Today I finished putting away all the Christmas decorations.  Mainly the tree and a few straggler items.  I had started on Christmas day mainly out of boredom, did a bit more on the 26th and did the tree today.

I am always so excited every year to drag all of that out, meticulously put it all up in just the right spot and then sit back and admire all the splendor.  All of this starts the day after Thanksgiving with the tree following shortly after.  But come Christmas or a few days later, it is all just too much and loses some of the appeal.  I forget to turn the outside lights on, the candles don't get lit that day and I don't see it all the same way.

This year it happened much sooner than normal.  Could be because my family and I are going out of town to see the Grandparents for New Years and the idea of waiting until the 2nd week of January to put it all away was not an option. 

Today I carefully took all the ornaments off the tree, but didn't dwell on each one like I do when I put them on.  I didn't remember back to when they were first bought or given or made.  I didn't tear up looking at the ones my son has made over the years in school which is certainly what happens when they go up.

So for today, I finished that task and my husband, Steve, is so very happy that the house is finally back to normal.  Furniture back in its rightful place, needles swept up and all the Christmas boxes are tucked away until next year when it begins all over again.

May be a few days since we are going out of town tomorrow, so until next time...