Happy New Year!

Thanks for being here and allowing us to be part of your life in 2010.
Our New Year's resolution is raising kids with an eco-friendly attitude! It is part of our journey to a healthy and meaningful lifestyle, and the best contribution we can make to a brighter future.

We've got so much in store for you in 2011 - it'll be our best year yet!

Have a happy, safe, fun New Year's celebration!

Best wishes,

Renata Lerch
Editor-in-Chief
www.EcoLogicalMom.com

A Letter from Benjamin

Today, simply giving thanks for another year that was granted, and having a grateful heart for another year to follow. Sharing a few words of hope and inspiration to close out the year from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a motion picture based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald tale about a man who ages in reverse.

"It's never too late...to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit. Stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. You can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

My toast, to hope, change, spiritual evolution, exploration, pride, dignity and making the world a better place. Happy New Year.

Women living with fibromyalgia may top number with diabetes, study finds

Athena Champneys is no stranger to questions about fibromyalgia, the disease that leaves her feeling wiped out and in pain. Some people don't trust it exists, and most don't understand it well. So it's no wonder that a national survey released this month doesn't shock Champneys, who was diagnosed in December 2003. The research found that American women with the condition experience prolonged physical and emotional struggles. Champney's diagnosis came after debilitating pain settled in as a burning sensation up and down her spine and into her extremities.

The survey, conducted for HealthyWomen.org, a top online women's health web site, found that it had taken most women who had fibromyalgia at least a year to get a diagnosis and that a fourth of them wait five years or more to find out what's incorrect. Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of HealthWomen.org, told an estimated 75 percent of those with the disease may still be undiagnosed. The numbers, she noted, could rival those living with diabetes.

"Even minimal activity drains the living tar out of me," said Champneys. "By afternoon, I need to lie down and rest. If I am having a bad day, I have to use an electric wheelchair in stores. You get all kind of attractive looks if they see you walk up to it."

Happy New Year

The old give way to the young. New thoughts with new people sprout from fertile ground in our kind of dancing too. While the New Year beckons us with many promises, don't forget to give the old year its due. Learn from past mistakes and carry the lessons of time with you. 

We cannot put too many quotes in here but look over as many of the beautiful New Year quotes as you can find. Read them and think it over. They teach you to celebrate each moment of life; yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Below contributed by Debby Borges Barboza, I thought it would be

perfect to end and start the year off with this.

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put

words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and

its first chapter is New Year's Day."

"The Greatest Symphonies Begin With Just One Note"

Non-Toxic Portable Mattress

If you need a portable mattress for travel or visitors, and dislike the toxic and unpleasant fumes from PVC, this is a great options! Aerobed Ecolite is made from eco-friendlier TPU, is phthalate-free and comes with a rechargeable pump. Available in twin and queen sizes, and is 40% lighter than PVC air mattresses.

By Aerobed

Dollhouse Dismystified

This eco-friendly dollhouse is so beautiful! It's homemade, and you can easily make one yourself by following the steps from Darlyblog. Click here to access the tutorial.

By Darlyblog

Meat and Poultry Spelled Out

Nutritional labels will be mandatory on 40 popular cuts of meat and poultry products beginning in 2012. It is about time! It will make it easier to understand the content of the foods we buy.
USDA said the nutritional information will be required for major cuts of raw, single-ingredient meat and poultry products. These include whole or boneless chicken breasts, beef whole cuts such as brisket or tenderloin steak, and hamburger and ground turkey.

Source: msnbc

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Researchers Find Links Between Sleep, Anesthesia and Coma

Doctors can study more about anesthesia, sleep and coma by paying attention to what the three have in general, a new report suggests.

"This is an effort to try to create a general discussion across the fields," said review co-author Dr. Emery N. Brown, an anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "There is a relationship between sleep and anesthesia: could this help us understand ways to produce new sleeping medications? If we understand how people come out of anesthesia, can it help us help people come out of comas?"

