I am really to tired to post this but I am afraid if I wait until tomorrow, I will forget the details. And I want you to know the DETAILS! This began as a very ordinary day....arrived at a house that I have done for probably 12 years plus. I KNOW this tree well and it is one I could do with my eyes closed. First of all they forgot to turn the alarm off, so when I opened the front door the entire neighborhood knew I was there. No problem. Just a few phone calls and we had it turned off, my elves arrived and we started in on our normal routine. This is a HUGE 10-12 foot FAT tree that stands in the middle of the room and you see the entire tree as you walk through the front door. One that is beautiful and fits the room perfectly. Early into the decorating we felt the tree was a little loose (that's a tree term) so we tightened the screws which we found VERY loose and noticed the center pole was a little bent... NO PROBLEM or so we thought. Middle of the afternoon, I knew we were within an hour of being done and was even thinking about going to get a new set of nails...the mantle was finished, all the decorations put in their place and the tree was 90% finished....I was working on the topper and within five minutes I would have been ready to start attaching it..Understand this tree was FULL and beginning to look beautiful!
I was standing back and looking to see where we needed to fill in holes. It just happened that all three of us were on the same side of the tree, none of us on the ladder (THANK YOU LORD), when in a split second the tree (probably one of the heaviest trees we work on) FELL! Just snapped and fell toward a couch. We just stood there in shock.....I think we all either said or thought the same word at the same time...(I need to interject here and THIS IS BRAGGING...we secure the ornaments so well that only 4 things came off and nothing broke.) BUT what TO DO???
We had no idea if the three of us could lift it up. After a couple of one, two, three LIFT, we finally got it upright. But we could not let it go...two elves got under it, worked with every tool we had trying to secure it while I held it from the top...NOTHING. The tree stands between two large columns. Our first thought was to move the tree to one side and wire it to a column... we spent lots of time moving it and TRYING to get it stable. We finally got it wired to the column, still swaying as in REALLY swaying. (not even sure if that was a word) Nothing was working. Then we decided to call my husband to go to Lowe's and get some bags of Quick Crete. We thought we could pile those up under the tree and cover it with a giant tree skirt. This was a stretch but we thought it MIGHT WORK! With that and securing it to the column, we felt like we COULD have a solution. Wrong again!The tree was just an accident waiting to happen. We used everything we could think of including a pizza pan to secure the base..absolutely nothing was working..Remember during this entire time one of us had to be keeping the tree upright. We will all have aching ARMS tomorrow and probably a few bruises.
Now we have been holding the tree up for well over an
hour...and are getting very tired...I happen to have two helpers that don't panic...along with a husband that nothing moves his needle...After he arrived and surveyed the situation and once we realized that nothing we had tried was making a dent...There was only ONE option that we could feel safe with. Take the tree down and buy a new tree. So my client/friend is out looking for a tree tonight. We totally stripped the tree and are now back to SQUARE ONE! In a couple of days when we have a few extra hours we will do the tree again. There are young grandchildren in the house often and it makes me sick to think that the tree might have fallen on one of them.
So TODAY was a FIRST, an exhausting day, BUT we will be on to the next tree tomorrow...I will post some pictures tomorrow night! Be sure and check out the post before this one and listen to some great music...it gives you a chance to win another GIVEAWAY!
PICTURES JUST ARRIVED
we never got a picture of it decorated and on the floor...as in no hands were available to get the camera. These will be very self explanatory!
31 comments:
Oh my goodness, what a terrible day...but it makes for a great story!
I don't know how you have time for blogging as often as you do; and will you be able to find time to do this tree again?
This will be one of those happenings that will remain in your memories for a very long time and one that you and your family will laugh about repeatedly. Thank you God that no one was hurt and that due to your good work no more ornaments were lost than a few. That can hurt the bottom line, in more than one way, ha,ha. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. I'm not going to even try to get caught up but just take off from where I am. Sorry I've been gone for so long but it couldn't be helped.
Happy Holidays and
God Bless,
Mimmy
Theresa-I am so glad you can see the humor in this! I cannot believe only 4 ornaments came off! Our lab saw a squirrel outside and toppled a tree many years ago--it was an ornament tragedy! Glad no one was hurt---except possibly aching arms today!
Wow! I never would have thought that tree decorating could be dangerous but you proved me wrong. I'm glad you all are okay and that nothing got broken!
Our tree is getting old too and we are going to buy another this year too.
Hugs
Kim
Wow, you're right, thankfully no one else was there and got hurt! If it was going to fall over/break, I guess this was the best time for it to happen.
Thanks for the laugh! I am glad everything worked out ok.
OMGosh! But glad that the only thing damaged was the tree!
