As much as I love the tree - the lil rein-dog at the bottom just poking his head in is a cutie.

If you are referring to my picture, that's a ceramic (non-rein) deer. It's always been under our family Christmas trees for just about as long as I can remember. I'm keeping up the tradition now that I have it.

I was - but I must tell you it was cuter when I pictured you setting up the shot with a little dressed up chihuaua or other small doggie with antlers on and getting him to sit there while you took the picture. ;)

We haven't done a tree for a couple of years because where the tree goes has been occupied by a Chameleon cage. Since, due to spider bites, we are not keeping a cage in that location, it appears that we will have a tree there.

I need to post a picture of the tin foil star that my mother still puts at the top of her tree: I made it when I was like 7 or 8 because we didn't have any tree topper. It is aluminum foil taped to a piece of cardboard I cut out in the shape of a star.

A friend asked me half-jokingly if I've done the Chinese food thing...I'm really not sure, but it's quite possible. There have been years when I forgot it was Christmas and tried to go out for dinner or something (though GD's family gets together on the date so that's basically over now).

I told them my favorite "Christmas, huh?" story. One cold, dark evening, my mom was at a recycling machine popping in cans and bottles while my younger brothers played around nearby. A minivan pulled up and a very nice family tried to give her some money. It wasn't until they pulled away that it occurred to my mother that it was Christmas Eve. Just another night for her...

You think people get confused by Jews not celebrating Christmas? You should see the confusion over someone who simply decides to not celebrate Christmas.

Quite a few can't grasp that as an atheist I have little interest in Christian holidays, apparently thinking that it means I should just pick the fun ones and go with it.

Unless something drastic changes, no tree this year. My life of thrift till debt is paid off is not working out as well as I'd hoped. Must scrimp somewhere.

But a tree is not what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Only In LA
 

Marilyn Monroe Santa

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