.” He was like, “But I have a sheet of plywood! And also some nails!” For a minute I considered scrapping the whole project in favor of a treehouse, but I kept my eye on the prize.
At one point Mike came out and took these pictures. Mike doesn’t “do” heights. He doesn’t understand that it’s less about being up high and more about doing something our parents always said we couldn’t do because they were mean and cared about our safety! My mom wandered out at one point and was immediately displeased that my dad and I were on the roof at all. “What are you doing? How did you get up there? I don’t want to know!” Her tone suggested we’d shanked someone to get on the roof.
It was cool up there. The view was nice. It was louder than I expected it would be, because I could hear Annabel hollering about not wanting to nap. So much for the roof being my quiet place. I also discovered an abandoned DirecTV satellite dish! I wonder if I can give it to someone for Christmas.
When we were done, we climbed down…the whole thing took ten minutes, exactly as I predicted. We walked back into the house and I announced that I deserved a prize for not falling off the roof. Mike replied, “Your prize is….no broken limbs. Yay.” No vision, I tell you.
I think the house looks cute. I still have a few more light-related things I want to do to the front. I’m not going full-Grizwold, but a few things are incomplete. That roof is just begging for an animatronic Santa that sings five different songs on repeat, dontcha think?
Lissa says:
Lovely job on the roof. And the not-falling-off-the-roof. No, really, I applaud your restraint with the lights. I LOVE Christmas and looking at lights and whatnot and cringe heavily when I see a bunch of willy-nilly lights and clashing colors and patterns and…ughh! in people’s yards. Simple and classic is perfect.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
Your home is so pretty!! We love Xmas lights, and we always drive around and look at the neighborhoods glimmering in the evenings.
Kimberly says:
“For a minute I considered scrapping the whole project in favor of a treehouse, but I kept my eye on the prize.” Hilarious line! Very funny post, Heather! I think the house looks perfect – the lights are so bright. But the singing Santa might just be the cherry on top!
Kudos to your bravery (stupidity?) for getting up on the roof – I can’t even bring myself to get half way up the ladder.
Happy holidays! Kimberly
Jenn says:
It looks great! And I loved being on the roof as a kid! But it always scared me trying to get back on the ladder to come down haha
erin says:
heather – you are hysterical — funny, funny girl.
Jenn says:
Hi Sweetheart!!
I think your house looks cute too!! Great job Bampa & Mama!!! I must admit however, I was a little taken back seeing Bampa in shorts & a t-shirtand you in a t-shirt (so unheard of here this miserable time of the yr)! Your neighbourhood looks so nice and that sun!!! Aaahh the SUN!!! OOOhhh how I’ve missed you & your warm rays!!! ha ha I still can’t believe it took a whole yr for your house to sell. It doesn’t make sense b/c it’s such a GREAT house!!! I’m happy it did thou’ cuz now it’s your HOME!!!
Can’t wait to see the finished product!!! Enjoy the perks of Home Ownership!!! FUN!!! Yes?!?!?
Tracey says:
I was jealous of the fact that they are in shorts and T-shirts.
I live in Canada, it’s cold, it’s dark….how many days until summer???
Jenn says:
Tracey!
I live in Canada too! Infact, we had our first BIG snowfall this morning so it was funny looking out the window to white outs & then looking back at Bampa & Heather. I SOOOO want to move to LA or the areas around. Everything things so much better in the sun….doesn’t it? I bet people in Southern CA are happier people than we are! ha ha
Shan says:
You are one brave woman! I will never get on the roof!! Yet I let my 12 year old son do it….it’s a sad state of parenting…. I can’t wait to see your house all lit up!
Amy says:
“Her tone suggested we’d shanked someone to get on the roof” hahahaha.
My dad was a big grinch when it came to putting up the lights, so my mom did it every year. My husband is trying to keep that tradition going, but when he saw me clinging to the edge of our metal roof he had to re-think that. He helped this year, finally. I LOVE christmas lights.
Jenb says:
As someone who has actually fallen off a roof I can tell you that I have a new respect for the safety factor. Luckily I fell into a 3″ snowbank so though I was very sore and bruised, no broken bones. I was clearing ice dams, not putting up lights though. I’m now on your mothers side…
LucieGirlie says:
OMG Heather I laughed through this whole post. I remember popping the screen of my bedroom window out when I was 6 years old to slide down the roof of the garage and run away in my feety pajamas. In the snow. I thought I was soooo coool because I was undetoured by the roof! I used to sit out there in high school and read my book while my Mom was screaming at me to get down. I bought a house but unfortunately the roof is waaaay to high (even if for me). Bummer.
Your house looks gorgeous! Yay for Christmas lights (and for being able to be your own boss!)
MG says:
Awesome! How fun to be decorating your new house for Christmas. We don’t do tons outside but there’s a house in our city that does. I promise this video doesn’t do it justice (and I know there are bigger/better displays elsewhere) but my boys and I have been there twice this week already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqLy5mcwhc
Oooh, take note of the neck brace in this photo….roof related? Possibly.
http://www.journaltimes.com/rock-and-roll-lights-sa-jpg/image_c615d2a0-0bf5-11e0-9dd3-001cc4c03286.html
It's Better says:
Fun post! And a fun thing for you and your Dad to do together.
I can’t make out what your shirt says exactly, but it looks like College Gameday. Was it given to you in exchange for all of your awesome Corso signs?!
Erin says:
The house looks great! Totally worth going on the roof. Whether you really needed to or not.
French Cannes Cannes says:
I had to do a double take – Bampa may be my dad’s long lost twin…or years of working for LAPD rubs off on dads – hat, shorts, t-shirt, jogging shoes! Bravo for the xmas light hanging extravaganza (and for not falling off the roof)! Looks great!
Skye says:
Your house looks great! I remember once in high school my mom went away for a night and my big act of independence/rebellion was hanging out on the roof with a friend (not drinking or anything). It was pretty awesome. You sure showed your mom!
Mama Kat says:
This past summer I climbed up on my sisters roof with them to watch fireworks. I got all the way to the roof and then FREAKED out, “I NEED TO GET DOWN, I NEED TO GET DOWN!!!” haha…turns out I have a wee bit of a phobia as well. I’m with Mike!
But I LOVE that you finally got to live out your dream. That’s really what it’s all about. Way to go Spohrs!
Leigh Elliott says:
it’s SOOOOO pretty! I love it! and you made me laugh several times – as usual! Glad you got your wish!
edenland says:
Can Bampa be my dad too? His love and care always makes me cry. XX
Melli says:
Heather, I posted the other day about being a grinch while my husband is the spirit of Xmas…well, I was out shopping yesterday with my husband & I spotted this outside of an Xmas shop: http://www.squidoo.com/inflatable-christmas-tree . I told him we had to have it. It’s so cute! The pic does NOT do it justice. Santa comes out & appears as if from nowhere. it’s so cute! I came home & googled it for you (sorry mike :). Now I hope we close on the house by Xmas so i can show it off.