Small spending spree

Well, of course my check was considerably less than I was counting on. Taxes ate a huge part. Plus I have more money going to insurance, medical savings account and retirement than ever before. Oh, well.

Still, it was a decent check. So I am going on a small spending spree. Nothing huge. 

Ordered a new camera to replace the one stolen. I did order a used one, so not quite so expensive but it is a newer model than the one I had before. Plus batteries and memory cards.

Ordered a sword for me and a surge protector.

For daughter I ordered an Android tablet computer. One she can take with her. She has had an Android and an Amazon tablet at her mother's for a couple of years now, which she is not allowed to take anywhere and has not been allowed to install video chat software. So this will be one she can take back and forth. I will install video chat software so she can video chat with me when she wants. Or with her girlfriends. I will install parental controls and different programs for her before giving it to her. I'll make sure the video software has parental controls so either I or her mother have to approve new video chat partners. The one I ordered has 16 GB of space, extendable with a memory card which I also ordered. Has two cameras and dual processors. First color choice was not in stock, so I think I ordered a non-obnoxious pink one. Not the greatest battery, only 4 hours run time. So I will have to impress on her how to charge it and turn it off when not in use. I will also test it a bit before giving it to her for that. It may come in handy for her for school and such. Can also load reference materials or books she wants. Maybe a few games. Gives her a little more freedom. Within safe limits.

It's a difference between her mother and myself. Her mother gives her something and then exerts extreme control over it. If I giver her something I give her more freedom. Am I afraid it may get broken or stolen? Yes. Does that mean extreme restriction is warranted? Not in my view. It is a fact of life that things get broken, things get stolen and mistakes get made. I trust my daughter and would much rather any of these things happen when adults are around (especially myself) so she learns how to deal with it. 

I think she has seen me deal with such things fairly gracefully in the past. Things have been stolen and I have gotten angry for a short time but got over it quickly. Things get broken and I usually shrug it off. Mistakes get made and I learn from it and move on. None of that means you lock yourself away.

Okay. Work is now over and it's my weekend! Yay!