The Leaves on our Tree

I'm pretty sure Martin thought I was nuts, and I KNOW his co-workers did. At the beginning of the Holiday season, I developed a wild-hair for what I considered to be one of my best ideas yet for one of my favorite holiday traditions- displaying my bevy of Christmas cards.

Talking to my friend, Jennifer, I asked her husband to aid in picking out a tree limb the next time he went to the deer lease. I explained that I was going to decorate it, and hang my Christmas cards from it. "Okay," she said, "but just be prepared if he comes back with something other than what you wanted...." I assured her it would be fine... I had high hopes for my Christmas card tree. Frankly, I didn't really think he would come back with it, but sure enough, a few days later, Larry came into work and told Martin, "Hey, I've got your wife's Charlie Brown branch in my garage- you'll need to come pick it up because it's too big for my car." Well, Martin then enlisted his coworker, Tom, who lived closer to Larry and Jennifer, to head over and pick it up. Several days later, said branch was in my garage. Well, actually, two branches. One was very- shall we say- tall and thin, with lots of spindly looking briar like branches. I can only assume that it's a Texas Mesquite or something. The other, was just what I was looking for.... wide with branches and lots of space for hanging. Martin then informed that the bigger one was from Tom's yard, because when he saw the one from the deer lease, he took pity on it, and sent a bigger one. He also asked Martin for pictures of said tree, because he wasn't sure how any of this would work out.

I took the nice branch in the back yard- well, the empty lot next to the house, and proceeded to spray paint it a nice metallic silver color. The construction workers tried not to stare. I propped it up in a flower pot with some bricks leftover from our house, and then brought my prize into the house. I lovingly wrapped each branch with 200 white lights. And then, I thought, "I don't know what to think. Do I love it or hate it?" I hung our last year's Christmas card on it for effect, and stepped back to admire.... still not sure. Martin wasn't sure either. I decided to let it be, and see if it grew on me...

Days went by, and the Christmas cards began to arrive. Every day, I ran to the mail box, and ripped into each Christmas card that came in, hole punching each one, and hanging them on the tree with red satin ribbon with a peppermint design. Pretty soon, I was running out of ribbon, and the tree was filling in. I started to look at it differently. Every card that came in was someone dear to our family, and they became the leaves on our tree. I started to see this tree as my Family Tree.

Today, Martin grabbed the mail, and came in exclaiming that we had a boat load of cards. I think even he was excited to open them. We took turns, opening the 8 or 9 hugs that had come in today. I read each return address, knowing who it was that waited inside, and said, "There's Wayne and Mae, there's Grandma and Grandpa, there's Jamie and Melissa, Alisa and Jason," and on, and on... all before opening the envelopes. My eyes stung as I opened Uncle O.D.'s- knowing what a gesture it must've been for him to send them out this year without Aunt Doris; and again, as I saw the picture enclosed from Susan and Uncle O.D. in her card. But when I opened the one from my Grandparents, the dam broke, and I started to cry. Just seeing my Grandma's slanted writing on the card brought home the reality that I won't be there to hug them this year.... and as their Christmas present for the family fell out, the water works poured. Martin just hugged me, and didn't say a word, which is just what I needed.

And so, as I hung the cards on the tree today, I cried as I looked at or imagined each and everyone of your faces, and the sentiments that came with them. I'm so thankful for the Christmas season... a reason to get love mail from everyone! And I don't care what anyone thinks- I've decided I love my tree.

A pack of Frisco crazies

Just how in the world did I end up so blessed? Why did God choose to give me so much?

I sit here basking in the exhausted, content, over stimulated, happy glow of my latest and one the greatest surprises of my life- a visit from my three bestest girlfriends, Alicia, Angela, and Jenn. They flew all the way here to see me, and the four of them, and my husband kept it a surprise for over two months. The three of them breathed a happy breath of fresh air into my already full life, and I don't know how much more fun we could have squeezed into less than 48 hours.

It could only be described as wacky, zany, silly, happy, tearful, laughing, and just us- in rare form as always. I was further bowled over by the indescribible graciousness of my husband, who not only completely handled the kids, so that us girls could run around Frisco acting like a pack of crazies, but also got up two days in a row and cooked us breakfast. He even got up early and made a run to the grocery store to ensure that our fridge was stocked with much needed Vitamin water and electrolytes this morning. This just further confirms that I am married to one of the most thoughtful men on the face of the earth, and again, I count my blessings.

There are a group of longhorn statues in the Stonebriar shopping center that will never be the same, and well, even Hobby Lobby was entertaining once we were turned loose in there.

Tearfully, I put them on the plane back home tonight. And it was fun to see them proudly sporting those very cute Texas souvenirs, the very trendy and "in" giraffe print bags from Sam Moon. This visit was priceless, and I will never forget it. Next up.... Schlitterbahn, here we come!

Mall Stalkers

My Christmas shopping has brought me to a serious pondering...

I've actually gotten into the habit of having an escape plan every time I go to the mall now. I'm not talking about in the event that there is a mad chaotic riot.... No, I'm talking about dodging those vendors in the middle aisle of the mall. For lack of a better term, I'll call them "Mall Stalkers". You know what I mean... they're the ones manning and selling the mineral make-up, lotions, body gels, curling irons, and some waxy stuff that I have so far managed to dodge effectively. They are persistent to the point that Martin now knows I avoid them, and deftly nudges me to the outside to help my cause. This sometimes works, and sometimes not... better not lag behind, or, BAM! They have you. "Miss, miss, oh, you are so beautiful.... look at your eyes.... would you like to try.... would you like a sample.....oh, you have beautiful hair, would you like to curl it?...." and on, and on, and on! Seriously, I noted the other day- they station one person on each corner of their cart- aiming to catch people from every direction, I suppose. I want to run. I want to hide. At one point, I heard myself BEGGING the girl to "please, please don't".

I'm not sure what type of clientele this is working on, but it turns me off big time. My guess is that it reels in those that just really can't say no... and then suddenly, they're headed home with a foggy head, a little of a shopping hangover, and the mystery of how they have that $75 worth of waxy blue something to take home with them.

I'm just wondering when it became okay to accost people while they are shopping. Dodging eye contact does not work, re-routing your destination to the other side of the booth does not work, a polite no-thank you does not work. So, I am forced to work the mall from the safety of the second level, and find it a much more peaceful experience. I simply walk the second level, and only descend from the safety of the department store escalator, and only when there's a particular store I must hit.

Is anyone with me on this, or am I alone?