ilikefree

Hopefully your mom listens to you and eats, drinks and rests. I always thought I was grateful for my loved ones, that I never took them for granted, until my dad got sick a couple weeks ago. He hasn't been feeling well so he took 2 home covid tests about a week apart and they both came back negative. He called me the Saturday morning before Christmas and asked if I could come over and sit with him for a while. That's when I knew something was wrong because he never asks for anything, he's always the one who is there for you or doing something for anyone. Being a Saturday there were no doctors in so he asked if I could take him to the local emergency room (we don't have an urgent care near us). They did a covid test, flu test, x-rays and other tests and everything came back negative. They said it was probably just a virus but since he had prior heart issues they suggested he go to the main hospital. This was 2 days before Christmas but he went (he lives alone). They said everything looks good but ordered an echocardiogram and released him the next day with a heart monitor he has to wear for a month. Lots of confusion with the echo and still waiting to hear back, but for the most part he's feeling better and we had a great family Christmas. Like your mom, he also has to drink more water.

I've been running nonstop since this past Friday. This is actually the first time I've gotten to sit down for any length of time. I received my Secret Santa package a couple days ago. I received a bag of Hershey's Kisses, a pair of REALLY cozy sherpa-lined Snoopy socks, Bath & Bodyworks soap in my favorite wintery scent, Winter Candy Apple, and a box of fruity teas, which I can't wait to try! Thank you, Secret Santa, I love everything!

It was something with a lot of feathers on it.

Congratulations!!

I can't believe how fast the year has gone! My shopping is almost done. Hubby and I went shopping yesterday and got our grandcats a couple toys. When we got home we just put the bag they were in on the table while we put other stuff away. We were sitting in the living room and our stinker of a cat comes walking in with one of the toys for the grandcats in his mouth. Guess it's back to the store to get one for him too.

I thought this was such a great idea I did it for my son's girlfriend this year since she loves Taco Bell!

My package was dropped off at the post office this afternoon.

I agree. Plus there weren't any great deals this year either. The prices that I saw were pretty much close to everyday prices.

I didn't buy a lot since most of my shopping is done. I did notice that the stores weren't busy at all. Normally Mendards is packed wall to wall with people. This year I'd say there was only about 1/3 of the normal crowd there. Walmart was a sorry sight too. It was even less than a normal day shopping, nothing at all like Black Fridays of the past. We did venture to one of the malls in Toledo and it was really busy.

Menards is usually my favorite ad but this year I didn't see any must-haves.

Waiting on a couple things to arrive then I will be ready to ship.

I got a great deal on these digital frames a couple weeks ago so I bought 3 as gifts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095C1TLGS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

I always look forward to the Meijer ad but to me it seems like we usually wait longer for it. I could be wrong.

So did I! But I couldn't resist...I used the 15% off and had $5 Kohl's Cash so it cost me almost nothing!

I got the Calphalon set last year. I've never used that brand before but it is still going strong.

Not horrible if you're looking for TVs. Like the others said, I wish they had both ads out.

Congrats to the winners!

My most memorable Black Friday deal happened the first year we started regularly doing Black Friday shopping, I'm thinking 1999, before we had any type of computer. Walmart had a desktop for a good price. My sister and I were going to try to snag one but we were nervous we wouldn't get it so my husband went with us. My sister and I stood in line outside in the cold while hubby waited in the car. As soon as the doors opened, my husband was one of "those" people who darted to the door from the car. This being our first year of shopping, my sister and I stopped for a cart once we got inside because we knew we wouldn't be able to carry a desktop computer. It's because we stopped for the cart that the stack of computers was gone when we found them! However, my husband had snagged one and was waiting for us. I think the most memorable Black Friday experience for hubby was probably the year Lowe's had a good deal on DeWalt drills. He wanted to be sure he got one so he and our oldest son set up a tent in front of the doors, the first ones in line. They waited quite a while, a couple hours or more, for more people to show up. One of the store employees went outside and took a picture of their tent. I'm thinking Lowe's must have never had campers set up in front of their store!

I'm here for another great year!

The people who take kids out who are clearly too young and are having meltdowns.

What is the deal on the cat litter at Meijer? We have a cat this year and can always use a good deal on litter.

When I log into USPS informed delivery it shows that it is coming today. However, I might not see it till next week, if at all.

We normally shop in-store at Walmart, Meijer, Menards Bath & Bodyworks and maybe Kohls. Online I buy from wherever I see a good deal, usually Kohls or Amazon. I'll occasionally get an email from various online places with good deals so I might order from those places too. I don't really know where my favorite place is to shop, I guess just wherever I can find the best deals.

I've never thought of purchasing travel during Black Friday. I'll have to keep an eye out and see if I can find any good deals for the upcoming summer.