Black Friday Dates

Good Thursday morning! Happy Thanksgiving, too!

The Gallery Pics are of some Thanksgiving dishes Roxie and I prepared yesterday. She baked her first pecan pie, and did an excellent job. I tried homemade cranberry sauce in the crockpot. I'll be tasting it this morning (it has to be refrigerated overnight), but it makes the whole house smell amazing. (I didn't have to burn candles last night to kill the sweaty tennis shoe smell!)

ANNOUNCEMENT - Since I'll be going to the Wynfrey this afternoon with sister, niece and cousins, I will NOT be posting on Belinda's Project Life tonight. I will "catch up" Friday evening. After Friday, everything will be back on schedule for Belinda's Project Life!

Also, my Friday post will be LATE (around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.), but it WILL BE posted. There will be Weekend Happenings, Thanksgiving Day AND Black Friday pictures, etc. Friday afternoon.

Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For This Year (Continued)

6. Extended Family. I am blessed with a fairly large extended family on my side as well as Mikie's. Grandparent, parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews... and a GREAT-nephew. I am thankful!

7. Friends. I thankful for the friends God has put in my life... old and new. I try very hard to not take this for granted.

8. Home. I am most thankful for a home... not just a house. It is not a perfect home by any means, but it is filled with memories, laughter, tears, very tall "man-boys," giggling teenage girls and giant, smelly tennis shoes... everywhere. It's my favorite place to be.

9. Needs Met. I am thankful God has provided for every need we have had as a family... financial and otherwise. This is most definitely something to be thankful for in today's economy, and I do NOT take it for granted.

10. Our Country. I'm EXTREMELY thankful for the men and women who serve in our country's military defending our freedom. I am thankful for their families. I cannot imagine the sacrifice they give each and every day. I am thankful to live in America.

Well, that's the Top Ten. Of course, there is so much more. When I stop to think about the people and things I give thanks for, it's amazing how quickly the list can grow. As with most things in this busy world, it's all about taking the time to actually "stop" and "do." (Something I do not remember often enough, I am afraid.)

Blog Linkage - It's Thanksgiving Day, so I have only one link for you to read. (I know you're busy.) It is sweet and entertaining. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Scroll down to the post entitled "Nostalgism" dated November 22. I think you'll enjoy your reading for the day.

Black Friday Dates

I have two Black Friday dates to share. One for the girls and one for the guys!

1. As I mentioned before, Roxie and I are spending the night at the Wynfrey tonight and getting up at 4:00 a.m. to shop at the Galleria with a million or so other crazy women. Instead of this being a one-on-one date, we decided to spend this time with four other family members... but it would work well either way. This is a date you could start next year with a teenage daughter and continue for years and years to come.

I make the reservations after the first of the year. Roxie and I enjoy Thanksgiving Day with family. We head to the Wynfrey around 5:00 p.m. and meet everyone in the lobby. We head up to our room and watch TV, eat snack food and go to bed early. The next morning, we head out and shop, shop, shop until 11:00 a.m. (check-out time). It's amazing what you can get done between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Simply amazing!

For this date to be a success, you need to like/love shopping. You also have to be patient in crowds and long lines. This is not a sprint... it is a marathon. If you and yours are not morning people, this may not be the date for you. However, for those of you who can go-with-the-flow, this is a fun, fun memory-making date.

2. I went to Bargain Mom (of course), and she had the following information to share.

If you are planning to shop Bass Pro Shops on Black Friday, attend The Great Turkey Campout with them Thursday night and get in on some free fun.

Here's what they offer:

A Bass Pro Shop Gift Card will be given away every half-hour.

Keep warm at the fire pit.

Enjoy free hot chocolate and s'mores.

Play fun games.

Bring your tent and camp on the lot.

Be one of the first in the door Friday morning.

The Campout is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m Thursday night.

Then you can sleep in your tent on the lot.

They've also got a car, tent and camping gear Grand Prize you can enter to win.

Black Friday Morning they will have caroling and free refreshments from 5:30 to 7:00 a.m.

Go to www.basspro.com for more information. (Scroll down to the box which says "4th Annual, The Great Turkey Campout" and click.)

I cannot tell you how crowded it will be since I haven't attended. However, if you have the right Black Friday mindset, it sounds like it could be an adventure for you and your guy/gal.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Be safe if you are traveling today.

Remember... Friday's post will appear around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda