Black Friday Shopping

Well, I combed through the papers destined to find the greatest find of the season, only to be sorely disappointed with the sales yet again this year. Of course, there was a tree that had to be bought from JCPenney's and for some reason this year 4am seemed like the best time to open the store. I think opening at midnight is better than opening at 3 or 4 am. For goodness sake's that mean you have to go to bed and then wake up. So I sent Bill. He offered. I accepted. Besides, how was I supposed to drag a heavy Christmas tree to my car. He said he wasn't afraid to ram down the old ladies in his way. He managed to get one.
I found a few things that were in the category of "I will not get myself up at 4 or 5am for, but maybe 7am" and headed to the mall to get to the toy store by 7:30am. The line was ridiculous, so I left. Seriously, they only have video games buy 1 get 1, they weren't handing out money. My mother and I have learned the Black Friday trick though. We scour the ads that people scan online, we go to those stores within a week before, we buy what we were going to buy on Black Friday, and then we go back to the store on black Friday and get the price adjustment. See? No waiting, no mad rushes, no crazy people.
I am finding it really hard to shop for Bailey this year. I think boys toys are so hard to buy. I can't stand little pieces, so that basically knocks 50% of the toys out. Little pieces never seem to stay with the toy they need to stay with. There are so many toys he is too old for and a lot he is still too young for. Any ideas? Mia is easy - dolls, dolls, Hannah Montana, dolls, princesses.

Christmas shopping

Anyone else braving the stores on Black Friday? I feel the need to go although I have no idea what I need to get. I guess if some people gave me lists to go off of, I would be a lot better off. Now if you are reading this and thinking "my goodness, was she just talking about me?" I probably was, now think of some ideas and send them my way.

The spirit of believing...

Some little punk (I'm sure it was someone) spread a little seed in Bailey's ear this week about Santa and how he doesn't bring presents, but mom and dad do. Not what kind of kid wants to ruin Christmas for a 5 YEAR OLD?? Santa happily mailed something to us the very next day in a Santa care package that included The Polar Express Movie (and Santa didn't seem to mind the $27 price tag because it is about believing) a holiday CD, and Christmas candy and a long letter about my 2 children. Finally, the belief is back and Christmas can still come!

Rachael Ray Boycott

Well, we are back from the city. Did I mention the part where we went to the city to see the Rachael Ray show and for me, that was the ONLY reason I went. Now, yes, the ticket does say that the ticket is not guaranteed, and yes, we knew that showing up early bettered our chances. So, we were supposed to be there at 2:15 for the 4:00 taping. We woke up early in the morning, trotted our fannies to both Good Morning America and the Today show. Saw many famous people including, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Keith Urban, Al Roker, Starr Jones, Kathy Lee Griffin and the other 2 host fill ins on the Today show. We even managed to get on national tv as we stood front row behind Starr Jones' head while she was interviewed by Al Roker. And after a quick lunch headed to Rachael Ray. We were about 50th in line and arrived around 12:30. One of the producers of the show came out and was talking to the people behind us who were asking her a ton of questions. We found out that the show would be aired mid-December (great! a Christmas show, maybe gifts?) and that the special guest was a man, and that the studio held 120 people. The woman behind us even counted out the people in front of us to make sure we were in. Then, low and behold, some people had guaranteed tickets. Basically, they were at a previous taping and didn't get in so that could pick any show that they wanted and come back and get in with no questions. So in go, no lie, 75 people. Then the employees of the show started picking and choosing from the crowd of who else they wanted to "deem worthy enough" to let into the studio. It was like trying to get into the hottest nightclub. If you had a guy with you, you were definitely in (no gender discrimination there). It literally felt like you had to be exactly what they were looking for in order to be let in. Well sure enough, another lady finally made her way to us with the "I'm sorry, our show has reached capacity. let me give you guaranteed tickets to another show." It was complete BS. Kristy yelled out "Rachael Ray sucks!" and we left. I don't even want the guaranteed tickets. I don't even want to go back. I am on a complete Rachael Ray boycott. For God's sake, she knew how many people were going to be in there. Maybe overbook your self by 10-15 people just in case, but to let like 100 people go home, that is CRAZY. Forget 30 minute meals, I am mad! I even said to the woman that we drove all the way from Buffalo, but she still insisted that there was nothing she could do. Yeah, well, I imagine that if I was a man, I would have been sitting in the show watching iit n the warmth. We packed up our stuff and drove the long ride home.

NYC here I come.

Did I tell everyone I got the Rachael Ray tickets? It works out even more because Mike, my brother inlaw, had some xtra hotel points and let us cash them in. So, we will be staying right in Times Square at the Hilton. I was a little worried with the writers strike going on right now, but received an emailed from the Rachael team and they say everything is still a go. I wonder who the special guest will be? Everyone send 'lots of free stuff' vibes to us this week.

Welcome Carter!

For those of you who know my good friend Melanie, she and her husband, Jason have welcomed their new son, Carter to the world. Now the tricky part, his birthday. They are in Japan as Jason is working at Tokyo Disney and was born 4am November 8th Tokyo time, which is 4pm November 7th New York time. Whatever day, welcome Carter Smith and I can't wait to see pictures!

Hey Melanie & and everyone else waiting)!

Did you notice that I posted some pictures of my house in the October photo album?