Bunny Tales with Zeb: Episode 10: The Three Little Pigs
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the cautionary tale, “The Three Little Pigs.” One could say this is a long winded tale. *wink, wink*
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Jude is so amazing that she’s agreed to help me host a bunny adoption event every week on Bunny Tales with Zeb; that is, if she’s not too busy saving all the bunnies. This week, she sent me the most adorable bunny. Meet Galileo.
Galileo has soft obsidian fur, and he is such a cuddle bunny. He is new to Kribs for Kritters, but he is ready to go for adoption. If you want a lap bunny who loves to snuggle, then Galileo is the bun for you. Click the link if you’re interested in giving Galileo a FURever home. Contact Jude by clicking here.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Coffee Break Book Reviews: Ego is the Enemy
Do you love bold coffee? How about a good book? What if you could combine the two for a much needed break? Then, come enjoy some magic bean juice with me as I present Coffee Break Book Reviews.
If you enjoy reading books filled with authentic wisdom to help you grow, then you’ll love Ryan Holiday’s book, Ego is the Enemy.
Now, sit back, take a sip, and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Tune in next week for another episode of Coffee Break Book Reviews. If you’d like to read this book, click the link below.
TTFN… Ta Ta For Now!
Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ego-Enemy-Ryan...
Bunny Tales with Zeb: Episode 9: Little Red Riding Hood
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the timeless tale, “Little Red Riding Hood.” One could say the wolf has a tail of his own to spin. *wink, wink*
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Jude is so amazing that she’s agreed to help me host a bunny adoption event every week on Bunny Tales with Zeb; that is, if she’s not too busy saving all the bunnies. This week, she sent me the most adorable bonded pair of buns. Meet Griff and Brissa.
Griff and Brissa are an adventurous duo who love to indulge their curiosities. Griff is a dapper boy who adores his brunette bunny queen, Brissa. They’d make any family complete. If you’re interested in giving Griff and Brissa a FURever home, please contact Jude by clicking here.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
So, You Want to Be Successful? Maybe… Maybe Not
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
I get down in the dumps a lot… often… almost daily. This is because I have severe depression coupled with a whole lotta anxiety. One minute I can be quilling it and writing my best life, and seconds later, I can feel like I’m going no where, and my dreams are unattainable. It’s exhausting. I combat these blues by working in my garden, going on long walks with my dogs, reading great books, and talking with my hubby or super hero therapist. Even with all of these outlets, it’s still exhausting.
Perhaps, my depression stems from my fears of success… not that I will be successful. On the contrary, my fear is that I will never be successful enough. Then, my anxiety drop kicks me in the head, and I start spiraling into a scarcity complex. “What if I never publish a book in the traditional way? What if I never write another book? What if I’m just wasting my time, talent, and breath? What if….” It’s relentless.
A better question for me to ponder, instead of the incessant queries above, is what is my definition of success? Will I feel successful when I get a traditional book contract? Probably not. Will I feel successful when I have a cover reveal? Not really. Will I finally feel successful when I sell all the copies of the book I want to sell? I doubt it.
See, my definition of success isn’t really entwined in getting a book published. In fact, that’s a tiny part of the puzzle. I want to write great books. I want to touch minds and hearts with the flow of the words on the pages. I want my sentences to be living, breathing art that long out live me. I guess in the end, I want to be remembered.
Isn’t that really the point? What if the point of wanting to be successful is because I’m afraid of being forgotten, abandoned, not enough. What if all this work is to prove I am worth it, dang it? What if I’m looking at this picture with the wrong set of lenses? What if success isn’t really the point?
The more I contemplate this, the more I come to realize that I’m striving to be somebody great, but instead, I should strive to do something great. Not because it makes me popular. Not because it makes the crowd applaud my efforts. Not because it gives me credibility. Doing something great, regardless of the recognition… now, there’s a novel idea. An idea planted in my head by Ryan Holiday in the book Ego is the Enemy (which I’m reviewing on Monday).
So, where does this leave me? I’m not entirely certain. One thing I know for sure, I don’t want to stay stuck in this rut that is my misguided definition of success. Maybe the point of this post, dear reader, is to say I don’t have it all figured out. Maybe I never will. But… at least I’m trying.
An Open Letter to Those I Hurt in High School
I could start this post with excuses, and though I have many, that’s not what I want to write. Instead, I’d like to give an explanation and an apology that is long overdue.
