Thursday, December 6, 2007

Obsessed

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There are people who would say I am a bit over the top when it comes to my Christmas tree. That I really don't need to take 2 or 3 days to put it up, with meticulous detail and order. I do not order my life like I do my tree.

I have mentioned that I am behind, my tree is usually up the weekend after Thanksgiving. So putting it up this week is way behind schedule but there is no way I could just throw it up without the attention to detail that it deserves.


The tree itself went up last night, and most of the lights. I got to the end of the last strand and was a bit short, but seeing as I had already used about 10 strands I knew I could rearrange a bit and there would still be plenty. I figured I would finish that up a
fter work today. Lights, garland, glass icicles, glass ball ornaments, and then every other little thing. I must do it in order.

The lights were arranged to perfection, I did the blur test - looking at the tree with squinched up eyes to see only the lights - gives me a good idea if they are spread out more or less equally. Beautiful.

I was putting on the garland and without even a how-do-you-do - the lights went out. Every. last. one. I had a small heart palpitation but (in denial) decided I would continue with the garland and by the time I was done with that - all the lights would come back on by themselves. Uh huh, because things work that way for me, don't they?

When the lights did not come on again, magically, I did what I do instead of throwing a fit of some sort. I ignored it. I sat down and made a few snowflakes, watched some TV. The lights were still out. I was not doing Lamaze breathing yet. That would have meant I was acknowledging the problem.

Walking around the tree randomly shaking a strand of lights here and there didn't work so I did what made sense to me. I took the garland off knowing in my heart of hearts that the lights would spring to life again as soon as I finished that task. Of course I was not willing to think about the fact that once they came back on - it could happen again once I got all the ornaments on and the tree decorated to my exacting standards.


So, when nothing I did worked and contemplating throwing the tree out into the snow didn't quite seem to fit the situation, after all, I am an adult, I deal with a problem right? Of cou
rse I do! I decided to make everything better by doing something I do quite well. Put it off until tomorrow. For the moment - I took a picture or 2 and made blog fodder out of it.

I don't want to think about what I might have done if I had allowed myself to dwell on this turn of events much longer. This way - I have effectively distanced myself from it and have soothed myself as well.


Neurotic much? Not me!!

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7 Comments:

MsCatMinder said...

Looks like Puss enjoyed herself anyway , she reminds me of our Kitty , they can be demons the tortoiseshells but this one looks an Angel ....???
Good Luck with the Tree later x

palette48 said...

I don't have any of my decorations up or even got my Christmas tree so you are way ahead of me. I decided to wait until my son comes home from school next week. I have videotaped my boys every year since they were small, decorating the tree so I guess I want to keep the tradition going. Well, I hope you get the lights working again!

Stimey said...

Good luck with the lights. Gorgeous picture of the kitty!

Maddy said...

I'm way behind too. May this weekend?
Cheers


This is my calling card or link"Whittereronautism"until blogger comments get themselves sorted out.

useless_rambler said...

Generally speaking, I'm a bit neurotic when it comes to my tree, too. At least I used to be. We're supposed to tackle that task today, since the kids are here (not their weekend with their dad). I just tried to convince them that the ceramic table-top tree would be just adorable!!! (They won't be here for Christmas this year, so I'm a little Bah-humbug!) They didn't buy it.

I'll find the spirit as soon as the boxes come out of storage... I always do!! :)

Unknown said...

ooo, the cat looks happy, thats all that counts right?

Thanks for keeping me in mind when you see hunky bloggers...ya never right?

I think that guy you pointed out to me is from Oregon. I like the term you used "good habits"...gave me a good chuckle.

Love the picture of the cat, he looks so pretty laying in your decorations...

Anonymous said...

I concur. FYI, I made that picture of Abby my background on my computer. =)