1 out of 8 Americans (and 1 in 4) children are using food stamps (Sunday NYT)

Young Matthew,who is 3 remember, was so excited by the appearance of his Advent Calendar today that old Santy is going to have to go some to beat it in 24 days time

What an easy to please child. I still have to buy them for my girls, and one's in college now!

I was up to 2:30 this morning wrapping Christmas presents. Still have to shop for 6 people.

I can't believe it is December already.

I have over 30 people on my list. I have to start shopping in August, or I'm screwed. The only gift I have left is for my husband, which I'm picking up tomorrow, and my nephew and his family down in Texas. My nephew's family is easy - I order from Amazon.

It's been "One Of Those Days" for 2 days now...

Sorry Geoffy. Kiss Kiss Hug Hug

Deer season opened in PA on Monday. The State Game Commission is estimating that 300,000 deer will be harvested this season in PA.

Speaking of deer I got my car back from the shop today. Carmella is happy in my garage.

"Harvested"? Is that how they report it? Why don't they just say killed or murdered... whacked, whatever?

True. No one would really complain if they just said killed (except for the PETA extremists).

Pennsylvania and Upstate New York are so overpopulated by deer, that if it weren't for hunting season, they'd wreak absolute havoc on the roadways.

I have gotten a bit run down it seems and developed a huge and painful cold sore on my top lip

It is years since i had one and i forgot how horrible they are.....

No kisses for you, Yogi!!! Try a little peroxide on it. It will dry it up in no time.

PB, the overdevelopment has really done a number on the deer population. They are everywhere - backyards, roads, highways, crashing into convenience stores. It's a sad situation. We drove home one night on the Saw Mill Parkway, and saw actual herds on the side of the road.

Tell me about it. I was up in Yorktown over the weekend for a belated Thanksgiving with my brother and his family. The deer were everywhere. The Taconic (which is dangerous as it is) has become frightening.

They're everywhwere. The hunting license is $20, which allows you to get a buck. You can get a doe tag for $6 more. I don't hunt, but I'm grateful to those, who do. Much of the venison goes to the underpriviliged, and the deer population is maintained at a manageable level.

I'm having a conversation with my son right now. He's been asleep on the couch for an hour, but he's been talking lucidly for the past 15 minutes.

Are you sure you are awake Klyd?

You both may be sleep talking

I still occasionally talk in my sleep, and was a notorious sleep walker. But my son does it about every night.

A surprising drop in the November unemployment rate and in job losses cheered investors Friday and raised hopes for a sustained economic recovery.

The rate unexpectedly fell to 10 percent last month, from 10.2 percent in October, as employers cut the fewest number of jobs since the recession began. The better-than-expected figures provided a rare dose of good news for a labor market that's lost 7.2 million jobs in two years.

That has to be from seasonal, retail employment, no?

Don't get me wrong, it's still VERY encouraging. But I'll wait until after the first of the year (when the seasonal employees are layed off) to get excited.

Not necessarily. The key is a significant reduction in the number of jobs cut by employers.

Are these new jobs minimum wage?

"It's a living thing, It's a terrible thing to lose, It's a given thing, What a terrible thing to lose."

Song was on "My Name Is Earl" this morning, now I can't get the f'n thing out of my head.

Tis is a thistle arse .

Hey, who ya calling a TA?
I think I'll try using that on someone and wait for them to ask me what the hell I'm calling them.



TIS

PB, I love ELO and that's one of their best. A great tune with a great message.

ELO is a favorite of mine too, and that's got to be my favorite ELO song along with Do Ya.

PERUGIA, Italy - An Italian court on Friday convicted American student Amanda Knox of murdering her British roommate and sentenced her to 26 years in prison.

Oli,

I just heard that. I don't know a lot about the case, but for some reason I am not surprised at the verdict. Wasn't Amanda's boyfriend also accused of the murder?


TIS