Oh....Christmas tree.

One of the challenges of being a single woman living alone is the stuff you don't think about until you're doing it. Challenges like getting a ten foot tall Christmas tree off the roof of your car, and up the five steps to the small porch. Stuff like maneuvering the ten foot tall Christmas tree through the doorway, around the tight entry way, eventually dropping it in the hallway because it turns out it isn't really a ten foot tall Christmas tree, it's more like an eleven foot tall Christmas tree.

Faced with this challenge, you do what pretty much any single woman living alone would do, you decide to use one of your Cutco knives to trim off the top of the tree. You do this because- A. You couldn't find tree nippers (or whatever they are actually named.) since you just moved and your garage looks like a WalMart distribution center full of boxes, and because - B. You remember that you don't even own anything remotely looking like a tree nipper, anyway.

The final challenge that you don't think about until you're doing it would be getting the now ten foot tall Christmas tree into the stand....by yourself. Upright. And straight. With the good side facing the room, thankyouverymuch. (as opposed to the side with the watermelon sized bald spot you'd prefer faced the wall)

Anyway.

The good news is that I fought a good fight and in the end, I won. The tree is upright, in it's stand, looking oh-so-Christmas-y, and no furniture, or big yellow dogs were harmed in the process.

Hmmm. Now, if only I could find the box I packed with the tree lights.

Comments

[Jacque]

Tracey, I have had that exact same experience! Though very difficult you have to admit it can also, when all done, be very satisfying to look at these things and say wow I actually handle this on my own! In the eight years I was very much alone I gained an amazing amount of strength, and don't mean the muscle type. Now that I am with James, I love that he helps me, but I like knowing I could always do it myself. Merry Christmas to you~Jacque

[tina]

That's where the boyfriend comes in handy!

Can't wait to see your Christmas pics - and more of the new digs.

tina

[Missy Ann]

I'm so proud of you. You can and will do for yourself.

[Becky G.]

And that's exactly why we have a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree with a built in stand. Thankyouverymuch!

Way to go Tracey!

[Ruby]

You should be so proud of yourself! You are always a source of inspiration for me!

[kathy]

That's why I get my tiny little 4 ft tree...for my tiny little cottage.
Best,
Kathy

[Janet@The Decorating Diaries]

Reading your blog always makes me smile!

[Brenda Kula]

Were you singing "I Am Woman" as you did these manly tasks? I hope so. Because you got it done, you found you could do it without a man's brawn. And you should be really proud of yourself!
Brenda

[Angie]

I would of stuck a big bird nest in that hole in the tree!! I love when trees have spaces and holes. Congrats. on getting the tree up!!
~Angie~

[Nancy]

You are my hero, as always. Men - a very overated gender if you ask me! LOL. Merry Christmas.
Nancy

[Deb @ Retreat]

And I can only imagine the colorful verbiage emanating from you throughout this whole ordeal!!!!! "Dangnabbit Christmas TREE..." ;0)

Forget the box of lights, Tracey - head over to Walmart and grab a few new strands. They are like two bux a box, not a lot of money - but a LOT of sanity! Merry Christmas!

[Joanne Kennedy]

Oh you silly girl...that is why single women have boyfriends!

Can't wait to see your tree all finsihed.

Hugs,
Joanne

[Jen]

Hahahhaa you are funny even without "Ethel"... I would have loved to have watched this episode! ;)

[amber johnson]

Good job! What a sense of accomplishment. You are a strong women!

[Kathleen Gauthier]

A good looking woman like yourself should have been able to flag down a handsome guy to do this for you, but bravo, I admire your independent spirit, and so to your credit, you are good looking, smart and accomplished! Merry Christmas!

[Tammy]

Too funny and so true!!! But, I gotta say I have 2 guys in this house and it still didn't help! After 24 fabulous hours of Christmas beauty, our tree took a dive! Guess who got to clean up the broken ornament mess and spend another 6 hours redecorating it? Yep - me - all by myself -
after a big glass of wine and a few shed tears!
I'm just thankful no other holidays include decorations that touch the ceiling!

[whowland]

Been there, done that! LOL! My biggest task always seemed to be to move the grandfather clock to the other side of the room to make room for the tree (very carefully sliding it on a towel across the glossy pine floors inch by inch!) Enjoy!!

Wanda

[Heather]

SINGLE GIRLS UNITE!!!

[Barbra]

11 feet???....a lesser woman would'a come home with either a pint-sized tree or a wreath; "Spunk & Determination, thy name is Tracey!". :o)

You DO have a way with words Tracey - grrrreat 'read'!

God Bless,
Barbra.

[Aubrey Pehrson]

Indomitable-you are the definition:)

[Cathy Miller]

Bless your sweet heart! Moving anytime is stressful, but during the holidays-ugghh. I know your new home is gorgeous and will be even more so when you get done fluffing and nesting. Can't wait to see the completed tree...it looks beautiful by it's self!

[Cheryl]

Hi Tracey - So nice of you to write my Christmas Tree story. That was me a few years back. It was easy buying it, the man at the tree farm tied it to the top of my car. How to get it off? Cut the rope, roll it off. How to get it in the stand - now that was the challenge. It took all my strength, a little prayer, and there it was! I've never had a prouder moment. And as someone else said - all these little challenges bring us strength - in all ways! Have fun decorating!

Cheryl

[Kim]

I hear ya! Though I'm now married & am grateful for the help, when I was single (many years without a boyfriend in sight), I let nothing deter me. Set up my own, real, Christmas tree? Absolutely! Put together the IKEA furniture? You'd better believe it!

Sistas are doin' it for themselves! :)

[cindy~my romantic home]

Haha....I'm laughing out loud...you are soooo right! My tree is really leaning in the stand because I tried to do it all myself!!! Oh well at least it's still standing!

[Ang]

No big, yellow dogs were harmed...LOL!!! Tracy-you're my hero. You cracka me up.