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Christmas Eve Open Thread

This is an Open Thread.

Tonight we get A Visit From Old St. Nick:

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

[MORE . . ]

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap./p>

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Merry Christmas!

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    Shall I be the Grinch? (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:23:34 AM EST
    All the Who girls and boys Would wake bright and early. They'd rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!  Then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast. And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!

    They would feast on Who-pudding, and rare Who-roast beast Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!



    I watched that last night. (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:34:10 AM EST
    While I was supposed to be wrapping presents.  Which I didn't do, so I'm doing now.

    Parent
    Too late (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:36:32 AM EST
    the company I work for did their best Grinch already by notifying us yesterday that starting the 1st of the year they would reduce their 401K contribution by 62%.

    Which led many a person yesterday to proclaim as they sped out of sight, Merry Bleeping Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

    Parent

    The Grinches laid off my daughter (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by Cream City on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:31:45 AM EST
    last week -- but allowed her to work 'til the end of the year, including Christmas Eve, which she was scheduled for months now to have off (she's a manager of a restaurant, a hard-hit industry these days).

    Once past the grief, she listened to her mom and told the Grinches that she would be delighted to get one more paycheck, that she would work through the pay period -- except for Christmas Eve.  They needed her before they shut down that shift, so she won that one.  Oh, and the pay period ends on December 30 . . . so someone else will have to work her New Year's Eve shift now.

    We find our blessings where we can in these times, and we will have her with us tonight -- and she will have New Year's Eve with her boyfriend, after all.  And then will come the hard work of finding work again, in this economy . . . but we will deal with that then.

    For now, ho ho ho.

    Parent

    Sorry about that (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:45:23 AM EST
    but glad she found a way to make the most of it. Hope she finds better things in the new year.

    Enjoy your evening together.

    My niece is coming over and I get to hear her stories of her semester at the University of Chicago after living in Florida her whole life. She has been in Miami for a week thawing, so perhaps she can speak now!

    Parent

    Sorry to hear about your daughter's job, but maybe (none / 0) (#68)
    by DeborahNC on Thu Dec 25, 2008 at 04:23:14 AM EST
    she'll find something even better. It sounds as if you gave her some good advice and she responded accordingly.

    As a parent, it's gratifying for me when I do get it right. I would have really appreciated an excellent manual that I could've taken home with me along with my son. To me, parenting is the most gratifying yet challenging job I've ever had.

    Enjoy the time with your daughter. Happy holidays.

    Parent

    That old Grinch is really mean and seems to be (none / 0) (#69)
    by DeborahNC on Thu Dec 25, 2008 at 04:30:55 AM EST
    in lots of areas this year. Sorry about the 401K situation. Hope you have happy holidays despite the cunning work of the Grinch.

    Parent
    Happy Holidays! (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by CST on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:25:04 AM EST
    Heading north to visit the fam.  Safe travelling everyone!

    heh (5.00 / 5) (#3)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:33:06 AM EST
    I love that poem, corny as it is.  Especially "as dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly .."  

    When I was a kid I knew it by heart.  I probably still do ... if I don't think too hard about it.

    My dad used to play the (5.00 / 5) (#9)
    by ThatOneVoter on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:10:31 AM EST
    piano and sing the whole poem to some tune on Christmas eve.


    Parent
    Happy Holidays (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Lahdee on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:43:51 AM EST
    Happy, Happy to all. Make sure to carefully check the stockings hung by the chimney to make sure there's no clean coal inside.

    What age were you when (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:57:35 AM EST
    you finally figured out your parents were lying about Santa?

    I was 5

    I still believe... (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by ding7777 on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:26:10 AM EST
    'cause I don't care who brings the presents as long as I get 'em!

    Parent
    Now you've gone and done it! (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:31:38 AM EST
    I've heard this blog is very popular with preschoolers. I see them running around the playground shrieking "Pols are pols!!!!"

    way to take their innocence ;-)

    Parent

    I think I was 7 or 8.... (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:18:49 PM EST
    when I found a cache of GI Joe and He-Man sh*t in my grandmas closet.  I asked my mom who all those cool toys were for and she said grandma gives them away to poor children at her church.

    Then, I found the same exact sh*t under the tree from Santa for me and my lil' bro, and put 2 + 2 together...played along for a couple more years though, why spoil a good thing?

