Mauricio Sent from my iPhone

Dinners, Shopping and Gift Wrap

Christmas is almost here and I am not quite sure how I feel about it.
I love giving gifts but usually spend too much money. I can't help myself. I want to give those that I care about nice gifts. I am sure most would appreciate a Snickers bar but I like buying things. Santa takes care of my boys but I find myself buying things I know they like. Do they need that extra Wii game? Probably not. Do I buy my wife that extra pair of gloves? Of course I do...even if the ones I got her last year still look new.
Its the time for giving right? If I can't spend it on the ones I love, who can I spend it on?
I will just think of myself as Patriotic and that I am helping the economy!

We had my wife's family over yesterday for our early Christmas eve dinner. My wife made great dinner of Prime Rib, creamed spinach and rice pilaf....yumm. Best part: we have a whole prime rib left over. Oh you bet I am picking up some rolls tonight and having a prime rib sandwich for dinner. Chase that bad boy down with a Black & Tan (Guiness and Bass Ale) and I am wearing a shit eating grin all night! Oh wait, there is football on tonight too....this is what I think heaven is like.

I am the worst wrapper in the world. I get the item completely covered but anything resembling style gets nowhere near the gifts I wrap. And is it me, or is packaging getting weird now? If you buy a sweater or shirt you can use a normal box...but, if you buy some sort of toy...forget it! You have angles all over the place and I barely passed geometry! All I can say is, I am glad Costco sells tape by the dozen.

Random Thoughts

Things I'd like to see this Christmas...

Empty parking spots at the mall. (I dont like malls in general, especially at Xmas, but I am sure I will need to make a trip)
Snow. I will settle for rain.
A big smile on my boys' faces.
My beloved Giants make a free agent move I am satisfied with.
My friends the Kirklands (ok, Im cheating on this one...I know they are going to visit)
Less stories about people being layed-off. It happens every year at the end of the year but the recession has reporters working twice as hard this year on these stories so they can keep their own jobs.
Money in my checking account. Last year I spent way too much on Christmas.
And my usual request....World peace and the end to world hunger.