It is accomplished. I am the proud owner of iPad 2. No need for pronouns. It’s just iPad 2.
Last Thursday morning, I received an email informing me that after waiting 5 long weeks, iPad 2 was on the FedEx truck and out for delivery. I immediately sprang into action. Shower? Check! Note on door telling the FedEx man that I was indeed home and to please knock loudly and that if I didn’t answer, please see the package release form taped to the porch door? Check!
Then I was flummoxed. Did I risk going to the basement to fold laundry only to miss the FexEx man’s delicate rapping upon my door? Or did I simply confine my tasks for the day to within 8 feet of my front door so I would be ready to stop, drop and sign for iPad 2? It was a lot to think about at 9 a.m.
And at 10 a.m. And 11 a.m. And Noon. And 1 p.m.
Finally I had to face reality: waiting by the front door wasn’t going to make it show up any sooner. So I decided to tackle errands in other parts of the house.
And wouldn’t you know it, the minute I walk away was the minute he showed up. And did he, in fact, knock loudly as requested on my Post It note? I will never know because I never heard a thing. Only at around 2:30 did I peek out onto my front porch and see a smallish box, quietly waiting to be scooped up and loved.
Hello, you sexy beast.
I placed it next to the other iPad acoutrements and took this photo.
{cue choir of angels singing here}
Realizing I had but an hour before younger Zielskes with greasy hands would be clamoring to show their own special brand of love to iPad 2, I raced up to my office, plugged that sucker in, and got down to business.
{more angels, please. thank you.}
I spent the weekend loading up on apps and trying in earnest to justify in as many ways possible my purchase of this uber cool gadget.
I can save recipes on it!
I can read magazine on it and save countless numbers of trees!
I can play Scrabble with people I don’t know!
I can watch television!
I can take pictures of myself and do nutty things with them!
I can record videos as a talking cat!
I can check my email!
I…I… well I’m still working on this list.
Long story short, and in the words of that SNL cast member who does the killer Miley Cyrus impersonation: it’s pretty cool.
Make no mistake, I plan to make a scrapbook page about this experience very soon. In the meantime, you can find me playing “Words with Friends” and coming to the explosive and shocking realization that I zero mastery of the English language when placed into digital tile form.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s my turn and I’m going to play my next word, “Geek.”
Shawnnita's Inner Alfalfa says
Congrats! I’m waiting to lay my hands on one here in the Aussie Outback. You’ve made me a teensy bit jealous! LOL I can’t wait to get my fingers on one!
Enjoy!! xx
Nicole says
Congratulations on the new baby. I have the first generation and not as cool as yours I’m still completely in love with it. Another bonus….reading books in bed (kindle app)without a book light! LOVE IT! Don’t forget you can adjust the brightness of the screen for times like that so it’s not burning your eyeballs out at 2am when you can’t put a good book down.
Jackie says
Hilarious! I just received the iPad 1 as a “hand me down” from my husband after he got his iPad 2. LOVE it… Thrilled, overjoyed, etc etc. 🙂 Wasn’t really sure that I would enjoy it so much, but YES… I DOOOO! 🙂 So.. now we have iMac, check…, iPhones 4, check…kids iPods, check…Apple TV, check… and both versions of iPad! We’re in Apple heaven. LOL We’re definitely “iFreaks”. ENJOY!!!
Dorothy F says
I was one of the first to receive the IPad 2. I am just like you – don’t need it but LOVE IT. I am still learning all the things it can do, but in the meantime, try bird zapper. It is addictive.
Christa Paustenbaugh says
Um, jealous Party of 1 right over here. And how could I not want one even more after these fab photos?!! Must.order.soon.
dawn says
I love this post Cathy, you make everything so funny and honest. I can just picture you waiting by your door and keep checking out the window, love love it. So happy you got a new toy you will love and too bad you have to share it with the kids. Thanks for the laugh this early Monday morning.
Kendra B says
Saweeeet!!!!! Congrats!!!
mary says
it’s official. i’m drinking the kool-aid. now if i can only figure out how to wrangle out a desktop (the bigger the better, of course), and a new white iphone 4, I’ll be set.
