To recap, I've been taking steps to dismantle my Verizon bundle - cut cable completely, change phone service, but keep the internet. I had purchased a Roku and tested the availability of content that my kids like and found that they were quite capable of doing without traditional cable. We had decided to go with Vonage for phone service due to Magicjack not allowing us to keep the phone number we've had for 10 years.
We are now beyond the contract expiration (April 2011) and hubby is still having trouble deciding to go completely without cable. He is a news and weather junkie, and I'm totally a football widow from August to February. So what to do, what to do... I kept saying "Cut it!!!" Of course, I get all the sci-fi and Grey's Anatomy my little heart can handle through the Roku :) While the hmmming and hawwwing was going on, I did a little more searching and found a subscription service called PlayOn.
PlayOn is an internet streaming service for devices like a PC, Wii, Xbox, iPad, Android, Roku, and many others. There are free movies, live sports, TV Shows, and much more. PlayOn supports the channels that come with their lineup, but they also have a vast community of users who write computer script to access other cable channels. They have a 14 day free trial and you don't have to buy any equipment - just have one of the supported devices, and if you're reading this - you have one! They have different tiers for subscriptions - monthly, annual, or lifetime (only $80!).
Last night, after a call to Verizon to verify pricing (since our latest bill was $20 higher now that we are off contract), the decision-making conversation came to a head. Verizon informed us that all pricing will go up June 1, contract or no. When I spoke with a Rep the other day, they said internet only was $50 a month, and oh by the way, your internet package is no longer being supported since our signup was 2 years ago. Apparently, they've upgraded from 10Mbps to 15Mbps as the basic package, so our service is slower than their most basic. That didn't register in my mind until the next day, so I called back. Rep #2 says, oh no internet only is $60 per month. I asked why our less than basic super slow internet wasn't upgraded when they upgraded across the board. Response: well the customer has to ask for the upgrade. We don't just do it automatically.
Please tell me how I'm supposed to ask for an upgrade that I don't know exists. So the decision to switch to Comcast was made right then and there. To make this long story short, Kevin has decided that he is not quite ready to cut the cable until he is sure this Roku/PlayOn thing will let him watch live football on the TV. So we've entered into a one year contract with Comcast for internet and TV ($80 per month). This next year we'll save only about $40 a month, but that will help a little bit. It will also be used to help him slowly upgrade his TV-watching equipment to be ready for the overhaul. We still have a standard TV downstairs that he uses, so that will need to be upgraded to a flatscreen HDMI-ready TV, and purchasing a Roku player for him.
We've subscibed to PlayOn for one month to check the streaming quality and how live is live. Right now, The Weather Channel is streaming about 2 minutes behind live - but we still have our super slow non-upgraded Verizon speed. The big test will be faster Comcast speeds and football season. Stay tuned, because we certainly will :)
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Cutting the Cable
We aren't totally poor and destitute, but we are a one-income middle class family. We don't have tons of credit card debt, our cars are paid for, and we never take all-out destination vacations. But to make this homeschooling/one-income thing feasible, we do have to cut corners. Sometimes it seems those corners keep whittling away until there is only a small disc left, but that's a lament for another day (sigh!).
Like most everyone else, we have one of those lovely TV, phone, internet bundles from the local provider, in our case - Verizon. Over the years, we've played that back and forth game between Verizon and Comcast (our only choices) to get the best price on the bundle. Verizon made us do a 2 year contract this last time, which expired in April 2011. My oldest son started at an out-of-state college last summer (thank you FAFSA and Grandmas!), so I've been really watching the bundle bill and looking for a way to cut the cord.
At Christmas time, after doing a bit of research for a couple of months, I decided to purchase a Roku player, to test the waters in my home (cable dependency). If you are unfamiliar with Roku, it's a small device about the size of a slice of bread, that plugs into the wall and into your TV. It connects wirelessly to your modem and provides internet streaming directly from the modem to the TV. Some channels are free, but some like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu require a monthly subscription. Well, I'm already paying for Netflix, so that wasn't a big deal.
The Roku has really been wonderful! For a one time charge of $80, the device is mine, and my kids have found just about everything they want to watch either through Netflix or free content. I was actually quite surprised how easily they disengaged from the cable box. (I did help them along a little bit by actually disconnecting it for 2 weeks, so they would have to learn how to use the Roku and search for what they wanted to watch.)
