<p>BHappy,</p>
<p>I’m sharing that story with the siblings…</p>
<p>Enjoy the holidays.</p>
<p>My favorite tree memory is this. </p>
<p>Every year my parents would disagree over the tree. My Mom liked those nice chubby conical trees with little to no space between branches; my Dad liked the other kind with more stalky branches and loads of space between them. So they took turns choosing them. </p>
<p>One year we kids objected, “Hey! No Fair! What about us? When is it our turn to choose the tree?” Our parents said, okay, fine-- this year you kids can choose the tree.</p>
<p>We chose one all right. Blue flocked. Our parents were horrified but they went along with it. We thought it was beautiful!</p>
<p>I’m enjoying my favorite tree story this year…it won’t stay up! We noticed the massive tree stand I bought 20+ years ago was too big for the tree I bought this year, the trunk is too skinny for it…it almost fell down three times while we were decorating. Then I awoke Mon. morning to the tree on the floor. Nobody heard a thing! Right now it’s sorta propped up in the stand, but I’m afraid to turn the lights on.</p>
<p>SpringfieldMom - I’ve had that happen and I fixed it by making a collar of folded newspaper (approx 4" wide and as long as you need to get the trunk fat enough) wrap it around the trunk and if you have someone hold the trunk while you wrap,… it can be done 
…I’m also a great believer in fishing line when all else fails… Good Luck</p>
<p>Where do I go to rant about how much I HATE Donald Trump, that pompous, sexist, ass? I think I’m in the wrong place, you are all way too cheerful here! Bring on Dec. 26…</p>
<p>BHappyMom - your story about the party when all the decorations had gone to the dump is almost too heartwarming - like if I actually entertain the image I have to reexamine my model of mankind…</p>
<p>Tree stories. We would buy one at the local lot outside the swim school. Smell of chlorine in the air. Mom would always say, “It’s the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had.” We’d take it home, decorate. Mom would say again, “It’s the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had.” And to this day I remember the disdain my father had for her optimisim. Ah. Family life in all its beauty and occasional horror.</p>
<p>Count me in as the Grinch of this year. Turn to yourselves and say, what’s up with her? Then turn back to the fire and say, hmm, something’s up, we don’t know what, but someone get her some mulled cider and it will all be OK in the long run.</p>
<p>Best wishes for a loving and warm holiday to all - whichever holiday it may be.</p>
<p>wecandothis - Shhhhhhh, the newly enebriated are sleeping it off under the bar stools…don’t wake them up they are not cheerful at all…and some of them bite :eek:… There now, pull up a chair by the roaring fire and let us pour you a tall glass of something strong :)…</p>
<p>Alumother - There is nothing wrong that tasty drink and a new string of cultured pearls can’t cure! Truly, and whatever it is, just imagine how much worse it could be…Have a hug with that mulled cider ((((cider))))) :)</p>
<p>Happy Holidays to you and in tribute to our Pagan life…next time there is a full moon bury a potato in the backyard and mutter something whimsical…I don’t what will happen, but it might make you feel better and it will certainly entertain the neighbors!! :D</p>
<p>hmmm, ok, I’ll have whatever you’re having!</p>
<p>then I have to go out dress shopping for winter formal…I’m basically invited only so I can pay, but my ulterior motive is to have veto power if the chosen dress should be too revealing…</p>
<p>last winter formal (sniff, sniff)</p>
<p>Am I going to my office party? 'Cause if I am I’d better get off this couch and get dressed NOW. Alu, I’m grinchy too (midlife?) but I think an open bar will help lighten me up. So here I go.</p>
<p>
My father still says that, every single year, even though now he’s using a fake tree. :)</p>
<p>S#1’s plane is over Wyoming now and still winging westward: yay for live Internet flight maps! :D</p>
<p>(PS: I vote YES! for the open bar office party!)</p>
<p>I had the greatest laugh this am over the CNN video on the “red wine mouse study.” :)</p>
<p>Does anybody remember the person on CC last year who had her tree all set up and decorated and then went to fill the stand with water and it leaked?! :eek: I tested mine this year!</p>
<p>We watched Little Miss Sunshine last night! OMG I loved it. I’m such a sap for family stories.</p>
<p>And PLUS there’s a VW van in it! :D</p>
<p>Somebody get the IV fluidizer for SBMom. And some Italian espresso. She might need it this morning. Moot, can we use S’s VW as the official Alley bring-in-the-sufferers and send-home-the-too-happy vehicle? We will provide the requisite signage…</p>
<p>Pablo the Van as official Alley Designated Driver vehicle! I’m all over that suggestion. Especially if I can perch up there and drive that big steering wheel and those cool curtains. ;)</p>
<p>Oh wait. That will mean I can’t drink. Hmm…</p>
<p>mootmom - Remember this is SA, of course you can be the driver AND drink, we’ll just strap a tank of pure oxygen on your back and you’ll be fine 
.</p>
<p>Personally I would trust no one else to drive Pablo the Van!!</p>
<p>I expect Mootson#1 to program a robot to drive it:).</p>
<p>^ ROFLOL (10 chars)</p>
<p>Did someone mention espresso??? Grazie!</p>
<p>… and served by an italian soccer player, pretty please?</p>