Phone Fussing

Hello,

One of my friends had an older model IPhone that I could acquire, she said for nothing, but I am contemplating solutions that we could both feel good about. I had it in hand when I chatted with a guy at my current provider. He wanted to know the serial number of that phone, but I did not have a clue where that info might be. He was not bothered when I told him the name of the carrier for the phone when it had belonged to her.

Yesterday I learned, from my friend, where to find that information. As all things technical it is not so hard once you know how to do it. Today when I chatted with a representative of the company I was prepared to give her that number. However, she was insistent that the previous carrier did make a difference and it would not work. She was not interested in learning the serial number. Now I wonder was one of them wrong and if so which one? I have ten months of time left on that lost phone. Months that could be transferred to a compatible phone.

My friend also told me about another company that is pay as you go. With a quick check they learned that the phone is compatible if I buy a new SIM card. Now the question is, should I just assume that is money lost on my lost phone or should I buy a cheap flip phone and use that time? Or should I just go with this new company and stop thinking about it? It is one of those gray areas of life with no clear answer coming to me. I have to say that I am becoming much more comfortable living without a mobile phone.

 I certainly do not understand the compatibility of phones and companies. I am grateful that I better understand the compatibility of friends. What a gift friends are in life where compatibility and flexibility mesh.

Paula

Cleaning the Kitchen

Hello,

Leroy and I had been planning to take a three mile walk this morning, but woke to gloom and much moisture in the air. I went out to transplant some impatiens that I had kept over the winter. I had early broken off a number of small branches and they rooted nicely. I am looking forward to having them grow at a great rate. The next few days are to be quite warm so that should give them a boost. I also transplanted some coreopsis that were being crowded out. Hoping they like their new home and flourish. While I was working outside, more drops started to come down.

I next started some granola. At that point I asked Leroy if he would help me do a deep clean on the kitchen. He agreed. After moving out any moveable things he swept down the ceiling and the walls with a clean cloth on a sweeper that I once purchases for hard wood floors that we no longer have in our dwelling.

It was great to get all of these places clean. It was quite close to lunch time so we took a break for that. I am always surprised that Leroy does not do things my way when it is the most logical method. These days he even sticks up for himself, claiming that he has some sense. We have a great time working together, especially as long as we keep the tone light.

I will have to clean the inside of the cupboards on another day. Those I can do all on my own. Doing the ceiling bothers my neck after a while so I like to have him do that. I was amazed at how much dust we found behind and under things that are almost never moved. It was great to have help moving all of these things. It made for a lot of steps. I walked a half mile to the grocery store. Now I have almost 10,000 steps done.

Paula

Phone Decisions

Hello,

I have finally checked all the places where I shopped when I lost my phone. I was pleased that no one laughed at me when I asked if they had a flip phone in their lost and found. One place did have a flip phone that was months in their possession. Since mine was lost only a week and this one had a case it definitely was not mine. I have this feeling that it is somewhere close to the house or in the house. I will have to decide if I want to get another flip phone just to use the minutes that I just bought or just ignore them. I have had a reasonable offer on an IPhone 5. If I were Leroy I would be leaping on that immediately. He did not tell me to do that, but I could tell by the look on his face.

In some ways it is nice not to have a phone because I realize that I feel a bit freer. I do not even have to think about where it is, remember to take it with me, or make sure that it is not going to cause a disturbance if I get that random phone call in some place that should be quiet.

Last night Leroy and I, along with many people from our church went to “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor dream coat”. Leroy had to silence his phone, but I did not. We enjoyed the show. Makes me think we should get out more.

Today I delivered more of the neighbor hood newsletter so there is only a small amount left for Leroy to do. I got over a thousand steps even though I had forgotten to wear my counter some of the day. I will confess that is one trip I always make with a phone so if I need something I can call someone. So there are places that I definitely do want to have a phone.

Paula

Fitbit on, phone still gone

Hello,

I got a new battery for my Fitbit and it came right to life once more. It looks as if I sat around for the last three days, but I know that is not true. I have been moving because it is not just the device that makes me move. I bought a different company’s batteries so I am hoping that will improve the length of the charge.

It felt strange to drive to work, go shopping, and deliver some of the neighborhood newsletters without my phone beside me. Amazing how much I count on that small device to help me out if I need it. When did that dependence happen? Is it a life saver? Is it more important than God?

The other day I realized that I can lose things that I had never even heard of 20 years ago. That means I lived just fine for fifty years without them and did not truly think about their lack.

