The tree looks exhausting. to borrow a phrase from Cal, “I really can’t be arsed” to put one up this year. or any decorations, really.
glad to see yours, tho. very pretty.
I love the way trees smell, and I think they look lovely. What I hate is picking needles out of my feet for months afterwards. I also don’t have the space for one.
That is a lovely tree, however, Frenchie. I am a tad envious.
Such pretty pics in this here log! 
Great tree Frenchie, think I’ll throw up a pic of mine tonight. Take care of that throat, a hot toddy might not go amiss.
Kimba - I have about 6 strings of light in my 6 foot tree. Trick is to layer the deph of the lights. Don’t want them all around the trunk or hanging of the limbs. mix it up. Lights and ornaments are all I used. I find that if you picked a pretty, natural tree you don’t need to overburden the poor thing. Let it shine on its own.
Soldog - I’m receving guests on the 26th from a side of my family whose had a rough year. My uncle has been in the hospital twice for attempt suicide. Then there’s my idiot father who refuses to talk to anyone else but me since last october. He wont be there of course but his absence will be felt. And my cousins are having babies and can’t afford a decent size appartment… I just wanted to gather them around me and serve them good food and get a few trinkets for the kids and hopefully inspire a little life into my uncle.
But you can def share my tree. Its a little Hope Tree. Like in Charlie Brown’s x-mas. My wish this year is simply that respite may be given to those who feel/are broken around me. And perhaps that my father would find it in his heart to be a man and bridge the gap before it becomes insurmountable.
CBear - I haven’t put one up in years, just felt I needed to stir up a little holiday magic for my crazy family.
Cal - the smell is what won over the husband. He was prepared to whine for months about the needles until he got a good whiff. It reminded him of childhood years spent on the family farm. And that was that. By the way the tree was grown in the same little country-side region that he grew up and we got married. How is that for a coincidence?
Coyote - Haven’t been to the gym in a week due to being sick and all. I need to keep my court entertained somehow
Joe - as if you can have christmas without snow 
Hot Toddy mmmm. well maybe not at 8am. its not christmas morn yet.
I was put in charge of the alcohol at practically every family party… should I see a message in this? lolz
Anybody have a good recipe for a cocktail christmas punch? I’m thinking I might have to google and road test a few of them. ah well. the things I do for those I love
That sounds wonderful Frenchie! Just goes to show what a kind and warm-hearted person you are - making xmas about everyone but yourself.
Well, except for the road testing of punch. HAH! That’s all you! And you deserve it! I will definitely raise my glass to that.
Beautiful tree!
Aww, N’s super special. You’re so sweet for caring about everyone like you do. It seems like you treat the people here like your family too, always cheering everyone up!
Yay for Frenchie!
And YAY for it being the 21st…2 more days!
you’re such a grownup.
and that time, i mean it as a sincere compliment.
Our tree is about 11 feet tall this year. Cut from our property. Just lovely.
Frenchy: I always love visiting your log. One of my faves.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pineapple-Ginger-Agua-Fresca-359792
This is my favourite. A little tequila in there and you’re off to the races.
Heavy year for your family…hope the New year brings brightness and hope just like your tree
Spreading X-Mas cheer!
Tonight I did some damage control for work from 4-6. pooped and tired. I’ve got holiday prep on my mind so I’ll just try to swing by the gym tomorrow throw around a few weights to validate my little TN space and call it a week.
Masch - I’m from that pool of people who get the biggest high when I find the perfect gift for someone. I’ve had the “funkiest” (understatement, said kindly) christmases as a kid, and I don’t expect the whole 9 yards, just a nice gathering, good food, the kids runnning around. I do make certain things about myself, like lifting for instance, but not the holidays.
