Christmas on Crack. . .or maybe Speed. . .or perhaps Miracle Grow

Today my friend frantically grabbed me and insisted I follow and help her pick up a Christmas tree--I had no idea what was going on, but always ready for a field trip, I blindly followed. We practically ran to her car and waged our way through the icy streets to Lowes where we bought every live Christmas tree still available--17 in total. First of all, Lowe's was awesome. Everything we bought was $1 or less--even though the signs said only 50% off.

Next, poinsettias. Ended up picking out 35--yes, again for $1.

Then on to garlands, boughs, and wreaths--probably 10-15--this time for $.50 each.

And the biggest deal--real baby pine trees--looked like blue spruces. 10 count for $1 each. These were the biggest steal because they could theoretically be sold year round and they will grow to be huge pines.

So, why all this Christmas madness? And I tell you, loading it into the three car loads really made it feel like madness--the pictures really do not do it justice as the cars were packed full of poinsettias, wreaths, baby trees, and boughs, plus all the Christmas trees in the bed of the truck. Never in my life have I seen so many pine needles in one space! No, my friend really isn't a Christmas freak, although it did feel like we were both mentally ill buying so much shrubbery. Anyway, she is getting married next week and just happened to get the best deal on wedding decorations EVER. The receipt literally said "total savings" about $1200--for about $70 total. Way to go Lowe's!

I also purchased a baby Christmas cactus as a gift for her wedding. I told her it was a tradition to have a Christmas cactus when one gets married--totally making it up--but it seems like a good tradition. My mom has one she's had for about her whole marriage, my sister has one and she just got married, and an old lady neighbor I had had like a 50 year old one--probably when she got married, right? Makes sense to me. Plus, it will bloom every year on her anniversary. Anyway, she bought it (as in, believed me) and even told her mom it was a tradition. Who knows, maybe it will catch on and really turn into a tradition. You'll know it started with me.