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Christ is the reason for the season. I'm just trying to focus on my relationship with him. I'm not particularly great at staying the course, but I would like to be.

Am I the only one that gets more anxiety than joy this time of year? Every year we spend ridiculous amounts of money buying presents for other people. This year we're even buying presents for my wife's family that hasn't come to see us since 2015. My wife drives to see them in Ohio 1-2 times/year. Christmas is supposed to be about spending time with people and instead has turned into a spending binge. Something tells me Jesus would not have cared for rampant consumerism. Someone help me be less of a Grinch.

I'm glad I'm not alone. I told my wife that next year we've got to limit gifts to a few people. It's gotten out of hand. If it's creating anxiety then we've lost the point of Christmas.

@Erik88 I think one of the things that has made me happiest in all seasons of the year is the decision that I made several years ago to unplug from the news. We cancelled our cable TV subscription, went Internet-only, use OTA antennas for local news when the weather is bad, and I try like hell to avoid anything and anyone that wants to fill me in on whatever's happening right now in the world. This has even made Christmas better for me because people know that I'm not the guy to talk politics or pop culture with. If they try to pull me into those things, I remind them that I'm not the guy. I know that may not exactly hit the center of the target for you since the commercialization of Christmas is a current source of pressure for you, and I couldn't exactly trace the DNA of this and how it affects my own enjoyment of the season... but it really has made me a happier guy overall.

At Christmas we celebrate the season in terms of our faith, eat good food, enjoy company, watch the little kids tear up their new toys (and play with the boxes). As adults we give the gift of a book that provides winter reading fun. Our larger money goes to Second Harvest Food Bank because everyone has to eat . . .

The spreadsheet of how much I spent on each person to make sure nobody feels slighted is a sign that I'm doing it wrong. Next year only my grandbabies get gifts. I'm giving the rest to a better cause: church.

Rutherford county 9 pointer. 18.5 inch spread.

If I'm reading my Bible right, the wise men brought gifts to Jesus, not to everyone else. The greatest gift we can give to Him is ourselves, not the world's junk.

Accept it? I believe that if Pelosi's liver exploded and killed everyone in the House, it could be said that she gave her life to save the republic.

I'm there too. The excessive consumerism is very stressful. Add to that the inherent family stresses and it gets hard sometimes. Both mine and my wife's family are big, way too big to get gifts for everyone. We dropped back to gifts for immediate family and just cards for everyone else. We haven't seen most of my mom's in person family in 25 years even though they're 3-4 hrs away. Like Jamie, I try to keep the reason for the season at the front of my mind. Easier said than done, but it helps. I'm a music person so I like that too, though largely not the mainstream stuff. Working retail in high school cured me of that. A few good Christmas movies help too. Die Hard, A Christmas Story, and of course... The Ref.

This is a sad truth unfortunately. My preference is to simply have a meal and conversation. Then family goes home. I say a Prayer and Thank the Good Lord for another day. Then I sit back and watch traditional Christmas movies like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and A Christmas Story. Already have my Christmas day planned out.

148 yard shot. Hunting over cut corn field. Only buck I seen that morning. Was using my Browning BAR 30-06. Shooting Winchester Deer Season xp 150 grain. That Belgium BAR was my step dads and he bought it brand new in the 80's. Shot my first deer with it when I was 12. Im now 45 and its still a shooter.

I think everyone will have someone on that list. I hope we are all able to accept that people we have supported in the past didn't deserve it. I have no doubt that people in every political party have been on that island or jet.

Your not alone in feeling like you do. Christmas has been this way for awhile, it's to commercial and has been that way. Christmas is supposed to be about spending time with the ones you love and reminiscing about the ones who have passed on in your life. Now it's all about the bottom dollar, they start earlier every year with their " Huge Savings Sales" and every commercial TV add, magazine and even the local news stations are constantly talking about the holiday sales everyday before Thanksgiving even started. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the time and even buy a few gifts but we always try to set a budget and who we're going to buy for, and donate to and that's where we stop at. Christmas is for kids and grandkids and we don't have any. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't fall for all the hype and enjoy your holidays with the ones you love, that's the best gift you can give and receive. Merry Christmas TGO and a better and happy New Year to all.

FWIW that's probably a sign that she's in the right place. When I talk to students about going into forensics, the question I most often ask is whether or not doing the same thing, exactly the same way over and over brings them joy. If they look at me weird, I can encourage them in a direction that's more suited to them. If they're like, "oh my goodness yes - then they've found their people."

My 20 year old Daughter has taken up knitting and makes stuff for people. She's actually good so you don't need to pretend you like it. LOL I do admit I find it weird for a forensic science major to be into knitting.

I can't help you Erik. Can't help you at all. Because I've been feeling the exact same way as you for many years now.

