The day dawned bright and clear at the North Pole as Mr. and Mrs. Claus drank their morning cocoa. At the breakfast table Mrs. Claus yawned and stretched, then she walked to the desktop computer station between the kitchen and living room and sat down in front of the screen.

"Santa, I'm going to check the Internet for those new air maps for this year's big trip," Mrs. Claus said, "Oh, and look at all those new e-mails!" she cried.

Santa's eyes always lit up at the sight of mail from the many boys and girls who took the time to write him a personal note - on paper or on e-mail.

"With my new Blackberry, I can check my mail from right here at the breakfast table," Santa said, "Here's a lovely message from little Emily in Flesherton. She says her mother removed the chimney and wondered if Santa could use the front door this year. Ho, ho, ho."

"And here's a note from Ben in Barrie," Mrs. Claus said, "He wants a train set that he can set up to run through his whole house and it could bring him a bowl of cereal in bed in the morning all the way from the kitchen!" Mrs. Claus laughed, "Wouldn't that be fun!"

"Oh my, look at the time my dear - we have to meet Ignatius at the airstrip," Santa said.

Mr. and Mrs Claus hurried into their parkas to meet the incoming plane. "I don't believe I've met Ignatius before," Mrs. Claus said, "He's from Australia?" she asked.

"No, no, my dear, Austria. He's been in the tool business since before time began. Ignatius is almost more magical than Santa himself. Whenever we need something, he always seems to have it - even when we haven't pre-ordered. It's like he can read minds!" Santa said.

Overhead a small plane circled and then touched down. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer and most of the folks who lived at the North Pole were all gathered around when Ignatius stepped from the plane.

"Ho, ho, ho - now I feel like Santa!" Ignatius called to the group. He was wearing a large cable knit sweater that made him appear even more muscular than he was with a pair of pants that had pockets from his ankles to his waist. All along his belt, tools hung from every sort of loop. On his head was a woolly longshoreman's toque and on top of that, a telephone head set plugged into the Blackberry that was also hanging from his belt.

"Ho, ho, ho," Santa chuckled, "You've got more pockets than a herd of kangaroos!" he laughed.

"That's because he's Australian," Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer said.

"Not Australian, Austrian," Blitzen corrected him.

"Well, you certainly look equipped," Santa said.

"Wait until you see what's in the cargo hold. A new band saw, three new wood lathes, a thickness planner, two edge sanders, one stroke sander, and a table saw with the most fabulous extras!"

"Ooooooo," the elves cooed in unison about the new tools.

"I'll start with the unloading," Smith, the ever-efficient elf, announced.

"And there's even some surprises!" Ignatius said winking at the elves.

Santa introduced Ignatius all around and then to Mrs. Claus.

"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Claus," Ignatius said.

"And you also," Mrs. Claus answered, "You're just in time for the annual North Pole Christmas concert," Mrs. Claus said, "This year's concert is a hip-hop theme called Fire and Ice."

"Fire and Ice, how interesting," the handsome Austrian murmured.