Colleen says
Holy sweetness, Batman. *wiping drool off computer screen* Beautious! Yay for new toys – enjoy.
Tami says
I have been reading your fine blog on my iPad for about a month
Watch out for autocorrect
Ali says
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I have iPad – the original – and even though I am envious of iPad2 I still love iPad! And I will sign an affidavit for you attesting to the fact that it is way more than a gadget and now a very important part of my work flow!
CONGRATS!
Cheryl says
So. Envious. But very, very, happy for you!
amy isley says
Absolutely jealous!!
KathyinMN says
Uber cool is right! I love mine. Even have a coach bag it fits perfectly in. The DirectTV app is the way watching and controlling tv should be. Still researching apps…did buy a photography one called filter storm and am quickly learning. Good stuff. Justify? Not sure, but some seriously fun for sure.
c@rol w says
Yeaah… that’s why you bought it… so you could make videos of yourself as a talking cat. Doesn’t everyone want to do that? Come on, Cathy… admit it!!! lol You’re too funny this morning! By the way, if you do, will you post a video of it here? We gotta see that!
KathyinMN says
Oh how could I forget to add flipboard? That tool makes twitter and Facebook so much better, you’ll never go back to a normal feed.
Els says
Thanks for making me smile big 🙂 I loved this post!
Chris says
Love this post! Was smiling so much reading other’s geekiness — glad we’re not the only geeks around. Plus, I, too, have a mastery issue of English when it comes to WWF.
Dar says
My 75-year-old mom had lost interest in so many of her past hobbies. Then my brother bought her an iPad last year, and she’s not been the same. She learned how to play games, look up song lyrics, google info on her favorite actors, and watch grandkids in videos that family members in far away places send to her.
Those things are magic. Congratulations on yours!
Jenna says
The best thing in the scrabble word is Literati-http://www.wineverygame.com/wbg.php – my neighbor still skunks me every time though.
heidig says
Congrats! I’m completely jealous!
keianna says
Umm, an uber geek here because I stayed up and ordered on the first day and tracked my planes movement everyday, multiple times, for over a week. I love this thing and it has so many possibilities. My husband is anti-Apple and even he admits how cool it is. I got the white with the soft blu clever and an iPad case on Etsy to match 🙂 enjoy it.
Sarah says
SUPER COOL! I wouldn’t know what to do with such gadgets… I don’t even know how to change the ringer on my cell phone, which I rarely ever use.
BTW, Talking cat video is posted twice… appears to be both the same.
Shelley says
LOL!!!! this was so me waiting for my Verizon iPhone 🙂 except I had to wait an additional day b/c I ended up waiting and waiting and then the dog really had to go. As I came back and walked around the side of the building….there was the little brown man driving away 🙁
Tammy M. says
Jealous!! My hopes is to one day not only have an iPad but have an iMac…but until then I’ll just enjoy my happy and overly used iPod Touch…and I guess I haven’t lived yet since I have yet to be a talking cat ;-)…love ya Cathy!
Kathleen S. says
My granddaughter (2 1/2) was playing the cat this morning on her father’s iphone. Her fav was the glass of milk, followed by the burp. Again, and again, and again. I hope you have more self-control.
Carly says
Wahoo! I just bought an iPad 2 as well!
And, I too am thinking of every single reason possible to justify my purchase. When it comes down to it, the biggest reason is-
it’s so cool.
Have fun!
cathy says
I didnt even think of that, reading without a light! aw yeah! more justification!
cathy says
we are right there with you, and hoping to one day add iPhones to the mix too!
cathy says
Christa, I just got tired of being jealous too, and started figuring out ways to justify the purchase. Im glad I did, but still feeling marginally guilty. Im sure that will pass! LOL!
cathy says
I really did just hang out in the front room.
Sigh. Totally dweeb here!
cathy says
mmm. iKool-aid is tasty!
cathy says
Yep. Got that loaded on. Very fun to use!
cathy says
that is SO cool. : ) I should give one to my parents for Christmas! Hmmm.
cathy says
I need some ideas for a cute case. I have the smart cover, but you know… gotta have something cute. All ideas welcome!
cathy says
Honestly? It is the main reason I bought it. ; )
cathy says
hadnt heard of that. Will check it!
