Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
Yes I've got a DirecTV dish. And it does go out, but usually only in strong thunderstorms, not just plain old rains, and it will come back on quickly when they pass over. I'm not vouching for a dish though, I've not had cable TV for a while. It wasn't good service here, and almost went out of business, but the complaints were on the customer service end, not the reception. It was always fine for me.
My mother had DishTV (satellite). It was cheaper but they kept dropping channels temporarily when they got into negotiating contracts. When they dropped Braves Baseball, that was the final straw and I got her on DirecTV.
ps. It *didn't* rain here today! :banana:
Hump day---2 down, 2 to go. Doctor pressing me to do a colonoscopy, first one ever. He suggested Uber for transportation. Maybe they won't be as fussy as the cataract surgeon about that. So I told him to go ahead and schedule one for November, after the grass stopped growing. I think I have a real winner in this doctor. He is so honest, I believe he would sit and talk to you forever. Why he's usually running behind schedule. BP 109/64 this time.
I have 12 hours to get this office room in shape for the AT&T people tomorrow morning. Things come in this room but never leave, including papers, dust, and me, some days.
I have 12 hours to get this office room in shape for the AT&T people tomorrow morning. Things come in this room but never leave, including papers, dust, and me, some days.
That looks exactly like my room, Meanderer! ... Until today. 
AT&T serviceman just called and said, since my installation is the first on the street, they found some problems they didn't foresee, and the main office would have to call and reschedule, while they fixed the problem. He didn't say how long that would be.
I had an option of picking Monday to do this, but was afraid of a tight schedule. As it turned out, it would have been ok. Think I'm discovering a new life rule: Always take the first open appointment no matter what.
Running out of unlimited data minutes on the new phone plan. They will reduce the speed to 128 Kbps soon. Wonder how slow that will be. May be like dial-up, IDK?
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Update: Installation rescheduled for Monday, 1-4 pm. The 128 Kbps scared me, so I bought a few more big data thingy's, for this month only. Next month I think I'll purposely run over just to see what happens. Could be it's a bluff. There is no contract---month to month. I guess this proves I'm addicted, doesn't it? {sigh}
AT&T serviceman just called and said, since my installation is the first on the street, they found some problems they didn't foresee, and the main office would have to call and reschedule, while they fixed the problem. He didn't say how long that would be.
I had an option of picking Monday to do this, but was afraid of a tight schedule. As it turned out, it would have been ok. Think I'm discovering a new life rule: Always take the first open appointment no matter what.
Running out of unlimited data minutes on the new phone plan. They will reduce the speed to 128 Kbps soon. Wonder how slow that will be. May be like dial-up, IDK?
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Update: Installation rescheduled for Monday, 1-4 pm. The 128 Kbps scared me, so I bought a few more big data thingy's, for this month only. Next month I think I'll purposely run over just to see what happens. Could be it's a bluff. There is no contract---month to month. I guess this proves I'm addicted, doesn't it? {sigh}
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Well, AT&T is sounding like Comcast! And to think you wasted all that time getting your office nice and neat! LOL MY office looks just as bad. Seems to become the dumping ground for junk mail that should be shredded when it first hits the door and any other box or bag that you think you need to hold on to "just in case" you need to take the item back! UGH!
I think the colonoscopy is not so bad...it's the "prep" that is nasty! But don't listen to me, I have never had one. Don't they put you in "twilight sleep" when they do the procedure?
I think the colonoscopy is not so bad...it's the "prep" that is nasty! But don't listen to me, I have never had one. Don't they put you in "twilight sleep" when they do the procedure?
YES, I could have waited until Sunday night to start cleaning. Phooey!
You describe what I do exactly. I got a whole big recycle bin full of papers out of this. Actually some of it has just been put in a box and moved temporarily to another room, where I can shut the door and keep it out of sight. ... And sort more later. ... But that never seems to happen.
I have no idea, but I figure if other people can do it, I can do it.
Oh, now that the rain went away, it is nice and hot, isn't it? I forgot about that benefit of rain---keeping the temps down. Oh well...
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Update Friday, 2pm: Three down, one to go. Ac repairman called early. Met him out there and he was finished by 11:00 am. AT&T will be easy assuming everything goes as planned Monday, because I'll be here all day anyway. Beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Yes, Meanderer, the light will soon be on here. Waiting on the fiber optics folks this afternoon. Not much been going on other than lawn mowing.
How about a 10 second video? The story: They know they will get gingersnaps, but only when I get to the barn. When I head down there, they take off running so they will be there when I get there. Silly goats.
Not bad for 13.5 year old large breed goats. Couldn't get the phone out in time to show the white one dancing just before he took off.
