tree down...

Here's a picture of our Christmas tree as it looked in all its glory  when we set it up in December.

And here is how it looks this evening after being totally de-constructed.  All branches removed and stored in a large bin, and the top covered with a large trash bag to keep it dust free in the basement until next year.

About half way through the deconstruction process each year (especially when I'm fighting with the lights that have somehow gotten tangled while just being on the tree) is when I start to think that I really should get a new tree.  This one is, after all, over 40 years old.  My kids and grandkids have grown up with this tree.  I could get a nifty, easy to fold away pre-lit tree, possibly less than seven feet tall.  Just unfold it and add some ornaments.  I could do that and I might do that, maybe next year? Or maybe not.