Archive for My Tattered Life! LOL
How I almost got kicked out 1st day @ Paperback Swap
So I joined yesterday (some of my yahoo group friends have already accepted my buddy requests–thanks!! I need all the buddies I can get on there–you’ll see why).
I am mailing out two books today though. I even pre-printed postage and delivery confirmation. I had a heck of a time trying to wrap the books though so I finally put them in envelopes and just taped on the label with postage and address.
“the five people you meet in heaven” By Mitch Albom
There are some books you read to entertain yourself, like most of the mystery/thriller novels I read. There are others you read looking for a message. This is one of those books and it did not let me down. My mom passed away almost 11 years ago on my birthday. In this time, I’ve learned that time doesn’t always heal the wound. Some shoes are way too big to ever fill. My mom’s 3 inch heels are one of them. 
I was 26 years old when she passed away. I was an adult but I had spent the last 7 years in college and graduate school-all good things-but when she died, I felt that this had stolen time I could have spent with her. I felt and believed that my mother had not yet told me everything she needed to; that she had not yet taught me all I needed to learn.
I found some answers in this book.
The book basically tells us the story of an elderly, crotchety man, who dies while trying to save a young girl’s life at a carnival where he works. Next thing, he wakes up in “heaven” or perhaps it should be better called “heaven’s ante-room.” Here, he learns important life lessons.
The story weaves in and out of the present time at the carnival, the man’s actual life, and “heaven.” In so doing, Albom gives us messages of hope, peace and connection.
Here are some of what I thought were great lines because they brought the message home to me.
-
“….there are no random acts..that we are all connected…that death doesn’t just take someone, it misses someone else…”
-
“..when you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You are just passing it to someone else.”
-
“…hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.”
-
“..lost love is still love…a different form, that’s all.”
Albom teaches us about sacrifice, forgiveness and most of all..Love.
This one gets 5 tattered pages!!
“….there are no random acts..that we are all connected…that death doesn’t just take someone, it misses someone else…”
“..when you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You are just passing it to someone else.”
“…hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.”
“..lost love is still love…a different form, that’s all.”
L’est We Forget–HAPPY THREE KINGS DAY!!
What is that? Well when I was a child it was merely another day to get more gifts!! Well and technically for many children, it still is!! Living in New Jersey and coming from descendants of Puerto Rico, as a child, I had the best time this time of year. It started Christmas Eve and ended in mid-January. It was the best.
Christmas Eve would usually be spent at my uncle Johnny’s house (his was biggest). The adults all got drunk and danced the night away. The children ate more than they should and got to stay up all night!! Around midnight, the kids would open up their presents. We’d rest up Christmas morning and play with our new toys. Then on the 26th or 27th we’d be on a plane headed to the beautiful isla of Puerto Rico. There would be a welcoming party with great food! On the 31st the entire family would gather with a huge a@@ lechon (pork) and music. We’d ring in the new year!
Then we’d hang out some more but on the evening of January 5th, all the children went to gather some hay or grass and a bowl of water and place these under the bed before going to bed that night. These were intended for the camels of the Three Kings who would supposedly be exhausted after their trip from the Orient to Puerto Rico. The camels would eat and drink while the kings left you gifts. In the morning on the 6th, we’d awaken with the cockadoodledoo to get some more gifts.
This night would mark the beginning of the “octavitas” (eights) –8 nights of parties with “parrandas” (sort of like a chorus that got bigger as the night went on because they’d pick up more straggler chorus people from home to home; a group would go knocking on someone’s house, usually unannounced and even sometimes wake you from your sleep, singing folk songs and start a party in your house that would last unil the wee hours of the morning; one or two people from your house would join the party and continue to the next house).
It was extra nice for me because Santa had given me gifts on December 25th and now the Three Kings on January 6th. I was doubly blessed. So Happy Three Kings Day everyone. May your blessings be doubled this year!!
Robert Frost’s Summer Home Vandalized??
