Christmas Tree Shopping
by Steve West on December 19, 2010

We finally went out and got our Christmas tree. Lauren and I trekked to the local Knights of St. Mickey who offer good trees annually and they're pretty nice folks. They have a nice feature to the regular tree offerings in which they take the base of the tree that they've removed and a branch that they trim off also. The base is a circular disc with a hole from the spike that holds the tree up for display. They insert the branch into the hole to make a nice decoration for the holiday. Lauren was thrilled to have her very own "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. Nice touch fellas.
Speaking of "finally", I also told Lauren the whole truth about Santa. She took the news well, as I knew she would, and thought the notion sweet of there being a little bit of Santa in every parent. She had a lot of questions that I answered truthfully about who ate the Christmas cookies and drank the milk she left out each year, and who wrote the "Thank You" notes in response, and who read the letters she wrote, and who exactly was wearing the suit at the mall and who rode on the back of the fire truck. She wrote a letter to Santa afterward in which she told him that although she knew he wasn't real, she looked forward to having a little girl of her own so she could have a little bit of Santa inside her own heart when giving her gifts. She has such a wonderful heart.
Four Replies to Christmas Tree Shopping
Steve West | December 21, 2010
Aw shucks. I wish that were true. I mostly post about the good stuff. There's plenty of times when I feel like a bastard after something I've said or done and try to make up for it. But overall I think I'm batting about .850. I have to give credit where credit is due - my kids make it easy. Thanks for saying that, though.
Jackie Mason | December 24, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Steve West | December 24, 2010
It seemed the appropriate time. You always want to talk to your child before somebody at school does. Time for Brenda to have that talk soon. God I dread that one.
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

7-Eleven's Legacy
Aside from selling lottery tickets, 7-Eleven stores are recognizable by two products; Slurpees and Big Gulps. All, I mean all, of their food products should have E. Coli warnings on them and an ingredients list that says "some kind of meat, we think". Go »
Christmas Post #3: Syphilis For Christmas
Lyme disease, E. Coli, and even Mad Cow are all available to gift your loved one with as a plush toy. Be sure to check the venereal section! Go »
Such As It Is...
Best stuff I found this midweek. Funny homeless signs here and here. Music Roamer is an imaginative site that creates links to artists, similar artists, albums and other stuff. Go »
Vanity Plates
Although a few are a little crude, many of these vanity plates are clever and funny. I've never had a desire to acquire one myself but I do admire a good one when I see it on the road. My personal favorite is "PLAN AHE". Go »
Be My Valentine
Valentine's Day will always have a special meaning for me. Seventeen years ago today, Brenda and I kissed for the very first time. It was an electric moment for me, one that I'll always remember. Go »
Erik Bates | December 20, 2010
[hidden by author request]