this one's for the children...

letters to santa claus from children all over northern california, delivered to the oakland, california post office:

dear santa,
i am 9 years old and all my friends say there is no santa claus or tooth fairy. i don't know because last year i asked for a PSP and i didn't get it. i didn't get any tooth fairy money either for my last five teeth. i have teeth but no money! i don't know!

dear santa,
i write you this letter because i want to ask you if with your magic you could make me smarter. i will be expecting your letter in a while.

dear santa,
i like Diego. i wish he would kiss me. please, santa, make Diego kiss me. just talk to him and i will be happy because if you talk to him he will merry me.

merry christmas santa. let's talk presents. i was wondering if i could have a Wii or a gameboy. or both. i don't want to push it. and how is dear mrs. claus? have you ever taken her on a date? alone? with no elves?

dear santa,
i've been naughty and such, but i do hope i'm on the nice list. i'm not trying to be modest and hope to be on the nice list. it's entirely up to you. i love you.

dear santa,
all i really want for christmas is an american girl named Kit. and for peace in the world. i really like your hat.
p.s. we should have lunch

all i want for christmas...

sometimes in life there are decisions you have to make. you know the right choice, the choice that circumstances may require, yet you long for the other option. this past week i was faced with such a decision...real tree or fake?

i admit to having prejudices towards fake christmas trees. there is just something about the smell and LOOK of a real tree. there is also something to be said for choosing your tree, bringing it home, and decorating it. it's the experience. however, there are definite advantages to a fake tree...you can move the limbs wherever you want them to be, they are more balanced and therefore don't tip over, and you can put the tree topper on before you actually put the tree together (saving yourself from teetering precariously on a stool and pulling a muscle while stretching because you're still not quite tall enough). so, these were the factors weighing my decision...real vs. fake.

until this year, i thought i would never have a fake tree...as i said, prejudices. but, circumstances were pointing to this being the wiser decision. and, after much thought and several discussions, it was decided...a fake tree it is. the decision was made, the tree purchased, put together and decorated (including the "blood star" on top...yes, we realize that it's tacky and often discuss how to best distract from its tackiness, but it now has sentimental value).

i can honestly say that i'm content with this choice and actually think it turned out pretty cute. here is the finished product...

b-e-a-utiful...