For The Love of Amazon.com...

Today was Father's Day (duh!), and my mom decided to give dear old dad a Kindle as a present. (FYI...this was supposed to be his BIRTHDAY present, so I didn't have the accompanying cover delivered yet.)

*Before I complete this story, let me preface it by saying I LOVE them both.*

Like the dutiful daughter, I spend most of the day with my parents.  About 10 AM, my very flustered mom informs me that all the promos that came as part of Kindle "don't work".  What I didn't know is that my mom had already tried to force the promo codes into places they didn't go, and ended up accidentally buying a few gift cards in the process.

So, I step in.  Taking the Kindle, promo codes, and control of the computer.  What resulted was a hysterical conversation with Amazon's customer support team.  In the span of our 20 minute chat (cuz, I'd rather do that than call them), they let me know that "someone" has tried to input the promo codes over a dozen times - effectively locking my dad's Amazon account from using further codes FOR. A. WEEK!  At that point, I give up all pretense that I know what the heck my parents did before I took over.  I explain who I am, ask them to walk me through all the *interesting* buttons pushed, etc. and beg their help in undoing the damage.

All I can say is - Amazon.com is AWESOME!!!!  They applied a back-end credit for the promos that my dad won't be able to take advantage of on his own, as well as a "extra" credit to get his first book.  Single handedly, they made themselves and me look good!

What companies do you always have a good experience with?

All That, And I Missed Christmas?!?!

Merry Christmas, everyone!  I hope Santa was generous and brought you everything you wished for.

My Christmas?  Well, let's say that it didn't go as planned.

Christmas morning, I showed up at my parent's house for presents.  Just as we were ripping into our stocking stuffers - Carmella decided to rip into Meadow's head.  Literally.  They are both alphas; so a tussle now and then isn't usually a big deal.

However...this time, I could see Meadow's skull, and it was time to make an emergency trip to the vet's.  Don't worry - my poor little pumpkin is fine.  She was heavily sedated, got stitched up and is now the height of canine fashion in her e-collar.

I was amazed (unpleasantly) by the amount of people that poured into the vet's office on Christmas Day.  We saw pups that had eaten chocolate; pups that ate poinsettia leaves; a cat that ate tinfoil; a dog that escaped and got stuck on a fence trying to return itself home. 

But what broke my heart was a little 7 month old border collie pup.  She got hit by a car and had her leg break clear in half.  Despite that, the sweet little thing was awake, alert and wagging her tail.  What happened next had me really upset.  The pup-daddy was the one that came in, got the consult and saw the vet's estimate.  I watched (and overheard; it just couldn't be helped) as he called the pup-momma and let her know how much it would be to operate to fix the sweetheart.  Pup-momma declared that she didn't a dog that was going to possibly limp all its life and ordered that pup-daddy have the dog put to sleep.  I anxiously observed as he fought to get his pup fixed.  I kept my eyes open as his wife again declared that he should "say goodbye" to his puppy.  And he did it.  He freaking did it.  He told the veterinarian to put that innocent, sweet, fixable puppy to sleep.

I wish I had the money and the guts to ask that man to give me his dog.  That I'd have her fixed.  My heart broke a little for that dog.  My heart broke a little that I couldn't jump in and help her.

I'll admit it.  I cried like a baby for a few minutes.

To keep an eye on a very drugged up Meadow, I had to skip the family dinner. Presents got sent home for me and I have been able to open my gifts from the people that I love and that love me.  Santa (aka my mom) was very generous and I got a Kindle!!  I can't wait to start playing with it.  Seeing as it's supposed to snow between 12-20 inches starting tomorrow, my Kindle should keep me good and entertained between trips outside to shovel.

Contemplating A Kindle

I'm a reader. Pure and simple. There's nothing like the joy of going into the book store and buying something new to read.

However...I'm contemplating a Kindle.

I'm intrigued that all the books currently clogging my built-in bookshelves can be housed on something as thin as a pencil! My friends that already have them rave that their Kindle is super lightweight and extremely user friendly.

Part of me is really hesitant though. I really like the feel of holding a book; the smell of the paper and ink; the act of curling up on the couch and turning pages.

Do any of you have a Kindle? Or any words of wisdom? Share. PLEASE!