nzcate asked to see my tree and, after much consternation, my sweet husband posted this photo for me.  Our tree didn't turn out so hot so I cut this photo out of House Beautiful.  No, really, this is our tree.  My husband would like me to fill you in on the details about it so, let's see, it's a Noble Fir which is our preferred tree and our local grocery store sells them for a decent price.  The tin star on top was a gift to each other for our 15th wedding anniversary which we celebrated in San Diego, CA, three years ago.  The star is cool because one of the spikes opens up on a hinge and inside, we kept the tag that the artist signed for us.  When our oldest was born, we started buying him an ornament each year and continued with the other kids so when they move out, they'll take their ornaments with them.  I love unwrapping the ornaments and reliving the memories that each one reminds us of.  We enjoy getting ornaments as souvenirs when we travel.  The gifts under the tree are ones my kids are giving each other and wrapped themselves.  I can't put out their gifts yet because they get too excited for Christmas much too soon.  So, to make life bearable around here, their gifts don't get put out until about the 23rd or so.  I got to thinking about it and, remember when you were young, you'd come home from school and there would be another gift or so that mom had wrapped for you while you were gone all day?  Our poor kids are here all day, with that tree and its gifts underneath, waiting to be unwrapped.  I can understand why that would make the wait harder. 

I had fun with my last post.  I love the funny comments!  The day after writing that opossum post, I saw a news item online about a family whose daughter was scared by an opossum leaping out of their Christmas tree last year.  They are sticking with an artificial tree this year.  Good idea.  I hope this is the end of the opossumania that seems to be surrounding me!  If this keeps up, I'll soon be checking our Christmas tree for beady little eyes!