Wednesday I came home from my usual 10 hour shift with no issues, business as usual. I worked in the kitchen on some craft stuff for a while, and then decided I needed to shave. I drew some water into the tub and while shaving, noticed that having my right foot submersed in the water was making my big toe really ache. I didn't think much of it, but noticed that the tip of my big toe and all around the nail was deep red, or almost purple.
I don't know what started it, as I wore the same shoes I wear to work nearly every day, and I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I sat around the rest of the afternoon, as the pain and soreness began to get to a point where it was unbearable. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't walk, I was miserable. We called the nearest Urgent Care Center and off we went.
It only took the nurse one look to start cringing (oh, great) and she slipped me a name of a podiatrist before the doctor came in, prescribed me antibiotics, pain pills, and epsom salt soaks, and told me that I would have to see a podiatrist to get it dealt with.
We stopped by CVS and filled the prescriptions on the way home. I slept well with the Darvocet, and even made sure to wake Klif up in the middle of the night to get me one when the time had come.
The next morning I called the podiatrist's office, who said they could get me in in an hour, and got ready to go. Klif headed off to work, and I hadn't taked a pain pill since the middle of the night, so I choked down a half of a chicken patty and drove to the doctor's office.
Once there, the doctor basically started giving me options, like removing anything ingrown, anti-fungal persriptions to lessen the pressure, etc etc. He said the most drastic would be to remove the nail. I told him that I had been through all of the other options, and that I didn't want to deal with this stuff anymore, so we all agreed that removal was the only option. 4 numbing shots in the toe and 15 minutes later, I was toenailless. I started to feel a bit queasy while in the chair. Probably a mix of adrenaline and the fact that the pain pill I took in the middle of the night was taken on an empty stomach.
The nurses got me all ready to go, and I headed out to my car, only decided that I wasn't about to drive home. I called Klif at work and he headed out to pick me up. I headed back into the office to ask if it was okay to leave my car since Klif was coming, and they said that was fine, and then proceeded to make the waiting room into my own personal comfort chamber. They had me lay on the couch, propped up my foot, brought me a trash can (in case!), brought a fan from another room, placed a cold rag on my head, and gave me the remote. For a second I thought about calling Klif and telling him to take his time.
I made it about 5 minutes in the car before I got sick. 6 times, even. Poor Klif, having to watch...and smell. That chicken patty looked and smelled a lot worse the second time. I spent the next day a half in bed, which really didn't help my craft fair inventory for Saturday, but oh well.
The morning after, I went to change the gauze as expected, and foud that the original gaze pad that the doctor had used was now fused with the raw flesh of my nail bed. I have never known pain like this. I still have some to remove, but have been making little bits of progress with antibiotic ointment and patience.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Angel Food
We recently tried for the first time Angel Food Ministries (www.angelfoodministries.com). Basically, you find a host site near you, cut them a check for $30 before the due date, and then at the end of the month you pick up a box full of food. There are no income guidelines or stipulations, no qualifying, everyone can use it. Our first box included:
4 ribeye steaks
4 pork chops
1 meatloaf in gravy
1 lb. meatballs
1 lb. chicken fajita chunks
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 large can of spaghetti sauce
4.5 lbs. chicken breast
1 lb. california blend vegetables
1 doz. eggs
1 quart shelf stable milk
12 corn tortillas
1 box oatmeal cookies
I'm sure there was more, but we've already eaten most of it. Save for the meatloaf, which was really nothing special (but edible!) the food has all been really good. I have never had pork chops so good!
The menu changes every month, and there are also add-on boxes that you can but if you purchase a regular box. Definitely something worth trying if you are even the slightest bit interested. Next month we're having ribs, steaks, and more!
4 ribeye steaks
4 pork chops
1 meatloaf in gravy
1 lb. meatballs
1 lb. chicken fajita chunks
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 large can of spaghetti sauce
4.5 lbs. chicken breast
1 lb. california blend vegetables
1 doz. eggs
1 quart shelf stable milk
12 corn tortillas
1 box oatmeal cookies
I'm sure there was more, but we've already eaten most of it. Save for the meatloaf, which was really nothing special (but edible!) the food has all been really good. I have never had pork chops so good!
The menu changes every month, and there are also add-on boxes that you can but if you purchase a regular box. Definitely something worth trying if you are even the slightest bit interested. Next month we're having ribs, steaks, and more!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Ramen Diet
The Ramen Diet is going pretty well. What is the Ramen Diet you may ask.
