Completely Exhausted in 2013: CostCo is giving away free cameras!!!

Several weeks ago, my camera just quit working. It had been holding on to its last bit of life for a few months, but finally in Mexico, it took its last breath . . . I mean picture. Thankfully, Nonna had given me this camera as a Christmas gift. She purchased it at CostCo - you're one-stop-shop-for-everything-sold-more-cheaply-than-anywhere-else. At the time of purchase (November 26, 2006 - I kept the receipt), CostCo had a lifetime warranty policy on all of its merchandise. No matter what, no matter when, anything could be returned with a full refund. Just weeks later, CostCo smartly changed that policy on electronics to a 90-day warranty. Poor saps who used their Christmas money to buy a camera after the New Year!

Anyway, back to my free camera. After several phone calls - and too many weeks without taking pictures of my ridiculously cute son - I finally made it to CostCo. Now, I knew what the policy said, and a CostCo representative had assured Barry that I really could return it for a full refund, but until it actually happened . . . I really didn't believe it.

CostCo is a lot like Sam's Club. You have to have a membership card to enter and to buy anything. So, when I walked up to the Welcome Guy and showed him a camera box and a three-year-old receipt, I thought he would surely turn me away. He, however, directed me kindly to the Returns counter where an even nicer lady waited to help. At this point, I was sure they would say "Good try" and "Better luck next time." But as easily as I had walked in the door, the camera was returned, and I had a very large CostCo money card (thank you, Nonna and Poppa!) in my hand. I quickly found the cameras and waited patiently for someone to unlock the cabinet to hand me the one I wanted. When I approached the check-out counter, I knew this was the moment when they would take it all away. The man behind the register asked for my Membership Card, to which I shyly held up my shiny new CostCo money card. I half expected him to take it, cut it right in front of me, and have me escorted out the front door . . . but, of course, that is not what happened. He motioned to the credit card machine, and I was soon on my way out the door. Oh, crap! The Receipt Checker! Though I only had one item in my hand and one item on the receipt, she checked it over carefully, then that blessed yellow highlighter made its mark on my receipt. I was home free . . . with a free camera! I rushed to the car, hoping to outrun any CostCo Security that might realize how ridiculous it was that this wimpy girl just walked out with a free camera. Luckily, I've been working out (a little), and I beat these invisible predators to my car.

One reason that I did not come to CostCo sooner was because Barry insisted that it was not worth spending the money on a tank of gas to get to Montgomery or Birmingham just to return a camera. I should have stood up to him. I had enough money on my CostCo card to fill up at their gas station, and I still have just over $22 left. I'm thinking of buying Nonna and Poppa something nice for Christmas. That is, if the Welcome Guy will let me back in with just a CostCo money card.

While I was pumping gas, I couldn't help but tear into my new package and take its first picture. Can you guess who got the rights to that sacred first pic?

Over the next few days, I made up for all of the weeks I lost without a camera. Here are a few of my favorites. (Ok, my computer is not letting me download anymore at this time. I'll be sure to post them soon - they're too cute to miss!).

Canon has become super flexible. He loves eating his feet!