    Parent

    Heh (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Steve M on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:27:44 PM EST
    My wife casually mentioned the other day, in front of our daughter, that Santa isn't real.  She's 2 (my daughter, not my wife, this not being Saudi Arabia), so obviously she didn't have the faintest clue what mommy was talking about.  But I mentioned something about it and she seemed shocked at the notion that we would ever lie to our kid, even about something as harmless as Santa, so who knows.  Maybe there's not ever going to be a Santa myth in our household!

    I think maybe my wife is less concerned about the part where an old guy brings you presents, and more concerned that there's something wrong about threatening your kids that they better behave or Santa won't bring them anything.  So I guess I'd be fine dispensing with the latter part.

    Now, off to wrap some last-minute gifts :)

    Parent

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by squeaky on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:30:51 PM EST
    Fiction is somewhat different from lying. To offer factual counterparts to all the stories your daughter will encounter is going to be a biiiiig job. May ruin her for life, but I guess that is what parenting basically is.

    Parent
    When my kids started to ask (5.00 / 4) (#30)
    by Anne on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:54:27 PM EST
    the inevitable questions about Santa, I could not bear the idea of ruining such a magical time.  We were never ones to threaten with "you'd better be good or Santa won't bring you any presents," so we didn't have that to deal with.

    Naturally, my husband deferred to me - perhaps figuring I could lie to them better than he could.

    I finally settled on just looking into their beautiful faces, their eyes almost begging me not to kill the dream, and saying, "Christmas is a magical time, and anything is possible when you believe in something."

    The response was, "So, does that mean there is a Santa?"

    I would just shrug my shoulders, and repeat the mantra - "Christmas is a magical time, a time of miracles.  I believe that miracles do happen, so I think anything is possible."

    As they got a little older, they wondered why it was that their other relatives would bring them gifts if Santa was supposed to do that.  I would tell them that Christmas is a time of giving, and we all like to feel a little like Santa.

    Like I said, I just could not kill the dream completely, and how we handled it seemed to have worked, allowing them to believe, even if just a little bit.

    Parent

    I seem to recall (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Steve M on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:00:13 PM EST
    that some of my presents came from Mom & Dad, and other presents came from Santa, even though they were really all from the same place.  (Actually, my dad bought most of my grandparents' gifts to me, as well.)  I guess our family was only partially subsidized.

    I still think of my dad as the most honest person I've ever known, even if he committed the "unpardonable" sin of lying to me about Santa.  I'm as liberal as the next guy, but I don't think you have to throw out every tradition!

    Parent

    That's how it was at our house (5.00 / 3) (#41)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:22:50 PM EST
    still is as a matter of fact, lol!~ Mom would always have presents under the tree, and all the Santa gifts showed up on Christmas morning. Usually the "big" gift or the ones that were hard to wrap like a new bike. Which is kinda funny when you think about it. Santa brought the "good stuff", and my parents gave the less exciting gifts lol!~

    Parent
    Lie away Steve... (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:23:42 PM EST
    I don't think anybody holds a grudge against Mom and Dad for lying about Santa...in fact we're grateful for it...at least I am.  The memories, the wonder, the awe, the belief in the impossible.

    And Santa is real in a sense...a fictional human incarnation of generosity, sharing, and kindness.  He is real as long as generosity, sharing, and kindness are real...so may he never die!

    Parent

    I so agree...... (5.00 / 3) (#57)
    by BarnBabe on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 06:28:37 PM EST
    I really believe that children who were excited about Santa and had wonderful memories grow up to pass on to their children all of the magic. A lot of us talk about when we found out and it did not hurt any of us. In fact, many of us are Democrats. Heh.

    I got one of those slide transfer machine 2 weeks ago and proceeded to copy slides to my PC. I can not tell you how great it was to see me at 2 and 3 and my brother 5 years older with my one  Grandfather playing Santa Claus. He died when I was 3 and I am grateful for the picture. I also had one of me sitting in my highchair with a silly hat and  a cake with one candle in it. Yep, 1 year old. And this was quite a long time ago. I mean, who has slides. My Dad use to do them in his dark room. I copied 100 of them and it is one of my presents to my Brother. Yep, we had the Easter bunny too. But Santa was the best magical memories. None of us ever considered our parents lied to us. We understood that it was tradition handed down to each generation.

