Christmas Tree Loosely Translated: "Cat Toy"

I finally, FINALLY, got my booty in gear and put together our Christmas tree*. I've been so blah about the holidays this year. I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it has to do with the fact that since I don't work (outside of the home, narf), I didn't have the slow build of gradually seeing more and more houses put their lights and decorations up as part of my daily commute or maybe it's that we don't have any big travel plans. Whatever the case, I have been very slow getting on the holiday spirit bandwagon.

This afternoon, while I was Targeting**, as my friend, the incomparable MEP*** would say, at Jo-Ann's, all of sudden, it came over me. HOLIDAY SPIRIT! I suspect it was the 60% off signs on all holiday decorations, crafts, cooking accessories, etc that got my blood pumping. But just like that, I was ready to go. I found myself singing carols as I wandered the aisles, taking in all of the sales and plotting where each thing would go, should I choose to bring it home with me. As it was, I made it out for the marvelous amount of just $42. For this tidy sum, I got a new tree skirt, a darling stocking for Sophie, a cookie cutter, wrapping paper, oodles of ribbon, gift baggies, tissue paper and a Kit Kat. What? I had to stand in a line a mile long, all the while staring at boxes and boxes of chocolatey goodness. I'm surprised I didn't eat it and the rest of it's buddies while I was waiting.

When we got home, I got to the task of assembling the tree. I wasn't able to begin with the decorating, meager though it is, until after Sophie went to bed. But then I spent about an hour tying bows and a half an hour positioning them just so, placing and moving and placing again so that they are evenly spaced. Gomez sat patiently watching me through all of this, mostly from his perch on the chair. After I had placed the last bow and stepped back to survey my work, he went in for the kill. It took him approximately 14 seconds to demolish all of my handiwork. That picture is the calm before the storm. This is why there are no real ornaments on the tree. In years past, I have optimistically put up beautiful glass ornaments, only to spend most of December, and in to January, cleaning up their broken corpses. But now, with a toddler who runs around barefoot most days, and who would also most likely see a heavily ornamented tree as her own personal playground, it just wouldn't work. So, all of the pretty glass ornaments stay snugly in their boxes, awaiting the day when Sophie is old enough to know better and when the cats are too old to care. But bows? Frustrating though they can be, they don't break and they're easy to replace.

Once done, I sat reflecting on all of the holiday chores I have yet to do. Looking at the tree while the velvet tones of Bing flowed out of the stereo, my tasks just don't seem so daunting now.

*I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do with the furniture. For now, the lamp stands next to the tree eying its old spot with no small amount of jealousy, all the while plotting its return.
**Targeting is the activity of buying things you absolutely do not need but in the moment seem like just the thing to make all of your dreams come true. Often done in Target, but can be done elsewhere.
***Who is now Dr. MEP! So, in addition to raising two adorable boys, one of whom was born just months before she completed and turned in her dissertation, she is officially a smarty-pants. I'm praying I can talk Neil into letting me go to Blogher '09, so MEP and I can tear up Chicago! Or as much tearing as I do these days, which means a half a glass of wine and in bed by 9:30.