By Elaine Carlson

What do I want that costs $200 on Amazon Prime? For about two weeks I have been thinking about what I would like to get. The idea of a $200 spending spree has been making me feel a little giddy.

Two weeks ago, my sister contacted me to say she wanted to give me a present. Instead of buying something, wrapping it up and mailing it to me she decided she would buy me something Amazon is selling for $200. She told me I could get whatever I want. She even gave me a few examples – I could get "a phone card, a cat tiara, or a vacuum cleaner."

Thanks, sister, I already have a cell phone that now has 90 minutes on it. And let's forget about a vacuum cleaner. The one I have I picked up at Single Socks four years ago for $35. I put a heavy cord around the front because the latch you use to take out and replace the cleaner bag is broken. But it cleans fine and other than that small detail it is a perfect vacuum. And I guess she was just joking about a tiara.

For the first week I wasn't sure I wanted to accept her offer. That online store named after a large river certainly sells a lot of merchandise. And it would be absurd for me to say they don't sell anything that I would want. It is just that I am embarrassed about accepting such an expensive present.

After a week I decide to look on Amazon to see what I is there. I look up printers because the one I had broke down a while back. I saw one I thought looks like a good one. I copied down the brand, the model number and its price --- which was $135.99. Still though I am not sure I should accept my sister's offer.

On Sunday I got to the point where I wanted the gift from my sister --- that printer. When I looked it up again I saw it was now selling for $149.99. I told my sister the brand and the model number. She wasn't stressed out when I told her the price had gone up $14 in less than a week.

After she looked up my choice she asked if I would like "the printer that is one above" which was selling for $161.99. I told her I would be pleased to get that other one.

Now I am waiting for it to get here. And I have been thinking of all the things I am going to print. My first project will be to write a long letter which I will send in an envelope that has a stamp in the corner. Will I be acting in a nostalgic way or am I taking a step backwards? I guess it just doesn't matter – there are at least two ways to send a letter.