Sunday, March 6, 2011
living simply project
Wanna join me in Project:Simplify? Come roll up your sleeves and clear the clutter from the different “hot spots” in your homes. March 7th - April 8th. For five weeks, we’ll work together and tackle different areas of our homes. Be encouraged and inspired, knowing that there are other families around the world rolling up their sleeves and working alongside you!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
my NASCAR Ride Along
Today I did my NASCAR 3 Lap Ride Along that I bought back in December 2010 off of Living Social. I have always been a FAN of NASCAR and the idea of racing and going really fast sounds like such a blast...a complete THRILL!
Several years ago I went and saw an IMAX Film with Veronica, I believe it was called SPEED. It went thru several things like sky diving, and in one scene you were behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car. It was an awesome experience. I told Veronica, some day I am going to do that!!! Well, I checked into it, and the normal price is $500 for 1 Lap...ugh, that would be the BIGGEST waste of money ever and of course I told myself I couldn't do that. That wouldn't be a good use of my funds. I subscribe to Living Social, it is a website like Groupon, that emails you promotional specials for the day. In December they had one where you could purchase the NASCAR Ride Along which allows you 3 laps of riding in a NASCAR with a driver for $77. They also had the deal where you could purchase the NASCAR Drive Experience which allows you to experience 5 minutes of driving a NASCAR for $169. I couldn't believe it!!! The pricing was much more reasonable, but still a chunk of money. The deal was a 1-Day deal only, so I knew I couldn't just think about it for a few days, but with me being unemployed and not making money, I just wasn't sure what I should do. I decided after wanting to do this all my life, I would purchase them both and take the $246 out of savings!!! It was half off for both experiences and for more than one lap! I didn't schedule them for the Texas Motor Speedway until this week and with limited dates to choose from, I didn't have many options, but I decided to book the Ride Along first and the Drive Experience later in the year.
I am now going to describe to you my thoughts and experience:
My instructor told me to climb in with left foot first, right foot second, left shoulder and down under. That was simple enough. Then they strap you in...similar to a kids car seat. Strap between the legs, one over the lap and buckles over both shoulders and arms. Then this fence guard that gets put up for your "window". I was in the Ride Along Car about 6.45pm. My driver (yes, this really very cute young guy) asked me if I was ready...I said "Yes!". With that, we took off. No lurching, just stop to fast! As we came out of the pit stop, I tried to take a picture of what it looked like sitting in the shotgun seat, looking out the dashboard of the car to the track, but it was a blur and didn't turn out well (so I deleted it and will not post it here). When we took off, I was like "Oh yah, this is gonna be sooooooooooo much fun!!!" We got going really FAAASSSSST! Round bin one, accelerating even more down the side...you can't imagine what 170-180mph is until you experience it...believe me, it is an experience ALL ITS OWN! Now for bin two...and this is when my thoughts sort of took a new spin...this is when I am thinking "No way...he is going waaayyyyyyy to fast, there is no way we can go around this curve this fast...absolutely no, OH MY WORD!!! we are going so FAST". The feeling, a pull on your body as you head into the curve, the way the car totally handles the turn and doesn't flip and is totally smooth, awesome traction, the impact as you pull out of the curve and gain speed to head down the side-away...is weird! A totally Incredibly Awesome experience! Halfway thru bin two, my head started spinning...I could see clearly but it is almost like you feel dizzy, but it quickly passes. I took a deep breath...as I held on, gripping the inside side bar on the left side of the seat. We made it perfectly, pulled out down the other side of the track heading into Lap 2. My heart is racing...I really can't believe I am doing this...something I have wanted to do all my life! As we were headed into Lap 2, I wondered, could I do this Drive Experience in two months that I had booked? Could I truly do it??? I mean, it almost seems a bit scary to think of me driving that fast on the track...unsettling...but yet SOOOOOOO fun!!! Round 2 was more fun because I knew what to expect...or did I? The driver took to the far outside of the circle passing an open cockpit single person race car (pardon me, I donno the true name for these)...no we didn't just pass him, we flew by him like he wasn't hardly moving on the track...this was a whole new feeling. But I loved every minute of it and knew that Lap 3 was going to close in on me fast and my Ride Along was going to be over. Sure enough. It is 100% authentic! The smell of burning rubber...exhaust...the roar of the engine...What Fun!!! Absolutely a BLAST! We pull into our pit stop and the instructor asked me how it was...I said "Absolutely Awesome, I've wanted to do this my entire life!!!" He laughed. It truly was an Incredible experience.
