Black Friday Madness

I had no intentions of trying to shop on Black Friday this year, until I allowed myself to look at the ads and get suckered into saving a few dollars. After eating our Thanksgiving feast I went home and we got the kids to bed. Then I went to town on the circulars and started conjuring up dreams of getting Christmas presents done this week. I knew that Nate had to be at work by 8 a.m. and that he would be spending the whole day and night in the hospital, so any sleep I'd miss would not be recovered. This didn't deter me. I made up my mind around 8 pm to go to Kohl's and possibly Walmart if time allowed. Kohl's opened at 4 am, so I knew I'd be able to make it home before Nate needed to leave. I had my eye on a stainless steel cookware set that looked to be the same as one I'd been eyeing at Sams Club, but for about half the price (with the early bird special). That was enough motivation to pursuade me to lose about 3 hours of sleep. I went to be about 9 pm with a list and my wallet all ready by the door for the early morning rush. However, just because I was in bed doesn't mean that I was sleeping. I tried and tried, but I just couldn't fall asleep (mostly because of dizziness) until at least 11pm. The 3:30 am alarm sounded, and despite my lack of sleep the adrenaline started pumping and I was off. I got to Kohl's about 3:45 am and their were only about 10 other cars in the parking lot (I was relieved). It was cold outside, so people didn't start lining up until about 3:50. I got in line and was able to get in and get a cart fairly easily. After about 1/2 hour I'd made my purchases and was out the door. Despite my better judgement and tired state, I decided to try to go to Walmart, since it was only 4:30 and it didn't open until 5. I got there and the parking lot seemed rather full so I parked at Sams Club (next door). I got out of the car and saw a cart and starting heading toward Walmart. Then I saw the line! Oh boy what a sight. It went from the door to the other end of the building and seemed to have at least 500 people in it. I started having second thoughts about waiting or getting in line. Then I looked at my list and circular to try and see if it was even worth it. I had nearly convinced myself to leave when I started hearing chanting. People in line were chanting: "Get in line. Get in line." to the many people who were still standing in the parking lot (myself included). Now I don't know about you, but when I hear chanting I run as fast as I can and get out of there! Fifteen minutes later I was tucked happily into my bed instead of fighting for a few hoodies for $8 or some other random deal. I laughed as I told Nathan about the chanting. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from the normal crowd that shops at Walmart!
Regrettably, Nathan found an article in the newspaper that night that proves I was wise to not even attempt the Walmart madness. It stated that a Walmart employee (in NY) was trampled to death after opening the door to let people in the store on Black Friday morning. What a sad and sorry world we live in to allow such things to happen! Is the price of a life really worth saving $50 on a GPS system or laptop? I'm so glad I ran when I heard that chanting!