Iliveforblckfri

Dark chocolate is good for you, pretzels are good for you... This said, these covered pretzels become a health food in my book. Anyone know why I can't seem to lose the last ten pounds.

I was surprised at the vote count. 33.33% for each category. Then I saw that I was only the third person to take the poll. I would love to stay at my budgeted amount, but some are up and some are down from what is budgeted for. Just depends what I can find.

Our sons were a year older than your girls when we gave them the choice of giving up the majority of their gifts in exchange for a car trip. They wanted the car trip and we kept up with it for five years. We would go to a quiet spot in Canada. It was the best thing we ever did.

Anchorage, Alaska. Scary thing is I have no clue what I am buying yet.

Hmmm... This is what was on my list and my hubby said I would have to wait also.

I agree with dealluvr. Nice treats are always a good thing. I am getting to the point I don't want more stuff in my house. Good tea/hot chocolate and treats to eat while I read or relax is a great idea. Be careful with books. I am a librarian that buys a lot of books during the year. I always felt that I was a good judge of what my mom would like. That lasted until I was helping her clean out her home office and I found several books that I had gotten signed by the author for her. She had never opened them. Now I give her a trip to the local book store and flannel pjs. This year I may add special coffees for her.

Maybe that is my problem. I am disappointed in the ads this year and there isn't anything I have seen that I truly want.

I never took my kids shopping on Black Friday. The best thing happened last year when my adult sons and nephews decided to join in. We can divide the stores by interests and get more of the bargains. Definitely a plus. Darla

Thanks for starting the thread. I thought I was the only one that couldn't sleep on Thanksgiving night. I usually catch some cat naps waking up happily at 3:30. Last year I knocked on my SiL's door to make sure she was up and getting ready. When she opened the door, she was dressed and ready, but she looked at my smile and said, "Don't even start." I am notorious for being a morning person. Have a great two and a half weeks of preparation all. Darla

This is my choice for the say. I will be careful with it, but I feel it is best for me to not go into debt. Darla

I just got my husband to go out with me on BF after 22 years of doing it alone. He can't know that it isn't necessary. Darla

I just got an iPod Touch. I am wondering how this can help to organize information for Black Friday. If anyone has applications that have helped, please let me know. Thanks, Darla

I love working with my group of friends and relatives to help everyone get the perfect gifts that are on their lists. Darla:yup:

Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie Ingredients 1 pie crust, unbaked (9 inch) Filling: 1 large egg 1½ cups fresh sweet potatoes, mashed cooked ¼ cup sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter*or margarine, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1/8 teaspoon allspice, ground 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground Pecan Topping 2 large eggs ½ cup sugar ½ cup dark corn syrup 2 tablespoons unsalted butter*or margarine, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 dash cinnamon, ground 1 cup pecan halves ½ cup heavy cream, whipped stiff Prepare pie shell;set aside Directions Make sweet potato filling: 1.In med. bowl, with electric mixer, beat 1 egg until frothy. Add all the remaining filling ingredients; beat at med. speed until the mixture is smooth, about 2 min. 2.Make pecan topping: 1.In med. bowl, with mixer, beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla and cinnamon. Beat at low speed just until mixture is well blended, about 1 min. Stir in pecans. Oven to 350 degrees. To assemble: turn sweet potato filling in unbaked pie shell, spreading evenly. Pour pecan topping over top. Bake 60-70 min., until set and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove pie to rack to cool. Just before serving, decorate with whipped cream.

I am so glad I saw this. I want more Rubbermaid. I know that Fred Meyer's will have them half off for Black Friday. I need to put this on my list or wait another year. Darla

My sons always knew not to ask for socks after September. The same answer every year, just wait until Black Friday. Darla

Here's my question: Last year my son offered to camp out wherever I wanted to be first in line for. He would camp out and then swap places with me. We wouldn't add to the number of people in line as both he and I hate when people do this, but a one for one swap. Would this be considered a breach of etiquette? Of course, this is the first year he has offered and this is the year that I have no pressing needs for black Friday specific sales. Thanks for feedback, Darla

I don't do gift cards unless they are for something the kids will use during the Christmas holiday..(Movie cards, fast food). When my kids were your kids age they always got lots of socks in the stockings. Go to the little toy section and pick up toys that you still love. Maybe my kids are lucky in this area, but I still love rubber bouncing balls and kooshes. Things little enough to fit in the stocking, but toys you never outgrow. Good luck

Just remember how much we all love you for it. My vow, I will only use monetary instruments that have president's faces on them and the plastic ones that make me spend too much money. It is definitely the credit cards forcing me to spend to much, not me.

My first Black Friday experience was in 1988. On my way to my mom's house to pick up people to shop with, I made a mistake trying to open ketchup and drive at the same time. Needless to say, I turned my car around on the road. Another car hit me. We exchanged information and I still made the opening of Fred Meyer's that day. I have never missed on in the 21 years since.

You could go to a pet store and ask them for good ideas. You are being thoughtful about the gift and that is wonderful.

Since I predicted Ace a couple of weeks ago, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

I think I would be convinced that I would not want that in my house.

Let's agree that if we find sanity, whether it is on sale or not, we will alert each other. I look for it every year, and I have yet to find it. -- Looking for the elusive sanity