Black Friday 2012

Did you see my new TV in the last post?

Well that was my first Black Friday experience.  And what an adventure that was!

We have been in desperate need of a new TV.  For the past year and half we have been fortunate to 'baby sit' various flat screen TVs, but alas, our good fortune came to an end when 3 different people got married, moved, or got engaged.  For about the past month we have been watching TV and playing video games on a small tube tv inherited from my family. (thanks fam!!)  I remember thinking "This TV is awesome!" when we got it.... before I went to collage - almost 10 years ago. Now however, not so great.  While we were mighty grateful for my parents generosity  we could endure no longer.  By we I mean Spense... I mean really - who can play Halo or Call of Duty on a tube TV - he was dying all the time!  ?But to be honest Once Upon a Time, Revenge and Glee just weren't the same.

SO

We (by we I mean Spense) scoped out all the black Friday ad's looking for the best deal on a TV.  Then on Thursday evening, after our fabulous Thanksgiving feast at the Rio Buffet (best in town... so yummy was their Crab & Shrimp... yum yum.. b/c lets be honest I was not ready to do Thanksgiving  my own quite yet.) we (this time it was Spense, my sister-in-law Erica & I) set up our borrowed lawn chairs to stake our claim.  That was about 6:30 pm Thursday evening.

The next 12 hours went something like this:

6:30 pm - Spense and I hang out with about 16 people in front of us.  We catch up on TV shows on Hulu via his Phone.  Thank you smart phones!   Erica catches a movie with Spense's Brother & Nephew.
9:00 pm - Spense and I trade spots with Erica & head over to catch "The Rise of the Guardians" (great movie)
11:15 pm - Walk back over to Frys, notice line at H & M and Hollister - thought to myself "I got time"
11:30 pm - I take over holding our spot in line, while Spense & Erica obtain food and air mattress to sleep on since Spense & I had to be at work at 8 & 8:30am Friday morning.  Took a look at the line, it was around the building, only about 50 people at this point.
12:30 am - Erica and Spense return, line a little longer, we settle in for a Nap.
1:00 am - I can't sleep so I start surfing the web for good deals.
1:45 am - Try to take a nap after looking at various websites and running my battery low.
2:03 am - Decide to go for a walk around Town Square (outdoor mall that we are in) and check out various stores that are now open for "Black Friday Sales".  Erica accompanies me, she couldn't sleep either.  Spense napping pretty well.
2:45 am - Return to Fry's line with small bag of Loot from American Eagle, namely workout clothes and a few other items.
3:00 am  - fall into restless sleep where I wake up every 20 min or so until...
5:00 am - woken by the RUSHING of feet next to my face.  I thought I had 30 min. to pick up my stuff and put it away before they closed the line.  What appeared to happen was everyone in back of the line (at least 150+ ppl) thought it was time for Fry's to open since the people in the front of the line were starting to take down camp.  They rushed to the front, causing about 100 ppl to CUT us and everyone else in line before us.
5:15 am - Almost have to get in someones face as I try to maneuver my way back to where Spense & Erica were holding a spot in line after cleaning up our area.  By this point they had gotten so they were about 80th in line, but let's just say that the middle-of-the-line crowd was not happy with the 5am turn of events.  But everyone was civil, just a few snide loud remarks here and there from those of us who had been there for 11+ hours.
5:30 am - Fry's employees come out to close & monitor the line - not an easy job.  Poor guys got a ear-full from a few slightly disgruntled patrons.  All and all no one got kicked out of line, and line-cutters stayed.
6:00 am - Doors open with Police, Fry's Management & Employees manning the front doors.  Spense rushes to the TV area to get in line.  I tried to get with him with the cart, but ended up having to wait in a different spot b/c there was not room with the cart.
6:30 am - Spense obtains 2nd to LAST Sony 50" 240 htz 1080p LED TV for only $500, we place it in the cart and head to pay.  Slight frustration that we almost missed out on the deal b/c of a few dozen rude people, but Grateful & Excited that we did get it!
6:50 am - TV purchased, and we have loaded it in the car (thanks Kim & Geoff for letting us borrow your vehicle!).
7:15 am - Change, Trade cars back, grab Peppermint Hot Choc and Croissant from Starbucks - and make it to work by 8:15 AM.  SHEW!!!