My new glasses are so thick that I cannot get clip-on’s to work on them when in the car. I am thankful that I got the transition lens even though I had read somewhere that that is a sign of old people, well, looking old is better than no sunglasses. Today while out shopping I thought to look for some sunglasses that would fit over my glasses. There was even a rack of marked down glasses. I found two that I liked, but could not decide between them. There was another woman there. I asked her what she thought was best. She told me her opinion which went with the most comfortable pair. Now I should be able to drive without squinting and trying to avoid the sun. I got my purchase at the self check. This particular pair of glasses was not marked down in price, but I know that customers move things around sometimes. I paid for them and left the store only to set off the alarm as I went through the exit door. Apparently these sunglasses had a security code on them. Because I had picked up the recite I was fine to leave.

Paula

Rhubarb and Screens

Hello,

Leroy and I planted some early crops in our new community garden spot. There were a lot of grass roots along with some rocks in there. Our volunteer who tiled had a hard job. Leroy lucked out by having his leg not be quite healed so someone else did it. While we were there I went over to the old garden spot which has a mountain of dirt on it. Last year we had transplanted some rhubarb there. It is growing nicely this year so I picked some of it because we never know when machines will came to tackle the mountain. Chances are good that the rhubarb will get run over in the process. We will try to transplant it once more. There was one arugula plant that was growing quite nicely the last time I looked at that garden. Even though it was going to seed already I picked quite a lot of it. The winter onions are also in great shape. The machines did not run over their home or they just could survive. At any rate I picked one of them and it was quite tasty. Some of them will be moved to the new garden spot. I am hoping that lamb’s quarters in a bit more time.

I like to take the screens off the windows for the winter. I like looking out the clear glass. It has gotten hot so suddenly. Both of us are hesitant to open the windows in the morning to let in the cool night air. I did put on two screens earlier and today we got out eight more. That leaves only two more to get out. I will also wash the windows before I get out the last two screens.

I try not to work on Sunday, but this was the exception for a while. Leroy helped too and that made it all move along faster than when I work alone.

Paula

Phone Lost

Hello,

I lost my phone sometime yesterday. It is not an expensive phone so that is not an issue, but inconvenience is an issue. All those phone numbers that are stored on there are now lost to me. I have a feeling I lost it from a jacket pocket that has a long slit so it is not really for storing things other than to perhaps warm a hand. Leroy and I have both looked in the car, I cleaned out my purse, we also both, standing in different places, called that number to no avail. I have lost my phone in the past. It was only after I replaced it that I found it between the car seat and the frame of the car. My plan is to wait at least a week before I say it is absolutely gone. Course Miriam and some others feel that this is the opportunity for me to update to a smart phone. I had planned to do that, but not just yet. How did we survive back in the day when a phone was just one in a house and securely attached to the wall?

My Fitbit has stopped working. It is just totally blank. I did not see a notification that the battery was low so I am wondering about what has happened there. I now remember that the battery two pack that I bought the last time had one battery that did not work. The company had told me they would send me a replacement. That battery never came so I am powerless. I really hesitate to go buy another battery in case it is the device that is not working rather than the battery.

Should I replace it with a zip or get a wrist type? I must think about the pros and cons. I was not sure that I wanted to have one on my wrist, but there are certainly some advantages. Such as not having it clipped to my pants where I cannot easily see it in public. Would it be more or less accurate? It seems that so many material purchases require a lot of decisions to be made. We are awash in choices.

Now if we could just figure some of these things out including what car to buy next we could just let the world go by.

Paula

Summer is here

Hello,

Summer is here, but it may be only for a day or two before some other change blows in. This morning the down comforter came off the bed, the duvet is washed along with the pillow shams. Both Leroy and I were too hot last night.

Even though my body would like more gradual changes, I know I should not complain. I saw a note from a friend who lives in Nigeria where the temperature was 110 F. That luxury, air conditioning, is not a part of their life. I now say, “Adjust body and get over it.”

The temperature in the house is fine; however I do know that some are running the air conditioning. Amazing that a short week or two ago we were getting snow with furnace function as a priority.

The blooming trees are showing forth their beauty. I like to go somewhere and be surprised by the display.

Since his skin cancer removal, Leroy has just now started to ride his bike to work. He seems quite pleased to be back in the saddle. I have not ridden my bike since last November or October.  Suspect my seat will be sore for a while when I do.

I am not sure why I did not go out today. It would have been nice to go down by the lake. Leroy tells me that the geese have hatched. I always enjoy seeing the babies.

Paula