...and the Christmas tree was tethered to wall with tess line & great care

[underpants]

Yes we got our first Official Christmas Tree yesterday. We got it from an operation set up in the parking lot of a local mall-now I know what the carnies do in the winter time- :scared:

$60 PLUS a $1 "fresh cut" charge to cut off the bottom layer of branches....which they had to do anyway.

We get it home, put it in the stand (new), and use the EIGHT strews to level it (it still leans to the left :-) ), and I set about to secure the tree from the inevitable-the BIG LEAP from the dinner table by our Main Coon-cat. So far she has been checking out other means of getting up this thing and she will I know it. The tess line is secure so I don't have any worries about that but of course we haven't actually put the lights and ornaments on yet.

I have decided to name this Balsim Fir from Nova Scotia....Martin.....get it? Martin Balsim!!!

We are very proud of Martin. I especially like the one branch on the bottom left that sticks straight up and looks like the tree is giving you the finger.

BONUS!

[L84TEA]

1. Ohhh...

we have been through all of this. We always pick out a tree and try to go small, but it never fails we would get it home and it would not only be to tall, it would take the entire family room. We never did get it right... I got sick of pulling needles out of the carpet until July, so we finally invested in a 4 foot fake.
No it isn't the same. But it works just fine. Good luck and I hope the kitty doesn't climb it to many times! :-)

[matcom]

2. "Martin"? As In DS1?? Giving The FINGER??

perfect

[underpants]

3. I was going to name it after God

"Howard" but I went with a more secular theme.

[matcom]

4. our "fake" tree is going up today

I handle the lights and the Mrs handles the other shit. she makes me drinks whilst i am stringing cause she says i do a MUCH better job when i'm "buzzed" :D

ah, those timeless holiday traditions

[underpants]

6. Same here

I used to have to do the tree at my folks place but luckily my mom bought one with the lights alread attached-it looks great. I thought my stringing duties were over for a while....I got ONE year off.

[radwriter0555]

12. I LOVE my fake tree... after spending $100 2 years ago, I will never buy

another live tree, to schlep, water, agonize over, clean up after, dispose of, etc.

Happened to find this nice quality, good looking tree locally, for $80, so my tree expense for 2 years is down to $40 per year.

It's coming to Italy with me!

[murielm99]

5. I had a cat years ago that climbed the tree.

The falling tree scared the shit out of him. He was afraid of Christmas trees forever after.

And then there was the puppy that wanted to pee on the tree. He lifted his leg. I screamed. He ran like the devil. He ended up afraid of Christmas trees, too.

[underpants]

7. We kind of figured that that would scare her off

but we are trying to prevent it from happening in the first place.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. How many years

before you go for the fake Target one with lights attached? It took us 14, but it was well worth it. Thing goes up in a flash, stays up all month, no worry about fire and no untangling lights.

[underpants]

9. Overnight results-Cats 4 Ornaments 0

Yeah that is what I would have done but we have a small Fan apartment with limited storage and she wanted a real tree. Damn stringing lights on a real tree is way harder than on a fake one.

[matcom]

11. Mrs Matcom has given the OK for FIBER OPTIC next year!

:bounce:

SHE actually brought it up as i was cursing the lights yesterday. said we should wait until the after xmas sales and buy one "so you don't have to do this anymore honey"

:bounce:

YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY

[Phillycat]

10. Martin Balsam of "Mitchell" fame...

Congrats on your tree! Although I must say, $60 is a lot of fucking money.