Our Boost to the Economy and Other Black Friday Adventures

We actually did it and lived to tell the tale.  As I previously reported, Travis talked us into getting up before dawn on the day after Thanksgiving  and heading out to the stores to check out the shopping frenzy that is Black Friday.  Here is an abbreviated play-by-play:

We left Bob and Debbie's house at 3:30 a.m.  Our first stop was an absolutely necessary one: Starbucks.  From there we watched the lines grow and snake around Best Buy.  Some crazy shoppers had actually been camping in tents outside the building since TUESDAY!!!!  Forget Thanksgiving, it was ALL about the deals.  No need to comment - I'm sure we're all on the same page about that.  We drove around checking out the lines at the other stores in the area.  The one that made us laugh was the three Asian people standing outside Staples.  Looking for doorbuster office supplies - ha, ha!!  From there we ventured to Target.  The line was just beginning to form at 4:45 for the 6:00 a.m. opening.  At this point Travis bolted and we were helpless to stop him.  He was getting in line.  He started interviewing people as to what it was they were standing in line to get, and decided he would do the mad dash for Guitar Hero for Wii.  There was no talking him back into the car, so one by one, we joined him in line.  I was totally impressed with the organizational team for Target.  There were plenty of security folks to keep order and the store was reorganized to prevent any stampedes (sounds like WalMart could have taken lessons.)  Travis was second to obtain his acquisition and we were out quickly.  From there we were off to J.C. Penney as I had my eye on a doorbuster leather jacket.  Mission accomplished.  By that time we needed sustenance, so grabbed a quick breakfast.  Brief stops at Kohl's and Sears (one Christmas gift checked off).  Overall, most everyone was good natured, the store employees very helpful, and supplies were plenty.  There was one rude honking incident when someone couldn't get to Kohl's as quickly as they wanted (which also incited my husband to drive VERY slowly through the parking lot while Whitney and I shouted, "Get out of his way before he jumps out of his car with a gun or something."  Keith assures me he had an escape plan if that had actually happened - yeah, right!).  

The moral of the story:  we actually had fun watching the people and even doing our part to boost the economy.  I might even be convinced to do it again - at least if we are in a place where there is tax free shopping.  There's something extra enticing about saving that extra 8%!!!