Santa's got a brand new bag. (By: Jess)

Black Friday.

There is something about this day that has always intrigued me. Something about it that I want to be apart of. Maybe it is the overflow of "Christmas Cheer". Maybe it is the rush of a "good deal". Maybe it is the idea of cheating death. I don't know what it is about this very special day. But I do know that I totally love it.

Every year I make it my mission to get up at 2am, head "somewhere", and buy (1) item that I can't live without. Just one.

One year it was a air popcorn popper.

Another year it was a king sized down comforter.

Once I was thrilled to buy a set of 8 cookie sheets for only $2.

I adore getting up when it's still dark, getting a giant mug of coffee (flavored with gingerbread creamer, of course! Tis' the season...) , driving to the mall blaring Christmas music, pulling into the mall parking lot and walking to the mall entrance in total silence, then....

Finally....

In a very dramatic way......


Thrusting open the mall doors and being slapped in the face with the hustle and bustle of

BLACK FRIDAY!!


It's almost like I can hear a choir singing....."HALLELUJAH"!


As I squint my eyes from the bright mall lights, and look around at the insane Black Friday shoppers, I think to myself, "These are my people. I am at home".


I didn't partake in the glorious shopping tradition last year cause I was pregnant and not in my right mind....


But this year there is no messing around. Maria, Jennifer, and I are going full throttle. We've been "studying" for weeks Mapping out our route. Planning stops. We're goin in for the kill.

Maria is the "professional". She's dead serious about this. She's pulled a shopping all-nighter before. She informed us that we have to be at out destinations AT LEAST 2 hrs. before doors open and sales start. She demanded we have our lists ready. We take her advise very seriously. She knows.

Jennifer is a Black Friday virgin. She's terrified. She gets scared when we sneak gas station drinks into the movies, so I can't wait to see the fear in her eyes when the "race begins". I honestly think that she's scared of getting injured. Which might very well happen. I think it's hysterical. She's basically just coming along for the ride and to keep us entertained while we wait in line.

I'm the planner. I've studied and studied the ad's. I've mapped out our trip several times. I've written out my list 4 times, and still have to organize my items by order of importance before 8pm tonight. I've set rules for this venture. #1. You must wear a track suite. #2. You must buy at least one thing at every destination. #3. NO ONE gets left behind. (especially Jennifer)

I can just picture it now:

We burst through the doors. Maria darts off in a serious mission to get an item off her list. We don't see her again for hours. Jennifer and I are left behind (1st broken rule) to fend for ourselves. Jennifer is clinging to me with a vice death grip, as if we are walking the plank. I, on the other hand, just have this HUGE silly, caffeine- induced grin on my face, as I take it all in. Before I can really bask in the moment, I am jerked back into reality by Jennifer's screams, as we are forced apart by the angry crowds. As we try our hardest to keep ahold of each others hands, our fingertips are forced apart and Jennifer just finds the fetal position and weeps.

Our Route
8pm be at Walmart. Sales start at 10pm.
From there, head to Kohls. Sales start at midnight. We MUST be in line NO LATER than 11pm. No dill-dallying at Walmart.
From Kohls we are headed to Old Navy, then JCP, and our last destination will be Kmart. Their sales start at 5pm. We will top it all off with breakfast at waffle House and then home to sleep. Synchronize your watches. Ready......BREAK.

My List
Bath towels at Walmart for $1.28 (no way in Hades was I getting my paws on these!)
Memory Foam bath mats at WalMart for $7 (got 4!)
30 piece tupperware set at Walmart for $7 (got 3!)
Wax Warmer at Walmart for $9 (got 1)
Infant V-Tech toys at Walmart for $10 (nope :( )
All Christmas decor at Kohls is 60% off (Nutcracker for my sissy!)
Christmas nite lights at Kohls for $7 (got it!)
Christmas Rugs at Kohls for $5 (found better deal at Kmart on these)
Bath towels at Kohls for $3 (got 10 bath, hand and washcloths)
Slippers at Kohls for $7 (got them!)
Gumball machine at Kohls for $10 (nope :( )
Initial stocking at Kohls for $6 (didn't like once I saw them)
Large Jar candles at Kohls for $4 (got 3!)
8 washcloths at Kohls for $3 (got 2 packs!)
Towels at Kmart for $2 (didn't need)
Fisher price toys BOGO at Kmart (nope :) )
30 piece Tupperware set at Kmart for $4 (didn't need)
Block set at Kmart for $10 (sold out :) )

EXTRAS

(4) toys for Leo at Kohls

Electric Griddle and Electric skillet at Kohls

1 cup coffee maker a Walmart

Bath towel for Leo at Kohls (2) king sized pillows at JCP

$5 sweatshirt at JCP

Christmas gift for the hubby...that I cannot reveal until Christmas.

At 8pm..... WE RIDE. God speed.