The researchers, who compared the physical signs and brain patterns of those under anesthesia and those who were asleep, report their findings in the Dec. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. They acknowledged that anesthesia, sleep and coma are very different states in several ways and, in fact, only the deepest stages of sleep resemble the lightest stages of anesthesia. And people choose to sleep, for example, but lapse into comas involuntarily. But, as Brown puts it, common anesthesia is "a reversible drug-induced coma," even though physicians prefer to tell patients that they're "going to sleep."

Preparing for the New Year

Dancing in the Dark seems to be defining itself pretty well, but then it has been the oldest independent printed matter on this island. And almost the oldest independent online communication, and at one time the biggest group of reader/dancers on this or any other island. The contributors of information to our blog have not been newcomers. DnD has had its ups and downs but is still in there clicking.

Town Dancer is definitely leaning towards the "upper crust" International Style, Competition and Exhibition Styles. The two Administrators are both International Stylists. Many of the contributors are very much into the competition and exhibition sectors too and the pageview hits are there. We should let it roll the way it wants to.

"(They Long to Be) Close to You" by the Carpenters

Town Dancer, being number one in total page views and average daily page views, will become the first independent as soon as we get a couple more steady Information Contributors. They will join the other blogs that have been independent from the beginning. That's Dancing and The Dance Connection, run by Frank Sierra. And Dancing News of the Pacific by Geoffrey Fells.

Dancing in the Dark will be leaning towards, the American and Social style of dance which is becoming a great fusion of eclectic figures and patterns. The Rootzi Tootzis regard it as "confusion" but we hope to roll with the punches.

"Everything Is Beautiful" by Ray Stevens

The Western blogs, Moanalua Corridor and the Platinum Horseshoe are all new and perhaps willing to accept the Universal style of dance much easier. Specially that most are into the American style of dance and fortunately some of the best American style teachers on these islands.

The best case of fusion is using the Mambo or Salsa basic and many patterns in a Rumba dance. Looks and feels natural as hell. And what is more it will not be a fad, it is too basic and was danced maybe two or three hundred years back, maybe not exactly but somewhat.

Probably be dancing two or three hundred years in the future too, in sheer joy of moving to the most beautiful Latin music in existence. Then there is the fusion of the Filipino Tango into the American Tango. It will be beautiful. You ain't seen nuttin' yet.

"I Believe" by Frankie Laine

Someone said and we quote, “There is no sure way to success but a sure way to failure is to try to please everyone.” When we can no longer please a club or group that we felt we were helping, we must just quietly drop them and continue looking for those we can help and please. It is working quite well because we have spread ourselves too thin.

The year ahead is looking good for "dancers."

"I used to be indecisive now I don't know."

Fair Trade Collection

If you live in Europe, check out this fair trade collection of home accessories and gifts. The long jute basket (picture above) is handmade from natural jute by a women's co-operative in Bangladesh. Browse Also Home site for other beautiful products.

Source: alsohome.com

5 Easy Steps for Post-Pig-Out Detox

Shine publication came up with 5 wise ways to de-stress your post-pig-out season. Check out these effective tips to detox:


"1. Break the sugar and salt habit. If you feel especially bloated, cutting out the extra sugar, refined carbs and salt you've been having at holiday gatherings is the first step to getting back to your usual self. Do this for at least three days to get back on track and give your system time to reset. 

2. Load up on veggies. Detoxing is all about getting the bad out and the good back in. So after the holidays challenge yourself to eat seven to 12 servings of fruits and veggies a day -- and make clean food the bulk of your diet. Get a variety of produce to ensure that you're getting all those vitamins and minerals you probably skimped on over holiday break.

3. Start off easy at the gym. You're probably gung-ho about working out right now and think a killer workout is what it will take to get you back on track, but ease back into the gym. It's better to do a little bit every day then go to the gym, push it too hard, and then be so sore that you can't move for days!

4. Make water your new BFF. Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to post-holiday detoxing. Guzzle that water throughout the day, trying to get at least 64 ounces. Water helps flush out toxins and helps your body eliminate waste! (A good rule of thumb is to divide your total body weight in half, and drink that many ounces. i.e. A 150-pound person should drink 75 ounces of water.)