AngMomof3 says
THANK YOU for making me laugh on a Monday morning!!! The smug looks in your photos (hi-larious!) and the cat recording… really?
I’m totally jealous.
cathy says
Yeah, it pretty much is. : )
jesa says
I take my iPad everywhere with me it’s like a clothing accessory!! My husband surprised both my mother-in-law and myself on Christmas weekend as he went to purchase a charger for his own iPad. At that moment I never imagined how useful it would become. Now I can totally relate to your excitement. Love your cat clip!!
heather says
completely justified showing off Cathy! Unfortunately I will be one of the drooling masses cos there aint no way we could justify the expense at the moment 🙂 Enjoy xx
Shannon in WA says
I’m so excited for you!!!! If you’re using your iPad for recipes, you MUST get the Paprika app. It’s a little spendy for an app but well worth it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Jan B says
Oh, good grief – you crack me up. Okay. I’ll say it. I’m jealous. There.
On the other hand, we’re in the process of snazzing up the techyness of our house, too. We just purchased a 50″ plasma HD TV AND a blue ray DVD player AND today they’re coming to upgrade our DISH package to HD AND we’ll have a DVR!! Yay! So I totally GET the unrestrained excitement.
Hey! The DISH guy was supposed to call by noon and it’s 12:04. Gotta GO!
😛
cathy says
Yep. got it and working with it to add stuff in!
: )
cathy says
Nice! : ) We have our first big TV as well, and Dan managed to hook up the new Bose speakers and i swear, I have never truly SEEN television before now. Ha!
Terri Torrez says
I have the original. But last night when I was too tired to be productive, instead of watching tv, I sat in the recliner with my iPad and organized my web-clipped sketches in Evernote. I tagged them with number of photos and style. Next I plan to scan all the ones I’ve ripped from magazines so that I have them all in one place. But last night it was all about being productive when I was too tired to sit at my computer. And the night before, it was atbout being prductive at baseball practice, and in the doctor’s waiting room… You get the idea.
Angel Estes says
Ugh, JEALOUS! (in my best Napoleon Dynamite)
Enjoy! I’m counting down the days til my birthday when I shall have my own moment of truth and beauty as I open my new iPad2!!
Jess says
oh i love this 🙂 🙂 i would do the same dance by my front door if i was waiting for this pretty package.
Jewel says
My husband surprised us on Christmas day with an iPad for “the family.” I hear it is pretty cool but I wouldn’t know has he hasn’t had it out of hands very long for me to Play with all the cool features. He travels quite a bit and he takes it with him on all his trips. So much for “the family.” Think I will have to show him up and surprise myself with an iPad 2 for Mother’s Day!
elizabeth says
I have tied my ownership to an iPad to a specific running distance (aren’t you so proud of me) but as Matt has no such self-imposed craziness on him, I totally decided to get him one for his birthday last week. Out of the blue. He is usually the one that pulls of the giant birthday surprise and I get him grill tools, you get the idea. BUT! (and here’s where you’ll fall over) I went into Target with a portion of tax refund in hand thinking if they had the one I wanted for him it was meant to be. They did. No waiting for the Fed Ex man. Target in CHEYENNE of all places. Hee.
One more thing in this ridiculously long comment: I’ve decided people shouldn’t have to justify this glorious toy-like thing; children get toys they love all the time and don’t justify them. It’s OK to be a grownup with a toy you love : ) (Maybe by summer I can join you)
borcherding says
SSSOOOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS!!
Karen M. says
Don’t know if you or any of your family is a Civil War History fan, but the new iPad app that just came out on the Civil War is fabulous – even if you aren’t a history buff. It will be a day by day site for the next 4 years, with the headlines, pictures, journals battlefield maps, regarding that day back in 1861-1864. Wish I had something like that back in school – i9t really makes it come alive and you get an appreciation for the time.
