A lovely Thanksgiving day here. Friends, Family, Food. Fire - big bonfire down in the country in the afternoon. Marshmallows on sticks. And in the dirt. Despite Uncle Chris's good intentions, as many ended up covered with dried grass and dirt...and well charred, as actually made it to the mouth. Treks through the woods and up to the cabin-in-progress, and lots of dirt (always with a toddler and a big girl of 4).
I've never been shopping on Black Friday and don't intend to begin that particular obsession now. Stores opened as early as 4:00 A.M., so by now many shoppers have made great headway in their Christmas shopping, filled their bags, emptied their pockets, and headed on to the next stores on their list.
The crowds have always been too much for me, but the parking can also be a problem when it seems the whole world is shopping at once. In our city, stretched mostly north and south along the river, there are only two main traffic arteries; this detail makes for some serious problems with traffic flow at the best of times. Add the trains that criss cross every route and the construction and delays (often lengthy) are inevitable. Add Black Friday, and running to the corner store for a carton of milk is an ordeal or an adventure, depending on how you look at it. The shopping phenomenon fascinates me, but only from a distance.
Discovered this list of 10 Fun Things To Do Instead of Shopping at Keri's (via Artsy Mama). Loving lists as I do, the compulsion to post it must be obeyed, even though I never have a shortage of things to do on the Day After. On this one, I will be entertaining (or entertained by) Mila and Max. Who are currently sound asleep.
Make some flowers.
We set the alarm to get up for Black Friday. But we looked at each other and said, "Do we really want to do this?" Nope, and we turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. It was cold out and we weren't interested in any doorbuster things anyway.
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I loved playing with the flower thingy!! And, I agree, I NEVER go shopping on Black Friday, EVER!
ReplyDeleteRian -- I think for many people it is just as much an annual challenge as an opportunity to shop for bargains. I get a kick out of some of the "plans" people make...it is like a marathon event and their enthusiasm makes me feel like betting on a winner! This year, I'm givin' 2:1 odds on Sandy and daughter Hannah over last year's winning team, the Judsons.
ReplyDeleteDebby -- I made "a few" flowers myself!
Jenclair, have you seen Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Now? If not, you must google him. A documentary opened over the week showing around the country entitled What Would Jesus Buy...from the same guy who gave us the docu Supersize Me. Rev. Billy is a hoot and has been banned from any and all Starbucks properties.
ReplyDeleteKaroda-- No, but I'm going to google the Rev. Billy right now! Thanks!
ReplyDelete