Ink- If I was “special” I’d be calling up on my uncle every week and helping my cousins more. But I’ve seen time and again that you cannot help those that won’t help themselves. If you’ve got a plan I will back you up, help you all the way. But don’t expect me to just hand it all over nice and easy. I worked my butt off to get where I am today. I’m proud and happy and willing to help those less fortunate around me… but it seems an endless cycle. I am def selfish bitch material too. But I see a need to lighten the hearts, make projects, stir a little hope and good cheer. That is in my power to give and I do so wholeheartedly.
As for treating some T-Nation people like friends… honestly there is so much damn whining and complaining around me in “real life”… About work, about weight, about kids… If you hate your job, and you have for 10 years why don’t you just move your ass and do something else!!! I find it refreshing to come here and read about people who keep fighting. Who fall down and get up. Who fail and then hit PRs… the mentality is so close to my heart and yet I do not see it in the people around me. I read the logs first thing in the AM and last thing before bed and it just keeps me in the right state of mind. Part of me knows that this is fictive. the internetz. But if someone goes MIA for a while I’m always a little worried.
Bear - sometimes I feel too old, but my experiences have brought me to such a wonderful strong headspace that I can’t complain at the end of the day. Thank you. Face challenges with wisdom, and joy with the unabashed glee of a child. I can recite Rudolph by heart, so I’m ok for now
Snap- Holy Holly! 11 feet high! and from your own property too! that sounds really cool to the city girl that I am. I forget if you’ve mentioned this before but how big is your property? As for enjoying my log, that was really nicely said. I keep thinking that all my foolishness is too much for the hardcores. I keep waiting to be kicked out of the circle: “you haven’t been to the gym in a week! pass revoked” lolz.
Tim - that cocktail sounds delish! I might have to hunt down some fresh pineapples but I think I can swing that…
Mim - that pinup is so darn cheery - I love it And happy holidays to you and yours. May you find a little calm within the storm.
Edgy - trying to charm the lady with chocolate hmmm? That just might work… What the hell am I saying, just come over here and make sure you bring the whole bag
i like it with a lot of ginger, i think the dried works better, and i use honey or agave as a sweetener, because i think sugar is evil, and splenda is even worse.
well, mine isn’t fictive, even if it is teh interwebz. maybe not completely revealing, but not fictive either.
I’m glad you’re around.
[quote]nlmain wrote:
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^I like you & your thread. You in heels ain’t half bad either.
Love the pic with the legs and the heels and the booze and the shiny, black, peek-a-boo awesomeness!
A holiday treat for sure.
Oh, and have a fine time with your wacky family. But, then again, aren’t all families a bit nuts?
Always a pleasure to come and visit my favorite kebe’kwa.
Tim my man, I agree that splenda is the devil, but cracking the fine caramelized crusted sugar topping on a well-crafted creme brulee?? I have said it time and again. I am for all things in moderation. Sugar is not evil. The history associated with plantations, yes, the abuse of sugar as a mood enhancing chemical yes. In its own no. I refuse. Thats like saying wine is evil. I suppose you might just sign me up for a ticket straight to hell.
CBear- perhaps that didn’t come out right…lost in translation?? What I put forth in my log is the truth. Perhaps more of the raw truth than I would express amongst family and such. What is somewhat “fictive” and difficult for me to wrap my head around are the relations we built, the support system which I really, really enjoy.
You know what? I’ve been using “fictive” in derogatory and self-deprecating manner as in “why do I need the approval of anonymous people to feel vaildated in my life choice?”. Starting today I will switch my attitude. This is not fictive. Its alternative, alternative to the people I interact with in my daily life face-to-face. Alternative as is non-traditional, outside the cultural norm… Thanks CBear for helping me think may we through this.
print - aw. what you see is what you get. My last pic is shoeless. Hope you won’t be disappointed
Git - I agree, all familied have the wackiness, some more closeted than others. That’s why I have not run away from them and I try to find ways to embrace them and love them as they are. But when my cousin brings her 1 month old baby to the track races… I just cannot help but cringe massively inside… I had to actually sound out loud your quebec reference. At first I was like, is that some sort of chewbaca reference!? lolz. ya got me.