That's the diet you go on after you take an expensive 2 week international vacation and when you come home you have enough grocery money each week for a case of ramen, a loaf of bread, and a gallon of milk. Tonight we got crazy and heated up a can of green beans as a side. I know, I know, a bit overboard.
Last night I made makeshift sweet potatoes. I had a can in the cupboard that I think I've had for 2 years. It was set to expire next month so I put it in a small pyrex dish and added some butter, brown sugar, and near the end some mini marshmallows. Man, we ate like kings. The best part was when klif was almost done he said "HEY! I thought I didn't like sweet potatoes!"
Other than Ramen dieting we are doing pretty good. Back into the flow of work and sleep and work and sleep with an occasional chance to stop and breathe. I am doing two craft fairs in the upcoming months so that just adds more to my to-do list.
Speaking of which (ready for another tangent?), I ventured into the world of candy making recently. Chocolates to be exact. And I've been getting rave reviews. So watch out.
That's the diet you go on after you take an expensive 2 week international vacation and when you come home you have enough grocery money each week for a case of ramen, a loaf of bread, and a gallon of milk. Tonight we got crazy and heated up a can of green beans as a side. I know, I know, a bit overboard.
Last night I made makeshift sweet potatoes. I had a can in the cupboard that I think I've had for 2 years. It was set to expire next month so I put it in a small pyrex dish and added some butter, brown sugar, and near the end some mini marshmallows. Man, we ate like kings. The best part was when klif was almost done he said "HEY! I thought I didn't like sweet potatoes!"
Other than Ramen dieting we are doing pretty good. Back into the flow of work and sleep and work and sleep with an occasional chance to stop and breathe. I am doing two craft fairs in the upcoming months so that just adds more to my to-do list.
Speaking of which (ready for another tangent?), I ventured into the world of candy making recently. Chocolates to be exact. And I've been getting rave reviews. So watch out.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
It's 8:30am here in Ireland. Just thought I'd do a quick update.
Went to Cory's wedding at Manhattan Beach in California Saturday.
The next day we got on a plane, rode through the night 10 hours, got on another plane for another 45 minutes, and then drove 45 minutes to where we are staying: Adare Manor.
And here is Klif - driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road.
Went to Cory's wedding at Manhattan Beach in California Saturday.
The next day we got on a plane, rode through the night 10 hours, got on another plane for another 45 minutes, and then drove 45 minutes to where we are staying: Adare Manor.And here is Klif - driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Preparations
Yesterday I bought two round trip plane tickets for Klif and I to go to Dublin for two days while we are in Ireland. Both tickets, including all taxes and fees cost us $87.
The gas over there is double what it is here, yet they can offer <$45 round trip flights?
We are doing something wrong.
The gas over there is double what it is here, yet they can offer <$45 round trip flights?
We are doing something wrong.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
More 101 Amazingness...
We experimented again with our new kitchen gadget, and it was amazing. There is a recipe in the book for corn dogs, but I decided to take it to a new level. I put some cornbread better on the bottom, cut my hot dog in half and placed it on the batter, and instead of just putting more batter on top, I first filled the space with chili and shredded cheddar cheese!
Homemade chili cheese corn dogs! Amazing!
EDIT: Picture!
Homemade chili cheese corn dogs! Amazing!
EDIT: Picture!
Free dinner! (Thanks, Dad!)
Tuesday night was a lot of fun. We had decided earlier in the week to take grandma to dinner that night at Don Pablo's (her favorite) in Carmel. I drove to Kokomo after work, started some laundry at her house, and then we ran some errands before heading back to Carmel to meet Klif. Or so she thought!
It just so happened that the night before I had decided to call Caleb and Jeremiah to see if they wanted to go since they were both in the Indy area as well. They both gave me "I think I can go, but I will let you know." Later that night, I decided that since they were going, I would also call Josh, on the off chance that he would be able to make the drive from Muncie. To my surprise he said they would be able to make it!
Well, the day of the planned dinner, Jeremiah called me and told me they would be there since he and my dad had an appointment in the area just prior. Then I got to thinking, I had better let mom know in case she wants to ride with Josh and Jill. Turns out, a dinner for 3 turned into a dinner for 11. That's not easy to do! And grandma was so surprised!
We went to Best Buy right afterward and my parents got a digital video camera since their old analog one crapped out on them. Just in time for Ireland!
