Yesterday will now be labeled “Tech Day.”
It started off with Don and I taking turns as we waited for the FedEx guy to deliver Don’s new iPhone. It arrived while I happened to be out watering and I signed for it. Then came the ‘orientation session’ where I showed Don how to activate it, etc.
I know guys are supposed to be adept with all things high tech, but in our house, that role seems to be mine. I’m always a step or three or four ahead of Don and I guide him through these things, whether it’s the remote, or a laptop, or a phone. Once we ironed out a misstep with Don’s Apple ID number, we were good to go. I mentioned to Don that he might want to get a case as soon as possible, because the newer phones are slimmer and can quite easily be dropped.
Then I went upstairs to work on my new drawer unit. Shortly after that, Don called up to me, saying he thought he should get a case ASAP. So we jumped in the car and went to a Verizon store in a neighboring town.
Here is where it gets tech-ish. Don picked out his case. I wandered next door to the Rite-Aid to get a couple of things. I came back to the Verizon store and the woman who was helping us – she was really great – asked if we had a tempered glass insert to protect the glass on the iPhone. No, I didn’t, though I had certainly thought about getting one. Next thing I knew, we were both getting the tempered glass.
Then…she mentioned a special deal on iPads, specifically the iPad Air. Now, up until recently I had no desire for an iPad, thinking I had my phone and my laptop. But this was such a good deal (a slightly older model, just like our iPhone 6.) I knew I would use it a lot both here and on the road, where I could take it to rehearsals and use it for research and downtime. I love my phone and I use it all the time, but for research? I need a bigger screen. So, after gulping a bit, I went for it.
And then felt guilty. Don, ever wonderful, urged me to get it and said he didn’t want to hear me expressing any regrets once we left the store.
Because he knows me.
The mobile version of the blog looks pretty good! After charging it last night, I synced it, and today I will spend some time getting to know the newest addition to my Apple family.
Still feeling guilty.
In other news, I did a little prettifying of the IKEA drawers:
I am not a scrapbooker, but I do have a pad of scrapbook paper that’s been hanging around here for a while. So I cut the paper to fit the bottom of the drawer.
Each drawer uses a different design:
Six drawers = six different designs.
Then I went back to something I had done in my youth – gosh I must have been sixteen or so when I got my first file cabinet – and cut the scrapbook paper to fit into the label slot on the front of the drawer. I did the same thing all those years ago. I cut a pretty piece of paper for the label, rather than use a boring old white label.
Each label matches the paper in the drawer. Why? Just because I like it.
And there you go!
In the midst of all this activity, I actually did put minis in each drawer.
Added note: I love the way you can see the Target Loft to the left. See the tiny chair? The loft is currently on the floor until I decide where to put it.
A tech day, plus a little prettifying.
Happy Tuesday.
The pretty paper adds to the file cabinet. Very pretty! I am more like Don trying to keep up with technology!
Tech seems to progress by leaps and bounds, Doris. It’s hard to keep up with!
Yea for you both – Don’s new iPhone and your new iPad Air ! I’m sure there will be many ‘tech’ adventures ahead and I hope you share them with us. Because you know we’ve all ‘been there done’ that with our own tech gadgets.
PS I love the Claudia touch you added to your new IKEA drawer unit – it’s sure to make your smile every time you open one of the drawers.
It will. And we can all use a smile!
Love the papered drawers and the matching labels! Pretty is always fun. I love my tablet so I think you will enjoy your ipad. I take mine when I travel and it’s really great! Larger then the phone and that makes me very happy. Enjoy and no guilt!!
hugs,
Linda
Okay. Both you and Don are telling me “no guilt” so I’ll work on it!
Love those drawers! They will brighten your day every time you are searching for something that you know you put somewhere! That’s how I’ve been spending most of the day. :)
I’m putting off a much needed purge of the closet in the office/studio. I’m sure I’ll put it off today by playing with the iPad, as well!
Love the pretty drawer liners! And I envy your tech savvy so much. My old flip phone becomes defunct next month and I’m dreading what I will need to get to replace it. It makes my head hurt!
Smart phones aren’t that hard to figure out, Shanna. I bet you’ll be surprised!
I’m the same! Still got a flip phone. Only techie in our house is my other half.
