Thursday, February 19, 2009

Taking advantage of a left behind computer

Christopher left his laptop at home again. He has two classes today (Thursday), will meet with some friends after his last class, and then come home to a favorite dinner in early evening. No, he's not expecting this to be his last Supper but he knows he'll be recovering for awhile.

Believe it or not (and if you knew him, you would believe it), he is going to have me drive him to the college on Tuesday to attend a community event with the President of the college. I told him he'll be walking very slowly. :)

I noticed Stephanie finally updated her blog, hehehe. Actually, she has been extremely busy for weeks and a lot of her online time has been spent researching an anniversary vacation. I encouraged her to budget time and money for a much longed for trip with her hubby. Especially since they have saved the money already.

I have such fond memories of our last family "vacation" when we dipped into our savings in 1999... drove into Chicago for a three day trip and stayed at a hotel in the suburbs to save money... taking the commuter train into the City. Loved it! We knew it was important since Steph would be graduating from college and working full time as an Interior Designer starting that summer. We didn't know a wedding would be within the year. :)

We enjoyed even the inevitable stressful times. We accidentally got on the wrong commuter train and imagine our surprise as it zipped past our stop! We met some lovely people, including a woman who used her commuting time to make quilts by hand. We saw a few unplanned sites and ended up getting on the last train back toward Chicago that stopped where we needed. I told Stephanie at the time that I knew I'd laugh about it later... and I have... a lot... even though I was cold and tired and longed for my hotel room at the time.

Our car is parked at the mechanic's shop. We'll see how much it cost to fix the problem. Same with the computer. I must admit that not having computer access certainly made for more time catching up on housework, especially since much of my time recently has been spent in waiting rooms of doctors and the hospital.

I put my itty bitty mp3 player in a small zipped bag and found it to be a wonderful companion, especially in the large waiting rooms where there are too many distractions to my reading. Since we plan to be at the hospital for hours tomorrow, I've promised hubby he can use it.

Speaking of whom... he gave me a Valentine's Day gift (we normally don't give each other gifts except he lets me pick out flowers at the grocery store). A couple years ago, my favorite hammer turned up missing after the guys had a work day helping a church member fix up his house. We're thinking it had to accidentally be put in the toolbox belonging to one of his relatives who lives in another state.

I missed "my" hammer, it had been with me since we were first married. The closest to it we had found was way too expensive (a Craftsman!). Now, we purchased plenty of Craftsman tools for hubby's birthday and Christmas through the years for the same reason I believe in the best kitchen equipment one can afford... he used them all the time. (Especially for his gifts in the first fifteen to twenty years of marriage but I only use a hammer for little projects.)

So, imagine my surprise when he handed me a perfectly sized hammer... a Stanley that cost less than $6.00. I thought that so sweet, one of those gifts only someone who knows you well would give you for Valentine's Day. Even if he did say he knew I needed one because there are still blank spaces on our walls... a thinly veiled reference to my English Country decorating style.

I must now re-enter the frozen tundra of my garage to put a load of towels into the dryer. At least now when the weather turns Arctic, I know we are on the downhill slope toward Spring. I won the robin contest this year (a family contest that involves seeing the first robin on the season that we've had since I can remember). My husband almost didn't believe me that I saw a robin on the snow as I drove down the road to our house. That poor bird had to be freezing her giblets... literally. :)

I may get a chance to write tomorrow after the surgery. Otherwise... on Saturday. Thank you for the "welcome back" comments. Sorry for any spelling and grammar errors, I'm not used to this computer screen... good enough excuse for now. I haven't even had a chance to check e-mails since the computer crashed and there were already some that were patiently waiting for a reply. Soon... hopefully soon.

20 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

Praying surgery goes well. What a sweet thoughtful gift...a hammer. I love it. I'm always losing the one we have in the house.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Dear Brenda, I am praying for your son and his surgery. And for peace of mind for you and your husband. My grandson is having surgery on March 5th, for tonsils. We're all hoping this will help him sleep better. He's only four years old. I am so glad to hear from you again. And so looking to spring's arrival.......

