This is a very long story, but something I want to remember, so read if you want.
It's official! We have become crazy black friday shoppers! Andy & I tagged along with Natalie & Casey this year for the black friday deals at Target. Andy wanted a new tv, even though he bought a new tv last year on black friday, so we went VERY early to make sure he got one. We arrived at Target at 10 PM the night before, and were the very first ones there, but as we were getting our stuff out of the truck, another car showed up and quickly ran to the doors. So we ended up being second in line, but that was okay because I knew the people in front of us. It was a kid that I played coed with (some of you may know him by Holley), and let's just say they were very experienced black friday shoppers.
At target, the store sets up a bunch of carts out front as a sort of barricade to the front of the line. It's actually pretty smart. Well, our pals next to us decided that it wasn't good enough, so what did they do? They hooked every cart together using the kid belts on each cart. This way, people would definitely not be able to get through the barricade. The security girl even said it was an excellent idea! I thought it was hilarious!
So anyway, there we are at 10 PM just waiting for 5 AM to arrive, and it starts to get really cold! Andy kept checking the temperature and for most of the night, it was at or below freezing! Oh, let me remind you that I was not at all prepared for an all nighter at Target. I ended up having to borrow an old coat from Natalie and a blanket from my mother-in-law. Also, I was wearing flats, so my feet got cold very quickly, but luckily Andy had enough hand warmers in his nice, big, extremely warm coat.
So then, it gets to about 12:30 AM and Natalie and Casey leave for a bathroom break. They ended up driving all the way back to their house because they couldn't find a place nearby that was open (even though Walmart was open), but I was very glad they did because they returned with more blankets and McDonalds! I really think that McDonalds was what got me through the rest of the night. Thanks, Nat & Casey! We owe you!
So after, Nat & Casey got back, it was mine & Andy's turn for a bathroom break. We just went over to Walmart. We thought Walmart would be crazy, but it wasn't at all. So we spent a while walking around looking at all of their deals. It was nice and warm inside Walmart, but we had to get back to Natalie & Casey. But before heading back, we took a little drive around Riverdale to look at all the other stores that had lines of crazy people like us. Best Buy was CRAZY! The line was already back behind the building at 2 in the morning (Target wasn't that bad...yet)! Surprisingly, there was no one at Shopko (where I almost died a few years ago on black friday). But there were two people waiting at Carters--the kid clothing store! Now that was funny!
We got back a little after 2 AM to find pretty much everyone in line asleep. We got back in our blankets and seats and joined them. Well, Andy didn't, but I sure did! Target wasn't going to let anyone back in line after 4 AM, so I slept for about an hour, and then it was time to clean up our stuff and take it back to the truck. I knew I couldn't stand in line for an hour before the doors opened without a blanket, so I kept mine with me.
The boys took everything to the trucks, and then got back in line. I was so excited by this time! I was getting so pumped for when the doors would open. Target was very kind to hand out maps of the store that said exactly where every thing was, which was actually very helpful. Andy & I had our game plan and were ready!
THEN, THE DOORS OPENED!!!
You should have seen the security guy when they finally opened. He had the look of complete terror in his eyes! But don't worry, we didn't trample him. We all waited for him to get out of the way, and then, we were off!
They asked us not to run, so I just speed walked. Andy is always telling me that I walk fast, and it sure came in handy today. I was the first person to the TVs (I know, what an accomplishment)! I tried to lift the TV, but I couldn't, so I just stood there with my arms wrapped around it. Finally, I saw Andy coming! He came right over and picked it up with no trouble. MY HERO!
Then, we headed straight for the checkout lines, where we met up with Natalie & Casey. Can you believe it only took us 9 minutes to get the TV and checkout? We waited for 7 extremely cold hours for only 9 minutes of shopping! But, we got a TV!
By the way, my sister, Lindsey, showed up right before they opened the doors. By the time we got out to our truck, she was just barely walking in the doors. That's how long the line was. She ended up telling me later that the line went all the way to the freeway (for those of you that are familiar with the area). When she walked in, I thought sucker, but then I realized that I'm the stupid one that stayed out in the cold all night.
WAS THIS REALLY WORTH IT?
I am still undecided.