If you’re happy with your flip phone, then that’s great!
Except for when your carrier sends you weekly messages that soon they will no longer provide service to them.
Really? I’ve never heard of that happening! You can change carriers, I think.
Or maybe it’s time to get a gosh darned smart phone? Oy. Maybe pay as you go? You can get those at Target, etc.
I love how you prettied-up an otherwise plain but brand-spank’in new piece! The drawers look so nice as do the label plates. Might as well use it from the start with something pleasing to the eye every time you organize. Great ideas!
Writing this morning at 8am PST while the house is deeply encased in coastal fog. Oh, how I wish it wouldn’t lift, so that we could keep cooler! Amazing snail trails and spider webs stretched across the yard, gilded with teeny-tiny droplets of moisture…like nets thrown out over something. Little wonders of nature. Hope your day today isn’t so hot but, ouch, I did read that you’ve still got a week to get through the oppressive heat/humidity. Darn.
I don’t think it’s going to last all week. Tomorrow will be in the mid-eighties and dryer. Thank goodness. We have to get out there and mow!
I know you’ll love your new iPad Claudia. I was gifted with a used one & it’s awesome. I sit in the same room with Carl when he watches a tv show I don’t care for and watch Netflix with earphones. Glad you both got the tempered glass for your phones, they will be worth the money. I have an iPhone 4 and I use a wallet type cover for it.
Thanks, Janie. I’m just now exploring it. It does pretty much what my phone does, but it is easier to read!
Welcome to iPad world…I think your eyes will really enjoy the larger screen! And an ‘air’ to boot…lucky girl! Love the details you added to your mini storage system…so you! ;)
Although Instagram looks too big on the iPad screen – I much prefer it phone-sized!
Such pretty papers – it is the little things!
Last night, I was watching an episode of ‘The Good Wife’ and I am pretty sure it was your husband playing a part. I did a double-take…thought to myself ‘why does that actor look so familiar?’ and then realized why.
Don did do an episode of Good Wife – with Michael J. Fox – in a courtroom scene.
I love my iPad and may I recommend this little Gizmo PREPARA – http://prepara.com/collections/all-products/products/iprep It is the most wonderful little stand for your new toy. Add the paprika app and your cooking will never be the same. My son the techno genius gave me both for B-day. He thought I would use the stand for recipes and cooking but I use it for everything! I read with the stand, and watched one entire season of Vampire Diaries lying in bed with the iPad on the nightstand. The Iprep can be found cheaper than on it’s home store.
I’ll check it out, Suzan. Thanks so much for the tip!
I love it…tech day with craft day! I love my old iPad… Shortly after my husband died, my daughter was going through the credit card statement for me, and exclaimed, “Mom, I think Dad bought you an iPad!” He and I had bought iPads for our daughters for Christmas, and he sneaked another one into the purchase for me. I felt so many complex emotions…this would be the last gift from my beloved husband. There was one HUGE problem…he used to hide my gifts in the garage. We searched all over, no iPad. The next morning, I got up very early, before 6 am (I didn’t get much sleep those early days of mourning…), and something led me to the exact hiding place in the garage. Even if I buy a new iPad, this old one will always be with me….his last physical gift to me.
You’re bring tears to my eyes, Wendy. That is such a lovely story and it’s clear how much your husband loved you. Hang on to that iPad, Wendy. He sent you a gift that you found just when you needed a reminder of his love.
Love the way you lined your drawers! I am the “tech person” at our house too, and that’s a stretch because I am not all that tech like ;-)
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Ha! Well, someone has to do it, Susan!
Claudia,
I love my iPad and could not do without it. I too am the techie one. I love your cabinet and the drawers and commend you on assembling it. I recently purchased Ikea’s utility cart that I noticed you have and that was a two-person job I swear even though I did it myself. In addition to being the techie one, I am also the assembler. Patience. Also, we in Central PA are experiencing the same weather, minus much rain.
Susan
I assembled that cart myself, as well! It wasn’t easy. I am the assembler, except for two person assembly, like the desk, and tech person.
I too am the tech person in this household. Setting up the pc’s and
activating the cell phones etc. We are an android family but I do have a bit of jelly towards your new iPad. You will love it, and Don was right, you would have kicked yourself if you had passed it up. That’s exciting.
