Christmas Countdown - 2011

[MerryBells]

I was the second person at LabCorp so that was good. Blood work was fine but, unfortunately, the needle had to go into my hand (just a bit below my left pinky knuckle). That bugger HURT!

Anyway, since I got to work so early (6:45) I get to leave early (3:15) so this day is more than half-way DONE!


I'm seriously considering taking a nap when I get home this afternoon and, like gabulldawg, I'm happy that today is the last day where we have highs in the 80s. I want sweater weather! :razz:

Ouch! That sounds painful. I know my sister had to have blood drawn that way once, and she said it hurt. Glad your blood work was good, though. And if you'd like some sweater weather, be sure to visit us in Maryland on Saturday. Weather reports are calling for rain and SNOW! :yahoo:

 

[TamaraQT]

Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!!!!!! It's going to be a cool one here in central Indy. We're currently sitting at 38 degrees on our way to 54. I'm feeling better today so I'm going to do some christmas shopping. I also need to stop by the grocery store. I hope everyone is having a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you are feeling a lot better. I am glad. Enjoy your Christmas shopping!! Be safe and have a GREAT day!!!

Hello Christmas family!

What a crazy week it's been! My first full week back was definitely busy but I felt so productive - something I don't always feel. My boss still has a way of making me feel less than dirt though, while making everyone else feel like they're doing well. I think part of it just may be the way I view things, but...I don't know. Like DF says, maybe just throw a little of her attitude back at her and see if she notices (it's very different from the fun, lighthearted attitude I normally have). But I'm not sure if that's good advice, because I'm a subordinate and I don't know if that's the right way to go about things. I'm sorry for airing work grievances here but it's just been on my mind constantly in the 2 hours since I've been home from work. Sigh.

Also, on another work related note, our Kohl's, and I believe all Kohl's nationwide, are opening Black Friday at MIDNIGHT, meaning we will be open for 24 straight hours. Now, I enjoy Christmas as much if not more than anyone else, but this is madness. No one in my store is happy about this at all. Why can't retail stores open at a more normal hour...like I dunno...6am? All I ask of you is please, PLEASE be nice to the store associates that you encounter on Black Friday, especially if it's at a place that opened at midnight or even on Thanksgiving itself. They are probably having to completely rearrange Thanksgiving plans with family and friends (like I have to) to be there and work. DF's family is being extremely sweet in moving Thanksgiving dinner up to 11am so I have a chance to attend and eat before having to go to sleep and be in at work at 10pm Thanksgiving night (and they are also inviting my family over so we don't have to do 2 dinners in one day like we have been). I'm still angry at having to miss socializing, playing games, and watching football, which is a tradition I've gotten used to (not to mention watching Christmas Vacation, which is something I haven't missed out on since the movie came out in 1989). So please, I beg all of you, please be nice to your Black Friday workers if you will be shopping! Even if just for me.

Other than work, and forgetting to take pictures at both jobs to share here and on the Blossoms thread - argh, nothing has really been up. No work on the wedding front yet...will probably get back to that next week. And the big news here is that PA (at least my part) is forecasted to get 2-6 inches of snow on Saturday! It is toooooooo early for snow for me!! I don't have new tires or brakes yet (was going to get them next week) so I definitely won't be driving in it, and I'm still not ready for the bone-chilling cold that accompanies snow! I want one more month of mildly cool weather, please! lol

Have a great Halloween weekend everyone, and I'm sorry if this post got a little whiney/complainy!! I promise no more anytime soon!!

Sounds like you are going to very busy for Thanksgiving. I know it must be hard to adjust to having to give up holiday time with family due to work schedules. I really think opening at midnite is uncalled for. I am a Black Friday shopper and if I want to get to the deals and bargains, looks like I will be cutting into family time too. These black friday shopping hours are getting a little ridiculous. I think 5am is EARLY ENOUGH for the stores to open. 6am would do just fine too. Well, you hang in there. At least the family is moving dinner up so you can enjoy some family time. Thats a plus!!!

