Yellow

                                                                  

 my yellow countertop

I was not connected to the internet and did not know why. So, Tommy called provider. At some point I told him to get them to connect the new router they sent via Amazon or someone. He came today and had the job done quickly. He then spent time at the box outdoors. Now, we have 5G. Before, we had 2G and 5G. I have no idea what the deal was. Since I only got up from a nap because the tech arrived, I had no questions. 

Tommy told me the neighbor's roof was peeled back. I was shocked and went to the door to see. When the tech came and said he was going to the end of house, I asked him if he would go back far enough into the backyard and see if he could see roof damage. He could see no damage.

The weather guy said we only had 1/2 inch today. Amazing when it was supposed to be stormy and rainy. More will be coming. So far, I have not been aware of wind around here. I did notice that LA is rather clear of rain or any evidence of the hurricane when I look at a weather map. 

Last night, I went to bed before 2 am, early for me. Then, I slept only two hours and was wide awake. I think it was shortly before noon I could sleep. Then, I got up after the guy came, and was back in bed by 3:30 pm.. I awoke at 6 or so. This pattern leaves me less productive and frazzled. 

I had baked chicken, slaw, and green beans, a meal I love. Tommy had meatballs with spaghetti sauce over them, slaw, and green beans and an apple. Maybe he had potatoes and carrots. I will have an apple later. 

Maybe this malaise is part of recovery. I did get lots of clutter cleared from around my chair. Each time I left the room, I took something with me. I can really tell the difference in level of chaos. The table is visible!

Yesterday, I mentioned again this month about painting the kitchen. He just sort of agreed. Then, I showed him a paint sample card and said I thought this would be cheery and add light. It was Valspar 3011-1 Yellow Chimes. He thought that would be too much yellow on the walls. (I was thinking maybe brighter would be better.

In my house I had a yellow counter and yellow floors and loved both! The yellow floors had white sponge marks. I cannot stand a butter yellow, just the lemon yellow. You may not have liked my yellow counters! You can say so now and not disparage something right in my house.

Understand that would mean painting the cheap paneling. Before, he had become angry, saying it would look horrible to paint the paneling. Now, he is okay with painting paneling. This is a good development since the kitchen is so dark and dingy, even with one light fixture. Progress is slow around here. Three weeks ago, I left a note on woman's house next door, asking her to ask son about electrician. Nothing. 

The cleaner is set to come tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed. 

How is the tornado affecting your area? I hope no tornados.

Have you ever had someone take a message or leave a message and totally screw it up? 

Lowering Communications Costs AND Retaining Services

The cost of communications has gotten out of hand for many of us. I remember forty-years ago when I was stressed by a $12 telephone bill and could still get TV without a cable or antenna. For the last few months, I have been actively seeking cheaper sources for home phone, cell phone service, tv and internet.

*The first thing I did last year or the year before was to get an antenna. Now, it seems every month I get fewer channels. I am down to two channels that don't get religious channels, most of which are in Spanish some nights. Then, both of those two good channels had football games last Saturday. Aaaargh!

*I thought I was getting a cheaper cell service from ATT last year. But, no! It is higher because I have to pay for the phone monthly, besides the fee for the service. I am looking at PCMetro. I would have to pay $150 dollars left on the phone to leave ATT. Does anyone have or know anything about PCMetro? I need to beat $57/month ATT bill.

*Yesterday, I had internet service that was soooo slow for about $40/month. I switched and at midnight was receiving a faster and cheaper internet service--$10/month + taxes and fees, making the total about $15.

*Magic Jack works for the home phone at less than $3/month. Plus, the phone never rings. An email is sent to me. If it is not a 30 second message, I delete the call. I love it and the price. If I want the phone to ring, that is possible, too. It did ring for many months and then I must have sent the phone to email. Plus, you don't need a computer to access Magic Jack.

The phone does ring! You have to choose the email route.

 I am wary of calling any of the many phone numbers listed in various internet sites for Magic Jack. A friend who has used MJ for a long time gave me this number which is a legitimate number: 844-866-2442.

*Getting more channels or programs was the next project. I heard about Hulu for $5.99 and signed up for that. Today, I signed up for Amazon Prime, getting something similar to Netflix, not sure. I had to buy a $28 Roku box, which I did several weeks ago. The $99 charge will be put on exbf's credit card in one month. I have that long to pay him $99. I can do it with the savings on other communications' lower rates. Amazon Prime can be paid with $9.99 a month. (I think that price is correct.)

Additionally, Amazon Prime gives me free two-day shipping. I order little from Amazon and only do so when there is free shipping. This will make it easier to take advantage of cheap prices.

Immediately, I cancelled Hulu. Since I am in my first month, cancelling meant I did not have to pay that $5.99. Plus, with Hulu there is no contract and a person can cancel at anytime. Hulu was a great deal, but I think Amazon Prime is better. If you use this, can you tell me if it is worth the money for the programs you can access?

I am breathing a sigh of relief as my costs have been lessened by a little over $30/month today just with the addition of cheaper and faster internet. I have plans to increase my benefits on other programs. Stay tuned!

Your turn
Do you use Amazon Prime for free shipping? For streaming and getting programs? Do you use a Roku box? Hulu? Antenna? Do you, too, think the prices for communications are exorbitant? Do you have any opinions, good or bad or caveats, about any of these programs?

Today Was A Good Day; Today Was A Bad Day!

Today, Tuesday, was the first day I washed my hair and went out.  On Monday, I awoke for the first time since about the fifth of September and felt well. I piddled and went to WM for milk with ratty hair. It was not so dirty, combed, but had been so badly tangled I think I must have pulled half the hair off the back of my head. I need a satin pillowcase.

The Tuesday lunch was today. I could not eat the meatloaf (mammal meat) and did not like pinto beans. I gave away the cornbread to a ninety-two-year-old woman who thought mine looked better than hers. I did eat the mixed greens and chocolate cake and three glasses of unsweetened iced tea.  Dominique ate only part of what I gave her. But, she did give me an egg for which I thanked her.

As I stepped outside the church fellowship hall, the guy leaving at the same time told me to look up. The sky was the clearest blue ever, not murky or even a cloud in the sky--not even a little fluffy cloud.  From the heat in the car, I think it was in the high 80s today....just perfect.  At 6:30 pm it was 80 degrees, 38 days with no rain, humidity at 50%.

Two hours is all it took me to get my internet bill straightened out at the bank and at the corporate ATT. That exhausted me. I spent $5 at KFC getting the Tuesday Special and another meal of leftovers for Dominique. I asked a fellow diner if I could have her leftovers. She gladly gave them to me, saying her cat was picky and would not eat KFC.

Since I awoke too early with a nightmare, I feel a nap coming on and hurt all over. I sat up too long today.

There is a raccoon just waiting to be trapped.

Your turn
Did you have blue skies today? Pain?  Don't you love the first day you can get out after an illness that keeps you bed bound many days? Do you wear yourself out like I did?