Monday, November 30, 2009

Ring-A-Ling

Tis the season for the tinkle tinkle of bells. And ringing cell phones. Regarding cell phones, I resisted having one, fought it nail and tooth, but finally caved in a few years back when the kids got so busy with activities I couldn’t keep track of them anymore. It did make my life easier, although I once called my oldest daughter when I woke on a Sunday morning, sleepy-eyed at 3:00 a.m. and didn’t see her car out front. She picked up and in a gravelly voice said, “What?”

“Where are you? It’s three a.m.”

“I’m upstairs in bed, mom. Why the heck are you calling me?”

She was mad.

“Sorry.” I hung up before she could sting me with her sleepy words. I then peered out the front window again and spotted her car, winking in the moonlight. The bushes had obstructed the view. My eyes had been a bit blurry when I’d checked.

Okay, so first you go through the baby stage, waking at all hours to rock and feed the soft sweeties warm bottles. Then the toddler stage, when they are out of the crib and sometimes wander about the house at odd hours. I once found my front door open in the middle of the night, my OLDEST (once again)across the street in the neighbor’s bushes, sitting and staring at the stars. She was a sleepwalker.

After years of sleep deprivation, parents get a slight break, a reprieve to rest back up for those teenage years. As those of you with kids who drive know, you get very little shut eye until you’re sure they are safe at home in warm beds. Even when they do text or call, a mother still sleeps with one eye open until they’re home. Now the two oldest are out the door, living their own lives, and I don’t worry what time they get in, because if I did, I’d be a walking zombie. But our youngest will get her drivers license soon, and the hoopla will begin all over again.

Joy to the world.

But really, thank God for cell phones. They’ve saved me time and worry, but certainly not money. Really though, can you put a price tag on piece of mind? Just ask a mother.

Here’s another thing I like about cell phones: the ring tones. You can pick something totally original and annoying. My first ring tone was Michael Jackson’s, Thriller, which inspired me to break out in the moonwalk whenever someone called me. I did that once and got it out of my system. Because I like dancing way too much, I changed it. Let’s see, I’ve had Kiss From A Rose, by Seal, Don’t Stop Believing, by Journey and Clocks, by Coldplay.

I’ve recently come up with something new, mainly to entertain myself. If you can guess what it is, I’ll send you a little gift from Texas. No armadillo’s, I swear.

Here are two little clues in the song: COLD and STAY. Good luck!

Btw…what’s your ring tone?

12 comments:

  1. Hmmm...have to think about this one. Smell wood burnin'? My ring tone is the b-o-r-i-n-g standard default tone. I keep telling myself I have to sit down and take the time to get a good one.

    It took me a long time to convince the Wonder Husband of the benefits. Now he has it with him all the time. Loved the photo of the pupper!

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  2. the cell phone I had in university was great because it allowed me to record whatever ringtone I wanted. I didn't have to download anything. I chose 'Across the stars' from the Star Wars soundtrack.

    My mobile now won't let me record and I refuse to spend money on a ringtone so I have just one of the generic programmed tones they provide in the phone. I can't stand it but then I could never stand it when my phone range, even when I had 'Across the Stars' on it. I'm not a cell phone lover like you, Dorraine. I wish I was but I'm not.

    Jai

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  3. Same here Ronda. I had to convince my husband of the benefits regarding the kids. Nice guess on the ring tone. I'll hold out until the end of the week and announce a winner!

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  4. Good ring tone, Jai. I know what you mean about paying for those. That's why I've only had a few over the years and I keep them for a long, long time. And I'm no cell phone lover by any means. If I didn't have kids, I wouldn't have one. :)

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  5. Dorraine,

    I loved it that you called your daughter upstairs at three am, and her car was parked outside. We have good and bad about cell phones. It's convenient in case I get lost. That's the reason I have one. I miss calls, and I don't like talking with someone too long on phone, so I don't use it much. Email is best for me.

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  6. I have a ring tone of Bollywood film song 'tu hi meri shab hai subah hai' since last two years, I have tried to change it more then once,but failed as it reminds me of 'Usha' my wife at home. Song says "you are my dawn and dusk and day,you are time for me and I am an event of that time" isn't it lovely?There are so many ways to love somebody including ringtones.

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  7. Yeah, Keiko, she wasn't too charmed about me doing that. I ususally don't fall asleep until they're home, but that night I was super tired.

    Don't talk much on mine either, but boy when I need it, I'm thankful to have it around!

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  8. Sounds like a lovely ring tone you've chosen in honor of your wife. I'll bet she blushes every time your phone rings.:)

    Ha, you're like me with the ring tones, Dr. J. I'll keep one forever partly because I get attached to it, but partly because I'm too cheap to pay for another ring tone!

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  9. Great post. I'm dreading the driving years - still have a few to go. The boys are at great ages - 11 and 9; I get all my sleep and they still think I'm pretty smart. :)
    Ring tone = I was goingt to guess "Baby it's Cold Outside," but see it's already been offered. How about "Let it Snow"?
    I hope you're enjoying the most wonderful time of the year! Peace,
    Cindy.

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  10. Thanks, Cindy. Yeah, you're in those sleep years. Enjoy them while you can. It's very weird to see your kids drive off and think of them on the road. At some point you get used to it, but it takes awhile.

    Let it Snow...love that one! Mums the word until Saturday when I'll post the answer.:)

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  11. Now he has it with him all the time. Loved the photo of the pupper!

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