All things work for the good

   I really do try to see the rainbow in every hurricane.  It keeps me almost sane.

Yesterday was no hurricane, but it wasn't a picnic either.  While I volunteering at a local clothing center, my phone walked away.  There's not much to make you feel more miffed than something bad happening when you're doing your "good deed for the day."
   After my initial outrage/panic/disbelief, I switched modes.  It is, after all, just a "thing."   We were out of contract w/ the phone company, so I'd get a good deal on a new phone.   The only mild sense of panic I had left was because my entire calendar was stored on that thing.  I was determined not to make that mistake again.  My next phone would have an off-phone calendar of some sort to back it up, and e-mail access, and a decent camera.  So there!
   One advantage of having a spouse with flex-time that works at home is being able to derail their day too for minor emergencies.  In this case I needed him anyway.  The phone bill is under his name after all.  So yes, after lunch I kidnapped my husband to go phone shopping.  Bonus:  the teen had stayed home sick today so the kindie could be left with him.  Woo-hoo! A date!  I'll take any time alone with my husband where a hospital isn't involved.  So we were off....

   Step 1:  Look at what Sprint had to offer.  It was pretty good, but the store couldn't figure out if we were out of contract w/ T-mobile or not.  Fine, we'd run across the street to check w/ T-mobile.
   Step 2:  Get better offer from T-mobile.  Stay with T-mobile.  End up with 4th phone in the process.

     This two step process took about 2.5 hours.  I am forever grateful I let the "maybe sick, maybe allergic" teen stay home from school yesterday.   That kind of time frame without outside entertainment would have been a disaster for Si Guy.  He'd much rather eat junk food, watch t.v., and jump off the couch onto a beanbag chair with his brother "watching" him.
   What, exactly, took so long?  Well, the first forty five minutes were wasted with step one.  Maybe not totally wasted, because by the time we entered the T-mobile store I had a pretty good idea what I wanted for my phone.  So it only took me another thirty minutes to settle down on my final choice...a Galaxy SII.  The 8 megapixel camera did me in...or perhaps, the Android factor.  My calendar would be synced w/ Google online, never to be totally lost again.  Mr. Man upgraded his phone too, so the tortured, babysitting teen could get his phone back.  We also added a "no-frills" call only phone for the elementary age kids to tote to their activities.  It just makes a mom feel better.  Another note, our bill will be about the same as it was before.  Thank you T-mobile for free kid lines, and PTA for a 14% discount I didn't know about for the past 5 years.
 
So here is the proof all things work for the good.
Bad thing:  Phone disappears
Good things:  time alone with husband, better phone than I ever dreamed of, peace of mind with the kids.
Oh, and a kindle app.  Excuse me while I go play with my new phone.

My middle son is (deca)dent!

Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Sunshine!  Glad to see you're enjoying your day.

This morning we started the day with donuts.  He chose oreo and lemon-filled  for his two.
He still calls me mommy when we're alone, but ignores me when we're around his friends.
He has girl friends, but is mortified at the idea of girlfriends.
He blends in with the group, yet stands alone.
His actions comply, but his thoughts are his own.
He's still a whirlwind, but maturity is starting to peek through.
He's always been kind, but recently he's been learning patience too.

Tonight, we went to a birthday party for a friend.  He didn't seek attention for himself.  He was just happy to be there.  Go Karts, Laser Tag, and heights with harnesses.  It was fun watching him up there.  Some of the kids were swinging from their harness.  He didn't.  He practiced walking the ropes until he knew it was there, but he didn't need it.  I kind of hope that's how this parenting gig goes with all our kids.  They know we're always there, but they practice the skills they need to be "grown" until they just know we're there for them, and they're glad we're there,  but they don't need us.

Happy Birthday to me, about a week ago.....

     Just taking a moment to celebrate how fabulous it is to be me.  My birthday this year started with a kids dentist appointment, complete w/ cavity, and almost ended with meetings.  Then I was surprised at  the last minute with a late night date at Steak n' Shake w/ my husband.  That  definitely ended the day on a good note.  
     My favorite part of the day though, was the afternoon.  Hands down.  A mom of six kids doesn't have much quiet, don't touch me time.  I spent the morning with my husband, picked up the mini-minion from kindergarten, and walked him home.  
     After lunch, it was bye!  I'm off for two whole hours by myself.I stopped at my favorite "forgotten" strip mall.  I decided to window shop in my favorite consignment store "Revival Home Furnishing" to poke around.  We could use a night-stand or two, a couple more dining room chairs, and oh yeah, a table.  Our table needed  some serious repair, and we had neither time nor inclination to do it.  I had been shopping for a new dining room table unsuccessfully off and on for a couple of years, due to my exacting requirements:

• big enough to seat 10-12 
•  not too formal 
• preferably a medium to dark finish.  
• Oh, and not pine.  I really, really, dislike pine.  

Buried in a corner, with it's leaves, a stack of dishes, and a folded up table cloth on top of it, was the table below.  It's hard to see, but this table has great legs.  They even have little brass "shoes" on the bottom.  Maybe it's because I'm a stay at home mom, or quirky, but I really fell in love immediately with the 1950's art deco with a cherry finish.  I called my husband.  We came back for it the next day.  Bonus:  It didn't break the bank.  $98 suited my inner bargain hunter just fine.

If the table wasn't fabulous enough, next door to this furniture store is a 1/2 Price Books.  I counted the table as my "family gift", and had a birthday check from my in-laws to spend.  Nothing is more therapeutic to a bibliophile than an hour alone in a bookstore.  I spent that hour wisely, walking out with five books from the $1 clearance and two regular "1/2-price" had to haves.  This with two more books off Amazon did in the splurge money quite nicely.  What were these titles?

The Time Traveler's Wife- AudreyNiffenager; I've read it before, but wanted it to be MINE.
In the Shadow of the Ark-Ann ProVoost; kind of has a Red Tent vibe.
LOST-Gregory Maguire; creepy, but not gross, better than Wicked IMHO
The Secret Life of Bees-Sue Monk Kidd;  awesome, relatable "sisterhood" 
Fire & Bitterblue-both by Kristin Cashore; fantasy w/ strong women which  doesn't tear down the men!            amazing, isn't it?  
A Ring of Endless Light-Madeleine L'Engle; haven't read this one yet.  I realized  it was book 4 in a series I haven't started.  My OCD side demands finding the first three, then reading them in order.
PEAK-Roland Smith;  This one disappeared into my teenage son's room.  It hasn't reemerged yet. 
Daughters of Rome-Kate Quinn;  I'm a sucker for historical fiction.  I'm going to read this tonight.  It's sitting right here by the keyboard.

All these glorious books, and my  husband even gave me a week off housework to read them.  Did I mention I think he's fabulous?