Santa Claus is coming to town!!

1 pressie under the tree of Celt. This year he gave me the courage to paint. I don't paint well, but I am getting better. Thanks Celt.

A pressie under the tree for Soulie. She listened to me and helped me through Jack leaving. *hugs 'soul*

Mike and Carole .. you two share wun. I watched happiness come about ..... thank you.

RC ... a Tir baby!! *kisses the top of Jack's head* Nothing quite expresses the birth of a wee one.

(parcels up our train set for the youngest Jack*

Kat and toadie .... thanks for sharing your new home, you impending family ....... I wait for news. Happy Christmas in you new home!

Sorcha and Leda .......... my touchable Tirnanogians. Aa special pressie for each of you under the Tir Tree. A voice and a hug is worth so much. *lifts her glass of MR red* Cheers!!

Job ... *wraps a funny gift for Job*. If you taught me one thing, it was that one doesn't have to be normal to be nice *hug*

*wraps an Angel and a Star in special sparkley paper* Mr. McGuire these are for your tree next year. PLEASE don't attempt to decorate the tree with tinsel without supervision!! *smile*

*puts a tiny, special gift inside a box, inside a box, inside a box, inside a box ... labels the gift tag*

Happy Christmas, Luddie.

(have fun getting to the bottom of it!)

*drags in a Jaccaranda tree in a large terracotta pot* .... Merry Christmas, Rollie. Thanks for your company, your humour and your unique view of life.

hey we all know right music ..right lights...right company........

Hey Presto...Naughty is nice.........

Dayzy ... you were difficult to buy for!! Finally decided on a 'kitchen witch' to bring love, luck and happiness to your kitchen. Enjoy your Ranch Style Christmas, Dayzzzzzzzzzz.

Quilty ... sg..............

*ties a Big Bow around a keg of Guinness* Sully, Bara and Wolfie ... drink and be merry!! I have missed you guys this year.

*stacks them up, uses a rubber band to hold them together ..... tries to disguise them in a shoe box* ... for Pegs and Tec .... music CD's that are LESS than 10 years old *L*....

I had to think for a long time over this gift. Finally decided on a new coffee pot ... for all the morning coffees we share .. your morning and mine.

Merry Christmas, Cleo.

*wraps a hug for Shae* Nothing says 'I love ya' quite like a hug.

Now, Mr Smarty Feckin' Pants .. work out how we ALL can ACTUALLY share cyber hugs!!

*waits for the inevitable solution*

Trav ... Jello ...

Jello ... Trav ....

hmmmm ... *strawberry, mint, grape ....... wraps all the flavours up*. Enjoy, Trav!

*very carefully wraps her veil headpiece in tissue paper to pass on*. Take the leep if it feels good, Tex. *L* 2002 is yours!

for Mr McCool. New fonts and colours of 2002. Save us!! *L*

*wraps up a month away from telephones, computers and difficult patrons* ... This is for you Mr A. Bell, with my love and respect.

*a safe tour of duty and journey home from the ME for Dovarchu.* and the same for all, from every where, with him.

My last Christmas wish is for the innocents caught up in the many troubles around our world.

Words unspoken .... prayers heard.

I guess I've been naughty

*whispers to Davo* ... the pleasure is in the giving.

*Leaves three little boxes under the tree for Briana*
And no peeking!!!

...he he he...

And I thought I was naughty...*L*
*Shakes Boxes*
*Looks for card*

Nope, you're not naughty, you're nice
*S*
Here's the card

rolls in xray machine puts in lacies prezzie...uh oh attack of conscience..takes it out rolls machine out again............

*puts a pressie under the tree for all those that have made me feel welcome, made me laugh, consoled me in times of crisis and made me feel like the world is a good place with good people in it.
*big smile* Thanks

*puts a present under the tree for all those that feel lost, lonely and weary*

Makes a fresh pot of coffee and can't wait to try her new percolator,,,thinks and thinks and then thinks some more,,,for tis hard to offer the right gift to all,,,so it's not much and I can't gift wrap it and it tends to be very contagious but I offer it in true friendship,,,to all the special people of tir,,you gave it to me so often through the year and now I offer it back to all of you,,,A SMILE,,,may your Christmas be Merry ,,full of hope ,,love,,,and peace on earth. AHHHHHHH tis nice to be naughty but never naughty to be nice.......

