Dh & I went to the mall yesterday to run a few errands -- and walked out with new smartphones. (Turning 55, officially retiring, going through (peri)menopause, buying a condo, selling our house and getting ready to move -- what's one more major life change/stressor to deal with right now, right??! lol)
Now, just to be clear, these were NOT our first cellphones (his second and my fourth over the past 15-20 years, to be exact) -- although it's been -- cough cough -- a while since we last got new ones. The phones we had -- yes, flip phones (I hear they're "in again, actually...!) -- did have cameras (1 whole megapixel!!) & browser capabilities, although we rarely used them and didn't have data included in our plan. But we've never felt the need to be in constant contact with the world, and we were happy with what we had for a long time. The phones were seldom used, and when they were, it was for good old talking, and usually whenever one or the other of us was out & about without the other.
But we've been talking about the need to upgrade for quite a while For one thing, peer pressure. :p ;) It was a bit of a pride thing, too -- see, we're still young & hip; we're not THAT old yet!! (Got to keep up with the younger Joneses, you know...!) (I have this unsettling feeling that if we'd had kids, we would have been prodded into doing this years ago.) For another thing, I noticed my battery was draining a lot more quickly lately -- and I didn't think they'd have a replacement readily on hand. I wanted to make sure we had a reliable phone handy while we're moving & getting settled into our new condo. There were several times lately when I'd wished I'd had a camera handy. (The camera on this phone has 21 mp capability -- my Canon point & shoot, which I love, has just 12 -- which seemed like a whole lot when I bought it, just two or three years ago...!)
And there were a few times lately when I've had trouble picking up a signal, while smartphone users around me yakked to their hearts' content. One such notable incident was when dh wound up in the hospital just before Christmas. Every time I wanted to update BIL, I had to leave the building completely (taking all our jackets & stuff with me each time, so as not to leave it vulnerable to theft), and he couldn't call me at all.
I spent a few hours last evening & this afternoon playing around, rebuilding my contacts (the young geek -- ummm, salesperson -- who helped us buy the phones couldn't get them to transfer over from my old phone :p ), adding a few apps and exploring my new toy's capabilities. I'm sure within a few weeks, I'll wonder how I ever lived without it (although I think I'll still prefer using my laptop, when I'm at home) -- but right now, it's still a bit of a mystery, to be honest. ;) It's been exhausting, frustrating, exhilarating and mind-boggling, to use just a few adjectives.
Tips? Cautionary tales?? App recommendations??? (I've already managed to add Facebook & sign up for Instragram -- although I still have to explore my camera!)
I bow to your collective wisdom. ;)
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
#MicroblogMondays: Rainy days and Mondays
Because it really IS a rainy day AND a Monday. ;)
Because it popped into my head.
Because even though it's generally thought of as a "downer" song, it does include hopeful notes: "Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you... nice to know somebody loves me..." and "What I feel has come and gone before... no need to talk it out, we know what it's all about..."
Because I couldn't think of anything else for a #MM post. ;)
Because it was a great excuse (as if an excuse is ever needed) to search YouTube and listen to the magnificent voice of the late great Karen Carpenter. :) Such an amazing talent, so sadly missed. :(
You can find more of this week's #MicroblogMondays posts here.
Friday, March 25, 2016
An auntie song??
Klara wrote a post recently about how her little niece had learned a special song to sing for her mother on Mother's Day. When the niece offered to sing it for her, Klara said that instead, she would love to hear the song for aunties. Her niece responded that there wasn't any auntie song.
Is there?? I tried to think of any songs I knew about aunts or aunties, and the best I could come up with was "Your Auntie Grizelda" -- a rather quirky song from my childhood by the Monkees -- with Peter singing lead, slightly offkey! Can anyone come up with any other auntie songs??
Anyway, Klara's lament about the lack of songs for aunties did bring to mind an old Barry Manilow song, a cut from an album that was in my sister's & my vinyl collection in the late 1970s. And when I went to read the lyrics, they were all about regret and loss and disappointment, and not appreciating people when you have them in your life, until it's too late. So in that respect, maybe it's a somewhat relevant song for some of us, sometimes. ;)
(You can't take it too literally, of course -- I could never imagine changing my number & turning away from my nephews! -- but I know some of us feel a little taken for granted by our families and friends sometimes -- we are always expected to be there for them (because we have all this free time on our hands, because we don't have kids, of course...!) but the relationship isn't always equally reciprocal.)