JoAnn V. says
Cathy, I’m officially JEALOUS! I’ve been wanting one FOREVER, but being that my 4 year old AND 2 year old are already OBSESSED with my iPhone, I’m afraid my iPad would become an iJonah and iMalia. 🙁
Enjoy! I’m living vicariously through you! 🙂
Sara Lovell says
This post really made me smile! We got an iPad 2 last Thursday, and just got it ‘up and running’ on Saturday. I was thinking all weekend, “I must get a photo of me with it” – but a) it was never out of use, and b) I was having a make-up free gardening-type weekend, so sartorially my look did not go with my iPad! Then I saw your post today, and finally got round to taking my own photos. I have a 13 year old daughter, and prising it from her sticky little mitts has been the biggest challenge – I hope the forthcoming purchase of an iPhone (for her) might ease that a little! She downloaded that same talking cat app you have, and has been delighting us with it all weekend! The apps are so cool – I’m now on the lookout for any cool ones – perhaps you can share with your blog readers any good ones you find (before you develop your own 🙂
Incidently, the iPad was acquired by my DH in a ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’-type golden ticket scenario – he had to queue outside the Apple Store and see if he was one of the lucky few! I wish I’d been there to take a photo of that!
Jennifer Camplin says
fun….
Heidi says
ooh, congrats, Cathy! I would love one – do you have a Kindle as well? If you do, how do you like reading on the iPad compared to the Kindle?
Sharon says
I was very fortunate. I saw a news story the day before they went on sale saying iPad 2s would start being sold online in the wee hours of the morning. I wasn’t THAT crazy to lose my beauty sleep, though I did order one as soon as I got out of bed while the wait was only 5-7 days. For the next week I was saying to myself, “Pretty. Cool. Pretty cool.” I’ll have to check out the cat app.
cathy says
Ha! Imagine just walking in like that. So fun!
cathy says
Thats cool. I bet Cole would love that!
cathy says
I dont have a kindle, but I have the Kindle app! : )
cheryl says
Congradulations on getting your IPAD 2 I am going to have to rethink my ideas about the IPAD2!
Amber B says
Dear Cathy,
I really miss “Make a Page Mondays.”
That’s all!
Your Friend,
amber
🙂
grungedandy says
SOLD! LoL yeah I’ve wanted one for a while but I’ve decided to actually save up for it instead of just put it on my credit card like I normally do! I’ve just finally cleared it down to nothing!
I think I’ve got a few more months to go I intend to have it for my 40th B.Day so by Sep
enjoy & share your fav apps when you get a chance
seeya hugya *G*
Karen M. says
I have the Kindle – the iPad2 is nice as it has it’s own lit screen so you don’t need an additional lite at night like the Kindle. So my husband now has my Kindle and I use the iPad! And that’s not counting all the fun things the iPad does! 🙂
gypsy chaos says
Jealous? Yes.
Can I justify? No.
Is this incentive to FIND A JOB with at least my old salary so I CAN justify? Oh you better believe it!
…I got my younger son’s old iPod Touch when he decided to upgrade. Love it during commercials!
You did grab Camera+, right?
tena says
maybe I should just show my hubby your blog post as reason enough why I should have one too. tena
Leslie says
Lucky you! My DH was [] this close to putting down a deposit at Best Buy this weekend. Then daughter comes home today only to inform me that she learned in tech class today that ToysRus is selling them too. 😉
My favorite thing to do with the talking cat on my iPhone is to laugh! It’s just the cutest.
I’ll be happy to play words with friends with you!
toni from says
I am so jealous, I want one soooo bad. I am a huge mac fan. When I have money I am definitely getting one. Unfortunately the economy is not the best right now, but that’s okay, I know a job will come for both my hubby and myself.
Cindy Peterson says
I have i envy. Enjoy it, you role model, you! I will have to make due with my iphone – insert big heaving sigh here – and be glad I have that.
carol in seattle :) says
And this my friend is why I love you! Thanks for sharing your iPad love. I’m a WWF fanatic – giraffemom – come play me sometime! (I mean I like playing WWF, not that I’m some fantastic player!)
