I'm a mean one, I'm a Grinch... but I still got a tree

Imma let you in on a little secret. I hate Christmas but God gave me a child who is fanatical about holidays that come with bling and decor. Easter? Decorate all the easter eggs!!! Canada Day? Put up all the flags!!! Halloween? Carve all the pumpkins!!! Christmas? Decorate all the trees!!! So she's the reason why I bother with trees and this out-of-control holiday.

Last weekend, we didn't have time to get a tree and the kid was bummed. This weekend, I came down with a sore throat and fever and with the piss-pouring rain on Friday and Saturday, really wasn't up for trekking through a tree farm in search of the perfect tree. On Sunday, I sent the husband out to pick up a fresh-cut tree and we surprised the kid when she returned home from her tutoring session. I won't even get into the fight of epic proportions that stemmed from not being able to find the tree stand which resulted in an angry drive to Canadian Tire, and choice words exchanged in text messages as my husband roamed aimlessly up and down aisles to find the one I sourced on-line, even though I am certain he passed many people in red shirts ready and able to help him. No, let's not go there.

With the tree up and the box of decorations ready to go, I gave the kid the green light to decorate the tree herself. I watched from the sofa, wrapped up in a blanket and hugging a mug of tea, as she carefully planned out where each ornament would hang. I had mustered up the strength to string the lights for her but that was as much as I could manage in my feverish state.

She asked me to share the result with my GO train friends because she remembered I put a picture online last year.