Then I began searching telephone replacement options. I have a pay-as-you-go cell phone that I don't use often, and no one else in the family has one, so I need land line service. I checked in to Magicjack and Vonage. I have friends who've used both; they've had good and bad to say about both. My preference was to go with Magicjack since it's $40 for the first YEAR, and $20 for each YEAR after that - but they don't let you keep your number. So hubby has opted for Vonage - $16 per month - our device is due to arrive next week. I'll let you know how that goes.
So obviously we are beyond April, and we hadn't made any decision about whether or not to keep cable. Actually, I decided we should drop it, but hubby is afraid of not seeing The Weather Channel, MSNBC, and live football games. In my world, these don't matter, so I was good to go. Then I discovered PlayOn...
Stay tuned for Cutting the Cable, Part II - The Decision....
Like most everyone else, we have one of those lovely TV, phone, internet bundles from the local provider, in our case - Verizon. Over the years, we've played that back and forth game between Verizon and Comcast (our only choices) to get the best price on the bundle. Verizon made us do a 2 year contract this last time, which expired in April 2011. My oldest son started at an out-of-state college last summer (thank you FAFSA and Grandmas!), so I've been really watching the bundle bill and looking for a way to cut the cord.
At Christmas time, after doing a bit of research for a couple of months, I decided to purchase a Roku player, to test the waters in my home (cable dependency). If you are unfamiliar with Roku, it's a small device about the size of a slice of bread, that plugs into the wall and into your TV. It connects wirelessly to your modem and provides internet streaming directly from the modem to the TV. Some channels are free, but some like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu require a monthly subscription. Well, I'm already paying for Netflix, so that wasn't a big deal.
The Roku has really been wonderful! For a one time charge of $80, the device is mine, and my kids have found just about everything they want to watch either through Netflix or free content. I was actually quite surprised how easily they disengaged from the cable box. (I did help them along a little bit by actually disconnecting it for 2 weeks, so they would have to learn how to use the Roku and search for what they wanted to watch.)
Then I began searching telephone replacement options. I have a pay-as-you-go cell phone that I don't use often, and no one else in the family has one, so I need land line service. I checked in to Magicjack and Vonage. I have friends who've used both; they've had good and bad to say about both. My preference was to go with Magicjack since it's $40 for the first YEAR, and $20 for each YEAR after that - but they don't let you keep your number. So hubby has opted for Vonage - $16 per month - our device is due to arrive next week. I'll let you know how that goes.
So obviously we are beyond April, and we hadn't made any decision about whether or not to keep cable. Actually, I decided we should drop it, but hubby is afraid of not seeing The Weather Channel, MSNBC, and live football games. In my world, these don't matter, so I was good to go. Then I discovered PlayOn...
Stay tuned for Cutting the Cable, Part II - The Decision....
Saturday, May 7, 2011
First Year Away
My oldest son, Max, came back today after his first year at college. He's not a freshman, nor is he 18. This has been the hardest year of my life. He went away at the start of his sophomore year (having completed freshman credits at the local community college) at 16. He turned 17 without me. He turned into a man without me. He has excelled and disappointed himself without me there to help him. I don't know yet the full extent of the life lessons he's learned, but I feel fairly secure that I did a good job. I'm not sure at the moment that he's aced all his classes, but I think that he has learned a lot about the world and himself. Sure, there have been disappointments, but life is that way. As a homeschooling mom, I'm happy to have him home, whole and safe, with all the lessons learned - good or not.
I was young once and made mistakes. I'm pretty sure he's made less than me. I call that a victory.
I was young once and made mistakes. I'm pretty sure he's made less than me. I call that a victory.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Break is almost over :(
Well, we took a 3 week break from school work from the middle of May until now. The kids were begging and whining about how school was dragging on. I was tired and frustrated, trying to get them to focus was impossible. That's the nice thing about homeschooling - you just take a break when you've all had enough! They kept telling me 3 weeks wasn't going to be long enough. I said, "oh no! You'll get bored, trust me." "No we won't! We're sick of studying. The weather's nice. We wanna play for 6 weeks."
Yeah, right. I stopped arguing. Last Friday, the end of the 2nd week, Ronan pulls out his math book and says, "Can we do Math now?" I said NO and told him to put the book back. I reminded him that we still had a week of break left. He whined. Yes, he did. We argued about him not getting to do his math. Hahaha, can you believe it?! This past Monday, I had the exact same argument/conversation with Miranda. SHE wanted to do math and was complaining of boredom! I reminded her about wanting 6 weeks off - she groaned. I said, "it's okay honey, only one more week of break. Aren't you glad it was only 3 weeks?" She actually said yes.