*takes the smile from cleo .. and they thought of the gift* ................ Cleo, I have added a another gift for you under the tree *grin* ... in jest* ... a keyboard that doesn't have a 'comma' ... *L* .. *huge hugs for Cleo, Lioness of the Lines*

LOL @ Luddie .. stop with the peaking!!

Hey, the Tir tree is looking good (well, except for the very, very poor tinsel decorating).

Goes right into a cold Sweat,,, then wirtes a hurried note of appology to Santa,,,A commaless keyboard,,,egads I must have been more naughty than I realised,,,Merry Christmas Lacie*S*...

LOL @ Cleo

A keyboard without commas would be most uncomman.

(I'll get me coat)

*leaves presents for Cao, Fionn, Mama, Tat, Sarette and everybody else*
Merry Christmas

Ah Acc I must say I was nearly commatose!
*makes a quick exit*

No commant!

well at least I have a lots of comman sense,,,

your comman sense is commansurate with your commapasion. *hums the comman Christmas jingle about bells to herself*

*drags in a huge, heavy, fabulous looking wrapped box marked 'with love from lacie for typan'* (she is gonna squeal something cruel if there is no pressie here for her - ya can choose your friends, but you are stuck with your family *LMAO and ducks for cover*).

No peeking until Christmas morning, sister dear.

*looks at the nicely wrapped box*.....then reads the part about being stuck with your family... *smacks lace*..... and you do realise ofcourse, if I hear ticking coming from that box... I am not opening it !!! *L*

*sings*
"Oh comma ye faithful ....."

*hides behind the huge heavy box*

*spies Acc behind the huge heavy box....ohhh come out ya chicken...you can run but you cant hide .... *L*........*hands you a voucher for some singing lessons for Christmas*.. *G*

oh comma ye faithful?? *sheesh*

Typan, dear .. don't worry about the ticking .. it is MEANT to tick *sweetest sisterly smile*

The lowly comma has never had such a great celebration!Tis great to see it elevated to the heights of PUNtuation,,,

It was the best present of all!

LOL @ cleo again .. now, you, typan and Acc wrap your pressies and leave them under the tree .... a time for giving,,,,,,

**wraps up in special paper a gift of love, forgiveness, hope, happiness, laughter and contentment**... to be given to anyone that needs any of the above... Merry Christmas to you all

*smiles at Jule's gift*.. *hug*......atleast your pressie doesnt tick *L*......... wanders off to think of what I can put under the tree for everyone

Love - unconditional

That is to say - not wrapped up in anything - not contained in any baggage.

But - 'love' is a much-abused term :)
So quiet down there at the back!

That's why it is wrapped in special paper.... paper that won't hinder, hide or bind any of the gifts... *S*

Checks all the wonderful presents under the tree and wonders... what more is there to give?
To Pegs my sister..An angel that resembles her
To Tec,,,the ability to win at hockey pools
To lacie,,,a canvas to let her imagination flow free on
To Mac,,,a compass so one day he can find the right pier!(yes I;m still waiting out there)
To Typan,,,a dream come true
To John,,, A World Cup for Ireland(the year yet to be determined)
To David,,,A palette of rainbow colours
To Caoilte,,,A Christmas Rose
To Michael,,,chess lessons
To Ludd,,, a day when Tir will never be empty so he can chat to his hearts content
To Daithe,,,a never ending barrel of joy
To Accasbel,,,limitless patience to put up with us all for a good many years to come
Have a jolly and an merry holiday season and do remember,,,all good things in moderation

Hmm *thinks*.. now what can you give 2 people, that for many years have laughed with me,(even 'at' me at times grrrr *L*), cried with me, and shared mornings, afternoons, and at times, very late evenings with me *G*.. well there is nothing money could buy for those two.. so..... you mama owl ( pegs) and Cleo.. I give you a card... that says " Thankyou, and a gaurentee of a lifetime friendship and memories". *S*
To tec..... well.. I give you a book of 'Facts about Australia', so you can stop making them up *L*
Hmm now Jules..I think this year, there isnt much I could get you to make you more happier than you are right now... and that in itself is a pressie for me *S* *hug*
Ahh lace.. well for you.. I fill a box ( that doesnt tick *G*).. with hopes and dreams, and I want you to unwrap them one by one ! *S*
*thinks of who else I know here*.........ummm for Dermy I send you some Aussie strength *wraps it in pretty paper*.. with a tag that says.. *unwrap when needed*...*S*
And on talking with Mac the other day.. I have raced around everywhere trying to find you a 'suit of Armour'... here ya go.. I think you might be needing it... now dont say i dont do anything for ya *L*.. *Merry Christmas* *S*
Hmm now..Acc..well I couldnt think of anything to get you besides the singing lessons *L*.. so how about we just meet for coffee in January hey??.. I realise its 'after' Xmas.. but hey.. better late than never... *S*
For everyone else that wanders through here.. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New year.. *S*