It just so happened that the night before I had decided to call Caleb and Jeremiah to see if they wanted to go since they were both in the Indy area as well. They both gave me "I think I can go, but I will let you know." Later that night, I decided that since they were going, I would also call Josh, on the off chance that he would be able to make the drive from Muncie. To my surprise he said they would be able to make it!
Well, the day of the planned dinner, Jeremiah called me and told me they would be there since he and my dad had an appointment in the area just prior. Then I got to thinking, I had better let mom know in case she wants to ride with Josh and Jill. Turns out, a dinner for 3 turned into a dinner for 11. That's not easy to do! And grandma was so surprised!
We went to Best Buy right afterward and my parents got a digital video camera since their old analog one crapped out on them. Just in time for Ireland!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
So hungry...
See, I told you no promises. Anyway, I would like to let you know about an amazing little machine we bought. I'm sure you've seen the infomercials. If you are anything like me, you watched them intently. It's this little gadget called the GT Xpress 101. You should look it up. I've wanted to buy one for so long, but wouldn't give in to the infomercial shipping policy (buy one item get a second item free, but you had to pay $25 shipping on each one).
Well, Target came to my rescue. I purchased one without even thinking about it, even though we had only come to look for a tortilla press (which are nearly impossible to find, let me add).
Well, on our way home from our Slipknot, Disturbed, etc. concert (yes seriously - I was given free VIP tickets through my work, probably because no one else wanted them, so Klif and I decided to go make fun of people for an hour or so before giving away our third row tickets to some old guy and his kid) we stopped by Marsh and Joe's to stock up on ingredients for two of the recipes from the book.
As soon as we got home we started cooking! I made Chiken Cordon Bleu on one side of the well, and started it right away since it had to cook longer. It took me whole 2 minutes to prepare, slicing open the chicken, folding together some ham and provolone (no swiss plz) and shoving it inside, and rolling the chicken in italian break crumbs. While that cooked I started on the other side. It was a thin sliced top round sanwhich steak which I layed flat on the cutting board and covered with this sort of paste that I made out of water, italian bread crumbs, mushroom, and onion. I then topped it off with some parmesean and mozzarella cheese, rolled it up like a jellyroll, and threw it in the other well. In seven minutes diner wass ready!
Let me tell you, that was the best chicken breast I have ever had in my life. It was perfectly cooked, jucy, and just all around delicious.
We've made quite a few things since then. A breakfast biscuit like creation with bacon an cheese, and my favorite - perfectly poached eggs!
I'll keep you updated as we experiment more (p.s. - don't you love the 60's stoneware?).
Well, Target came to my rescue. I purchased one without even thinking about it, even though we had only come to look for a tortilla press (which are nearly impossible to find, let me add).
Well, on our way home from our Slipknot, Disturbed, etc. concert (yes seriously - I was given free VIP tickets through my work, probably because no one else wanted them, so Klif and I decided to go make fun of people for an hour or so before giving away our third row tickets to some old guy and his kid) we stopped by Marsh and Joe's to stock up on ingredients for two of the recipes from the book.
As soon as we got home we started cooking! I made Chiken Cordon Bleu on one side of the well, and started it right away since it had to cook longer. It took me whole 2 minutes to prepare, slicing open the chicken, folding together some ham and provolone (no swiss plz) and shoving it inside, and rolling the chicken in italian break crumbs. While that cooked I started on the other side. It was a thin sliced top round sanwhich steak which I layed flat on the cutting board and covered with this sort of paste that I made out of water, italian bread crumbs, mushroom, and onion. I then topped it off with some parmesean and mozzarella cheese, rolled it up like a jellyroll, and threw it in the other well. In seven minutes diner wass ready!
Let me tell you, that was the best chicken breast I have ever had in my life. It was perfectly cooked, jucy, and just all around delicious.
We've made quite a few things since then. A breakfast biscuit like creation with bacon an cheese, and my favorite - perfectly poached eggs!
I'll keep you updated as we experiment more (p.s. - don't you love the 60's stoneware?).
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Beautiful Day
Klif and I went on a 15 mile spur-of-the-moment bike ride yesterday. It was the perfect day, warm but plenty of clouds in the sky so that there was never really direct sunlight on us. We really had no agenda, and ended up south of 465 before we headed back north.
My rear is seriously sore.
My rear is seriously sore.
Monday, August 4, 2008
ChaCha!