I didn't think to find out how fast we actually went until I left the Texas Motor Speedway. I am going to try to call on Monday and get the stats. :)
Here are the pictures I took of the Race Car that I got to do my ride along in (I'll try to scan in the photo they took of me later):
Several years ago I went and saw an IMAX Film with Veronica, I believe it was called SPEED. It went thru several things like sky diving, and in one scene you were behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car. It was an awesome experience. I told Veronica, some day I am going to do that!!! Well, I checked into it, and the normal price is $500 for 1 Lap...ugh, that would be the BIGGEST waste of money ever and of course I told myself I couldn't do that. That wouldn't be a good use of my funds. I subscribe to Living Social, it is a website like Groupon, that emails you promotional specials for the day. In December they had one where you could purchase the NASCAR Ride Along which allows you 3 laps of riding in a NASCAR with a driver for $77. They also had the deal where you could purchase the NASCAR Drive Experience which allows you to experience 5 minutes of driving a NASCAR for $169. I couldn't believe it!!! The pricing was much more reasonable, but still a chunk of money. The deal was a 1-Day deal only, so I knew I couldn't just think about it for a few days, but with me being unemployed and not making money, I just wasn't sure what I should do. I decided after wanting to do this all my life, I would purchase them both and take the $246 out of savings!!! It was half off for both experiences and for more than one lap! I didn't schedule them for the Texas Motor Speedway until this week and with limited dates to choose from, I didn't have many options, but I decided to book the Ride Along first and the Drive Experience later in the year.
I am now going to describe to you my thoughts and experience:
My instructor told me to climb in with left foot first, right foot second, left shoulder and down under. That was simple enough. Then they strap you in...similar to a kids car seat. Strap between the legs, one over the lap and buckles over both shoulders and arms. Then this fence guard that gets put up for your "window". I was in the Ride Along Car about 6.45pm. My driver (yes, this really very cute young guy) asked me if I was ready...I said "Yes!". With that, we took off. No lurching, just stop to fast! As we came out of the pit stop, I tried to take a picture of what it looked like sitting in the shotgun seat, looking out the dashboard of the car to the track, but it was a blur and didn't turn out well (so I deleted it and will not post it here). When we took off, I was like "Oh yah, this is gonna be sooooooooooo much fun!!!" We got going really FAAASSSSST! Round bin one, accelerating even more down the side...you can't imagine what 170-180mph is until you experience it...believe me, it is an experience ALL ITS OWN! Now for bin two...and this is when my thoughts sort of took a new spin...this is when I am thinking "No way...he is going waaayyyyyyy to fast, there is no way we can go around this curve this fast...absolutely no, OH MY WORD!!! we are going so FAST". The feeling, a pull on your body as you head into the curve, the way the car totally handles the turn and doesn't flip and is totally smooth, awesome traction, the impact as you pull out of the curve and gain speed to head down the side-away...is weird! A totally Incredibly Awesome experience! Halfway thru bin two, my head started spinning...I could see clearly but it is almost like you feel dizzy, but it quickly passes. I took a deep breath...as I held on, gripping the inside side bar on the left side of the seat. We made it perfectly, pulled out down the other side of the track heading into Lap 2. My heart is racing...I really can't believe I am doing this...something I have wanted to do all my life! As we were headed into Lap 2, I wondered, could I do this Drive Experience in two months that I had booked? Could I truly do it??? I mean, it almost seems a bit scary to think of me driving that fast on the track...unsettling...but yet SOOOOOOO fun!!! Round 2 was more fun because I knew what to expect...or did I? The driver took to the far outside of the circle passing an open cockpit single person race car (pardon me, I donno the true name for these)...no we didn't just pass him, we flew by him like he wasn't hardly moving on the track...this was a whole new feeling. But I loved every minute of it and knew that Lap 3 was going to close in on me fast and my Ride Along was going to be over. Sure enough. It is 100% authentic! The smell of burning rubber...exhaust...the roar of the engine...What Fun!!! Absolutely a BLAST! We pull into our pit stop and the instructor asked me how it was...I said "Absolutely Awesome, I've wanted to do this my entire life!!!" He laughed. It truly was an Incredible experience.
I didn't think to find out how fast we actually went until I left the Texas Motor Speedway. I am going to try to call on Monday and get the stats. :)
Here are the pictures I took of the Race Car that I got to do my ride along in (I'll try to scan in the photo they took of me later):
 |
| My Ride Along Car |
 |
| rear view of My Ride Along Car |
 |
| Thats the Ride Along Car flying around the track! ...an absolute total BLURRRRR - ZOOM!!! |
After the ride along experience, you get to take your picture out by a race car...not in your suit and helmet and not with the car you drove in, but the 5x7 was included in my package and is a nice memory to have. I have the photo and plan to frame it or put it in my scrapbook. The first picture they took of me wasn't saved to their camera memory card, so they had to redo it...because of the "inconvenience out in the cold, we are giving you a hat". I got a bright pink "Racin' Chick" ball cap! :)
So you ready for your turn??? Come On! I will race you on May 13th (that is my scheduled NASCAR Drive Experience date). Wanna go??? There is nothing like the NASCAR Racing Experience!!! See you at the track!
So you ready for your turn??? Come On! I will race you on May 13th (that is my scheduled NASCAR Drive Experience date). Wanna go??? There is nothing like the NASCAR Racing Experience!!! See you at the track!
