Talk of the Town

The good the bad and the ugly

This may be a Cyber Monday but I would like to reminisce about my first Black Friday experience before it is gone from memory. 

True Black Friday shoppers may take exception to someone like myself who says I went shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving since my hardy shopping group didn't start out until after 8am.  There was no overnight camping in line for us.  The cashiers at the first two businesses were disappointed we didn't have a good war story to share with them.  They were looking for "We were out at 3am with walkie-talkies and strategy maps" or "I've not been to sleep since yesterday, but look at the digital camera I got for $4!!"  "This is our first stop" didn't pack the dramatic punch they were looking for.

I can explain my Black Friday shopping experience into three categories;  the good, the bad and the ugly. 

I don't know about you, but every person I ran into was in a great mood.  Not one person was grouchy or even said a cross word!  This cheerful attitude has been cited by Black Friday-lovers as one of the best aspects of the day.  The other 'good' part of the day was the number of happy sales clerks.  I have no idea why but these workers, who had been at work for hours by the time I saw them, seemed excited to be where they were on Friday morning.

I wonder what made my fellow shoppers think it was OK to leave their garbage scattered all over the stores?  Specifically I'm talking about coffee cups.  We lost count, but I'm sure I saw at least 10 or 12 Starbucks or Caribou cups nestled next to stacks of sweaters and gift wrap.  Really?  You are so immersed in finding a new robe for grandma you couldn't divert your quest for thirty seconds to find a garbage can?  Bad shoppers, BAD!

The 'ugly' also has to do with my fellow shoppers.  As I said, I've never been shopping on Black Friday, but I was SHOCKED at the condition of some of the stores.  It looked like an earthquake hit some of the businesses!  On any other day I'd say this problem falls on the shoulders of the clerks, but on Black Friday they are treading water to find items or move shoppers through checkout as quickly as possible.  I saw stacks of shirts knocked off tables, nearly entire racks of clothes pulled to the floor and items thrown back on top of shelves.  It was like thousands of kindergartners had taken over the mall!  I felt so bad about some of the messes I had stumbled upon that while waiting for others in my party, I picked up, folded and straightened items on hangers the best I could. 

I guess that just brings us back to the 'good' part of the experience because we still had a wonderful time and agreed it was a fun way to spread a little Christmas cheer.

How about you?  Please share your experiences or great deals with me.

 

Black and blue Friday

How many times have you heard those most wise of words, "NEVER say never."

Earlier this year, when I realized I really did like running, I sat at the kitchen counter post-run, stunned at the thought.  "What's wrong" my husband asked?  "I think I like running" I replied. 

Amazing.

From that point on I decided I would never say never again.  Wait - did I just do it again?

Next week my extended family is coming to town for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and a little generational quality time.  And the day after Thanksgiving?  Well, that's the day we shop.  At least that is when my mom, sister, sister-in-law and niece shop.  Black Friday has never been on the list as a "can't miss" activity for me.  At times, I may have even said "you'll NEVER find me ANYWHERE near a mall on THAT day!" 

It is also possible I might have called Black Friday shoppers "freaks of some nature."  However, guess what I'm planning to do the day after Thanksgiving?

Please allow me a chance to backtrack a bit.  A few years ago my sister moved to town and I started to think it might be time for me to suck it up and get out there.  One year I was a little curious about all the hoopla so I decided I would just take a quick peek and stop by Herberger's WITH A RETURN!  Clearly I had NO idea what I was in for.  The clerk looked at me like I was crazy, which of course I was.

So this year, I'm all in.  I don't know what time we will start and I have no idea what I am doing, so I turn to you.  Any tips for surviving Black Friday?

By the way, I'll NEVER camp outside a store overnight to be first in line...

Stand up for Thanksgiving!

The weather in November had been pretty non-wintry, however now that we've gotten our first taste of snow, things are getting serious.

It's winter time friends and time for all the fun events that go with it.  Events like holidays when we gather with kith and kin to celebrate the season.  I know most people would associate winter with Christmas, but I eagerly anticipate Thanksgiving every year and associate it with winter weather too.  I know it makes life easier if Thanksgiving is a dry and warm day, but in my life, the number of warm Thanksgiving days were very few and far between. 

About this time every year I find myself yearning for a turkey dinner.  The fact there is one right around the corner only seems to make me even more hungry for it!  When I was a kid I would have to wait patiently for mom and grandma to prepare it for me, but now that I'm an adult, I have been known to cook up a turkey a few weeks in advance.  I called it a practice run, but it really was a craving!

The main reason I love Thanksgiving is because it is nothing more than a wonderful meal and the giving of thanks and gratitude.  No gifts, no hoopla; just reflection.  The more I reflect on Thanksgiving the more despondent I become when Christmas stomps all over its turf.   Sure, the day after Thanksgiving many will be diving into to shopping with all that Black Friday craziness, but now I hear a few more stores are opening on Thanksgiving Day to get a jump on it.

Stop the madness!

At my house I declare Christmas will not start until after Thanksgiving - no matter how much I love listening to the Christmas music station!  To that end, I am trying to encourage lots of Thanksgiving traditions at our home.  What are some of yours?

Help for Santa

Kids. 

Each stage comes with its own joys and, I suppose if I’m being honest, its own headaches.

Having a new baby in the house is exciting and tiring.  Three year olds are potty trained (for the most part) but likely to run into traffic if you don’t keep them within arm’s reach.

I have yet to have a teenager in the house, but from what I hear, the joys outweigh the headaches by a mile.

The school age kids at my house gave me a whole load of joy (and a nod to nostalgia) the other day.  The Toys R Us holiday catalog arrived and they sprang into full business mode.  Up to the kitchen counter they came with pencils, paper and a good dose of cooperation.  With the catalog on the counter between them, the Christmas lists began. 

I suggested taking a marker and circling things they might like, but that was rebuffed like an early bed time.  The physical list is mandatory because choices need to be ranked and the rankings may change in these last critical weeks before a visit to Santa.

Do you remember your list?  Year after year I asked for a Muppet Show drum kit; a wish that unfortunately fell on Santa’s deaf ear.  Now that I’m the mom, I may understand a bit better why the quieter Farrah Make-Up Head was a better choice.