I’m not going to lie…I love when people leave comments on my blog. Now I don’t love every comment. There have been a handful that were not positive and I could have done without them. Like the time a Claymate attacked me because I played “Measure of a Man” by Clay Aiken at a Waffle House. I have no problem with Clay Aiken. I even wanted him to win American Idol. I just think that that song didn’t fit the Waffle House crowd. I played the song, told my friends that we had to leave right that second, and then ran out of the building like I stole something. It was really poking fun at the Waffle House crowd. Funny thing is no Waffle House fans attacked my blog. I digress…
If you write a blog then you know what I’m talking about. A comment is like receiving a tip. Not a tip like clothes don’t make the man, but being naked will get you arrested. More like a tip a waiter/waitress receives. Similar to the way the wait staff still gets paid whether you tip or not, I have a greater reward than receiving a comment. Knowing that a handful of people read and enjoy my blog is reward enough. The comment is like a tip…it’s something extra. A comment is that little something extra that let’s me know people are not only reading, but enjoying the blog.
I understand that you may not know what to say. I also understand that some of you are adamantly against leaving a comment. But what if for one day only we all came together and left a comment. What if it was the only thing that I wanted from you for Christmas (unless you are my mom, dad, wife, or if you’ve already spent money on me) was a comment from you?
Now most of this post is in jest, but I really do love comments. I love getting to know the people that read my blog. If you’d like to participate then leave your name and if you prefer a real or fake Christmas tree. I’ll start.
Rob – and I like fake trees. What can I say I like to keep things simple. It's a lot of work to get a real tree home when you drive a Honda.
fake. a lot easier to deal with if i do say. open a box. put together tree. decorate tree. and BAM your Christmas is complete 🙂
this is the first time i have read your blog and i think its pretty awesome, i think ill start reading them more often. and this is the first time i have ever commented on a blog. i prefer real trees cuz nothing can beat the smell of a real christmas tree and this is matt lindsey from group last year. marry christmas rob
Rob, here's my comment. Merry Christmas. Let's get lunch soon, it's been way to long. You're the man. Jeff Mingee.
Well, I'd have to say that I prefer a fake tree (because that's what we have) but I've never (in my adult life) done the real tree thing. A few years ago we looked into getting a living tree that we could plant after the Christmas. There were all these rules for "getting it used to living indoors, so it doesn't die" and then after several weeks, the same thing to get the tree used to cold temps outside. Waaaayyyy too much work. So, to sum it up, I guess I'm a fake tree kind of girl…. but I love the idea of a real tree. (Couldn't just give you a straight answer).
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Rob, I read your blog at intermittent intervals, like when something you say in the opening thread catches my eye on face book, and more often than not, I read it when I'm not running around like a chicken with my head cut off and actually have time to sit down and see what is on face book….which is usually when I see one of your blogs and get to laugh for a minute and ponder something you've shared. 🙂 You crack me up constantly! I don't know how Monica lives with you and doesn't have a hernia from laughing all the time!!! But, more importantly, I think you usually offer some little kernel of thought that makes me think…and makes me want to do something different because it's the right thing to do. So, yes, I read your blogs, and I benefit from them in a stealthy unseen manner, like many other non-posters, but I hope you know your efforts of sharing, communicating and reaching out to others is far more reaching than you realize! 🙂 So, Merry Christmas, officially! I can't wait to meet the twins, give Monica a hug for me & happy blogging! PS–this Laura B. from Monica's WM cohort….in case you're wondering….PSS—I'm so happy she's officially DONE! Yeah!
Oh, and PSSS—I love real trees, but we use fake mostly because it is easier and then I don't have to worry about burning down the house when the needles dry out! 🙂 LOL…..(seriously, I worry about things like that!)
Love reading your blog…you da best! •*¨*•.¸¸♦¸¸.•*¨*•Merry Christmas•*¨*•.¸¸♦¸¸.•*¨*•
oops, forgot…I prefer a fake tree and light a Mistletoe candle from Yankee for the wonderful aroma of real. (although I must say the Balsam and Cedarwood Better Homes and Gardens candle from Walmart for a third of the price is pretty awesome!)
real, for sure. BUT, i wish i didn't have to water it or sweep up needles.
i love your blog! your perspective is fresh and positive, and your wit is hilarious.
O.K., here goes …. I am new to bleg. I never left comment before so you are the first. How are you? I am fine. Seasonal tidings to you and your bleg.
I prefer no tree to much trouble, have to rearrange the living room to put it up the house looks a mess cause nothing is where it should be and we have to move the couch away from the window then the dogs are miserable cause the cant look outside. But if Ihad to put up a tree it would be fake. Also I love Clay.
Fake! My brother is allergic to Christmas trees. So it makes a pretty bad holiday when you have a grumpy brother.
