It started out innocently enough.
I bought a T-shirt. And then a hoodie.
Nothing over the top. Nothing to suggest I was spending recklessly or getting out of control.
The T-shirt and hoodie had something in common. Each was emblazoned with the logo of My Favourite Team. It's not been that long since I'd identified My Favourite Team, and I felt something of an urgency to fly the colours.
The T-shirt and hoodie began to cry for company. At least, I thought I heard them weeping.
So I bought a jersey. And a pair of pyjamas. And the sweetest winter jacket. Again, all sporting the stuff of My Favourite Team.
The jersey? Heck, I told myself, a bona fide fan couldn't be without one. The pyjamas? I could hardly say no, given that they were 25 per cent off. And the sweetest winter jacket? Well, OK, so it wasn't exactly the cheapest winter jacket. But it looked so amazingly sweet.
The husband got in on the action. In a big way.
When he wasn't watching The Favourite Team play or watching recaps of The Favourite Team's games or previews of The Favourite Team's next game, he was apt to be logged on to The Favourite Team's fan store. Perusing, then purchasing.
Shoes began to arrive.
Then a clock. Then a pair of gloves, a scarf, a toque, a doormat, some boots, some golf club covers and a set of wine glasses. That's right. A set of wine glasses.
Our house was beginning to shrink. The Favourite Team was taking over.
No matter what you might imagine, it was up for grabs.
The flags, mugs and bobble head figures might have been predictable. No so much The Favourite Team toasters, coasters and Tiffany lamps.
"Oh," swooned the husband the other day. He was curled up on the couch beneath a Favourite Team blanket. He was wearing his Favourite Team sweatshirt. Make that, ONE of his Favourite Team sweatshirts.
"Look at this" he said.
"The fan shop sells toolboxes. And dog bowls. And beach towels."
"We don't have a dog," I pointed out.
"Right," he said. "And why would we get a toolbox? We'd have to put it in the shed, and heaven knows we want all our team
stuff out where folks can see it."
"Right," he said again. Thing is, we have accumulated so much Favourite Team gear, it's impossible not to see it, no matter where you go in our house. Bathroom? Check out the towels. Den? Don't miss the bookends. Patio? Take a look at the barbecue tools.
The other day we came across something we hadn't seen before: a Favourite Team steering wheel cover.
Most folks, I reckon, would give it a pass. Ours should be here Friday.
