Timber

We made it through the annual tree-getting process with little trauma this year. Last year, we found and cut down the tree just fine. After I'd paid for it, I picked it up, took one look at our van, and wanted to hit myself over the head. I'd temporarily forgotten the van doesn't have a luggage rack. So, the tree had to go IN the van. Sarah climbed in the front seat and pulled on the top of the tree while I stood at the back of the van and pushed the trunk of the tree as far in as possible. The van trunk door still wouldn't close. So, using some creative knot-tying, I tied the trunk lid down to the trailer hitch and cinched it down as tight as possible, all the while trying not to swear in front of the children or look like a helpless woman.

So this year, I took all the seats out of the van I could, folded down the back seat, measured the length of the inside of the van, and took the measuring tape with me to the tree farm. We easily agreed on our tree, I demonstrated my honed logging skills, and we had our Christmas tree. Imagine my joy (and relief) when our tree easily slid in and I closed the van trunk. Small victories...