Black Friday Shopping

I don't usually venture out of the house on Black Friday.  I'd rather stay home and be warm and comfortable than fight the crowds just to save a little bit of money.

This year was a lot different.  My dear one and I were at Sears bright and early after dropping off our son at swim practice at 8 a.m.  We decided to see if we could get some deals on appliances for our new kitchen.

We did well!  We found a new range  and a new dishwasher (photos in another blog after they are delivered.)  Our salesman, Luis, was a big help, but maybe a little disappointed that we didn't buy the $1100 range with "true" convection and, I believe he called it, induction heating. Apparently only metallic pots and pans on the burner will make the stovetop heat up.

We decided on a stainless steel finish, and the stove has a glass top so, hopefully, it will be easier to keep clean.  The dishwasher is one the kiddos will love.  The dirtier the dishes, the better it will clean them.  It has its own garbage disposal and a sensor to detect the dirt level.  This should be interesting. I've seen the commercials where they put a whole cake in the machine--let's hope no one tries this at home!

As we will milling around looking at appliances, I happened to see some lovely Christmas dresses for little girls.  I picked out one for our tenacious one and, because it was 60% off, I paid less than $25 for it.   And, they had so many cashiers I didn't even have to wait in line to pay for it.

Then I hit Meijer and Costco, but just for food.  The kids were going to starve it I didn't because "there's nothing to eat in this house" week had arrived.

Later in the day, the five youngest kids and I hit Target.  I just needed a few things (like new pillows for $3 each!) but the kids were on a mission to buy Christmas gifts for each other.  It was so much fun watching them try to avoid each other and, yet, still find me to get my opinion on gifts. At one point I was walking down a main aisle and I thought I saw a streak of green and white go past about 50 yards away from me.  Turns out our youngest son was in pursuit of his sister-at a faster than walking rate of speed- trying to peek at what she had picked out for him.  Glad we didn't get kicked out of the store.

The youngest and I found our way to the toys and we both ended up with a Bop-it Smash in our hands, kneeling on the floor sitting against our feet, trying to stop the light in the middle section of the wand.  Too fun!   I hope one ends up under our tree.  We all left happy and having saved some cash.

But, the day was not over.  My dear one and I went to dinner and then he took me to Dress Barn where everything in the store was buy-one-get-one-half-off.  And then, he spoiled me.  I got a new black skirt with a blouse and a red (favorite color) jacket to wear with it.  Also, a new pair of slacks and two new sweaters to wear with them.  Thanks, Sweetie.

So, for my first Black Friday outing, I would say it went very well.  Next year I may not balk at trying it again. I may even prepare for it by looking at the hundred pages of ads that come in the paper.

Then again, after watching videos of chaos in stores over small items of zero consequence, maybe not.

Let the destruction begin!

We are getting a new kitchen!  After 14 years with this one and all the use it gets day in and day out, it is time.

Once we order cabinets it will take 4-6 weeks for them to be delivered but there is a ton of work to do before that.

The dining room used to have two corner cabinets.  Once the kids got permission to take them out they were gung ho to help.

The only picture I have is from a birthday party.

This is what it looks like now.

As you can see, there is a lot of repair work ahead of us.  

The scalloped decoration over the half wall is gone as well and maybe the beam up there will hold lights in the future.  

Stay tuned for updates.  Off to the Home Depot to show my dear one the plans that have been drawn up and maybe to buy a new stove a little early.  The oven door is no longer functioning on my current one. Timing is everything! 

Birthday Girl

Last week our tenacious one turned 8.  This is a milestone birthday as it means no more booster seat in the car.

For weeks she had been thinking about and planning her birthday celebration. She wanted a Harry Potter birthday.  She made invitations even though the only people coming were mom, dad and siblings.  Everyone got an invitation to "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry".  They also were assigned a character name and received a train ticket for platform 9 3/4.

I was content to let her have her fun and be done with it, but when there are many siblings, there is a lot of input especially when it comes to the youngest.

So, Amanda pulled up Pinterest on my computer, searched Harry Potter themed birthday parties, and then left for school.

Thankfully, she, Caitlyn and Josh got home in time to help pull off a little surprise.  The birthday girl got home from school to find:

Harry Potter glasses and  Quidditch broom goodie bags,

wizard hat cupcakes,

presents wrapped like school books,

 a wizard hat and her own train ticket. 

The look on her face was priceless.  The party was a huge success and she got just what she wanted for her gifts:  Disney Fairies, and a special pan in which to bake cake and brownie pops. Ten down and one more to go for the year.  In less than a month, we will have a 12 year old.  I wonder if I can find some One Direction party ideas on Pinterest!