Your IKEA cabinet is very nice and handy. What a way to organize all your mini matter.
Have a great day!
monica
It’s pretty cool, Monica. Everything – hopefully – in one place!
Very pretty! Have fun with the iPad.
Thank you, Regula. I hope to!
To Shanna and Vicki, above,,,, I just went to a smart phone this summer, and it TRULY was not that big of an adjustment. After about 5 minutes I was comfortable with it. And if I can do it… well, anyone can, I am sure!! I know I am not using it to its full capacity yet, but the phone use and the texting were super simple to adapt to in use! Congrats on the iPad. I bet it will be wonderful when you are on the road again!!
Glad you are getting a break in the weather. Our humidity has dropped a bit, and it really has helped. Love the papered drawers and labels! I don’t scrapbook either, but I do have a stash of the pretty papers I see and think I need ~~ and always seem to find ways and places where I can use it. Enjoy the remainder of the day!!
It’s still humid here, Chris, but…I’m afraid to say it in print…I think it’s going to be a lot better tomorrow.
You are lucky to have some techie Claudia…I rely on my son for that..Just enjoy your new iPad and don’t worry about it…worry will just take the fun out of it…I love what you did with the drawer unit..so bright and pretty!
techie knowledge that is…
xo
You’re right. Worry does take the fun out of it. Thanks, Nancy!
In the early 60’s my girlfriends and I would cut up our Glamor and Seventeen magazines and collage our shoe boxes. We had very colorful closets! I love the paper on the bottom of your drawers.
I remember doing that – maybe not with shoe boxes, but certainly with other boxes! Great memories!
Great idea for using the scrapbook paper. Looks really cute. I’ve lined practically EVERYTHING in my house. I have really nice scented bamboo drawer “paper” in my bedside table and armoire drawers. And I’ve bought “clearance” wallpaper rolls and packages of 12-inch square porcelain tiles on sale to line the drawers and cabinets in my kitchen and bath. The tiles work especially well for the vanity and kitchen sink cabinets and never need replacing. A snap to clean too – the tiles can be wiped well with just a hot soapy rag if they get grimy. And the wallpaper in the drawers can be removed, wiped clean, left to dry and then slid right back into their drawers. I always feel so virtuous after completing that job, and always a little guilty that it’s usually just once a year!
PS – have fun with all your new gadgets! Technology certainly is fun, there’s no doubt about it. I don’t think I’ll ever have an iPad though. I have a Mac laptop and an iPod and they cover my needs well, such as they are. I’m never “out in the world” wishing I had something sized in between the two of them. I use my iPod almost exclusively in my car. It’s plugged into the console’s USB port and lets me bring every CD I own with me wherever I go, which is great. And the iPod does almost everything the iPhone does, except actually make phone calls. And I use the phone so little I can’t justify the monthly service fee. My current cell phone is less than $20 a month, and that’s fine. My Mac is how I use the Internet, work on word processing projects [which I have a lot of], even watch some movies these days etc. I have heard from my family that the iPad is not very friendly when it comes to e-mail, word processing etc, so in my case I’m not missing anything. Next Mac I get will be a tad bigger though. I have the 13-inch Mac Book Pro and as soon as it arrived, I regretted not splurging $200 extra for the 15-inch screen. And that would have been just a little nicer for watching movies and videos, which I do a fair amount of now. 📱
Yes, I have a 13 inch screen, too, and I’d like the 15 inch screen. It was just too cost prohibitive when I was in need of a new laptop. The iPad seems to work very well with my email – no problems at all. I write the blog and anything WP on my laptop. I have an old iPod, but for me, the iPhone is better because I’m often away from home and when I am traveling, I can listen to my music on the phone and not have to have two gadgets. But now the music is on the iPad, too!
I am a big fan of iPads, and am on my second one. I have had the iPad Air for a year or so, and love it. I use it much more than my laptop, although there are a few work related things I can only do on my laptop. I hope you will enjoy your iPad. I really do think it’s the best gadget.
Yes, blogging and word processing will be done on my laptop, for sure!
You’ve managed to make some beautiful shelves. A simple things done with great ideas. A job well done. Enjoy your new iPad!
Thank you, Sydney.