This year, when it came time to set up the tree, I knew the process would be a simple one. I purchased a six foot fiber optic tree last year (thanks Craigslist). I miss going with the family and getting a tree, but with our current situation, (crazy schedule and Shelli’s back issues) a fake tree makes more sense.
So, I went to the shed a few weeks ago to pull the tree out and get it all set up.
I brought it into the house.
And realized that the feet had somehow been misplaced.
One of the feet was cracked, but 3 of them held the somewhat heavy tree firmly in place… But now I couldn’t find them! I stared at the base for awhile and I had the kids help me fabricate feet out of 2 old curtain rods and duct tape. I placed the tree in the stand, and watched in lighthearted frustration as it fell over.
I called the manufacturer of the tree on the following Monday, and talked to Joe in their customer service department. I described the tree and the base as best I could, and he told me he would have the feet shipped out immediately and at no charge! He said “It’s Christmas and you need these feet right??”
The feet arrived in 3 days, and when I went to finally put the tree up, they were the WRONG ONES!
The next week was crazy at work and I wasn’t feeling good. I drove over to my smarter-than-you brother Jeff’s house on Saturday evening and asked him to help me in his workshop for a few minutes. As I took the 
pieces out of a bag, I explained how I lost the feet, the duct tape and curtain rod mini-disaster (he held back laughter) and how I ordered the wrong sized feet for the tree. After measuring to see if we could somehow bolt the old feet to the base, he had a brainstorm. He got an old heavy Christmas Tree stand, that he wasn’t using anymore, and we used a little muscle, and duct tape and fashioned a new base that looked like a stereotypical Tennessee rig-job.
I walked in the door at home and immediately set the tree in the base and stood back in admiration… After about 10 minutes, the tree crashed to the floor, scaring the bejesus out of me, Shelli and our cat (who may never be the same).
When I got home from work yesterday, there was a live tree sitting outside my back door. It seems that Shelli and my mother had been out shopping and she found a very nice Douglas Fir for $5. They brought it back to the house onto of mom’s vw, holding it through the sunroof as it was raining…
It’s up, looks great and we had fun putting it together last night. It may be the shortest time EVER for a Christmas Tree to be up in our house.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
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December 25th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Well, all’s well that ends well! Although a little more duct tape and some WD-40 and we would have had that thing licked…! A well-placed coffee can may have been just… hm… Excuse me, I’ll be in the workshop if anyone needs me…
December 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Wow, $5 for a live tree. What a deal!! It looks so pretty too!! Now is Logan sitting down or has Kianna just grown a foot since I last saw her?
December 28th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Wish we lived a little closer scgumann would have built to a good stand.
Might of weigh 10 lbs but would of held the tree. What a wonderul story teller you are. Bless you and yours. Love Diane
December 28th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
That’s awesome bro. Right now our Christmas tree won’t stand up straight on it’s own. It’s rigged with 10 lb test fishing line. Actually, most of my house is probably rigged just to hold it together.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
There’s so much furniture stacked up in my house, with my sister having moved in recently, we didn’t even think about pulling our tree outa the shed… Reading your post reminded me of YOUR favorite Christmas cartoon… I can’t believe that I burst into tears at the sight of Shellie at church the other night… I can’t wait to see you guys again in a few days… I have a Christmas tree “tale” to share with you…
No, CAllie, Logan is the one that’s grown a foot…lol
December 29th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
@Cian, I need to see a picture of the fish line tree stand… That may have worked!
@Sheila – I watched the Charlie Brown special a few times this season and Linus always gets me when he’s on stage. I love that. Looking forward to seeing you and the boys on NYE.
@Diane, I think I remember getting a tree near your property with Jeff dad, and Dad’s machete. I can picture Steve in the shop fabricating something for sure!
@Callie- Yes, Sheila is right… Logan may be taller than Kianna now. (Although she won’t admit it.)
@Jeff- We gave it a shot for sure. Thanks for the help. I’ll see you in the workshop next Christmas!
December 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
It sounds to me like you had a blessed Christmas! Isn’t it amazing what God and a great woman and mother-in-law can put together?
It could have been a disaster and everything could have been a letdown for your kids (poor kitty) but God came through once again in a wonderful Christmas miracle. You have a beautiful tree and a glorious family!
Praise be to God!
Joni