My 100th post: I'm swearing off third-party travel vendors.

'Twas the week of Christmas and all through the house was bits of wet wrapping paper chewed in Kilah's mouth. Present #2 met it's fate this morning. I came downstairs to leave for work (10 minutes late) to find that Kilah had successfully unwrapped another present under the tree and left the wrapping paper in chewed up pieces on the floor. Super.

Then, Shawn emails me to tell me he's been on hold with Orbitz for 40 minutes trying to rebook our honeymoon flight to Cozumel using our existing flight credit. After being transferred to seven different uncompetent employees, he finally thought he'd hit the jackpot. The lady found a flight for us, booked it, and then informed us that we couldn't use our remaining credit (after the price of the flight) to pay for the rebooking fee, which is $180 per person!

Let me break it down for you:

• $733 per person in flight credit
• $533 per person for flight to Cozumel
• $400 extra that we can't use to cover the $360 rebooking fees

It's like if you paid someone and they didn't give you change. Shawn told the lady on the phone that they were stealing our money. She said, 'I wouldn't call it that.' He said, 'Then what do you want to call it? Theft? Robbery?'

So here are our options, 1. pay the $360 rebooking fees (which we don't have in any of our bank accounts, even collectively) or 2. refuse to pay the $360 rebooking fees and not go on our honeymoon, which would be stupid of us because then we'd lose all the money we've already spent on flights and the hotel. FML. From here on out, no more third-party travel vendors.

On the bright side, I get paid tomorrow. Christmas is in 3 days. And after tomorrow, I have the next 12 days off work (including weekends). I see the light. *sigh*

Sometimes all you need...

photo courtesy: boston.com

...is to know you're not alone.

The thoughts in my head

I really need to make/send my Christmas list for Mom (Hi, Mom!)

My office could use a makeover.

I got hit on by a chick last night while working at the bar. Should I be flattered?

I wish it was next Wednesday (pay day!)

I can't wait to finish my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.

I'm so excited for my 7 days off between the holidays (only had to take 3 days of to get 7!)

I hope my jewelry order comes today.

My hair: long or short?

Chris Henry died. I'm not a Bengals fan, but I'm not a fan of death either.

When are they going to stop talking about Tiger Woods?!

I can't believe 2009 is almost over. Anyone know where it went?

I really need to sweep my car out.

This Jim Brickman radio station on Pandora was a good choice.

What to wear for New Year's?

I can't stop laughing: Today, my friend got arrested for running a red light. The female police officer tells him: "Whatever you say can be held against you." He paused and said: "Tits". (from My Life Is Average)

Late Edition: Happy 26th Anniversary to my parents!

A long time coming...

Browns, 13. Steelers, 6.

Where I'm from a toboggan is a sled.

It snowed this morning. The first snow of the year. More like a light dusting really, but the first snow nonetheless. It was rather unexpected since I didn't stay up to catch the 11 o'clock forecast last night. I guess Old Man Winter is really here. Bummer. I'm not ready for snow. But it's coming, whether I'm ready or not.

While I'm not a huge fan of cold weather, I do look forward to Christmas decorations every year. Shawn and I bought a new Christmas tree. Yes, it's fake and pre-lit. And it was only $35. But I am sad to report that I cannot find our cute ornaments, so right now our tree is only adorned with multi-colored bulbs. And no tree topper. Who doesn't have a tree topper?

As far as seasonal dress code, this winter I'm relying on comfy, soft sweaters that can do double duty - work and play. A 'Stuff and Save' shopping trip to Old Navy (where I got 50% off everything for being an ON cardholder and one of the first 50 people (#3 to be exact) through the door the day the sale started) bloated my closet with cute, versatile sweaters. Though I will always make room for more, especially when the after-Christmas sales roll around!

I also remain a huge fan of scarves and have started quite the collection. But I resisted purchasing the $5 cotton scarves that were at Target this weekend. Small victories.

And you can never have enough boots. All heights and colors. I love being able to slide on a pair of faux Uggs to walk the dogs or go shopping. Those are my favorite. And I'm happy to note that I also broke down and bought myself a pair of skinny jeans to fit more comfortably inside my boots. Oh, the sacrifices I make for fashion.

So which do you think is better - rain or snow? I've started a pros and cons list, but I'm too indecisive to choose one.

Love story

What a feel-good ad by Google. Thanks for sharing, H!

Here is my Google love story:

• ohio colleges
  
• love at first sight
• how to date your best guy friend
• adoptable dogs
• gifts for the guy who has all the electronics he could ever want
  
• condos for sale in Columbus
  
• wedding dresses
• best honeymoon locations

And the search continues...

What's your Google love story?

Can you read my mind?

Today, I had my first Tarot card reading. A coworker put her talent on display during lunch. What an interesting experience. Some of you may not be believers, but those who are, a Tarot card reading is all about your interpretation of how your reading relates to the question you were asking silently while shuffling the cards.

A.Fry told me about her first Tarot card reading from said coworker and it was dead on. Crazy.

I don't want to reveal my question because I don't want to jinx myself, but depending on my interpretation of the cards laid before me, this experience made me a believer. I'm looking forward to how this all plays out.

Have you ever had a Tarot card or psychic reading? Did you like what you heard?

Kissing Scene

Photo by Geneva Marie.

One of my favorites. Just what I need on cold, wet days like these.

Good day, December

So today I woke up and it was December. The last month of the year. I got a Facebook message about New Year's Eve. Last week I got emails about a Christmas gathering. I remember counting down the days to our wedding months ago. 2009 is almost over. When did that happen?