A Year Without Tree Stands

At least that's what the girl at Walmart told us: all the stores are out of tree stands. We probably could have found one if we drove 20 minutes, but it's much more compelling to think that there were absolutely no tree stands to be found in the area and that the festive evergreens in Leesville homes (did I mention we live in Louisiana now?) were contained in everything from waste baskets to hiking boots this Christmas season. Our stand of choice was a large paint bucket Jordan found in the perfect shade of green. But more on that later.

A couple weeks before Christmas I was standing in the bakery at Walmart when I had one of those silly homesick moments that come out of nowhere. We had just returned from our road trip all over the country and had been blessed with an opening in temporary housing on post. We were thrilled to have a place, but temporary housing isn't exactly the cleanest, friendliest place to hang your hat. We were tired, hungry and just plain ready to be "home." Jordan had gone off in search of plastic forks and as I stood there holding a box of holiday cookies (the kind with sprinkles and about half an inch of frosting) I started thinking, boy I could really go for one of Mom's gingersnaps right now. Gingersnaps...fudge...divinity...Mom...and the tears started coming. Thankfully they were fleeting and were gone by the time Jordan came back with the utensils.

Christmas has always been a big deal to me and it has always meant family, so I was a little apprehensive when we decided it was best to stay in Louisiana this year. Upon making the decision, I told Jordan that we should get a little fake tree to put on the kitchen table or something, seeing as how all of our ornaments and decorations (including our tree stand) were still in storage with all of our other belongings. That's about as "in to it" as I was going to get. But knowing how much the season means to me, Jordan saved Christmas with a tree, an economy box of ornaments and lights and a matching paint bucket. A few homemade ornaments and some candy canes later, our temporary home spelled Christmas cheer.

Christmas Eve we read the Christmas story and The Other Wiseman, sang songs (our "O Holy Night" rendition is frightening) and talked to the Eberts in Michigan. Then, in true Ebert fashion, we went into the bedroom and waited for Santa to come. Jordan even went out and pretended to have a convo with Santa before telling me I could come see my stocking under the tree. Santa's bells may have been jingled car keys and our stockings red and grey tube socks, but it didn't feel any less like Christmas, however unconventional.

Christmas day we slept in. Christmas dinner: cream cheese and bacon-wrapped chicken, beans, mashed potatoes, Coke (because I forgot the sparkling cider for toasting) and berries and Muddy Buddies for dessert.

Notice the forks purchased during the aforementioned shopping trip. This is supposed to be a fully furnished apartment, hence the mis-matched dishes. But no forks! Do they really think people don't need them, or did someone just take off with them? Anyway... we skyped with the Cokers/Curetons and I even got Jordan to watch Elf with me.

We still have enough Muddy Buddies to last until next Christmas and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" will be stuck in our heads for just as long. Though we missed our families, I have to say that Christmas with just the two of us couldn't have been more perfect.