One man’s trash…
Yesterday I dropped my old iphone (4) off at a friend’s house. He was looking for an ipod touch — I think to record a little video, to take pictures and occasionally do other internet-y things, but not to place calls. The old, unconnected iphone will do just that.
Where did this come from? Two years ago I got a new iphone (5) because I didn’t actively research the options for replacing the battery and the battery was going. So when my contract was up I upgraded. A few months after the 5 arrived I realized the full cost. Not just the 200 bucks or whatever Verizon was charging me for the phone, but the behind the scenes hidden contract cost. Cost to replace the battery probably someplace around 80 bucks. Cost of a new phone, off contract: greater than 500 dollars. Also the phone was working. I didn’t need it to do lots of fancy things and it was doing all the things I used it for just fine. So I resolved to use the phone as an ipod.
Kid #2 takes the “ipod” and is instantly on the internet looking for something. Oh, right. It connects to the internet too. hmm.
Stuff old phone in drawer, decide it will be a back up phone. Because, you know, I’m so important I need a backup phone in addition to a land line? Every time I would open the drawer holding the phone I would see it, be reminded of how silly I felt having a new phone (which is now old enough to be in the same spot as the old phone: needing a new battery).
So when a friend posted on Facebook that he was looking to buy something like this, I saw my chance: the phone could go to a new home. For less than the price of a used ipod touch (what friend was looking for), a new battery could be installed. I would be breaking the cycle of crazy consumerism. Dropped the phone off and instantly I felt better: my old thing would be reused before it ultimately died and went to the electronics recycler. And learning from this. My phone needs a battery, I’m going to get it replaced and keep it at least another year.
Ran across this quote this week.
I ran across this quote this week. I’m savoring it. I’m posting it here because I can’t print everything and expect to have a wonderful space to display it. But I’d like to come back and re-read it.
I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’ I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
Who needs a gym?
It was a particularly rough afternoon getting someone to shift gears from sitting on the couch to afterschool activity. Between that and this job I have, it cut into my plans to workout today. But having decided on a few athletic goals for the next few months I really wanted to get it in. So we dragged the bike + trainer into the living room for 40 minutes of mind-numbing aerobic activity.
So here’s basically my view and I think a pretty nice window into life as a mom, trying to eek out time to work out.
Note lack of window covering on the back window.
Look closer. See the plastic on the windows. Still.
Look even closer. See unfinished summer project of striping the woodwork of 80 year old finish that came to a screaming halt as soon as we had to close the windows. So that’s first, then a new paint job on the walls/ceiling, then new window coverings. Or maybe, spend that time on the bike outside. Yeah. That sounds better. Soon as the snow melts and we take the plastic off the windows.
Nutcracker
Exhaustive rehearsals. Saturday, weeknights. Busy busy busy. Fun with friends.
Sick day
Stayed home today with my sick kid.
We both cried as we watched the velveteen rabbit.
We ate some toast.
We drank ginger ale.
And now we’ve rallied enough to move off the couch.
I’m bored
Summer lull.
Younger child at camp.
Older child without something to do.
Look up idea for artwork online.
No longer bored.
this is why I can’t get any work done.
My family has our favorite children’s books. I’m sitting in my home office, trying to get some work done, overhearing my family reading from one of their favorite picture books. The title is Animalia. Each page is a different letter of the alphabet and contains numerous pictures of each letter contained within the page. It is so sweet to hear them — our almost 11 year old is joining in. We certainly enough our books. Here’s a link to the book I’m talking about.
Animalia
First errand of summer vacation
Life with a Post-Doctoral Mama 