I saw this small news article today on AOL news. The headline actually read: “Famed Writer’s Home Vandalized Teens’ Party Got Wild, Cops Say“. I thought that was going to be some funny story about a published author’s feisty teen children. I was pretty feisty myself. So I thought it would be funny but what this story is actually about is some people and some are allegedly teens, breaking into the historic summer home of Robert Frost in Ripton, Vermont!!! I was speechless when I saw the pictures and so depressed. I mean when we aren’t even respecting the memory of Robert Frost!! They broke a window to get in and proceeded to drink and leave blue plastic cups strewn about the floors. They also broke much of the antique furniture. I find this so totally despicable. I mean it’s one thing to break into a currently vacant house and hang out with your friends (I told you I was feisty–LOL) but why destroy property too? And irreplaceable property–we’re not talking build it yourself IKEA here! And I’m not upset just because it was Robert Frost (I like him but he wasn’t one of my favorites). But the house clearly states that this is a historic site and it says Robert Frost. And I’m sure it’s local kids so they must’ve know who this is because I’m sure the town boasts about it. I’m sad that teens today no longer seem to respect anything. I hear it from my own goddaughter at times–”I’ll respect her if she respects me,” she says referring to one of her teachers. She fails to realize that respect is not something you are given. Respect is not something you are born with. Respect is earned! Yea it may sound like cliche but it’s the truth. Blood, sweat and tears–but it is earned.
ON ANOTHER NOTE
Ok I’ve been watching the news lately–not on purpose. I leave the TV on as I type on my blog because I like having the background noise. After the shows are over, the news start and I get too lazy to change the channel or can’t find the remote. I had given up the news because there is always bad news on–and how often do we have to hear about who got shot or who got hit by a drunk driver or who died in a tragic fire.
Well I was flabbergasted! (LOL) at the news today about an Arizona pageant queen, who by the way is a law student and a law intern, so I’m assuming she cannot possibly say she didn’t know better; well, she kidnaps her ex-boyfriend and gets two other females involved. They duct tape him and threaten him. She holds a gun or maybe a butcher knife to him (I lost this part). They show her beauty shot and admittedly, she is very pretty. Then the mugshot–OMG!! What a difference!! Can I just tell you that there is a reason why women put on make-up and why some women put on make-up for an hour or more. It gives new meaning to the phrase “putting on my face.” But what really amazed me was that she was released on a $50,000 bond!! She takes this man against his will, locks him up, gags and bounds him for two days and threatens his life and is given $50,000 bond. So we know her sentence will be a mix between probation and community service!! Talk about an unjust system!
I know someone who for whatever reason (because I don’t know the reason or if there can even be a reason) fired a gun at a building wall and two hookers see him. Both hookers state that he slowed down when he drove by them and that they saw the “fire” and heard it once he drove past down the block. Does sound crazy right? It doesn’t make sense to me as to why he would do this. Kind of stupid but I’m getting off track. He gets a $150,000 bail!!
And I’ve been hearing a lot of crazy things like this lately–you kill someone and you also get $150,000 bail and you do 5-7 years!!! That doesn’t seem right for a life. Same as it doesn’t seem right to do three years for getting high and ruining your own stupid life. There are too many things in our system that just don’t make sense. Like “correctional institutions.” What exactly are they “correcting?” A first-timer’s ability to pick locks? Because they aren’t correcting or doing anything about the problem to begin with, which in my opinion, starts with a poor education and poverty. If more isn’t done about the immense level of poverty in our cities, then it’s just going to be a never-ending cycle.
Another thing that didn’t ever make sense was when I worked at Hudson County Welfare, I found that a person convicted of a a drug offense could be denied food stamps unless they went through some type of rehabilitation program (like a correctional institution–that counted!). However if all you’d done was molest a child; well you could eat for free every month! Isn’t the system great?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Just a quick note before the first day of the year ends. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
May 2008 be full of blessing, miracles, more money, less bills, true friendship and peace!
BAH HUMBUG!