    Santa transcends religion too. I remember Jeff Goldblum talking about being Jewish and how his Father, a doctor, had this great open secret. Every year all Jeff's friends loved to go to his house because in the basement was the biggest fully decorated Christmas Tree. Santa was magical and teaches the giving aspect of the holidays too.

    Parent

    Santa is not a lie (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Cream City on Fri Dec 26, 2008 at 02:59:21 AM EST
    and it's too bad that your wife was raised to think that.  

    But none of us ever is too old to learn, so your wife as well as your daughter might enjoy the true story of St. Nicholas -- a story so moving that millions of people for generations since have learned from it and have tried to live up to the truths that he taught . . . once a year, anyway.

    Parent

    How sad (none / 0) (#70)
    by BrassTacks on Thu Dec 25, 2008 at 11:22:18 PM EST
    Your daughter won't ever get to experience the magic of Santa and all that it means.  Most parents NEVER threaten their kids with Santa, anything but.  Santa is all good, teaches what giving means, teaches a love of children, teaches traditions, brings joy and the fun of magic.  What a shame that your daughter won't be to enjoy all of that when she's little.  And what a shame for you  too!  How sad for all of you.  Children (and adults) all over the world celebrate Santa, Pere Noel, whatever they call it and they love it, that's why they hang on to the myth and the magic as long as they can.  Why not let your child enjoy the magic that every other child enjoys?    

    It's your wife who is mean, not Santa!  

    Parent

    Santa just sent me an email gift! (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:12:50 PM EST
    A 2 week extension on a project that was originally due on the 5th (meaning I had until the 2nd!). Which is FANTASTIC as a majority of what I need to do the project hasn't made it to me yet. WHEW!!! I suddenly feel FREE! {happy dance}

    What, you say Santa is a myth?! I tend to disagree {giggle}

    Parent

    my 11 year old just fessed up to not believing (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by pukemoana on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 04:24:59 PM EST
    so she got to entertain the two younger ones while i wrapped the santa presents.  i guess we'll be sharing santa's milk and treats with her tonight.  the 6 year old still believes--or knowing her just doesn't bother to think about it until the presents appear in front of her nose.  for the (just turned) 3 year old, this is the first time he's understood that christmas is coming and so is santa--quite magical.

    we've been tracking santa's journey courtesy of norad.  luckily for us santa began in new zealand (where all the grandparents and one great-grandmother live), scooted through the pacific islands (though not the particular island their grandfather's from), and we saw him 'arrive' in japan (where their other great grandmother lives) before heading off to russia and eventually . . .us!

    have a great christmas everyone

    Parent

    Consequently (none / 0) (#8)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:01:17 AM EST
    I haven't forgiven my parents since.

    You LIED!

    LOL

    Parent

    You poor thing! (none / 0) (#71)
    by BrassTacks on Thu Dec 25, 2008 at 11:25:49 PM EST
    Five's too young to give up the magic and fantasy of Santa!  

    I think I was 8.  I so very much resented the girl who told me that Santa was really my parents.  I haven't seen that girl in at least 40 years, and I still don't like her!  

    Parent

    Merry Christmas everyone (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:37:48 AM EST
    Hope Santa doesn't know who was naughty and who was nice, and grants all Christmas wishes.

    For myself, there is Franken-sense in Minnesota!

    CNN poll (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Burned on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:27:43 PM EST
    Just flashed on the screen before the one showing Obama's approval ratings.

    Which political figure was naughtiest this year?
    In order of naughtiest:
    Blagojevich
    Spitzer
    Edwards

    Were only Dems "bad" this year?

    Parent

    Nice Poem (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by squeaky on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:44:18 AM EST


    I have always liked (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Manuel on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:21:28 PM EST
    the Spanglish version.

    Anyway, Merry Chrstmas everyone and thanks for providing an oasis of relative sanity this year.


    Merry Christmas, real estate fraudster! (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by scribe on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:33:25 PM EST
    You might have noticed that yesterday, Bushie issued 19 pardons and one commutation.  One of them was to one Isaac Toussie from Long Island, New York.

    It turns out Toussie was a first-rate real estate schemer and fraudster, who has barely completed serving a (very light 5 month, no restitution) sentence imposed in 2003.  People still have suits going against him for the damage he did.

    Toussie is only 36, and still in the real estate business.

    How did he get to the head of the list and get a pardon?

