Wow, been busy, busy, busy with the holidays over the last week!  I think most of my shopping is done though.  I finished up the last few people yesterday, just have to buy something else for my Grandma, which I'll get this afternoon at my Mom's shop.  I also did almost all of the wrapping and put everything around the Christmas lamp (didn't put up a tree this year)... although I should at least put a bow on the lamp or something.

Tomorrow I leave with my yougest brother, before the crack of dawn, for Arizona to visit my Dad, stepmom, and Grandma.  Then on Thursday my other brother will fly out...  I'm looking forward to some warmer weather.  My Dad keeps telling me that it's not been 'all that warm' but anything above 32 is warm in my book!

We've got a bunch of snow here in MI and it doesn't appear to be going anywhere! In fact, we had so much snow that one of the carports here at my apartment complex collapsed around 4 in the morning.  That would not be fun to walk out to as you're expecting to go to work in the morning.  There were at least 10 cars caught underneath.  Yesterday they were finally all set free!

OK, now I'd like to mention something that really bugs me!  This Christmas, as I'm sure a lot of people have noticed, there has been a 'commotion' about taking "Christ" out of Christmas.  And it is something I can sympathize with.  I think that after years of being told you can't have nativity scenes at the town square, or you can't perform traditional Christmas carols at the school pageant, that people are fighting back.  This year represents a backlash for years of overreaction by a vocal few, while I think it's a bit ridiculous to get mad at Wal-Mart because they say "Happy Holidays" which people have said for years and years, I DO understand. 

One thing that some people have pointed out that makes them upset is the use of "Xmas" in replace of the longer "Christmas".  I have often heard people complain that "Xmas" means that they're taking the "Christ" out of Christmas.  Well, people I would like to share something with all those that are under this common misconception... that's NOT what it means! The "X" in "Xmas" actually DOES mean Christmas.  The "X" is the Greek symbol for Christ or 'Christos'.  According to Webster's Dictionary:

XMAS

So, please don't take offense to the use of "Xmas"!  Do like I do and chuckle to yourself when a someone uses it, like my athiest friend, and thinks they are being defiant.  They're not defiant they're being dummies.  If you really don't believe in the holiday and what it stands for you wouldn't celebrate it at all and you certainly wouldn't send out "Xmas" cards.

Well, now there's my little holiday rant/public service announcement!

Now, I better get moving.  I've got a little luncheon to go to, then into the internship, and after that packing and hopefully getting those darn Xmas cards out!