Choices, choices, choices, they are everywhere. What did we pick? Read the 2024 Phelps Phamily Christmas letter and see….

Would you rather: Icicle lights or Permanent Christmas Lights?

Chr’s votes Icicle lights, but Julie hates the tinkle when they hit something, and Julie likes to change up the colors every year (our house is currently sporting festive Pink Lights and Christmas Flamingos) but Chr’s hates buying new colors, so… based on neighborhood pressure, we will probably re-assess the situation in warmer weather and go permanent. 

Would you rather: Menards or Home Depot? 

                  Hands down, Menards, every Saturday, at least to stock up on Ginger Ale. 

Would you rather: Beetlejuice 1 or 2? 

                  Julie votes 1, no rational argument can stand up for 2. Chr’s, in a rare incident of agreement, also votes that 1 was the far better movie. 

                  Follow up question – Would you rather: Hocus Pocus 1 or 2? 

                                    Shocking but yes, we both picked 1, but 2 was kind of cute. 

Would you rather: Is it OK for the garbage cans to go to the curb before 6pm the night before pickup? 

                  Every week this discussion in Julie’s head that it’s fine, fine, to put them out at 4pm, no one cares, but since she doesn’t do it, then they wait for Chr’s, who is not an anarchist and follows the rules, and so waits until after 6pm every week to place them perfectly at the curb.

Would you rather: Stuffing or Dressing for the turkey? 

                  Dressing, of course because salmonella is a rotten way to spend a holiday votes Chr’s.  Julie defers as she has never liked squishy bread foods.  And while we’re at it, Chr’s would like to vote for ham, no bodily cavities to worry about. 

Would you rather: Harris or Trump?

Never mind, next topic please … and quickly.

Would you rather: Heat on or air on?

                  Divorce lawyers have noted that this topic is off limits for 365 days of the year, but stealth actions can occur in place of actual verbal squabbling, LOL!  Chr’s spent the summer trying to get to the top of the local electric and water company list published for people with the least use each month, and Julie likes to open the windows all the time, so she doesn’t really get a fair vote here. 

Would you rather: Star Trek or Star Wars? 

                  Julie thinks they all look like elves and this is a ridiculous question. Chr’s and his Nextflix history vote that this is a touchy call but he has to go with Star Trek.  If they ever do a crossover with JarJar Binks in Star Trek, then both are out.  (If you don’t understand this any better than Julie did, then clearly, you are also a fan of neither.)

Would you rather: Annual vaccines or no shots?

                  Julie’s vote, “Duh.”  And if Chr’s had a different opinion, she’d still hold him down and he’d get them.  Julie just signed herself, and Chr’s, up for a research project.  We might grow an extra arm, but we’ll have been vaccinated against growing an extra eyeball.

Would you rather: Babysit the grand-dogs or get a pet?

                  We’re going to stick with babysitting, except for Shannon’s dog, Ollie, who thinks that Julie is his personal pillow, so he is the least favorite in the summer – you know, the air is off…  Roo is the favorite in winter when Liz grooms him to look like he is wearing a Christmas sweater and everyone wants to touch him, and if we ever wanted to rob a bank and take a nap in the lobby, then Hannah’s dog Bella would be the forerunner. She looks tough, but is a softie with a lethal tail wag. 

Would you rather: Retire or think about retiring? 

                  Julie votes she still has time to think about a second career and she talks too much to stay home. Anyone know a book store for sale, that might convince her to reconsider. Chr’s can’t even vote yet as he doesn’t want to make any rash decisions, and he plans to revisit this issue every few years according to his life plan to live to be 100.  

Would you rather: Get the annual Phelps Phamily Christmas letter online or via snail mail? Write to us and let us know.

Choices are out there to make the world go round. If there were no choices we’d all live in beige houses and watch the same channels.  Go out, drink your hot beverages, or dump them over ice (which would be the wrong choice) but as life goes, it is still allowed. 

In conclusion: Happy Holidays or Have a good season, it’s all OK! 

Peace, Joy and Love,

Julie and Chr’s