Rob,
Fake is a cop out. I understand the fake thing is easier, but our ancestors would roll over in their grave if they knew we were putting up plastic trees. There is also the simple fact that every year you go get the real deal it makes family memories. Pulling a tree out of the box doesn't do it for me.
Let's also play out scenarios here, suppose your house caught on fire… The plastic tree would burn with a cancerous muck filling the air, but the real tree would smell like you were camping in the woods. I prefer camping to carcinigous smoke.
Trees aside, I love your blog. I read it nearly daily. You true live your beliefs and love your wife. You are a Godly man and I enjoy getting your tidbits of wisdom.
BTW we pray for you guys and the little ones nearly every night 🙂
I love my real Christmas tree that is pre-lit and stored in a box. I can't bear to call it fake or artificial–I mean this tree was created for the purpose of being a Christmas tree, nothing else, not a home for birds or wildlife. It's a real Christmas tree designed to light up the home and remind me of special memories and joy associated with family and Christmas. Evergreens are for the birds.
MIke…and a palm tree..so that more presents can fit under
I love real trees AND fake trees. I have both. My living room tree is fake and perfectly shaped and decorated with white lights. My den tree is real and has ornaments that my kids have made over the years along with colored lights. This started more than 20 years ago when my kids complained that white lights were boring and I was too picky about the placement of ornaments. So, the tradition started that we go out and buy a real tree, put colored lights on it and they could decorated this how ever they wanted. My kids are grown now but we still do this.
I'm currently in the middle of a vendetta against Christmas trees. I may end up in counseling trying to figure out why…
But I prefer a real tree. Mainly because it's what I grew up with. We would always get the biggest, most obnoxious tree we could fit in our tiny trailer, and usually had to cut about a foot off the bottom and a foot off the top to make it all fit.
Joanna – Fake…because I have never had a real tree…and a fake tree you purchase one time and can use it for several years…I am frugal like that!
FAKE!! The only time my family ever had a real tree my dad almost burned down the house.
Ever since I joined the networked blogs application on facebook I see your blog posting every day. I think it is great that you are so committed to not letting your blog become like so many others I've seen where people post for a month and then forget about it. You are always trying to make it better, funnier, more honest and I love reading it. I don't post comments often but I'm glad so many are taking the time to show you how much your blog means to them.
As far as real or fake trees, we've had both and I've loved both. I haven't really ever had to put up a real tree by myself Рmy dad has always done it- but the smell is wonderful. Now that I'm about to get married, my fianc̩e and I have a fake tree and evergreen smelling candles and that is just as special to me because it's ours. I'm impartial! Merry Christmas, Rob, Monica and twins! Hope your holiday is great and relaxing! Praying for all the WEC staffers as we get closer to Christmas Eve!
Real! They are worth the effort, for sure. I believe I've already gushed about how I much I heart your blog enough so I'll refrain. And I am taking you up on your advice; I've been "fake blogging" this week and I'm trying to do the 30 day trial run. So far, so good.
Fake tree here. I like things about live trees but setting up a fake one is fast and looks good enough for me. People who get real ones and plant them after Christmas well thats different I couldn't keep it alive long enough. People who cut a live one down or buy one off the side of the road ..a lot more work, clean up, maintenance …it just doesn't seem worth it. Here at the childrens museum they have a different tree in each section and THAT is fun to look at each tree is styled different and while I enjoy that it makes me happy to come home to my own tree.
Teeny – artificial tree – less mess – less upkeep during the holidays.
Fake, which usually I enjoy for its convenience and ease but this year we adopted two young cats and the tree although fun for them has become a sore subject with me. Every day I collect several more ornaments that have been removed and played with. Sometimes I even find them in the bedrooms or kitchen. Yesterday the angel tree topper was on the floor. I have already rewrapped at least half of the gifts as well. They haven't knocked the tree over yet but I find them just sitting up in the tree peering out. Guess that says a lot for the artificial tree manufacturer if the cats think it's as good as a real one.
Matt, thanks for the comment. I'm glad you stopped by the blog. How have you been?
Jeff, it has been way too long. Next week?
Kim, I'm just glad you answered the question…I don't care if it was straight or not.
Thanks for the comment Laura! I'm happy she's done as well. I'm so proud of her.
Thanks Beth!
Thanks Lindsey! You are the number two comment leaver on my blog. I appreciate that! It's kind of hard to keep up with Daniel. He's kind of the man when it comes to leaving comments.
Daniel, I can always count on you to leave a comment. Love it!
Thanks for the comment Hlfrank7667.
Sarah, I didn't know you read my blog. I also didn't know that Daniel was allergic to Christmas trees. Good to know.
