Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Christmas Time is coming as soon as I can clear off my floor!

Preparing for Christmas

                Christmastree

In France Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and continues twelve
days until Epiphany. The moment before Christmas is called Advent. A
time to prepare the way for Christmas.   

Growing up my Mom took Christmas down on the 26th. Christmas was a
done deal. Packed up and stored in the closet until next year.

Lucky for me I was not consider "late" (in France) to put up our 
Christmas tree this weekend. It is a production to put up a Christmas
tree isn't it? First one must find the Christmas boxes that are stashed
in the storage. Secondly, since our Christmas tree stands in a spot
that usually occupies a large piece of furniture, the entire house had
to be moved around so that it had its spot. The part that I enjoy is
putting on the lights and the ornaments which is lucky for me because
in our home the tradition is that nobody wants to help… everyone
wants Christmas they just don't want to put it up.

Well this weekend after the Christmas tree was up with its million
little vintage ornaments I stepped back singing "Oh Christmas tree, oh
Christmas tree how lovely are your branches…." when POW (!!!) the
Christmas tree fell over. Smashing mercury glass ornaments everywhere.
My heart sank. I was sad to sweep the broken ornaments into the bin.

Slowly, I remounted the Christmas tree and reconstructed the decor.
Adding a bow here, a star there and feeling a ting of sadness that some
of my favorite ornaments had been smashed to smithereens. Finally it
was dolled up and looking festive again. I was relieved. I stepped back
and…guess what… yes believe it… it fell a second time!

I swore like a crazy elf! A million little swear words sorted out of
my bouche (mouth) and it felt good. I called the Christmas tree a
really bad word. One that I do not want to write but I said it
fervently a few times over. You know sometimes it helps to blow up, to
spew bad words and let your face get contorted. It helps to let
frustrations out is a safe way. I guess the Christmas tree's falling
over allowed me an avenue to blow off steam.

I left the "F-ing" Christmas tree on the floor. French husband and
the children came home and looked at it. "Mom, why is the Christmas
tree on the floor?"

Modern Art is what I said.

This morning I put the Christmas tree upright and it is standing strong, a few bricks at the base helped.

Yes even people who once lived in a monastery do swear at times, even while preparing for Christmas.

Photo: The tree that better think twice before falling again.

________________NOTE

This is a repost from last year due to a problem I am having with my server. Typepad is trying to manage it.

I have a stacks of brocante stories and things to show you! I just wish I could!

Comments

37 responses to “Christmas Time is coming as soon as I can clear off my floor!”

  1. Beverly

    I’m so sorry that your tree fell, breaking precious ornaments, and I’m really sorry that I’m laughing about it! You certainly tell a funny story!
    We had a tree fall one year…repeatedly. Now we have a nail in the wall and a fake tree in the attic.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  2. Kathie

    I arrived very late yesterday to the blog party, so am reposting in hopes that some of you might like to try my truffle recipes (disponível em tanto inglês como português).
    I make both bittersweet dark chocolate and super-easy white chocolate truffles. So many people have asked me for the recipes over the decades that I finally posted them online last year:
    http://www.inolongerlikechocolates.com/truffles.htm
    Bon appetit! / Bom apetito!

    Reply
  3. Cindy

    Well, FWIW it made me laugh again.

    Reply
  4. Ardi

    Oh Corey, It’s heartbreaking when a tree goes over and ornaments are broken. Years ago our neighbor boy got a new dog for Christmas – a Norwegian dog with a lovely tail that curled up over his back. He came over to show us hiw new dog and the dog’s tail caught on a string of lights as they walked in the door and before we could catch him, the tree was pulled down. Now Himself has two eye screws in the wall above where we always have our tree and fishing line anchors the tree to them. Don’t you just love the treasures – the purple dove our son made in Cub Scouts, the plaster of paris pretzel that is still shedding glitter after 35+ years, and the little cathedral window fabric ball that our daughter made when she was first on her own. Don’t remember reading this before, but it sure reminded me of other Christmases.

