An ode to my Kindle...

For my 25th birthday, that was back in August, Jimmy and my parents got me a Kindle. It was one of those things that I really thought I would like, but wasn't 100% sure I'd be in love. But you know, something you might not buy for yourself, but would love as a gift.

So I tried it. I stopped using the library and putting my name on waiting lists, making numerous trips to get my books on hold; the only downside, those were free...I stopped buying books at the store; which those were a bit more expensive. And I started downloading my books. So 21st century :)

Well my friends, here I am, four months later and I'm madly in love. It's crazy how hard I've fallen for an electronic device. I will share with you the reasons this has occurred:

Convenience: this one really takes the cake on all the reasons why I love this. For example, say it's 7AM in the morning before I'm heading towards the bus...and wait...I finished my book last night--oh no! But never fear, as I'm standing my kitchen and pouring my coffee...I can search and even see Kindle's recommendations for books I would like, find it and DONE. It downloads super fast and I run out the door. No need to carry extra books, build drive time into my schedule...because I have a book.

Size: I carry this with me almost everywhere. Why? Because I'm impatient and it drives me crazy when I'm not doing something "efficient" or productive at all times. Oh, my hair stylist needs me to sit around with hair dye while she cuts someone else's hair...no need to catch up on gossip magazines, I will just pull my Kindle out and get right back into my book. Oh, the doctor/dentist is running late again and I'm stuck in the waiting room, no problem or need to read the silly magazines they provide- I'll just ready my book---why? Because I can easily just whip it out of my purse :)

Efficient: I think I covered that when I described no need for trips to the library, stalking the waiting list or heading to the book store. Done in my PJs, on the bus, in my bed, in the car--wherever you can get wireless internet. Awesome. I love efficiency.

Ok, so there you have it. The reasons I'm in love. It's just so perfect. And better yet, most all the books (even NY times best sellers) are way cheaper than an actual book because, well, you don't have the actual book- just the words. And I have also found some decent books for free!

Now there is one downside- it costs $$ every time you get a book (shocker...I know...haha...but they have to make $$ someway, right?). However, here's what I realized that is completely relevant to me and maybe not anyone else. Not leaving my house and running another errand that leads me to a Target or CostCo actually has saved us money! Because I just don't go there...so there are less unnecessary expenses from buying stuff along the way to get a book. Even Jimmy said "I'd rather see Amazon charges than Target, CostCo, Wal-Mart, CVS....etc". So there you have it.....my husband loves it too!

With that said, do you have a Kindle and love it? I know my friend Jennie does because we have already talked about our obsession :) If not, is it on your Christmas list???

PS Thanks to Jimmy and my mom for a GREAT present!!

When do you break down and buy a new one?

Two of the things that Jimmy and I were in need of when we bought our house were a washer and dryer. Luckily, we got a free washer from Carly, who had got if from Mike and Lindsay Carter, who had got it from the Gower's (for those of you that are thoroughly confused now...Lindsay Carter used to be Lindsay Gower, who yes, is Vanessa's older sister that is married to Jimmy's older brother. If you are thinking fast you will realize, yes- Vanessa's sister and I will be sister-in-laws. Still with me?) when they bought new ones. We got a dryer for $75 on Craigslist and called it a day. After having Evan install some new plumbing and hook up new Hot/Cold water pipes - we were in business and the residents of 5209 W 79th were able to do laundry.

Within the first week, water leaked all over the basement from the washer. We figured out it was from a hose that wasn't tightly fastened. Roger to the rescue (after Jimmy and Brittany attempted- now if you saw that you would really laugh) and problem solved. Next the knob on the washer falls off, but we can work with that and do.

Then comes the dryer issues. The latch thing that locks when you close the dryer door, well at some point that got messed up so the door doesn't latch. If the door isn't closed, the dryer obviously doesn't work. Then comes the cardboard that we shove in there to lock it in. That worked for a while. But at the beginning of the week I was doing my laundry and 60 minutes after I started the dryer and walked back downstairs, to my surprise I found an open dryer door and wet clothes. I figured it was a fluke and tried again. An hour or two later, back to finish up laundry. Still not dry, door popped open. This is obnoxious!! So I ask Jimmy to see if he can fix it. He walks back upstairs and informs me he fixed it. When I walk back down stairs, this is what I see:

Yeah...that whole duct tape thing is just not going to cut it for me. With that going on, I just figure it's a sign we need to buy a new one. Conveniently enough, I just finished paying my TV off that I bought from Best Buy when I moved into my condo with 18 months no interest. Is this the universe's sick way of letting me know that the expenses are never going to stop and that $100/month or so I was paying cannot be stashed into savings but needs to go to a new, energy efficient, front loading washer and dryer? I think so. But really, look how beautiful they are. If I decide to snatch some up this weekend, I just MIGHT start enjoying laundry. Probably not, but you never know!