That is what we have been living in for a little less than two years. With the front of the house facing east and the back facing west and five large sky windows offering southern exposure, the Big Top was basically a greenhouse. It has always been, depending on the season, 10-30 degrees warmer inside. Perhaps a good thing in the winter but it has been absolutely, positively unbearable in the spring, the summer and the fall. Think about it. When it is say 110° outside, which it is often anytime June through September (and October last year!) it is overwhelming inside…if we didn’t have air conditioning…which we do but the ac pretty much would have to be on from 9 AM through 9 and even 10 PM just to maintain the indoor temperature in the 80s.
Yes, our PG & E bill during the late spring, summer and fall is insane.
Yes, many people are desperate for the light and the bright, especially during the winter months. But these people have not spent any length of time here under the Big Top greenhouse.
Truth be told, I hated it. I have hated it even more than the rental white walls that are poorly painted and the mis-matched painted baseboards and doors throughout the house. It is just too damn bright. Rarely does anyone ever curl up in one of our cozy leather chairs to read or just relax in our sitting room. It is just too bright and too hot. I could not and still have not hung any of my precious photos (there are a lot of photos) or any of the art that we have (mostly thanks to our talented niece). Are you kidding me? The constant sunshine streaming in through all those freaking windows from sunrise until sunset would destroy our precious, valuable-to-us treasures. So all those treasures, photos and objects d’art have remained packed away in the little cupboard under the stairs…the long-promised playhouse for Hazel, and now, Fallon.
A couple weeks ago I got to the point that I just could not go through another spring, summer or fall living in this greenhouse. Something had to be done, I told Bill and our landlord. So Bill and our landlord together decided that yes, I was right. Of course I was right. It was decided the least expensive, easiest and best option for us and our landlord was an energy saving tinted window film.
Bill and Ben together worked on this last weekend. I told them this was the best birthday gift! The difference is so dramatic.
And so very much appreciated these last couple of March days, before the official start of spring, with bright, sunshine-y highs in the 80s. The Big Top has remained a comfortable 70°!
I KNOW!!!
Buh-bye greenhouse effect!
As for me, I have spent the last two afternoons curled up in one of my cozy, comfortable sitting room chairs reading…at four-freakin-o’clock in the afternoon!
Best.
Birthday.
Gift.
This week, finally, our Christmas wreath has been taken off the front door. The garland and lights that decked our staircase and fireplace mantle have been removed. The ornaments, stocking, candles, mistletoe and all other Christmas treasures that we have collected over the years have all been carefully packed up and put away. All except for three bare trees. Which brings to mind the question: if a Christmas tree, or two or more stands naked and bare under the Big Top the end of January will anyone notice?
Today, finally, everyone is back to work and school and I am back to a full juggling schedule and yet Christmas is still here under the Big Top! Well, at least the decor is still here.
Weeks…okay, MONTHS later I am FINALLY moving forward with 
Thanks to Hazel, I now know what the purpose of that giant spoon that hung in my mother’s kitchen. I used to imagine that the giant spoon and its giant fork were hanging on the wall ready for when a giant might come to dinner.
