Finally an analogy they can understand

[susandennis]

Hazel and Myrna and really, John, too, are all very frustrated that they do not understand mobile phones. They don't get it and it makes them feel less than. Finally, today at lunch, they were talking about it once again and saying that it just made no sense to them.

We had one of the really good servers - Pablo (who's probably early 20's and sharp as a tack and really sweet). I pulled him over and asked him if he knew what a rotary phone was. Yes. I do. Could you make a phone call on one? NO WAY. I saw it done once but I have no idea how to do it.

You could see the lightbulb go off in each of their heads. I said a cell phone is like a regular land line phone in the same way that a rotary phone is like the one you use today. Close but so different that you cannot really use the knowledge of one to work the other. "Well, now I don't feel so stupid!"

Myrna's daughter and son in law are coming today. They were going to call when they landed which was about the same time we all go to lunch. So I told Myrna that if they hadn't called yet when we left, we'd just save her place at the table. But, then, time to go and here she comes with her cell phone!! She's getting better and better about how to use it. Her stumbling blocks are 'how do I know it's on?' and 'what if the battery dies'. But, we're making great progress.

And I have $40 to spend on school supplies!! I have always loved school supplies. I hated school but a new notebook makes my heart sing even today. I look forward to oogling all the options every August. Timber Ridge has a school supply drive. There's a big box in every elbow and you have all of August to fill it with school supplies. I mentioned that I LOVE shopping for school supplies and before you could blink and eye Bonny and Myrna were in my living room with $20 each. I get to buy their contributions!! I'm quite jazzed.

I might even go do it tomorrow.

Comments

[bill_schubert]

Fran and I used to wander the isles of Office Depot sometimes buying stuff, sometimes just looking. It was sooo geeky.

I'd love to buy school supplies with OP money.

[susandennis]

We got it legit. Mom was totally into office supplies. For several years, I lived (in the Seattle condo) less than a mile from an Office Max and and Office Depot. Sunday afternoon entertainment,

[1empress]

I think I want to live in your little community. It sounds so wholesome and fun!

[kulturschnepfe]

Every time I feel frustrated (mostly at work) I usually go out and buy some office supplies. It calms me. It only needs to be a notebook or some pencils. As a kid, I never had enough real paper to write on and crayons to draw with. I still compensate for it ...

[kitmarlowescot2]

Amazon is having a "Save $10 when you buy $50 of select items" with certain school supplies if you don't want to leave your apartment to shop.

[siglinde999]

I love the idea of you all buying school supplies together. Do you get a list of preferred items/brands?

[seasonedrite]

Hi Susan,
*ETA-never mind. I've reread the paragraph and now comprehend that you probably only shopped for notebooks for the drive.

I love buying notebooks but since I'm not working the only use that I seem to have for them now is bullet journaling. I don't fill them up very quickly at all. I do have binders where I use filler paper (on the rare occasion where I do need to write something down) and can sort out stuff with binder tabs, etc.

When I read your entry I wondered, "what is she using notebooks for?"

So, inquiring mind wants to know. How do you use these beloved notebooks?

[susandennis]

It was a program to donate to the school children of staff employees.