Christmas Eve–I’m sitting on my bed with my cat laying by my side cataloguing my books online. That’s my idea of fun. I got out of work at 3 pm and ran to Target for one last gift!! And I ended up spending about $60 on about 6 more gifts!! Go figure! My aunt is cooking a roast pork and it’s smelling good. My oldest cousin is watching movies in his room and chain-smoking, but that’s nothing new. My youngest cousin (but still older than me) just came in and is still undecided as to where he will spend tonite. The middle cousin and father of the lil Midget (little Richie) who lives with me will come over later with his girlfriend and their daughter. We will wait until midnight and open up a couple of gifts. Then we’ll go to sleep. And to think of the long hours shopping, online browsing, road rages, ATM withdrawals–all for this one night of complete and utter joy!!! Can you say BULLSHEET?? I miss Christmases past.
AFTER MIDNIGHT
I’m going to risk sounding like a Hallmark card. Big Richie managed to get here about 11:30 pm and he brought his girlfriend Jennifer and her 10 year old daughter Ashley. Alex decided to go somewhere else and party. Around 11:58, the two kids were getting very antsy. So we let them start ripping up presents. And looking into their smiling eyes, I finally remembered what the fuss is about. These are the memories that they will look back to. The memories that will keep them going when life gets tough, the way it does when we grow up.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!
Crossroads with Pain
Ok I am going to get personal in this post but this has been bothering me and I need a forum where I can let it all out and this here is my forum. I do not want pity. Matter of fact I abhor it. However there is a difference between pity and compassion. I have compassion on my fellow human beings just because it’s who I am and what’s in my heart. I am going through a bit of a situation and it’s hurtful, physically and spiritually. Let me explain.
My Typical Day
I wake up about 6:35 am. Either an internal clock or my cat jumping around doing something he isn’t suppose to be. I twist and turn to find a comfortable way to look at the bedside clock. I see the time and think “great, it’s early, maybe today I can finally make it to work on time.” I roll and stretch and stretch and stretch some more. The whole time wincing with pain. I decide about a half hour later, “let me just get up because the pain is not going away.” And because I’m still quite stiff and not exactly limber, I bang my knee against my bedpost. I gasp in pain and I think “why is it that I hurt myself whenever I’m in the worse pain?” At times, a tear will trickle but I continue. I make it to the bathroom. I use the toilet. I turn on the shower water–very hot because the steam is suppose to relieve my achy joints. I step into the shower and I slip, almost falling but I don’t. I catch myself but not before I stretch my back way more than I should have and I hit my tender hand against a pipe. I wince again and sit in my shower chair. I cry sometimes. I let the water do its thing and I slowly start to massage my hands, knees and neck, in the hot water. I start to lather up slowly, not because I’m trying to be all sensual but because I can’t go any faster due to pain and lack of mobility. If it’s a good day, I manage to wash my hair. I dry off. I brush my teeth holding onto the sides of the sink because standing longer than 5 minutes hurts like hell. I struggle with the cap of the deodorant and flirt with the idea of not using any! But not wanting to be a big ‘ole stink bomb, I struggle until it comes off. I apply deodorant, the whole time wincing and holding my breath. I go to my room and sit on a chair and dress. This part isn’t too hard except that it’s a very uncomfortable spot and I almost always manage to hit something and make the pain worse. Buttoning up is a problem but I’ve devised my own plan. I slip on my shoes. If it’s a good day, I wear make-up and manage to make it to work looking half decent. But lately it’s been mostly bad days. My hair gets barely washed. I mean I do it but not a great job. Brush it? Are you serious? Lately, it gets gathered up and put in a clip. My hair is curly so unless you look very close, it doesn’t look that bad. I put on my coat and start going. I stop to lock the door and you guessed it. I wince in pain as I turn the key in the lock. Oh and I’ve dropped the keys about 4 times first because with the morning pain, my hands are not very strong yet. I start my trek down two flights of stairs one step at a time because my knees have been filling with fluid again, making it very painful to bend. I manage to get to my car and open the door. I literally plop in my seat because I’m holding my breath during my walk to the car. I put the key in the ignition. I’ve only dropped this once because it’s bigger and easier to hang onto. I start the car. I reach over to get my seat belt and I stop mid-air. I hold my breath and attempt again. I get the seat belt on. I let out a big ‘ole breath. And I go to work. I’ve devised a route in which I hardly make any left turns, actually one. Those hurt too much. I get to work. They’ve provided parking for me. I cross the street. I reach out to open the door and not even a budge! Thank God it’s a high people-traffic area and eventually someone pushes it open for me. I walk in and I look at the clock. 9:17 am. I start at 9 am. Oh well I think “maybe tomorrow.”
