and a Happy New -- What?

My friend who came over last night asked for chalk after dinner. Between my kitchen and the front hallway, I have an angled wall that is painted with chalkboard paint. As my sons grew up, we always left messages for each other, and I sometimes write messages on it if they are here and I go out. Occasionally, I put up a holiday menu. Most of the wall's current use is by my granddaughters. They think it's funny to be able to write on the wall, and like to make pictures and notes for me to enjoy after they leave. Anyway, I hadn't used the chalk, which is usually kept in a basket on the kitchen counter, since my kitchen was remodeled. I didn't ask my friend why she wanted the chalk; I just told her I'd look for it. I found it and gave her a stick as I went about whatever I was doing. She was talking as she wrote, and suddenly she started laughing like a maniac. "What is going on?" I asked. She could only point at the board. She had written, "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Jersey!!" It's funnier if you know her. She can be a little ditzy, and she said she just wasn't thinking as she wrote. I told her she had to leave it. It's hilarious, and just the kind of thing one of my kids would write (on purpose). It kind of sums up the holiday sentiment at my house. I related this story to a friend I visited in the hospital today, and she laughed so hard the nurses came in because her monitors were going crazy. She knows this friend, and that made her appreciate the story even more. So, even though Christmas has passed and December still has a few days left, I will wish you too a merry Christmas and a happy New Jersey!!