I'm off (to play with Junior and catch up on some neglected-of-late one-on-one time with my patient & loving missus) until after the first of the year.  Dial-up connection being what it is (and no other viable option for me in Slapout), in the serious likelyhood that I will be MIA from Arfcom for the next 10 days or so let me take this opportunity to wish each & every one of my Gulf States brethren here a sincere and hearty Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May the Good Lord bless and keep you and yours as you travel throughout this hectic season and may He bless us all with a healthy and happy 2006!

So, from an aging parrot-head (a "pirate" who really will look at 40 in the coming year, Lord willing ), I'll leave you with the lyrics to a song which I am utterly incapable of listening to without tearing up...

Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far from Home) Merry Christmas, Alabama Merry Christmas, Tennessee Merry Christmas, Louisiana To St. Barth's and the Florida Keys Merry Christmas, Mississippi Where I started this wild and crazy run Such a long way from that first birthday Merry Christmas, Everyone And Merry Christmas, Colorado Though far from you all I have roamed 'Tis the season to remember All the faces and the places that were home 'Tis the season to remember And to count up all the ports of call I've known And to thank His mercies tender For I'm never far from home Merry Christmas to my saints and guardian angels Who protect me as I roam All the faces and the places that were home Guess my life's moved at near light speed Since I started this wild and crazy run Such a long way from that first birthday Merry Christmas, Everyone 'Tis the season to remember That we're never far from home Merry Christmas, Everyone

Merry Christmas to you too, bud.

Same here. Enjoy the family during the celebration of our Savior's  birth

+1

Merry Christams to all...

Merry Christmas.

Merry christmas all.

Ho, Ho, Ho, & a bottle of Rhum, Santa's run off to the Caribbean...  [<|:d>]