I’m not going to go any further because it’s pretty pathetic really. But this is what I go through every day lately. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 8 1/2 years old. I had a hard time as a child, mostly because they had no idea what was wrong at first and I just kept getting worse and worse. And because, well, kids are cruel little creatures aren’t they? So yea, it was tough for a bit. But I struggled through it and as I got older, I was able to use medication that I couldn’t before and it helped alot. I went through high school pretty much ok. College years were great. I ran around just about as much as anyone else. No I didn’t run track but I could skip across a street. Now I’m in my 30’s and it seems that the RA is trying to get the best of me. I’ve tried a few things already but it’s just not letting down. So most days are full of pain, uneasiness and yea even moodiness. I’m not worried because I know I will get through it. But I am upset because it has slowed me down. Not just in everyday life but at work. I have not been producing the way I had been and I recently got an unsatisfactory evaluation which I’ve appealed but no word yet. Worse comes to worse, I won’t get an anniversary pay raise. But that’s just a few bucks. I’m upset because I have been told that I failed. And I have never been a failure.
I’ve worked for this agency for the past 10 years and I’ve had a very good track record. I’ve gotten promoted quite quickly. I excel at their stupid tests. And I always go beyond my job duties. But none of that matters. This has diminished me. I feel inadequate and I have never felt that way.
I am upset because I work in the field of disability and I expected that they would have had some compassion for a struggling employee trying to remain an employee and not become a client; but instead they are stressing me out and making me feel so damn terrible and inadequate. I mean yes, I could, at 36 years old, apply for Social Security disability and stay home. But I don’t want to. I feel that I have more to give to this world and I want to keep giving it.
However, if it weren’t for the bills, I would walk out of there tomorrow with my head held high. I’m at a crossroads. You know the place you find yourself in life when you are about to learn a very important lesson. I wonder what it will be.
A Shout-Out for My Latinos!!
OK I’m getting up on the podium so watch out!! LOL First, let’s chat about friendship. Me and my co-writer have been friends for about 5 years or so. She probably knows the exact year but I only remember the day. Her hubby and my then boyfriend decided that we should plan a summer outing–against our wills. Neither of us was exactly jumping to meet the other. You see at the time, our significant others’ choice of friends was extremely lacking and us being the extreme snobs, did not want to mingle with what we thought was crap!
Anyway we did meet and I think I may have given her a once over before letting her into my car but lo and behold–a friendship was born. And we fight just like the boys do except that we also know each other very well. Sometimes we give each other space and other times, especially me (ha ha) we are all up in each other’s face wanting to know why we did such a stupid thing. Anyhow through it all, we have learned to know that the other is not perfect but we love each other in spite of and sometimes even because of the imperfections! Who knew?! LOL
OK so one of what I consider her imperfections (lol) is that she is not a very proud Latina. This of course, has to do with our growing up. I grew up with lots of Puerto Rican pride and I knew of all things Hispanic. I learned very early on that I was not Spanish!!! That’s right folks!! Spanish are people of Spanish descent aka born in or from family in Spain. I learned to love the music and the people and the fiestas patronales. I went to Puerto Rico every single summer and many Christmas vacations. So Latin pride was part of growing up for me. My co-writer had a bit of a different upbringing. Don’t get me wrong. She likes her roots. She just doesn’t love them. LOL And trut be told, she actually cracks me up because she as some peculiar sayings for a Latina–the latest one? “Stop joshing me.” she tells me. I nearly snorted my Sprite out my nose! And she’s married to a VERY proud Puerto Rican man. I imagine she cracks him up too!