Things I would change:

1. Take the day off.  Going to work after basically being up all night - not fun b/c I closed, so I was at work until about 6:45 pm.
2. Have a better plan to use the hours before for other shopping, online, in the mall etc. That way I make better use of the waiting time.

Was it worth it?   YES - the TV is INCREDIBLE.  As a result of the smoke'n deal, we were able to afford a wall mount & new entertainment center to go with it.  Yahoo!  (See previous post for pictures)

Was it Stressful?  YES - esp being woken up - that isn't my best side to see. I almost chewed some guy out because he thought I was one of the cutters.  He let me through when I (with a slightly raised and frustrated voice) explained that I was going to stand with my family that had ALSO been there since 6:30PM the evening before.  He looked at me, and quietly let me through.  Later he came to find me (after I had calmed down) to ask if we had really been there that long, and how many people were in front of us at that time?  I apologized for snapping at him, and explained that I had been woken up by everyone rushing past us, and I am a little grumpy when I wake up.  He told me he prob would have done the same thing had roles been reversed.

Would I do it again?  MAYBE - the TV was worth it - the 5am wake-up call - not worth it.

Christmas Decorating

I love this time of year. Last year I didn't get to do much decorating. This year I took advantage of the sales and got a fabulous amount of stuff for smaller amount of dollars! This is what we have so far ... (Please disregard the cords, we also got a sweet tv, story forth coming.)

Smile for the day

Hot Pads

So when I got married I did not get any hot pads, but I got lots of small towels that I have been using.  For Christmas my parents gave me a sewing machine (so wonderful!!!), and with it a pattern for "Fast & Fun Hot Pad" from my mom.  I thought I would try some and break in my machine before I finished the 'easy' baby-blankets I started many moons ago.  I made some for Valentines day - and they turned out okay.  So I start on a few more with some fabric I picked out for patriotic holidays and summer.  I am excited for them, they are so easy, it only took me two hours from start to finish (and it takes me a bit when it comes to sewing and cutting) and I can customize them for any time of the year.  I just get cute fabric and viola! hot pads!  Those precut fat quarters are nice also if you are into matching fabrics.

If you follow the directions they come out a little bigger than would fit in my skinny-skinny kitchen drawer, so I just did them a little smaller 9" squares instead.

Here are the almost finished products for your viewing pleasure!

Things that make me Smile...

I love coming home to this smile.....

Who couldn't love that smile... yep it's real!

Wouldn't you!?  

For your viewing pleasure, other random pictures I love of Trixie Sue.  I love her almost as much as my husband.  shhhh - don't tell him - wait I think he already knows.  

Most recent new sleeping pose.  How does she BREATH?

Do you see the Alf-Alfa Hair?!?!

Pinning

I gave in.  I have been avoiding it because I knew I did not have time for a pinterest.  But last night I needed some place to store my ideas for a guest book I am creating for a friend's wedding next weekend.   It is such a handy tool!! I could not believe how simple and easy it was.  And I'm hooked.  

So much for my "free time."  

Wedding Collage

Newly Wed - not dead.

I tried to upload a picture of me today for you.....

but that is all I could make happen tonight.

Try as I may --- only half the picture would come up. I do not even know....

SIGH

Well here I am...


I finally have slowed down enough, that I thought I might try to post some of the much anticipated pictures. since I just went through them myself... And I realized I never downloaded the web versions.





So....

Guess you will have to wait some more.

I was going to post some pictures of my house. But I realized, I have not taken any yet.


So....


Guess you will have to wait for those too.




So... What do I have to offer you tonight?


I suppose you'll have to live with -

I'm newly Wed!!! And I'm not dead!!!