    His father donated $28,500 to the RNC this year:

    Federal Election Commission records show Toussie's father, Robert, made his first political donation last April - $28,500 to the Republican National Committee. On Aug. 7, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ronald Rodgers received Isaac Toussie's pardon petition, a Justice spokeswoman said.

    "It clearly suggests a link between the pardon and campaign contributions," said Melanie Sloan, an ex-prosecutor with the liberal group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

    As one of the lawyers suing him over literally hundreds of cases said:

    "To pardon Isaac Toussie is a kick in the teeth to homeowners struggling with mortgages they can't afford."

    But, when could the honest expect anything from Bush, other than a kick in the teeth?

    Saw that in.... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:42:45 PM EST
    todays Newsday...one of his victimes was none too pleased, to say the least.

    There are thousands of people in cages who victimized no one...and he pardons this thief with many victims.  Whats up with that?  Besides the obvious pay-off to the RNC that is.  

    Just as bad as the Rich pardon, but without all the faux outrage.

    Parent

    Gesh (none / 0) (#49)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 04:07:26 PM EST
    You wanna talk about Marc Rich?

    PR terrorists?

    Isn't it time for a bit of peace and goodwill...

    Parent

    Be sure and read the ingredients! (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:43:23 PM EST
    I recently discovered some sausage has wheat gluten in it. And yesterday I read the ingredients on fresh breakfast sausage and it had dairy ingredients. Funny, when I make sausage it only has meat and spices! Not sure what foods bother you, but wanted to give you a heads up  :)

    Sausage balls sound good! I may have to try my hand at them :)

    They do sound good! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by scribe on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:48:50 PM EST
    Here's another (though a little out of season):  deep-fried cherries.

    Pick them with the stems on and don't pit.

    Dip them in pancake batter.

    Deep fry.

    Dust with powdered sugar (talk about gilding the lily).

    Eat, using the stem as a handle.  Watch for the pit, which picks up and holds heat really well.

    Repeat.

    These make one of the best early-summer al fresco breakfasts.

    Parent

    Oh man, those sound good also! (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:17:49 PM EST
    I'm adding this to my CSA recipe file :) I froze and canned a lot of fruits from last season's share so I could use them on pancakes and stuff over the winter. The dog and I tend to eat all the cherries the minute I walk in the door. Yes, I pit cherries for my dog, lol!~ But maybe not next spring now  :)

    Parent
    I just saw gluten-free sausage at (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:25:30 PM EST
    Von's.

    But no egg nog and no rum extract.  Tell me, will the egg nog cake be a mess if I put real rum in the filling and whipped cream frosting?

    Parent

    I would think it would be fine (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:00:29 PM EST
    in the filling if you balance the liquids/moisture right. Not sure about the whipped cream frosting. If you whip the cream into the frosting after all the frosting ingredients are in, should work

    When I did a quick google, I saw recipes with rum. More rum used than extract {grin}. Now I have to look up how to make rum extract, lol!~ I've been making some ectracts lately so what the heck!

    Parent

    Thanks. I was googling "egg (none / 0) (#63)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:13:18 PM EST
    nog cake" also and found at least three recipes using rum in the cake itself.  Hope this works!!!

    Parent
    Merry Christmas to ... (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:59:24 PM EST
    BTD, Jeralyn, TChris, Andgarden, Dr Molly, Fabian, Steve M, MilitaryTracy, Kdog, Teresa, Tree, Foxholeatheist,sj, amiss and all the other great posters I'm forgetting. Thanks for all the entertainment and information over the last year.

    And if I could, I would have bought you each this gift.

    Think we're all going to need one of those in the coming year.

    Backatcha RP (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:00:47 PM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    You too Robot..... (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:07:53 PM EST
    and the entire little community of minds we have here...not to get too cheesy, but I've learned a little something from all you, and learning is the best high there is.  I owe you all a debt of gratitude...especially Jeralyn, TChris, and BTD for making it all possible.  

    I woke up real bummed today, holiday madness got to me something awful last night...an hour or two with my friends here and I feel better already:)

    Merry Christmas you old Building and Loan!  Merry Christmas Emporium!

    Parent

    Awwww RP (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by Steve M on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:58:18 PM EST
    I have nothing to offer you in return but this humble gift.  Merry Christmas.

    Parent
    Thanks, and back to you! (5.00 / 3) (#47)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 02:12:11 PM EST
    Best holiday wishes to you, RP, and to everyone else. And thanks for the awesome gift RP!

