jbdinos

Gotcha My fault... didn't know what POD was... glad we got that all cleared up... I have learned something new... so today is a good day!

I honestly don't know what the "POD" means... but I wasn't judging... I am sorry you read it that way... I was trying to say I don't mind seeing kids out because I have been there when I couldn't afford Christmas any other way... and I was trying to show that point of view... that those that don't have to take their kids and can afford a sitter should feel blessed that they are that fortunate... I am sorry I didn't make that more clear in my original posting

I used to take my kids shopping on Black Friday when I first started shopping that day. At that time I went out solely for the cheapest deals that I could get because otherwise my kids wouldn't have had a decent Christmas. The world is so commercial that the kids at school and even teachers have them talk about what they "got"... so it's nice to not be the kid that only got one toy from the dollar store... There were 5 of them... l didn't "believe" and the other 4 were small enough to take the their coats off and I could hide the stuff I was buying under the coats and they didn't know. I simply didn't have the extra money for a sitter, their dad was at work, and if I took them to family I would have spent so much in gas $$ that it would have defeated the purpose. They usually did arrive in their PJ's .... but I put them to bed plenty early the night before, let them sleep on the way to the store... and they knew they were getting chocolate milk and donuts after we were done. So they were really good because it was treat to them. I do not mind seeing kids out on BF... my DGD is 5 and she would totally LOVE going out in the crowd and go "people watching" with me.... I don't take her because she is also nosy and I don't want to ruin the Santa magic for her.... now that my kids are older and I am in a better place financially I go out to people watch, get deals, etc but I leave them at home with an older cousin. As for those that don't bundle them up... well that happens other days of the year besides BF... it's just noticed more because you are standing in line and you see who all is out there shopping..... it is sometimes bitter cold here in Indiana.... and I've seen babies and small kids all year long without appropriate clothing, etc. Being left alone in the store for mom to go to the other side of the aisle to get just one thing, etc..... it happens all the time, we just notice it more on BF I think... Just remember... sometimes when someone is out shopping.. with kids... maybe it's all they can do to hold it together.... maybe they have no choice in order to get that one thing that is hot and maybe it's the only thing their child will get this year.... Count your blessings that you don't have to do that and your kids aren't there making you crazy

Holiday "fluff" 1 carton low fat small curd cottage cheese 2 8 oz cartons of sugar free cool whip 1 can of crushed pineapple drained 1 lg can of mandarin oranges drained 1 pk of any flavor jello (leave powdered) as many mini marshmallows as you like mix and chill...

I get up at least an hour before the CVS ad begins that morning, wake up the kids just before heading out so they can get started on the day... get whatever our local CVS has in stock of the sale items... home, finish getting ready and head on our 30 min drive to the next town, finish anything at their CVS that ours didn't have, pick up the paper there for the town we go shopping in (our local town doesn't carry the right paper and we miss ads if we don't get this one).. go to my DH's grandparents, help them cook dinner, etc.... talk to them about the ads and if they want something I know is on sale cheaper elsewhere (thanks to GD) we discuss all that. Then after clean up I head home. Once home I spread the ads out and call my sister and we make the master plan final. This is the plan we've been working on daily since the ads start appearing on GD. Go to bed much later then I intend to (happens every year) with anticipation of the fun tomorrow when my sister arrives VERY early for our drive to shop (takes over 1 hour to get to a town with anything other than a walmart) We are always beat.. but the next morning we will start planning BF 2010

Thanks Brad and congrats to the other winners too.... My son will be impressed that his efforts at helping won :) Maybe he needs a magnet for his locker at school... or stickers for the teachers... lol

babies/kids don't bother me... I have had to take mine before and last year a nice lady had hers up and dressed and was almost 30 min from home when she found out the sitter was calling to cancel and she was supposed to drop the kids and then go to the store... so she had to bring them along or give up shopping... so we all helped her get the stuff that was in the area we were in so she could keep the little ones out of the crowd.... Teens grabbing items for mom/dad don't bother me... heck my sister and I grab items for each other... is it any different if I do it or my teen does it? But I don't take my own teens either... this is MY day :) pregnant women don't even bother me.... as long as they don't expect me to stop shopping to deliver a baby... gotta draw the line somewhere.. lol I think the only thing that bothers me would be the people that jump the line.. whether while waiting outside... or the checkout line... I learned several years ago to do my best to stop them.... but if I can't block their way, keep them from taking my spot, etc then I just let it go... no use complaining... not too many people care that morning what I am going through... lol My sis and I can "vent" all the way home... and we are pretty good at that.... but that is our annual shopping alone day... and so the kiddos all stay home so we can buy anything we want without trying to sneak around and hide it, etc..... and I am SO looking forward to it

I want a colts snuggie for watching football on lazy sunday afternoons :) wouldn't mind having a red one to keep in my van for the school football games too.... Other than that I really don't know of anything I really want.... so I told DH to just surprise me this year.... I love surprises the best :)

anyone have any experience with this brand?