5. Ignore the scale for a few days. Because of all the extra holiday goodies, which included added sugar, salt and fat, you're probably a few pounds heavier than normal. Instead of stepping on the scale and feeling down about the number, just forgo the scale. Follow these tips and weigh yourself in a week. You'll probably be back to your normal size!"



Source: Shine

And So This Was Christmas (Swiss-German Style)

My parents were both born and raised in Switzerland (not far from Germany), and our Christmas Eve celebration has a traditional Swiss twist: cheese fondue. While not vegan, this vegetarian meal fed 6 people, with no leftovers. I skipped fondue one year because it wasn't vegan, but in communal situations like this, it became harder to pass on it each year, so my own personal rule applies: eat vegetarian when it's something I'll really savor and love.

The ingredients, simple: a mix of Emmentaler and Gruyere cheeses, garlic (to rub the pan, then soak in a bit of white wine) and cornstarch. Serve with white wine. We also have kirsch at the table for dipping, but I pass on it. My sweetheart chef prepared the meal.

The napkins and the daisy plates were thrifted. I liked the vintage feel of the plates. I almost always prefer retro looking things over modern.

A stollen, a traditional German loaf-shaped cake with dried fruit, spices and covered with powdered sugar. My father picked this up on his recent travels to Switzerland.

Swiss chocolate. Remembering my travels to Switzerland.


Back at my parents' house on Christmas Day, part of their cheerful collection of miniature Swiss chalets picked up at the markets in Germany. Wouldn't it be cozy to stay inside one?

Beef Bourguignon for everyone else, for me: my favorite vegan Field Roast Grain Meat Co.'s Celebration Roast with sauteed mushrooms, along with red cabbage, string beans, and my mom's homemade spaetzle.

Not feeling deprived at all over not doing gifts (aside from charitable ones). One of the highlights of the season: going to church on Christmas Eve, where I took in the quiet beauty of the sanctuary. Hearing the soloist sing "O Holy Night."

Hope you enjoyed the simple pleasures and beauty of the season!

Health plans for high-risk patients attracting fewer, costing more than expected

An early feature of the new health-care law that allows people who are previously sick to get insurance to cover their medical costs isn't attracting as many customers as expected.

In the meantime, in at least a few states, claims for medical care covered by the "high-risk pools" are proving very expensive, and it is an open question whether the $5 billion allotted by Congress to start up the plans will be sufficient.

Federal health officials contend the new insurance policy, designed solely for people who already are sick, are merely experiencing growing pains. It will take time to spread the word that they exist and to adjust prices and benefits so that the plans are as attractive as possible, the officials say.

Eco-Friendly Sippy Cup

This eco-friendly sippy cup is very cool! It is insulated and great for all ages. It will keep drinks cold all day long. The Eco Vessel has a leak proof Avent top and a clear cover that prevents spills. It is made with 100% recyclable bottles that are BPA-free, and the highest quality #304 stainless steel. Available in 8 and 12 oz.

By Eco Vessel

Useful Ergo Baby

ErgoBaby is the best baby carrier, for kiddos up to 40 lbs. I can't recommend it enough for airport trips, or other adventures when you need both your hands, and can't chase kiddos around. It is slightly more expensive than other brands because it supports a lot more weight. So, you will be able to use it with toddlers as well. It's available in many patterns and colors, and in organic fabric as well. It is very comfortable and machine washable.

By ErgoBaby

Low Vitamin D in Newborns Linked to Wheezing

Infants at age 3 months who had newborn blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D -- a measurement of vitamin D less than 25 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) were twice as likely to develop respiratory infections as infants who had levels at 75 nmol/L or higher, according to an international study.

That finding is based on umbilical cord blood samples taken from more than 900 infants to measure blood vitamin D levels. Previous research has suggested that mothers who have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to infants who are at a lower risk for wheezing.

Investigators led by Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH, an associate professor of drug and epidemiology at Harvard Medical School, examined whether vitamin D levels in the infants’ umbilical cord blood were associated with risk for respiratory infections, wheezing, or asthma.

