So X-mas has come and gone and I'm already back to work.  I get to work during
factory shut down which is about as exciting as going to school over summer
vacation.  All the work, none of the fun.  I'm at least getting something
accomplished though, I guess that's something.  And I'll get double pay.

Back on the evening  of the 23rd, I was at with my parents on the farm, when
about 8:30 pm a car pulls down our lane, then rolls through the buildings and
out back.  We were confused and didn't recognize the vehicle.  At first we
thought it was my brother, but it was too slow for him.  My Dad went outside,
and saw a car stuck down in one of our corn fields.    Dad drove down in his
truck.  He pulled up and found the plates on the car were from Wisconsin.  He
went up to the window and talked with the driver.  Dad said he was confused
and sluggish.  Dad told him to wait and went back to the house to call the
sheriff's department.  They sent out the local ambulance, 2 state patrol, 1
local deputy, and eventually a 3rd state partol car showed up.  The ambulance
arrived first, so Dad drove the EMT's down while I stayed behind to direct the
rest of the arrivals.  As it was a nice and chilly night,the local deputies
stayed back as the state patrol went out to the scene which was a quarter mile
down into the fields.  Another 5 minutes, and Dad drove up with the driver who
appeared to be in his last 60's and the EMT's.  Dad told me that the driver
could not answer any questions as to what the day, month, where he was at,
where he had been, or even his own name.  The EMT found a medical card and
found he was diabetic.  Itwas looking like he was very "low".  

The ambulance took the driver to the local hospital.  As far as we know, the
driver survived and recovered.  Meanwhile, the state patrol talked with us and
gave us permission to pull his car out of the field with the tractor so we
could save the driver the cost of sending down a tow truck.  So, at 9:30 at
night, Dad and I roar off into the cold darkness with the tractor and a log
chain.  I got to be the driver of the car and fortunately it wasn't stuck too
badly that it only took a quick pull to get it out of the rut it was stuck in.
 I then got the car turned around and hammered it hard to get it up the hill
and back up to the yard.   By the next morning, the car was already gone and
we still have not gotten word on just who that guy was and where he ended up.

Continuing on for the 24th, it was time for the annual shopping trip with my
old high school friends.  We actually managed to get on the road on time.  We
pulled into the stores and began our desperate shopping.  Well, not really, it
 was pretty calm this year as most of us had to only get a gift or two. 
Nothing exciting until we decided to break for lunch at 1:30.  At Daryl's
suggestion, we were going to try a new place.  When we arrived, we still had
to wait for a table as the place was packed.  After 5 min. and my friend Pete
failing to get his whiskey order placed, we were seated.  As is tradition, we
eat steak for our day out.  When we looked at the menus, all we found were a
couple of sirloin selections.  Daryl barked out 'Fuck this. I can eat sirloin
at home. Let's go!'.  And we took off before the waiter even arrived.  So my
friend Chris suggests another steak place.  We pull in, only a couple cars in
the parking lot but the doors were open.  We walk in only to be greeted and
told that the kitchen was closed but the gift shop was open.  So we jetted out
there.  We decided to hit a 3rd place.  On the way over, my friends Chris and
Daryl both comment that the way our luck was running, we'll get some guy to
serve us at the next place.  We arrive at 2:30 to the 3rd place, were seating
back in a corner, and sure enough, the only guy in the place comes over to be
our waiter.  I thought my friends were going to riot right then and there.  I
managed to settle them down and they grudginly ate their meal.  Poor guy, his
tips from our evil table was horrid.  After another hour of shopping, we
headed home.  Afterwards, I went up and hit X-mas eve mass.  Nearly full
again, it is always amazing seeing just who really does belong to the parish
by their once per year pilgrimmage.

On to X-mas day, and I still had a ton of wrapping of presents yet to do. 
Same with my brother, so I didn't feel bad.  I managed to get them all wrapped
before my sister showed up with her family.  My brother-in-law Tim and myself
shot again Dad and my brother in pool in the basement until dinner time. 
After feasting, and feasting well I might add (+pounds), we opened up the
presents.  My haul this year was mostly clothing.  My brother managed to guess
nearly all of his gifts just by shaking them.  My sister on the other hand
never guessed my present of a talking SpongeBob Squarepants cookie jar with
some cash stuff in it.  My youngest niece was already enjoying the big yellow
talking toy. *grin*  So, it was a good X-mas for all as everyone was in good
health and good spirits.  

And on the 26th, I was heading back to CR to head to work that afternoon.  And
to work and back has been my last few days.  And a few more days.  At least I
have some extra money coming in if nothing else.  Shoutout to everyone, Merry
X-mas and a Happy New Year.