Quotes
Your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions, the choices you make, and the promises you keep. Hold strongly to your principles and refuse to follow the currents of convenience. What you say and do defines who you are, and who you are…you are forever.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
2nd Mortgage...[gone]
Today was an exciting day!!! I moved into my house the first weekend in March 2007, 4 years ago. I had dreams of paying my house off in 7 years...that may or may not happen in light of life's turn of events, but I am one step closer to that.......BECAUSE...I paid off my 2nd Mortgage on my casa!!! Yup...MORE DEBT SNOWBALL for me!!! I called the credit union, got the final payoff quote, wrote the check, and mailed it. I didn't end up having to pay out any additional taxes for 2010, so I took the extra I had set aside for that and applied it to a good cause. It is a very good feeling...even if it was the smaller of the two loans and by comparison only only a 5th of the 1st loan, it is progress and I am HAPPY.
Live Like NoOne Else so later You Can Live Like NoOne Else!
Live Like NoOne Else so later You Can Live Like NoOne Else!
Monday, February 28, 2011
CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!
I love The Container Store...it is very hard to contain yourself in there though. :) They are having a Tax Time Essentials Giveaway! Check it out.
Quotes
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
- Robert Louis Stevenson
- Robert Louis Stevenson
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Self-Defense Course
Yesterday, I completed a Self-Defense Course that I took with two of my girlfriends, Michelle and Judy. I want to share some things with you, because I believe safety in today's world is very important.
I had never really thought about taking a course until last November 2010 a lady in my networking group told a story how she was followed in her car on the freeway all the way from her job in Dallas to her home in Fort Worth. The experience she relayed made me realize, what would I do in a situation like that??? I didn't know. She knew a guy that taught Self-Defense Courses and she contacted him. He gave her some tips and she shared them with us.
Michelle had told me about this class offered in my local community and I opted to take it with her and Judy joined us when I told her about it. Our instructor is a Christian, has been a Police Officer for 30 years and has a Black Belt in Marshall arts. He currently works in the Crime Scene Investigator Department with the Fort Worth Police Department. He teaches Criminal Justice at a local college, Self Defense and Sign Language Courses at the Burleson Community Center. I want to share a few safety tips that he stressed in the 1st class, some things you may already know, some that you may just need to be reminded of:
- Prepare the best you can for situations
- Don't have a false sense of security
- Lock the Doors
- Have a Cell Phone
- Keep distance between vehicles (so you can maneuver out of a situation if needed), enough that you can see their complete tires on the pavement or as they teach you in California Drivers Ed so that you can draw a wide white line at a stop sign between you and the car in front of you
- Don't play road rage
- If followed make 4 right hand turns
- Park as close to where you are going
- If an unmarked car tries to pull you over, don't stop, call 911 - if its really a Policeman/Policewoman their buds will be there within seconds once you call
- Use lots of lights
- Mini-blinds turn towards the window so that the inside slat is "up"
- Have a dog, if you don't want a dog, have a dog bowl and chain to make it look like one is inside
- Have a pair of men's boots sitting on the front porch
- Keep your car alarm key-chain next to your bed to set-off if needed
- You can always pretend to be talking to someone on the phone, they won't know the difference
- Don't be out late at night
Recommended Reading by our Instructor:
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker
The Evil That Men Do by Stephen G Michaud and Roy Hazlewood
Here are a couple videos you need to watch also:
Video 1 and Video 2 of Jeff McKissack (they guy that I spoke of in the first paragraph) in an interview with a local DFW TV Show. Jeff also has a website and blog for his business, Defense by Design, if you wish to check it out and learn more tips.
This one is called Chin Na (Seize and Control) and shows a few of the things we learned and some other techniques that are taught in Marshall arts classes. Notice how little effort is used and how much pain is inflicted.
Charlie came and spoke as the spot light speaker at Cowtown Netweavers, the networking group that I am a Board Member on, two weeks ago. He gave an excellent presentation that everyone appreciated. His experience gives more creditability to statistics that are hard to fathom.
I highly recommend you take a class like this. This one is only $35 and is done over a 4 week period. You can go on and learn much more in any Marshall arts class, but this will at least give you some basic understanding of how to conduct yourself in some common positions people end up in...here is hoping that it never happens to you!
Please write me if you want more information. I highly recommend the instructor we had!
I had never really thought about taking a course until last November 2010 a lady in my networking group told a story how she was followed in her car on the freeway all the way from her job in Dallas to her home in Fort Worth. The experience she relayed made me realize, what would I do in a situation like that??? I didn't know. She knew a guy that taught Self-Defense Courses and she contacted him. He gave her some tips and she shared them with us.
