The kids think we got her for them, but the truth is that it's been a tough year for my wife. We lost her Dad in the summertime and it takes a long time to work through it. Hell, I lost my Dad in 1992 and it's still a thing for me so maybe we're not supposed to get over those things.
Anyway, we find ourselves happy and warm on Christmas morning, the kids are long past Lego and the Powerpuff Girls. We'll spend the day with classic rock (the Band, Stones, Neil, Who) and new games--including a rock trivia game my daughter is brilliant at already. I guess the Al Gore really is a help for today's youth.
I'm rambling. Merry Christmas, be good to each other. Have a little too much to drink, but hide the keys before you do. And if you have children my kid's age--my son graduates high school in the spring and the girl will one day rule the world--make good use of the entire day, grab an extra hug and a laugh or two. These precious "just us" Christmases last until about noon now--I wouldn't have it any other way.
God Bless, Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, LT.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that you are done with Lego and today I got my boys each a small set of it for the first time. The circle of life.
I live in China and this blog means a lot to me way over here. I love the banter, wisdom, and passion that flows all over it, from you and all the readers.
Thanks for making my Oilers' obsession that much more enjoyable, and Merry Christmas to you all today.
Merry Christmas LT and all who visit this fine corner of the Al Gore.
ReplyDeleteUp early because my body thinks 7:00am is sleeping in.
Putting the finishing touches on my 2 year old's (3 in Feb) Callico Critter House and Play Table.
Left building the table until we got home from the mother-in-laws last night, oops.
Opened the box and the first instruction was:
1) Get engineering degree
Its done now and I can't wait to see the smile on her face and hear joy in her voice.
Best thing in world.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for your work.
ReplyDeleteHope you and yours have a great one.
Merry Christmas from Prague guys. Wonderful place to spend a Christmas if you ever get a chance - these Euro Christmas markets are pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Al...
ReplyDeleteYou too, Clarke. All the best to everyone.
ReplyDeleteTyler, Have a great time in Prague, I understand it's a beautiful city.
Merry Christmas LT and the rest of his loyal followers. Kids are great aren't they?
ReplyDeleteSpent Christmas evening assembling a bike with imperial wrenches and metric hardware. Had to get creative. In typical "Dad" fashion I didn't look at the instructions once - the front wheel will surely fall off with my 5 year old flying over the handle bars.
Got the wife a nice sweater that she really likes so I might get rewarded later tonight If I play my cards right ;)
Have a great holiday season everyone.
Merry Christmas everyone, take care and make sure to fully enjoy the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to everyone.
ReplyDeleteEven those who haven't typed one g-d thing I've agreed with all g-d year.
My two are both adults now [chronologically]; this morning I was remembering the year the two of them were up in the middle of the night and wouldn't/couldn't go back to sleep.
We finally started opening the gifts around 4:30 and were all back in bed by 6:00
WG - it was a four story dollhouse for me - 2 hours of construction.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas to all-I'm working today(this is prime time in the ski industry) hopefully the boss will let me go early.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how for the past 5 years, the only site I visit on the Al Gore on Christmas Day is this one. Thanks LT for your dedication!
This morning I had a very 'real' moment as I watched my boys open their numerous packages of Lego, my oldest boy looking more and more like a man as he opened his first shaving kit. The kid made me tear up with a beautiful card that expressed his thankfulness in becoming a 'man' because of his dad. Damn. Anyhow, God bless you all, and thanks LT for your insightful thoughts both here and on ON.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas from Merrie Olde England. I'm currently enjoying a Duchy Original ruby ale as we wait for the turkey to cook.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for their comments and contributions to this blog this year, and to LT for giving us all a place to gather.
Merry Christmas, all! I hope everyone has a great day with family and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching my kids open presents. I am more excited about Christmas morning than I ever was as a child because I get to witness the pure joy on the faces of the people I love most.
ReplyDeleteMy son is three and has a level of enthusiasm I could never attain in my best days. Even when he's not opening his own presents he runs in circles while others begin tearing at paper, and in painful anticipation he says over and over, "I can't wait to see what it is....what's it gonna be...you're going to love it aren't you....ahhhhhhhhhh......whatisitwhatisitwhatisit?
My daughter is 6. She sits demurely, waiting, watching everything going on around her. If one didn't know her one might think she was bored, but a gleam in her eye and a shy smile give away her happiness.
My wife holds out 10 day old newborn daughter. A vision I will not forget. Our baby should be unaware of the day, but obviously the mood is contagious because I have never yet seen her so alert and involved.
Every year I forget why I love Christmas and every year Christmas morning reminds me.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all. The fun part always seems to come being around hyperactive Children on Christmas day - I'll get that part in being around the cousins' kids this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteLowetide: I'd argue one never really grows out of Lego. In fact, at age 29, I received a package in the mail containing this. Age range said 16+, and being 29 (30 in a bit over five weeks), I figured why not? I'll probably spend a day and a bottle of Captain Morgan's building it sometime this week while off work.
@HBomb.
ReplyDeleteThe very same Lego bus my son currently has under construction.
He's 22.
Merry Christmas, LT.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and yours in the New Year.
DSF:
ReplyDeleteGood choice on his part. Ever since my sister purchased the Darth Vader spaceship (all 2000+ pieces) for her now-husband this past September as a wedding gift, I decided building Lego was still an OK pursuit (he's 34).
First up will be the hippie micro-bus, then I may look into the Technic backhoe, one of the architecture sets, or the space shuttle.
It's good to be young at heart, keeps the blood pressure down.
@Hbomb
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately (for the pocketbook), I've moved on to the real thing.
Am currently restoring a 1989 Westfalia.