I'm officially a ChaCha guide. So if you feel you have random information needs that you need filled, feel free to text ChaCha (242242) and ask. Maybe I'll get your question. Probably not.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
No Rest
Do your dreams ever tire you out? Last night I dreamt that Klif and I were in this contest of sorts, and we were running through this mall-like place, going from store to store looking for clues and asking the cashier's for these keys. I don't know what the keys did, but we got a few. Anyway, the dream seemed to go on forever and this morning I feel worn out.
I know that in high school when I worked at McDonald's every once in a while I would dream I was working. It was horrible. I would wake up through the night and think to myself "you've got to dream something different!" but I couldn't help it. I would fall back asleep and be right back putting the ketchup and mustard on the burger.
I know that in high school when I worked at McDonald's every once in a while I would dream I was working. It was horrible. I would wake up through the night and think to myself "you've got to dream something different!" but I couldn't help it. I would fall back asleep and be right back putting the ketchup and mustard on the burger.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunshine (No Sandwich)
Do you know what one of the great perks of my job is?
Seeing the sunrise every day.
I hope it never gets old.
Seeing the sunrise every day.
I hope it never gets old.
Sunshine Sandwich
Klif was recently reminded of the amazingness known as "Sunshine Sandwich" (though it also goes by a million other names). He loves them, and makes them well.
Yesterday before work I decided to make one. They are quick, filling, and hearty...the perfect breakfast for a long day.
Well, I failed.
I cooked the egg too long and instead of ending up with a nice toasty bread with a delicious runny yolk to soak it in, I basically ended up with a hard boiled egg in a piece of bread.
I guess I'll just have to wake Klif up every morning at 1am to make me one.
Yesterday before work I decided to make one. They are quick, filling, and hearty...the perfect breakfast for a long day.
Well, I failed.
I cooked the egg too long and instead of ending up with a nice toasty bread with a delicious runny yolk to soak it in, I basically ended up with a hard boiled egg in a piece of bread.
I guess I'll just have to wake Klif up every morning at 1am to make me one.
Milk Tea!
Okay, so obviously I can't handle posting daily.
Ate lunch with my mom and aunt yesterday after 10 hours of work and 2.5 hours sleep the night before. I left work with a worsening migrane hoping the medicine I took would help. No luck. Now to the best part.
We ate in Castleton, an area of Indy where I used to work but don't frequent any more. I wanted to stop by Asia Mart to pick up some 3:15 Milk Tea. Mom and Liz decided to go with me.
I get my eating habits from my mother. All she eats is cheeseburgers, pizza, and chicken fingers. So we proceeded to walk through Asia Mart while my aunt laghed at everything and my mom gagged at everything. The packaged spicy chicken feet, the massive live carp packed into a very small, dirty tank, and things like peanut milk soup.
I immediately went home, walked the dogs,took a shower, and passed out until this morning. At least I got my milk tea.
Ate lunch with my mom and aunt yesterday after 10 hours of work and 2.5 hours sleep the night before. I left work with a worsening migrane hoping the medicine I took would help. No luck. Now to the best part.
We ate in Castleton, an area of Indy where I used to work but don't frequent any more. I wanted to stop by Asia Mart to pick up some 3:15 Milk Tea. Mom and Liz decided to go with me.
I get my eating habits from my mother. All she eats is cheeseburgers, pizza, and chicken fingers. So we proceeded to walk through Asia Mart while my aunt laghed at everything and my mom gagged at everything. The packaged spicy chicken feet, the massive live carp packed into a very small, dirty tank, and things like peanut milk soup.
I immediately went home, walked the dogs,took a shower, and passed out until this morning. At least I got my milk tea.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Craigslist Score
Every once in a while a really great deal pops up on Craigslist. Today was one of those days.
Nearly 200 rolls of mostly unopened ribbon - $28.00. The lady estimated it was a retail of nearly $400, which is probably conservative at best (most ribbon is $2-3 new).
Maybe this will motivate me to make some new cards? I've made quite a few recently, but haven't decided if I will list them or not before I leave for vacation. I don't want to be in the position of selling some and someone getting mad because maybe they didn't read the note on my page that says they won't be shipped for two weeks.
I don't know.
Oh, by the way - Shameless Plug.
Nearly 200 rolls of mostly unopened ribbon - $28.00. The lady estimated it was a retail of nearly $400, which is probably conservative at best (most ribbon is $2-3 new).
Maybe this will motivate me to make some new cards? I've made quite a few recently, but haven't decided if I will list them or not before I leave for vacation. I don't want to be in the position of selling some and someone getting mad because maybe they didn't read the note on my page that says they won't be shipped for two weeks.