LOL
So my co-writer made a comment in a prior blog about Latinos in power. And I agree with part of her comment except that I don’t think abuse of power is a condition that is limited to Latinos/Hispanics. Power is power and most people that attain it, don’t know how to handle it. Most are changed by this power. Many lose the power and perhaps it is this fear of losing the power they worked so hard to attain, that makes some minority populations and really people in general, seem to want to hold on to it a little tighter. And sometimes, they come down on fellow Latinos/Hispanics. The problem is that we take it personally. Yea it would be nice if we got cut a break every so often but well, I don’t hold it against them. I don’t like misuse of power in any ethnic group but I am very proud of my fellow Latinos when they achieve something of substance.
My aunt made a funny yet true comment the other day. I don’t normally agree with her so this is Good! LOL
We were talking about the fact that one of our family members is locked away in the “big house” and we needed a favor but no one would do it. I’m not going to get into details. There would have been no breaking of laws and the favor was something that is not out of the ordinary. But no one would do it. And yea, no one we asked was Latino. I’m not saying that was the reason why it wasn’t done but I’m trying to set up what my aunt said.
She says “You see the problem is that too many of our youth dedicated themselves to drugs and becoming the law-breakers instead of becoming the cops, the lawyers and the judges.”
I have to admit that there is a sour Truth to that. I have known so many intelligent young men AND women throw their lives away. But that is exactly the reason why I don’t mind when my Latinos reach some level of power–oh yea I may personally dislike some of these individuals but it’s all about the greater good. Eventually we’ll get it right.
Catching Up!!
OK the tyrannical co-creator here!! LOL
I just got through reading my co-writer’s updates and I thought, man I really should’ve read it sooner! It may have saved us some grief this weekend. Anyway, I’ll get to that later.
First I am really proud of my friend for finally choosing to use colors in her posts. She tends to just write and write and not even use spellcheck (ahhh the horror!) ; )
OK, question for my friend– How can anything that cost $5 be perfect?
I think she has a very high expectation for $5. If $5 is what you will pay for perfect, then I have a nice sandwich-sized zippered sealed bag for ya!! LOL My friend here needs a lesson in quality!
Let’s face it girl! “Lo barato sale caro!” which means that cheap is sometimes more costly because after buying 20 perfect $5 wallets you have spent $100, whereas if you spend $75 you may actually get a perfect wallet!! Next trip to the outlet, it’s on!! No excuses. LOL
Besides the ride to upstate NY was merely 45 minutes because it’s just right there at the tippy tip entrance to NY. I did buy my second authentic Coach bag for $120 bucks (total of 60% off what it would have been in the store!!). But I look at it this way–I’ve bought Guess and Nine West bags at Macy’s or other department stores, some have been leather and some haven’t, for about $60. So now I have two great quality leather bags and each are really perfect. I have a tote that can carry my life and a hobo bag that I can look all trendy in. LOL
And truth be told, carrying my Coach bag is good for my self-esteem. It’s much like when we girls buy and wear really pretty silky lingerie even though no one else will see it. It makes you walk differently. You carry yourself differently. It gives you a self-assurance and a great attitude. I can’t really explain it but those that do this should know what I mean.
But I will admit that I’ve learned a lesson myself now that I treated myself to the real Coach bag. I’ve learned that my addiction is not simply to Coach bags but to bags in general. So I will continue on my quest for bags, pens and books wherever it leads me (even if I must cross state lines!).
Oh yea–but ask her how far she’d go for some really great jersey knit sheets!!! And by the way the fact that she is her hubby’s GPS system is really scary. Let me just say he is going to be lost a lot! LOL I love my girl deeply but she’s been known to be lost in a one-block radius! LOL {xoxox for you!}
And another thing–what makes you think that your neighbor wanted a friend? She was just giving you a token of appreciation because you let her use your home to gain access to hers. There is nothing there that says I’m lonely and need a friend (however, it may say I’m stupid and need to smoke less weed–LOL). Anyhow, you gave this stranger entry into your apartment and showed her how easy it is to break in through the windows in your building. If she’s a thief, she now has the general layout of your place. Hope you didn’t have too many Christmas goodies laying around. This is the prime season for robberies because thieves know that most homes are filled with great stuff right about now. Make sure you lock your windows at all times!! Boobie trap the entrance! She gave you a gift card in appreciation and to throw you off track because if something happens-you’d never think it was her. She was so nice! LOL
See? This is one of the major differences between Nancy and me –she sees the cup half full and I see it half empty. She’s the eternal optimist believing in the goodness in people and I’m the constant pessimist knowing that you cannot leave your back turned too long.
