The last computer we purchased was after a claim on our insurance policy. True, I was a licensed insurance agent at the time and had scheduled computer equipment on our policy so it didn't cost us nothing. Yet, I never imagined the scenario that would cause us to make a claim. Someone broke into our home through the back door and stole my husband's laptop and my diaper bag from our kitchen while I was asleep feet away with my first born baby on the living room futon. I had awoken from the rustle and called out to Scott thinking he was just up late as usual, but quickly fell back to sleep from new mom exhaustion. I awoke to a propped open door, items missing and the worst feeling of violation.
We managed to keep our mini-mac, which is at least a decade (15?) old. Still runs at a crawling speed, but only supports half of the PBS sites my children enjoy. I am fortunate to share a hand me down laptop with my children, which I am forever grateful. My kids long for technology. As they are exposed more to friends with their devices, jealousy is viral. We just don't have it. No cable, no land line phone, no game systems, no flat screen tv. Not a choice, just reality. We just bought a little DVD player to replace the broken one circa 1998 and feel special to be able to watch movies on the TV again. Seriously, it is f special.
After months of preparation, we entered the world of a BYOP program with my husband's employment. In other words, dump the unused blackberries, bring your own phone to work and we will subsidize it. We are now a smart phone house. It will work out in the end with the subsidy, but the upfront costs are a killer on the grocery budget for the next month or two or three. Hopefully, we will catch up to celebrate the December holidays.
Being connected more means I yearn to be connected more. Not connected to twitter or facebook space of randomness. But connected to our friends and family who want to be connected more. The camera on the phone is highly superior to my little old point and shoot from long ago. I can share a photo in seconds instead of having to wait until after bedtime to drag out the cables and download slowly. It is revolutionary here. I even heard words I never thought I would hear today. "Maybe I should get a facebook account." Yes, that was my husband who occasionally hijacks my account yet vowed he would never use it. I am still in shock. I have to admit, we are having fun with the ease of communication and sharing we able do now with messaging and pics.
Over two years ago, we left our home in Minnesota to travel to our new home in Tennessee. The first photo my phone grabbed off from space was the picture of loading the van and my big boy in tears. Silly me thinks it was some sort of symbol. We were unable to travel as we wished this summer, but hope to soon. Most days are good. Many days are still very sad missing loved ones. I hope reloading the blog will not only serve as a means for me to connect to others who wish to see and read, but for the little people to share their special and not so special moments of the little things in life.
To see the blog/pics of our move...
http://tennesseevalleymom.blogspot.com/2010/09/from-lakes-of-minnesota-to-hills-of.html
