The delicate balance is upset

Suburban family ISO multiple sets of outdoor Christmas lights. Will trade cocoa, cookies, or kidney. Trade value for white lights is substantially higher than for "off-color", and multiple organs can be discussed. We are hoping to hear from you before the HOA condemns us for failure to decorate.

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We have apparently ticked off the lighting community, as every last set of lights we own have failed us, including the top of the faux Christmas tree. And because we failed to wait until December 3rd (3rd!) to unpack our decorations, our local T*rget and L*we's have sold out (sold out!) of lights. (Unless, of course, you're celebrating Ch*nukah, since they have plenty of blue ones.)

I'm beginning to think that my switch to fluorescent bulbs has upset the delicate lighting karma in our house.