Until my next free moment while Spense plays Call of Duty!!!


PS--- 3 days till KEVIN COMES HOME!!! I can't wait to see my brother!!! :)

Almost MAY!!!

My goodness how time flies when you are having fun!!

A little update:

*Church - somehow if you put that first - the rest actually all fits!

*Wedding plans - consume my life when I am not at work... only TWO MORE WEEKS!!! whoot whoot!

*Work - system conversion to a new system!!! JOY!!! - consumes most of my day.

*Extra time? -- WHAT IS THAT?!

*New side business -- Have you heard of AreoGarden?

Check it out HERE!!!

It is soo cool! You can grow a garden, in your kitchen, without water!! Let me know what you think!

TA DA!

around the corner

I should be sleeping...

But instead I am here blogging for the first time in 4 months (give or take a few).
So here is the little update on my life for those who follow... in no particular order

*Guy from awesome collage in previous post & I no longer (hence a few melancholy posts...)
*that guy went to serve our country - good luck!
*New incredible job opportunity
*New calling in church
*Two new pseudo nephews... SOO CUTE! I love them and I just met them.
Well One I've met - one I'm going to meet soon!
*One amazing new guy. And after the last one, I wasn't sure it could get better. :)
*An incredible holiday season filled with family, fun games, my dad coming home, and movies with the family!
*Baby Sister turned 18... GAH!!
*Stress, and lots of learning time.
*The world's best, and most ridiculous puppy!!! I love Trixie Sue!!!! :D
*I love love love my family.

Those are just a few of the fun things that are going on in the crazy life of Amber.

Eat, Pray, Love

Recently my life has taken a few turns that I was not exactly planning on. I went to see Eat, Pray, Love with two of my really good friends right before the domino effect started in my life. This is now one of my favorite movies. It is really good, it made me laugh, cry, sigh, smile, and reminded me that sometimes when a door closes, there is usually a window open to new possibilities.

I had two favorite parts in the movie, the first of which I have been dwelling on. There is a part where Liz's (Julia Roberts) friend Robert (I believe that is his name) gives her the following advice:

"If you miss them - miss them. You love them, so Love them.

Then send them love and light. and then drop it." (it might be messed up a little... but you get the gist.)

At the time I thought that was profound, but when would I need that? Well, of course I did. Last week I decided that instead of trying to harbor all the feelings for myself that I was feeling, it was time to try a little of his advice.

My mom also had some fabulous advice. She told me to "let my friends and family serve me. To go out, and do things, and let them help me heal."

It is amazing how I feel like putting that advice combined with sending light and love has helped. I still have a way to go, but it made a huge impact to recognize that those feelings are still there, but there are other things in my life that are more important. Since I put it into action, I have literally watched as a new path opened up with options and opportunities that I would have never anticipated before.

I am grateful for good movies, good advice, incredible friends, and family, and friends who will always be more like family than friends.

(and if you want to see that movie... I would go again!)

Onions

Have you ever forgotten to ask for No onions on your sandwich or burger?

Well - as you can probably guess - I forgot to ask for No onions today - so I removed them with my little fingers. and now - 3 1/2 hours later anytime I start to ponder and bring my fingers close to my face, I can smell the onion. It is amazing what a potent and lingering smell those little things have.

I washed my hands in attempt to rid my fingers of the smell... and no! it is still there.

I put on the hand sanitizer --- no! still there!

I put on my fabulously smelling lotion -- no! still there!

I am not sure what to do now.

wish

'Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?
Because I could really use a wish right now.'

Addiction

I remember recently when I would look at my phone and get all giddy because I had a message. Sometimes I wish that I was not so used to getting messages, that I did not look at my phone out of habit.

Amazing how addicted or reliant we become on a piece of electronic equipment.

Do you have that problem?

Decisions

I was reading Karalee's Post about indecision -- and realized I think I have the same issue. Perhaps it is a universal issue? I find however that I feel the most apprehensive when it comes to the big choices.

