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Across the Fence:  Black Friday  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 07:47:27 AM
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the day after thanksgiving is supposed to be one of the biggest 'sale' days of the year .. to kick off the holiday shopping spree that most stores are hoping to promote. i've never really much paid attention to this shopping day in years past. but had the TV on a couple days ago while fixing breakfast .. and 'they' were saying that 'electronics' are the 'biggie' that is projected for sales this season. flat-screen tv's .. i-pods .. and such.
i know that many of us are trying to free ourselves of so many 'new fangled' things .. but at the same time .. oh my .. don't we enjoy these 'computer contraptions' that allow us to communicate with friends, olde and new, all over the country .. within moments .. and we would not have all met each other had it not been for this technoligical burst all over the world!
sooooo .. with that 'sed' .. are any of you farmgirls going to take advantage of this 'big sale' day this year? and if so .. what are you going to buy?
(honey hunk and i are going to get "two" big-screen tv's) will have to figure out a way to 'disguise' them in these little cabins!
we're not HUGE tv fantatics .. but honey hunk does like his 'sports' and 'news' programs (both of which bore me to tears!) ... hence .. the TWO tv's! when i am creating (sittin' and sewin') .. i enjoy watching 'movies' .. and an occastional silly 'sit-com' to get me to giggling!
xo, frannie |
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thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:02:00 AM
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I work in the Fine Jewelry business, so I have never been able to take advantage of these sales or the day after Christmas sales. I'm not sure I'd do it anyway, I really don't like crowds. ("Give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above. Don't fence me in....")
Besides, I make almost all my gifts and am usually ready, gift wise, by October 15th. At least that's the goal. I buy my gift wrap at church sales and at a thrift store which supports the American Lung Association. They always have new, in package, stuff and it satisfies the tree hugger in me.
When we were young, there were moments of such perfectly crystallized happiness that we stood stock still and silently promised ourselves that we would remember them always. And we did. --Holly J. Burkhalter , "Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book"
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:18:42 AM
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I have never, ever, ever gone shopping on black friday. If I have to do last minute shopping, I go on the day before Christmas Eve. It is crowded, but by then people usually have a good dose of Christmas spirit. I try to make as many gifts as possible, but I haven't even started this year.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:21:30 AM
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I can't make myself go out to the shops on the day after Thanksgiving. I know my Mom & all my sister-in-laws do it, but the crowds & the frenzy to buy things just gets to me. I'd rather get a jump start on my holiday baking or work on my crafts for gifts. Maybe I'll go out to lunch with some buddies or my DH. I do need some new tennies, but I'll wait until Saturday to go get them.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:27:49 AM
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I rarely ever shop the day after thanksgiving..and doubt I will this year either. I hate the crowds. I am about 1/2 done with my shopping...but remember I have 7 children so that dosn't mean I am close to done by any means! I have made alot of the gifts we will give this year too, btu still....
I avoid malls and crowds when I can.
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:38:37 AM
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I went one year to Joann Fabrics. Got there at 6 AM and by the time I got done at the cutting table and checkout it took 3 hours to save 40% on my purchases. Never again! In fact, I really don't do much shopping at all during the Christmas season. I hate the commercialism and the crowds. I'd rather make my gifts, shop online, or buy from bazaars.
The only time that housework comes before sewing is in the dictionary!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
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BlueApple
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Julia
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:50:35 AM
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I've done it a time or two but only because there was some fantastic deal (and it had to be fantastic)! My plan this year is to have my girls and I do a lot of baking that day - kick off the holiday season.
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 09:56:26 AM
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| Rumor has it that Walmart is going to have a laptop on sale Black Friday for $399, so I am keeping my eye on that. Because that is what I have been wanting for a very long time. My home PC is so outdated. That would be the only reason I would enter the MAD & CRAZY world of Black friday shopping! :) |
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BlueApple
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Julia
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 11:25:38 AM
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Boy, that is a great price....I may have to look into that as well - my baby is graduating from high school this year and as each daughter has graduated we get them a laptop to take to college. I've never seen one for that price!