New Dance Site Update

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I am looking forward to a bright New year.

Dance Hawaii has posted their class schedule. Dance Honolulu is still at Washington School. They will Begin classes on Monday, Jan 3, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Roxanne Kaino will lead off with Line Dancing. Reggie Gascon and Gayle Kawahahui will be following with International Tango and Jive.

Dance St Louis has moved to the Moiliili Community Center and will now be know as Dance Moiliili. Dance Hawaii wants to thank the management at the St Louis Alumni Club House for their support last year. Classes will begin on Tuesday, Jan 2 at 6:30 PM. Roxanne will lead off again with the Line Dancing. Patrick Watarai and Lynn Miller will follow with the American style Waltz and Cha Cha. The room that they have will be a little larger and parking should be better.

I know Frank Sierra will blog on his classes at the Koko Head School, AKA as Dance Hawaii Kai. With his very talented partner Lani, he will be teaching the American Merengue. Robert and Vanelle Hirayasu will be starting the night off with the Argentine Tango at 7 PM. Classes begins Tuesday, Jan 4, 11.

Come early for registration so you don't miss anything. For more information check their web site at: http://dance-aliamanu.org/

Reminder about New Years. Drive careful. Not too many Ballroom Dancers drink, but there are others out there who do. Watch for them when driving at night this next week.

IBDI and HBDA have New Years Party's on Friday, Dec 31. Please support them and buy a ticket. These are good safe places to enjoy the New Year Eve. I will be going to the IBDI dance at the Pacific Beach Hotel. Looking forward to dancing all night with out any worries about anything. Hope to see you there.

Fried Fish, Omega 3 and The Stroke Belt

Too much fried fish may contribute to the high rate of stroke in America's "stroke belt," according to a new study.

The results showed that people living in the stroke belt — including residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana — were about 30 percent more likely to eat two or more servings of fried fish every week than those living in the rest of the country, the researchers said.

Eating fish can be healthy — fish are key sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which previous studies have shown to be associated with reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends people consume at least two meals containing fish per week. However, there is evidence that frying fish reduces their amount of omega-3 fatty acids, Nahab said. Frying is also associated with an increase in the food's fat and calorie content.

Source: msnbc.com, MyHealthyNewsDaily

Faith's Vegetable Fritters

Even after all these years, I'm still amazed at the amount of time we spend planning and organizing for the holidays when it seems to be over in  a flash.  Children open everything so quickly, even when you try to slow them down. Mine are now adults, so we take turns opening, but you just can't do that when they're younger.  As it was, we barely got them through brunch, they were in such a rush to get back to playing. Food? No time for food.

But then I've always loved the planning part....the organizing, the decorating, the cooking, finding surprises for everyone. No doubt there were times when my kids were really little that the mass confusion pre-Christmas wasn't quite so much fun, but I always remember enjoying the preparations.

We had adults only chez moi this year; my Michigan kids decided to stay north as it's my granddaughter's first year in college and she wanted to be home to see her old high school friends. This was also, at 4 years old,  my grandson's first year to understand what Christmas is all about. I was sorry to miss that. But they have their own traditions to make.

My NY daughter was here, so this year we kicked back and took our time enjoying every minute. Not always easy....my Florida son works nights in the ER, so he comes right from work for our gift-opening and brunch, and he's exhausted. Then he goes home, sleeps and comes back around 6 for dinner. Not always the case. He's always here for Santa, but if he has to work that night, he misses Christmas dinner. Luckily, this year he got Christmas Day off. I am so grateful to all our emergency services people who are working holidays, while we enjoy ourselves. The ER, no matter the day or time, must deal with patients who are hurting, panicked and worried. I am in awe of people like my son David and so proud of him. 

Fortunately, this year, we were able to reward him with our traditional Christmas brunch, our love for him (and each other) always there in the background and then, later that evening, a lovely dinner....together.