Nic, your comment made my day! Thank you for the prayers!
Mike, that's funny.
Kris, that's a great tradition. Thanks for the comment.
If you need a good counselor I can hook you up with one. And your comment wasn't supposed to be funny was it. The tiny trailor with the biggest tree in the world made me laugh.
I'm with you Joanna!
I grew up with a real tree, and if we could have it delivered after we picked it up, I would do a real tree each year. It is much easier & cost effective to use our fake tree, plus it's beautiful! I love our ornaments & can't wait to grow our collection with our kiddos!
I'm Jenn, and my cousin (Carlyn) told me I needed to check out your blog regarding the baby process. Congrats to you and Monica, how God has blessed you so!
As for the Christmas tree, I am allergic to real ones so it's fake at my house. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Sean, real tree!!
Thanks for the comment Sean.
Thanks Jenn. Merry Christmas to you.
Very true Karen.
Teeny, I'm with you.
Steve, I hear ya.
Lindsey, yay! Good for you. Remember the key to blogging is to blog. Be consistent and an people will find you.
Thanks Alicia. I can't wait for your wedding. It's going to be fun!
Steven, that's funny.
I read your blog religously—if that's possible 😉 It's creepy sometimes when I read your post and feel like you're reading my mind though haha.. Anyhow, I know how you feel about the "tip" of a blog comment. I''m the same way with facebook comments……If facebook comments were a love language, it would DEFINITELY be mine 🙂
HAHA! Just realized I forgot to answer the question….I love real trees but my puppy eats everything but her food, so we opted for a fake tree this year 😛
I like real trees. Now that I have a fire pit in the back yard I can enjoy the tree twice. Once alive with lights and ornaments the other chopped into logs and kindling with Marshmallows 🙂 I enjoy the blog. Will we get to see pics of the spirit week @ the WEC office?
fake tree for the brown family. who wants to pay for a real tree year after year after year>!? not me. one time investment in a beautiful tree that you don't have to water and you don't have to continually vacuum around to clean up the falling pine needles is the way to go. i understand many people argument for the memory-making of picking out a tree every year with the fam or loved ones- but my practical side wins out in not wanting to dish out the money every year.
merry christmas, rob. glad my gift to you can be so simple and cost-efficient.
We have a fake one now but we had always had a real one when the kids were growing up. I love a real tree for the smell and the beauty and the "find" of the perfect tree, I don't miss the needles all over (for months after Christmas no matter how many times I vacuumed) or spinning it around trying to hide the "bald" spot or trying to get it straight in the tree stand…I guess I am getting old. This year with the puppies they are using our artificial tree as a teething post so I guess its a good thing. But I really do think that they can both be beautiful…it's the love that makes it! Hope your Christmas is extra special…
Love the ease of a fake tree – so simple to set up & pack away -OK I am sounding like a real wuss now!!
Merry Christmas Rob!
Hi, I'm Amy and I love fake trees. Bad memories of growing up with real Christmas trees:
– My mom asking me "Is it straight yet?" "How 'bout now?". Repeat this about 10 times.
– Having to give it an aspirin. I guess I'd be hurting too if someone came to my home and chopped me down in front of my family.
– My cat attacking it and knocking it over (which is a vivid memory because all my friends were over and ran home after hearing my mom cuss like a sailor).
– Stepping on all those friggin pine needles!
The only positive thing I can think of about a real tree is the fragrance. And that can be replicated with a nice plug in air freshener from Yankee Candle (hidden out of sight behind my FAKE tree) 😀
Love ya, Rob, keep up the great work. Looking forward to WEC's Christmas Eve service.
Amy (Burton) Hamner
Chesterfield
I prefer fake trees, but Nic prefers real. We've been married for 2 Christmases and have had 2 real trees. I prefer fake because the ornaments don't fall off. Our real tree is not holding the ornaments well this year.
real tree, even though I have to tie it to the wall now since it fell over 3 times last year!
Sorry, behind the curve on responding. Grew up with real trees and miss the fun of picking out a tree, hauling it home, and even the "fun" of cutting off branches and stuff to make it fit in the stand. And miss the real-tree smell. Don't so much miss having sappy hands after putting the tree up, having to water the tree all the time, or having to pick up tree needles. When we got our house with a garage, we got a fake tree, and it is definitely more convenient. So all that said, I probably would give a slight edge to the real ones, but I still like our fake one (and now that we've paid for it, we're probably not going back soon anyway).
And do I win a prize for being the 60th commenter on this one…? Just sayin, that's a pretty big number!
fake, I hate the smell of real trees plus we always had fake trees and putting them together was part off our traditions!
Dave, you do win a prize…mad respect from robshep.com.
Crazy amount of comments. I'm a scrooge, but I WAY prefer real trees.