Afterward
What goes up comes down. Umm.. we decorate for Christmas. Decorated. No one came to visit. The whole thing was just for us. Kids? We acted like big kids. We played Christmas music. We danced around. We had big smiles. We opened and put up (most) of our decorations. Ha ha. We are exuberant. We have bins and bins….
This year the new stuff was “carolers” that Colleen had admired but we had not bought because $$. We found a bargain. Always! You wait long enough… We don’t have that long, but…
And a few more Santas. Santa? Yeah, we started collecting Santas. Yes, we are overrun. And besides, who’s it for?
Us! I am unashamed to admit that I like Christmas and the cheer surrounding it. It makes me smile. Coleen smiles. When she smiles all is right with the world. Good enough for me!
And, don’t forget the gnomes, please.
Gnome for the holidays
Gnomes were all the rage this year. We got some. Carol sent hand knit free trade ornaments. “They” got their own little tree. Yes, spinners have their own special wreaths. Air plants – here’s a new take for Xmas. Santas? Our mantle is full. Carolers? Colleen admired them. They are $$$. I like a bargain. We found these at an estate sale for $. Ok! Then, I/we could not find them. Nope!! I looked high and low, but, not behind the milk! Nope! I was even wondering if I left them in the estate and forgot to take them home. ??? of course!! Colleen found them while she was looking for something else. (not behind the milk!!) … we have a missing yoga mat… not any little mat, it’s a 6×8 foot mat. How does a mat that size go missing??
White pine
We debated whether to get an artificial tree. One-time cost, done. And each year we get a tree from… We have been away the past few Christmases so it is not always necessary to decide since we have spent the holiday in front of someone else’s decorations. Seniority has its privilege. Ha ha. Colleen saw an ad for a tree farm and was fixated on a white pine. Fresh cut! Fraser fir was my most recent go to tree. It is very amenable to decorating. But, one follows the whims of the beloved wife (in order to keep peace, and to stay alive). First tree she saw, of course, and it was a tall one. As you can see it is way tall above her head! I was not sticker shocked. ??? dunno, it wasn’t worse than the big box stores price. That sucker was so tall I needed a small child to get the angel to the top. Ha ha, we didn’t have one and I couldn’t borrow one so it went up crooked.
In the short years/seasons we have shared – about 5 – we have accumulated an eclectic mix of things. Colleen has collected Santas. They drape the mantle and otherwise are dispersed throughout the house. We had fun with a glue gun and made our own weaving themed wreath – courtesy of a library program. And, furthermore, i used the glue gun inspiration to decorate a mini tree from the craft store. Whatever! In a few short years we have made and feel at home. That would be about as good as it can get. Happy!
Ok! This post is running long on words and pictures – one last thought. Who gets the Xmas ornaments when you split? My ex-wife, by default, has hung on to all of the ornaments I had. She’s slowly giving up a few to my daughter. Colleen brought her ornaments – those the kids did not destroy or run away with. And! We collected a few. Ha ha. It’s more like we cleaned out the antique store collection – of Santas. It took a few trips. She – my dear wife – was feeling guilty – about the expense? or indulging her wish? I won’t deny that I enjoyed letting her run wild and we are the happier for it all.
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