I wish I could say that decorating our tree this year was a joy. Well, actually it was. . . the first time around.
You see, we got up this morning, met up with my dad and drove to a remote part of the county where we picked out what I think is the perfect tree. I spent all morning putting over 1,200 lights on it. I carefully unwrapped each ornament, placed it with care. I even crawled underneath the tree to spread out the muslin beneath it.
And we were pleased. We were really pleased. And since the tree put us in the holiday spirit, we decided to do a little shopping. And shopping was successful. For Cynical, apparently the tree jump-started his holiday gift selection.
Before long it was time to head home, time to wrap our finds. When Cynical opened the door and told me the tree was in the floor, I really thought he was kidding. But, he wasn't, there was the tree, broken ornaments scattered around it, cats all peering from behind the couch and beneath tables. And I was literally sick at my stomach.
That might sound like an overstatement, but it wasn't. It made me sick to see a lifetime's collection of ornaments on the floor, many broken. After some ranting and I must admit, some crying, we managed to compose ourselves and started repairing the damage. You see, most of the ornaments on our tree are glass, so I knew this wouldn't be pretty.
We cut some branches off to better stabilize the tree in the stand. We removed all of the ornaments so that we could stand the tree back up and adjust it. We had to rework the lights that had originally covered the branches trimmed away. We swept up the glass, repaired a few of the ornaments and I once again crawled beneath to spread out our version of a tree skirt.
Life does go on. All four cats are unscathed. Their owners are dismayed and very disappointed, but the tree is still lovely, maybe not as lovely as the previous version, but it is pretty. I am still heart-broken over the lost ornaments, but that feeling will pass, I am certain.
And I am reminded that deep breathing and cooperation can improve almost any situation. And a few tears never hurt anyone.
I'm off to bed now, as I am sure I'll wake up sore from all of the climbing and crawling. And tomorrow is another day. . . a better day I am sure.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Second time is a charm
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9 comments:
Oh no : ( That's terrible. It looks beautiful, but I'd have cried too. And probably done a good bit of yelling and screaming. That your cats still live is a testament to your love.
That's terrible, I'm so sorry. You're coping better than I would, I think.
I still haven't put my tree up. I've decided to just go to the store and buy a new pre-lit tree. The one I bought for our first Christmas here (13 years ago) was wonky the last time I used it, and I discovered yesterday the tree I acquired from my MIL - which I always thought was so pretty - is one of those insane trees where every branch is a separate piece. (To which I say "No.")
To answer your question from the other day, I don't usually decorate with a theme but I may this year.
We haven't put our tree up yet. We are just wonderin how it will go with our pair of fuzzy faces. I think we are going to start on it today. Wish us luck.
Oh i am so sorry. I would also be most sad about the lost ornaments. But it does look very very pretty and would totally put me in the christmas spirit!
It's pretty enough to be on a Christmas card...I love the way the lights are cast on the walls. It's beautiful!
(It's a shame you didn't have a hidden camcorder to catch the culprits when the mischief occurred. That would have been one to see!)
Those little stinkers!! We have not had any problems with our tree yet.
It is a beautiful tree.
I knew a woman who hung her tree upside down from the ceiling to keep the cats and babies out of reach. It was kinda cool.
You're tree is beautiful by the way. The wall color is lovely.
Very pretty! Puts me in the mood! Sorry to hear about your ornaments. I can imagine the feeling. :(
Your story reminds me of a time when I lived alone and had two cats - Lacey, a senior citizen long-hair, and Sicily, my orange tabby (who is now 8).
Sicily was just a kitten and I was working long hours at a bar - so it was quite a shock to see her beady little eyes peeking out from the MIDDLE of my tree when I arrived home after a late shift one night! Needless to say her front claws came out soon after.
Now that Sicily is all grown up and the dogs are well behaved our tree seems safe! :)
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