Monday Morning Chit Chat - Downgraded Edition

Good morning! Did all of you have a good weekend?

My current cell phone developed some problems over the weekend. My phone was a slider, and the monitor part was only working when the phone was closed. When I slid it open to do anything with it, the monitor went dark. It was pretty difficult to see my phone book with a dark screen.

You know how most people upgrade their cell phones when ever their current phone develops a problem? Or just for the heck of it because they are bored with what they have?  Or just because they can get it for free with a contract extension? Well, I decided to downgrade my phone instead.

On an average day, I make and receive two or three calls, and occasionally I use the calculator feature or the alarm feature. That's all I ever do with my phone. I never used any of the other features on my phone, like the camera, texting, Bluetooth, or Internet.

I didn't want or need to buy a new phone with lots of features I won't use. And although I've never been with any provider other than my current one, I didn't want to commit to another two years with them just to get a free phone. So, I decided to downgrade to a very basic phone. It will allow text messaging (although we don't text; we have it disabled on our plan), it has speakerphone and it has fm radio if you have the headset plugged in. No more, no less.

Downgrading just made sense for my needs -- or lack thereof.  Shane downgraded to the same phone about a year ago when he got tired of paying good money two or three times a year for phones with unnecessary features that were destined to get ruined by the dust and grit on his job sites.  He goes through two or three phones a year because of his work conditions, so we just watch for them to go on sale and can sometimes pick them up for as little as $10 or $15 each.

Of course, switching my phone didn't take up my entire weekend. I also had a chance to try out our new grill a couple of times, and as usual, we spent time around the house cleaning, cooking, gardening and organizing. I guess I sound like a broken record when I write about our weekends, but working around the house is something Shane and I truly enjoy, especially when we don't have anything else planned. There's just something very relaxing about staying home and tending to things.

What is going on in your part of the world this week? I honestly don't know what the week will hold in store here. I think I should take a few minutes and at least rough in an idea of what I'd like to do this week. It doesn't have to be carved in stone or anything, but a basic idea sure helps to keep chaos from taking over.

Happy Monday! Have a good week!