Well, I get to start the Christmas shopping in ernest tomorrow.  I have to go down to Knoxville for a 2 hour meeting at the home (God save me from the beurocrocies! { That's impossilbe!  How will the Emporer maintain control without the beurocracy?} )  I got the first of my stuff today.  I got all of Cristie's done....promise not to tell her what I got?  Ok, here goes....I got a ------- -------- ----- ---- at --- - ----...I didn't think I was ever ---- --- ---.  Then, back of this, she had said she wanted a ----- ---- ---- - -------- ----- -- ---- --- --- --- --- --- and on the ------- -- --- --------- ------------.  Well, just remember this is a secret so don't go telling her.

Oh, here's a Christmas poem to get you through the season:

Eggnog, tinsel, falling snow

Buttered rum and mistletoe

Trimming trees and hanging lights

The sound of carolers fill the night.

Shopping hours long and hard

VISA phones and cancels card

Unpaid bills and mounting debts

Family gathers, depression sets.

Drinking starts, harsh words are said

Dysfunction rears its Yultide head.

Argument turns to shovin’

Drunkin’ brother punches cousin

Tree tips over, popping lights

Curtains catch, house ignites.

No one hears the reindeer cries

Wedged in chimney, Santa dies

Though he kicked and did perspire

His chestnuts roasted on an open fire.