A Linda Song
by Barry Manilow
He never wrote a song for Linda
He wrote as though he lived alone
He wrote of dreams that end of sad brave men
Inventing worlds he never know
But he never wrote a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
Loved him back to life
When his luck ran low
But he never wrote a Linda song
He nearly broke his heart at writing
Linda kept him from despair
Standing by his side, through the hungry days
But he hardly seemed to see her there
And he never wrote a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
The one real thing in his crazy world
And he never wrote a Linda song
When the bills piled up and couldn't pay
He couldn't dream no more
So he hitched a ride and he rode away
And he left a note for Linda by the door
By the door
When times got rough he'd phone her
Once or twice she took the call
Then she changed her number and she turned her head
And Linda never looked back at all
He'll never write a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
All he knows, is no one understands
And he never wrote a Linda song
No he never wrote a Linda song
Is there?? I tried to think of any songs I knew about aunts or aunties, and the best I could come up with was "Your Auntie Grizelda" -- a rather quirky song from my childhood by the Monkees -- with Peter singing lead, slightly offkey! Can anyone come up with any other auntie songs??
Anyway, Klara's lament about the lack of songs for aunties did bring to mind an old Barry Manilow song, a cut from an album that was in my sister's & my vinyl collection in the late 1970s. And when I went to read the lyrics, they were all about regret and loss and disappointment, and not appreciating people when you have them in your life, until it's too late. So in that respect, maybe it's a somewhat relevant song for some of us, sometimes. ;)
(You can't take it too literally, of course -- I could never imagine changing my number & turning away from my nephews! -- but I know some of us feel a little taken for granted by our families and friends sometimes -- we are always expected to be there for them (because we have all this free time on our hands, because we don't have kids, of course...!) but the relationship isn't always equally reciprocal.)
A Linda Song
by Barry Manilow
He never wrote a song for Linda
He wrote as though he lived alone
He wrote of dreams that end of sad brave men
Inventing worlds he never know
But he never wrote a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
Loved him back to life
When his luck ran low
But he never wrote a Linda song
He nearly broke his heart at writing
Linda kept him from despair
Standing by his side, through the hungry days
But he hardly seemed to see her there
And he never wrote a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
The one real thing in his crazy world
And he never wrote a Linda song
When the bills piled up and couldn't pay
He couldn't dream no more
So he hitched a ride and he rode away
And he left a note for Linda by the door
By the door
When times got rough he'd phone her
Once or twice she took the call
Then she changed her number and she turned her head
And Linda never looked back at all
He'll never write a song for Linda
And she was right there all along
All he knows, is no one understands
And he never wrote a Linda song
No he never wrote a Linda song
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Tick, tock...
Before dh & I got married, his father (my future FIL) presented me with a watch that had belonged to dh's mother (who died, at age 53, before I ever met her -- although dh & I were a couple by then and she knew about me). FIL gave another watch that had belonged to MIL to SIL, and both of us wore those watches as "something old" on our respective wedding days, and on special occasions (such as weddings) in the 30+ years since then. (We also divided MIL's other jewelry between us.)
The watch I inherited is a dainty thing, with a small round face and a solid but flexible silver, etched band. Nobody remembers exactly where or when MIL had got it, but it's at least 40-50 years old. Shortly after our wedding, when we were getting property insurance for our belongings, I took the watch to a jewelry shop to be appraised.
(Sidenote for readers in the Greater Toronto Area: the jewelry shop was a small independent store recommended by a girlfriend who had her engagement & wedding rings custom-made there. Located on Yorkville Avenue, which probably tells you everything you need to know. Very expensive, very tony -- I felt very out of place being there. Which makes it all the more amusing that years later, the same jeweller is now infamous throughout the GTA as "the Cashman" who "gives you money for your gold" and advertises with brash, noisy, campy commercials on TV!! Oh, yeahhhhhh!!! lol)
"That old thing?" said dh. Imagine his surprise (not to mention my own) when we learned that the silver was actually white gold, and the watch was worth a small four-figure sum -- a substantial amount of money at the time, especially for a pair of impoverished newlyweds. Needless to say, between special occasions, it's spent most of the past 30+ years in the safety deposit box. ;)
I never felt the watch (or MIL's other jewelry) was truly mine. I always felt that I was just holding it in safekeeping for the next generation, perhaps for my own daughter to wear at her wedding someday.
Of course, that day will never come. And BIL & SIL had two boys.
But those boys are now both engaged and planning their weddings. Dh & I talked about it to SIL & BIL recently, and a few weeks ago, I told Oldest Nephew's fiancée about the watch and its history, and asked if she would like to wear it at her own wedding this fall. (SIL will give the other watch that she inherited to Younger Nephew's fiancée, when the time comes.) She looked surprised but pleased and said yes, of course. I told her I would bring her the watch the next time we saw them, and she could see it and decide then if she'd like to have it.
This past weekend, at Younger Nephew's engagement party, dh & I took Older Nephew & his fiancée aside to a private corner (BIL came with us too, beaming with pride) & I pulled the watch out of my purse & helped Fiancee put it on her wrist. I could tell from her reaction that she was overwhelmed.