Vee said...

Brenda, I definitely have tomorrow in prayer...hope that the time goes by quickly for you and your hubby sitting in a waiting room. I know that Christopher will mend quickly...if an "old man" can mend as fast as he did, I know that Christopher will do very well. It's just the getting from here to there that's a bit of a challenge.

My daughter gave me a hammer for my birthday a decade ago. It's right up there at the top of my favorite gifts of all time so I know how much you appreciated your Valentine's gift.

Catch you later...

Anita said...

Seems good to hear from you. Your husband sounds like a very thoughtful guy. Christopher will be in my prayers tomorrow. Keep us posted as to his progress.

Heather L. said...

I hope Christopher's surgery goes well!

i saw a flock of robins last month -- it seemed very strange, in the midst of all the snow. I wasn't sure if that should count as"first robin of the season."

Rain said...

Nice to "see" you. Who knew a hammer could be a sweet Valentine's gift?
; )

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda, I hope the surgery goes well and he has a speedy recovery.

That was so sweet of your husband! And to notice the empty spaces on the wall - LOL -well, how sweet of him :-) I'm sure you'll think of something to fill those spaces.

I sent you the book TWG3 but I sent it media mail so it may take a while to get to you (then again maybe not - who knows these days)!

Manuela

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Brenda,

Praying that all goes well tomorrow! What a relief to have it taken care of and Christopher can get on the mend!

Shan said...

Dearest Brenda,

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I have had to endure quite a few surgery waiting rooms myself, so I understand how difficult it can be.

I was so glad to see your recent posts...you were missed!

Yours so kindredly,
Shan
Honey Hill Farm

Anonymous said...

Christopher will be in my prayers tomorrow. You too!
Kim

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

I will be praying for Christopher tomorrow. I pray he will regain his strength and have a wonderful time with the President of the university. I am so glad you are back to the computer. I have missed you. Your robin contest is so sweet. I love it that you made Chris his favorite meal tonight. My mom used to do things like that for me too. We didn't have much money, but she would do little extra things for me and I knew she loved me. Unfortunately, there are people that aren't really sure if their mothers cared that much for them. It's so sad, but true. My mother's love has carried me through so many things. Of course, I have the love of the Savior, but my mom taught me about Him and she taught me about the little extra special things to show love. I will be thinking of you as you are in the waiting room tomorrow. May His tender arms be wrapped around you and give you a wonderful peace. love, Trish

Anonymous said...

Praying the surgery goes well tomorrow and that your son's recovery is swift.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Brenda, I'll be praying for you and Christopher! I know he will do just fine. I've just figured out how to publish a photo with my post. Hope you'll check it out when you get a chance! Blessings

sherry said...

Lovely post, Brenda. How nice that your daughter is planning an anniversary vacation - so special. The sights and sounds while on your Chicago vacation - how often we're so busy on vacation that we don't soak in the little things that make sweet memories. Reading your take on train time prods me to take more in. :o)

praying for you son's surgery <><

gail said...

Hello Brenda,

Thinking if you all today. So nice to see you back.

Blessings Gail

jules said...

My Mom and I do the Robin contest also. She's in MI and I'm in AL, so guess who always sees the first Robin of the year? Yep, me! We have such a good time though, calling each other up and telling what birds are still here and what's headed each others way. I've still got her Goldfinches down here yet. I think I missed the Robins this year though.

Peggy Jo said...

Christopher has been in my prayers today! In fact you all are! (((HUGS)))

martha said...

Praying for your son's surgery, for your strength and wisdom to be a wise advocate and caregiver.

Sharon said...

Yes Brenda - welcome back! Still praying for your Christopher. God bless you and yours. PS - I have my own complete set of tools - some that were my Daddy's (my brother didn't get the "fix it" gene but I did!) and guard them like a fox so hubby and son don't pilfer them. Every lady should have her own hammer - and more!) Take care, Sharon

Vee said...

Just peeking in hoping to find news of how everything's going today... Take care, you're all in our prayers.