I was not always like this. I could make decisions and run with them, accepting responsibility for whatever consequence may come my way. Perhaps age makes you more cautious? Perhaps the consequences from your previous choices? I am not sure.


Recently I have been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I have been living the good life at my parents, and my dad got a job at BYU-Idaho (whoot whoot whoot). Now I have a decision to make in front of me, and seems like nothing helped, and I could not decided what I would do. I thought I HAD to make a decision - and DO something. After much frustration and stressing I realized that the time was not right for me to be making a decision. I think I was so anxious to have my future planned, when there was no real decision to be made yet. Just potential options, and more patience to be developed.

Well the time came - and I started to recall my previous sweat and anxiety. I had wade the pros's and con's, looked at my finances, and stressed over it enough. Yes, I am still wondering if I made the right choice. But I feel confidence in remembering that once the pros's and con's list is made, and you've wade all your options, and the time is right you have to make a decision. You can not sit on it for too long and watch your options fall away. I did my due-diligence, I had said my prayers and now I am just to look forward to the future.

So future, bring what you might --- I am on for this ride! New job! Here I come! :)

Taunting Me...

Since I decided to start keeping up on other's blogs again I do not have that many posts to keep up on(let's not recall the 415 unread posts on my google reader at one point....). I love reading blogs and finding cool new 'homemade' projects I can do!

However

I have been avoiding THIS POST by Miss Janssen. If you recall in my previous posts I RAVE about her awesome book reviews. Many books I read come from her lists. She is THAT good. (okay, okay - we have the same taste in books. and I know her... I might be biased. I'm okay with that though.)

I WANT TO READ THIS POST!! It is taunting me everytime I open my reader I see it - and just want to know what she thought about it.

But I can't.

Because she is so good she will spoil this most anticipated book - THAT I OWN - That I can not read yet...

Why you ask?

Because I am reading This, This, This, and This. They are so good I can hardly put them down - I hope it is worth the wait!

PS...

if you have not - you should read The hunger game series... AND the Immortal - Nicholas Flammel Series..... *sigh* such good book candy!

Keeping Kolby

All Summer I have been hearing about Kolby. She is one of my little sister's friends and in May she was diagnosed with Advanced Stage (4) Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Cancer. Really long name, right!? Well it is as rare and aggressive as it sounds. I have been reading her Blog - and noticed that they have an auction to help raise money towards her treatments.

What an incredible girl and at only 15!! You should check it out. If you live in Vegas, or even if you do not, there are some neat things on the Auction! :) I think I want this necklace!!! or This braclet/earring set!!

Keeping Kolby Blog
Keeping Kolby Auction

What you don't See

I found a link to THIS article in the Mormon Times entitled "What you don't see" by Tiffany Gee Lewis on my college friend Kendall's Blog. **You should read it!** I reflected on a brief conversation I had with one of my good friends last night. I was complimenting her on her children, and what good kids they really are. She has 3 under the age of 5 (I think...her oldest is not 5 yet... I hope not!) and the two oldest are so smart and well mannered. not to say the youngest is not either - he is just a little baby. She really has taught them well. She replied thanks - sometimes it is nice to hear.

I think sometimes it is Taboo to talk about the hard work we all put into our lives, only focusing on the shinning moments, only showing forth our best foot on the blog. I certainly am that way. Maybe today is a good day to reflect on the work and perspiration we each put into trying to make our lives (for those of us who are single), and our families lives run. Give yourself a pat on the back! You are doing a good job! Even if you do not see it everyday.


As a little side note:
I've decided it is good luck to my Visiting Teaching Companion -- because you will get engaged! So far - since I have been home - my success ratio is 2:0. That is 100%. hmmm - think this could work for me? :)

I keep my promises....

I recently discovered Picnik - thanks Molly - what a wonderful website! Here is just a little of what I have been up to the past 9 months... and NO! it is not a baby! Just a boy... and nope - we are not engaged. Dating - and that is happy. :)