Finally, the tree saga ends

Being a sixth-generation Oregonian, I believe only in driving to the country and selecting the perfect Christmas tree from a family farm. Between memorial services and other family obligations in early December, we squeezed in a trip with Mom, Dad and Eryn to select trees. It was a beautiful dry winter day.

We got one: Eryn got one: Mom and Dad got one: Here's the finished product at Mom and Dad's house: But life got in the way, and our tree stayed on the porch for a while. Then it was in the garage. We finally got the tree in the house a week later. But I immediately realized that it's presence apparently offended that cat, and he had sprayed it in the garage. The tree was thrown onto the back deck.

Bad Linus.

We finally had time to get another tree, but no time for another trip to the farm. Plus, it was now wet outside, and we didn't want to wait to dry another one. So we went to ... Home Depot. Seriously... saddest day of my life :(
We didn't even know what it looked like. And this scene nearly made me cry: But it went up really quickly! A little consolation. But no time to decorate. It sat all dark and lonely in the corner.

A few days later, Brad came to tell me he had "some bad news"... he just watched Linus back up to the tree and spray it - right in the living room. WHAT?!?! I cried again.

Good thing the ornaments were still in their bins and presents were still unwrapped and hidden away. Linus, who's never shown any interest in the Christmas tree before, has spent all his time since in the garage. Not sure what we're going to do about him.

Do we get ANOTHER tree? Do we just skip it this year? I cut off all the bottom branches and called it good enough. It looks stupid, but we have a cat-pee-free tree. And FINALLY, with the help of Eryn, it's now decorated!!!! It only took 2.5 weeks. But just in time :)