I feel you VSU!!! I use to do the retail thing in high school,and it made me absoulutly start hating the holidays...and I hated that. I worked cash register and we had lines to the back of the store and some ppl would be so rude...I almost walked out every day from black friday until Jan1st. I simply can't handle that.. I promise I always am nice to store associates especially now when I walk in and there are 1(one) store associate in an entire store doing everything at once..at least back in the heydays of the 90's we had multiple Associates on the floor. And don't get me started on stores opening at midnight...bad economy or not I think that is just plain wrong.! As for your boss I don't know what to tell you because I have the same situation...sometimes you just have to grin and bear it,because it may make it worse...but some times its so hard...I hope it gets better though..try not to think about it! I know that is much easier said than done.!

I agree opening at midnite is just WRONG!!!

 

[vsuclaribnl]

I feel you VSU!!! I use to do the retail thing in high school,and it made me absoulutly start hating the holidays...and I hated that. I worked cash register and we had lines to the back of the store and some ppl would be so rude...I almost walked out every day from black friday until Jan1st. I simply can't handle that.. I promise I always am nice to store associates especially now when I walk in and there are 1(one) store associate in an entire store doing everything at once..at least back in the heydays of the 90's we had multiple Associates on the floor. And don't get me started on stores opening at midnight...bad economy or not I think that is just plain wrong.! As for your boss I don't know what to tell you because I have the same situation...sometimes you just have to grin and bear it,because it may make it worse...but some times its so hard...I hope it gets better though..try not to think about it! I know that is much easier said than done.!

I will try Dawg, thanks!!! Yeah midnight is just way too early...I don't know what store started it or thought it was a good idea to open at midnight but I wish we could take it back! It will only be a a matter of time before stores are actually open all day on Thanksgiving Day itself! I hopefully will be out of retail by that time, lol. And thank you, on behalf of retail associates everywhere, for being nice!

Sounds like you are going to very busy for Thanksgiving. I know it must be hard to adjust to having to give up holiday time with family due to work schedules. I really think opening at midnite is uncalled for. I am a Black Friday shopper and if I want to get to the deals and bargains, looks like I will be cutting into family time too. These black friday shopping hours are getting a little ridiculous. I think 5am is EARLY ENOUGH for the stores to open. 6am would do just fine too. Well, you hang in there. At least the family is moving dinner up so you can enjoy some family time. Thats a plus!!!

I agree opening at midnite is just WRONG!!!

YAY - a Black Friday shopper that agrees with us! We opened at 3am last year and that was way too early enough!! Can't believe they are doing midnight...we are just in shock over it. I'm trying to hang in there, and I'm very happy that DF's family is moving things up just for me. I'm marrying into quite an awesome family, I must say.

 

[TamaraQT]

Hello Christmas Pals,

Looks like NJ may get some snow this weekend. I decided I will put up my tree if ONE SINGLE snowflake falls from the sky. My family will probably call me the FLAKE for putting up the tree before Halloween, but who cares. I feel like I need a little Christmas right this very minute!!!

Well looks like some of you have started Christmas shopping and that's great !!!! I can't believe how close it is. I am ready to deck the halls and trim a tree !!!!! I think I will use this weekend to do something for the holidays since I am not doing anything for Halloween. At the least, maybe I can write a Christmas list and get some real ideas going, or start planning my Thanksgiving menu, or maybe a little of both. Well I hope everyone has a BOO-tiful and SPOOK-tacular Halloween weekend!!!! Have fun!!!!

umpkin:

 

[MerryCarey]

Also, on another work related note, our Kohl's, and I believe all Kohl's nationwide, are opening Black Friday at MIDNIGHT, meaning we will be open for 24 straight hours. Now, I enjoy Christmas as much if not more than anyone else, but this is madness. No one in my store is happy about this at all. Why can't retail stores open at a more normal hour...like I dunno...6am? All I ask of you is please, PLEASE be nice to the store associates that you encounter on Black Friday, especially if it's at a place that opened at midnight or even on Thanksgiving itself. They are probably having to completely rearrange Thanksgiving plans with family and friends (like I have to) to be there and work. DF's family is being extremely sweet in moving Thanksgiving dinner up to 11am so I have a chance to attend and eat before having to go to sleep and be in at work at 10pm Thanksgiving night (and they are also inviting my family over so we don't have to do 2 dinners in one day like we have been). I'm still angry at having to miss socializing, playing games, and watching football, which is a tradition I've gotten used to (not to mention watching Christmas Vacation, which is something I haven't missed out on since the movie came out in 1989). So please, I beg all of you, please be nice to your Black Friday workers if you will be shopping! Even if just for me.

