I really need 24 hour supervision this time of year. I have just been informed that my status as a Hallmark preferred customer has been upgraded to Platinum, which is a pretty way to say I have spent a boat load of money in that store.

First of all I am a sucker for any sign that says CLEARANCE.  Couple that with shiny Christmas items and you have a cart full of magic.  Unfortunately the cart full of magic has to be stored in my basement 11 months a year.

You all know how I love anything sparkly, right? Well this is my season.  Everything is sparkly and shiny and made to glitter and impress. I just can’t resist shiny and clearance.  I just can’t.

Last year after I went on a rampage in the Hallmark Store I instructed my daughter to grab me by the shoulders and shake me hard if I tried to purchase another ornament.

I took care of that by not taking her shopping with me this year.  Instead I took my boyfriend who being new to this relationship likes to say “You buy whatever makes you happy baby” which is like taking an alcoholic to a wine tasting.  Sure it will start out fun but will end with someone over indulging.

I can’t help myself.  I envision my children opening these ornament boxes years after I am gone and having full color flashbacks of all the wonderful times we spent together. Generations will marvel at what an amazing woman Grandmother Kim must have been to pass along these heirloom ornaments.

All right, maybe I am over rationalizing my shiny addiction just a tad. I was going to do the whole ” first step” thing and admit I had a problem, but then I realized step two would more than likely be to abstain from purchasing shiny things.

No need to take the first step if I can’t take the second one so it’s off to Hallmark I go.  There’s always next year.