Christmas Tree Farm

We went out to the library this morning to return one movie, and then pick up another we haven't seen yet, "Meet Me in St. Louis."  We didn't see that today, but we will soon.  On the way home though, we stopped by the farm that's nearby, and wow, that place was packed!  We were just stopping for atmosphere - we have three trees up already in the house.  There were so many people there looking for trees, all of them lined up in the same place the pumpkins get lined up just two months earlier.  The parking lot was filled with people.  We stopped for the animals though:

You can purchase some crackers and feed the animals, so I got the girls a few packs of these, and together we were over to the one section there feeding different animals, like this goat above, or this horse below.  Madison took that picture of the goat above, by the way, and it's such a good picture!

We sat there feeding the animals for a bit, and then we walked over to look at the trees some more.  We haven't bought a cut tree in some time.  Actually, it was 2002 that we got that artificial tree that we still have to this day, one that we spent a good bit on because it looks like a real tree.  I always remember the date because we immediately went to see "The Santa Clause 2" right after we got the tree in Marietta.  We figured we'd save $80 a year if we got the artificial tree, and within a few years we'd save enough to justify the extra expense.  And that has really paid off, as we've had this as our primary tree for eighteen Christmases now.  Wow.  

Madison took this picture, because she loves close-ups, but I like it too.  I think the one thing that is missing from having a cut tree in the house is the smell of pine.  We tried to replicate that with something you hang within the tree to add a pine smell, but it was so strong it gave us all a headache!  Mom has something for her diffuser that produces a pleasant smell, and that seems to be a bit better this year.  

I took this picture at the barn.  They had things decorated there very nicely, and the weather was very pleasant outside.  There's talk of it not being pleasant next week, and in fact, feeling something like winter.  We'll enjoy this weekend while it lasts!

Madison spent a good deal of time on her piano practice today, repeating "Victor's Piano Solo" over and over again, as she has a recital coming up.  She also decorated her tree today too!  I got that tree up and ready, and brought the ornaments up too - she spent a little time hanging the ornaments on the tree, and it looks very nice again.  Meanwhile, we were putting decorations up outside too, including two small lit trees by the door, and garland over the door and railing.  It looks nice - we'll add the wreaths tomorrow.

Today my blood pressure was up to a point of discomfort.  Madison and I were at the grocery store getting some ice cream, and while there I checked my blood pressure.  It was unsettling. 

Tonight's feature was "Santa Clause 3," which may not be as good as the previous two, but has a few pretty funny moments in it.  It grows on you somewhat.  We watch these movies every year, and in fact, we're watching a lot of these and it isn't even December yet.  What's going on here?

Well, the answer is that we have to have something on to preoccupy Nana when she's shifting towards her "mourning mode."  This morning she woke up in tears, and even went for a walk down the street.  We didn't think she was going to just keep walking, and in fact, she came back.  But she did a lot of crying again this morning.  It doesn't take much to get her in that direction, and so we keep working hard to get her distracted, and that includes Madison, who high-fives her, or just simply grabs her attention and says, "Hi!"  It works, believe it or not.

Tonight we prayed for Nana, of course.  And we read from a Dave Barry book, "The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog."  The girls have been laughing already at this one.  I remember reading it last season and really enjoying it, and I think the girls will too.

We've got a church service tomorrow, so it's off to bed for a good night's rest tonight.  That's what I need, and hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.