    Reply
  5. Paula

    Oh Corey, I know the story of the fallen Xmas tree so well. When my kids were young and we were living in Canada we cam home to England to spend Christmas with my folks. Since it was only Mum and Dad at home mum had a small fake Christmas tree. Dad thought he would go ouot and buy the biggest real tree he could find (he thought we would be used to real tree living in Canada). Anyways, he got it home and put it up, and of course you know what happened, it fell down, again and again. Frustrated he put the tree into a corner of the room and nailed the tree to the wall, nails then string holding the tree up!!! You can imagine how upset my Mum was at having large holes in her living room wall. But we all had a good laugh.
    Really really enjoy reading you blog every day by the way.

    Reply
  6. Paulita

    Lightning really does strike twice then? Your post reminded me of a very funny show we watched (as a family) on ABC called The Middle. The mom wants to try out for a solo in the church choir and the dad says he’ll take care of Christmas this year. I don’t know if you can get the whole episode online, but here’s the link: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/episode-guide. Their tree didn’t fall over, but the mom is used to taking care of everything on her own and complaining that no one else will help.

    Reply
  7. marlis

    our huge tree fell over twice one year.. it was so sad. I feel your pain! And yes i know that word well.. it comes out at the most inopportune times.. I’m so bad. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Gina Johnson

    Hilarious! Well I just found you this year so your story was new to me. I loved it! Sorry for laughing but you have to admit, that is a funny story!

    Reply
  9. Margaret Bouwmeester

    Oh no! I think I could cry for you, there is nothing sadder than a broken ornament. I hope your tree stays standing this year, it will if it knows better!
    Good luck with the problems.
    Cheers,
    Margaret B
    p.s.
    I received my little package of goodies!!
    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  10. M-Noëlle

    Hope you found plenty of new old decorations lately on your brocante tour in Paris !!!

    Reply
  11. Jeanne

    Your tree looks beautiful.
    I have had that happen to me…..my favorite ornaments smashed beyond belief.
    I love you Corey
    Thanks for making my life Christmas each and every day with your love and friendship.
    I love you
    Jeanne♥

    Reply
  12. kelleyn

    Sorry about your ornaments, but you made me laugh and I hope that counts for something. You should get extra blessing for that.

    Reply
  13. Debra

    LOL, That reminds me of the year our Christmas tree, all decorated, fell on me and trapped me under it. I was alone but someone was at my door and couldn’t get in. I had pine needles in my hair for days.
    ~Debra
    Blog: The capers of the vintage vixens

    Reply
  14. Dolores & Holly

    Corey,
    I am so glad you reposted this one!
    I hated to laugh… but you are crazy!
    Lots of Love
    Holly

    Reply
  15. Joni

    Falling twice…that is TRULY AWFUL! You crack me up, though! I think that I would have left it in a heap on the floor, too…but we needed pictures of that too because this is one funny story! Your tree is still gorgeous, though and what we moms do to provide the “atmosphere”!?!?! for our families for Christmas. I do hope the tree went up a little better this year. We tie ours (with fishing line) to hooks on the window frame which the tree sits in front of each year…otherwise, I’m sure we’d have the same problem!
    XOXO
    Joni

    Reply
  16. mindi

    I hope that your tree this year does not have the same experience! We got a 10 foot silver tip this year. It is so light compared to last years big fat monster that broke two christmas tree stands, soaked my carpet and it seemed to eat christmas lights. I cant wait to see all of your decorations.

    Reply
  17. Bridget

    Oh Corey, It doesn’t matter that this post is from last year. Breaking one favorite ornament at Christmas time is rough. I can’t even imagine breaking more than one and then having to sweep it up. Hopefully this year will be better. :o)

    Reply
  18. Delores Arabian

    Even though I know it must have been sooo frustrating when your tree fell over — twice, but you still managed to make me laugh. Now you just have to buy some more ornaments at brocante. -Delores

    Reply
  19. Marilyn

    Smiling and sending good wishes your way for more success with putting up the tree this year. Oh, broken mercury tree ornaments would be so sad. Take care.

    Reply
  20. Deanna

    While reading your story, the back of my brain is saying “OH NO! Not again!” More reading, and finally much relief to learn it is last years’ story. During our years of cats and kids we always tied the top of our very big tree straight up to a hook in a decorative beam found already installed when we first moved into this 1927 house. Makes me smile thinking of all the families enjoying their trees here over the years.
    Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas dear Corey.

