We went and bought our tree yesterday. We like to buy it a day ahead, and then bring it in and water it and let it warm up and then the limbs open up. Our living room is arranged different than last year, so we had to buy a lot smaller tree this year. But you know I think it is my favorite tree we have ever had. It is a Scotch Pine, and it makes the living room smell so good, I wish it lasted the whole month of December. I made Art and Hannah laugh when I said this is the first tree we have ever had that "I" could put the star on. Usually Art has to lift one of the girls up, or he does it. We went with all white lights this year again. Sometimes we do multi-colored sometimes we do all white.
When the girls were born I bought them an ornament and then every year there after we bought them an ornament so that when they were married and had their own tree they would have several ornaments to start off with. Every ornament on our tree has a special meaning. Either we got it on a vacation, or it was made by someone, or something happened that year and that ornament goes along with that theme. You know like when a grand daughter was born. :) I have one ornament that my mom and dad gave us when we were married and it hung on their first tree. They would have been married 66 yrs this past Oct 6th if they had both were still alive so that tells you how old it is. We have about 6 that have been on every tree we have ever had, so they are 31 yrs old. The reason we couldn't put the tree in the corner where it usually goes is because Hannah got this last year for Christmas....
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| It is beautiful, but aquariums are a lot of work. I have had them all my life and really enjoy watching them. They are very relaxing. |
Are you wondering if I was having a hard time with the aquarium taking up the tree space? Well not really. Today was sooo hard for many reasons. First, my Dad passed away last year on Dec 15th. It was very sudden as he had a stroke in his sleep. He did last for a few days after that and I was able to tell him good bye. But when a relative dies at Christmas the reminders of that time are much more obvious. There were so many Poinsettias at the funeral home and now when I see them that is what I think about. We had already put up my Dad's tree and his Christmas decorations, and they were mixed in with our decorations that Art brought out today. Just seeing his favorite ornaments and his decorations that I just couldn't bear to get rid of just brought on a flood of emotions. I knew this Christmas was going to be hard because even though we are very excited about our new life that is going to begin in April it is still hard to say good bye to the old one. And....then with Hannah getting married in June you think about that too. It seemed like about the time I had my emotions under control I would find something else or think about something and it would start all over. Not having any parents around any longer is such an odd/empty feeling. As I know many of you can relate to as well. I lost my Mom in Feb of 2007. That is also so hard to believe she has been gone this long. I went through all the ornaments and decided which ones to keep and which ones to give to the girls. It just doesn't seem possible that it is Christmas time already this year. This year has gone by so fast. I found my Mom's Precious Moments Nativity Scene and put that out too.
For some reason Christmas always brings out memories of pets that we have lost. We have little socks for our dogs and cats, and have even had little socks for a special pet duck, and a little rooster named Malcolm. Well....I found a box with all the stockings from those we have lost. I don't know why we keep them but for some reason we just can't bear to toss them. I am sure there are those out there that would think we are a little silly, but we have always loved our animal kids and we always will. And yes, the ones we have now have little socks too....
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| From left to right.....Noah, Emma, Effie, Bindi, Cooper, Savannah, Skyler, and Sophie. Yes, that is 5 dogs and 2 cats. Only Cooper and Effie go camping with us. The rest stay home with Hannah. |
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Think we are a little nuts....well at least we don't have socks for the turkeys, geese, ducks, rabbit or goat. :))
Can you tell I am feeling better I am back to making jokes.
So from Thorntown we send hugs and best wishes.
Thank u so for your comment to me.... Sorry you had a bad time too... I always want to 'fix' things and make them right, and well, sometimes that is impossible, we really don't control others. :) or even have a 'say' really.
ReplyDeleteI know about the parents, i lost my Dad in 2002 and Mom in 2006. It seems like yesterday, how can it be such a long time ago??
Take Care
You are welcome. Next yr. will be better for us all!
DeleteI once heard something like "Someone is not really gone as long as they are remembered." I remember my Dad very clearly, he died when I was 16, 60 years ago. He lives in my memory.
ReplyDeleteMy dad is certainly remembered here. He was an awesome Dad, grandpa, and father n law. Wow your dad died when you were so young that is too bad. I am glad you have good memories of him.
DeleteFunny how we can't remember our ages when we get older isn't it???? :)
Make that 50 years ago, I'm 66.Not 76!
ReplyDeleteSo funny!!!
DeleteChristmas is a time of memories. Cherish those days gone by. And make memories of this year!! That's what its all about. I feel like I am reliving last year's Christmas through your blog. We had our 'last' Christmas in the house where we raised our family. We reminisced of Christmas' past. Now we are settled in at the Cottage, we're starting new traditions!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those you love.
I know that is one thing that is helping, Hannah and her new husband will be here so when we come home for Christmas it will be ''coming home.'' Wow time has gone by so fast hasn't it? This year just seemed a little rough due to loosing my Dad last yr., moving out and then Hannah getting married.
DeleteWhew a lot going on. But I can't wait to get into that trailer and go!
Christmas is such a special time of year and it does bring back all of the memories of years past when all the family was together (and pets are family!) I miss my folks all the time. Still want to pick up the phone and let them know what's happening. But then I realize that they do know what is happening in our life and are cheering us on from Heaven. Now we have new ways to celebrate the birth of our Savior and we're making new memories.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom tell me that very thing after she lost her mother. She said she actually picked up the phone once to call her and then realized she couldn't. This year just has so many things going on at once. But last night I went and played some hymns on the piano and boy that sure lifted my spirits.
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