Oh, that's awful that you have to give up part of your Thanksgiving because Kohl's wants to open at midnight. In Massachusetts stores aren't allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day, but I guess once midnight passes it's fair game. I agree that 6 a.m. is early enough and would allow more time for Thanksgiving feasting and celebrating. Then again, both Mr. and I are dedicated stay-at-homes on Black Friday---we just don't care for the parking and crowding hassles.

 

[gabulldawg]

Oh, that's awful that you have to give up part of your Thanksgiving because Kohl's wants to open at midnight. In Massachusetts stores aren't allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day, but I guess once midnight passes it's fair game.

Oh the lovely state of Mass! You guys along with RI have the best worker laws on the books. I use to make out schedules for our company when I worked retail and RI and Mass employees had so many perks the other states did not. Oh and enjoy your snow this weekend!:razz:

 

[Kimothy]

Youch!!! That reminds me of when I was in the hospital back in sept. I was so dehydrated and have bad viens that my IV had to go in my hand,and they were taking blood 2x a day and all my viens would collaspe they ended up having to stick me in my anckles! and the whol process was just terrible and painful!! anyways glad everything turned out allright for you and glad you get off early today...man it'splain hot today here.I just came in from a break and it feels like early sept.glad cool weather is on the way!

I've been poked and proded at for over 30 years so the veins in my arms are worn out and "like leather" (according to a phlebotomist). My body doesn't react too well to IVs but (thankfully!) I haven't been hospitalized for almost 2.5 years.

Ouch! That sounds painful. I know my sister had to have blood drawn that way once, and she said it hurt. Glad your blood work was good, though. And if you'd like some sweater weather, be sure to visit us in Maryland on Saturday. Weather reports are calling for rain and SNOW! :yahoo:

MB~Thank you and while I don't think I'd want some snow, some cool-us-down-rain wouldn't hurt!



I'm home now--YIPPIE!! I honestly don't know if I want to lay down or play around on MMC for a while. :hi:

 

[MerryCarey]

Oh the lovely state of Mass! You guys along with RI have the best worker laws on the books. I use to make out schedules for our company when I worked retail and RI and Mass employees had so many perks the other states did not. Oh and enjoy your snow this weekend!:razz:

In my line of business (and Mr.'s---proofreading for advertising agencies), we sometimes have perks---for instance, our offices often close early the Friday/day before a holiday---but we're just as likely to have to work late or on weekends with no notice. I'm salaried and don't get overtime. Mr. does get overtime, which is good when he finds himself working until 1:30 a.m. or over the weekend, like he has to tomorrow.

The snow is probably not going to be very enjoyable---wet, heavy, and sloppy, plus high winds, so we're likely to lose our power and break our backs shoveling out. AccuWeather says 2.2 inches, but NWS says 3 to 7. Do I hear any volunteers---preferably from Ga.? cheesy

 

[made582]

I will try Dawg, thanks!!! Yeah midnight is just way too early...I don't know what store started it or thought it was a good idea to open at midnight but I wish we could take it back!

I think it started with toys r us 2 years ago. Then wal mart opened at midnight last year. So I can imaginie that a lot more will be opening at midnight this year. I don't agree with it and refused to go there last year.

I was lucky when I worked retail. I worked for napa and autozone. You would get a rush everytime there was a real bad cold snap but winter was usually our dead time. We also didn't have black friday sales.

 

[made582]

After shopping all morning I've decided that my niece's and nephew need to go back to being babies. These $30 outfits and $40 Nintendo games are killing me.

 

[made582]

Well thanks to Courtney we now know that Target will be opening at Midnight on black friday.

http://www.mymerrychristmas.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28733

 

[gabulldawg]

@MerryCarey-Accuweather has been soo wierd lately ,they went from being very liberal with thier forecast a few years ago to being downright conservative and plain wrong. I have found weather.com to be the most accurate however. NWS well they are usually wrong too.lol I bet central Mass around Amherst will get about 5 inches...the news is saying boston around 1 ro 2 inches and further west will get heavier amounts...of all places Pa could get 8plus but maybe I read that wrong...I hope xmas365 and you don't loose your power though... I think we will know more in the morning! this storm system has kind of snuck up on me..up until today weather.com was not mentioning it,now it's in bright red on thier main page.