I really pondered on this gift
For it had to be appropriate
I thought of a bouquet of turnips and parnsips
Or even a gift wrapped bottle of canadian guinness
But for you my friend Seamus
I wish a life time pass on the wings of aer lingus

May your holidays be filled with more laughter than you can handle,,,,and may you enjoy,,,the turnips and parsnips

comes in huffing and puffing,,,tis hard work to cut a cord of word,,but for Rolan,,,when you get that wood stove,,, nothing can beat good canadian maple to make a wonderful aromatic fire!
Merry Christmas and a Good Holiday Season to you

From the 'not-entirely-original' department:

Please accept with no obligation, expressed or implied, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practised within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2002, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures. By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Is that the same as..may the party of the first part accept from the party of the second part,,,without prejudice, nonbinding and with no liability,,the wishes of the party of the first party made to the party of the second part???

Ah geez Acc,,,Have yourself a Merry Holiday Season usually covers all the legal and illegal aspects of the season,,,with no contractual obligations therein.

In other words,,,Let's Party!!!!

Leaves food for those that hunger
Water for those that thirst
Shelter for those that are homeless
Warmth for those that are cold
A hug and a prayer for those that grieve
A word of encouragement for those that feel they can't go on
Care for the parentless children
Love for those that feel unloved
Picks up the load for those that are burdened
Welcomes those that don't feel included
And let us remember the many selfless acts that we have seen, especially in the face of impossible odds and remember that the world knows no greater love than who has laid down his or her life for their friends and fellow human beings
God bless us
God bless us every one...

*lights a candle*

..................... and sprinkles bon bon's (Christmas crackers) around the Inn, so we can all wear the silly crete paper hats and tell the even more silly jokes!!*

May the joy of the Holidays be yours, and the hangover from the Holidays be your in-laws!

LMAO @ daryl

*wraps a stunningly sensuous cabana boy in with strategically placed bows* .. Merry Christmas, Libby!!

*mail him to me when you are through, OK?*

Lacie...how did you know this is what I've always wanted???? *WINK*

um....there may not be much of him left by the time I'm through...hehehehehe...but I'll be happy to share.

Merry Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with happiness.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

As the Year of 2001 draws to a close and our New Year approaches ....

I wish each and ever 'Noggian the love, comfort and happiness they deserve. It has been a tough year for many - and all. Tir is the sum of the parts .....

Happy New Year!!, friends.

"they deserve" ?????

Ah c'mon Lacie. Let's wish 'em love, comfort and happiness even if they don't deserve :)

sorry, just a Tir'n of phrase ........

Thanks for messing up my Happy New Year wish for everyone. *sigh* Aren't you meant to be away on some two wheeled beast, anyway?

I'm happy to see 2001 turnover !!
Now c'mon lads and raise your glass,
To a hellish year gone by.
Feel free to keep in touch everyone.
May you all have a fortunate & peaceful 2002.
The Mighty Fionn aka Dermot Francis Farley
themightyfionn@yahoo.com

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wandered monie a wearie fit'
Since auld lang syne

Naughty and Nice
Sugar and Spice
That's what nOggers
are made of.

Christmas Time 2002.

This time of year seems to roll in more quickly each year, doesn't it?

Our Inn has been through much change this year - perhaps a reflection of the change occurring in the sum of the parts? Time and Tide .... as the saying goes.

No matter our religious beliefs Christmas and New Year are time of reflection, perhaps. SO - the fun begins .... pressie time!! *grin*

Wraps the first two gifts in bright yellow paper with purple ribbon ... for the two Tir babies .... a plush toy each - Kangaroo and Koala. And a copy of "The Gum Nut Babies" for each.

RC, Kat and Nyles, please deliver these for me.

Wraps up a precious angel in sparkly paper, tied with gold ribbon, places it under Lacies tree, with a little tag that reads: May this angel bring blessings on your tree and your life.

