I spent time in my car today. With a seven minute commute, I don't have a lot of time to listen to the radio, surf channels, etcetera. I'm just thrilled to be able to drive my cute little car.

But today was different. I was called as an expert witness in two cases today (something not that unusual). I spent time driving back and forth between home and court and, after being grilled in the morning, I was looking for something soothing to listen to. I hit the button for the 'lite' station, only to find them playing CHRISTMAS MUSIC! I stopped, paused. No, I didn't remember eating turkey. No, no recollections of stuffing or cranberry salad or pie. It must be a fluke, I thought and I pushed another button on my radio to the 'slightly better than lite' music station. CHRISTMAS MUSIC AGAIN!!!!

A few weeks ago, before Halloween, I took a slightly different route home, past a home that usually lights up every tree with lights. It's lovely and I always look forward to it and the lights in our subdivision. That one evening, the lights were lit. I thought little of it. The weather was nice, there was a lot of decorating to do and I guessed that they were just doing a test run.

Unfortunately, this past week, the lights have been on every night. There was another home in a nearby subdivision that had Christmas lights on as well. It is only November 18. There are WEEKS before Advent even starts, let alone Christmas.

Now, please don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I cut down my own tree. I bake cookies and goodies with my children. I write the missive that goes along with my holiday cards. We light Advent candles. We even sang "Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus" when the girls were little so they understood the meaning of the day. I even love shopping and buying presents for everyone.

I guess I just think that things should be done in proper order and in proper time. Christmas lights shouldn't be lit before six p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Christmas music shouldn't be playing in mid-November. Let's keep the materialism and hype in the department stores where it belongs. At least until the after Thanksgiving holiday sales begin!