Quick quiz

Q: What's worse than Toys R Us at Christmas?
A: The Toys R Us parking lot at Christmas.

Q: What's worse than the Toys R Us parking lot at Christmas?
A: The Toys R Us parking lot at Christmas in the pouring rain.

Q: And what's even better than that?
A: The Toys R Us parking lot at Christmas in the pouring rain, and the one toy you want is out of stock.

Sigh.

Long overdue Christmas tree

I haven't had a Christmas tree in at least the 11 years since I moved to Seattle, and I don't remember how long before that. Weird, because I love having a tree. I guess it was too much hassle to have in the apartment, then condo, then house alone, or I was worried about what the cats would do, or the influence of my ex, or something. In any case, this year we're home for Christmas! Days off from work! No travel! And we can put up a tree! Yippie!

On Saturday we went out to the tree farm with Brett, Megan and Sofie. They got a lovely Grand Fir. Dissatisfied with the more open varieties at this place, we went to a second tree farm (total disaster) and then a third. After much marching all over creation and comparing the qualities of this tree and that, we finally made a selection and took it home. Is it the perfect tree? Perfect of symmetry and even spacing of branches? Why no. Perfect in the display of Mother Nature's quirks and asymetry? Completely.

We had to lop off the lankier bits at the top, but after getting it duded up with lights, garland, and sparkly ornaments, it looks pretty festive. I do love having a tree, it must be said.

And the cats, you ask? They couldn't care less.