Cell phones

While we have had cell phones for awhile, and use them for much of our calling (especially long distance), we have not yet given up our land line. Part of it is fear that we'll be without power for a few days and wouldn't be able to charge our cells; part of it is reluctance to share our private numbers with strangers (even though it's much harder to track a cell number); another part is that we have DSL, which is bundled with our land line. So we're really in no hurry to give it up, even though it does seem like a waste of $30 a month.

I realized today another reason for maintaining a land line. Most of us have people in our lives that we talk to incidentally. Here's a common scenario - you call your mom every Sunday, but every now and then, your dad answers; you end up having a great conversation with him instead - one you would have missed had you been able to reach your mom directly via her cell.

I noticed this today when I called my sister-in-law. I really wanted to talk to only her anyway, but I used to just call her house, not her cell. A nephew might answer, and I'd talk to him for a bit. Then my brother would get on the phone and talk for a bit. We didn't often talk about anything important enough to warrant separate phone calls, but we had connecting moments in the midst of our busy lives. I miss that.

Love you guys :)