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Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday

My First
So this was my first experience working Black Friday.
I reported to work at Midnight and people were going crazy...wanting in the store.
One lady tried to follow me in the employee entrance.
They were only letting in 100 people every 10 minutes to keep the crowd under control.
It was very very busy from Midnight to about 3am and then it slowed to almost nothing.
I'm wondering if their plan to open at Midnight worked. 
I think they were probably hoping for constant customers from Midnight on.

I didn't realize that everyone would be in such a hurry because they had to get to the next store on their list.

Not a fan of this....I have never ever shopped on black friday except maybe for Christmas tree decorations.

And this mornings experience has convinced me I never will.

So Thanksgiving was great.

I went by the hospital and spent some time with Shelly. 
She is feeling better...temperature, steady. 
She has pneumonia. Hopefully, she can go home tomorrow.

Then I went to Shannon's. I walked in to find the table set with new dishes.
These...
Gorgeous, aren't they? She also had the matching big turkey platter. 
I had seen these online at Pottery Barn a couple of weeks ago and thought,
Shannon needs those. I should have known she'd already seen and bought. 
They are now on sale at the Pottery Barn website - here.

The weather was just the best on Thursday and
I got to eat out on Shannon's deck under the pergola and in front of the 
outdoor stone fireplace.

It was amazing. Lots of old friends and new friends were there and my Mom.
Good time had by all. 

Now I'm home to prepare myself to go to work at Pier One at noon.
My feet hurt so bad...I can't stand it. 

I really don't know how I am going to make it till 5pm.

At least nothing bizarre happened today like yesterday.

Read about my crazy horrifying experience here.


Hope you are all having a great Black Friday!


16 comments:

Debby said...

O M Gosh, I forgot about
Black Friday with you working at Target.
A nightmare.....I hate crowds.
Now Pier One.....I do feel for you. I had problems being on my feet last year on the contrete floors. I bought Crocks Rx....slip proof as well. Got them on sale......but they sent the wrong size. They are too big but I can still wear them and they helped alot.
I posted about this but you probably don't have time to read so I will tell you.....you need a laugh......Yesterday while my son was prepping the turkey....hand in turkey....his 5 year old walked in and said OMG THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE AND I AM NOT EATING ANY OF THAT TURKEY. I hope you get to rest sometime this week-end. (((((HUGS)))))

The enchanted home said...

Hi Nita...OMG that picture is a little scary...being super claustrophobic I have to admit I would be freaking out if that were me!! Its crazy and mayhem and I want no part of it.....those dishes and that beautifully set table are GORGEOUS. Love those dishes, in fact featured them on a post of mine......soo pretty.
Hope you had a great and relaxed Thanksgiving!

Adam Hazlett said...

Nita,
I went to SAS shoes and found some pretty comfortable ones to wear at Pier One while I was there. Don't know if womens shoes from there would be as comfortable. Also bought some of those pads at a CVS store where you have to stand on a pad and the computer tells you what is right for you. They are pricey but they did relieve a lot of pain. Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving....those plates do look beautiful. We had a late and quiet dinner for 3 that was very tasty and filling and will be around as leftovers for quite awhile. Now on with Christmas!!!!

Amy Chalmers said...

Nita, I got more mileage out of your fly story! It was the most bizarre thing anyone could imagine! My son was roaring and grossing out all in one. I loved seeing those Target pics....I have never gone out in such madness as I always try to avoid crowds! YOu are going to be seeing a lot of new things I am sure. How about the lady with the kid in the carriage in the middle of the night?!! Glad to hear your Thanksgiving was so lovely, and that a good time was had by all. Shannons table outdoors by the fire must have been total blog material, eh? Sorry about the sore feet, I have been thinking of you working hard.

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Nita, OMG! That is just crazy! Hope you survived. You must be so tired today.

Karen said...

Nita, I sure appreciated the good folks at Target this morning. They were the rock stars of Black Friday! I left my cart full of stuff and walked out of Wal-Mart, it was such a ridiculous mess. I headed to Target and bought my stuff there. It was organized, fast, and friendly. I wouldn't be sad if y'all passed on the Thanksgiving night thing. I didn't care for that much but understand you have to keep up with the pack. Hope your afternoon is awesome!

