You're a mean one, Mrs. Grinch...

So I had talked to Adam about scaling down on our Christmas spending this year, following the lead of 98.7% of American consumers, since we have less money this year as I'm working only part-time. This idea was not well received, and various names (Grinch, cheapskate, Scrooge) were floated as personal descriptors. This discussion came, interestingly, after a month of MASSIVE expenditures, after which we were in the black only because of an abnormally large paycheck (I was paid out for my annual leave since I stopped working full-time--my check was like 6 times what it usually is!) Since we are both incapable of balancing a checkbook, every month opening the statement from the bank is like playing Let's Make a Deal, except that there's almost always a can of Lemon Pledge behind Door Number 3, and never a new car or even a 4 day 3 night trip to Cancun. But I have to say that God in His infinite mercy saved our sorry asses with that check from NCSU.

I guess the whole country, unfortunately, has been in the same boat as we are, sort of coasting along, assuming everything is going to turn out all right. What's that old tag about Fortune favoring the foolish? Or perhaps I mean the one about how God takes care of children and fools? I suppose we're all hoping for a little of that kind of Christmas magic this year. I suppose it could happen...I mean, who would ever have believed that under a Republican administration, we'd have essentially nationalized a number of major financial institutions? Who would have thought that North Carolina could elect a black man for president? Who'd have thought that a large number of Americans (though perhaps not a majority) could distinguish between Iraq and Iran? I guess it's a year for the unexpected. Perhaps the Grinch's heart will grow this Chrismas, and perhaps not. In any case, I expect the Grinch will be showing up for the party...adding machine in hand.