Progress
This weekend was just exactly what I needed. Friday night’s vodka-soaked shenanigans with the besties improved my mood a great deal. So did sleeping in on Saturday.
The wood burner is running. I filled the damn thing to the top this morning so that it will keep the house warm in my absence, and I should have a good coal bed to start with when I get home this evening. If I make it to this evening- I seem to be coming down with a cold and might retreat from this day sooner than later. Either way- I started the first fire of the year. Moved wood in the wheelbarrow down from the hill to the stairs by the basement door. Cleaned up and cleaned out.
Saturday afternoon the Bestie Currently Without a Nickname and I went to the choose and cut farm in Waynesville and got our Christmas trees. She helped me get it into the stand before she took her own tree home to decorate it. Thank goodness she did, because I think I would have had a hell of a time with it on my own.
After putting the lights on the tree by myself for the first time ever, I finally understood how people get roped into buying those ugly-ass artificial pre-lit trees. I would never ever do that, but still, I can see where they’re coming from now.
So, with the exception of trimming the topper branch to a reasonable height and putting up some mistletoe (there seems to be a shortage of it in Asheville- B is headed to the farmer’s market tonight to see if the rumors we’ve heard are true and she can hoard some for everyone), I’m all decorated. I’ll try to post pictures this week so you can see what an awesome job I did with my wreath.
I was dreading decorating by myself. The ex was always a huge Grinch, but he also always did the lights, and he had a better eye for decorating than I do. I thought, too, that it might feel hollow and empty, decorating by myself for myself.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
My cozy little farmhouse has not seen a tree, lights, a wreath or any Christmas decorations of any kind since 2006. I haven’t had Christmas in any measurable manner since then.
I do now. I gave myself Christmas back.
Sure, I could have done more productive things with the money and time that I spent doing it, and to that end I felt a little silly when I reviewed my budget this morning.
I’m glad I did it, though.
The fire in my heart is burning bright and hot again, and the wood burner is an excellent reminder that even the hottest fire will burn itself out without attention and effort.
It would do me well to remember that the girl who decorated Christmas trees, who cooked for her husband, who tried her damnedest to keep a clean home was happy to be a domestic homebody. I can’t forget about her now that I’m single. She deserves a chance to do her thing, even if I’m the only one there to see and enjoy it. Especially then.
Meanwhile, send Nyquil.
9 comments
I am so happy to read that you did all of that! Regardless of the Grinch I myself can sometimes be, I feel I would never just let Christmas pass me by either.
We’re getting a late start this year (thanks to car troubles costing us $800 last week) but we’re finally getting our tree tomorrow. I can’t wait to put on my Elvis Christmas cd (reminds me of my dad) and drink hot chocolate and bicker with B over who strings the lights better.
Good for you. You and that vacuum-pushing homebody deserve a happy Christmas. Complete with Nyquil & Vodka punch.
.-= Mr. Apron´s last blog ..Like Pussy On Toast it’s… MY MASONIC APRON’S 300TH POST! =-.
Sounds like you gave yourself a great early Christmas gift. Hope you are feeling better soon, but at least until then you have a cheery place to recuperate.
.-= Dani´s last blog ..Of course santa is a scenester, have you seen that beard?… =-.
I am glad you found a way to give Christmas back to yourself—it really is important to have those traditions. Hope you’re feeling better soon! Big hugs!
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.”
Merry Christmas to . . . the home maker, the career woman, the awesome beautiful lady . . . you !
I’ve not had a tree since… 1986. I figured out at some point that the reason I was sick every year at the holidays was that I was allergic to pine. And I am not interested in an artificial tree having been brought up that it was a REAL tree or NOTHING.
Glad you’ve gotten Christmas back! Onwards and upwards!
.-= MsDarkstar´s last blog ..Striving for gratitude =-.
I’m dancing a crazy jig of happy for you, chica! You so deserve your Christmas – merry, merry! Big, huge HURRAY!
.-= emma´s last blog ..Best 09: Day Ten =-.
Good for you! Sounds like this tree thing was a big step forward for you.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Open Letters Friday, Volume XIII =-.
I was going to offer a joke replacing Justin Timberlake’s “bringing sexy back” with “Christmas” but nothing really that funny formulated since I don’t know the song that well.
In any case, may you be merry and bright. And chase off the sniffles.
.-= nicopolitan´s last blog ..ATTN: North Pole =-.
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