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While I pretty much like all sports, I really love football. Most people dread the month of August for various reasons, such as the hot and humid weather (the "dog days" of summer) or because it means school will be starting up again soon. But I actually look forward to August because it signifies the start of high school, college, and NFL training camps across the country. It also means that it's time for me to shopping. You see, every year I like to splurge a bit on some new football gear to wear while I'm attending games, watching them on TV, or tossing a football around at the park. Here some of the merchandise you'll find in my closets and around my house.

First, I buy all the magazines that carry pre-season previews. Of course there are the usual suspects, such as Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, and ESPN the Magazine. But I also like to get copies of Pro Football Weekly, Football Digest, and Street & Smith's College Football. Reading these magazines brings me up to speed on what personnel changes all the teams made during the off-season, and allows me to make more informed draft choices for my fantasy football leagues.

Second, I like to hit the mall or some sporting goods stores to buy some clothing items with my favorite team logos on them. I know most fans would want to own a jersey or two, but I've had bad luck in the past in terms of buying jerseys of players that were then traded within a year. I am a Bears fan, and right now it looks like they don't have a franchise kind of player (besides linebacker Brian Urlacher). And since it sometimes seems like everyone in Chicago has a #54 jersey, I think I'll pass on that one. Instead, I'll content myself with a couple of t-shirts, a couple of new hats, and a Starter jacket. I can't forget about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, my favorite college team. I already got a new ND hat after my husband's recent trip to South Bend.

Third, I like to buy posters of my favorite players to add to my collection. Right now, I have several framed NFL posters hanging on the wall in my basement TV room. Framed posters make for a cheap yet effective way to decorate an otherwise bare room. It also creates a great game-watching atmosphere that my friends and I enjoy.

Finally, I scour the Notre Dame and Chicago Bears schedules and pick three games that I would like to go to (2 Bears game and 1 Notre Dame game). Then I get on the phone or online to see when the tickets for those games go on sale, mark the date down on my calendar, and get my credit card ready.

This is my pre-season ritual, and even though I have been doing the same thing for the last 12 years, I'll never get tired of it. I can't wait for Opening Day!