Michelle had told me about this class offered in my local community and I opted to take it with her and Judy joined us when I told her about it. Our instructor is a Christian, has been a Police Officer for 30 years and has a Black Belt in Marshall arts. He currently works in the Crime Scene Investigator Department with the Fort Worth Police Department. He teaches Criminal Justice at a local college, Self Defense and Sign Language Courses at the Burleson Community Center. I want to share a few safety tips that he stressed in the 1st class, some things you may already know, some that you may just need to be reminded of:
- Prepare the best you can for situations
- Don't have a false sense of security
- Lock the Doors
- Have a Cell Phone
- Keep distance between vehicles (so you can maneuver out of a situation if needed), enough that you can see their complete tires on the pavement or as they teach you in California Drivers Ed so that you can draw a wide white line at a stop sign between you and the car in front of you
- Don't play road rage
- If followed make 4 right hand turns
- Park as close to where you are going
- If an unmarked car tries to pull you over, don't stop, call 911 - if its really a Policeman/Policewoman their buds will be there within seconds once you call
- Use lots of lights
- Mini-blinds turn towards the window so that the inside slat is "up"
- Have a dog, if you don't want a dog, have a dog bowl and chain to make it look like one is inside
- Have a pair of men's boots sitting on the front porch
- Keep your car alarm key-chain next to your bed to set-off if needed
- You can always pretend to be talking to someone on the phone, they won't know the difference
- Don't be out late at night
Recommended Reading by our Instructor:
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker
The Evil That Men Do by Stephen G Michaud and Roy Hazlewood
Here are a couple videos you need to watch also:
Video 1 and Video 2 of Jeff McKissack (they guy that I spoke of in the first paragraph) in an interview with a local DFW TV Show. Jeff also has a website and blog for his business, Defense by Design, if you wish to check it out and learn more tips.
This one is called Chin Na (Seize and Control) and shows a few of the things we learned and some other techniques that are taught in Marshall arts classes. Notice how little effort is used and how much pain is inflicted.
Charlie came and spoke as the spot light speaker at Cowtown Netweavers, the networking group that I am a Board Member on, two weeks ago. He gave an excellent presentation that everyone appreciated. His experience gives more creditability to statistics that are hard to fathom.
I highly recommend you take a class like this. This one is only $35 and is done over a 4 week period. You can go on and learn much more in any Marshall arts class, but this will at least give you some basic understanding of how to conduct yourself in some common positions people end up in...here is hoping that it never happens to you!
Please write me if you want more information. I highly recommend the instructor we had!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
saying the word NO...
In my quest for a simple life, I am starting in one area with the word No. I will add back as I see fit, for now, there is lots of "NO's".
NO, I am not going to follow your blog anymore. It is not pertinent to improving my life. In fact, I think it might be making me more frustrated as another thing to have to read/follow. It also may be creating a lack of contentment in me because you portray everything so perfect in your life, and somehow, I don't believe it is.
NO, I am not going to sign up for your emails/coupons, in fact I am going to unsubscribe from tons. If I need a coupon, I will look for it. If I haven't shopped your store in a year, I don't need your sales ads.
NO, I can't help you with that project. I have too many of my own unfinished and somehow that needs to be a priority to finish what I have started.
NO, I don't want to try this new diet. Yes, I want to loose weight, but not at the expense of buying into some makeover DREAM.
NO, I am not going shopping at this new fabulous store you found.
NO, I am not buying the latest book of my favorite author...I haven't read the last few that have come out.
NO, I am not going to check out this latest product that you think is a must have for me.
NO, I don't need that herb/medicine, I don't want a million more things to have around and I don't want to have to define if it "really works" for me.
NO, I am not reading this book you think I must read.
NO, I don't want your magazine.
NO, I am not making soap and other products from home, even though you think I should.
NO, I am not staying up late at your house even though you invited me over.
NO, I am not coming out to this function, I am exhausted.
NO, I am not. I said NO.
NO, I am not going to follow your blog anymore. It is not pertinent to improving my life. In fact, I think it might be making me more frustrated as another thing to have to read/follow. It also may be creating a lack of contentment in me because you portray everything so perfect in your life, and somehow, I don't believe it is.
NO, I am not going to sign up for your emails/coupons, in fact I am going to unsubscribe from tons. If I need a coupon, I will look for it. If I haven't shopped your store in a year, I don't need your sales ads.
NO, I can't help you with that project. I have too many of my own unfinished and somehow that needs to be a priority to finish what I have started.
NO, I don't want to try this new diet. Yes, I want to loose weight, but not at the expense of buying into some makeover DREAM.
NO, I am not going shopping at this new fabulous store you found.
NO, I am not buying the latest book of my favorite author...I haven't read the last few that have come out.
NO, I am not going to check out this latest product that you think is a must have for me.
NO, I don't need that herb/medicine, I don't want a million more things to have around and I don't want to have to define if it "really works" for me.
NO, I am not reading this book you think I must read.
NO, I don't want your magazine.
NO, I am not making soap and other products from home, even though you think I should.
NO, I am not staying up late at your house even though you invited me over.
NO, I am not coming out to this function, I am exhausted.
NO, I am not. I said NO.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
[cell phone]
I got my first cell phone many years ago thru the mail from a Nokia direct mail marketing campaign. It was a great phone. I didn't use it very much, I had it for "emergencies", the "what if" someone needed to get ahold of me. With time, that changed. My cell phone became a major part of my life! I had a home phone, but didn't use it, only to fax. I loved to text message and I became a heavy texter. I message you before I call you. If you are busy, I don't want to bother you. If I have a question, you can respond when you have time. If I am running late, I let you know. It is perfect for me. There are times, I must admit that it would have taken less time just to call you after we messaged back and forth so long, but that isn't fequently. When I moved to my new place March 2007, I opted for no home phone. I worked full time, having only a cell phone made the most sense. I always have my phone with me. I only left it at home twice in the time I had it...and that of course was on accident. I love having a cell phone!
