COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR

When I am honest, I will admit to compulsive behavior as evidenced by my former 3 pack a day cigarette habit and that I am a recovering alcoholic. While both are former conditions from 35 years ago, they show I possess an addictive personality.

My main problem is that too often for me, one of anything is never enough. This also holds true for possessions. If I find a blouse, purse, shoes or jeans I like, I will get the same style in several colors.

If I use a product regularly, I always get two so that when I get down to one, I will buy a replacement. I must have a fear of running out. Till now, I have been weird but manageable.

I went round the bend recently when I spent an innocent $3 at a Dollar store.  I saw a pack of battery candles--- 3 for $3.  Thinking they might be neat back up lighting should power go out, I dug out three singles and went home with my prize.

Well they looked so good that I got two more packages. Never know how long something so cheap will last and it wouldn't hurt to have spares. The light on them is very dim but would let me navigate in the dark should the power go out.

A normal person would stop there but I became candle obsessed. I just loved the glow.The battery ones looked cool in the windows but I didn't want to keep buying batteries so I invested in some plug in types from the Internet that had solar sensors that turn off and on automatically at dawn and dusk. Just slightly more expensive but still really quite cheap. They would work for everyday and the original battery types were relegated to power outage status and decoration.

Well the electric ones are much brighter. I can almost read by them.  They do work as advertised though are very light weight so they need to be secured. It really gives the outside of my house a welcoming look. Hope burglars are not inspired by the invitation.

Minnie will not allow me to decorate for Christmas as she is convinced any decoration is her toy and I don't dare to even think "tree".  So I was delighted when I saw some cute little Christmas tea lights at Walmart that are also battery powered and could be put out of her reach.

Yes that is a lava lamp in the middle. A remnant from my hippy wanna be days. 

So, I got a few packs of 4 at $2.98 per pack. They really did make my house look a bit Christmassy but did I stop there?? Nope. I found some, also at Walmart, that are real wax, battery powered, pillar candles that operate via remote control.

Wow, what a feeling of power. Press a button and there is soft light. Can you imagine if I had a remote controlled fireplace? I may be compulsive but I am easily amused.  So I got two of those in sets of three. They even smell great if you like vanilla. The remote is such fun and just magical.

Finally, I reached saturation point at 28 candles of various sizes occupying my home.  Yikes. When all my treasures are lit at once, this tiny house really looks like a Catholic church and I am not even Catholic.  Only with these candles, I am praying for a power outage, not healings.
  

This area kind of looks like a bank of prayer candles. That is my Himalayan salt lamp in the center.  

However, if anyone is in real need, I will happily light one of my spares for you along with my prayers. Not sure God is into artificial candles but the prayers should still reach.

You know what is odd? The 7 watt bulbs put out zero heat (you can easily touch them after burning all night) but my place gets physically warmer when they are lit.  Is there such a thing as placebo heating?

Confession over.

Do you have a compulsion that you care to admit to so I will feel just a wee bit better?