When I was in high school, I was a broken and hurt individual. So much so that anyone I believed to be a threat to me became a target for my rage, and far too many people where threats to me. Truth be told, I was terribly insecure. (Who isn’t insecure in high school?) Yet, there was so much more going on.
As a young kid, I was sexually, physically, and mentally abused by someone close to me. When I became a teenager, I didn’t know how to deal with all the trauma, so I buried it deep, not knowing that what I buried I would cultivate in my life. So, I buried anger. I buried resentment. I buried pain. And those seeds blossomed into thorns of the worst kind. Thorns that killed me from the inside out and pierced anyone who got too close. This is not a new story. In fact, it’s an all too familiar one. Hurt people hurt people. But they don’t have to.
As a grown woman, I’ve learned to give the teenager within me grace. I’ve helped her heal and find safety, and in doing so, it’s time we both make peace with the pain we inflicted on others. So, if you fell victim to my vicious mouth, and if I made you feel as small as I felt, I am sorry. I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I’m so sorry that I used my words as weapons. I’m so sorry I deflected my pain onto you. I’m just so very sorry.
As this post comes to an end, I realize I may never reach the people I harmed in high school, and I have to be okay with that. Sometimes you don’t get a second chance to apologize. Instead, I hope I reach anyone who has ever been bullied or has bullied others. You don’t have to live in that painful past. You can move forward. Recognize what happened to you, admit it sucked, and become better than you were yesterday. It’s as simple and as difficult as that. Healing usually is.
Bunny Tales with Zeb: Episode 8: “The Water Sprite”
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the whimsical tale, “The Water Sprite.” One could say it’s a refreshing tale. *wink, wink*
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Jude is so amazing that she’s agreed to help me host a bunny adoption event every week on Bunny Tales with Zeb; that is, if she not too busy saving all the bunnies. This week, she sent me the sweetest bun who was one of 100 bunnies rescued from a SoCal park. Meet Dempsey.
Dempsey is such a fun loving boy, and he loves to play with his Slinky toy for fun. He also is precocious and loves to rearrange his blankets in his area, which is a sight to behold. Two of his favorite ways to receive love is to have his head rubbed and be given a hefty treat of fresh dandelions from your front yard. If you’re interested in giving Dempsey a FURever home, please contact Jude by clicking here.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Coffee Break Book Reviews: The White Star Truck Stop and Motor Lodge: Air Force One By Christopher Rector
Do you love bold coffee? How about a good book? What if you could combine the two for a much needed break? Then, come enjoy some magic bean juice with me as I present Coffee Break Book Reviews.
If you enjoy reading gritty books about post-apocalyptic America, then you’ll love Christopher Rector’s book, The White Star Truck Stop and Motor Lodge: Air Force One.
Now, sit back, take a sip, and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Tune in next week for another episode of Coffee Break Book Reviews. If you’d like to read this book, click the link below.
TTFN… Ta Ta For Now!
Buy the book by clicking here.
Bunny Tales with Zeb: Episode 7: “The Three Wishes”
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the humorous tale, “The Three Wishes.” One could say it’s a wish come true. *wink, wink*
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Jude is so amazing that she’s agreed to help me host a bunny adoption event every week on Bunny Tales with Zeb; that is, if she not too busy saving all the bunnies. This week, she sent me the sweetest bonded bunny pair that are available for adoption. Meet Alston and Blanchette.
Alston and Blanchette are a bonded pair and have to be adopted together. Blanchette is the larger bunny, and her loving blue eyes appear to be lined with eyeliner. Alston also has stunning blue eyes, and both bunnies are incredibly loving. They want to snuggle up and be pet all the live long day, which is not always the case with bunnies. If you’re interested in giving Alston and Blanchette a FURever home, please contact Jude by clicking here.
Update: Alston and Blanchette found their FURever home! Yay! Please check out the other bunnies up for adoption. 🐰💜🐰
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn… Stupid Thorn: #TruthThursday
Yesterday, I went on one of the greatest walks of all time with my husband and our dogs. We enjoyed the overcast sky, as the sun peeked through sporadically. The breeze knew exactly when to pick up and gently surround us. And don’t get me started on the tree lined streets and magnificent view of our neighborhood. I felt great. I felt strong. I felt like the pieces of my healthy life were finally coming together, and then I stepped on a thorn… like a real huge thorn.
