GrandmaBarb, Just loved the pretty little birdhouse and the fantastic garden pointer. How clever you are!! Barb sent me a sign that she had made from an old piece of weathered board on which she had painted the prettiest yellow flowers on the left of the board. On the right of the board she had glued little tiny pointed pinecones in the shape of an arrow with blue jewels along the sides showing the way to the garden. On both the birdhouse and garden sign she had painted Ellens Joy. I am so happy that you were my Secret Santa as you nailed my personality to a tee. Thanks for the time you spent on my gift during this busy time of year. I love it. Ellen

Good for you, I think you're doing the best service you know how to make up for it! Sometimes you just gotta "do something, even if it's wrong". Do you buy your trees from an "organic" grower, or have you asked who ever you do buy from if they spray their trees? If not, you could take it a step further and support a grower that doesn't spray (I guess the lack of spraying may not be because they're consciously growing organic, but because of whatever other reason, cost probably). There's an option that has been available for some time, that is kind of a boom this year, showing up in all my magazines and such. Buying a "living" tree that can be planted out after the holidays. Requires some planning in the colder zones. In one article I just read yesterday, they suggested asking the grower if they would re-plant it if you donated it back to them, or to donate to an organization like a church or community center that may have more room to plant it. Then there's thinking about how much a tree costs in a garden center... I'm struggling with the decision to get a tree this year as well. My boyfriend of three years asked me why we've never gotten our own Christmas tree, and it's spurred me to consider getting one this year. The thing is, we don't celebrate Christmas at our house, we go to each of our sister's places. I may look into finding a grower here who sells to the public, and how much a living tree would cost me. I don't know...

Wow Jeanne! I love these pictures of your tree...its Magnificent with the blue lights and all the Lovely Angels. I mentioned in another post to you how I enjoy seeing Mr & Mrs Claus....as a Holiday Tradition here! Love their 'Group of Friends' too. TFS jane

Thanks all! I’m sitting here with this sad tree that we put SO much effort into. ==>>> you made a decision since you wrote this ... but lets get your head straight for this time of year .... no matter what happens... you are making.. made .. a memory ... most likely you arent going to remember an uneventful tree .. this one.. you will remember forever.. lol,.... and you are already on that journey ... and you will remember.. the year you got to decorate twice .... have a great holiday ... ken btw: here in MI ... they sell magnetic sheets ... that you can cut to the size of the register/vent ... and slap it on... and it self sticks ... 3 for 5 bucks or some such ... this will remove the direct flow of air on the tree .. which will really help ... and it will redirect the air to other vents.. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=magnetic+sheets+for+heat+registers&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images