When chemists die they barium.

The package with the necessary parts arrived yesterday so this morning I got the cab bolted to the frame. It requires some special bushings and shims that keep everything securely in place and insulate from vibration. Then I started installing the sound deadening material on the inside back and floor of the cab, but didn't quite finish that task. Ran out of that roofing material, went to Lowe's to get more, and decided when I got home that it was time to give it a break. I'll probably finish up tomorrow afternoon.

The Univ. of Michigan mens basketball team, ranked 17th in the nation, got beat today by NJIT.
Yeah, I had to look it up. New Jersey Institute of Technology.

We listen to NPR on Saturday mornings until noon when the local station's programming isn't as good, IMHO. Today I heard several of their not-a-commercial for PajamaGrams pushing their line of pajamas for the whole family. This year they've added matching pajamas for the family pet. How many ways are there to spell wrong?

And does anyone really buy a car - never mind a Lexus - for their spouse?

Pam and I haven't exchanged Christmas gifts for so long that I can't remember the last time.
OK, add birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries....
I think we originally agreed to stop because I'm so bad at choosing gifts and hate shopping. I was spending too much time in misery finding and buying what totally missed the mark. And Pam is not an easy person to buy for. She doesn't wear jewelry, perfume, or fancy clothes. You're probably thinking, "But you could get her ______."
Matching pajamas for Pam and her dog!
First, you're not around when I need the help. Second, chances are at least good that it's not something she wants. And it still requires shopping. (Online shopping is still shopping.)

But as it turns out we've both come to prefer our gift-less holidays because all the pressure is gone. In addition to the retail madness all month long there's the pressure of choosing, affording, wrapping (I suck at that, too), giving, receiving....  It's a lot easier to get up Christmas morning, say "Merry Christmas," exchange a kiss, and enjoy the rest of the day.

That freedom extends to our kids. We agreed years ago that we didn't need a gift exchange to know how we feel about each other, and our budgets didn't need the stress either. So we'll get together either Christmas Eve or Christmas day, enjoy a meal, give the (grand)kids their simple gifts, and just spend time together, the best part of any holiday.

I suppose I could make the case that the effort expended purchasing and exchanging presents distracts us from the Reason for the season, and there's no doubt that it can interfere. But that wouldn't explain the absence of presents on other occasions. Mostly, it's just so much easier, and we don't need it.