We have agave plants in our back yard, and somehow, the tip of one of those suckers made its way in front of our garden. It has become my habit to water our garden when we come back from our daily walks, and so, that is what I was doing when the thorn pricked my flip flop and sank into the ball of my foot. Can you say, OUCH?
The Culprit!
Ouch!
My husband says this all sounds like a fairy tale gone bad. “Then, the maiden pricked her foot on the thorn and fell into a deep sleep for 100 years.” Hopefully, I’ll live happily ever after when this stupid puncture heals, but right now, I’m sitting on the couch, leg elevated, missing my beautiful walk from yesterday.
This morning, I tried to walk a bit, but the pain in my foot is no joke. I can’t believe a simple thorn can do such damage… but isn’t that just slap you in the face symbolic of life? Here you are going through your day, killing it, and feeling mighty, when some dumb old thorn punctures your bliss bubble, and you’re knocked on your rump, again. Typical. Right?
Though I know this is just an annoying setback, it still chaps my hide. I want to walk my dang dogs, but my stupid swollen foot screams every time I take a step. So, instead of putting on my walking shoes, I’ll just sit here, drink my coffee, and complain to you. Ha! Sounds about right. I know that if I can just be patient, and allow my foot to heal, I’ll be back on that beautiful walk in a few days. Now, if I can just tell that to my stubborn heart… that’d be great.
Coffee Break Book Reviews: The Reveal…
Do you love bold coffee? How about a good book? What if you could combine the two for a much needed break? Then, come enjoy some magic bean juice with me as I present Episode 4 of Coffee Break Book Reviews.
This week, I’m changing things up a bit. Instead of having a book review, I’m going to reveal the winner of my Twitter contest. Last Monday, I got this incredible idea (thanks Ryan Holiday) to ask the #WritingCommunity to enter a contest for the chance to have their book reviewed on Coffee Break Book Reviews, and after loads of entries… I have a winner! If you’d like to know which book won, click the video below. If your book did not get chosen, don’t fret. Next month, I’ll do another Twitter contest. This is such fun.
Now, sit back, take a sip, and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Tune in next week for another episode of Coffee Break Book Reviews. If you’d like to read this book alongside me, click the link below.
TTFN… Ta Ta For Now!
Buy the book by clicking here.
Bunny Tales with Zeb: “Beauty and the Beast”
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the timeless tale, “Beauty and the Beast.” One could say it’s a tale as old as time. *wink, wink*
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Jude is so amazing that she’s agreed to help me host a bunny adoption opportunity every week on Bunny Tales with Zeb; that is, if she isn’t too busy saving all the bunnies. This week, she sent me the sweetest bunny that’s available for adoption. Meet Bernstein the bunny.
Hello, my name is Bernstein.
I’m looking for my FURever home.
Bernstein is a French Angora mix, with loads of fluffy fur, compassionate eyes, and a soothing nature. Not only is this precious bun loving, he is in dire need of a FURever family. His mate just passed away, and he is incredibly lonely. If you’re interested in adopting Bernstein, please contact Jude by clicking here.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Coffee Break Book Reviews: Uninvited By Lysa Terkeurst
Do you love bold coffee? How about a good book? What if you could combine the two for a much needed break? Then, come enjoy some magic bean juice with me as I present Episode 3 of Coffee Break Book Reviews.
If you enjoy reading books about growing into a better version of yourself and loving who you were created to be, then, you’ll love Lysa Terkeurst’s book, Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely.
Now, sit back, take a sip, and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Tune in next week for another episode of Coffee Break Book Reviews. If there is a book you’d like me to review, please leave the title of the book in the comments below.
TTFN… Ta Ta For Now!
Buy the book by clicking here.
Bunny Tales with Zeb Episode 5: “Jack and the Beanstalk”
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking another journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the adventurous tale, “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Finding Peace in the Little Things: #ThankfulThursday
“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.”
The pinks and purples illuminate the gray clouds, and a symphony of song awakens the air from hidden birds in the trees. It is a new day with new opportunities. I breathe in the crisp air and allow the morning mist to kiss my face. This is my new normal, waking up before the sun rises and walking the dogs with my husband in order to watch the beginning of another day. It is majestic.
I’ve never been an early riser. In fact, I relished those moments where I could sleep in. I would moan and groan with each new morning, frustrated that I had to get up and begin the chaos of life, once again. The way I began my morning set the tone for the rest of my day. It’s no wonder that I always felt rushed and irritated.
