Santa on the Engine

Went to bed last night around 02:00 hours and got up this morning at 11:00 hours. I got out of bed and read the paper and ate a light breakfast. I then called Sue and she told me to come over at 13:00 hours to exchange gifts. So I got dressed at 12:30 hours and headed to her house. I got there and visited for about 2 hours. I talked to Sue while she wrapped and watched a little of the Steelers game. We then exchanged gifts and they went to the Dollar Store and I stopped at Sheetz and got gas. I then stopped at Giant and got some Cool Whip for my mother and then headed on home. Once at home I had the leftover pizza from last night while I got on the computer to do some things. I then put my suit in the car and headed up to the firehouse at 16:30 hours. I got up there and Lonny, LeeAnn, and Katina were all there. I took the suit inside and we sat around and talked for a little bit. Lyle then showed up also. At 17:00 hours, we got the chair on top ot the Engine and whitey stopped back in to put the finishing touches on the sound system on the Utility. I then got dressed and then Robbie and his girlfriend showed up. We pulled the Engine and Utility out of the station and I got on top and we got the flood lights all set up and then we went around Fisherville. I then got off and we went to the two devlopments off of Powell's Valley Road. I then got off again and we went to my devlopment and we went around. I then got off and we went over to Jean's granddaughters house and stopped. I got a plate of cookies and talked with her for a few minutes. We then headed over to another stop that we had to make. We went down Enders Grove Road and we got halfway down and Robbie said we should have put me on top to go by the strip of houses. So he said we would turn around at the Grove. Well we made the lope in the park but when we came out at the other end, the wheel chocks and front step hit the pavement. The end result was the wheel chocks were ripped off and the front step was bent. We teased Robbie about it. We then went back down the road and turned around and I got up on top and we went past the houses. We then continued on to our other stop, We got there and I got down off the Engine and talked to a large group of kids. I then went inside with my sack of gifts (given to us by the family) and sat down and handed the gifts out to all the kids and they had their picture taken with Santa. We then left and headed back up their lane. Once out on Enders Road, I got in the cab and asked Robbie if we were heading over to Enders or not. He said that we were, and I told him that we were headed the wrong way. So we turned around and stopped at Enders-Fisherville Elementary School. I got out and stretcher and then David and Holly joined us. We then went through Enders and down one of the side streets. Well, when I am up on top of the Engine, my glasses steam up and I can't see that good. Anyways, I was sitting there waving, when all of a sudden I turn around and there was a tree branch in my face. I only had time to semi-duck and cover my face. I came out of it ok, but it knocked my hat off and it landed on the hose bed cover behind me. Dave radioed Robbie to stop so Santa could get his hat. I got that hat and we continued on the way. We stopped and I got out again and we then went over to the devlopment off of Miller Road and Oak Ridge. That devlopment was the longest time I was on top and towards the end I started to get cold. I then got off when we were done there and we hit one more devlopment off of Powell's Valley Road. We then went into Shell and got fuel for the trucks and the generators. I stood out front and waved to passing cars. We then headed back to the fire house. Once there I changed and we got everything off of the trucks. We also found out that Lyle had messed up the tailgate on the Utility. Robbie fixed it and now it works. Robbie, his girlfriend and Katina all left. Me, LeeAnn, Lyle and Lonny all stayed and sat and talk and ate cookies. We all left after 23:30 hours and headed on home. Once at home I took a shower and am now getting ready to hit the sack as I am tired.