Now that the wrappings are all stowed away, we are perusing our new books, trying to figure out various electronics, admiring new clothes and polishing off leftovers, I often feel the need for quick and light dinners the week following Christmas. Company is still here and we do have to eat, after all. Faith from An Edible Mosaic came up with the perfect answer. It seems like a summer dish, but you can adapt the recipe no matter where you live. I increased the corn (use frozen corn if you need to) and use any veggies you want, but it was perfect just the way Faith made it. 

Thank you Faith! I've been making it on a regular basis!

Vegetable Fritters
Ever so slightly adapted from An Edible Mosaic

 Ingredients:
1 medium zucchini, diced small (about 2 c diced)
2-3 ears cooked corn, cut of the cob (about 1 cup corn or more and you can use frozen)
3 spring onions (white and green parts), thinly sliced (reserve 2 TB of the thinly sliced green parts)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream (or use low-fat)
1/4 cup plain yogurt ( I use Fage, and low-fat if you prefer)
1/4 tsp seasoning salt
Canola oil ( I used a tiny bit of butter and olive oil)


Method:
Preheat the oven to 200F.
In a small bowl, toss together the zucchini, corn, spring onions, flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir in the beaten eggs just until combined.
Pour enough oil into a large skillet to generously coat the bottom. Heat the skillet over medium to medium-high heat, then drop the vegetable batter by the rounded tablespoonful into the hot oil and cook until golden brown on both sides, flipping once (about 5 minutes per side). Turn the heat down if the fritters start to brown too quickly.
Once the fritters are cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil, then transfer them to a baking sheet and keep them in warm the oven until all the fritters are made. Repeat this process until all the batter is gone.
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, yogurt, seasoned salt, and 1 TB sliced spring onion greens.
Serve the fritters garnished with the sour cream mixture and the remaining 1 TB of sliced spring onion greens.
Serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main.

Mary Beth Van Hoogstratan

As always we look. "Seek and Ye shall find."

Received from Mary Beth,
Bump on the Hump closed it's doors and ended the venue last Wednesday, December 22, 2010!

I have a group of 100 displaced dancers now.  In addition, Kevin Mau is on vacation for 2 weeks from CW's, where we danced prior to Dole Cannery on Wednesdays.

I'm looking for other dance venues or options.  If you know of a bar or hall with a smooth floor that has parking available nearby for 50 cars, and is in or near Waikiki, or, closer than the airport, please let me know.

Even a church or school might work.  Many of the dancers don't need the liquor.  They need the night away from care-giving and work obligations to dance the stress out!

Thank you!
Mary Beth
Home  phone  808-734-7222

Pub's Note: She tries to help the dancers and get the information to them. Similar to what we do, but a different method, she has a newsletter. I was asking for help but maybe we can help her and our fellow dancers. These are the real dancers on our islands. They are not show business.

"Music, Music, Music" by Teresa Brewer

From Debby and Dream To Dance Studio:

You can still enjoy a SALSA NIGHT on Sunday with SALSA NO KA OI from 9 pm-12 am.
Charlie for information @ 779-7970

A Very Heartfelt Merry Christmas
to each and every dancer.
You are our friends and family.
Be Merry, Enjoy, Rejoice,
Debby and Carlos Barboza

 

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take but

by the moments that take our breath away."

Christmas Card from Frank and Lani

Isn't it wonderful what we can do with computers. Just beautiful. And we also wish Frank and Lani and all of their loved ones, the very best Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.

While we are at it, we should include all the reader/dancers of our entire Hawaii Blogosphere. This includes Frank's blogs, That's Dancing and The Dance Connection. And specially, the famous, Dance Fever Oahu, which so many of us find so useful. Merry Christmas to you too, Ki.

"Peace on earth, And Goodwill to everyone."

"Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you ... to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old ... Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world ...

stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death...

Then you can keep Christmas! But you can never keep it alone."

Spices Are Great (in Moderation We Say!)

