2019 Christmas Tree- Not As Planned, Is it Ever?l

"When are we getting our tree?"  asked our children on the Friday after Thanksgving.  This to me is like asking "what is for dinner" after I have just served you a homemade lunch.  I said  - I'll figure it out.  In church on the 1st Sunday in Advent our children asked again.  This made me pause and ask Clare- "you are Okay with us getting the tree without you?"  She said yes, this made me sad for a moment but reflects where we are.  We've done our best to include everyone in tree hunts and decorating but it isn't always the case.  And even when we plan to include all- something often happens like illness to keep us moving in a group of four or like this year- 3.

Wanting to keep things moving and not wait too long I dubbed today- tree day earlier in the week. Peter asked if we could sleep in and skip church- thinking ahead to his quick trip to Wabash and swim meet weekend.  I agreed we could make it a family day. It was going to be lovely- I even considered making gingerbread waffles! Ha!  Poor Peter did not get the happy sleep in he had planned, instead he woke in the wee hours sick to his stomach and with a throat on fire.  He woke me up and we put things in order. He was able to go back to sleep.  Joe as well wasn't 100% so Sally and I had a quiet morning of tea and banana bread (lovely gift delivered with a poinsettia!) opening Christmas cards.  We decided we would venture out the two of us to get a tree.

Since the house is still in construction mode (we have a beautiful porch and kitchen structure!!) Now we're talking to workers to refinish the floor and making decisions on paint and furniture for the kitchen and porch. We're still in the dining room with TV and all the things you need and keep at hand I thought it best to go easy/light on Christmas decor.  The kids insisted on a tree but I thought we'd get a small one this year.  

As we were gearing up Joe appeared- rested and ready to join us.  We quickly made an on-line appointment for Peter, leaving him to sleep hurried out the door to get the 2019 Life on Newark-Granville Road Christmas Tree!  We went to the first tree farm we found- Homestead on Loudon.  Lovely layout and many trees to chose! We inquired where the Noraway spruces were and the gentleman sighed- pointing just beyond the barn- bingo- quick access! However he warned us- they were fat and wide this year, may not fit in the bailer.  We quickly found one we liked, thinking it was too fat. We took a wonderful walk seeking others and realized we were in love with the first choice. Back we went.  Sally took the lead- saying- she loves fat trees, we love fat trees, wide trees are what we do.  It is true, I've taken the family all over licking county and beyond, some times leaving tree farms when the tree wasn't wide enough.  The year I was ready to make the change, Sally saved or shaped the day.  

Hooray! The guys at Homestead we were able to get it bailed and onto the car. This meant we were able to get it into the house.  Once releasing the bows I realized this was a very very wide/fat tree.  The living room furniture had to be rearranged to accomodate.  This isn't something we do often, unlike my own mother who would rearrange the furniture for afternoon fun. As I type here at the end of the day, next to the beautiful full tree with the living room in a new format I'm pleased Sally took us the direction she did.  Peter missed the fun but is on the mend.  We took a time out to take him to the minute- clinic and confirmed my mom diagnosis - strep. He'll be on the mend soon.  Joe dropped us and picked up more lights for the very wide tree. 

We'll wait to decorate with ornaments when Clare is home- taking our time to make Christmas what it will be for 2019 on Newark-Granville Road. The rest of the decor is queded up and we'll see what makes it out this year.  It is not what we planned for holiday decorating 2019, it never is but boy is it nice.