by Donna T.
Member since:
July 13, 2008

Trimming the Tree at the House of Mrs. T

December 05, 2008 06:50 PM EST (Updated: December 05, 2008 08:31 PM EST)
views: 79 | rating: 10/10 (24 votes) | comments: 41

We are a family of non-conformists.  We don't like to be told we have to do something. That's one of the reasons I don't care for Christmas. I'm *supposed* to put up a tree. I'm *supposed* to bake cookies, buy presents, yada, yada, yada. I like to do things when I want to do them, not when I'm told this is the month to do this.  Unfortunately, my family is like this too.  The following is a transcript of my conversations today:

 

Me to 21 year old son: Hey, wanna help me trim the tree?

Son: No.  You KNOW I don't like all that Christmas crap. Christmas is too commercial.

Me: Yeah, I know. OK.

Me to 18 year old son: Wanna trim the tree with me? It'll be fun - we can have candy and hot cocoa.

Son: Not right now, I'm playing a game. We're almost at the boss, and my team needs me.

Me: Yeah, ok.

Me to husband: Let's trim the tree! I'll make eggnog.

Husband: Sorry, I have work to do.

Me: That's ok

Me to 82 year old father:  Hey! Wanna trim the tree with me?!

Father:  Oh, you know I would like to, but I have a date.

Me: Oh, right - have fun.

I call my 25 year old son: Hi! Whatcha doing? Wanna come over and trim the tree with me? No one else will.

Son: Oh, Mom - I'm up to my ears in homework.

Me: I know you're busy. What's Monica doing (his g/f)?

Son: She's working, Mom.  I'm sorry.  Why don't you wait til I have some time?

Me: That's ok -- I know you have no time. Don't worry about it.

I sit on the sofa looking at the tree. Two of the dogs sit next to me and one is peeing on the tree.  I sigh.

In the door comes the 15 year old. I know this is my last chance. I look at him and smile.

Son: What?!

Me: Wanna make some money?

 

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Comments: 41

B.B. B. Dec 5, 2008, 6:52pm EST
lol thanks for sharing
Bridget ♥ Dec 5, 2008, 6:52pm EST
LOL!
Leah Christensen Dec 5, 2008, 6:52pm EST
A 10 for you.
Kimberly Ripley Dec 5, 2008, 6:56pm EST
Sounds a lot like my house!!
Rob Appell Dec 5, 2008, 7:02pm EST
Don't let me tell you cookies must be baked in December for Christmas. As far as I'm concerned, cookies can be baked any time of the year...as long as I get some.
edna r. Dec 5, 2008, 7:04pm EST
lol
Rae M. Dec 5, 2008, 7:05pm EST
LOL
Elaine S. Dec 5, 2008, 7:08pm EST
Cute
Bob B. Dec 5, 2008, 7:20pm EST
LOL! That's funny. Merry Christmas!
Lee P. Dec 5, 2008, 7:26pm EST
You found the key!!! I'll bet it pretty to.
Kat W. Dec 5, 2008, 7:28pm EST
LOL! At least the dog made a contribution.
Infinity M. Dec 5, 2008, 7:29pm EST
that's a good tale - wow, and a lot of testosterone 2!
Heather N. Dec 5, 2008, 7:29pm EST
lol thats great!!!
Infinity M. Dec 5, 2008, 7:33pm EST
ya know - i have 2 say i like xmas - but i think the gift-giving should be a totally optional thing, with more emphasis on making donations in the recipients name, vs buying extravagant gifts that may only rarely be used. 2 each their own - but i do try 2 tread gently on the season (moderation) and volunteer some of my time
Mary M. Dec 5, 2008, 8:03pm EST
LOL, that's cute.
Nurse Nancy S. Dec 5, 2008, 8:06pm EST
Donna, that's really funny. However I like trimming the tree and baking cookies and all the Christmas stuff. My husband is the one who couldn't care less if we have a tree or all the Christmas trimmings. So, he lets me do it.
funny~
Marianne R. Dec 5, 2008, 9:11pm EST
LOL! I didn't expect that ending.
Marsha S. Dec 5, 2008, 9:13pm EST
I didn't get the help I usually get with the tree this year for sure.
Sandra L. Dec 5, 2008, 9:21pm EST
Hilarious. I know exactly how you feel except for me its taking the darn thing down. They are all about putting it up. When it comes time to take it apart and put away all the decorations, I am on my own. Grrrrrr
Linda T. Dec 5, 2008, 10:12pm EST
Too funny Donna. For a minute I thought you were going to let the dogs decorate.
Janet "Jax" B. Dec 6, 2008, 1:14am EST
LOL...right now I don't know if we're going to have Christmas...I've told the family that unless they get to work and help me, there will be NO TREE, NO PRESENTS, and NO CHRISTMAS
Carol B Dec 6, 2008, 12:32pm EST
LOL Donna that used to happen to me. So I used to put on Christmas music and start trimming myself. Before you know everyone was joining in cause they felt bad for me. But, I never had a dog pee on my tree even if it was a real one, lol.
Vic Needs Coffee Dec 6, 2008, 2:03pm EST
LMAO...you crack me up Donna. I have my tree ready to go up, but my 12 year old has been too busy, go figure....lol.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Dec 6, 2008, 2:45pm EST
LOL!!!

