Some people collect stamps, others coins. Sharon Rowden of Lake Orion collects inflatable decorations.
Rowden, who has lived with her husband Rick in their home on Joslyn Road for 28 years, said it all started when she bought an inflatable ghost for Halloween four years ago.
‘It just kind of grew,? she said. ‘Now we have about 30 of them.?
The Rowdens have so many Christmas inflatables that Sharon said they can’t fit them all in their yard. Last year she purchased a nativity scene,
but it didn’t arrive in time.
‘I’m excited to put that out this year,? she said. ‘I also got one of the snow globe ones, they are new.?
The Rowdens have inflatable decorations spanning just about every holiday: St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
‘I have a swan and palm tree that I put out in August,? said Sharon. ‘I also had two mechanical flamingos, but someone stole them.?
The only other problem the Rowden’s have had with thievery is the time someone attempted to snatch their inflatable Detroit Lions player.
‘He’s tied down pretty good,? Sharon said. ‘We have motion sensor lights, and when the lights came on I think it scared them and they ran away.?
Sharon purchases a majority of her inflatable decorations online, at buyinflatables.com. She also finds them in stores.
‘I keep adding to them,? she said. ‘I’m hoping to sell some of my older ones. I don’t shop a lot, but when I do go, I’m always looking.
‘My daughter always says ‘Everyone’s gotta have a hobby,? and this is mine.?
Sharon said her husband, who works at Pontiac Motors, sometimes ‘grumbles? about putting out the inflatables, but enjoys them too.
‘They’re big and people can really see them,? she said. ‘They are easy to put up and maintain.?
Among some of her favorites is the flag inflatable that says ‘God Bless America,? which the Rowdens often keep up in the yard.
‘My three grandchildren love them,? said Sharon. ‘And I’ve never had any complaints from the neighbors. Sometimes people pull in the driveway when we are outside and tell us how much they enjoy them.?
The Rowdens have also received several pieces of ‘fan mail,? often addressed to the ‘Inflatable couple,? ‘Ghost-Decorated House? or ‘The Easter Bunny.?
‘They are basically thank you cards,? said Sharon.
The Rowdens have three daughters, including one who was a Mississippi evacuee after Hurricane Katrina.
‘She was about 20 miles from Ocean Springs,? Sharon said. ‘All our daughters live nearby now, so they are always bringing the grandchildren over.?
Knowing how much her grandchildren love the inflatables, Sharon was saddened to read recently about the family in Keego Harbor who had their inflatable Shrek stolen.
‘I just felt so bad for the little girl,? she said. ‘I called and offered to give them my Shrek, but thankfully theirs was returned.?
Sharon, who is a ‘stay-at-home grandmother,? also volunteers as a secretary at Howarth United Methodist Church on Silverbell Road, and said when she tells people she has the house with the inflatables, they always know just what she’s talking about.
‘Everyone always knows where my house is,? she said.