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 12:23:18 PM
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| Please check the quality and brand of that laptop deal! I've bought a couple of tvs and a dvd player from Sam's for the low price, only to have a non-working electronic about a year later. I've sworn "never again". You do usually get what you pay for... |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 12:51:34 PM
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urghhhhhhhhhh!! I scratched the laptop, when I checked the ad for my local store the price was $488. I then checked in a larger city about 75 miles away and it was $398.
Just one more reason for me to dislike Walmart. I don't think that they should bump the price just because of the area. Because I live in a rural area without Curcuit city or Best Buy they want to gouge another $100 from me. Well anyway it is probably for the best. I will just have to wait till I am "meant" to buy one.
Today is not the day, I went online and found one for $449 (without BF hassel) and by the time I got to the check out they were sold out :(
So if you are looking into this make sure to check the sale ad in your are for the price!! By the way it "appears" to be a good laptop by the features. But you are right about "cheapo" electronic's sometimes being duds, but I have had some that last forever. I think that is a chance you take with most purchases :) |
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BlueEggBabe
True Blue Farmgirl
417 Posts
Susan
PA
417 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 12:52:41 PM
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I NEVER,EVER shop on Black Friday.Big,crushing,crowded malls make me sweat and hyperventilate! I'm not crazy about malls on a slow day.
However, I am on the other side of Black Friday shopping:
I participate in a big holiday juried craft show that has been in existence for 30 years.So I am SELLING on that day... !
It is a tasteful show though: live music, wandering carolers,
delicious homemade foods and most importantly, happy people who want to buy Christmas gifts from REAL people at a slow pace!!
a WALMART Black Friday true story: One time,(just hours before this same show)I decided that I would run over to Walmart at 6 AM and pick up a heavy duty hand truck to help me transport my stuff from my truck to my booth. I should have planned better.Never dreamed what I would stumble upon there:
A FULL parking lot (at 6 AM) and a completely full store (this time it was a cheap TV deal! I had to weave around a literal gridlocked traffic jam of carts full of TVs to grab my handtruck. It was the most pathetic display of consumerism I have ever witnessed
Never again. A checkout girl told me that people started lining up before 5 AM for the TVs.......
www.feedsackfarmgirls.blogspot.com
www.farmatcoventry.com
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 1:14:32 PM
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We had a big shooting spree at our Mall yesterday, as I am sure many of you saw if you watch CNN, so I have a feeling a LOT of people will not be there this Friday. Luckily no one was killed, although one poor fellow is still in serious condition.
I absolutely hate malls, any kind off frenzy shopping makes me just ill. I have a real problem with american consumerism.They biggest home and newest toys do not interest me. By living very modestly we were able for me to stay home and raise our children on one income.That was always more important to us. |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 1:54:44 PM
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I work in Retail for a big pharmacy chain.I have to work on black friday.Our store is opening a 6 a.m.And on top of that the big wigs decided it is a good day to do a visit.So we will have the vps and regional directors among the crazy shoppers.So if you don't hear from me you know I didn't make it through the stressfull day.I might be bald by the end of the day lol.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 2:44:08 PM
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Wonder what all those folks who were displaced by hurricanes going to be doing on Black Friday? I wish our culture was not so consumer oriented. Huge malls frighten me.
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
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connio
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
connie
springtown
texas
USA
535 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 4:06:25 PM
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Hey Farm Girls!!!
I never go to malls; I find them pretty overwhelming and appalling. A friend of mine who is a minister sent me a copy of a sermon that he has written on the greed in our society. He refers to St. Paul and his writings on "filthy lucre" from the New Testament. I had never heard this term before, but I am in complete agreement.
Meadowlark You are so right to wonder what the Katrina evacuees will be doing. I would guess that many are still homeless, jobless and displaced. I have read many articles that state that New Orleans will be a different place when it is rebuilt and that the number of African-Americans living there will be greatly diminished due to economics.