But the principle is the same. :)
DSF: due to space restrictions, I've got to keep the hobbies, shall we say, modest in scope. Living in a condo has it's drawbacks.
ReplyDeleteI do know that, one day, when I have a house with a large basement, construction of one kickass model railroad layout is going to be among the first orders of business.
Restoring a Westfalia though? I'll say this much - that is one unique pursuit in terms of automotive restoration. Hey, EVERYBODY restores muscle-cars, right? That might even top the 100% mint Jeep Wagoneer (complete with faux-wood side-panels) I saw a few months back....
Westfalia's rock. I remember spending an entire summer with my older brother's buddy rambling around in one. Very cool.
ReplyDelete@ Hbomb
ReplyDeleteThe Westfalia culture is a way of life here on Vancouver Island...there are literally thousands of them.
I guess they have a longer life due to the milder climate.
There is even a great source of parts available from a company that is dedicated to the "cult".
Needless to say they now possess quite a bit of my former net worth. :)
http://gowesty.com/
@ LT.
ReplyDeleteThey really are a cultural icon.
Just wish that pieces would quit falling off. :)
I'm thinking the Lego version may be more sturdy.
Merry Christmas, lads and dames. Also lots of love for that Westfalia - as someone who has lived in vans/RV's for music festival road trips more than once I know the heart and soul that goes into a good home-on-wheels.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to all of you no matter where you're from, where you're at, or what you think of the hockey Jesus.
@ Murat.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
If you check out that Go Westy website, you'll see one of their featured products this week is a musical washboard (complete with thimbles).
No many auto parts stores sell washboards, I wouldn't think. :)
hey everyone. merry christmas.
ReplyDeletei'm in calgary and have a full pack of WJC tickets in the lower bowl. i definitely won't be going to all 2 games, so if you're curious about tickets, send me an email jfry@simplesimple.ca ... i'm not looking to break the bank and figured that people here would probably like to see some future stars.
ciao.
2= 22, my bad
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to one and all.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are all surrounded by family and loved ones today (except MC, while he tours the porn capital of Europe).
The gift of family is the best of all.
(Although the Jrs gold medal ticket I just got is a close second, lol)
Cheers all
ReplyDeleteo/
Merry Christmas to all!! It has been another great year reading everyones comments. Another spectacular year of topics LT. Thanks again
ReplyDeleteHave a great WJC, there looks to be 3-4 teams that could legitimately win it altho Russia looks to have some real elite high end skill.
Enough of all the mushy stuff.
ReplyDeleteWe have a road game tomorrow!
Focus!
Merry Christmas everyone.
24 years ago we were where TUG is now, with a 9-day-old enjoying his first Christmas. Not identical mind, no older siblings, and never did add any younger ones either. (Also we had fresh Stanley & Canada Cups to celebrate!)
ReplyDeleteThis year for the first time our son is away, going to school in the Maritimes and having a calendar too crowded to squeeze in a trip home. So it's a pretty different one for us, and not so merry at all unfortunately.
Spending time as usual with the wife's family down in Red Deer, but have to rush back early tomorrow (which happens to be our wedding anniversary) to work the World Junior. Probably not all bad from my perspective, but my bride gets the short end of the stick to say the least.
Oh well, we have each other, and we do have family - some of it at great distance, but small potatoes compared to the tragedies that some have to deal with.
Merry Christmas/seasonal wishes to all, with a special greeting to Lowetide for maintaining this great site year after year.
The turkey is done, the potatoes are boiling away and I just have to whip up some gravy and the feed will begin. I think I will put on the new Black Keys disc my daughter bought me; El Camino.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all, and a special thanks to LT for hosting this shelter from the general rabble of internet hockey fanatics.
Sir, thanks for writing from the heart on your sleeve. Marek, Victoria BC
ReplyDeleteWishes of warmth and light to you and your loved ones. Thank you for sharing your words with us.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't comment often this blog is a daily visit for me and I wish the best in the New Year for "all who visit this fine corner of the Al Gore." (hat-tip to Woodguy).
LT, thanks again for hosting the best site on the web. Truly something that brings joy to me on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all. a bit chaotic at our home this afternoon, 9 grand kids and the same number of adults. Noisy but a wonderful experience again.
On the hockey side, got a Team Canada Jersey which I can where to the game tomorrow afternoon. Very fortunate day for me.
Can't help but think of the families from the Lokomotov plane crash, tough day for them.
Caught a bit of the tsn world juniors special today and they did talk a bit about the two guys from last years Russia team that were in the plane crash. One day gold medal and a bit later gone. A reminder to me to hold those special people in my life close. We never know what the morrow brings.
God Bless us, everyone!..
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
I look forward to the LT Christmas post every year, and well done again. First Christmas with our new son, 5 months old. Quite an experience. Thanks LT for all that you do on here. Merry Christmas everyone.
ReplyDeleteLT, thanks for the insights, the dedication to your regular posts and for creating a positive forum to exchange ideas and somehow reduce some of the internet idiocy we see in other forums. Keep up the great work. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAlways lots to be thankful for, friends, family, gifts a plenty.
Merry Christmas to all.
Merry Christmas everybody! It has been a blast reading the articles along with everybody's comments. You guys have showed me different ways of looking at the game and certainly colored my opinions about the Oil (I was the only one at dinner tonight who wanted us to keep Hemsky) and for this I say thanks.
ReplyDeleteSounds like some of you have been having great Christmases. Best wishes to all of you in the new year.
Merry Christmas LT!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your hard work you put into this blog. I would have probably slipped into depression by now if I had to write about the Oilers every day for the past few years, but I'm still glad you do.