So, what sparked this change? My husband and I were watching an interview with author and philosopher, Ryan Holiday, on the Glenn Beck Show. They discussed stoicism, our ever changing world, and how to find peace amid the chaos. One of the habits that both men swear by is waking up before the sun rises to meditate on the splendor of that moment: the beauty of a fresh start. I figured I would give it a shot.
For this entire week, my husband and I have welcomed in the sun. We hardly speak during this fifteen minute walk. Instead, we allow the splendid silence of renewal to envelope us. This week, I have felt more peace. This week, I have been more productive, and all this has occurred because I changed how I viewed my mornings.
So, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle observed, it is the little things that matter most.
Finding Emotional Endurance: #WiseWednesday
As I age, I’m realizing the only person I can control or change is myself. One of my go to responses when I’m stressed or frightened is fight or flight—most often fight. This has caused many relationships to crumble, including my first marriage. I don’t know about you, but I intend to have meaningful relationships with those I love. This means being vulnerable, which can lead me back toward that fight or flight cycle.
The solution I have found best when I feel the warning signals blaring within my body, is to take a step back and determine why I’m feeling that emotional response. If you also struggle in this area, follow these steps:
Acknowledge your feelings and don’t push past them too swiftly.
Feel the emotions and find the motivation behind them.
Remind yourself that there is nothing wrong with emotions, but you may also concede that having self control is proof of spiritual wisdom.
Finding the cause behind our feelings can lead to emotional endurance. I’d like to finish this life race well, and the only way I can see that happening is becoming prudent with my moods. My emotions tend to be more heightened than the average person. Probably, due to the fact that I am highly creative. Yet, this doesn’t mean I am unbalanced. Instead of allowing my emotions to dictate and control my circumstances, I wade through my sentiments, and in doing so, I honor the woman I was crafted to be.
You may call me emotional, dramatic, and passionate, and you’d be correct. I’m all of that and so much more. No longer will I apologize for my emotions, or allow others to diminish my worth because I feel too deeply.
Sorry, not sorry.
I am an Egomaniac: #TruthTuesday
There is a fine line between confidence and egomania, and I have come to realize that too often I stand on the side of ego. This is not the legacy I want to leave behind. Instead, I want to be known for my compassion and acts of servitude, but then I ask myself why? Why do I feel the need to be known at all? The answer is simple: I AM AN EGOMANIAC.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the first step to change bad habits is to admit the bad habit exists. That being said, I am quite aware that my ego is beyond my control, for the moment. In order to check myself before I wreck myself (wisdom from Ice Cube), I need practical tools. Enter the new book I’ve begun reading: Ego is the Enemy By Ryan Holiday.
Though I have only just begun this book, the first part of it has proven to be incredibly beneficial. So far, I’ve learned some practical information, which I know will help me grow into a more humble human being (and my husband is rejoicing). Below is a list of five truths I’ve learned thus far. Perhaps these facts will help you, as well.
Ego stops us from reaching our dreams and destinations.
To whatever I aspire to, ego is my enemy, and the path to ambition is a dangerous one.
Instead of allowing my work and goals to be driven by achievement and ego, I must be driven by a strong sense of purpose. Specifically, I must question my motives for wanting success.
The point of building self-esteem actually makes me weak because I am focused more on my accolades and talents then on improving myself.
”The ability to evaluate one’s own ability is the most important skill of all. Without it, improvement is impossible.”
Ryan Holiday should be given all of the mics in order to drop them all… wait, is that my ego trying to impose itself onto him. Yes, yes it is. *Face palm*
If you’d like to get a copy of this book, click the link above, or you can listen to it on Audible. Just click here to get a free 30 day trial. Say what?
Coffee Break Book Reviews Episode 2: The War That Saved My Life
Do you love bold coffee? How about a good book? What if you could combine the two for a much needed break? Then, come enjoy some magic bean juice with me as I present Episode 2 of Coffee Break Book Reviews.
If you enjoy reading books about World War II, surviving incredible odds, and a main character who refuses to give up, then, you’ll love Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s New York Times bestseller historical middle grade novel, The War That Saved My Life.
Now, sit back, take a sip, and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Tune in next week for another episode of Coffee Break Book Reviews. If there is a book you’d like me to review, please leave the title of the book in the comments below.
TTFN… Ta Ta For Now!
