I'm a big fan of the 24 hour broadcast of "A Christmas Story" that airs on TBS Christmas Eve. For me, it has been a life-long love affair with Ralphie Parker – one that started all the way back in middle school. I always figured I'd either marry Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) or Bernie Kosar, the greatest quarterback in the history of the world. Delusions of grandeur, yes, I know. I still have them, even at age 40.

Flip the calendar back to Thanksgiving weekend, 2006. An exceptionally warm day – the perfect afternoon to drag my family to the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland’s West side for the Grand Opening of the newly restored Christmas Story house. Filmed back in 1983, several key scenes in the movie were shot on location inside this Cleveland home, other scenes shot in a studio in Canada. The house has been renovated to look like it did in the movie. While that's all nice and good, we traveled an hour and a half for one thing and one thing only: that glowing beauty of a leg lamp.

We decided, as a family, that the lighting of this lamp is forever to be a crowning moment in our holiday celebrations. A time when we come together to turn the switch of this glowing beacon - our official welcome-in of the holiday - capped off with the infamous leg shining from our living room window. Okay - I am being overly dramatic for a reason. You see, I really, really wanted this leg lamp. I really, really think it's cool. Funny. Expressive. Even hip, if you may.... Something to help make memories of us.

So, we unpack this lamp from its Fragile box, put it on the front table window, click it on, and head outside to bask in our glory. I kid you not – the stinkin' thing isn’t in the front window for more than three hours before I get a call from the next door neighbor. She says, and I am able to accurately quote here: “Pat, only you would get a leg lamp and put it in your front window! Well...there goes the neighborhood!”

Just like Old Man Parker, my major award is a major mockery! Fortunately, I take it all in stride, and right on schedule, we welcome in this 2007 holiday season again with my shining star.

Now, in light of all this neighborly attention, I've decided to start a new holiday tradition. This one has me looking ahead to spring. I'm sewing myself a pink bunny suit just like the one Ralphie got from his Aunt Clara on Christmas Day, and it ought to be done just in time for Easter!

As always, I enjoy hearing from you! Feel free to E-mail me anytime: pat.vanzandt@wsee.tv