    I confess to being a complete sucker for xmas, have been cooking and baking and wreath-making and decorating for days. Love this time of year.

    Merry Christmas to all, and I hope 2009 is better for some of you who have had some bad economic news this year.

    Parent

    Me too, DrM. I love to decorate for Christmas and (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by DeborahNC on Thu Dec 25, 2008 at 04:07:06 AM EST
    to buy gifts for special people in my life. If it's been a good year for my business, I can get quite generous. And it makes me feel great! I get as much, or more joy, from selecting and giving gifts, as I do from receiving them.

    Happy holidays to you all, and may each of you have peace and love in your life during this special time and throughout the new year.

    Thanks to the TalkLeft community for being here and sharing all of your knowledge, humor, frustrations, excitement, etc. Be safe, but have fun.

    Parent

    Merry Christmas to you too, Robot (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by Teresa on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 05:00:40 PM EST
    and to all my TL friends. I wish all of you a healthy and happy 2009.

    Parent
    Thanks and Merry Christmas (5.00 / 4) (#58)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 06:50:02 PM EST
    to you and yours also.

    After store hopping today to get stuff for the holidays, I came home, unloaded, unpacked, heated dinner up and checked on you all.

    My son is being somewhat patient.  He only poked through half his gifts while he helped me.  The bags he didn't get into, he dutifully carried to my bedroom.  And Santa is a mythical figure he has just become familiar with.  Instead of discovering there is no Santa, he's just now discovering Santa.

    Parent

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Amiss on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:48:28 PM EST
    to you and yours, to all of the posters here, those I agree with and to those I don't. I have learned so very much from you all this year. You all have helped keep me sane in this crazy time we are all living through.

    Special Thanks go out to Jeralyn, BTD and TChris for making this blog possible.

    I love the shirt RP! After all, it is the thought that counts and I sincerely appreciate you thinking of me.

    There are days like today that I do believe there is a feeling of Santa Claus that lives in us. My son-in-law was hit by a drunk driver when he was a teenager and lost the lower part of one of his legs. His artificial leg was "on its last leg" and they had applied to Voc. Rehab about 6 months ago for help with a new one after he lost his job and consequently his insurance, The reviewer at the time, told them they didnt qualify. Last week they met with a new reviewer and today they received news that he had been approved for a new leg. We are all ecstatic at the news, and today I feel that "yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus".


    Parent

    For cpinva, who jokingly (I think) (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:14:33 PM EST
    officially hates me for basking in Florida sunshine while everyone else is freezing...

    After congratulating myself all morning on not traveling anywhere icy this Christmas, I just slipped on a wet spot in my own freshly mopped hallway.  Went down in the traditional 'sliding into home' posture, with my knee bent behind me.  Except that I'm 50 and never slid into home in my life.  I didn't think my knee could do that!

    So, no place is safe!  Be careful out there!


    Merry Christmas Everyone (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by CDN Ctzn on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 03:09:24 PM EST
    I'm putting the sh@t in the news on the back-burner for a couple of days and retreating to experience the Peace of Christmas. Time to settle down with a glass of Egg Nog, a plate of homemade Butter Tarts, my faithful Schnauzer by my side, and watch a Muppet Christmas. The DVD is pure gold with the likes of Sesame Street, Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock all blended into one. It doesn't get much better than that. I'd love to sit all the World Leaders down and force them to watch it together.
    Once again, a Blessed and Peaceful Christmas to all!!!

    Merry Christmas, BTD (5.00 / 4) (#51)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 04:24:56 PM EST
    I hope you and your family have a great holiday!

    Thanks for being such a reliable and consistent gem of the blogosphere, and never letting up on what's true.

    Amen to that Dr Molly. (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by Teresa on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 05:07:44 PM EST
    BTD is the best.

    By this time on Christmas Eve, usually my daughter is begging to open presents, which we do on Christmas Eve.

    She and my husband have fallen asleep! I'm sitting here with dogs begging for snacks and waiting on them to wake up.

    I'm also getting sick in my chest. I have a party I really want to go to Friday night and I'm so mad. I have Vicks all over my chest and I'm downing guaifenesin and cough syrup. The only alcohol I have is Grand Marnier and I don't know how to mix it with anything.

    Merry Christmas everyone! This place is better than counseling for me. I tell you guys my problems whether you want to hear them or not. :)

    Parent

    Fallen asleep??? (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 05:11:10 PM EST
    Must be all the excitement!