"You know, I've never really worn a watch, but this is BEAUTIFUL. I love it!!" she said, as she hugged me tightly. "I'm so glad," I said (and I was). Older Nephew gave me a big hug too. "You know, I never really felt like this was mine... I've just been taking care of it until you & your brother grew up to give it to you," I told him.
Back upstairs, they showed the watch to FIL (who is now in his late 80s). "You gave this to me, and now I'm giving it to her," I explained to him. We hadn't told him we were doing this, and I wasn't sure what his reaction would be, but he seemed very pleased, and gave Fiancee a big hug of his own. Both Older Nephew and Fiancee thanked dh & me again before we left later that evening.
The last few years have been one big round of transitions: letting go of old dreams and possessions, passing the torch to the younger generation, facing the reality of aging without children. It isn't always easy -- but sometimes, there are moments like this one where you get a glimpse of the future and your impact on it (however small), and you feel a little better about things. There's sadness about what didn't happen and what might have been, and some fear & trepidation at what might lie ahead on this road less travelled -- but also hope for the good things that might still transpire and the memories still to be made.
The watch I inherited is a dainty thing, with a small round face and a solid but flexible silver, etched band. Nobody remembers exactly where or when MIL had got it, but it's at least 40-50 years old. Shortly after our wedding, when we were getting property insurance for our belongings, I took the watch to a jewelry shop to be appraised.
(Sidenote for readers in the Greater Toronto Area: the jewelry shop was a small independent store recommended by a girlfriend who had her engagement & wedding rings custom-made there. Located on Yorkville Avenue, which probably tells you everything you need to know. Very expensive, very tony -- I felt very out of place being there. Which makes it all the more amusing that years later, the same jeweller is now infamous throughout the GTA as "the Cashman" who "gives you money for your gold" and advertises with brash, noisy, campy commercials on TV!! Oh, yeahhhhhh!!! lol)
"That old thing?" said dh. Imagine his surprise (not to mention my own) when we learned that the silver was actually white gold, and the watch was worth a small four-figure sum -- a substantial amount of money at the time, especially for a pair of impoverished newlyweds. Needless to say, between special occasions, it's spent most of the past 30+ years in the safety deposit box. ;)
I never felt the watch (or MIL's other jewelry) was truly mine. I always felt that I was just holding it in safekeeping for the next generation, perhaps for my own daughter to wear at her wedding someday.
Of course, that day will never come. And BIL & SIL had two boys.
But those boys are now both engaged and planning their weddings. Dh & I talked about it to SIL & BIL recently, and a few weeks ago, I told Oldest Nephew's fiancée about the watch and its history, and asked if she would like to wear it at her own wedding this fall. (SIL will give the other watch that she inherited to Younger Nephew's fiancée, when the time comes.) She looked surprised but pleased and said yes, of course. I told her I would bring her the watch the next time we saw them, and she could see it and decide then if she'd like to have it.
This past weekend, at Younger Nephew's engagement party, dh & I took Older Nephew & his fiancée aside to a private corner (BIL came with us too, beaming with pride) & I pulled the watch out of my purse & helped Fiancee put it on her wrist. I could tell from her reaction that she was overwhelmed.
"You know, I've never really worn a watch, but this is BEAUTIFUL. I love it!!" she said, as she hugged me tightly. "I'm so glad," I said (and I was). Older Nephew gave me a big hug too. "You know, I never really felt like this was mine... I've just been taking care of it until you & your brother grew up to give it to you," I told him.
Back upstairs, they showed the watch to FIL (who is now in his late 80s). "You gave this to me, and now I'm giving it to her," I explained to him. We hadn't told him we were doing this, and I wasn't sure what his reaction would be, but he seemed very pleased, and gave Fiancee a big hug of his own. Both Older Nephew and Fiancee thanked dh & me again before we left later that evening.
The last few years have been one big round of transitions: letting go of old dreams and possessions, passing the torch to the younger generation, facing the reality of aging without children. It isn't always easy -- but sometimes, there are moments like this one where you get a glimpse of the future and your impact on it (however small), and you feel a little better about things. There's sadness about what didn't happen and what might have been, and some fear & trepidation at what might lie ahead on this road less travelled -- but also hope for the good things that might still transpire and the memories still to be made.
Monday, March 21, 2016
#MicroblogMondays: Zzzzzzzz...
So I laid down on the couch, dh threw a blanket over me, and I had a nap. For two hours.
I'm generally not much of a nap person. (My mother will certainly tell you so, haha -- apparently she had to bribe me to take naps when I was a toddler. ;) ) Never slept much in the car either, although we took a lot of long road trips when I was growing up. I did start taking more naps when I was in university (no doubt to compensate for the many late nights of party-- oops, studying!! lol ;) ) And I napped somewhat more often while I was pregnant with Katie.