Melissa says
Cathy, you crack me up! Thanks for the best laugh of the day! Enjoy your new toy! My brother has one — my favorite feature is the piano. Love, love, love it!
athanasia-d says
i pad 2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i can’t w8 for mne too 😀
Adriane says
Your post gave me the chills. That is so awesome and wonderful!
Adriane says
Okay, so I don’t have an ipad (yet!) but I have a nook and I love my little case from Rogue Theory. My dream is to have a reason to buy an ipad case from them someday 😉
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RogueTheory
Kay Gregory-Clark says
Cathy, I am so envious I can’t stand it! I, too, am a wait-by-the-door kinda gal. I’m still in love with my Macbook Pro, after a year. Can’t even imagine what iPad 2 would do to me. Still can’t justify it, though, after just buying a great new camera. Maybe someday….
cathy says
oh, yes you should, Tena!
cathy says
cute cases!
cathy says
Believe me Kay, this took a while to justify. It really, really did. I basically said If i can pay for it with cash, and have no lingering bills to pay off, then I can afford it. I have this little rainy day fun that I basically emptied out. : )
cathy says
aw, Im sorry Amber! You know, I really did have the best of intentions with that. Never say never! : )
Angie Hall says
Whoo-hoo! Have fun with your iPad 2! Earlier this year, my hubby and I bought iPads, and when we heard about the new one, we were like, “Nuh-uh! how’d that happen? we just bought these a few weeks ago?!&7^*{]*!” Then our 8-year old Malcolm said, “Mom, Dad, you HAVE TO get the iPad 2! I mean, are Steve Jobs and me the only two people who get it? The iPad 1 is OLD!” Now, That’s a quote going in my PLife for this month.
Sharon Delman says
What apps are enjoying? Please share!
Stefanie says
SO many great educational apps for the kids. Elements, solar system, math board and spelling board, and the list goes on and on. NASA’s app is awesome too. Garage Band is so fun to play with and my 12 year old has already recorded some songs on it.
My kids are thrilled, their school recently announced that starting next year grades 5 and up will be “strongly encouraged” to bring one to school, and the following year it will be mandatory for every student, with special pricing from Apple through the school. Many schools in our city (Orange, CA) are adopting the same policy as the uses for school work are just exploding. So don’t worry about justifying, soon you’ll wonder how your family got along without one! 🙂
cathy says
So far, Scrabble and Words with Friends are my faves. : )
Stefanie says
BTW, what program were you using to write the words on in the photographs in this post? Too cute…
Leslie mclaughlin says
Love my iPad! Congrats on getting yours. I don’t know what we did without them!!!!
cathy says
It is called HollerGram, and its free.
Babz510 says
I was just about to ask this, thanks for the info!
Babz510 says
Maybe you could do a post of your favorite apps when you’ve had time to play around. I love learning about apps from other people. 😉
Loydene says
Why is it that the postman always rings twice, but UPS never even knocks?
cathy says
Too true!
heather says
thanks for making that status update about the paprika app. it has changed my life.
cathy says
It is so cool. So last night, I made a dish and then took a pic of it with my iPad and dropped it right into the recipe file for Paprika. Love that.
Kim says
You as a talking cat made me laugh out loud….thanks for that:)
Gina says
Just had to post that my iPad2 was finally delivered today…but I wasn’t there. The horror! I am going to drive to the FedEx facility tonight to pick it up. I’m not waiting until tomorrow…
I worked from home all last week, but I go into the office today and voila…
cathy says
I love that damned app!
cathy says
oh that is HORROR. See, that was my biggest fear. Enjoy it when you get it!
Christine says
Cathy, you always make me laugh! I love you.
Congrats on your new toy!!! I have the 1st Gen iPad and I am soooo envious!
Tanya Gilmartin says
damn! i am so Jealous!!
Jane says
Cathy – got my own iPad2 today – yippee
Fab anniversary present from my husband
Can I ask u – the large text on the screen – is that an app?
cathy says
Its an app called… oh crap, Holler gram! And have FUN with your ipad!