OK so now about what we did this weekend. We had plans for Saturday. The thing I have to say in my defense is that I was very tired and stressed out this past week. OK, so my friend loves to shop. I think that’s why she likes December because of all the shopping she gets to do. So she made plans for us to go to Big Lots which was fine. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the trip, however, my intention was to give her her birthday gift because we still had not seen each other and just spend time with her. I originally also wanted her to come over my house. I would give my car to my aunt so she could make herself scarce. And she’d have to leave her hubby home so we could actually have girlfriend time.
Don’t get this wrong. He was a very gracious host to me this time as well as any other time I come over but you know sometimes you just want to hang with your friend.
Anyway, I’m sure that I did agree to go to Big Lots with her but I wasn’t paying close attention because we had the conversation when I was at work this week and work has been dreadful lately.
Oh and by the way, let me just say that when my friend and I lived in the same town, we didn’t see each other much but I had a car and I always went to her house. Well at least a couple times a month. LOL And now she moved out of town and she has a car but unless I go to her, I never see her. Yea, I’m complaining! Again! And if she stayed put long enough I may have had the brilliant idea to bring her a friggin cupcake with a candle on it! Cause I’ve been a broke pigeon too–can’t afford the whole cake! LOL
So I erred because I forgot we had to a date to shop and not just a date to hang out. When she called me and she was out in front of my house, she had her hubby call and I merely told him I ‘d be down in a few minutes. It was taking me more than a few minutes because I was “in disposed.” LOL She called me after about 5 minutes of waiting for me and I told her what I was doing but I’d be down soon. Well, she mistook the strain in my voice from being out all night and going out early in the morning, for not really wanting to go with her. And when she mentioned Big Lots and I was clueless, well that closed the deal. My friend, got all pissy and after she was out front, she left me.
I was going to leave it alone because I really was tired and wanted to go to sleep but then it ate at me because well honestly, because I really needed my friend. So making the story short–we made up and I went to her home. She went to Target after she left all mad at me and shopped away! Her hubby ended up carrying all the bags. Oh yea and get this–she complained about me and he got mad at her!! I think he just wasn’t beat to hear her complaining. You know how men are. LOL But well as much as I fight with him and he gets on my nerves, he’s like one of my cousins to me. And she, well, I just can’t stay mad at her too long. LOL
So see? If I would have read her blog, I would’ve known what the plans were all along. Reminds me of a famous line in the Woody Woodpecker cartoons:
“If Woody had only gone to the police; This would never have happened.” LOL
And as far as books go, we’ve been reading lots of stuff in between but the next book club reading is officially “the five people we meet in heaven” by Mitch Albom. Pick it up and let’s have an online discussion before the end of the month. It’s a perfect read for right before the new year!!!
FRIGGIN’ BLACK FRIDAY
What a Thanksgiving Day!! I went to a friend’s house early in the day. I had not decided to go until last minute. My friend Jessica talked me into it. She wouldn’t go unless I did and it’s her family!!
Well I relented as long as she was my designated driver! She agreed. Yay!
I had wine (red-yuck because it makes my head hurt later) and I had some Coquito (OMG yum)! For those who don’t know what it is, it is a traditional alcoholic drink in Puerto Rico made from mostly coconut milk and Bacardi! What could go wrong with that? LOL
OK so I had a good time (probably cuz I was drunk and smiled all thru it). We got there at 2 pm and left about 6:30 pm. Then we went to to my house. Jessica drove. We had Thanksgiving dinner there. We left my house at 8:30 pm (I drove this time) and went to the heights to pick up Margarita then off to Montclair to pick up Erica, who was going to drive all of us to Woodbury Commons in Harriman NY. We had planned this a few weeks ago. We wanted to see what kind of deal we could get at Coach.
