Sheena's Parkdale Christmas Tree

Spending her first Christmas in Toronto, away from the hubbub of the big family celebrations back home in Winnipeg, Sheena found it difficult to get into the spirit of the season. Pissing down rain, no snow, too green, suckass commute cutting into any shopping time. Needed to snap out of a mood and get happy, dammit.

Figured the best place to start was with a tree. Sheena has not put up a Christmas tree in about a decade. But this year, it was needed. Wanted.

Horrid cold rainy evening last night, so didn't feel like wandering too far. We had passed a store earlier in the week with what seemed to be a decent selection, so went back there. They even sold stands. Rock on.

The big puffy trees started around $40, and quite frankly, I've never really liked the show-off kind of tree. Trying to find something a little more low key. Not too big, just nicely proportioned. Sheena stood around under the umbrella, pointing to suitable candidates while El Chaperone and the corner store proprietor scurried around, soaked to the bone. Shivering, hands numbing.

When the right candidate presented itself, grabbed it. WITH stand included, about 35 bucks. Good work gents. Hauled the tree upstairs. It was still a bit wet. Thought it unwise to attempt to put the lights on it at that particular moment, so stuck it in the tub to dry off.

Later in the evening, went back into the bathroom. I knew we'd brought trouble home. Try to do a good deed for our poor old skinny unloved Parkdale tree, and we find its old discarded needles all over place. Realized it needed more drying out than we anticipated.

Saturday morning rolls around, and it's up to Sheena to decorate. Thank God Mom had sent a care package with a few decorations. Including some from when we were little. Ran a bit low on garland and lights. And the big box of brand new gold balls had no hangers. Dammit. Scrounging around for thread or something. Nothing. Then opened up one of the bottom drawers in the bathroom and EUREKA!!! A whole drawer full of Mardi Gras Beads. And dental floss.

Christmas was saved.