FReeper Canteen ~ The Night Before Christmas ~ 21 DEC 2010

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

 

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas 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 down 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 tiny 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, Donder 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 hand, 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."

Please visit our Troops this Holiday Season!

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

United States Marines

United States Navy

United States Air Force

Write A Letter To Our Troops

 

 

 

[luvie]

We can never have enough hugs or love, Sandy!

[SandRat]

Just the same as Luvw did in reply 55.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in first....Nana Hope grabs the gold!!

[SandRat]

That’s the gospel truth.

[luvie]

Howdy! I was a semi-lady-of-leisure! I kind of hung out, but I also had a few chores that needed doing before going back to work and before our company arrives. Still have a few more things that I’ll get to later. :)

How is your day going? Did your part of the state get lots of snow? Heard it was quite Arctic-like in some parts!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Teenster!

Not yet.....

Sometimes these imminent severe weather and flash flood warnings, predicting high surf and wind, rainfall of 1-3 inches. take time to occur.

But to be fair, Civil Defense announcements of closures, flooding, disaster are always timely after the fact......if the power is still up.

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy LUV! *HUGS*

Merry Christmas to you!

Could not get time off from work
to go East, but this is the last year for that! :o)

Slow down? HUH?!? House officially went on the market
with an agent on Friday, and two back to back open houses
this week. First H & G show of the new season is January 6th. YIKES!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And right behind....Hawaii snags the silver!!

[puppypusher]

Merry Christmas to My Fellow FReepers Here this evening and A Much Better New Year.

[laurenmarlowe]

Double Dittos, Sand!

*HUGS*

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Pro bags the bronze!!

[laurenmarlowe]

And it's a long one, indeed! Seasons Blessings to you Ciexyz!

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy puppypusher, and Merry Christmas to you!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha ProCon!

Hope you're all better now and right and ready for Christmas.

Mele Kalikimaka, Buddy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Busy, busy, busy day?

Yes....this is a short week. Today is "Tuesday" and tomorrow "Wednesda". We are off Thursday and Friday and have to send Direct Deposit tomorrow afternoon.

And since lauren didn't get me pretzel shaped pretzels when she went shopping today, I am departing to handle that last errand for my Mom. Be back in a bit.

[2111USMC]

Evening ladies!

[SandRat]

Thanks

[oldteen]

You're waiting for a cool-down while the rest of us are waiting for a warm-up!

Yep, Gorebull Warming, it is! ;)

[oldteen]

We have rain, wind, cold, soggy, icky, yukky weather! To sum it up....NASTY! :)

[laurenmarlowe]

Here ya go MA! Shopping done!