technology

Tonight I think I wish it was the 50's again. I know, I know I'd hate going back to a rotary dial phone (although my first pink Princess phone with the light up dial when I got my first apartment was really awesome). I bought a Cricut. That's what happens when you are up eight nights or so in a row with a sick baby. I was rocking, dozing, hoping he'd nod off and for some bizarre reason watching a shopping channel on t.v. I NEVER watch those channels. Probably couldn't find the remote. Anyway--I've been looking at the Cricut die cut thing for months. Some of my friends have one and love it. They had a pretty good offer on the shopping channel for one. So I called to check out the fine print. The gal I got was a mom, she heard the baby fussing in my arms at 3:00 a.m. and was sympathetic. Hey, I'd have bought a roto rooter from someone who gave me sympathy that night! She had a young baby and we compared our babies for a short time. She was so open and friendly, I felt I could trust this girl. Yes, some where in the back of my head I did know she was talking to me so she could make a living. Still, she seemed so genuine. And I do believe she had the baby, she just sounded too real to be faking that and the sympathy. So...I bought it, the Cricut I mean. A week after it arrived I finally found an hour to try it out. The packaging suggested an hour for a first trial with the thing. Well, 45 minutes after putting everything where the book said it should go and three tries I still didn't have anything cut out. So...that's why I want to go back to the 50's. I'm tired of failures with technology, tired of calling my grand daughter and asking her to come over and set up or fix something. I do enjoy modern conveniences. But...I am so tired of 1" thick manuals that come with everything I buy. I want to go back to plug it in, press "on" and the new machine does it's thing.



I think I'd like to go back to chatting on the phone for two hours with my friends instead of emailing in short bursts,facebook or texting. Call me a rebel (don't tell my grandchildren) but I HATE TEXTING. Yes, it's convenient. I wouldn't have much contact with three of my grandkids if I didn't text. My grandkids complain I use too many letters in my words on my texts. Sigh...I am trying to learn to say "dk" instead of "don't know", etc. The problem is this. Back in the days when I could take the time to talk two hours on the phone, the days were longer and my work load was lighter. Now while I talked those two hours I would probably be on the computer doing homework or COPA or WSS (if you don't know--don't ask, you don't want to know), while folding three loads of laundry, diapering the baby and helping someone with homework. I want to really LISTEN to my friends/family again. I don't want to figure out Facebook, charge the cell phone, or even the computer. I think I want to sit down face to face with the ones I love and listen to them.



Am I a bit blue tonight? Yup, almost purply blue. Sometimes fifty seven years old

just isn't fun. Tonight I could use a strong shoulder to cry on. Not because things are so bad, but because I'm over tired and just could use that strong shoulder. That is one of the things I really miss about marriage.



Now here's a laugh. Just for fun I Googled Pink Princess Phone...would you believe there is a website that sells "vintage" phones. The exact one I had is $38.30. They've left on the rotary dial, but put push buttons beneath it so it looks like a dial phone, but it's touch tone. Well, that's enough to give me a giggle and send me off to bed with my head back where it needs to be.

Maybe I'll dream of a pink princess phone tonight. Maybe I'll order one, it would make my son crazy if I changed our phone for a pink princess phone.Hmmmm....sounding better and better....

taxes, budget reports and other issues

Well, yesterday I went to give all my tax stuff to the accountant. Becky is such a blessing. She did not turn pale, scream running out of the room, or have any other negative reaction to my disorganized stuff. She said "this is my job. Let me do my job. Just bundle all your stuff into an envelope like this (plain brown file folder sized envelope) and get it to me. I will deal with the finances, you deal with the kids." I love this lady. She took so much off my shoulders yesterday.

I realized yesterday God keeps putting special people in my path. My friend Debbie constantly builds me up. Ellen has brought dinner twice in the past week (and BROWNIES WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING on the day I was just losing it). Teresa is always there ready to pray with me. Melissa pulls my chain up short when I need it (that's what pastors are supposed to do...she does it tactfully and well!). I get looking so much at the things that go wrong, I forget to concentrate on all that is going right.

I found a new magazine I love this week. Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Connections magazine. It is packed with articles to build faith, encourage prayer and Bible study. Even included a six hour Bible study on DVD and study guide. I am going to ask Ellen if we can carve out a time to meet one hour per week to do the Bible study together. I'm so excited. I had been praying about a way to get some structure back into my devotion time. I guess I'm weak. If I don't have accountability, I don't do it. I wonder if God shakes His head in disappointment at my lack of umph as I do at my Alaina when I get yet another note from her teacher that she isn't turning in her homework? mmmm...something to consider. Ouch....