Bunny Tales with Zeb Episode 4: “The Sleeping Beauty”
Welcome back to Bunny Tales with Zeb. This week we’re taking a journey into classic fairytales. Please join us as we read the enchanting tale, “The Sleeping Beauty.”
We hope you enjoy this episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb.
How can you help?
If you’re inspired by our video and want to adopt your own bunny, click here. This bunny rescue, Kribs for Kritters, is based out of Lake Elsinore, California. If you don’t want to adopt, you can always financially gift this rescue. Jude, the lady in charge, has devoted her entire life to helping rabbits, and she’s incredibly generous and selfless. I’d love for her to be blessed for all of the sacrifices and dedication she gives to these sweet babies.
Tune in next week for another episode of Bunny Tales with Zeb. TTFN!
Ta Ta For Now!
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.
Victory Gardens: #ThankfulThursday
My husband is an observer, or a five on the Enneagram. He loves research, and ever since China had its first cases of COVID 19, he has been studying what we need to do to #flattenthecurve. There are days when I’ve had enough of COVID 19 data, but then I realize why my hubby is so focused on the stats: he loves me and wants to protect our family.
A couple of weeks ago, he started hearing rumblings of an impending food shortage, and now those rumblings have become echoes of a famine of Biblical proportions. Sure, these may be fear based news stories, but my husband’s research was on point with COVID 19, so I’m going to trust his gut on this one, too. #JustSaying…
Needless to say, we have planted a victory garden. I’m not sure if we will have success with our little plant babies or not, but it was a satisfying experience, all the same. We made planter boxes out of old pallets and cinder blocks we had from previous projects. With a little hard work, and loads of sweat, the fruit of our labor flourished.
Our backyard now has a suburban garden. Hopefully, we will yield a large harvest, so we can share our soil-filled successes with our neighbors, family, and friends. Whether there is a famine or not, I love the idea of being self-sustainable. Only time will tell.
As images of bustling basil plants and enormous eggplants fill my mind, it is well with my soul. My little garden gives me joy, and in these endless days of social distancing, I’ll take all joy I can get.
Little Sprout, Little Sprout, what are they feeding you? Little Sprout, Little Sprout, soak up the sun.
Herb… I think I shall dub thee, HERBert.
I Am a Plague to Technology: #TruthTuesday
Technology has never been my strong suit, but over the years, I have braved the trenches and powered through my tech disadvantages. Unfortunately, there have been many casualties along the way. Last week was one of the worst battles in my war with technology, and the losses were many. If you are squeamish, I suggest turning away. Okay, that’s actually hyperbole. It’s not that bad… or is it?
Last Wednesday:
In the afternoon, I was editing my YouTube video for my Coffee Break Book Reviews episode. I was almost done. All I had left was to add some music behind my audio because I don’t like hearing myself breathing as I talk. (I know I could snip out all of my breathing while editing the video, but that’s a lot of work, and I actually don’t like how choppy it makes the video appear.) So, I dragged down the song I was going to add to the background of my audio, when the unthinkable occurred.
Dun dun dun…
The video stopped playing and only the audio appeared. I had worked on this video for over five hours (not in the same day), and I legit had five minutes left before I exported it. Tragedy of tragedies. My breath caught in my throat. I stammered nonsensically as my eyes blinked back ugly tears.
“Babe,” I cried out to my husband. “I just messed up my video, and there is no back button. There is no back button on iMovie. Why is there no back button?”
He walked up the stairs at a snail’s pace, at least that’s what it felt like, and said the worst thing he could say to me.
“Calm down.”
Ugh, didn’t he know that life as I knew it was ending? Calm down! You calm down, Mister.
He then worked his techie magic, turned off the wifi, and restarted our Mac. Somehow his voodoo worked, and I was able to salvage my video. You would think that would be enough of a scare, right? Hold onto your pantaloons, dear reader, because I’m just getting started.
Last Thursday:
The next day, after working for three more hours on another video on my laptop, my twelve-year-old son needed to do his distance learning. My husband asked if our son could use my computer to get his school work done, since he (the hubby) had to get some work done. I agreed, helped my son get onto his Google Classroom, and I settled in on the couch to peruse Instagram. Fifteen minutes later, all chaos erupted in my semi-calm home.
“Mom, your computer screen just went black,” my son said.
“That’s weird. Did the low battery warning come on?” I asked him.