That's funny.. my son is 13 and wasn't the least bit embarrassed.. we even ran into a girl he likes from school and he had that camera around his neck and was having a great time... lol

Oh and the Lowe's manager should have allowed pics... Thanks to Brad I did spend over 35.00 in Lowe's... Brad just HAD to make me go to the Christmas stuff... and Lowe's had 4 new sets of Colt's ornaments.... so if Gottadeal is gonna sponsor Lowe's like that... then Lowe's should support Gottadeal... :) Seriously though... Thanks Brad!!!! I love my new ornaments :)

Task #1: Made a GD Ornament and put it on a tree display at Lowe's and left it there..... http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00082.jpg http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00083.jpg Task #2: Failed... I was told that the employees cannot do it without manager approval and the managers wouldn't approve it because to take a picture in "uniform" with the sign would mean that the store was supporting the site and unless corporate tells them to they can't do it But I tried.... even looked for young and new employees... Task #3: Still trying... so far I can't find any public bulletin boards I can put it on... all of them at our stores have glass fronts and are locked so only the store can post stuff in them. Task #4: First landmark... "THE" Pig... this giant concrete pig is probably older than I am and has been at the house down the road from me for as long as anyone remembers .... everyone knows where "THE" Pig is if I try to tell them where I live... http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00065.jpg Next... The Lanier Mansion a little history can be found here: http://wikimapia.org/8048/J-F-D-Lanier-Mansion-National-Historic-Landmark http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00080.jpg http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00079.jpg And finally Broadway fountain.... here's some info on it: http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/viewsingleimage.html?mode=singleimage&handle=Allez&number=11&album_id=7&thumbstart=0&gallery= http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00077.jpg http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00075.jpg http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/jbdinos/Miscellaneous/Gottadeal/DSC00076.jpg

The "By the numbers" series by Janet Evanovich

Personalized Hannah Montana Stocking Boot http://www.disneystore.com/holiday-decor-personalized-hannah-montana-stocking-boot/pdo/1236850/14420/ http://as7.disneystore.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/H3834T0001?$full$

completed task #3 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=583657801&ref=profile

I have ordered from them 3 times with no issues at all :)

Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels (Wii) Site to store for free shipping http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10232561 http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/32/72/33/0002327233463_215X215.jpg

1. In your opinion, what store had the best Black Friday ad last year (2008) and why? Last year was Walmart for me. There were several items there I wanted that were a great deal and also because they price matched a couple other stores to save stops for me. 2. What would be your #1 piece of advice to someone totally new to Black Friday? Always prepare/plan ahead and when you make your lists be sure to put the sizes, weights, etc on the list so that when you find them on the shelves and you aren't sure it is the right item you don't have to search the sales ad to find it again. 3. Besides offering great deals, what else can a store do to get you to shop there on BF? Some type of "wind block" would be nice when it's bitter cold outside... or at least offer hot coffee/cocoa when the shoppers are in line to help keep everyone warm... and if that isn't feasible.. how about roped off lines to try to help with crowd control?

Great find... THANKS

Congrats everyone! Thanks Brad for these contests and great prizes! :)

The little girls (sizes 4-6X) Jumping Beans brand crop pants, t-shirts, and long sleeve t-shirts are all half off (were 14)... on sale for 7... before the 30% off... I got 2 complete outfits for my granddaughter to start kindergarten for just under 21.00 shipped. She is going to be so excited :)

voted for ya :)

BF is my yearly date ... just me and my sis :)

on the unavailable page type "windy pass jacket" in the search box and it'll come right up

I voted approximately the same. However, I have gotten a lot of good deals on video games already so my kids and the grandbabies are actually going to get more gifts to open but without breaking the bank.