GaryBo Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 What do most of you do, when putting up your lights and displays? Do you do all the work yourself, or get help?The reason I ask, is that, just after the 1st of this year, I had a heart attack and was in the hospital for several days, and as a result, I could not take down my decorations. The attack was serious, but fortunately as you can tell by this writing, not fatal. Friends and neighbors “chipped” in and we had a de-decorating party and was able to get everything down.I am sure that the prior 6 weeks or so putting up all the decorations before Christmas stressed me both physically and emotionally. I guess this “old fart” just isn't a 19 year old kid anymore.As of this writing my health is improving. I don't expect a 100% recovery. My recovery will be somewhat limited and I intend to be around for a long time.I want to continue my decorating. (I know I'm obsessed, but what can I do?).I know, I won't be able to do what I used to do physically. I am going to have to accept the fact, I will need helpMy question again, do you have help putting up decorations? Do you ask for volunteers, if so where do you get them. Do you pay for help, if so, what's a fair wage, and where again to get help. I don't want to impose on my friends and neighbors.Any thought or suggestions would be appreciated.GaryBo
jimswinder Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Last year my son and I put them up...I took them all down...50,000 lights, 33 ControllersProbably be the same for this year...except 75,000 lights and 51 ControllersDon't feel right about asking for help, but I am not in your position either. Don't know if I would accept any volunteers either...sometimes it takes twice as long to tell someone how you want something done as opposed to just doing it yourself...Glad you are recovering and not "throwing away the hobby"...
shfr26 Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Gary, Sorry to hear about your heart attack. Just remember, you got the "Old fart award", don't push it to hard. Hope all is going good for you. I have no idea on the questions you asked, but wanted to make sure you are doing good. Good luck my friend, and feel better!!!!!! Maybe you can give out some Vegas tips and get help on the cheap.
Surfing4Dough Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 shfr26 wrote: Gary, Sorry to hear about your heart attack. Just remember, you got the "Old fart award", don't push it to hard. Must have been all that free McDonald's coffee that Gary went and got with his old fart certificate last year.Ironically I also posted this about Gary last year:Glad to "hear" that you are doing OK Gary!
David Grygierczyk Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Gary,I am fortunate enough that I trade off working on a friends tractors and machinery and in return, I have access to all his tractors, backhoe, 40' manlift, and FIVE teenage boys. 32,000 lights and 6 controllers:cool:Maybe you might have a skill that it useful to others that you could trade off, to help get your display set up and taken down.I hope your recovery goes well.Dave
Aaron Maue Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I'm not gonna win any old fart awards. At least not yet. And am happy that I still am able to decorate our house on my own. Then again, I have only 10,000 lights and this will be my first with LOR. That said, for what it's worth, some thoughts...* Totally admirable that you're going to continue putting up the lights. I commend you. I can't imagine not having lights up on our house and not providing the enjoyment to our kids and all the neighbors and "visitors." We truly live for Christmas.* Consider whether there are any people who have expressed their enjoyment for your display and invite them to be part of it. They might jump at the chance. Of course, you need to be ready for that and the "help" that you're gonna get.* If you don't feel like looking for volunteers, consider whether there's some local, responsible, high school kids that could use a few extra bucks. I can think of a few around here who would be happy to help out. Then, think about how to pay them. Maybe pay them piece-work to get them not to mess around. And that they get their cash when you plug stuff in and it works. Maybe there aren't many of us, but I know when I was a kid, I LOVED putting up lights. The idea of getting paid for it would have been icing on the cake. And if they do a really good job, maybe some credit in the voice-overs.Glad you're on the road to recovery, even if the end isn't 100%. Good luck.Aaron
scubado Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Maybe you'll get lucky and find someone who's willing to help as a learning experience, maybe allow them to sequence a song and make it a part of your show. A local church would be a great place to find someone. Start looking now, so you can develop a relationship. Could be very rewarding for the both of you.
Guest Don Gillespie Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Gary first off glad your OK, secondly if you are going to still do a light display, I see nothing wrong with asking a non profit group to help you out, you might offer them a couple of nights to ome out when your display is up and running and have some sort of a collection for their charity (just throwing that out there) and also chances are there are neighbors who would help with the heavy lifting or tough setups as long as you can still plug everything in you should be fine.