[As usual, better in HD (720p)]
How about a 10 second video? The story: They know they will get gingersnaps, but only when I get to the barn. When I head down there, they take off running so they will be there when I get there. Silly goats.
Not bad for 13.5 year old large breed goats. Couldn't get the phone out in time to show the white one dancing just before he took off.
[As usual, better in HD (720p)]
I was wrong about how AT&T was going to do this. They brought the fiber optics cable right into the house, but not following the phone lines. That would be almost impossible. At one location. Only difference is it means I couldn't move the pc (like to another phone outlet), but I can't imagine ever wanting to do that anyway. Pages seem to load instantly, and videos take less than a second to start.
Ookla Speed Test results:
(I think Aunt Bea, or someone, recommended this website some time ago.)
Ping: 7 ms
Download Speed: 30.64 Mbps
Upload Speed: 25.07 Mbps
The upload speed number seems really big compared to before, but I can't remember what they were.
Ookla Speed Test results:
(I think Aunt Bea, or someone, recommended this website some time ago.)
Ping: 7 ms
Download Speed: 30.64 Mbps
Upload Speed: 25.07 Mbps
The upload speed number seems really big compared to before, but I can't remember what they were.
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The thread on Dining Alone reminded me of my first solo trip away from home. A simple little two day trip, but I'll never forget the details. This is just one of them.
Before I moved to Raleigh, NC, I flew down from the Cleveland airport to make some arrangements, and find an apartment. First drive alone into Cleveland. First plane flight. First hotel. I had planned the second day to find an apartment, with no transportation. Never thought of renting a car, probably too naïve to realize cabs weren't just in NYC. Definitely didn't plan ahead. So inexperienced.
It was July of 1970, hot and humid like only in the South. Walked a long way to an apt. rental agency at 8:30 am, but it didn't open until 9am. Didn't know yet things seemed to be on a more laid back schedule there. Walked to a cafeteria to read the newspaper ads, drink coffee, and begin to panic. Within a half hour a young man showed up, and asked what I was reading. He knew of a vacant duplex in his complex, and volunteered to drive me to check it out, and back to the cafeteria. The place was perfect. I often think of how easy he made it. Would I have ever figured out what to do?
One of my friends used to say I was the unluckiest person he ever knew, and I remember agreeing at the time. He must have been talking about the small stuff, because I can't for the life of me remember having bad luck now. Maybe because I've never been very adventuresome. Maybe I've just been extremely lucky. Maybe it's genetic. Maybe because there was no whining and crying about the small stuff allowed in my family.
Before I moved to Raleigh, NC, I flew down from the Cleveland airport to make some arrangements, and find an apartment. First drive alone into Cleveland. First plane flight. First hotel. I had planned the second day to find an apartment, with no transportation. Never thought of renting a car, probably too naïve to realize cabs weren't just in NYC. Definitely didn't plan ahead. So inexperienced.
It was July of 1970, hot and humid like only in the South. Walked a long way to an apt. rental agency at 8:30 am, but it didn't open until 9am. Didn't know yet things seemed to be on a more laid back schedule there. Walked to a cafeteria to read the newspaper ads, drink coffee, and begin to panic. Within a half hour a young man showed up, and asked what I was reading. He knew of a vacant duplex in his complex, and volunteered to drive me to check it out, and back to the cafeteria. The place was perfect. I often think of how easy he made it. Would I have ever figured out what to do?
One of my friends used to say I was the unluckiest person he ever knew, and I remember agreeing at the time. He must have been talking about the small stuff, because I can't for the life of me remember having bad luck now. Maybe because I've never been very adventuresome. Maybe I've just been extremely lucky. Maybe it's genetic. Maybe because there was no whining and crying about the small stuff allowed in my family.
Meanderer
Supreme Member
The thread on Dining Alone reminded me of my first solo trip away from home. A simple little two day trip, but I'll never forget the details. This is just one of them.
Before I moved to Raleigh, NC, I flew down from the Cleveland airport to make some arrangements, and find an apartment. First drive alone into Cleveland. First plane flight. First hotel. I had planned the second day to find an apartment, with no transportation. Never thought of renting a car, probably too naïve to realize cabs weren't just in NYC. Definitely didn't plan ahead. So inexperienced.
It was July of 1970, hot and humid like only in the South. Walked a long way to an apt. rental agency at 8:30 am, but it didn't open until 9am. Didn't know yet things seemed to be on a more laid back schedule there. Walked to a cafeteria to read the newspaper ads, drink coffee, and begin to panic. Within a half hour a young man showed up, and asked what I was reading. He knew of a vacant duplex in his complex, and volunteered to drive me to check it out, and back to the cafeteria. The place was perfect. I often think of how easy he made it. Would I have ever figured out what to do?
