It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Inside. Finally. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but it was not a case of snapping my fingers and it happened. First, I brought in our tree. Our prelit tree – because husband and I both have an intense dislike for putting up lights – that has served us well for about ten years. Until this year. It said “no go”. “Not doing it”. “I’m done”. It allowed only a few of its lights to shine, and refused to cooperate any further than that.

Husband said we should fix it. Okay. Do we have any idea what to do to fix it? I don’t. He didn’t. Fine. Tree is banished from our home. No ceremony. Just gone. Outside. Never to cross my threshhold again. Ever. That’s what happens when I become angry. Inanimate objects are never to fail to work. When they do, gone! They become history.

I did tell it thank you for its many years of service. I did tell it we appreciated the fact that it shone into the dark for as many years as it did. I was really not as cruel as I have probably led you to believe. I do have a heart. Really.

Then to town. To buy a tree like the Artistic One got last week. Because it’s the only prelit tree I’ve seen this year that I liked. Because it looks more real, I think. Because she got hers for a really good price. Last week. When we went, however, we learned that last week it had been on sale. Last week. When we went, it was not as good a price. But not horrible. And no, I do not like those other, less expensive trees. So bite the bullet I did and we brought our new tree home.

It is quite lovely, I think. It satisfies my need to have a tree, with lights, with sparkles. I thought perhaps I could do without a tree. Wrong. I need the lights, I need the sparkles. I need the holiday shine in my house. After our tree was done, I helped the Artistic One get her tree set up because her husband is not at home right now to do it for her, and because I learned how with our tree. Then I helped decorate it. A little help, not a lot. But I offered support, that counts, right? Amazing how different her tree looks from mine, just because of the differences in decorating.

So we have no snow outside – yet – and I am quite content with that. There is no hint of Christmas outside. But inside? It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Now to find those Christmas music CDs.

I hope Christmas has found its way into your home and your heart!
(click on any photo for a full-sized slide show)

This Santa has been with me for many years

Our new tree

Snowmen and Santa painted by me – back in the day

My handpainted Santas

Ms Mouse guards the tree, to keep the Lily cat away

A bowl of sparkle for the table

My little elf, from back when I played with scroll saw and paints