PaulXmas Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I do most of it myselfI do have sons living at home but they are how to say this LAZY!They did help put up poles (I could not have done this myself) plus a few other things.Best of luck on the health front!
Surfing4Dough Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Don Gillespie wrote: Gary first off glad your OK, secondly if you are going to still do a light display, I see nothing wrong with asking a non profit group to help you out, you might offer them a couple of nights to ome out when your display is up and running and have some sort of a collection for their charity (just throwing that out there) and also chances are there are neighbors who would help with the heavy lifting or tough setups as long as you can still plug everything in you should be fine. I agree with this route (assuming you don't have loving family and neighbors that would help). I have seen others get help from the charity that they help raise money for. Maybe you already have a charity you raise for, and you could explain your predicament much like you did here, and see if they have any volunteers that might be willing to lend a hand. Some of their volunteers may love to "get out of the office" and do something unique like this. Sometimes they have high school kids that need so many volunteer hours (for a class, school, or maybe even court ordered :shock:) and I would bet they would much rather help doing something cool like this.
Denis Chaput Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Glad to see your OKWhat is the weather and temperature as of today ( Not snowing or anything like that) maybe those boys in Alberta would help you out then they wouldn't complain about all the snow there getting:shock:
Guest Don Gillespie Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Denis Chaput wrote: Glad to see your OKWhat is the weather and temperature as of today ( Not snowing or anything like that) maybe those boys in Alberta would help you out then they wouldn't complain about all the snow there getting:shock:you got it I'll come down and help you out Gary could use some time off from the office I have only been back for three weeks now looking to get away again LOLas I understand it Toronto just got hammered by snow also, man its a weird year for weather, I would like to invite Al Gore up here maybe he can explain about the global warming thing agian LOL :P ya right
Denis Chaput Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Toronto only got 1/2 of what they were predicting ,just building up the hype so they can get the army and clean up there streets again for them:P Luckily i live much further north from there
Ralph D Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Gary, first and most importantly I very happy you’re ok. When it comes to getting help its sometimes hard depending on friends so I would always pay whoever comes over to help. I heard from a few friends who can’t do it all them self’s a few different ways they do it. One posts job listing at his local high school and gets help that way, I know another guy who asks around his block both of these people pay small amounts to the people that helps. This year I will be in the same boat you could also try craigs list. Remember there are so many people out of work and I don’t think it will be a hard task trying to find help. as for amounts to pay, its different all over and depends on how long you need them for and for how many days. I used a high school kid this past year and he had so much fun he told his friends and now I have a list of people to help.....It also might of helped a little that the boy is my daughter’s boyfriend...lol guess he was gaining brownie points with me. Lol . for the people that came this year, I bought lunch and dinner for them each day they helped out and added their names to a commercial I had made called Santa’s nice list I have made.
GaryBo Posted February 3, 2011 Author Posted February 3, 2011 Guys, my post was not intended to get sympathy from you, however I truly appreciate your concern and thoughts. I don't recommend what happened to me toanyone else. So, all you guys get your ticker checked out as needed!!!! On a side note I did lose some weight, unintentional, which I needed to do. It's hard to keep weight on, when all you are getting is hospital jello and broth. Yuk!I am getting stronger each day. Don't like all the meds though. My mental attitude is 100%.I also appreciate your suggestions. I particularly like the idea of a charity organization helping and putting up a donation bucket.Now if you guys are in Vegas, around decorating time........ the help would be appreciated. I can't guarantee winnings at the casinos, but can put you in the right direction for great buffets, which, I now, no longer will be able to partake of.The weather now is low 30's and high mid 50's/60's. Cold for me but I know, a hot spell for you guys in the snowmageddon zone.
Pepper Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 Sorry to hear you had health problems & glad to know you are felling better.Hope you many more years of decorating joy! As for my display I do 90% of it myself.My 8 year old granddaughter loves to help with the mega tree.I have hubby & a couple guys help lift the pole up but I do the rest.My roof got lights for the 1st time in 18 years.I did the top peak & the 2 peaks leading down to the carport.Too scared to do the front peaks so hubby did those. I also have a lot of molds & set them up myself too.
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