The Downsizing Begins

Today I set up the Christmas tree. It's kind of odd knowing that we only have 2 more Christmases in Canada after this year. I expect we'll come home for Christmas now and again, but I doubt I'll be putting up a tree in the limited time we'll have. And so I wonder, do I get rid of the tree and all the decorations in a couple years, or do I hang onto them for when Señor B and I reach an age that we don't want to be gone so long? Maybe we'll end up deciding to live in Mexico full time. Right now we say no, but never say never, right?

As I was sorting through all the stuff, I decided to get rid of some things. I went through the large box of lights. Because of Señor B's previous hip problems, he hasn't hung exterior lights in years. I asked him if he wanted to hang them this year, even though we only have two more Christmases here. He said there really wasn't much point so I set aside several strands of those old-school lights that have the pointy chandelier type bulbs. I'll either find someone to give them to or list them on a local site that's similar to Kiji. I also have 6 strings of icicle lights that one of our daughters is going to take. Oh, hey. Look what I found. A set of musical lights that blink. I don't want these anymore. And here are three strings of lights that don't work. Why was I keeping these? All these lights lived in a cubic metre moving box. It'll be good to clear that out of the basement.

I also went through all the decorations as I was doing the tree. There were a few that belonged to one of the girls. I'll have to get those to her. Oh, and here are some of those motors for some Ornamotions. Remember those? I've always bought each of the girls an ornament for Christmas so that they would have some for their first tree. They've all taken their ornaments but I must have forgotten to give them the motors because I have about a dozen of them.

I use strings of faux pearls to wrap the tree. I had two very long strands in a colour I didn't want. Why? Gone.

I have some colourful country type ornaments that don't fit the colour scheme of the tree. Many of them are gifts, some of them from our kids and g'kids. I held each one, caressing them gently and...I couldn't do it!! I couldn't get rid of them. Last year I had thought that I would clear them all out this year, but I really don't want to yet. In time, I'll pass them on to whoever wants them. For now, I'll re-purpose them into wall decor. Gotta love push pins. I did throw out several that were not gifts and that were just plain ugly and I don't understand why I kept using them year after year.

So I guess my downsizing was more of a declutter. Still, it was a bit unsettling, in a good kind of way, knowing that it was being done because of our approaching retirement and not just because it needed doing.

Merry Christmas

Yes, I say Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays. "Happy Holidays" is as offensive to me as "Merry Christmas" is to others. I had a whole big rant about that typed out but decided it was better left for another day. I've been feeling all Christmassy this year and I don't want to ruin my day with a rant.

I normally don't get the tree up until about a week before Christmas but I've had it up for 2 weeks already. Did a boatload of baking this past Sunday. YD even commented on my Christmas spirit. I have no idea what came over me this year. Maybe it was that milestone birthday I had last month. Maybe it's cyclical because I've felt this way before. And maybe it's "just because". At any rate, my family has been enjoying it all.

Excuse the detritus around the tree. The blue bin holds the firewood for the woodstove, the hearth of which you can just see on the bottom right. And excuse the plastic bag on the hearth. And the extension cord for the tree lights. I'm not a photographer. I usually just point and shoot and hope for the best. Although, now that I'm typing, I'm thinking that, after listening to Marc at the blogger's conference, I could have done a better job. Oh well. There it is, anyways, for you to enjoy.

Is it a bad thing that I have enough decorations to decorate 2 trees? Last year I did it up in gold and clear ornaments. This year, I used the cutesy ones. My angel doesn't really match the cutesy theme but it's the only topper I have and I truly love her, so she gets to grace the tree each year, no matter what decorations go on it.

It's weird to think that I'll be putting up a tree only 4 more times after this year. Señor B and I will retire early 2015 and plan to winter in México. I'm surely not dragging all those decorations down there with me.

We've had a series of bad events happen in our little town...several high profile deaths, a bank robbery and the burning of the old hotel. The deaths have especially bothered me...all good people who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's given me pause to speculate how precious life is, how precious the people in our lives are and how it can all be taken away in an unanticipated instant.

I hope we all take the time to let our loved ones know how special they are and to let them know, always. Not just at Christmas or year's end.

Wishing eveyone a peaceful and love-filled Christmas.