I upgraded to a "smart phone" the middle of January, buying one off of someone who went back to another provider and wasn't using the phone they had purchased. I got a DROID Incredible for a SWEET deal, $50!!! But it has taken LOTS of getting used to. I previously had an enV3, normal phone with the flip open qwerty keyboard with punchable keys. Switching to 100% touch has been a bit of a difficulty to me...almost a nightmare at times. Truely, you may think me crazy, but it has. It has the option for speaking my message into it and it converting it to text. It works 50% of the time...the other 50% it is 100% WRONG! I have tried speaking slower, speaking faster, holding the phone very close, holding it far away, talking softer, talking louder, giving more pauses...I have tried all and am left to think that it just doesn't like my voice. So far, I have not figured out what makes it work accurately sometimes and other times be so far off the map on what I said that it makes me just shake my head. Regardless, there are things I love about it, the #1 being I have access to my email now 24/7 and when I am gone all day at client's offices and networking and doing meetings and errands, I am always plugged in. I had been worried that this "plugged in" status would be hard to control, I haven't found that to be the case. When I want to be working and not bothered, it goes on silent. When I am too busy to read the emails, I just don't. There are still things I am figuring out and adjusting to. And I still miss my qwerty keyboard, one that I could fly on, literally! I was a fast texter, I no longer am. My fingers forever are not "touching" the right keys or this phone is forever trying to guess what I mean and I have added words to the dictionary on it when I meant to hit the X for wrong word. Ugh...the joys of learning something new, not always peachy.
The thing I don't like is when it malfunctions. Like it did yesterday. I was texting a client's employee, the screen went all blank and white. It powered down. When it powered back up, it powered back down, automatically on its own. Frustrating. Irritating. Stupid phone. Did it 5x's. I decided to stick the phone in my pocket. I was done letting it get to me. I went inside after the employee got there, tried to make a call out to the credit card processing company regarding an issue and got this message "Verizon Wireless is unable to authenticate your phone number at this time. Please try your call again later." Excuse me? Authenticate my phone number? The one I have had since I bought my cell phone back in 2000 or whatever year it was? Really??? Whatever...I moved on, I used the landline at my client's office. I was in a rush to get from there to my CPA for my 10am appointment to get my taxes filed. I tried to call enroute to let him know I was going to be 15minutes late. Same message. Now I was irked. I knew I would have to go stand in the Customer Service line and knew this was going to be an ordeal...sometimes when life has had already too many ordeals for the day, you surely don't want another one. That is the way I felt yesterday. Verizon had no explanation. I told them this was the 2nd time this week it had done this to me. They had no answer but one that though it seems simple, was complicated: We will have to call the Tech Support Hot Line. Okay...so we did. They tried this, that, nothing worked. While I am standing there another customer comes in with the same phone I have. He is having the same issue. He tells the clerk, this has been happenng this week, never before. I tell my clerk, hey he has the same phone and it just started happening this week. She gives me "the look"...don't interrupt me, don't try to tell me that this is a big problem, don't try to figure this out, I know what to do. The customer/clerk next to me, he was gone before I was. That clerk replaced his phone. Me??? Ummm after multiple tries by Tech Support, they strip my phone, reboot back to factory settings, I loose all data. Once this process was done, calls out were made, calls in were made...she told me that I was fixed. I said what about the apps I had downloaded, did I have to repay for all those? She shrugged and said, you shouldn't. How can I ensure that? Ummm she didn't know. I wanted to scream: You are Useless! You work in Customer SERVICE and you are useless! I didn't. I said thank you and I walked out. Another representive shouted as I walked out: Thank You for coming in...I wanted to stop and say something, but I kept walking...I didn't nod, I said nothing, I needed to leave. This was the first time I have had service from Verizon Wireless in which if I were to "grade" them, I would give them a less than satisfactory (or shall I say a very unsatisfied rating). They print on all their receipts and other like materials how they want you to be a satisified customer and to let them know via some survey link. If I get one of those emails following up from my visit yesterday, believe me I will be leaving a survery rated in the red no green flying colors! Nope, not this time. You will flunk.
Is my phone working? yes, I can send and receive calls and text messages.
Are the apps working? no.
Can I get on Facebook from my phone? no, error messages that use the word null.
Can I get my to business email account? no.
So do I consider this: Resolved? no.
Ready to stand in line at the customer service center again? no.
