My mother retired at 70 after 32 years working for JC Penny’s. She loved the Friday after thanksgiving. She could buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, with the sale price reduced by her employee card she make her money stretch to accommodate gifts she had such a joy buying and giving. No one in the family does it now but we all miss taking her and listening to her perspective on the adventure. She would hit the store with a list. She knew exactly what she wanted and where it was in the store.

Well, I am working today, and it is a ugly, rainy day in North Florida, so my feelings are not hurt in the least that I am here at work and not out fighting the crowds today! I might do some shopping over the weekend, it just depends on my mood and the crowds! Happy Holidays to All!

I went to Target here near my house at 6am. People here were civil, we had some great conversations going on. No one pushed shoved or cursed anyone else and we all went out of our way to help others get what they wanted. I do however live in a small community. I would never even think of going to some place like Wal Mart or Best Buy, my daughter went one year and she said they were crazy and the people were like animals. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Since my husband was home and he really can’t just sit and relax, we did hit a mall…..we bought the ladies in his office Christmas gifts, ate about five lbs of Sees Candy by passing the kiosk several times ….. I did buy some too … had dinner (was the first to give our waiter a peppermint candy Tootsie Pop) and am now feeling like we accomplished something.

I went to Walgreen’s, only a few there, then I went to a card shop, nobody, but me, there, then I went to a shop that sells Indian and Southwestern stuff ,which had a few, but not many there; ended up at Bed, Bath & Beyond where I noticed about 10 people. Then I started worrying, but felt sure the malls fared better. Really hope so, as in today’s paper read that the two biggest malls here might be facing bankruptcy and that is terrible.

Thank you for not posting that BEFORE I ate Turkey !

Sorry, I’m not a meat eater………….but thats really gross………….

Remembering that Jesus is the only reason for this season and NOT going out spending ludacris amts of money and I’ve had this mindset for years now, it keeps things in perpsective for me.

I agree, Dona. Shamefully, Walmart said this, in its entirety: “We expected a large crowd this morning and added additional internal security, additional third party security, additional store associates and we worked closely with the Nassau County Police. We also erected barricades. Despite all of our precautions, this unfortunate event occurred.” walmartstores.com/FactsNews They foresaw harm and failed to protect their workers and customers. Now local laws will be enacted to force them to do what they should do voluntarily. This is another perfect example of welcome government regulation. And I hope, on the civil side, the employee’s family wins a punitive award large enough to be noticeable to WalMart. The family’s actual damages based on their decedent’s earning capacity won’t be much. So we need to count on the law to allow punitive awards for egregious liability like this.

I had to get up at 4 on Black Friday. Had to be at the store by 5 so we could get ready for a 6 o clock opening. How ridiculous. We did not have a stampede, we sell ladies clothing!!! I yawned while counting money the whole morning. When finished I went home and crawled in bed. Saturday (black Saturday?) same story. I think that is the only week end we open so early. I am retiring Jan 1 2009

That particular mall has had it’s share of violence. Many gang shootings at movie theatres and such. I hope the police can identify those who started this.

Again, why is this day called “BLACK” Friday”?????????

Ok next year I urgently vote for all to vote this so all important day “WHITE” Friday”. Ya think.