I would rather brave the mall on the 26th for the sales than on Black Friday.

Maria,

that is going TOO far. Just too far.

I think the only way I am lining up at 4am at a retail store is if my life or my family's lives depended on it. You know, like an impending zombie apocalypse. I cannot see any other reason *I* would attempt that madness.

I made bone-in ham, soaked in cider, cinnamon and cloves for 8 hours, with a mustard-cider glaze, and brown sugar and pepper on top for carmelization, a vat of mash and gravy, a Cornish game hen for my sister, the ham-hater, a chocolate stout bundt cake, green bean casserole, and crescent rolls.

The fam is bringing cherry junk (cherry pie filling, mized with crushed pineapple, Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk, homemade mac and cheese, a pumpkin custard pie, whipped cream and olives.

They have to leave to 1:30 to get Suzy back to work at 3 pm, so no wine -- iced tea and water.

It is thanksgiving day and I have not started dinner.

Not even one aspect.

My mother would not be amused.

is if my life or my family's lives depended on it.

I keep thinking about being really broke and needing a fridge or a washer/dryer or something, but even then I'd like to think I could work out an alternative. From what I've been reading (I have been investigating your curious customs) it is often a ripoff, since only the first 20 or so get the impressive deals, and the rest of you just get...into the store. Also, apparently the completely made up Cyber Monday is starting to become real, and decent bargains are to be found there that don't involve urban camping.

I can get behind Cyber Monday. Black Friday is a nightmare. It's like Shopocalypse.

Tomorrow I'm taking Ben for a sports physical at the urgent care place that only charges $30 (he wants to do winter basketball) and my mom and I are taking the two littlest family members to the new Muppet movie. S. has to work, sadly. And he has to go right through the King of Prussia Mall traffic to get there. He's not happy.

I'll be making Cornish hen, dressing, Waldorf salad, and gravy for Thanksgiving dinner. Assuming the cat ever deserts my lap. The pumpkin pie's already in the fridge.

I keep thinking about being really broke and needing a fridge or a washer/dryer or something

I bet they never have those as the doorbusters, though. And if so, it's the top of the line one.

And I wonder about Cyber Monday going forward -- don't enough people shop online from home now that they are starting already? I am assuming that was the thing about the Monday, people getting to work and logging on.

there are a lot of Black Friday sales online. If I buy anything it will be online. I have done both Black Friday and crazy early 26th shopping, but I like that crazy stuff, never slept out or even waited more than 30 minutes for doors to open. But really all the Holiday stuff is on super sale long before the 26th.

Kat, Grace is beyond adorable learning to talk. so very awesome.

Kathy - that's where I'll be from 7pm -11 pm today! Not sure why 11 unless it's helping put the store back together. They did have a sign up sheet for anyone who wanted to volunteer and scheduled from that list first.

I have tomorrow off, although I've been told I may get called in if things get too crazy. Honestly I'd rather work on Thanksgiving than Black Friday.