However.
While yesterday's sweater shopping with my GBFF (Guam best friend forever) Jolene was successful, the rest of the day could be considered an EPIC FAIL. I really wanted to buy an artificial tree yesterday. Yes, they sell real trees on Guam, but they dry up in about a week, and we are hopefully going back to the states for Christmas since my husband hasn't seen his family in a year, and I'm fairly certain the base General would frown upon me accidentally burning down Ulithi Blvd in my absence. Anyway, fake trees here are EXPENSIVE! Holy hell! I walked in, fell in love, and then actually vomited in my mouth a little when I looked at the price tag: $350!! We're MILITARY, PEOPLE! That's what we get paid in a YEAR! (okay, we actually make slightly more than that -- slightly) I bought a fake tree in 2005 with my then roommate Becky at Target 3 weeks before Christmas for something like $40. Following our "breakup" (campaign ended, which resulted in Becky's inevitable move back to TX and mine back to DC) I donated the tree to the disabled vets. I didn't have room in the Altima, and I figured I would probably never need another fake tree. WRONG-O! How SAD!!! Last year I borrowed one from a wife whose husband was deployed and was boycotting the holidays. This year, she's not boycotting, and $40 wouldn't buy me a branch off one of these trees here. Maybe it's inflation? Maybe it's Guam? Can I blame this on Obama? Or the economy? Or just the fact that I live on an island 4,000 miles from a TARGET?!!?!?! Where is the justice?
Please send Christmas well-wishes. And trees. And maybe snow if you can figure a way for it not to melt....
So while I'm dreaming of THIS:
Engagement pictures taken by Paul Abdoo, Denver, CO
I'm sure you're dreaming of THIS:
The door is ALWAYS open my friends... :)
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14 Witty Remarks:
Love it lady, love it! And Akisha found a 2 foot tree for $7 at Peggys yesterday. Just in case you get desperate...
I hear you on the fake trees. I had a great one that a friend of my Mom's gave me..and it got left with friends when we PCS'd to Italy because of it being forgotten in our storage closet.
So...I want to replace it, but I'm waiting until after Christmas. I refuse to get an ugly tree just because it's cheap!
I hear you on the expensive trees. Hubs and I are slightly broke from paying for our wedding this year, but I was dying for a tree. We are moving on Dec. 18th, so I didn't want to buy a real one this year... well the 7.5 footers ranged in price from like $150 to almost $400. We settled for a 4 footer that we got from Hobby Lobby when they had all of their Christmas stuff 50% off.. it was still $30.
Girl, I am dreaming of snow... screw the warm weather! :)
I've always thought that fake trees were a sin. That of course was before I married someone who has consistantly deployed over the holiday season. There is no way I could ever wrestle a giant live tree into any Christmas tree stand. Every year I think I should buy a fake tree after Christmas, because you are right, they are extremely expensive!
Add deployments and the fact that one day we could potentially live overseas, I'm thinking this is the year to do so!
I'll be spending Christmas in Brazil for the first time in 12 years, and I can't wait to have summer + xmas. This cold weather sucks. (And yes, I LOVE this time of year too. LOVE IT.)
Grass is always greener...
I love this post, especially the first part about Christmas because it is SO YOU. :) Sure we may have only hung out for a few days, but that is full force you. :)
Miss you!
Fake trees are amazing! You can decorate Thanksgiving weekend without worrying about your tree burning down around Christmas (or just falling apart EVERYWHERE).
Oh and your pictures are incredibly beautiful!
Oh no! I hope you can find some kind of tree to have there for awhile before you leave! I'm so wishing for snow as well! Love the holiday cheer!
your engagement pics are beautiful! what a snow bunny you are.... and I'm diggin the new blog background ;)
still lovin' your e pics - so gorgeous!!
Hi, I know this is completely random, but I was doing some internet searches for references/reviews of the Dan Doran Band and it led me to your blog (there was a post where you mentioned that he played at your wedding). Could you tell me a little about your experience?
Feel your frustrations…. Souda Bay Greece is not the ideal place to find Christmas trees anywhere on the island… and the thoughts of decorating an olive tree (our only tree) do not sound appealing!
Blessings,
Kristie
Girl, it was 20 degrees below zero with the windchill today. I would donate my body to science if it meant spending just a few days on your beautiful island:)
I absolutely LOVE the engagement photos! I'm right there with you on White Christmas. :)
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