Bringing home the Christmas tree

I actually started the morning with a second trip to cut trees for the Boy Scout lot.  We had already sold about half the Noble Firs we had cut the day before Thanksgiving and some of those were questionable looking for sale. So we went off to Canby to the Hamels property and cut another 120 trees. The weather gods continued to shine upon me.  We had a record 3 inches of rain the previous day and it was still raining when I woke up. The weather cleared from 9-11:30 as we were cutting, and as I put the padlock on the gate, the clouds slowly blocked the sun. 

Anyway, I had gotten a 7-ft tree for us and a 5-ft tree for Pop. When I arrived home, I called up to Delaney to come see the tree. I had the 5-ft tree and for the brief moment when Delaney looked at the tree, the look on her face was priceless. Not a scraggly Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but it was shorter than her.  

21 shopping days left

There really was no Christmas today. I went to work, Dana went to work, and the l

Kids went to school. 

Andrew had the first night of the musical tonight. He is nervous because the older trombone players from symptonic band are waiting for him to mess up.   He did fine and I am proud of him for playing pit orchestra. Now I need him to do well on his tests tomorrow, too. 

Delaney and Joan went out to dinner at Red Robin and it was free!!!  They had an appetizer, burger and dessert and it was free because it was training night. Delaney thought that was great.

Dana and I attended Ginger's retirement party on the Portland Spirit. It was my first trip on the Portland Spirit. Cruising boats that size always look far more exciting than they turn out to be. We had a nice dinner and talked to folks from work, and not about work. Dana is always amazing in those settings.  Charming and witty, always the most beautiful there. She helps a lot with me at work. 

Sorry it is a boring day. Maybe Christmas will return tomorrow

December is off and running

It is December 1st and I figured I could write a little thought for each day of December as we edge towards Christmas and through the New Year. Maybe this is an early resolution to start 2016. 

So what are my Christmas wishes for this year:

1.  To see my children smile on Christmas morning and have a little spark in their eye for Christmas magic. 

2.  I want my wife to be surprised about one gift she unwraps and not just a knowing smile as she unwraps all the presents she has bought for herself. 

3.  To have a fun, casual, relaxed visit with my sister and her family when they come to visit.. Play cribbage, go see Christmas lights, enjoy good food and enjoy each other's company.  

4.  To have a backyard bonfire to light the way for Papa Noelle and eat jambalaya on New Year's Eve

5.  To walk the dogs on New Ÿear Day with my wife and children

6.  To go shopping on Christmas Eve to find something fun. Not desperately searching for a needed gift.

7.  To go to church on Christmas Eve and sing Silent Night with candles lit. 

8.  Snow, one day in December. 

9.  Crab sandwiches on New Years Eve, cinnamon rolls on New Year's Day.

10. Attend my kids school concert and smile as a proud parent.

There are more, but I will end my list at 10 items. Come back in January to see how I did.