Resuming Life & Black Friday Madness

It's been a great holiday weekend here in the Toy Box Household!

My Marine came home late Tuesday night after a slight flight delay! Grrr!! But he made it home and into the waiting arms of his excited wife and daughters. There was nothing I loved more than hearing Nani shout "Daddy!" and run into his open arms. I know he loved it too! That night, Nani talked non-stop! To her, 6 weeks is like 6 years! She started telling him about things that happened months ago -- while he was still home. My Marine was so incredibly patient with her....listening to every single story all over again....and again....and again!

Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and warm. It was in the 60s here....a great day to go outside and play while the turkey cooked. Ever since My Marine returned from Iraq - we cherish our holidays as a family. We never travel and we never invite family to visit. It's our time as a family. It may sound a little selfish to some people -- but both of us grew up with large family holidays, and it's kinda like - "Been there, done that..." We like having our own traditions and our own way of doing things. One thing we do on Thanksgiving is eat early -- anywhere between 1-2pm. The rest of the day is spent napping, watching Christmas specials, parades and football while grazing on the leftovers. I love it! When most people are sitting down to dinner, my dishes are put away and I'm in comfy clothes ready for round #2!

On Friday, we avoided all the shopping frenzy. I completely understand the thrill of getting a great deal -- but I'm not crazy enough to stand outside in the cold just to get into a store at 3am to buy $3 pajamas.

Is it me - or has society totally gone commercial? What happened to remembering what Thanksgiving was all about. It seems that it's become an afterthought -- Black Friday Eve I heard someone say. How sad is that? Families are losing jobs, homes, and can barely put food on the table and others are running up more personal debt by walking out of the store with multiple flat-screens and vacuum cleaners.

I've seen first-hand what this madness can do. As a compulsive shopper, I live it every day. That's part of the reason I avoid going out on Black Friday.....it's too much temptation. To easy to spend money that I don't have.

I'm trying to teach my daughters to be grateful and to give to others. Starting in January, every month I purchase a toy and put it aside. At the end of the year, we gather up all those toys and donate them to Toys for Tots. So, instead of shopping on Friday, we gathered up our toys and went to the local Toys for Tots drop-off. As we put the toys in the bin, we explained to Nani what we were doing and why we were doing it. As much as a 4.5 year old can understand, she was very happy to be able to give a toy to "another little girl who didn't have any toys."

And THAT my friends, is what it's all about......