I upgraded to a "smart phone" the middle of January, buying one off of someone who went back to another provider and wasn't using the phone they had purchased. I got a DROID Incredible for a SWEET deal, $50!!! But it has taken LOTS of getting used to. I previously had an enV3, normal phone with the flip open qwerty keyboard with punchable keys. Switching to 100% touch has been a bit of a difficulty to me...almost a nightmare at times. Truely, you may think me crazy, but it has. It has the option for speaking my message into it and it converting it to text. It works 50% of the time...the other 50% it is 100% WRONG! I have tried speaking slower, speaking faster, holding the phone very close, holding it far away, talking softer, talking louder, giving more pauses...I have tried all and am left to think that it just doesn't like my voice. So far, I have not figured out what makes it work accurately sometimes and other times be so far off the map on what I said that it makes me just shake my head. Regardless, there are things I love about it, the #1 being I have access to my email now 24/7 and when I am gone all day at client's offices and networking and doing meetings and errands, I am always plugged in. I had been worried that this "plugged in" status would be hard to control, I haven't found that to be the case. When I want to be working and not bothered, it goes on silent. When I am too busy to read the emails, I just don't. There are still things I am figuring out and adjusting to. And I still miss my qwerty keyboard, one that I could fly on, literally! I was a fast texter, I no longer am. My fingers forever are not "touching" the right keys or this phone is forever trying to guess what I mean and I have added words to the dictionary on it when I meant to hit the X for wrong word. Ugh...the joys of learning something new, not always peachy.
The thing I don't like is when it malfunctions. Like it did yesterday. I was texting a client's employee, the screen went all blank and white. It powered down. When it powered back up, it powered back down, automatically on its own. Frustrating. Irritating. Stupid phone. Did it 5x's. I decided to stick the phone in my pocket. I was done letting it get to me. I went inside after the employee got there, tried to make a call out to the credit card processing company regarding an issue and got this message "Verizon Wireless is unable to authenticate your phone number at this time. Please try your call again later." Excuse me? Authenticate my phone number? The one I have had since I bought my cell phone back in 2000 or whatever year it was? Really??? Whatever...I moved on, I used the landline at my client's office. I was in a rush to get from there to my CPA for my 10am appointment to get my taxes filed. I tried to call enroute to let him know I was going to be 15minutes late. Same message. Now I was irked. I knew I would have to go stand in the Customer Service line and knew this was going to be an ordeal...sometimes when life has had already too many ordeals for the day, you surely don't want another one. That is the way I felt yesterday. Verizon had no explanation. I told them this was the 2nd time this week it had done this to me. They had no answer but one that though it seems simple, was complicated: We will have to call the Tech Support Hot Line. Okay...so we did. They tried this, that, nothing worked. While I am standing there another customer comes in with the same phone I have. He is having the same issue. He tells the clerk, this has been happenng this week, never before. I tell my clerk, hey he has the same phone and it just started happening this week. She gives me "the look"...don't interrupt me, don't try to tell me that this is a big problem, don't try to figure this out, I know what to do. The customer/clerk next to me, he was gone before I was. That clerk replaced his phone. Me??? Ummm after multiple tries by Tech Support, they strip my phone, reboot back to factory settings, I loose all data. Once this process was done, calls out were made, calls in were made...she told me that I was fixed. I said what about the apps I had downloaded, did I have to repay for all those? She shrugged and said, you shouldn't. How can I ensure that? Ummm she didn't know. I wanted to scream: You are Useless! You work in Customer SERVICE and you are useless! I didn't. I said thank you and I walked out. Another representive shouted as I walked out: Thank You for coming in...I wanted to stop and say something, but I kept walking...I didn't nod, I said nothing, I needed to leave. This was the first time I have had service from Verizon Wireless in which if I were to "grade" them, I would give them a less than satisfactory (or shall I say a very unsatisfied rating). They print on all their receipts and other like materials how they want you to be a satisified customer and to let them know via some survey link. If I get one of those emails following up from my visit yesterday, believe me I will be leaving a survery rated in the red no green flying colors! Nope, not this time. You will flunk.
Is my phone working? yes, I can send and receive calls and text messages.
Are the apps working? no.
Can I get on Facebook from my phone? no, error messages that use the word null.
Can I get my to business email account? no.
So do I consider this: Resolved? no.
Ready to stand in line at the customer service center again? no.
Friday, February 18, 2011
getting better...
I am getting better! Yah!!! Almost 3 weeks of sickness...NO FUN! I still get tired very easy and all these medications I am on haven't let me sleep the last few nights, which doesn't make sense since REST is #1 priority. Being awake 3-5hrs when it is pitch black outside is not how I like things. Got up and did some work one night at 2.30am...kinda crazy to be sending emails out then. Just trying to cope the best way I can and add some other things in that may help me sleep. Backlogged on work and household chores...so ready for February to be flipped to March and for a different outlook on life. :) Ever feel like that?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
verse to reflect on...
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer... -2 Samuel 22:2 NKJV
When life gets stormy, where do you go for refuge? What is your greatest comfort in troubled times? What are your favorite verses?
When life gets stormy, where do you go for refuge? What is your greatest comfort in troubled times? What are your favorite verses?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Quotes
The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more you will have to express gratitude for. — Zig Ziglar
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I won the giveaway!!!
