I wanted a Christmas tree this year, but it didn't seem we would have the ability to get one. Don told me he was trying to figure out a way to get one for me. I kept focusing on how much I wanted one, and set up figurines, cards, and pictures of ones in our living room so I could look at them all the time very early Christmas Eve morning. We're talking 3 A.M.

I remembered we had a three foot tree in our shed, but, from my recollection, it didn't have the base anymore. This is one of those that, normally, rotates and is re-lit. I told Don about it, but he didn't go out to get it for me.

Later, on Christmas Eve day, I decided I would go into our shed and bring it in, even if that meant figuring a way to set it up in a base. I was determined.

I bundled up and headed out to our shed. I was thinking, "I sure would like it to have the base, but I'm going to get it anyway. I'll figure something out so I can set it up.

Unlocking the door, I didn't even step in yet when I saw it laying on a futon, sideways, and, to my delight and complete surprise the base was pointing right toward me! After crawling over our lawn mower, I grabbed the base, pulling it toward me so I could get a good grip on it. Then I hefted it into my arms, set it down for a second, while I locked the door and headed back into our mobile home.

Swiftly, I made my way down our long hall to show it to Don, exclaiming, "Hon, I got my Christmas tree! See, it still has the base on it. I don't know why I thought it was gone. Now all I have to do is clean it, and set it up. Hopefully, the lights will still work."

He responded, "That's great, honey. Now you have your Christmas tree." Then, promptly, went back to watching his movie.

I made the trek back down the hall, clear to our kitchen. After removing some dead leaves, throwing them in the trash, I carried it into our living room, which is right next to our kitchen. This was the easy part.

After some serious finagling, climbing over boxes, squeezing in behind chairs, and finding the extension cord, I plugged it in, but it didn't light up. I re-plugged it into another section, thinking maybe that was the problem. Then I remembered, the wall socket is set with our switch next to our front door. Once I turned that on, the lights lit up and so did my eyes. I was like a little kid with her very first Christmas tree. I and ran back to tell Don, "It works! The lights work!" Come and see it. He grinned at my little girl antics and said, "I'm glad you now have your Christmas tree," he said as he followed me, as I almost skipped down the hall. When we got there, I swept my arm towards it's beauty and then grabbing him, gave him a huge hug and kiss. He smiled and said, "Enjoy your Christmas tree." Then he, turned and headed right back to finish watching his movie. I stood there and looked at it, marveling at how nice it looked sitting there, but something else I wanted was missing. I have always wanted a train that goes around my tree.

I remembered I had a wood caboose and engine toy that hadn't been used at all. So I set that in front of it, but the base was still showing. Not very pretty. I took a burgundy cloth and wrapped that around it, re-set the train in front, and I was in business. It was finally complete. I didn't care if it had ornaments or a star top. As far as I was concerned, it was perfect just as it was.

A few days after Christmas, I moved it into my bedroom so Don could put his plants back on the table because he wanted them to get their sunlight, especially our fig tree, which had been sitting in a dark place on the floor.

I set it on my trunk, along with my favorite stuffed animals. Now I use my Christmas tree for a night light and, often, go to sleep with it on. I gaze at it while I'm saying my prayers and drifting off into a peaceful sleep. I am so blessed I found it again....

Now for my Christmas cookies. You know? The ones that have the icing on them, with the sprinkles and are shaped like Christmas trees, snowmen, ornaments and other characters? I got treats from friends, but none of them had the icing on them nor had shapes. I also tried to find them in a store, but they weren't available, not even in the bakery. I know I'm going have my Christmas cookies, too. After all, I am focused on my next CMI.

You are adorable! Way to go! When I was a kid, I was SO sad when Christmas was over. So I made myself a Christmas box that I could open any time of the year. It had a life pine bough (the smell stayed in the box of years) a couple of favorite ornaments, a candle, favorite christmas cards, some Christmas music, some candy canes (I ate one every time I went to the box). It never occured to me to have a tree with lights as my night light. That's a GREAT idea. Any time I was upset, I would pull out my Christmas box and feel better.

Leslie, I never thought of that. What a great idea. Hmmmm. The ole brain is whizzing. What if I could make boxes with people's items for them to keep and remember special times in their lives. Of course, it would be boxes decorated by me. I've got a million of em. LOL.