Don't we all love spices? And this is the time of the year when our cabinets are filled with them. Not only are teens smoking and eating large amounts of nutmeg in search of a quick high (many are taking a quick trip to the ER with convulsions instead), the traditional eggnog topper was recently pulled from shelves nationwide due to a salmonella scare.

According to a report in Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 32 cases of cinnamon oil poisoning were called into the Pittsburgh Poison Center within a five-month period of 1990, each involving a teen-age boy who had ingested (or inhaled) an inordinate amount of the stuff. Some of the boys suffered from nausea or abdominal pain; others from welts on their skin or other dermal or ocular irritation. Ingesting too much cinnamon can also cause rapid heart beat, lightheadedness, facial flushing and shortness of breath.

Clove oil is also dangerous when ingested in large quantities. In 2004 and 2005 two infants developed acute liver failure after accidentally swallowing about 10 milliliters of the oil. 

Vanilla extract is also concerning because it contains 35% ethanol, which can cause central nervous system depression and respiratory compromise if misused. 

Spices are delicious, when used properly!


Source: msnbc

Welcoming the Winter Solstice at Alice's Tea Cup

December 21st marked the winter solstice, and I welcomed it with a happy heart. "A forest greets a snowy evening. Year after year, the holly king passes the torch as it was intended," Tori Amos signs in Winter's Carol on Midwinter Graces, a sonic love letter to the season. The summer queen surrenders, as fate and the stars has written she must, but will make her return.

Cold, snowy days await, begging you to stay indoors, linger over a pot of tea or cup of cocoa, make a pot of soup, put on your flannel pajamas and your comfiest socks, read, watch a film, play a board game, go back to bed, dream. Snow play awaits: sled down a hill, make a snow angel or a snowman, or just marvel at the beauty of it all. The heat of summer demands the body rest and soul slow down, as does the brisk cold of winter. Keith Donohue, in his poetic Angels of Destruction (a great winter read), talked about the "endless nirvana of doing nothing at all" that summer offers. The same can be said of winter days and nights. For this, I celebrate.

I gave a proper welcome to winter at New York City's Alice's Tea Cup. Whimsical costumes for the youngest of tea drinkers to get in touch with her inner princess or fairy.

A miniature version of their Alice in Wonderland set for playful tea times at home. A potential guest list: any mix of children, adults, teddy bears and dolls.

For the adult party: a pot of herbal chai (roobis, or red, tea with cinnamon, ginger and anise), with soy milk, $6.

Half a soup and half a salad is $13. Warm pear and belgian endive salad, with watercress, caramelized onions, and port vinaigrette, hold the stilton cheese.

I was told there's always one vegan soup of the day. Today's: carrot, served with a roll with basil.

Blackberry Cabernet sorbet, $6, to end the enchanting meal. No vegan scones or cookies were available that day - they were sold out.

Flashback to the winter solstice tea party at Alice's Tea cup last year, and my Valentine's party there.

Sonoma County: Highest smoking rate in Bay Area

Sonoma County has the maximum smoking rate in the Bay Area, according to a survey released this week by the California Tobacco Control Program.

More than 16 percent of county residents smoke cigarettes, more than two times the rate of neighboring Marin County, which had the lowest proportion of smokers in the state 7.3 percent.

The results took some local experts by shock. Sonoma County has lately been making waves as an anti-smoking locale with cities such as Sebastopol passing tight restrictions on smoking, even in apartments. Santa Rosa is being asked to follow suit.

Waiting For Holly Jolly Trolley

Hope someone sends in something. We have only one photo that has been submitted so far. We need photos and the write up. Meanwhile, back at the ranch.

The studio just down the street from Dream To Dance Studio is having a big Extravadanza on Sunday, January 16th. Everybody that is anybody is going to be there.

Everyone should know all about it by now, and perhaps already bought their tickets. From the local chatter, it looks like a bang up festive occasion and everyone is going to be there. I will be there right after the dinner and get as many photos as I can and perhaps a few quotes from the attendees.

 

"Young At Heart" by Frank Sinatra

Then we have cominng attractions for next March.

We are heading for a rollicking good year.

And a Merry Christmas to you all.