For Greymyst and her mother, a Fables CD for each of them, gaily wrapped with pretty bows on top.

For Ularu, in a box gaily wrapped, beribboned and bowed, a bottle of Irish Guiness, and bottle of Newfie Screech, a whole wild West Coast BC Salmon, and a dreamcatcher to hang over the bed to ensure sweet, peaceful dreams.

For Manb, a bottle of French Canadian Maple Syrup, some Maple Butter and some real Maple Syrup Candies, all tied up in glittery paper with a nice bow, and a tag that reads - Enjoy!

For Cleo, a box of B.C. Holly branches, to make her house look festive and a bottle of Ice Wine from the Okanagan. Cheers!

For Celt & his family, tucked away under the tree, a print by Roy Henry Vickers from Vancouver Island, BC and for Grady T. Cat and little fur mouse to play with.

For Cu Roi, a subscription to Islands Magazine - with a tag that reads - may your island dreams come true!

Raises cuppa coffee(before noon around) for Tir's, best wishes for all...'hugs Lace' tttaank you Lacie ttttaank you 'turns around and starts searching what Jaccaranda tree in a large terracotta pot' means. me vocab will never improve*sniff*

For Ularu - sorry, that should have read a CASE of Irish Guiness - not a lone bottle!

For McGuire, in a wooden box carved in a West Coast Native theme, a side of wild BC smoked salmon, a selection of crackers, and a bottle of your favourite wine to toast your Tir friends with. And for Girl, a sheep toy that squeaks!!

wanders in from where she has been patiently trying to do her home work and study for her tests, looks about at the chaos, frowns as McGuire wanders by dressed in tinsle and wrapping papper looking as if he's about to get up to mystchif.

is there a pressie for me?

Yes Laurelrose, it's not ready yet....patience, patience!

sigh okay, but some one tell mac that making a kilt out of the really reall shiny christmas paper is a bit shocking on first sight.

*grin*

(pull sout her santa bag and begins hiding pressies about the tir)

For Declan....wrapped in cheery paper, tied with a bright ribbon, a case of assorted Meads, from some of the finest Meaderies in Quebec....a sante Declan.

Sneaks in...aha...Laurelrose isn't here...good! Crawls under the Tir Tree, tucks away a lovely musical globe, containing the most beautiful Rennaisance angel...and when she shakes it beautful sparklies float about like magical stars.....when she winds it up she'll hear it play O Holy Night......hhmmm.. adds a goody bag of little christmas treats to go with it.

Laughs...Mac....that tinsel and shiny paper kilt is MOST fetching on you.....hmmm, wonder what's he's wearing under that kilt....no, let's not go there.....leaves a candy cane wreath for him to drape round his neck to accessorize.

(LaurelRose has gotten into the nog... yes thats right she has gotten into the rum spiked nogg and is now merry merry merry... and for good luck is merry)

walking around singing off key lyrics from the lates bon jove albemnumn

OH NO - Laurelrose drank all the rum spiked eggnog - now she's snockered and WAY too Merry....maybe I'd better tuck a bottle of tylenol next to her pressie under the tree!

For David, tucked away in a safe place under the Tir tree, a model of the Bluenose with a copy of Masefields poem...I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky.....

Marryiie meariiie CHristmmaash and a tackfy new fear.. or is that year? near? leer? tear? HEY MAC LOVE YOU KNEEs....

and arnt ya feeling a bit of a brreeeeeze in that thing? *blinks, sees lacie and races happily over to her arms out streatched*Lacie, long time no sleep... wahat ya been up to? *quick sober hug* wanders off and wonders just why Acc doesn't have a pic up on his profile.. or have a profliie at all. (no i am not really drunk just really really board at work)

Peeks into the room and gapes in wonder at Laurelroses antics - dear god - what is that she's WEARING - looks like she tried to make a dress out of garlands, tinsel and jingle bells, and is that a tree top on her head?!?!? Goes off to find the nearest bottle of whatever while singing... Murly Murly Mastchrishhh and a facky new lear....

*smiles* .. I am very pleased that last year's gifts are being so well appreciated and utilised!!

Peeks into the room, frowns at all the empty Guiness and Screech bottles strewn around the floor, stares in wonder as Ularu staggers past draped in tinsel, kissing a salmon and raving on about Canucks...thinks she is WAY TOO sober to be witnessing all this...heads off to the bar....

swoops in seeing all of the shiny tinsel. Ravens love collecting shiny objects.