Do you remember the Topiary giveaway? It was posted on the 14th of December, 2010...yah awhile ago so I know you forgot! Well, for the first time in my life (or nearly), I won something! from a giveaway!!! Thanks Lois for the great giveaway!
Here it is on my kitchen bar counter...
cute huh?
Here it is on my kitchen bar counter...
cute huh?
Social Media
Recently, I made a few more changes to my Facebook settings. I have felt that I needed to implement a few changes being that many of my "connections with friends" are now with other business people I have met thru networking events but really do not know well. They are not what you really define as a "friend" or someone you share all your life with. You may remember my post about Facebook previously and my musings over it and whether it was a good thing or a hinderance, see here if you wish to re-read it. But in reviewing what I wanted in my "social media" and the way settings are done, I reviewed some friends pages, and it has made me contemplate why they even have Facebook.
Facebook is Social Media:
Social = pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations; seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.
Media = an intervening agency, means, or instrument of communication.
My questions:
If someone is your "true friend", why would you not let them write on your wall? I can understand not letting strangers or people that can't control what they say.
If, someone is a "true friend", why would you hide all your wall posts from them, but leave the person as a friend so that they can see the posts thru their "news feed" and still make comments? Why wouldn't you just delete that person all together?
I am trying to understand. Maybe there is no understanding to it. Or maybe you didn't realize I "knew" you had these settings this way???
What Facebook settings have you implemented? and Why?
Facebook is Social Media:
Social = pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations; seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.
Media = an intervening agency, means, or instrument of communication.
My questions:
If someone is your "true friend", why would you not let them write on your wall? I can understand not letting strangers or people that can't control what they say.
If, someone is a "true friend", why would you hide all your wall posts from them, but leave the person as a friend so that they can see the posts thru their "news feed" and still make comments? Why wouldn't you just delete that person all together?
I am trying to understand. Maybe there is no understanding to it. Or maybe you didn't realize I "knew" you had these settings this way???
What Facebook settings have you implemented? and Why?
Saturday, February 12, 2011
you think this will work???
...if you are a friend of mine on Facebook or you follow this blog, you know I have been sick. Two weeks today. It has gotten old. My morale has had a hard time being positive and thankful. I feel like crud, nothing seems to be working...I am just sick.
Thursday I woke up to conjuctivitis in my left eye, really bad, that only got progressively worse as the day wore on. My eye swelled up like I have never seen it before, big bag over my lid to where it was hard to have my eye open, a big puffy bubble under the lid that made me look like an old person, goopy junk coming out every 15-20minutes...litterally running down my face at times, redness like a severe allergy attack x10, it was really hard to even see out of because of the complete blurriness...so I did everything I could think of: drops of silver in the eye every hour, increased mega dose of VitaminC, and a parsley tea wash, hot compresses, cold compresses...but it only got worse. I posted on Facebook for suggestions on what would successfully treat this...I got lots of replies to the post and messages about what to use. I read some articles online. But with the rapidness this was progressing, I wasn't sure what steps to take and I ended up pretty worried. I decided to call my client to see if he would call me in some eye drops. My fever was 101.2 - 101.8 and the pain was unbearable, sore to the touch or untouch, light hurt, itching, stinging, burning...lots of pain. He did and I started those antibiotic drops Thursday night. Well yesterday, I got a B12 shot in my arm from the doctor that works on my neck. The work he did on my neck seemed to help me drain much better too, which is good! Then when I went to my client's office to do a drop off/pickup and work with one of the employees on a project...he said he wanted to examine me. This time, my lungs were clear and no wheezing like last week when he listened to me. He had the nurse give me a Rocephin shot (antibiotic given in the hip) and another oral antibiotic. He was very kind and would not let me pay him! While I was there, a lady I met thru networking dropped off some essiential oils for me to try also. It seems to have helped the swelling and readness to the skin. I also went and bought 14 bottles of Bio K and will probably do 2 of them a day for the next few days. I feel like the shots are kicking in...and I am hoping that I have continued results! Being sick just is no fun...especially when it drags on and on...and on and on...and on and on!!!
Thursday I woke up to conjuctivitis in my left eye, really bad, that only got progressively worse as the day wore on. My eye swelled up like I have never seen it before, big bag over my lid to where it was hard to have my eye open, a big puffy bubble under the lid that made me look like an old person, goopy junk coming out every 15-20minutes...litterally running down my face at times, redness like a severe allergy attack x10, it was really hard to even see out of because of the complete blurriness...so I did everything I could think of: drops of silver in the eye every hour, increased mega dose of VitaminC, and a parsley tea wash, hot compresses, cold compresses...but it only got worse. I posted on Facebook for suggestions on what would successfully treat this...I got lots of replies to the post and messages about what to use. I read some articles online. But with the rapidness this was progressing, I wasn't sure what steps to take and I ended up pretty worried. I decided to call my client to see if he would call me in some eye drops. My fever was 101.2 - 101.8 and the pain was unbearable, sore to the touch or untouch, light hurt, itching, stinging, burning...lots of pain. He did and I started those antibiotic drops Thursday night. Well yesterday, I got a B12 shot in my arm from the doctor that works on my neck. The work he did on my neck seemed to help me drain much better too, which is good! Then when I went to my client's office to do a drop off/pickup and work with one of the employees on a project...he said he wanted to examine me. This time, my lungs were clear and no wheezing like last week when he listened to me. He had the nurse give me a Rocephin shot (antibiotic given in the hip) and another oral antibiotic. He was very kind and would not let me pay him! While I was there, a lady I met thru networking dropped off some essiential oils for me to try also. It seems to have helped the swelling and readness to the skin. I also went and bought 14 bottles of Bio K and will probably do 2 of them a day for the next few days. I feel like the shots are kicking in...and I am hoping that I have continued results! Being sick just is no fun...especially when it drags on and on...and on and on...and on and on!!!