Unknown said...

I had to laugh at the fly in your nose story! But I feel your pain working black friday. I worked in retail part-time in addition to a full-time job after my relationship ended. I did that for 3 years. All I can say is this won't last forever. In the meantime, look for the good people, and enjoy! Estelle

Olive said...

Oh no my darling you had to work in that retail hell. My BIL got punched in the nose at Walmart and the dude who hit him was arrested. What caused this? He simply got the last $19.00 BluRay for goodness sake. He is a school teacher so could not throw any punch back or could loose his job. We have never been shopping on this day and never will. I hope Shelly gets to come home.

Sherry said...

That is one scarey-looking crowd.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'm behind on my reading. Headed over there now. Obviously I've missed a lot!
Brenda

Cindi Myers said...

Cool dishes.
I'm so glad to hear that Shelly is doing better and also that you had such a good Thanksgiving. That makes me so Happy to hear that.
I feel so bad that you were in the middle of all that madness. One of my nieces went out at Midnight and I thnk my sisters husband went to an early morning sale. CRAZINESS!
As I drove home from work tonight I drove past Target with the thought of just walking around and seeing what was left but the parking lot was still packed so I drove on. I'd rather miss some great deal than deal with all THAT!
Oh, I wanted to say that I work on cement floors all day and the only shoes that have helped me are Crocs. In the winter I wear socks with them and while they are NOT pretty, they REALLY help with my foot problems. I order them off of EBay and have gotten them at very low prices (don't pay what they charge at department stores!)
Hang in there! all of us out here in blogland are behind you!
XOXO - Cindi

Sharon Rexroad's Bringing Creativity 2 Life said...

Last evening on the way to a Thanksgiving gathering -- sidewalk had a 2" drop that I didn't see and I went sprawling. Not a very lady-like sight! Iced it at the party and then ace badaged it last night once home. AND then went to work at Paper Source all day today -- not fun, especially since my office is downstairs. Us "shopgirl" gotta stick together!

Michelle said...

I don't know which is more frightening ... having a fly up your nose, or that black Friday crowd at Target? I think having a fly up your nose, for I couldn't get that image out of my head all Thanksgiving day. I've worked retail, so I feel your pain. I thik I would have ran screaming out of my mind if that had happened to me. You are a brave soul. Last year on black Friday, I worked at a store on Penn Square mall. It's an eye opening experience. Your Thanksgiving sounded wonderful. It sounds like things are rough for you, as they've been for me these past two years. But it sounds like your life is rich with good friends and family and a beautiful home. Hang in there! I will be thinking of you.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Nita,
My youngest son and his girlfriend work at Target but they do the over night stock. They work 10 hour shifts but usually stay and work 10-12 hours . Since they do not pay over time, they only work 3-4 days a week.
I used to be Black Friday shopper but that was when 7 am was considered early and there would only be about 20-30 shoppers waiting for stores to open. I live right next to 2 huge shopping centers with Best Buy, Target and many other "big box" stores. I will not go shopping any more on Black Friday if you paid me. I think it has become a dangerous thing to do because people are crazy anymore!!
I am going out today to A.C. Moore and Michael's. Paying 5% more ( coupon for 20-25% off total purchase) and far less crowds are a lot better for me!!
Glad you enjoyed the rest of your Holiday!
Hugs,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Hi Nita, LOL, I loved the fly story because I've been in similar embarrassing situations, although I don't think anything tops that. In these hard times it's important to keep your sense of humor. Thanks for sharing.
I've worked in a lot of jobs dealing with the public. It made me really appreciate what people in retail, banks and restaurants, etc. do. The best way to spread holiday cheer is to give a warm smile and a friendly word to the person at the register. The long lines are not their fault!
I hope your friend is feeling better, keep us posted. I love your blog and your house.
Donna W.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Shannon's table is lovely. I did not see those plates in PB. I love them!

I never shop on Black Friday. I am a Cyber Monday shopper!

xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill