I am on a mission this month. I need to find replacement lights for our tree. These are lights that I have had on many Christmas trees throughout my life. The worst part is that they have been discontinued. Probably because they are a safety hazard.

Hubby thinks I am ridiculous. He does not understand why I love these lights so much.

Here is a photo of the lights that I cannot and will not do without-

These are Bubble Lights. They were made by NOMA. These lights are long glass tubes filled with coloured liquid. When they are turned on, they warm up and start bubbling, just like a lava lamp; only the bubbles are smaller and faster. I could sit and stare at these lights for hours. I did too, I think. I would turn out all the lights in the house, except the tree, and I would sit and stare at the bubbling. Sometimes I would have the Disney Christmas record on in the background, or Alvin and the Chipmunks.

You did have to make sure that they were upright because they could get pretty hot. You didn’t want the tree to get too heated and sparky, if you know what I mean…

These lights were available at Canadian Tire up until recently when all of a sudden they were discontinued. I went for a few years without bubble lights, but would yearn for them. I would go to CT, stand in the aisle gawking at them and then with my head hanging, I would sadly turn and walk away empty-handed. They were always a bit out of my price range. It was something like $15.00 for 7 bubble lights.

Finally, I bit the bullet and decided to splurge. I bought 2 boxes. So that’s 2 strands of bubble lights, 14 lights in total, for $30.00. I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to get them up.

They lasted well the first year. And I had so many people tell me how cool they looked. Even Uncle Jeff was taken back to the late 70’s. He didn’t know they still existed. I gleamed with pride as I happily declared Canadian Tire my new favourite store.

The next year was a bit of a different story.

I got the 2 strands out to put on the tree and noticed that 3 bubble lights had dried up over the past year. I didn’t think much of it. I knew that Canadian Tire sold the lights and their replacements. You could buy singles. I went on over and ended up scouring the holiday aisles over and over again. I couldn’t find them anywhere.

I asked a smiling employee where he was hiding the NOMA bubble lights. His happy face turned into a frown instantly as he foresaw a potential disgruntled customer. His response was, “I am sorry ma’am. They were discontinued.”

What? What? What?

I stood staring at him in silence. My face fell. I asked, “I’m sorry, but could you repeat that please?”

“They have been discontinued. We don’t carry that line anymore. They were declared unsafe.”

I scoffed. “Huh. Unsafe? They have been around forever! Those lights are the best! Canadian Tire doesn’t know! They don’t know how cool those lights are! You don’t just go around discontinuing cool looking retro bubble lights! Who does that?”

“I am sorry. I don’t know what to tell you.”

“I know what you can tell me. You can tell me where I can find more bubble lights. Because I have 3 that are dried up and all I need are some replacements.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone carries those lights at all anymore.”

“This sucks…Thanks.”

And off I went. Out the store at quite a fast pace. I felt cheated and betrayed. I was let down. Destroyed and hurt that Canadian Tire took them off the shelves, I rode home thinking about where to get them. I went through that Christmas with a few dried up bubble lights. I hid them in the branches so no one could see them. The working ones were front and center for all to enjoy.

That was last year. And here we are another year later.

I am at a crossroads.

I need the replacement bubble lights. If my Canadian Tire can’t help me out, where do I turn?

I think I have the answer. eBay.

This is how I am going to get my bubble lights.

All’s I’m sayin’s all.

PS We are going away for a couple of days. I am going to try and get to a computer for tomorrow. If I cannot, we will try and post a doozy from the archives.

PPS If you are in town this Friday night, go on down to Eve's Chocolatier on King Street. She is hosting, 'Mingle Bells', a cocktail party and open house. It starts at 7:00. This place has bar none some of the best chocolate I have ever tasted. It is the perfect place for PMS or hormonal, or even pregnant people. Or anyone really. Her sweets can solve any problem.

PPPS Hubby wants you all to read his comments in reaction to this post. He felt no one would go to the comments to read it. I guess he feels strongly about this. I say, whatever. He should feel lucky that I am keeping us young.

Hubby's 2 Cents

The 80’s and 90's were cool….right? Because I just realized that my children will all be products of these decades. I originally thought DDM’s love of Madonna was cute, and then I found the collection of jean jackets consuming most of our basement closet. DDM continues to keep an assortment of circa 1992 sports garb, just in case her girls would like to see how much of an athlete their mom was (is). Then there is that damn grey Patagonia fleece pullover that she refuses to part with, the one with the burn holes in the shoulder from some gravel pit party in 1993. Recently, I walked in on a conversation DDM was having with one of her best friends. They had been debating who was the coolest musician in the band BandAid…..Was it Phil Collins, George Michael or maybe Boy George? The Tupperware, the bubble lights, the Glamour Gals? What’s next?

Hubby

Labels: Chores, DDM, Fun