May be next year you will all be a able to look back at this and laugh, I am sure that now it is just an oh my goodness we have to do it all over major bummer!
Have a great est of the week!
OH my goodness - what a time you had.. You totally crack me up - a pizza pan... LOL! It's sad to go through all that work and have to immediately take it apart. Better safe then sorry.
Who needs pictures? You described it so wonderfully I was laughing through each line. Do they sell hazard insurance for Christmas tree decorators?! Even though I realize it set you back on your busy schedule, it will be a great story to tell your grandkids someday. Can't wait for the photos!
Okay, so I'm #1 elf. I cannot hardly move today because of the toppled tree. I'm sucking Tylenol arthritis and heading off for more tree fun today. We seriously need a reality show. I mean, come on, they have shows about people decorating cakes, making pageant dresses, bridezillas. Nothing is more hilarious than some of the messes I have gotten myself into decorating trees with Teresa. I have climbed heights you cannot imagine, had 200 lb. garland whack me in the head and nearly topple an expensive mirror and nativity. It goes on and on. But yesterday was definitely a reality show moment!
This is too funny! I know, that's easy for me to say!! Your description was great but the pictures, PRICELESS!! Especially the bags of quickcrete!
OMG! That sounds like something that would happen to me. I am glad no one was hurt!
OH my word! I'm laughing but only because it's over and no one got hurt! That sounds like something that would happen in my house!
I want to tell you that I am really excited to decorate my tree this year. I may be forgoing some Christmas presents just to buy some more "nice" ornaments. I want to fill the tree! :D
You'll never forget this day! Too bad it wasn't on film. Hang in there - there will be better days!
Glad no one was injured.
OMGoodness!! How crazy!! What an unforgettable story. You had me captivated. :)
So glad no one was hurt. I'm sure it was very stressful, but in hindsight it sure makes a good story, doesn't it?
Well, Teresa, You have a great attitude and it sounds like you have a great team of "elves" in your posse. Sometimes, the only solution is to start from square 1! Lesson learned and wisdom acquired. I am glad no one was too hurt then or in the future. Coleene
Oh, Teresa. I am thankful that you were not hurt and that you found the problem for your clients so no one was hurt. Also happy that you don't live in a dry county. lol. Cheers!!
Diana B.
All of that work and you didn't even get to leave with a finished tree! I'm so sorry but at least you've got a good attitude about it! How nice of you to be able to fit her back into you schedule this week, I know you're swamped!
Take care and don't forget to take a few minutes for yourself. Rejuvinate yourself with a nice, long hot bubblebath!
Wow--glad it happened when there were three of you there. Also glad no one got hurt!! yikes!
Oh, this could be a funny YouTube video, if you had captured it on camera, but I understand all hands were full holding up the heavy broken tree.
Thank goodness no one was injured.
Now you have a hilarious tale to tell.
I just read the comment from #1 elf. fun-NY! You must just have a hoot at work each day... You guys are a crack up. Too bad it wasn't on film and sent into to America's funniest videos. You would have won! :-D ha ha ha ha
Oh my gosh....so glad that no one was hurt, but very sorry this happened....However I am glad it happened with you guys instead of with grandkids or kids in general like you said.
How awful!
Hope things go better next try!
Love, Jess
Once metal is stressed, it can't be repaired!
I am so glad you or your helpers weren't hurt but I am sure your muscles feel it.
Tylenol is what you need, and a little wine about an hour after that!
Too bad you had to redo the tree. Gosh...all that WORK!!!!!
Oh my goodness! What a time you had. I can't imagine all that hard work only to have to do it again. But, as you said, thankfully it did not fall on anyone, especially the children! One thing is for sure, it is going to be BEAUTIFUL!
Blessings,
Teresa <><
Oh no! That is just awful!! I'm glad noone was hurt though. I'm praying nothing like that happens to me! lol...That tree yesterday almost did me in! I have a huge house next week. I'm doing all new garland on the stairs, it will take a while! The lady is one of my best friends, so I always do my best! I have help on hers, so it won't be too bad. I'll post pics...I hope to see more of your decorating, it is just beautiful! I love your tree toppers! Kristen
I am heartsick for all that work, but I'm thankful too, that it fell while you were there to fix it and find a solution. It made a very funny story for the blog. Hope the rest of the decorating season goes much smoother for you! Love your trees and your blog.
I am so glad no one was hurt.
Hi Teresa,
I'm so glad no one was hurt! I think I would have gotten very discouraged! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Blessings,
Sandi
Oh my I can just picture you and the elves trying to hold up that tree...I did laugh but only a little...hope the icy hot is helping
Thanks you so much!!! You better get some rest! Ecclesiastes 5:12 states, "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet..." So I pray that God grants you sweet sleep as you journey through this busy season!
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