I don't know.
Oh, by the way - Shameless Plug.
Nocturnal
I meant to post yesterday. Really. I did.
After more than 5 months at my new job, my schedule has affected my weekend sleep for the first time. I laid down yesterday for a nap at 5pm (which is when I typically go to bed) and when Klif attempted to wake me at 8, it just didn't fly. My body is so used to getting 8 hours at that time. So here it is now, 3:48am. I have 8+ hours of sleep racked up and I just can't seem to sleep anymore. Usually I can sleep 14 hours until morning, but a charlie horse woke me up.
Maybe I'll try to be productive. Doubt it.
After more than 5 months at my new job, my schedule has affected my weekend sleep for the first time. I laid down yesterday for a nap at 5pm (which is when I typically go to bed) and when Klif attempted to wake me at 8, it just didn't fly. My body is so used to getting 8 hours at that time. So here it is now, 3:48am. I have 8+ hours of sleep racked up and I just can't seem to sleep anymore. Usually I can sleep 14 hours until morning, but a charlie horse woke me up.
Maybe I'll try to be productive. Doubt it.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Productivity
I was so distraught by baggage fee fiasco this morning that I had talked myself out of doing anything. No groceries, no putting gas in the volvo, no making dinner (I had decided Klif would just have to fend for himself...again), and definitely no cleaning. I just really wanted to go home and nap.
Well, I would just like to announce to the world that I did almost everything I originally intended to. I talked myself into stopping at the gas station and the butcher shop on the way home. I stopped the fuel pump at exactly my budgeted amount and only went over $.08 at Joe's because of tax. Then, I told the dogs they couldn't go out until I started dinner (slow cooked chicken in mushroom sauce). After our long walk, including a swim in the creek (for them) I packed up my canvas bags, list, and calculator, and headed off to Meijer.
I was greeted by free samples of Klondike bars (mmmm). I actually spent under my budget (thanks to thinking the wrong things being on sale) and due to a coupon expiring I now have enough toilet paper to last me well into 2009 (If you think I'm kidding, think again). I ended up the trip with a free sample of Meijer Organics Bread with Meijer Organics Peanut Butter and Meijer Organics Rasberry Jelly. What a great free snack!
When I came home I actually put all of the groceries away, started the dishwasher, washed all of the leftover dishes, and cleaned a bit more.
Now dinner is almost done, Klif is getting cleaned up from work, the dogs are content, and it's almost bed time! (I love love love my schedule)
Well, I would just like to announce to the world that I did almost everything I originally intended to. I talked myself into stopping at the gas station and the butcher shop on the way home. I stopped the fuel pump at exactly my budgeted amount and only went over $.08 at Joe's because of tax. Then, I told the dogs they couldn't go out until I started dinner (slow cooked chicken in mushroom sauce). After our long walk, including a swim in the creek (for them) I packed up my canvas bags, list, and calculator, and headed off to Meijer.
I was greeted by free samples of Klondike bars (mmmm). I actually spent under my budget (thanks to thinking the wrong things being on sale) and due to a coupon expiring I now have enough toilet paper to last me well into 2009 (If you think I'm kidding, think again). I ended up the trip with a free sample of Meijer Organics Bread with Meijer Organics Peanut Butter and Meijer Organics Rasberry Jelly. What a great free snack!
When I came home I actually put all of the groceries away, started the dishwasher, washed all of the leftover dishes, and cleaned a bit more.
Now dinner is almost done, Klif is getting cleaned up from work, the dogs are content, and it's almost bed time! (I love love love my schedule)
Phillip chews
*Phillip chewing*
"What are you chewing on Phillip?!"
*Cease chewing*
(15 minutes later)
*More chewing*
*Digging in Phillip's mouth*
*Pulls out a quilting needle*
D:
"What are you chewing on Phillip?!"
*Cease chewing*
(15 minutes later)
*More chewing*
*Digging in Phillip's mouth*
*Pulls out a quilting needle*
D:
Set it off
Okay. So "blogging" really isn't my thing. But a few things have happened recently that have persuaded me to do this. Scratch that. Attempt this. I make no promises.
Anyway, I have frequented a site for nearly 8 years now that many, many of my friends also contributed to. Over the past 3 years years or so, however, I have been slowly losing interest in it as my good friends have been leaving one by one and what is left is mostly nonsense. I really don't hang around there much, if at all, anymore. The dilemma is that I now have nowhere to post my random babbling so that everyone and their brother can see. So became this.