delivery of firewood
Jody texted me that he would be bringing me a small pile of "old" firewood that they were not using. I said sure, that would be great! They brought this to me on Tuesday night...not a "small pile" of firewood...and this isn't all of it, they put some in the house and some by the backdoor on the porch...wow!!! Free & Delivered...MANY THANKS!
 |
| firewood from Jody & Linda |
Friday, February 11, 2011
is it me???
I have followed several blogs for some time...and I am loosing heart. Is it me? or are you tired of these posts about how wonderful their life is? It is all so perfect. Nothing is amiss in the photos, everything is perfect...the sun, the lighting, the positioning, its all this grandeur that doesn't seem quite real. My house doesn't look like that, I am not sure it ever has, even for company. Does yours?
Oh, and they buy these items here or there for like pennies on the dollar...then they either sell it for this nice priced amount or they display it in their home with this "look how much I saved/didn't spend". If they don't like something, they redo it. If they don't want something, they find a way to get rid of it. Not much of "making do with" portrayed on these blogs. I have mixed feelings...sometimes it makes me happy to see someone create a lookalike for real cheap because I do think that I am crafty (you might not) and I know that I enjoy making things, but I have to be honest, there are other times it makes me downright depressed. If I choose to go to hire someone to make me a fake brick wall instead of do it myself (forget whether I could or would or want to), am I this awful person blowing money out the window? especially when you could do it for $10.00? (or maybe even for free with these leftover things you had from a previous project and this friend who had all the special tools.) Or if I actually go to Pottery Barn and buy it instead of make it (forget whether I could or would or want to), am I considered now lavishly rich and not thrifty like you because I chose not to? Don't get me wrong, being frugal is good. I actually like to save money. I promote being debt free. I recommend living on a budget. But when this frugality is portrayed as it is in many of these blog posts, it makes me feel like you dispise me and think I am wrong for not making all this homemade stuff just like you. Yah, and sometimes, I must admit that I am even jealous. I have to work my freaking life away and you can just have fun and be creative in all your spare time? No, I will not have a million dollars in the bank because I hired a project out or shopped at Pottery Barn. No, I do not and will not have the time to make these homemade stuff like you. Maybe its "just me"...but all this impressive blogs creates a disturbance in me that I don't like. Maybe I am the one with the abnormal life??? Is it "just me" or does it do the same for you??? Do you feel these are "real lives", not a fake dream world and so it is all good??? Share your thoughts...but realize, I have expressed mine and you don't have to agree with my opinion. It is my blog and online journal. Take it how you wish.
Oh, and they buy these items here or there for like pennies on the dollar...then they either sell it for this nice priced amount or they display it in their home with this "look how much I saved/didn't spend". If they don't like something, they redo it. If they don't want something, they find a way to get rid of it. Not much of "making do with" portrayed on these blogs. I have mixed feelings...sometimes it makes me happy to see someone create a lookalike for real cheap because I do think that I am crafty (you might not) and I know that I enjoy making things, but I have to be honest, there are other times it makes me downright depressed. If I choose to go to hire someone to make me a fake brick wall instead of do it myself (forget whether I could or would or want to), am I this awful person blowing money out the window? especially when you could do it for $10.00? (or maybe even for free with these leftover things you had from a previous project and this friend who had all the special tools.) Or if I actually go to Pottery Barn and buy it instead of make it (forget whether I could or would or want to), am I considered now lavishly rich and not thrifty like you because I chose not to? Don't get me wrong, being frugal is good. I actually like to save money. I promote being debt free. I recommend living on a budget. But when this frugality is portrayed as it is in many of these blog posts, it makes me feel like you dispise me and think I am wrong for not making all this homemade stuff just like you. Yah, and sometimes, I must admit that I am even jealous. I have to work my freaking life away and you can just have fun and be creative in all your spare time? No, I will not have a million dollars in the bank because I hired a project out or shopped at Pottery Barn. No, I do not and will not have the time to make these homemade stuff like you. Maybe its "just me"...but all this impressive blogs creates a disturbance in me that I don't like. Maybe I am the one with the abnormal life??? Is it "just me" or does it do the same for you??? Do you feel these are "real lives", not a fake dream world and so it is all good??? Share your thoughts...but realize, I have expressed mine and you don't have to agree with my opinion. It is my blog and online journal. Take it how you wish.
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