What's in your iPod?

It wasn't very long ago, that I thought I would have no use for an iPod. I used to see people walking around on the street with their earphones on and wonder why they would choose to shut out real life in that way.

But...eventually...the techno-geek inside of me had to have one. (I have such a weakness for electronic do-dads!). So, I got a pretty pink one and loaded it up with some of my favorite music, and I got a couple of external docking things (I'm not sure what they're called) so I could listen to my favorite tunes in the kitchen when I was cooking dinner, and in the bathroom while I was getting ready for the day.

(On a side note, there's nothing like listening to Pavarotti perform "Nessun dorma" to get the day going!)

Recently I discovered a use for my iPod that's much more my style. I've got it loaded up with Story Circle Network podcasts (shameless commercial....I'm actually on the January 2008 podcast) and NAMW teleseminars and I've got great material to listen to on my commutes to and from work. I am inspired by the wonderful writers who share their stories those who teach memoir writing.

Now this is what my iPod is really for. Oh yes...and Pavarotti.

Phantom pain

When my Dad had his first leg amputated he described to me something that was called phantom pain. While it was referred to as pain, in his experience it was more like an itch. I remember him telling me of the frustration of feeling his foot itch and, of course, not being able to do anything about it since there was no longer a foot to scratch.

I have begun to think about the experience of being separated from one's family of origin as a sort of phantom pain as well. Is it possible to miss something that you have never had? Is it possible to long for something or someone whom you have never met?
I have a fulfilling life and a wonderful family; I am blessed beyond what I could have dreamed for. Yet, there is still this pain, this longing, for something that I can't explain. The truth is that it is easy to bruise my fragile sense of well being, and I spent much of my life waiting for the other shoe to drop in a sense.

I hurry throughout my day and try to keep busy because in that stillness is an ache, a sense of loss and rejection, in a place that I have not yet been able to reach. For now, I am calling it phantom pain.

Choices

I've long been frustrated at the number of choices we seem to have in almost everything in our lives. A trip to the grocery store can be a nightmare as one wades through all the different varieties of things like toothpaste (gel or paste, whitening or sensation, tarter control or breath freshening) and toilet tissue (double roll or single roll, quilted or not).

Nothing has prepared me for the task of choosing a new cell phone, though. We are switching carriers and seriously considering doing away with our home phone to rely exclusively on our cell phones. Yesterday I logged on to our account and prepared to make the switch. As I scrolled down the first page, past phone after phone I quickly became discouraged.

I don't need a camera in my phone, I don't plan to send text messages, I just want a PHONE! It really shouldn't be this hard. I feel like I need to do some research into the different phones now so I don't make a mistake. Just what I need, another item on my "to do" list.

Help me out if you can! Tell me what kind of phone you use!

Spinning out of control

It starts innocently enough.....a meeting runs late....then you have to leave before it's finished to run off to the next...then you spill your water at your desk when you're trying to grab your laptop....then you can't get it booted up for the meeting that you've called...then you get it booted up, but can't get the display to show up on the screen....then you FINALLY get it on the screen and it's the wrong resolution...and you realize you've lost control of the meeting.....

Sigh.....

So you do the best you can....finish the meeting....rush back to your desk to write up the meeting notes and send them out while you can still REMEMBER what in the world was discussed....then you're late leaving work.....and you have to be home on time to make dinner because your husband is going out that night....

Sigh.....

Then you get home...feeling frazzled....and the dogs are just so darn happy to see you that all you want to do is play and snuggle, but you have to make dinner....and clean up some puppy messes.....

Sigh....

Now it's not even 7pm...dinner is finished...kitchen is cleaned up....hubby has left for his meeting....dogs are chilling.....and you're going....WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TODAY?!!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ March 24th Edition

Have you heard of the The Simple Woman's Daybook ? I've seen entries on a few blogs of late and decided to join this morning.

I am thankful for....my husband who blesses me every day.

From the kitchen....a pot of ham and vegetable soup in the slow cooker.

I am wearing....black dress pants anda sweater

I am readng...Jodi Picoult's latest

I am hoping...that they fix my computer quickly at work today.

I am creating...memoir stories.

I am hearing....the clack of my keyboard.

Around the house...it's quiet. Gerry is having devotions, and I'm sure the dogs are curled up next to him.

One of my favorite things....is that first sip of coffee in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week....work, work, and work.

Here is a picture I am sharing with you...(it HAD to be a baby picture!)