I don't like the groggy way I often feel when I wake up after a nap. Or the feeling that I've wasted time when I could have been doing something productive, or fun. Or the feeling that I must be getting older, snoozing in the middle of the day like this. :p
But sometimes, you just have to close your eyes and let sleep take over. (And hey, I did get a blog post out of it, lol. ;) )
Naps -- yay or nay?
You can find more of this week's #MicroblogMondays posts here.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Right now
Right now... (an occasional meme):
Reading: Lisa Manterfield's new book, Life Without Baby. Review to come. :)
Watching/Listening: A 2002 PBS special, featuring folk singers from the 1960s -- the stuff I grew up hearing & singing in school. I can still sing along to just about every song, too. ;)
Following: The U.S. presidential primaries. (It's unavoidable, even though I'm not American and have no say in the outcome...! :p )
Drinking: Water. I keep a glass close by to sip on through the day.
Eating: ACE Bakery Mini Crisps with olive oil & sea salt -- yum!
Wearing: My usual yoga pants & T-shirt. :) And planning what I should wear to younger nephew's engagement party this weekend. (I keep changing my mind...)
Avoiding (or trying to, lol): The crowds of parents & kids enjoying (??) spring break this week. We forgot & went to the mall on St. Patrick's Day, where there was some kind of kiddie performance going on in the centre court. Oy, the noise!! The strollers!! (lol) We wisely made a beeline for the food court to grab an early lunch, before the performance ended and that space too was overrun.
Anticipating: Our upcoming move to our new condo.
Wishing: That we could skip over the chaos & upheaval & hard work of the next few weeks & just be there already. :p
Loving: The new bedding set we bought last week, to go with our new mattress. After 20+ years (erk!!), we figured it was time for new stuff, especially for a new place. :)
Wondering: Why do they make mattresses so darned thick/high these days? (My one peeve about our new set.) I feel like I need a stepstool to climb in & out of bed!
Reading: Lisa Manterfield's new book, Life Without Baby. Review to come. :)
Watching/Listening: A 2002 PBS special, featuring folk singers from the 1960s -- the stuff I grew up hearing & singing in school. I can still sing along to just about every song, too. ;)
Following: The U.S. presidential primaries. (It's unavoidable, even though I'm not American and have no say in the outcome...! :p )
Drinking: Water. I keep a glass close by to sip on through the day.
Eating: ACE Bakery Mini Crisps with olive oil & sea salt -- yum!
Wearing: My usual yoga pants & T-shirt. :) And planning what I should wear to younger nephew's engagement party this weekend. (I keep changing my mind...)
Avoiding (or trying to, lol): The crowds of parents & kids enjoying (??) spring break this week. We forgot & went to the mall on St. Patrick's Day, where there was some kind of kiddie performance going on in the centre court. Oy, the noise!! The strollers!! (lol) We wisely made a beeline for the food court to grab an early lunch, before the performance ended and that space too was overrun.
Anticipating: Our upcoming move to our new condo.
Wishing: That we could skip over the chaos & upheaval & hard work of the next few weeks & just be there already. :p
Loving: The new bedding set we bought last week, to go with our new mattress. After 20+ years (erk!!), we figured it was time for new stuff, especially for a new place. :)
Wondering: Why do they make mattresses so darned thick/high these days? (My one peeve about our new set.) I feel like I need a stepstool to climb in & out of bed!
Monday, March 14, 2016
#MicroblogMondays: Dress shopping
* Deja vu: Walking into a bridal salon brought back happy memories of shopping for my own wedding dress, 31 years ago. And of going to a dressmaker's shop with SIL 30 years ago to be fitted for my matron of honour dress for her wedding to BIL.
* Disbelief: Am I really this old that I'm now shopping for mother of the bride/groom dresses?? And is Oldest Nephew (who is also my godson) really old enough to be getting married??
* Sadness: I will never get to shop for my own mother of the bride or groom dress for my own child's wedding.
* Gratitude: That SIL asked me to share in this experience with her. No, it's not the same thing as being able to shop for my own dress for my own child's wedding -- but it's as close as I'm going to get, and I was happy to be able to share in her happiness, and help her find the perfect dress for this major life occasion.
* Glee: I suppose there are some women who would not be interested in spending the afternoon in a shop surrounded by pretty dresses in beautiful colours and fabrics and bling -- but I'm not one of them. ;) I have very few places to wear pretty dresses these days (let alone long fancy gowns) -- but it's sure fun to look and imagine.
We did find a beautiful dress for SIL to wear, and ordered it.
And then (the icing on the cake of the day) we went to the mall, and found a kick-ass dress for me to wear too. :)
You can find more of this week's #MicroblogMondays posts here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)