Christmas Prep

I have started decorating the house a little, and I'm excited to do that. After a last minute decision, Jarrod and I are not putting up our big Christmas tree this year. It would be too crowded. With my fancy schmancy treadmill in the front room, there is not much room left to place a tree. Next Christmas, the treadmill will be where it is 'supposed' to be in the basement, but seeing as that's under construction now, it must remain upstairs. Instead we are using this small tree I've had for almost 20 years; it was my Christmas tree in college too, haha.

Ah, the Melton tree,
standing a proud 18" tall.

But outside of decorating, I'm not really anxious for all of the other obligatory Christmas tasks. I have started doing some light shopping, but I just can't get into it. And today's incident didn't help that at all...

I went to JCP to get Jarrod a dress shirt and tie. I thought it was on sale for $15, but when she rang up my shirt and tie, it didn't add up. I started to protest right before I was set to sign the receipt screen, and I asked her how much things were. She replied, in the most unhelpful, unenthusiastic tone you can think of "I can't see what it is until you sign it." I should have protested further that I wasn't buying it until I knew what it cost, but whatever. I signed and then she showed me the receipt. I questioned the price, she (again, so unhappily) called back to check the price and said only the Stafford shirts were on sale. I still wasn't convinced, so we walked back to check, which was all the way in the back, opposite corner of the store; that just added to the frustration.

I was wrong, what she told me was correct, but we saw that the shirt I did buy was Buy 1 Get 1 Free. And that lady at the counter never even told me... I know there would have been something that came on her screen showing that, but she never said it. So, I wanted my free shirt damnit! I picked out a new one and headed back to the front, and luckily didn't have to endure her again. I explained the mixup and the guy just rang me up a shirt for no charge. I thanked him and we were on our way.

But it put me in such a bad mood that stuck with me for a while. Needless to say, I'm not super anxious to go back out shopping.