Unexpected Snow Storms

This morning my Mom and I got up all nice and early to hop in line at the Disney Store to grab limited edition Frozen dolls (more on that tomorrow).  Yes, there was a line before the store even opened.  And no, I didn't mind a bit.  We had nice conversations with the people we sat next to, and found creative ways to answer mall pass-by-ers why we we're there in the first place.  Dolls.  Dolls are cool!  And guys were in the line, too, but mainly as a favor for their wives.

It was amusing watching all the people who come to the mall early to walk laps.  Sounds like a fantastic idea, really.  The mall opens its doors at 8 am, but the stores open up at 10, so 2 hours of temperature controlled walking without the temptation of buying, unless you're there past 10, of course.

But on the way to the mall just before 9 the weather was nice and pleasant.  Cold enough to need boots and a coat, but nice.  No hint of any weather changes to worry about.

When the morning excitement at the mall ended, dolls claimed, we headed to the exit doors only to be greeted by white.  A full on blizzard in the works!  And all the mall guests getting ready to exit, horror struck.

So glad I wore a coat and not a sweater, which almost happened!

Even my phone didn't get the blizzard message.

I know the East Coast has been super hard hit this year.  Hasn't Boston received somewhere around 20 feet of snow?  But here in Utah it's been abnormally warm.  February 2015 is officially the warmest month in recorded history.  Several sweater days that felt like early October.

But now it's all melted, and you would never know there was a snow storm this morning, unless you look at the mountains which are gorgeously dusted with snow.  The sunset this evening was so beautiful.

My Favorite Black Friday Find Ever

 I don't even know if this was on sale or not, but many years ago I actually did the whole "Black Friday" wake up early to face mass insanity bit.  One of those stores I ventured into happened to be Shopko, which I rarely visit.  I was in the game section when I spotted this Iron Chef Board Game from the original Japanese series.

The game honestly has the worst game play of any game I've ever played.  Ever!  Overwhelmingly terrible.  And boring.  And repetitive.  Etc, etc, etc.

But I miss the original Iron Chef.  That show was amazing!!!  I still remember discovering the show back in the late 90's when it was still being produced.  I was babysitting, trying to find something to watch, when an advertisement for Iron Chef came on.  I had to watch it.  And we did, a couple hours later.  My parents were dumbfounded when they got home, seeing us watch a cooking show with deep concentration.  Soon they were hooked as well.

Sure, Iron Chef America is good and all, but it will NEVER compare to the original.  I wish it was in reruns somewhere, so I can re-watch and relive the awesomeness.

This game is nostalgic, even if it only serves as decoration.

 This year my main focus was Pinkie Pie, because they stopped selling her at Build-a-Bear, and I had to get her for my families My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic collection.  They brought her back for Black Friday.  Fluttershy was released for the first time as well, so my Mom and I had to get her.  Now they just need to release Apple Jack and Rarity so the collection can be complete.

Disney Store, Sees Chocolate, Bath and Body Works, and several hours at Archiver's printing pictures and making ornaments (took so many hours!), and our Orem University Mall trip was over . . . after which we decided we weren't quite finished and drove to The District in South Jordan to visit Charming Charlies.  12 hours total!  The longest Black Friday ever, but very, very fun.