I have never been Black Friday shopping at all!! I just couldn’t seem to get out of bed for a DVD player or a TV. But I do have a thing with handbags (ok it’s an addiction!-sheesh!) and this was at night so I didn’t have to get up. I just couldn’t go to sleep.
So we get to the mall at about 9:55 and get in line at the Coach store. I had no idea it was going to be like that. It was chilly and I had not changed clothes from earlier in the evening when it was warmer out. The line went quickly. The people from Coach handed out candy–Tootsie rolls mostly. I was thinking a nice cup of hot chocolate would be much better but beggars can’t be choosers right? We get inside the store about 10:53 pm!!
I have to tell the truth. I love Coach bags but those darn holiday patchwork bags are FUGLEY! And at first they were all I saw. Then I started to see other things. Truthfully, the specials were not much different from any other day except they did hand you an extra 10% off coupon at the door. Most bags were 20% off. Some were 40% off. There was this one bag that would’ve amounted to $92. And if your sole concern was just to own a Coach bag you could’ve walked away with that–a signature Jacquard print hobo style bag in lime green. It makes a statement.
Well I was a bit sad because I had not intended to spend much but there was this bag that I totally adore and it’s a perfect size so I decided why not? I spent about $150 which is actually about 50% off retail price. It’s pebbled leather tote style in dark brown. The inside lining is vibrant purple. At the register, I almost forgot to give her my 10% off coupon and if I had forgotten, she would not have given it to me!! Which made me wonder what is the point of that? A total waste of paper. I hope it was recycled paper! I mean if you can only get through the front door and that’s when you get a coupon; then doesn’t it make better sense to just put a big sign that says10% off total order, not hand out any coupons, and just give everyone that comes up to the register the damn extra 10% off? Well I thought so.
Anyhow took the four of us like 1/2 hr -45 mins to shop. Then we all left store out a side entrance. At this point it was pure friggin chaos!! Lines like you wouldn’t believe in every single store–Gap, Timberland, Polo, Nautica. Security was probably tighter than the President’s. It was a crazy mess but we’d done our shopping so we were ready to go.
We start walking to parking lot and not one of the FOUR of us knew where the hell the car was!!!!! Froze my ass off looking. Serious. I couldn’t feel my butt cheeks for hours!! But finally we found the car about an hour and half later.
Let me just say that I’m glad we went early because coming back down, we saw the line going up. Bumper to bumper dead stand still for like 20 miles!!! I would’ve died! And there was no way to turn around if you changed your mind. I felt really bad for those people. I got home about 3:30 am after dropping off Jessica and Margarita.
I had to work today black Friday for the first time in 10 years of working wit the state of NJ! I’m not complaining. I’m stating a mere fact. So I set my alarm for 8 am!! I get a phone call at 7:50 am from a well-meaning aunt, to ask if I was going to work. I got jipped my last 10 minutes of sleep!! Don’t you hate when that happens?
So I got up, attempted some hygiene and headed to work. Food shops were closed by work so I stopped at McDonald’s on the way. They ran out of coffee!!! How the hell does that happen? So then I had to wait in the drive thru line though I wasn’t buying anything because once you are in, there’s no way out.
I finally went to a Burger King who did have coffee but no cini-minis!! So I got that and made it to work on time.
So what did I learn about Black Friday–well, it’s just not for me. I mean unless they are giving away a free handbag or some books, I’d rather wait until after Thanksgiving. Much of the time you’ll find that they’ve replenished what sold out on black Friday and it’s still at the same discounted price and if it gets closer to Christmas, it may even have a better discount! You could even do Black Friday online!! So nope never again.
Well I relented as long as she was my designated driver! She agreed. Yay!