One of my friends used to say I was the unluckiest person he ever knew, and I remember agreeing at the time. He must have been talking about the small stuff, because I can't for the life of me remember having bad luck now. Maybe because I've never been very adventuresome. Maybe I've just been extremely lucky. Maybe it's genetic. Maybe because there was no whining and crying about the small stuff allowed in my family.
Nancy, I think it was that your parents raised you, and equipped you to be self confident and self reliant, so you could survive on your own.
Call the Super.......
That apartment really *was* perfect. It had a bedroom, indoor bathroom, and kitchen, and only cost $75/mo. Not a good time to start getting picky. Ha!
Nancy, your story brought back some memories. After we got married, my husband left for VietNam and after six months he got R&R in Hawaii. Me being a small town southern girl from Mississippi had never been on an airplane and the thoughts of flying across country was a bit scary. When I ended up having a lay over in LA, I was wide eyed with what I saw! Luckily I ended sitting next to the sweetest lady that was flying to meet her husband (a Major in the Air Force) and she took me under her wing and got a cab for both of us when we landed and she made sure I got to my hotel. Mike's group was delayed and would not be getting there until the next morning. She made sure I got checked into the hotel and then took me to dinner. I believe God sent that angel to look out after me. I was soo naive, I was only 20!
What a nice story. That's a really long journey for your first solo trip! And such a nice lady. I agree it was like a guardian angel had shown up, in my case too. Things like that, being constantly on edge, wondering if you'll get through the next step, are exhausting. More than doing physical work.
Speaking of work, I mowed both the front and back lawns last night. Finished just before dark, then fell asleep lying on the floor watching TV, and didn't wake up til *early* this morning. Back to bed. I'm all messed up today. Too much sleep.
I'd like to think so, but I'm not so sure it was by design, more like circumstances. They were always so busy building something. I was a baby when they were building our house. I remember my mother saying they put me in a playpen, and had to come check occasionally to see if I was ok, because I was too quiet, busy entertaining myself. Maybe ended up being a little *too* independent for my own good. I'm grateful for it, whether by design or not.
Been thinking about your comment, Meanderer. I believe my grandmother may have had a lot to do with things. I've probably mentioned this before. She grew up poor on a farm, had 9 sisters and one brother---the youngest. There was no, "Girls can't do that!" in her vocabulary. They say things skip a generation. Who are "they" anyway?
Two days ago everything was back to almost normal. Suddenly I've got another busy week coming up.
Dentist on Wednesday---the final tooth implants. That was already planned. Time has just flown by.
Saturday morning the downstairs AC went out, for good this time---the unit where they just opened the door and it came on two weeks ago (no charge). Bad things seem to always happen on weekends. Ever since we got the goats, weekends scare me.
Two calls from the Dr's office. Last visit he finally talked me into having a "thing" removed from my back. It looks like an over-cooked sunnyside up bird egg, about the size of a quarter. Harmless but annoying. He already got an appointment set up for tomorrow afternoon!!! There will be stitches. This is rather exciting! A change from the usual routine.
Reminded me when I was 18 and had a large mole taken off my back. They did things like that in the hospital back then. The county coroner was the surgeon. He was a well known elected official at that time. Almost a celebrity. They cut that thing out, put it in a specimen jar and plopped it right down in front of my nose to stare at while they did the stitches.
I found the surgeon's picture. He was older when I met him, didn't need a haircut, and very nice. The things you can find on the internet are just amazing. Why am I posting this? I DON'T KNOW!
They've already set up an appointment for the colonoscopy, for Nov 1st, and I found this statement on the Dr's website:
You must be accompanied by a friend or relative to drive you home or your procedure may be cancelled.
Please ask them to stay with you to speak with the doctor following your procedure.
You MAY NOT drive or go home in a taxi or bus.
So Uber is out according to them. Why should someone be forced to bother anyone for this stuff. It could take hours, if you read their instructions. My Dr. said it's a silly rule and just don't tell them until it's too late and plead ignorance. Too risky? Maybe I could rent one of those "escorts." I think I'll just cancel it. Neither of my parents ever had one.
Dentist on Wednesday---the final tooth implants. That was already planned. Time has just flown by.
Saturday morning the downstairs AC went out, for good this time---the unit where they just opened the door and it came on two weeks ago (no charge). Bad things seem to always happen on weekends. Ever since we got the goats, weekends scare me.
