Trimming the Tree

While in my holiday spirit-run amok mood this weekend, I pulled out and set up our Christmas tree. I'd forgotten how much I loved this tree...purchased before we moved overseas, stored at my parents' house, returned and kept in storage by us for another couple of years. It's a lush, lovely artificial tree. And, despite battling the furballs and the endless fluffing of branches, I fell in love with it all over again once it was set up.

The love-fest was slightly dampened when I realized that I didn't have any lights for the tree. I'd purchased lights years ago, then sold them when we moved to the UK. I bought new lights for a new tree in the UK, which I then sold when we moved back to Texas.

Don't get me started on irons, sewing machines or blenders, either...

Anyway, two somewhat-quick trips to Michaels later, I had fantastic twinkling fairy lights and was ready for decorating.

The only problem was that it was already the work week, complete with many projects and 5 - yes, FIVE - holiday parties.

So I've been doing what I can, when I can.

The Niece helped me install the lights Monday evening. Last night, we hung the ornaments.

The Boy and I have long made a practice of buying an ornament on our yearly vacations, as well as ornaments whenever we travel somewhere for a meeting (etc). As I unwrapped each ornament, I'd shout to The Boy: Do you remember...?!? and I'd forgotten all about this one!

It was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Both of us would tag-team telling the ornament's history to The Niece. She, I think, enjoyed hearing about where we'd been and why we had selected each piece.

Sighing, I mentioned: Gosh, I should have written a story about each of these to keep a record.

Her: Well, you do keep a record of sorts. You have a blog.

Excellent point!

So here are a few of our world-hopping, vacation-going ornaments. I'd show you them all, but who has the time?!?



Belgium: We picked up this lovely lace ornament during a quick day-trip to Brugge. We'd gone with a group of international women (NATO and embassy wives, mostly) that I was involved with in London. I convinced The Boy to take a day off to travel with us. We thought Brugge was a fantastic mix of picture-book village and tourist-over-the-top. And, believe it or not, I ran into a long-lost friend while at immigration control in France. She was going into Europe. We were leaving. (Small world!)

Boston: The Hayley Vacation 2001. We drove east, camped out and endured terrible rainstorms. I don't think I'll ever forget The Boy's ability to sleep in a tent in the pouring rain, while I was contemplating flood evacuation plans.

Canada: Our first ornament purchased as The Hayleys. The Boy took me on a honeymoon to Canada, followed by an Alaskan cruise. It was a wonderful escape - so beautiful - and would have been completely perfect if I'd not been sick. I should have called that vacation's journal: Coughing Through Canada.

England: Ah...we actually have several ornaments from England, but I happen to like this one the best. I purchased it at Windsor Castle on one of our many Show-Our-Visitors-The-Sights jaunts.

Ireland: We took a very fun-filled vacation to Ireland with my in-laws. A friend's aunt owns a vacation home on the West Coast, allowing us a very reasonable stay for a week of driving and exploring. There was something about this shamrock made of peat (really!) that just said it belonged in the Hayley collection.

Jamaica: After returning to the US, we were completely overwhelmed by the fast pace of American life. We took a much-needed retreat from life, where for two weeks all we did was snorkel, play golf, snooze and read books. Bliss!

Kyrgyzstan: A work meeting took us to this Central Asian country, on the border of China and Kazakhstan. The Boy had actually been to Kazakhstan while in college, to speak at a local university about business and capitalism (and share his faith). To be honest, I think this ornament is actually from Kazakhstan, but I bought a nativity in Kyrgyzstan that looks exactly like this...so it counts! The design is a yurt.

Kenya: I lived in Kenya for two years before moving to Dallas and meeting The Boy. This isn't actually an ornament, but I liked it and thought it would work (and it does!). It's a miniature version of sisal bags that are used for toting all manner of goods throughout Eastern Africa.

New Mexico: Our first vacation (apart from the honeymoon) as a married couple. We drove from Dallas to California, camping and touring all the way. We loved our time in New Mexico, actually camping on one of the reservations!

Paris: Ah...need I say more? It's a wonderful thing when Paris is just a few hours away by train.

Scotland: Our last vacation while living in the UK. We drove throughout southern and middle Scotland, visiting villages, touring the highlands, exploring cities and watching The British Open at St Andrews.