Gift Card Obsession: A Peek Inside My Psyche

I love gift cards. I know some say they are an impersonal gift, but I disagree. What finer gift is there than the freedom to buy what you want, when and where you want it? I like to maximize my gift card value by holding out for a good sale, or a value-added coupon. Now, on with the story: Many years ago, I purchased a $50 gift card for my niece, to a place called Club Libby Lu--it was a little girls' dress up & makeover place and retail store. Well, before I was able to give it to her, I misplaced the card, and ended up buying her an alternate gift. Imagine my surprise to find said gift card a couple of weeks ago, in the side pocket of a purse I pulled out of the closet. I got online and found that Club Libby Lu went out of business in early 2009 (and my niece has since turned 13--a bit too old for CLL fun, even if available). Well, I noted on the site that Club Libby Lu had been owned by Saks Fifth Avenue, so just for kicks, I called the 800 number on the card. To my delight, I was told that they would be happy to reissue a Saks card to replace the defunct CLL card....YES! So, I received my replacement card for Saks, but was disappointed to find that the Saks in San Diego closed shop in May. Well, yahoo, I remembered our Vegas plans, and sure enough, there is a Saks at the Fashion Show Mall, right across from our hotel--KISMET! Now, believe you me, the I am well aware that $50 at Saks is not exactly a goldmine, but I was still excited to get some use of that long-lost card, even if it meant buying a simple pair of earrings or a fancy lipstick. Anyway, if you read my previous entries, you know that my husby took the Estonians to Zion prior to this Vegas stint, and he took my car, where I had staged the gift card. I drove out last night with my brother and sister-in-law, and met Steve at our hotel just after 10pm. Yesterday afternoon, I called him, and asked him to grab the gift card and bring it into the room, so I could make a jaunt to the mall Saturday morning. After he teased that I "might be able to get a pair of socks at Saks with the card", he agreed to bring it to the room. So, I arrive last night, tired from the drive, and make my way to our room. First thing Steve says is "Do you want the good news or the bad news?". OH. NO. [I always choose bad news first, in order to curb disappointment with a high note]. So, he tells me that he lost the card--WHAT? Apparently, he took a cab to the other end of The Strip, and it must have fallen out of his pocket. Instant downer. So bummed. So, the good news? He won the value of the card back playing blackjack, and gave me the cash. Meh. Sorry, not the same. I kept thinking that he would have won the money playing blackjack anyway, and so it did not offset my utter disappointment. And I can not stop obsessing about it. Maybe he just misplaced the card? No, it's lost, he assures me. Maybe someone turned it in to the hotel Lost & Found? Doubtful. I think Steve's exact reply was "Seriously Jen, are you going to obsess about the stupid card all weekend?". Ouch. But the answer is, yes. It was the first thing on my mind when I woke up at [gasp!] 6am this morning. Maybe I'm a little nuts, but I needed to get this off my chest, and I knew you'd listen!