Two calls from the Dr's office. Last visit he finally talked me into having a "thing" removed from my back. It looks like an over-cooked sunnyside up bird egg, about the size of a quarter. Harmless but annoying. He already got an appointment set up for tomorrow afternoon!!! There will be stitches. This is rather exciting! A change from the usual routine.
Reminded me when I was 18 and had a large mole taken off my back. They did things like that in the hospital back then. The county coroner was the surgeon. He was a well known elected official at that time. Almost a celebrity. They cut that thing out, put it in a specimen jar and plopped it right down in front of my nose to stare at while they did the stitches.
I found the surgeon's picture. He was older when I met him, didn't need a haircut, and very nice. The things you can find on the internet are just amazing. Why am I posting this? I DON'T KNOW!
They've already set up an appointment for the colonoscopy, for Nov 1st, and I found this statement on the Dr's website:
You must be accompanied by a friend or relative to drive you home or your procedure may be cancelled.
Please ask them to stay with you to speak with the doctor following your procedure.
You MAY NOT drive or go home in a taxi or bus.
So Uber is out according to them. Why should someone be forced to bother anyone for this stuff. It could take hours, if you read their instructions. My Dr. said it's a silly rule and just don't tell them until it's too late and plead ignorance. Too risky? Maybe I could rent one of those "escorts."
I think I'll just cancel it. Neither of my parents ever had one.
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
They've already set up an appointment for the colonoscopy, for Nov 1st, and I found this statement on the Dr's website:
You must be accompanied by a friend or relative to drive you home or your procedure may be cancelled.
Please ask them to stay with you to speak with the doctor following your procedure.
You MAY NOT drive or go home in a taxi or bus.
So Uber is out according to them. Why should someone be forced to bother anyone for this stuff. It could take hours, if you read their instruction. My Dr. said it's a silly rule and just don't tell them until it's too late and plead ignorance. Too risky? Maybe I could rent one of those "escorts."
Nancy,
If you find a solution to the problem of having an escort for various procedures please let us know.
I'm having a similar problem in my area and I'm about to see if I can rent a CNA from an agency for a day. I have searched on the internet for a solution and found that in some cities they have volunteers called surgery buddies that will accompany you. I wish they had a similar program in my area, I would be willing to volunteer a few times a year so that I could have someone available to me when I need it.
Good luck!!!
Bea, I think the real solution might be to hire a lawyer to write up a one size fits all contract that you could sign and give to them, to release the doctors from all liability. Geesh!
They have several transportation services here, mostly for people who can't afford it, but none where a person will come in and actually sit with you. I will let you know if I find anything.
They have several transportation services here, mostly for people who can't afford it, but none where a person will come in and actually sit with you. I will let you know if I find anything.
Who knows? That might just work. Certainly I could claim a "friend." It would catch them off guard. They wouldn't have any talking points memorized for that. Thanks for the tip, Meanderer.
Fiber optics is no better than dial up ... if there is no electricity.
Thunderstorms, power off 10 pm last night. Nothing to do but go to bed. Lights coming back on at 3:30 am wake me up, so I catch up on what's going on here, then back to bed and sleep too late. Another crazy start to a day. How can one have structure with all that? That's my excuse anyway, and I can use it all week.
Last time I talked to my neighbor, she told me before I moved in the power used to go off a lot. What?!! I can't imagine it going off more often.
Speaking of the neighbor...I don't know what is going on with her house. She has not been around. I suspect the son is determined to sell to the rental property guy because he *thinks* he will pay more than anyone else. I'm not so sure. Either that or he is really a procrastinator. I have set my upper limit in my mind. She said he would call me when he was ready.
This decision would be so big, and so expensive, and voices in my head are pulling equally in both directions. I think I want circumstances to make the decision for me, so I can pretend I didn't make a wrong decision. Funny how you play mind games with yourself like that.
Thunderstorms, power off 10 pm last night. Nothing to do but go to bed. Lights coming back on at 3:30 am wake me up, so I catch up on what's going on here, then back to bed and sleep too late. Another crazy start to a day. How can one have structure with all that? That's my excuse anyway, and I can use it all week.
Last time I talked to my neighbor, she told me before I moved in the power used to go off a lot. What?!! I can't imagine it going off more often.
Speaking of the neighbor...I don't know what is going on with her house. She has not been around. I suspect the son is determined to sell to the rental property guy because he *thinks* he will pay more than anyone else. I'm not so sure. Either that or he is really a procrastinator. I have set my upper limit in my mind. She said he would call me when he was ready.
This decision would be so big, and so expensive, and voices in my head are pulling equally in both directions. I think I want circumstances to make the decision for me, so I can pretend I didn't make a wrong decision. Funny how you play mind games with yourself like that.