Friday, December 19, 2008

My Beach Tree

In the year 2000, Cool Breeze and I were dying a slow death as a result of subdivision life. We decided to purchase a nice piece of property in the country, so that one day we would have a peaceful place to retire.

After endless weekend visits to "the property", we realized that we wanted to be there MUCH sooner than upon retirement. The only glitch was that Snow White attended school in our present county of residence. We were not willing to enroll her in another school system because she was receiving a top-notch education. Not to mention the fact that she would have to leave behind several close friends. The decision was made to apply for tuition status. If she was allowed to enroll as a tuition student, we could move. If not, we would stay put until she finished high school.

The good news arrived in our mailbox on a Thursday - SW would be allowed to attend with tuition status. Our house was on the market by Saturday!

We moved into our new little gingerbread house in the big woods the second week in December, 2001. There was little time to prepare for Christmas, much less decorate. We had tossed our old Christmas tree when we moved, and had decided not to bother with one that year.

Enter MOM! My Mom and Step-Father had attended a local fundraising event called the Festival of Trees. While there, they purchased the PERFECT little tree (already decorated), and gave it to us as a housewarming present. It made our Christmas complete!

Here is our little Beach Tree! She is VERY sparkly when lit, but I didn't have time to plug her in this morning before I took pictures......I was running late for work, the camera battery was dying and my dog needed to be let out. (TMI?)


Instead of a star or an angel, she is topped with a ship.




She's loaded with mermaids, shells...


...and Starfish.



I wanted to post this today because, when I woke up this morning, I was certain that I was beginning to feel the Christmas Spirit!!! YIIIPPPPEEEEE!!!
I hope it wasn't just gas.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

6 days left till Christmas...it's about time to get in the spirit!!! :)

Great storey... great tree!

Anonymous said...

-- minus the e in story. HA

Unknown said...

Well, you know I just absolutely LOVE that tree! It is really beautiful and I love themed trees. My tree doesnt have a theme though...it will when I grow up.

I am glad you are getting into the holiday spirit...I am baking all day today and tomorrow...come on down! LOL

What a wonderful post and I am glad that you shared such a wonderful story.

M

Predo said...

If it IS gas, then I sincerely hope your "separator" is working. (would want any little trinkets escaping too!)

Anyway, enough about your little problem. I love the tree! I want one! It is so cute! Is it just perfect with all the lights on while sitting on the couch? Wait! What if you took it in to look at during a long hot bubble bath! Ohhhh, now I really want one!!!!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

If it's gas, what the heck..we'll call it the spirit...There's not much time left..OK? I love the tree. And I love it you made it to the "big woods".

Mental P Mama said...

Me too! Yay!!!!!!!!

Bella Della said...

LOL! That tree is adorable. I love the theme. It's so Marlene and mermaidy.

I just replied to your comment on my post. I do the same thing. You guys are like family or something :)

Hugs,
Kim

Busy Bee Suz said...

The beach tree is so cute. What a great memory. Your parents are fab...I see where you get it from.
Love the big hair blogger too....makes me miss those days...I feel as though I may pull out one or two of my big hair pics. Some of the photos did not show up cause my hair did not fit in the frame. :(

Cool Breeze said...

I thought I smelled something ...

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

What a great story and an absolutely adorable little tree. I just slove the ship at the top. That must have been the perfect housewarming gift.

Aren't you glad you didn't wait until retirement to move back to God's Country? It makes all the difference in the world in one's quality of life.

Glad you're getting in the spirit of things. Did you get any colored lights yet? Get some!

Anonymous said...

That's a wonderful story! And the tree is beautiful! I love those festivals of trees, it's fun to see the different themes.

Woo hoo for the Christmas spirit! :)

nikkicrumpet said...

That is a sweet house warming present! I'm glad your Christmas mojo is on the rise!

I Am Woody said...

I'm loving that tree! And, BTW, just a few more things need to fall into place (and it looks like they are going to) and we will be moving to our perfect piece of property too!!!

Anonymous said...

I'M GLAD IT'S FINALLY COMING DEAR.SOME DAYS IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE BEFORE IT REALLY HITS.BUT...AT LEAST IT HITS,HUH?...ANN

Geri said...

Love the ship on top of the tree. Nothing like creativity!

Shonda Little said...

I love the ocean theme. It is awesome.

Unknown said...

A nautical tree! How cute is that? I love themes....and I'm so glad you snapped out of it! :))

Karen Deborah said...

Gas my foot, that tree is stinkin cute!
Tell more about your country place!

Frita said...

I love your little tree! I was thinking maybe it was because you moved near the beach...then I re-read and saw you moved to the big woods...I'm picturing Pa, Ma, Half-pint and Mary now. How great to make your dream happen!

Glad you're getting in the spirit! It usually always makes its way around.

littletoesandcheerios said...

That's so sweet of them to get you that tree! And I've never seen anything like it! Glad to see your getting into the spirit...better late than never!

Sorry, my eyes keep going to that pic in the right top corner of your screen!!! LOL!

Keeper Of All Things said...

What a great tree.

(Sometimes!) Serendipitous Girl said...

Awww, SO cute! And you said beach ... which is making my former San Diegan heart BREAK.

Suz Broughton said...

This is a sweet tradition. I love these kind. Ones that weren't planned.

Anonymous said...

how cool!
and glad you have the spirit. I did, but its gone now.