I had wine (red-yuck because it makes my head hurt later) and I had some Coquito (OMG yum)! For those who don’t know what it is, it is a traditional alcoholic drink in Puerto Rico made from mostly coconut milk and Bacardi! What could go wrong with that? LOL
OK so I had a good time (probably cuz I was drunk and smiled all thru it). We got there at 2 pm and left about 6:30 pm. Then we went to to my house. Jessica drove. We had Thanksgiving dinner there. We left my house at 8:30 pm (I drove this time) and went to the heights to pick up Margarita then off to Montclair to pick up Erica, who was going to drive all of us to Woodbury Commons in Harriman NY. We had planned this a few weeks ago. We wanted to see what kind of deal we could get at Coach.
I have never been Black Friday shopping at all!! I just couldn’t seem to get out of bed for a DVD player or a TV. But I do have a thing with handbags (ok it’s an addiction!-sheesh!) and this was at night so I didn’t have to get up. I just couldn’t go to sleep.
So we get to the mall at about 9:55 and get in line at the Coach store. I had no idea it was going to be like that. It was chilly and I had not changed clothes from earlier in the evening when it was warmer out. The line went quickly. The people from Coach handed out candy–Tootsie rolls mostly. I was thinking a nice cup of hot chocolate would be much better but beggars can’t be choosers right? We get inside the store about 10:53 pm!!
I have to tell the truth. I love Coach bags but those darn holiday patchwork bags are FUGLEY! And at first they were all I saw. Then I started to see other things. Truthfully, the specials were not much different from any other day except they did hand you an extra 10% off coupon at the door. Most bags were 20% off. Some were 40% off. There was this one bag that would’ve amounted to $92. And if your sole concern was just to own a Coach bag you could’ve walked away with that–a signature Jacquard print hobo style bag in lime green. It makes a statement.
Well I was a bit sad because I had not intended to spend much but there was this bag that I totally adore and it’s a perfect size so I decided why not? I spent about $150 which is actually about 50% off retail price. It’s pebbled leather tote style in dark brown. The inside lining is vibrant purple. At the register, I almost forgot to give her my 10% off coupon and if I had forgotten, she would not have given it to me!! Which made me wonder what is the point of that? A total waste of paper. I hope it was recycled paper! I mean if you can only get through the front door and that’s when you get a coupon; then doesn’t it make better sense to just put a big sign that says10% off total order, not hand out any coupons, and just give everyone that comes up to the register the damn extra 10% off? Well I thought so.
Anyhow took the four of us like 1/2 hr -45 mins to shop. Then we all left store out a side entrance. At this point it was pure friggin chaos!! Lines like you wouldn’t believe in every single store–Gap, Timberland, Polo, Nautica. Security was probably tighter than the President’s. It was a crazy mess but we’d done our shopping so we were ready to go.
We start walking to parking lot and not one of the FOUR of us knew where the hell the car was!!!!! Froze my ass off looking. Serious. I couldn’t feel my butt cheeks for hours!! But finally we found the car about an hour and half later.
Let me just say that I’m glad we went early because coming back down, we saw the line going up. Bumper to bumper dead stand still for like 20 miles!!! I would’ve died! And there was no way to turn around if you changed your mind. I felt really bad for those people. I got home about 3:30 am after dropping off Jessica and Margarita.
I had to work today black Friday for the first time in 10 years of working wit the state of NJ! I’m not complaining. I’m stating a mere fact. So I set my alarm for 8 am!! I get a phone call at 7:50 am from a well-meaning aunt, to ask if I was going to work. I got jipped my last 10 minutes of sleep!! Don’t you hate when that happens?
So I got up, attempted some hygiene and headed to work. Food shops were closed by work so I stopped at McDonald’s on the way. They ran out of coffee!!! How the hell does that happen? So then I had to wait in the drive thru line though I wasn’t buying anything because once you are in, there’s no way out.
I finally went to a Burger King who did have coffee but no cini-minis!! So I got that and made it to work on time.
So what did I learn about Black Friday–well, it’s just not for me. I mean unless they are giving away a free handbag or some books, I’d rather wait until after Thanksgiving. Much of the time you’ll find that they’ve replenished what sold out on black Friday and it’s still at the same discounted price and if it gets closer to Christmas, it may even have a better discount! You could even do Black Friday online!! So nope never again.
