Christmas tree – ornaments or no ornaments

When I returned to posting last month I mentioned that there had been some changes at our house.

Here is change number one…

… and change number two.

Meet Bombay and Bailey.

If you’re wondering if they are named after Bailey’s Irish Cream and Bombay Sapphire Gin. Why, yes, they are.

Our first pet was a dog named Kahlua. Our second dog was Tanqueray. Both were Keeshonds. Once I have a theme, I stick with it.

I found Bombay outside a friend’s house back in May and brought him home.

It was love at first sight.

Problem was, that Bombay was separated from his litter-mates too early and didn’t know how to play without biting hard and scratching like crazy.

After nearly 2 months of torn-up hands and arms, I went to the Humane Society and brought home, swwet Bailey.

Bailey taught Bombay to be civilized. She is an absolute sweetheart but is also a major troublemaker. She may be small but she has no fear and no shame. At least Bombay will wait until you’re not looking to do something bad. Bailey will do it right in front of you and not care how much trouble she gets in. She has racked up more timeouts than your average toddler. Her timeouts consist of being locked in the laundry room. She hates it but it doesn’t deter her at all!

The two of them even have their own Bragelina-style name – Bombailey.

Bombailey has caused a huge dilemma for me this Christmas. What am I going to do with two kittens and a Christmas tree filled with Waterford, fragile glass, vintage and crystal ornaments?

I’ve posted my concerns about it on Facebook for weeks now and my friends have been of little help, basically mocking and taunting me with frightening (OK, and funny) videos and photos like this and this.

Here is last year’s tree.

The thought of these beauties crashing to the floor, made my stomach turn.

A week ago, we put up the tree, which has the lights already attached and left it bare. We anchored it to the floor with barbel weights strategically positioned over the tree stand. The two of them were very interested in it, but at least they didn’t try to climb it.

Then yesterday, I put the ribbon on, and after watching the cats go at it every chance they got, I decided to skip the ornaments this year.

I did fill it with faux sprays and picks.

That will have to suffice for this first year with kittens in the house.

I’m hopeful that we’ll get back to the beautifully decorated tree in 2016.

It is fun to have two new stockings hanging on the fireplace though.

A little tan faux fur one for naughty Bailey girl.

And a grey/black faux fur stocking for my nice little boy, Bombay.

Oh, and if you’re on Instagram, you can follow the antics of Bombay and his sister, Bailey on the page, that Marissa made for them.