 

[gabulldawg]

well we went from grilling burgers tonight to pan frying them,and from frying the french fries to baking them.. We were suppose to go brandi's schools football game but she is not feeling well and i only went to them for her so I don't really care. I am just glad it's friday night! we are going to wake up to much cooler weather tomorrow,and I am glad of that. Its 78F now and that feels so hot after all the cool weather we have had lately. Our long-range(which i try to avoid) says even low 80's the second week of Nov..totally unnaceptable!(like I can choose huh) anyways,I will take this cool down over the next week and be grateful. My pear trees still are green but that is normal. I can't wait till they turn I will snap some pics. they are bright orange and red,but we are still a few weeks away from that. I hope everyone has a good evening! And bundle up everyone above the Mason-Dixon line!!!

 

[sugar142286]

that time of the day again! Have to go to Toronto again tomorrow with Lindsay and then London on Saturday. There is also a trip planned for Ottawa. Not sure if it will be next week or the week after, as soon as Laura can arrange an appointment with who ever it is she has to see there.
Have a good sleep everyone!

Have safe travels!

 

[sugar142286]

Sugar - Thinking of Ella xo

Always thinking about Wish and Ivy too!

Hi every one! today my parents are coming over for dinner and coming to see our new house, so i should get some cleaning done, but first more studying, i'm actually a bit stressed, since 10 november will be an exam and i have an essay to rewrite, so getting nervous, but i shouldn't, i know i can do this...!

You will do great on the exam! Good luck!

my mama is about to go stir crazy just sitting around w/ her broken foot.

Good to hear from you! Hope your mom starts feeling better soon!

I'm on my third day in bed after a surgery at Wednesday..
Surf, sleep, read, listening to Christmas music (medicine)..

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Hope you start feeling better soon!

I didn't realize this.... 2,000 posts!! It only took me a 3 years and 1 month to accomplish. But, I guess it is more like 2 years and four months because I never really started posting until July of 2009. Either way, I am now at 2,000! My goal for the month has been reached!

Congrats!

Too bad about the weather last night, but it sounds like you & your family had a great night in! I bet the kids enjoyed seeing the other trick-or-treaters costumes!! Did you get lots of them? We stayed in & watched Charlie Brown, too- what a classic!

We only had about 15 to 20 kids I would say. We never get a whole lot to begin with, but with the weather being the way it was, it made the turn out worse.

 

[sugar142286]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great day so far and are having a great evening! Well here in Central Pa, we're supposed to get 4 to 8 inches of snow after midnight. It's supposed to be heavy and wet, with high winds, which they said could mean power outages. I want the snow, but don't want to lose our power, especially because DH is working nights tonight and I am home alone with the kids.

Nothing really new - had a busy night at work last night - had to work an hour of overtime this am. DH and I are looking foward to the weekend. It shall be a fun time.

Well, I will check back here in a little bit! :razz:

 

[XmasRoxMySox2010]

Good morning fellow Christmas lovers. I am starting the weekend off by having McDonald's for breakfast. Going to visit relatives in a couple of days, so I'm looking forward to that.

 

[gabulldawg]

Well I am thinking of calling it an early night! Just got through eating dinner,will save the dishes for in the morning...I am ready to retire to the bed and read and watch tv. I hope everyone has a restful night talk to you all in the morning!

 

[sugar142286]

Good morning fellow Christmas lovers. I am starting the weekend off by having McDonald's for breakfast. Going to visit relatives in a couple of days, so I'm looking forward to that.

Hope you have a wonderful time visiting your family!

 

[sugar142286]

Just sitting her spending time with the kids - already attempted to get EA to bed once, but she wasn't having it. She get's used to my DH putting her to bed and that's who she was asking for tonight. She cried until she was screaming, so I am giving her a little break. We're awaiting the snow! I'm getting excited! Let it snow! :