He's been away on holidays in Europe and was due back at work on Monday. It's quite unbelievable the fact that he won't be there.

He was due back at work on Monday and I was due to go off for a couple of weeks ... he had been on holidays in Europe for a period and we were just going to (talk) about the state of the nation kind of thing ? and it's just quite unbelievable the fact that he won't be there.

The holidays seemed to work out reasonably well for them. They really did get out there earlier and presented different kinds of merchandise and a slightly more upscale image.

We've been as busy or busier than the Christmas holidays. There's the Super Bowl, and right after it is the Olympics, and then there's March Madness.

With people away from their homes -- at parties, shopping or just at work -- the holidays can be an open invitation for burglars. Homeowners can help stop these crimes by installing and using a home security system or by attaching motion sensors to their outdoor lighting.

Most retailers work on the holidays year-round.