Yes, I am still here, but only because I didn't go to the Post Office as planned.  Santa's Helpers didn't finish wrapping the gifts as they had promised so they were not ready when I was.  The errant elves were fired and another one was hired but he won't start until tomorrow.

I got the last of my layaway purchases out this evening, and did a little more shopping.  Walking through the crowded super center I have noticed as the days pass, little by little the overall good feeling for the season seems to be fading as well.  Shoppers seem more harried than they did when the shopping season officially kicked off the day after Thanksgiving.  Tempers are short now, patience is thin, and (gasp) parents often use Santa's name in vain.  I know, because I used to do it all the time:  'If you don't behave, Santa's not coming here this year!'  Unfortunately there comes a time in a child's life when that kind of threat no longer has the desired effect.  I do believe my Oompas have passed such an age.  Now I find myself to be the one calling out to Santa:  'Hey Santa, buddy, there better be something in this for me because dude, I've been footing the bill for years and letting you get all the credit.  I better have at least a 2 pound box of truffles under the tree or next year I'm signing all of the gift tags: Love, The Easter Bunny!'

Driving is getting extra scary this time of year.  I don't know, maybe the cold affects people's driving abilities.  Everyone is so busy trying to get where they're going that they seem to forget that they aren't the only one's on the road.  I've been cut off, nearly side swiped, nearly rear ended, and almost run over more times this month than in the entire rest of the year.  Its as if for the month of December the roadways and parking lots become one big community demolition bumper car course.  Its like... the post office line... only we're all in vehicles!  Scary stuff I tell you.  And tomorrow I have to drive these manic streets just so I can go and wait in line with the drivers of the cars that just tried to run me over in the parking lot... Only for the Grand Oompa would I risk it.  Only for the Grand Oompa.