Monday, December 19, 2011

CRASH

In '07 we decided we'd get an artificial Christmas tree for '08 after a swarm of flying insects mysteriously appeared  throughout our house shortly after our Douglas Fir  was erected and decorated.  "What's with all the bugs?"  I asked as I swatted away the tiny gnat-like pests.  Upon close examination I found the swarm to be thicker
 as I moved closer to the tree. 

There went my yearly tradition of dragging nature and all it's glorious smells inside my living room every year.  
It was time to go fake. 

We found a great after-Christmas sale and at 70% off only paid $80 for our very first fake tree.  (Below) 


I won't lie.  It never seemed right to me. 
 I don't like fake anything...   I prefer the real deal. 

 But for 2  years I put up with Mr. Fake Tree. 

Then ~ a great idea! 

 "Let's create a gigantic Christmas village...  for the grandchildren...  and do away with the tree altogether."  

The only reason Gary agreed (after spending 80 bucks on a tree he assumed would see him through the rest of his life) was because he liked the idea of a train set.  

So the Spring/Summer yard sales of '10 was with one goal in mind.  Christmas village pieces.  


December 19. 2011.  

Me:  Let's put the artificial tree outside and write FREE on the box.  It will be a good time to help a family who can't afford to get a tree.

Gary:  Ok.  Let's put it up along the highway.  On the bench.  

Me:  No, Gary.  It will be too much of a distraction and may cause an accident.  We'll put it out to the side of the house on the side street.  Someone will take it.

Gary:  No, it needs to go up by the highway.

Me:  You are wrong.

***  I drag the huge box out of the garage and tape a FREE sign on it's front.  Gary meets me there and drags the box up to the road and puts it on the bench in front of our house against my wishes.***

Gary:  Don't worry...  someone will take it. 

Me:  It's not a good idea....

We no sooner walked inside... than...  CRASH!


HMMMM>>>>>


Me:  I told you it would be a distraction!   


Okay.  So we found out it had nothing to do with the FREE Christmas tree box along the road, but rather our neighbor went to turn in her driveway and the cars behind her were going too fast and...  well...  you can guess the rest.  I don't think anyone was seriously hurt, but one was taken to the hospital with a stiff neck.

An hour later, the tree was gone.  

Gary loves being right.  


Dear Santa,

How many cookies do you think you could fit in an average sized stocking?  Could you squeeze a chew bone in there too?  And how about a new skunky wunky squeaky toy?  Santa...  I've uhh..  been perfect awesome outstanding good.  
Love and Sloppy wet kisses, Gracie.

PS  Could you define good for me please?  



17 comments:

  1. now thats a christmas story, I think the train is a wonderful idea, and its something to build on as well!

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  2. Gracie...you have been very, uh, good.....jus' like mee! Now bout dat fake tree..............


    (Did you make dat crash happen.....mee would of gotten blamed.....Mee gets blamed for everyting dat goes CRASH)

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  3. Hi Gracie
    I know Santa can squeeze a chew bone in your stocking- don't worry- Santa can preform magic.
    love
    tweedles

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  4. Gracie, I talked to Santa and told me you would get that chew bone "for sure!". Not to worry.

    I saw the ambulance photo and feared where this story was going. Glad it had an almost happy ending.

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  5. I once brought roses in from my garden and had a zillion little flying bugs, everywhere. So I understand about the tree. I LOVE the train and Christmas Village idea. Have given away quite a few Christmas Trees myself. But NEVER left one on the side of the road. But my neighbor does. Anything marked FREE always goes. But they leave tire tracks in his yard. Glad to hear the tree wasn't what caused the accident. And that no one got hurt. I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas. ENJOY! GRACIE, Santa has plenty of treats for you, I'm sure. Being GOOD is whatever you make it. And I'm sure you've made it worth your while. Take care.

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  6. Hi Bobbi! I think you've done a great job balancing the 'fun and the fake!' :-) We've solved the problem all together of the tree, and our tradition is to just not get one, it works for me, anyway!

    I love your village, and I know it will be something that you family will enjoy and have great memories of, just like the tree that could have caused an accident!

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  7. hehe! Bobbi, you are so funny... I love the way you view life.... no wonder Gracie is such a character!

    And I love the villiage... is so Christmasy, but yet so unique!

    Hugs,
    Jenni

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  8. The train is a great idea! I am happy that you all were not the cause of the crash:) Gracie, I bet Santa will certainly fill your stocking with goodies for being such a good girl!

    Enjoy your day dear Bobbi, HUGS!

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  9. The village is a super idea and so much fun! Gracie, My Mom will make you some cookies if you want.
    Lovies, Miss Mindy

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  10. I love your train and village! There is no law that says you have to have a tree! I don't anymore.

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  11. Gracie, I think Santa will make sure your stocking is full to overflowing with wonderful treats for you.

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  12. I love your Christmas village and train set!!! When we get older it is better to have something smaller!!! That was a very sweet thing to do ~~~ give your beautiful tree away!!
    Merry Christmas Bobbi and Gracie!!!
    xx, Zoie & Fern

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  13. I love the Christmas Village idea. What a great idea for the grandchildren - - and grandfather to enjoy! That was clever thinking. It will be a great tradition for you all to enjoy and add to each year.
    GRACIE - - - You deserve something super special from Santa since you have survived a lot of activity this year - - - the business moving to your home - - the new grandchild . .

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  14. Hi there, I loved this-I think children/grands will love any decorations that we adorn our homes with. I finely gave up and got an artifical tree 10 yrs ago and I am one that really enjoys the ease of it and not having to pay a hundred dollars for one that will last such a short time. I think your alternative is wonderful though. So glad someone was blessed by yours. Have a great day!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  15. OH MY WORD...Bobbi you have a way of telling a story that holds me spellbound. Thanks for sharing.

    Gracie if you look up 'good' in the dictionary you'll see your picture beside the word good.
    Hugs from your BFFF,
    madi

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  16. We did the train theme for five years and we enjoyed it in till are house got broken in to and took mostly everything.Now we are back to the fake tree theme for the past two years. We just don't have the heart to go back to the train theme for right now.

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  17. What a great idea and new tradition to start in your family! The kids, young and old will love it!

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