Thanksgiving, Anniversary, Black Friday

THANKSGIVING
The holidays always make me sad that we live so far from both of our families. It makes me think back to when I was a kid and we lived in the same town as all of my mom's family and my dad's parents. Holiday get togethers (as well as the "just because" get togethers) were always looked forward to with much anticipation and excitement. Gathering at the house of whoever's turn it was with all the family is some of my best memories. Ones that I truly cherish! It makes me sad that our girls don't get to have that with their grand-parents, cousins and aunts and uncles.

This Thanksgiving was, once again, just the 5 of us. Jeff had to work that morning, but thankfully just until noon which was perfect. I did what I could the day before to be a little ahead of the game and was able to have a slow start on Thanksgiving morning. I slept in...sort of and was able to enjoy my morning 5 cups of coffee snuggled up with the girls watching TV before getting showered and ready to get in gear for "chef" mode. I made our traditional Thanksgiving feast. Turkey (of course!), mashed potatoes, gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, relish tray, rolls and jellied cranberry. Y...U...M...M...Y!!!! Everything went off without a hitch. Couldn't have been more perfect! This was the first time I had done this and felt ahead the whole time. I even stayed caught up on all the dishes as I was preparing things. Very odd for me!! :) When we were done eating, the only dishes I had to wash were our dinner dishes. And can I just say...THANK GOODNESS FOR DISHWASHERS!!


ANNIVERSARY
Jeff and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. Yay, us!! However, that anniversay happened to fall on Thanksgiving day so it wasn't filled with much fan fare about it. I spent most of the day in the kitchen, but we did remember it and we did get to spend it together and that's what is most important. To us, anyway!!


BLACK FRIDAY
I am an idiot!! Last year on Black Friday, I went out to Kohl's at 5am, but with a specific purpose. To get our luggage and the digital frames for our parents. So worth it! This year, I decided to go out again, but this time had no real purpose. I decided to go to Toys R Us at midnight to see if they were having any good bargains on NERF stuff for nephews and anything else for our girls and niece. I left the house about 11:30ish for the 15 minute drive to the store. It turns out....I ended up just taking a nice midnight drive. :) I pulled in one side of the EXTREMELY PACKED parking lot and drove right out another side and headed home. It was INSANE!!! There were easily 100+ people standing outside the door waiting to get in. People that were parking across the street were running out into the traffic to get across. The car in front of me had to slam on his brakes so as not to hit someone. I got back home after my nice, leisurly, midnight drive and sat back in the recliner, set the alarm on my cell phone for 3:30 in case I dosed off (totally did) and sat back and watched TV. I had inteded on going to Kohl's again and this year they were opening up at 4 instead of 5. I had no specific reason for going other than seeing if I would run across some really great deal. However, when the alarm went off at 3:30, I decided that I was too tired, not to mention, too broke to go there...just because. I reset the alarm for 4:30 instead so I could be at Walmart by 5:00. Once again, I had no real purpose for going. Well not for anything for Christmas anyway. They have these reversible bubble jackets that the girls have been wanting and when I got their ad this week, it had them priced at $7 instead of the usual $13 so I figured I would go up there for that at least. Now, you may be wondering, "why in the world would you go to Walmart at 5:oo in the morning and deal with all the crazies for an $18 savings?" The only way I know to answer that is because that's how I am...a cheapskate and if I can save some money, even if it means going out at such a horrific hour, then I will. Plus, I thought I might run across some really great deal, but there were just WAY too many people in there so I paid for my three jackets and the NERF gun (at regular price) one of our nephews wants and headed home. Got home in time to throw on some sweats, wash my face and brush my teeth before the alarm went off for Jeff to get up for work. I fixed him some turkey sandwiches to take for the day, sent him on his way, got my coffee brewing (I was definitly going to need it) and as the aroma of coffee beans filled the air and my body screaming for sleep...the first child emerged from her bedroom. The day had begun! I tried to stay busy so I wouldn't crash, I even walked with the girls as they rode their bikes to the school to play on the playground. It was such a gorgeous day! I made it through the day, even watched my friends girls for an hour or so that evening, but I was so happy when my head hit the pillow that "Black Friday Night". Turns out, I didn't have to be at Walmart at 5:00 in the morning for those bubble jackets, that all three love, by the way. Kendal and I were in there this evening and I took her to see the variety of colors they had in case she wanted to exchange the one I got for a different one (she didn't :) ) As we get closer to them, I blurt out (causing a few heads to turn our direction) "SON OF A GUN! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!" There on the top of the rack with a big sign was the price.....$7.00!! MAN!!! Sleep deprived for nothing! I will not be participating in the insanely, crazy Black Friday festivites next year. Unless, of course, there is a specific great deal item that I am going for. :)

Until next time...