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.