I went with my younger son this morning and he bagged this 8 pointer. Hope you all had good luck! If you did, let’s see em!

You watch, it'll be a bunch of black rectangles and republicans.

Hang ‘em all for my part!

I know this is totally irrelevant but my nearly 20 year old Panasonic Viera 50" Plasma TV is still rocking and has an excellent picture. They made really good TV's back then...and a lot more expensive than what good ones cost now.

Found the list. Some redaction. About what I expect.

How long before someone uses AI to produce a fake list?

Kinda interested in the part that's not being released.

Jamie, I have 2 1 pd cans of Alliant 2400. I'm 82 yo and really don't need any powder. If you would want to buy the 2 cans of 2400 at whatever market price is I'd throw in 2 more cans that are approx. 3rd can ,1/2 pd and 4th can, approx. 3/4 pd. Thanks, James C.

When I was a kid, I thought the movie Christmas Vacation was funny. Now it is more like a documentary.

It is bad that the holidays are for selling these days instead for family and friends.

Spyderco military left handed 125.00 Spyderco Manix 2xl left handed 100.00 Benchmade 707 Sequel no longer in production 200.00...150.00 or best offer

Stainless Steel Desert Eagle 357mag with 100 rounds of ammo 4 mags $1800 OBO price drop

Sold

Polytech Mak90 converted to spiker. Factory 386 stamped on trunion. These were caught in customs Crossposted and word of mouth in effect. Claims may not secure rifle. It's luck of the draw. $1700

Very nice Springfield Operator chambered in 9mm. Comes with factory box, paperwork, 2 factory magazines and 1 Wilson combat magazine. (X300 and knife pictured not included). Located in Knoxville. Will entertain trades for other 1911s or airweight S&W revolvers. 850 obo

Up for trade is my Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon chambered in 45 acp. Fit, finish, and function as to be expected from NHC. This pistol has very minimal holster wear towards the muzzle and on the front rail from having a surefire x300 on it. Looking to trade for other high end 1911s in either 9mm or 45 acp such as Wilson combat , alchemy custom weaponry, NHC, Springfield custom shop, Ted Yost builds ect. Can add cash if your trade is worth more than the nighthawk. Thanks

We watch it every year.

I don’t recall the name, but a Tennessee representative recently said that we wouldn’t get the entire list, because too many members of Congress are compromised.

I'm guessing the list will be heavily edited. We'll never hear or see the big names on it.

SPF Exceptional set of Smith & Wesson Factory Combat Grips Amazing Wood Grain Will fit any K Frame or L Frame square butt S&W revolver (Model 586, 686, 19, ETC.) Made in December 1978 $250 will ship

Yes, once my generation started having kids, we all pretty quickly concluded there were simply too many people. We did a name draw for a few years so that everyone bought and received only 1 gift. Life schedules being how they are, that only lasted a few years because it became impossible to get everyone in the same place at the same time to exchange them. Mailing cards is easier and not a financial burden for anyone. Our gifts are the time we spend together.

I found the miniseries Fall of the House of Usher to be really good. It takes a lot of Edgar Allen Poe elements from his various works and weaves them into the plot / dialog. Skim thru the titles of his works, and read a few of his poems / stories, and you'll pick up on them in the show. Some of it will be obvious, like names and titles (Pit and Pendulum for one).

Price without Optic.

There is a nationwide stay on the rule, and likely to be overturned. At this time buying a braced pistol is legal with no stamp requirement.

This is my first attempt at a Christmas avatar. Hope it's not already in use... I prefer appendix carry...

If you ever get to Murfreesboro, let me know, I’ll buy them

Sorry, no. This got pulled back into the herd. It was buried so deep on this forum, I just forgot to pull it. Glad I did, took a deer with it two weeks ago. Fourth deer with a .35, I'm really growing fond of this old caliber. Thumps 'em hard.

I have a Samsung 65" TV which has been good along with a matching (?) Samsung sound bar, both have been trouble free for about 3 yrs, both came from WM.

Congrats! My last one was approved at 171 days, all the others were 275-300. Hopefully times will continue to drop. Currently waiting on 2 at 86 and 61 days. Look forward to hearing how you like the Obsidian.

Bergara B-14 Hunter in .308 (22” barrel, 1/10 twist, 4+1 capacity) Burris Veracity 3-15x50 FFP Riflescope + Tactical bolt knob (plus original) + Magpul MS1 sling + Bergara soft carry case + Mounts and Rings $900 Spring Hill and surrounding area

I mainly use the Taurus Raging Hunter in 460 S&W but picked up a Taurus 44 and plan on doing some hunting with it as well out to 50 yards. Have taken deer and pigs with the 460 and it'll flat do a number on them. This hog never took a step with a high shoulder shot. The Taurus 44 I picked up and going to try to do some doe patrol with it.

Have an $89 one in the safe