*Begins looking for LaurelRose's Santa Bag to begin collecting tinsel.*

swoops up and hugs raven, hands him a bit of tinsel to play with before spinning around and running smack dab into the christmas tree. reeling back i bang into a passing mac and bounce straight into a wall before crumpling into a lump of sodding drunk LR on the floor.

Hearing a loud crash and thud, peers into the room - spots Laurelrose crumpled into a little heap next to a dangerously tilting tree, the passing Mac appears unhurt, although that shiny paper kilt is a bit askew Picks up Laurelrose, not without some effort I might add, and places her into the chair by the fire. Adds an icepack to her head and tucks a blanky around her. Sees Raven collecting and flying off with all the shiny tinsel, so leaves some little shiny balls on the floor, as Ravens do love to collect shiny objects so.

ASPRIN!!!! ASPRIN!!!! YE LORDS OF LIGHT ASPRIN!!!!

(groans and desided the pain isn't worth the waking or the upness and hides her head under a feather duster in hopes that the light will go away and the noise will receed and not squash her head with the pure pressure of it. and the blanket will stop being itchy. Fingering the blanky it seems familiar, gingerly i open one eye for a closer look ath the blanky..) YE GADS, (throws it off in horror as she realises it's Mac's normal kilt, then grabs it back as she realises somehow she became semi naked after that first cup of nogg)

(siddles out of the building before anyone notices)

Hears moans and groans and sounds of pain coming from the outer room, so fills up a glass of water, grabs the ASPIRIN!! bottle and goes off to minister to Laurelrose...but, wait a minute! where did she go!?!? Checks behind the tree, not there....checks behind the chair...not there....checks behind the bar.....nope, not there either, now just where the heck did she get to?!?! Leaves the glass of water and the ASPIRIN!! on the table next to the chair in case she returns and wanders off in confusion....thinking maybe she'd better have some of that eggnog herself, maybe things will be clearer then and then maybe she'll figure out just how the heck Laurelrose managed to lose some of her clothes anyways...must have been the Shiny Mac's fault....

Leaves some brightly-coloured boas and thongs under the tree for the latenight Wenches...*weg*

Hands LR a bottle of Hairy Harry's Hangover Helper, and a large black coffee. gently takes away the bottle of Bailey's she is trying to add to the coffee.

(closes eyes, prays that her head will fall off and drinks all the nasty stuff that raven has given me)

ye gads that stuff is awfull. but thanks.

(goes in search of the bag of goodies she was meant to be handing out. finds the bag empy and tossed in one courner.) i hope everyone got the right prezzies.

Ah-ha, there's that bag, now to start gathering shiny stuff picks up a tanktop made of tinsel and puzzles over whether to collect it, or give it back to LR. After a long time, hands it back over.

Looks through the boas and thongs left under the tree by Celt...what's this? no black boas and thongs??? Well, that will never do... notices the bottle of Hairy Harry's Hangover Helper left by Raven and wishes she'd seen it earlier today as surely it would have helped tremendously, wonders why she ever thought getting into the eggnog was a good idea...leaves some shiny tinsel bits for Raven and shakily heads off for home.

uh thanks raven but i am now nicely dressed in a blouse and tight fitting jeans. but thanks any ways. *blushes*

oh for heavens sake. *Picks up a feather duster from the shelf* raven please keep an eye on those tail feathers, your now bare a**ed

*grin*

Grabs feathers and begins reattaching them
*Grateful for feathers across the face to hide the blushing*

helpfully offers super glue (with a straight face too.)

*puts the Christmas Angle atop the Tir Tree* ...

Life is all about angles these days and now even xmas has one................

Adjusts angle to reveal the angel.
Now stand up straight, and lay off the Guinness!

A job well done, Orin! *smile*

Just call me Angle of the morning Angle
Just touch my cheek before you leave me baby.............

no thanks your cheek is quite hairy... oh you meant the cheek that's on your face(blush) oh dear.

Angle, Angle when will these clouds all disappear
Angle, Angle where will it lead us from here....

ah shaman now i know why a rolling stone gathers no moss
rolled from too steep an Angle.......

(winces) ouch

Heavens arches rang
When the Angles sang....

for Housemouse...a platter of assorted cheeses, wrapped up and hidden under the tree.