Merry Christmas

2020 has been quite a year, but I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy and health New Year nonetheless. I hope it's filled with joy, happiness and endless possibilities for all those we love and cherish.

Santa Reads, "T'was the Night Before Christmas"

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Ho Ho Ho ... Santa's On His way!

He'll be here before you know it. You can follow his movements all around the world with two great Santa Trackers from NORAD and Google.

They're both sites are interactive and fun to follow along with. The Google Santa Tracker is extremely kid friendly.

President Obama's Weekly Address 12/25/14: Happy Holidays from the President and First Lady

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President and First Lady wished Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thanked our brave troops for their service. Especially as our combat mission in Afghanistan comes to a responsible end in the coming days, we are reminded of all that military men, women, and families sacrifice to keep us safe. The President and First Lady asked everyone to take some time this holiday season to visit JoiningForces.gov and find out how to give back to the men and women in uniform who have given so much for all of us.

Wishing You A Very...

Santa Is Coming, Santa is Coming!! keep an eye out for him by using NORAD's or Google's Santa Tracker

It's Christmas Eve and Santa left the North Pole a few hours ago to start making his deliveries but he won't be in our neighborhood for at least another 12 hours.

No to worry thought, if you would like to keep an eye out for him and track his whereabouts so as not to miss him, This year, as in years past, you can keep an eye on where Santa is all throughout the day by checking in on his travels with the NORAD Tracker (NORAD is the bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada). NORAD, has been tracking Santa since 1955 !

You can also use Google's Santa Tracker.  Google started tracking Santa last year and does a pretty good job of it as well.

Each site is interactive, fun and easy to use. The kids in the house will by kept busy, having a great time playing all the different games and watching videos of Santa's arrivals throughout the world. It's a great way to keep the kids occupied while you do last minute preparations for Santa's arrival.

A great feature of Google's website is that you can have Santa record a special, personalized message for your son, daughter or other loved one. Google will have Santa personally call or email the greeting to your loved ones. I used it last year to call my nieces, nephews and own son. It was wonderful!



You can follow and track each of Santa's stops on YouTube

Want To Track Santa? You Can So Using Both Google and NORAD's Santa Tracker

It's Christmas Eve and Santa has been out making deliveries for nearly 12 hours already.

If you would like to track his whereabouts this year, you can do so by using Google's new Santa Tracker or by using the old standby powered by the u.s. military, NORAD, which has been tracking Santa since 1955 to be exact!

Each site is interactive, fun and easy to use. The kids in the house will have a great time playing the games while keeping an eye on Santa.

A great feature of Google's website is that you can have Santa record a special, personalized message for your son, daughter or other loved one. Google will have Santa personally call or email the greeting to your loved ones.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Santa, Punch and Judy Christmas Show

While this isn't technically a cartoon, it was a kids show and for all that are still young at heart it may bring back some childhood memories. So finish up your bacon & eggs and relive a blast from your past!

A Holiday Greeting from Governor Corzine