So I start off day one with a rant. I don't rant much, but let me tell you, I'm pissed.
Klif (my husband for those of you who may be reading this who may not know...why are you reading this, anyways?) and I leave for a two week vacation in early September. Being that we have never really had a nice vacation together, and that our honeymoon was cut short by my previously held sorry excuse for a job, we are going all out.
We are flying to California to attend my cousin's wedding and then meeting up with Klif's brother, wife, and kids. The next day we are all flying out to Ireland for two weeks. We have little to nothing planned while we are there - exactly how we want it.
Now for the rant.
Today I purchased our tickets to get us from Indianapolis to Identity Crisis airport, as well as the return flight. We bought the Northwest Airlines tickets through Orbitz.com, and the prices we equivalent to that of many other carriers. I happened to pick this flight because the schedule worked well and it there was not a "Less than 75% on time" warning on the listing. I received my itinerary e-mail, and was greeted with the following note:
"Please note: At least one airline in this trip charges an additional fee for checked baggage. This fee is not included in your total trip cost. See details"
I've heard about this. I've read about it. I was not happy about it then. But now, it has affected me directly and I am furious! I check the prices and it is $15 to check our FIRST bag. Each way! We are going on a two week vacation! Not to mention that second bags are an additional $25. This is a minimum $60 additional cost to our trip. $160 if we both take two bags. If you know me well, you know that I plan things down to the dollar, and we have been stashing very small amounts of cash into savings over the last several months (as we are able) just so that we would have some cash to take with us.
But the thing that gets me is that Orbitz did very little to let me know that this fee would be incurred. I went back through the booking process and had to search to see if they even warned me! They did, but it was a single line on the page that showed all of the itinerary details.
I could have booked a flight for the same price with another carrier that had an almost identical schedule, and not had to pay these fees. That would have been $60 (minimum) of our hard earned money that would not have been wasted on nothing.
Moral of the story - If you thought you were getting a souvenir from Ireland, you can direct your complaint letters to Northwest Airlines.
Anyway, I have frequented a site for nearly 8 years now that many, many of my friends also contributed to. Over the past 3 years years or so, however, I have been slowly losing interest in it as my good friends have been leaving one by one and what is left is mostly nonsense. I really don't hang around there much, if at all, anymore. The dilemma is that I now have nowhere to post my random babbling so that everyone and their brother can see. So became this.
So I start off day one with a rant. I don't rant much, but let me tell you, I'm pissed.
Klif (my husband for those of you who may be reading this who may not know...why are you reading this, anyways?) and I leave for a two week vacation in early September. Being that we have never really had a nice vacation together, and that our honeymoon was cut short by my previously held sorry excuse for a job, we are going all out.
We are flying to California to attend my cousin's wedding and then meeting up with Klif's brother, wife, and kids. The next day we are all flying out to Ireland for two weeks. We have little to nothing planned while we are there - exactly how we want it.
Now for the rant.
Today I purchased our tickets to get us from Indianapolis to Identity Crisis airport, as well as the return flight. We bought the Northwest Airlines tickets through Orbitz.com, and the prices we equivalent to that of many other carriers. I happened to pick this flight because the schedule worked well and it there was not a "Less than 75% on time" warning on the listing. I received my itinerary e-mail, and was greeted with the following note:
"Please note: At least one airline in this trip charges an additional fee for checked baggage. This fee is not included in your total trip cost. See details"
I've heard about this. I've read about it. I was not happy about it then. But now, it has affected me directly and I am furious! I check the prices and it is $15 to check our FIRST bag. Each way! We are going on a two week vacation! Not to mention that second bags are an additional $25. This is a minimum $60 additional cost to our trip. $160 if we both take two bags. If you know me well, you know that I plan things down to the dollar, and we have been stashing very small amounts of cash into savings over the last several months (as we are able) just so that we would have some cash to take with us.
But the thing that gets me is that Orbitz did very little to let me know that this fee would be incurred. I went back through the booking process and had to search to see if they even warned me! They did, but it was a single line on the page that showed all of the itinerary details.
I could have booked a flight for the same price with another carrier that had an almost identical schedule, and not had to pay these fees. That would have been $60 (minimum) of our hard earned money that would not have been wasted on nothing.
Moral of the story - If you thought you were getting a souvenir from Ireland, you can direct your complaint letters to Northwest Airlines.
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