“Oh, yeah, that came on a long time ago,” he said in a nonchalant tone.
I stared at him for a second. “Well, then why didn’t you get the charger?”
He shrugged: the typical signal of pre-teen boredom.
I stood up, shaking my head for good measure, and proceeded to plug in my laptop. Nothing. The computer would not turn on. A slight panic arose in my heart. “What were you doing before the computer screen went black?”
“Watching a video?”
“What video?” I asked with a deep sigh.
He gave me the same pre-teen shrug as before.
“Sean…” I took another deep breath through flared nostrils. “What video did you click on?”
“The video my teacher linked to our Google Classroom.”
Absolute terror infiltrated my mind. Did he click on a virus? I had a lot of work on my laptop that I hadn’t backed up. (Yes, I know I should have backed it up… but… I’m lazy.)
“Um, I really hope you didn’t click on a virus. I have work I didn’t back up.”
“You should always back up your work,” he said, smirking with all his pre-teen judgment.
My right eye twitched. “You should… um… probably go… do some… silent reading.” My eye twitch must have been contagious because it developed in both of my eyes and trickled down toward my hands.
After another shrug from said pre-teen, he yawned and faced me. “When’s lunch?” he asked.
“Are you kidding me?” I practically barked. “First of all, it’s 9:30 in the morning, and you just ate breakfast an hour ago. Second of all, my computer is dead, and I need to figure this out, so I can get my work backed up.”
“It’s not my fault you didn’t back up your work,” he argued.
I legit had to count to ten. (Of course he was right, I should have backed up my work, but if he would have plugged my computer in when he got the low battery signal, we probably wouldn’t be in this mess.) Then, I did the best thing I could do. I walked away, albeit on shaky legs, but I walked away nonetheless.
Last Thursday (right before lunch):
After hours of attempting to recharge my computer, I made a decision to step away for a while and make lunch. I grabbed my Instant Pot, made a vegetable soup, and closed the lid on the pot to pressure cook the crud outta that soup. (I do this often because it makes the soup taste like it’s been simmering all day, when in actuality it’s done in twenty minutes. It’s a win for everyone.) Except something horrible happened. My Instant Pot wouldn’t build pressure. What in the world was going on?
At this point, I was about to run to my room, jump back in bed, and attempt to restart the day. Instead, I called for my husband, once more. With the speed of an ancient tortoise, he entered into the kitchen.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“The… Instant… Pot... won’t build… pressure,” I stammered in disbelief.
He began to laugh, like straight out laugh. “Well, aren’t you having a day?”
Yes, Einstein, I am having a day, I thought, and I was pretty certain that if I was a cartoon character, now would be the time when steam would blow out of my ears.
“Can you just fix the pot?” I asked through clenched teeth.
“Relax, it’s not that big of a deal,” he said.
RELAX. Relax… I loathe that word almost as much as I despise the phrase calm down. I inhaled a sharp breath, grabbed my huge soup pot from a cabinet, and poured the soup into it. A second later, I had the pot simmering on the stove.
“I’m going to take a bath,” I seethed, which is code for leave me the heck alone.
My husband nodded his head in response. Apparently he caught the drift, or perhaps the twitching in my eyes, hands, and now my face, was enough of a clue to help him realize I needed some space.
In the bath, I allowed myself to cry. I cried for my almost ruined video. I cried for my broke down lap top. I cried for my work that I may lose off of my hard drive. I cried for my pressure-less pressure cooker.
I cried. I cried. I cried… and then, I saw the absurdity of it all, and I laughed.
I laughed until my eyes crinkled at the sides. I laughed until I snorted. I laughed because sometimes that’s all you can do.
Today:
It’s been five days since I gave my technology the plague.
Yesterday, I went down to my district office and exchanged my dead laptop for a new one. The technician tried to charge my old laptop with a new chord, but it wouldn’t wake up. I had resigned myself to losing my work, and I was ready to redo the video I was working on.
Today, I got a call from another technician in my district. He said he was able to recharge my laptop. Apparently the charger was filled with some type of fruity liquid, and it went kaput. My laptop was dead because the battery had drained.
Tomorrow, I get to pick up my old laptop. My work is not lost, and, yes, dear reader, I plan on backing it up.
The moral of this story is two fold: first, always back up your work, and second, never allow your pre-teen to drink fruity liquids near your laptop or charger.
Oy vey!