Connie
cozycottage |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 7:03:57 PM
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i could probably play 'devil's advocate' and talk about both sides (enthusiastically) concerning consumerism. 'stuff' and 'stores' do offer jobs to everyday people who need to feed and clothe their children and pay their mortgage. some of my friends are so amazed when they visit me and a 'telemarketer' calls .. they say i am "so polite and tolerant" .. and i tell them that "but for the grace of god, go i" ... i'll bet that most telemarketers dislike their jobs as much as most people dislike them calling their homes at inappropriate and inconvenient times. but i always say that 'it's a job and it sure beats them being so desperate that they hit someone over the head for money'. we are, indeed, now on the 'do not call' list .. but when i did get calls, i would right up front absolutely assure them that i 'never, ever buy anything over the phone .. but if they would like to 'practice' their speech on me .. i will be happy to listen for a few minutes. some have actually thanked me and 'practiced' .. others have persisted .. others have thanked me for understanding but they had a quota of calls to fill and went on to their next call.
and we all do need some 'stuff' in our lives .. be in necessities or niceties .. and shopping is one of the ways we get these things. even if we 'hand-make' our gifts .. usually, we have to 'shop' for the ingredients or materials. oh .. and i do enjoy browsing the aisles at good 'crafts' and 'fabric' shoppes! xo, frannie
as for gifts .. i have almost always 'hand-made' gifts for my loved ones .. but there are just some things i haven't learned to make (electronics being one of them) .. and although, i am not wild about crowded malls .. sometimes, i do, indeed love to go and 'people watch'. get a first hand view of the dynamics of people relating to each other in 'the shopping world'. |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 7:06:35 PM
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| Frannie, I would say you have great capacity for life! |
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ByHzGrace
True Blue Farmgirl
348 Posts
348 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2005 : 04:28:20 AM
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I BE blessed and thanksoofull so many do find their way to shop for others for the holidays! I love retail and have made my living=money=dreamlauncher and many friends be they customers or workers from working in one aspect of it for the past 17 years.I love Christmas as fast as goods come in the back door they be marchin out the front!And we see so many faces that only shop this one time a year! I also delivered papers for many years and the Thanksgiving day after SALE AD edition one is a whopper to launch to hit a 3rd floor balcony!!! I have woke up several  downstairs neighbors when I couldn’t give it enough oomph to edge it over the rail and rolledpaper hits the pavement in the parking lot WWWWWWWWWHAP!
Kinda echos  
I do miss when stores used to start at a reasonable hour.
I will be at work at 5am we open at 6 with 6 hours of bell ringing specials. Since I don’t really have mannequins to change this early in the day and the windows be all done I be customer servicing and gift wrapping, we provide this for free, I love talking to people and helping them choose a special gift. Come visit me!
Thanks Frannie for the support! |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2005 : 05:20:58 AM
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Nope, I have not ever gone shopping on Black Friday. I have been dragged off to the mall outside St. Louis for the day after Christmas sales - what total and absolute CHAOS!
No thank you, sir. I'll stay at home with a mug of hot chocolate and work on my handmade Christmas presents! |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2005 : 07:49:57 AM
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I would say you have
great capacity for life!
thanks honey chile' .. i look at it this a-way: IF this happens to be the ONLY one (llife) we get have on this here thing called earth, well, i am determined to do all i can to make it a happy one. xo, frannie
p.s. cuz' i sure don't like the alternative .. and i think most of our personal unhappiness we do indeed bring TO ourselves .. even if we think we've been 'done unto'. even the sad and bad times, we can "own" our perspectives, choices and attitudes toward. and that, i believe, makes all the difference. (least ways, anyhoo .. i've found it sure does for me).
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2005 : 07:56:03 AM
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Thanks Frannie for the support! Come visit me!
ohhhhhh .. miz gracie .. ef'fen i wuz closer .. you'd find me on your doorstoop at 6:00 a.m. .. ringing bells too! i wish for you much success and fun on friday .. i know it will be a frantic one is some ways .. but you truly are fulfilling a need in the community. it may not be for everyone .. but i'm glad there are people like you who are there for those who do enjoy shopping and finding treasures for loved ones. xo, frannie
p.s. i loved your papergirl story . and i love that you look back on it with a smile.
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Across the Fence: Black Friday |
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Black Friday
