Sometimes dreams really do come true (sort of)

Last year for Christmas I had a vision--not for a white Christmas, finding the perfect gift, or even lots of family bonding time.  My vision was for my tree. I am not entirely sure of the source of this vision, but once I had it, it was not easily dismissed (some may find this a bit OCD, but let's just call it "persistent"). I dreamed of a tree decked in snowflakes and accented with red and gold berries--a tree that would rival the works of Martha Stewart or even some lesser known crazy decorator. I highly anticipated making my dream a reality. 

And then I was met with bitter disappointment--its source being in various reasons which cannot all be expounded on here, but can be summed up as: 

1. I am cheap, and visions, as glorious as they are, usually cost money. 

2. The vision got a bit blurry when it came the the details (like what the snowflake ornaments were actually made of).

3. I am not patient or especially crafty, so any ideas of making the snowflake ornaments were soon met with the aforementioned reality. 

4. I have a $30 prelit tree from Wal-Mart that has a long green metal "trunk" and is sadly lacking in fullness, and incidentally the lights all went out.  (read: my tree is really tacky and ugly and no number of snowflakes was going to fix that). 

The end product was a prelit tree covered in 350 new lights, about 3000 pinecones to try to fill in the holes, a few red and gold berries, and no snowflakes. I actually ended up possessing only 3 actual snowflake ornaments, and they were put on display elsewhere in memoriam of the dead, but not forgotten vision. 

Enter the first hero of this story in the form of  the Lillian Vernon catalogue (Lillian, whoever, and wherever you are--you have my thanks). Among her vast selection of useless gadgets and personalized gifts, were crocheted snowflakes-a whole pack of them (and on sale no less!). 

The second hero comes in the form of my dear mother-in-law who saved me from having to put up my ugly tree again by giving us her old tree..the "perfect" tree as the box boldly proclaims. Well, it might not be perfect (a few branches are just propped up and are barely staying elevated, and part of the lights went out) but for this visionary, it is a gigantic step in the right direction. And when I added all the beautiful snowflakes I was overjoyed (it really doesn't take much to make me happy). 

And so this Christmas, remember that sometimes, dreams really do come true (even if you do have to prop up a few branches, string a few more lights, and buy ornaments from a crazy catalogue lady, who just may have violated labor laws to make a gazillion snowflake ornaments that are all unique).  

Dream on and be not discouraged by ugly trees of lack of craftiness!

I think if the makers of this tree were aware of its current state, they may not be so bold in their promises of perfection. 

 And here it is--my Christmas vision, now a reality in my living room.  (Of course, after all that buildup, the actual picture is probably a bit of a disappointment. It looks better if you squint).