I Hate Cell Phones - A Rant in Writing

I mention in my profile that I'm not a fan of cell phones and there are a billion reasons why. Before I list some of them, let me confess that I do have a cell phone. My husband gave it to me for Christmas after I came home one morning at 1:00 a.m. and he wasn't sure where I was. I had been Christmas shopping and knew it was very late, but didn't want to take time out to call him to let him know I was fine. It was selfish on my part. If the tables had been turned, I would've wanted to strangle him if he was out so late and didn't bother to check in. Anyway....

I got this cell phone and there are many things I do enjoy about having one. I like that when I'm out and about and I decide I want a chicken pita wrap with hummus, I can just whip out my phone and call in an order, then buzz by to pick it up. I can call my husband from the grocery store to ask if we need milk. I'm not tethered to my home if I'm expecting an important (or even not so important) call. And, if I'm ever stranded in the middle of nowhere in my car, I can call for help (provided there is phone coverage in that area). So yes, there are things I can appreciate about cell phones.

Today I was standing in the check out line at Target and the woman behind me reminded me why cell phones drive me nuts. She was talking to her mother about her brother and sister-in-law and she was having an argument with her mom - in the middle of Target. She wasn't even trying to keep quiet. She was raising her voice and saying things like: "mom, I love my brother, but I can't stand around while his wife is abusing my nephew! I just won't do it." Seriously, I just wanted to turn around and slap her. I mean, why on earth would she think it was ok to talk so loudly about something so personal? And I've heard other cell phone conversations in my day that I didn't need to be hearing. I don't want people listening to me when I talk on the phone and I sure as heck don't want to listen to their calls!

I also hate being at dinner with a friend or talking with a friend I haven't seen in awhile and their phone rings, so they decide to answer. Unless there is blood and hospitalization involved, why should that person answer the phone? I don't think they should. I mean, what better way to communicate to someone that they are less important than some stupid phone call?! Of course, it's different when your kids are calling to ask you to run home because the kitchen is on fire, or something like that (I'm not totally unreasonable).

I hate seeing moms at the grocery store or on a walk with their kids, talking to someone when they could be talking to their kid. Or people walking down the street with a cell phone"glued" to the side of their head. For all the contributions they make, cell phones are eroding our culture. People don't talk with each other anymore, and don't take the time to listen to what is going on in their own heads.

I guess the bottom line is, if you come to my house or we're having dinner at a restaurant, you need to turn the cell phone off or be prepared to listen to me moan and complain about your pitiful need to always be available to someone. I know it's harsh, but I'm being pushed over the edge!

It Truly is Middle Age

Twelve days ago, I turned 45. I remember when I turned 35, I refused to acknowledge that I was middle aged. But, now I have to face it. Have to admit it, embrace it, love it or hate it, live with it, absorb it, be it...I am a middle aged woman! Who would've believed it? Seriously, I feel like emotionally, I'm in my 20's. I'm a bit smarter now than I was in my 20's, but I don't feel like I have the maturity or confidence of a middle aged woman. It's just hard to believe! I'm not ashamed or depressed about it - at least I don't think so.

It's bizarre to be at a place in my life where there are things I will definitely NEVER do again. Until you are in your 40's, it's hard to see that there is an end to things you'll do or can do. It doesn't even mean that I particularly want to do these things, it's just that I can't or won't. Here's a short list of things I'll never do again (or do at all) or be:

Be a rock star, have anymore babies, nurse babies, go back to school for an art degree, sky dive or ride in a hot air balloon (the older I get, the more afraid I am of things involving heights or the possibility of falling out of the sky like a rock), look like Malibu Barbie.

As one gets older, the list gets longer...But you know, it beats the alternative doesn't it? And no one is guaranteed a certain amount of time. My mom was middle age when she was 25, but didn't know it (she died of cancer at age 50).

I guess it just takes a bit of an attitude adjustment and acceptance.

So, I'm 45 - how am I going to spend my time? Who am I going to help? Who am I going to love? What am I going to do with myself?

I plan on spending my time wisely.

Really?! It Has Been A Whole Month...

Since I last posted anything on my blog? Gee whiz, that is pathetic! Where on Earth does the time go?

The "Commission"

My friend asked me if I would be interested in making something she could give her mom for Mother's Day. I started one picture, that turned out to be kind of wild/funky and probably not her mom's style. So last night and today, I worked on this one. I'm having a hard time with it though. I like parts of it, but it seems a little flat to me. A little immature or something. I'll have to get my friend Jean to look at it to give me some ideas of what can be done to make it better.

This is going to be one short entry. I'm tired and just want to veg for awhile.

Craft Show Anxiety

Remember how I was so excited about doing the craft show next month? I don't know what happened, but I'm not so excited any more. I still don't know what I'm going to take or how much to take. What if no one buys anything? What if all my stuff is just stupid and I'm wasting time and money trying to start this little business? Blah, blah, blah....I know I'm not the first, only or last person who is freaking out about his/her creative endeavors. Ugh! Self doubt, you would think someone in her mid 40's would be beyond it!

One thing that has been good is that yesterday, I figured out how to set up my own cards in Word and correct some potential printing problems in Paint. I'm going to take them down to Kinko's to see how they print. If they are good reproductions, this will really help me. I can just set things up on the page the way I want them, then run down to have them printed. It's taking some time to get things cleaned up and set up, but ultimately, it's nicer to have this control. I should eventually get some other kind of software program to do some graphic design.

I sold a couple of card packs this past weekend. My dad's cousin bought Peter's Tree and Action Flowers. I'm really excited about it. It's nice to have some business.

Well, I think that is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.