Thank you for posting to Friends of ~Dnbuster~
Donna T. Dec 6, 2008, 2:49pm EST
I should follow Janet's example and not do anything if they don't help. Every year I say that's what I'm doing next year. Then, next year comes and I do it all by myself again. I don't know why.
Beverly P. Dec 6, 2008, 7:19pm EST
LOL.... where there's a wallet there's a way!

Thanks for answering my Christmas Question #3 of the 25 Days of Christmas Questions! As promised, I always reciprocate comments made to my articles/pics!
Merry Christmas Comments

Merry Christmas Comments
Teresa T. Dec 6, 2008, 10:41pm EST
lol
rainne chandler Dec 7, 2008, 9:52am EST
wow good for you
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Dec 7, 2008, 4:01pm EST
I bought a few gifts, but I'm not actually celebrating Christmas. I'm not in my own home, so there will be no decorating, and, since I don't have my own kitchen, there will be no preparing a holiday meal.

Holidays are for happy families.
Tracy Fabre Dec 7, 2008, 10:01pm EST
LOL, Donna!!

But seriously, next year don't do it.

The first person who asks about the tree is the person who has to help you decorate it.
queen.susan . Dec 8, 2008, 11:01pm EST
LOL.... thanks for making me smile tonight!
sarah g. Dec 8, 2008, 11:07pm EST
LOL...I love it!!
Walter C. Dec 9, 2008, 9:15am EST
lol
Darin Waugh Dec 9, 2008, 2:30pm EST
Nice! I think the 85 year old has the right idea, he's going out on dates!!!
Mariana T. Dec 11, 2008, 1:35pm EST
hi there love this - and noticed we have the same birthday - May 9th but I'm 1949!
Join my group May Babies if you get a chance! Thank you and have a wonderful winter! Salud
Ed Williams Dec 14, 2008, 4:41pm EST
Donna, this is a nice article, you set the reader up well for the neat little hook at the end. Hope you and yours has a very happy holiday time!

E3
Donna S. Dec 15, 2008, 8:36pm EST
LMAO!
Vikki M. Dec 17, 2008, 4:42pm EST
Growing up I was always so excited when my parents would get the try. I'd always press my mom with "Can we decorate it now?" But now that I'm older, it seems that it's less exciting for me to put away that much time to focus on it. Now we take a week to get it all done. haha
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Dec 18, 2008, 1:01am EST
Sounds like what we sounded like as kids. Ahhh to be young once more. ;)

So I take it YOU put the tree up yourself huh?
betty xmas glitter Pictures, Images and Photos
Happy Holidays to you and yours Donna!
William Dotani Dec 18, 2008, 4:43pm EST
Money talks. LOL.

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