Trimming the Tree

So, the Santa Barbara branch decorated to the nines for the Holiday season, so we decided to take decoration to a new level at our branch. We all stayed late after work last Thursday for a tree trimming 'party'. We put ribbons and garlands everywhere and lights all over the 'mortgage center' (a sign which looks like a little house). And the tree-- we have the most pathetic artificial tree which is well over 10 years old and literally falling apart. Someone had already started stringing lights on the tree and soon after quit, and our manager, James had gone to the store to pick up more lights and other trimmings. So I undecorated the tree and resolved to put the lights on the tree the right way. Mom and Dad know how I put lights on a tree-- stringing lights around every individual branch. So, 9 strings of lights and a few hours later I had successfully stung 1050 lights on the tree. Needless to say, the tree gets the most compliments from customers.That tree is so beautiful! Just look at all those lights! James was delighted and called his buddies at the other branch and told them we had over a thousand lights on our tree (they only had 300, ha!).

The bank has been incredibly busy heading into the holiday season. No one gets a day off this week. On Saturday we had every teller line open and there was still an incredibly long line. On Monday, even the assistant manager will be manning the teller lines. I'm not looking forward to it. I'll need lots of coffee.

Charles and I have decorated our little place for the holidays. Well-- I decorated. He graciously cleaned up after me. We got a pre-lit tree (so I only went through the lighting ordeal once) and have a substantial number of decorations on it. And I have my little Christmas village and kissing snowmen gracing the table. Of course, we are especially looking forward to going to Atlanta the week before Christmas to see everyone. It will be an exciting trip!