Amen.

Someone sold me out. Confess, please. I'm getting emails from every store on earth that sells something for the holiday season. A cruise around the world, perhaps? A new something to put here or store there or give to my best friend's mother's cousin's sister-in-law's daughter?

How do you feel about dirty santa (the game)? I've got mixed emotions about this holiday festivity. I've played four times this year and felt a bit let down after three of the games. In the first game, I put in a good gift (iTunes gift card) and wound up with a joke gift (strange photo). In the second game, I put in a good gift and almost had catch phrase in my possession when a girl stole that and I ended up with a board game I will most likely never play if you can even believe that. Something about brand names. What ticked me off is that the girl planned on re-gifting catch phrase at her work dirty santa game the next day and took the good gift as a re-gift. Finally, Jared and I played with his family and ended up with our own gifts as planned and hoped and strategized on. But, it seems kind of strange to buy gifts, wrap them, and then re-open them later in the week. It also doesn't seem very sporting-like, but I was tired of spending money and ending up with something I will never use again and the either have to throw away, give to my mortal enemy, or store in the attic for five years until I finally get it out the door to Goodwill. Now, I did play at work and came home with four new board games. That was a good game. I didn't spend a dime and ended up with something that I actually wanted. I guess the not knowing what you'll get is part of the fun of the game. I suppose I'm being a bit scroogish about the whole thing, but I like intentional gift giving and I hate wasting money.

We're off to Nashville tomorrow. I can't wait to see those nephews. Bring on Christmas.