    What a terrible time to get sick - I sure hope it is short-lived. I think you should have the Grand Marnier by itself, unmixed....

    Have fun when they wake up, Teresa, and get better soon.

    Parent

    I may try it. :) I found some Tequila (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by Teresa on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 05:52:44 PM EST
    but I'm afraid I'll be a different kind of sick to go to my mom's tomorrow.

    I think I hear someone waking up. It might be the thunder. I've never seen thunderstorms on Christmas Eve before. The past few nights it was in the teens and right now it is 61. If the cold had only lasted a few more days, I'd have my big snow!

    You have fun, too, Dr. Molly. I'm also a sucker for Christmas.

    Parent

    Who knew BTD had a sentimental (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:32:44 PM EST
    streak?  

    I heard Dominick Dunne read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at the Natural History Museum in Manhattan a couple of years ago. All the little girls sat on the floor in their red velvet dresses, white tights, and patent leather shoes.  Very charming.  

    Merry Christmas TL folks-- (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by zyx on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:50:48 PM EST
    Missed you while the electricity and cable/internet were out--our own not-so-mighty giant oak tree was the culprit on our street, but it was nasty all over the PacNW. But--on our block, it was obviously our "fault", and I'm surprised that after a couple of days of no light or heat that the neighbors didn't come after us with pitchforks and torches.

    Pretty amazing for our area.

    Best wishes to all!

    How about 138 versions of Night before Christmas (none / 0) (#13)
    by Saul on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:35:00 AM EST
    Thought this LINK was amusing  

    I used to collect those in my email (none / 0) (#15)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:39:03 AM EST
    when they'd get passed along. I got 10 one year - mostly exrtremely lame, sad to say.

    Parent
    careful there (none / 0) (#24)
    by addy on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:37:58 PM EST
    I have watched the husband literally burn the roof of his mouth because he couldn't wait for pizza to cool. Save the taste buds!

    I also noticed that rather (none / 0) (#27)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:46:51 PM EST
    then tightening their belts like everyone else, our Congress "Folk" gave themselves a $4,700 pay increase effective 09.

    Earmarks will not be (none / 0) (#29)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:51:57 PM EST
    tolerated though.

    Parent
    The nerve.... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 12:57:03 PM EST
    While they pontificate in front of the microphones about failing bankers and auto execs taking raises and bonuses, they give themselves...a failing Congress...an extra 47 hundo.  And shot down a raise for their fellow "public servants" (lol) in the judiciary.

    Thats right around what I pay in federal income taxes, 4 large and change...Enjoy Chuckie Schumer, I don't think you need it more than me, but I'm sure you want it more:)

    Parent

    They are in a huge jam and (none / 0) (#35)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:06:11 PM EST
    they know it. Job number one apparently is making sure they are safely separated from the unwashed before they set out to help them.

    What a mess. Never dreamed I would see this country end up like this.

    Parent

    What I don't get is.... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:31:44 PM EST
    whats 47 hundo to these folks?  

    If you are going to insult the electorate, and our democracy for that matter, make it worth your while...at least 15-20 large.  Its all on the arm anyway....go for uber-broke.

    Parent

    47 hundo (none / 0) (#45)
    by SOS on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:34:50 PM EST
    better cigars and cognac I suppose.

    Parent
    For those... (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 01:12:36 PM EST
    also intrigued by the Somali piracy phenomenon, a Q&A in Newsweek with one of the lead pirates.

    "But when evil is the only solution, you do evil. That is why we are doing piracy. I know it is evil, but it is a solution."

    Hopelessness is a very dangerous thing...the "haves" better watch out for the "have nots" if they lose all hope of becoming "haves" themselves...cuz then they will take it, by any means necessary.  

    I read on benefit of being a Somalian (none / 0) (#60)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 10:28:16 PM EST
    pirate is attractiveness to the opposist sex.

    Parent
    The egg nog cake was a success. From the one (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 26, 2008 at 02:07:15 AM EST
    time I made it before, remembered the layers wouldn't stay put, what with the slippery filling.  This time:  no problem.  It is really, really rich though.  

    P.S.  My brother gave me four Reidel port glasses and a bottle of port from a winery in Texas.  Good choices.

    P.P.S.  A friend made a gingerbread, pear, and sherry trifle and served it in a proper trifle bowl.  Scrumptious.