THE QUEST HAS BEGUN

Thanks to Trinity 63, my ass has a five hour road trip ahead of me today.

Yes...Trin went above and beyond the call of duty and called several Toys 'R' Us stores in Alabama, trying to locate Andrew's beloved Imagine Sounds Playhouse.

There's one on the other side of the state. It's a two and a half hour drive from here.

I'm leaving in a few hours. But in the middle of the night, I had a revelation...and that revelation is ... I'm stopping at every single Walmart, Target and Toys 'R' Us that I see on the way there to check and see if they have any of them first.

If I find one closer, I'm buying that one and turning around and coming home.

So basically, I'm doing a tour of Alabama today...stopping several times to try and find this present.

This kid...man...if he takes a look at this playhouse on Christmas morning and wants to watch the Wiggles instead of playing inside this thing ... well ... I'm liable to take a belt to him.

I know parents make certain sacrifices for their kids all through life. And it's not that I look at this as a "sacrifice" ... but I'm trying really hard to make sure that this kid has a wonderful Christmas.

Like someone pointed out to me yesterday ... if I'm going to these lengths now ... what's it going to be like when the kid can actually speak and DEMAND something for Christmas?

I shudder to think.

Anyway...I've gotta get movin' on. Time's a wastin'.

Walmart's are calling my name.