    Reply
  21. Ariane Cagle

    Repost or not – it still made me laugh. Hope you get your Typepad issues resolved. Can’t wait to see your brocante photos.

    Reply
  22. Debra P.

    Corey, It was your story last year,
    but it’s mine this year. My son,
    Josh, just had to have this enormous
    tree, 9 and 1/2 ft. Bought a new
    stand, new lights, new whatever for
    this monster. Finally finished
    decorating it last Sunday before noon,
    before my daughter’s 16th b-day party
    same day. Forward to Monday, 11:30 am, party
    clean-up finally done . . .DOWN COMES
    THE TREE! Well, I didn’t/couldn’t
    pick it up . . .and down it stays still!
    Beautiful German-made ornaments gone,
    glass everywhere! Hopefully, it will
    be standing again sometime this
    weekend after my husband chops a
    few feet off. Thanks for the re-post!

    Reply
  23. Rhonda

    Oh, I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one who swears in life. Sometimes it just have to. That is a great (but sad) tree story, even if it is an old one.
    Got my pkg yesterday and sat there staring at it all like it was gold. Well, to me it is gold. I will never, repeat, never cut it. Thank you for sharing your finds. I keep wondering who wrote this, who held this, I feel so lucky to be holding it now. Best wishes

    Reply
  24. Julie Ann Evins

    I thought I was having a deja-vu moment there ! Good luck with the IT, luv Jxx

    Reply
  25. Risa

    Way to let it out! When my tree fell (three times!) I finally got out fishing line and twine and literally tied it to the walls. So far so good….

    Reply
  26. Sara

    This story is new to me–and I’m still laughing!

    Reply
  27. pauline

    Didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh – so I did both. “Modern art!” Hahahahahaha
    Broken ornaments – sigh

    Reply
  28. Megan B.

    I love, LOVE the colors! I’m so sorry you lost precious ornaments, I’ve experienced that pain too, but, not because a tree fell over, but, because of kitties. C’est la vie!

    Reply
  29. Merisi

    What a relief that this was a repost!
    I was reading this, holding my breath.
    Make sure you get enough bricks first thing with this year’s tree!
    Good luck,
    M.

    Reply
  30. Angelica Bays

    Hahaha! I scared the cat, i gasped so loudly!
    Lucky for me you had to recycle this story or I never would have heard it.
    Thank you so much for sharing- it was delightful. I’ll be back ;o)

    Reply
  31. Paulita

    Debra, Is that your blog title or are you just suggesting a name for Corey’s blog? I couldn’t find you if it is.

    Reply
  32. carol

    Oh! This story bears repeating. I am so sorry about your treasured ornaments, but you do tell a truly funny story. You made me laugh and your attitude is so good about it all. Merry Christmas from the States!

    Reply
  33. Se’lah

    Coming over from Marilyn’s blog for the first time here today. So sorry about your treasured ornaments…
    Hope tomorrow is a better day.
    One Love.

    Reply
  34. Bella Dreams

    I have a tree propped up on one side with magazines. Several magazines. I was leaning like crazy. Now I’m a little paranoid. Sorry about your ornaments.
    Thanks for the repost. I wish I could say I didn’t laugh about your loss, but….you are just too funny!

    Reply
  35. Kate

    “Paper Napkins » and everyone else received a gift certificate of a hearty sum of money…well…. I did not appreciate the thought, nor the gift.”
    Corey, who did this to you?

    Reply
  36. Sue McGettigan

    LOL Corey, this story made me laugh last year, and all over again I’m laughing – thanks, I needed that, because I’m feeling very much as you describe after your tree fell the second time, I need to dust it all off and reclaim the day 🙂

    Reply
  37. rita

    i am a wee bit behind in reading my fav blogs. this one made me laugh. i had a tree that fell 3 times. after the third time my hubby did some fancy work on it and it stayed but i lost a lot of glass ornaments, as well. sorry it happened to you too. it is a sick feeling. especially after the first time.

    Reply

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