The Tree Is Up!

Today, I finally felt good enough - and energetic enough - to put up the Christmas tree. I asked my boyfriend if he'd help me, and bless his heart, he did a terrific job. He put all the lights on the tree (he has a special technique and I just left him to it!) and helped me fluff the branches. Turned out I needed more lights, so off to the store we went.

I spent the rest of the evening decorating the living room, and I really love how it turned out. When I was a child, my mother had a Reader's Digest Christmas collection of records, and she gave it to me several years ago. See that vintage-looking stereo in the picture above? It has a record player. The sole reason I have that record player, and not just a cool vintage radio, is because of those Christmas records! It's just not Christmas without them!

And see that candle? I started collecting vintage Christmas decorations about 6 or 7 years ago, and I like to pair vintage with more modern pieces. My grandmother gave me several of her vintage Christmas decorations (like this candle!) before she passed, and I always incorporate them into my decorating. In addition, you can see the tree skirt she crocheted and also gifted it to me.  

I almost didn't put everything up this afternoon, but had a "f*&* it" moment and decided to just go for it. I'm so glad I did. 

However...I anticipate I will wake up in pain tomorrow because I overdid it. When will I learn? Sigh. Oh well.

Tonight, as a treat to myself, I ate some almond-bark covered pretzels (SO GOOD) and watched a classic Christmas movie, Remember the Night, with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. It's a warm-hearted, wonderful film. Surrounded by beautiful colored lights and my grandmother's vintage decorations, I felt at peace. 

I sorely needed it.

Overall, it was a Very Good Day.