Laptops and Mother’s Day

For those of you who haven’t already figured it out, we are poor. We’ve been poor for a couple years, since Master left his high paying job in the tech industry to pursue a career in real estate. That was a good plan, but sort of bad timing as the current economic crisis demonstrates.

Since he and CC broke up he has been forced to return to the regular workforce and has taken a job earning a little less than half of what he made previously. I also went back to work almost a year ago, and after my company went under I got a job working for a very large and well known company. I have been extremely fortunate. Still, together, Master and I earn almost what he made previously (without the added income that CC always brought in).

We have precious little extra cash. We pinch pennies. We save. We pay our bills barely, and occasionally get a night out, but that’s it. We don’t get television, though the net is a luxury we haven’t given up yet.  So, now that we are separating homes there is  a problem. There are things we are short on. Like furniture, dishes,  bedding etc. We need several basic things still, dishes being the most critical.

But, one little item I’ve really missed is a computer. My previous laptop took a lot of abuse from the little guy.  Over time the keyboard has become less and less functional and the battery stopped holding a charge. Finally, when I wasn’t looking he slammed the power brick down and broke it. It won’t power the laptop anymore.  This has been a great loss for me, because my computer is my lifeline.

For the last couple of months I’ve been borrowing a computer of CCs that belongs to her former company. I’ve greatedly appreciated it, though it hasn’t really been great, at least it was functional. But, as the time of her final departure from this house draws near (next week) she mentioned to me that she wants the computer back.  In light of this I told Master that I’d like to buy an inexpensive net book (which really should be fine for most of my computing needs). He said we were getting ahead financially and should be able to afford it.

Then, something happened. The extra money we thought we had went into reparing our car. Just like that we were back where we’ve been for ages, and where I guess we will stay. We likely will get our bills paid this month, or at least keep things turned on. But, that’s about it.  So, sad as I was, I knew I wouldn’t get my computer. Instead, I went to Master and told him I think we need to buy dishes and wait on everything else, including my computer.

Master thought about that and after a minute said, “You’d better read this, then.” I looked at the screen the was indicating on his computer and it was an email indicating that our new Lenovo computer had been shipped the day prior.  I’m sure my mouth dropped open in surprise and I said, “REALLY? Wow! … um… can we afford it?” He told me that yes, we could, he had ordered it before he fixed the car.

A few days later UPS indicated that it would be arriving, but of course as we both work long hours nobody was here to sign for it.  But, not wanting to wait for it I asked if it could be picked up. Master waited at UPS for three hours before the driver came back in and he was able to pick it up.  Three hours.  And now I have a new Lenovo Ideapad S10 which I am madly in love with.  It’s mine, and it’s what I’m typing this post on.

Does it mean anything? Only that he did something nice for me and made me really happy. Right now, that means an awful lot.

Then, of course, there is Mother’s day. I told Master previously he needed to give some thought to what the kids should do for CC. He said he didn’t think he could handle taking them to get presents for her. It made me sad, but I could understand it. I also told him to give some thought to what role he wanted me to have in Mother’s day, if any.

Well, he came through on both fronts. He helped the kids pick out pictures of themselves and put them in a special frame that spelled out, “We Love Mom.” I hear she loved it, though I wasn’t here for her to receive it.

For me they picked out a new large purse big enough to accomodate both my new computer and my planner that functions as my wallet as well as keeping me organized.  It will even hold extra things like my glasses and probably a pair of shoes so that I can switch them out at work.  I never thought I’d be excited about a giant purse, but I guess it means I’m a grownup after all. They also got me a travel mug which I’ve needed desperately since I keep spilling on myself trying to get out the door.

So, this isn’t a kinky story.  I just wanted to share something nice that happened to me, and how much I love Master.  It’s not all doom and gloom over here.  And today at least,  I’m happy.