While I'm on the topic of trees...

I'm always so lost on which is REALLY better for the environment. Fake or real? The pros and cons:
Fake - If you buy a decent one, it will last a long time and so in the long run, it costs you less. Assuming you do make it last a long time, your impact on the enviroment from its production and disposal will be fairly minimal. (for JUST that tree. However, looking at the entire country, its probably darn huge) There is little risk for fire - its all plastic and metal. But on the other hand, plastics do emit chemicals forever. So thats chemicals, and actually, my guess is that the heat increases their release, are being released into the home for that month or so that you have the tree up. And as mentioned above, while one fake tree may not make much of an environmental impact, there are a LOT of fake trees in production. Enough that some people have got to be replacing them before they've actually worn out, so there are tons being tossed out. And both the production and the disposal are big bads.
Real - No toxic chemicals (if you get them from a forest or a tree farm that doesn't spray them). Their production and disposal are actually good for the environment. Some people think they smell pretty. BUT, on the other hand - if you're getting them from the forest, you're depleting our natural resources. I hope you're also planting a tree on arbor day or earth day or both. If you're getting them from most typical tree farms, they are treated with chemicals that are then brought into your home. They're a huge fire hazard - here on post the info being given out is that a tree should not remain in your home for more than 10 days. Where's the fun in that? Plus that they often actually have bugs on them, and some people are allergic. Oh yeah, and the cleanup. And the watering.

SO that leaves me in yet another quandry. Much like the "which is worse, the microwave or the oven?" and of course with that one, I concluded that the toaster oven is the ideal appliance. But in this case, what is the ideal tree?
Well, the closest I can figure is this: A real tree cut from a farm that uses all natural pesticide methods is the best enviromentally, though probably not financially. Plus there's still the fire hazard issue to consider. The reason one cut from a farm is better than one from a forest is because at a tree farm, they are constantly replanting. sure, that tree is cut down, but a new one will be planted in its place. The tree farms actually do a lot of good for the environment.

Still, I waffle. Partly because I just can't see spending a bunch of money every year on a tree that is a fire hazard. Especially years like this one - when we're leaving to go out of town for a week on the 26th. So for now at least, I shall stubbornly stick to my "I love fake trees" mindset, until I can find an economical, fire-resistant, environmentally friendly alternative.

On a totally unrelated note - we could use prayers for my nephew. He's 3 and stuck his finger in a juicer and lost about 1/4 of the finger. Last I heard, he was supposed to have surgery today, but I'm not sure if he did or not. I think the surgery is to get the finger straightened, and I assume to make a clean cut and pull the skin around it to close it. But last time I talked to my sister in law, they hadn't been to the pre-op appointment so they really weren't sure what all was going to happen. I know they're stressed out about it though. He's bouncing off the walls on codeine, which is always fun, especially when the kid is already a very high energy child to begin with. If he wasn't taz-like before, he sure is now! But hey, if its that or horrible pain, I think the baby-speed is the way to go. I'll update about him when I hear something. I'll be calling tomorrow to see whats up.