Sunday, December 14, 2014

How We Got the Middle of the Tree

Here's the first Christmas-y post of the season for me - all about decorations in this post because I didn't take pictures of the Christmas cookies.

I bought a plain pine wreath from the church youth group fundraiser, and pulled out my stash of picks to decorate it.  A pick is a little posy of things on a single wire and you poke it into a floral arrangement or wreath or whatever.  I have a weakness for fake fruit and bright colors, but I rarely use my picks.  I love how this wreath turned out!



The children set up the two manger scenes; this is a new spot for this bookcase because we are also shifting rooms around upstairs.  That's a topic for another post!




Now, the tree story.  My husband's best friend came along to the hilarious tree farm that our family  usually goes to.  The two of them, out in the muddy tree field in a cold misty rain, suddenly got grandiose visions and selected "the twins."


The twins were two enormous, unshapely trees that the tree lot was selling for $25 (thrifty, sure, but just read on).  See those 9-foot poles that Genevieve and the best friend are holding?  Yeah, the twin trees were feet taller than those poles.  In vain, I tried to coax the men out of their Napoleonic complex.  In vain.  They stretched out in the mud (no one had warned the best friend to wear old clothes and bring work gloves - he was wearing his nice black concert clothes and dress shoes) and sawed the trees down.



The netted tree laid in our dining room while my husband finally understood that it was two feet taller than our dining room ceiling (shocker), so he sawed off the bottom of the tree.  Finally upright in the tree stand, its top branches still bent against the ceiling.  He was rigging up a special brace for it when it fell over while we screamed and grabbed and fled.  So my husband sawed off the top and now we had nothing but the middle six feet of a Christmas tree.  It looked so. . . .strange.

For the first time, my husband looked at me in apology and embarrassment, and offered to chuck this tree and get a new one. I couldn't bear more money and more mud, so I suggested we just make the best of it.  He fetched the tippy-top of the tree back from the trash, plunked it a cup of water, and wired it back on top of the tree.



It looks much better decorated (nothing breakable - just in case) and next year, I am choosing the tree.

My husband tells me that next time, he wants to put such a magnificently tall tree in our living room which has actual 11-foot ceilings.  I pointed out that we'll have to get rid of some furniture in that room first.  Makes the Christmas tree seem not worth the bother. . .

17 comments:

Jennifer Jo said...

Ooo, I'd be pissed! (Give me a couple years and I'd probably laugh.)

As I'm typing this, my husband and I are having a lull in the midst of OUR Christmas tree fight. He's untangling the lights and sighing heavily.

Zoë said...

Very funny. But I'd be mad, too. At least it still has lights!

This year I finally got the tree I've always wanted...a hemlock cut from the mountains. It's airy and lacy and old-fashioned.

Margo said...

Jennifer Jo, I started laughing almost as soon as it was over (I was seeing the story potential).

Zoe, please post pictures of your tree! It sounds wonderful. My ideal tree is a tall, slender blue spruce that looks Charley Brown-ish. Next year!

Lisa said...

It looks pretty, Margo - at least the way you've photographed it. And your wreath! You did it just right.

BLD in MT said...

You are such a wonderful story teller. Thanks for the laugh this morning. As long as it has lights, I am happy. Bubble lights are a bonus.

jenny_o said...

Your wreath is beautiful!

We have decorated many a misshapen tree and by the time the lights and ornaments were on, they all looked fine - and so it is with yours! And even better, you got a rollicking good story out of it, plus choosing rights next year ... and maybe a few years after that :)

Mr. Thrift said...

Mr. Thrift needs to say that certain liberties were taken with this story to increase its comedic value. Mr. Thrift has 3 tape measures and knows how to use them. He also has a room with a 11'-6" ceiling which begs for a tall tree. Next year . . .

Lana said...

I love, love, love the nativity! Children always huddle everything around baby Jesus just as it should be! Kudos to you for not 'fixing' it!

Jan said...

My husband and I rarely fall out... but Christmas trees do tend to push us over the edge! I think you have been remarkably calm about the whole situation!! Jx

Rozy Lass said...

As my dad would say "A blind man would be grateful to see that tree." This will become a family legend and fun memory eventually. Enjoy the season and keep your sense of humor handy.

Margo said...

Rozy, I love your dad's saying! And yes, the middle-of-the-Christmas tree is already a joke around here.

Lana said...

Commenting again and just saying that from the perspective of a wife of 36 1/2 years and having almost lost my best friend husband this year to a heart attack---'Some things are just not worth getting upset about!' A whole lot of things just don't get under my skin anymore since my perspective got changed. I am not judging any of you by the way.

Zoë said...

There is one pic on instagram...I'll try to remember to get more shots and post them!

Sew Blessed Maw [Judy] said...

Oh.. what a fun post.. So enjoyed it, and it brought back such memories..
hubby and I have been married for 42 yrs..our first Christmas, hubby went to the woods [not the tree farm, we were too poor,ha] he brought home the biggest tree you ever saw. We like to never have gotten it in the house. and when we finally did, we put it in a corner of living room, honestly, it took up 1/3 of whole room.. We only had a few ornaments so we just put ornaments on the very front.. We laughed and laughed, and this very day.. We tell of our first Christmas and our first Christmas tree!! Such a fun/fond memory.

Tammy said...

This post is hilarious. I've recounted it to three different people!

MissFifi said...

That may be the best Christmas tree I have seen yet. Great story. Enjoy your holiday!!

Sarah Barry said...

So funny. Makes for a great story!