I know to most people, this is not an astounding photo. But I haven’t had a Christmas tree up in four years. Part of that was due to my fuzzy fellow, who, on his first Christmas took one look at the tree and decide to take a flying leap right into the middle of it. And part was just due to my own general bah humbuggyness around the holidays. But this year, I decided I wanted a tree and went out Thanksgiving night to get one. I’m really happy with it – the size is just perfect and it’s pre-lit which is just fantastic. But I am also so happy to look at it and see all the ornaments I have on it that mean something to me. I have several cardinals, in honor of my Grammy. I have one that looks like our old dog, Thunder. I have a bunch of fabric pinecones that my friend Joann from my very first job out of college taught me how to make. I have a black & white Norm cat that Kym painted for me. I have a Dumbo taking a bath – because it’s just too darn cute. I have stars and bells and bows and a Christmas Wish ball that opens up and closes with a latch to lock in your special wish.

And it makes me happy.