Blaise turned 12 on the 29th. He WOULD be happy with a 6 week break, but his laziness is driving me crazy. Max, of course, only had 2 weeks because he's taking an 8 week PreCalc class this summer.
So Monday, we start again. But I'm excited! New subjects, eager children, fresh workbooks. I love homeschooling :)
Yeah, right. I stopped arguing. Last Friday, the end of the 2nd week, Ronan pulls out his math book and says, "Can we do Math now?" I said NO and told him to put the book back. I reminded him that we still had a week of break left. He whined. Yes, he did. We argued about him not getting to do his math. Hahaha, can you believe it?! This past Monday, I had the exact same argument/conversation with Miranda. SHE wanted to do math and was complaining of boredom! I reminded her about wanting 6 weeks off - she groaned. I said, "it's okay honey, only one more week of break. Aren't you glad it was only 3 weeks?" She actually said yes.
Blaise turned 12 on the 29th. He WOULD be happy with a 6 week break, but his laziness is driving me crazy. Max, of course, only had 2 weeks because he's taking an 8 week PreCalc class this summer.
So Monday, we start again. But I'm excited! New subjects, eager children, fresh workbooks. I love homeschooling :)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Proud Mama
Here it is, the official senior year portrait! Max has officially finished senior year of high school and first year of college at the same time. How I love concurrent enrollment at the community college! He has done quite well, finishing with a 3.765 GPA this year, taking English, History, Algebra 2, Chemistry and Physics. He'll be taking PreCalculus this summer and is starting his college search for a 4 year university to transfer into.
He also got his driving learner's permit about a month ago and I have to say that I love being chauffeured around :) The stick shift lessons are going - um, smoothly. Automatic, of course, is much easier, but you know how important it is to know both.
The three other kiddies are on early summer break right now. We'll be starting up our homeschooling again in June with another short break in the Fall. Why waste all that heat on sweating outside when we can sweat inside over difficult concepts :)
He also got his driving learner's permit about a month ago and I have to say that I love being chauffeured around :) The stick shift lessons are going - um, smoothly. Automatic, of course, is much easier, but you know how important it is to know both.
The three other kiddies are on early summer break right now. We'll be starting up our homeschooling again in June with another short break in the Fall. Why waste all that heat on sweating outside when we can sweat inside over difficult concepts :)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day
Okay, this is the best Valentine card I ever got! As you can see, by this properly documented picture, it was handcrafted (yes it runs in the family!) by Miranda age 9. Look for the time/date stamp!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Catching Up!
Okay, I'm excited about a few things that have happened over the last week!
1. I totally rearranged my craft room to give me more space and I feel sooooo creative now :)
2. I decided on a line of semi-formal and formal wear for women. Think Prom, Bridal, and Cocktail dresses!
3. I lined up 3 models (beautiful friends in a variety of gorgeous sizes) and a photographer (a lovely young lady still taking classes)! This will be done in 2 months when the dresses are complete.
4. I have dreamed up and teamed up with LaMar Lynch to provide a "Wedding Bundle" - bridal gown, bridesmaids gowns, and handcrafted wedding invitations. These will be available in April for weddings taking place in November 2009 and after.
5. My friend LaMar got some awesome press this week and I am soooo proud of him! His local news station picked up the article and wants to do a spot on him :) What an inspiration!
6. My homeschool center classes are going well, and we are already planning for summer and fall sessions! Good lordy, I'll have to really have my ducks in a row!
7. Miranda is one month away from transitioning from (predominately) 4th grade material into 5th grade. Ronan is about 6 weeks away from transitioning into 2nd grade. Blaise has managed to squash 7th and 8th together, (and dare I say it! - don't tell him, but...) he'll be ready for 9th grade in the Fall! Max is loving his Chemistry class (shock, I know), and is working on a term paper on Joe McCarthy for History. He'll tackle Algebra 2 again for an 8 week session that starts in March.
8. Hubby just got over the flu and boy are we happy he's back to his happy self :)
And that's us, all caught up :)
1. I totally rearranged my craft room to give me more space and I feel sooooo creative now :)
2. I decided on a line of semi-formal and formal wear for women. Think Prom, Bridal, and Cocktail dresses!
3. I lined up 3 models (beautiful friends in a variety of gorgeous sizes) and a photographer (a lovely young lady still taking classes)! This will be done in 2 months when the dresses are complete.
4. I have dreamed up and teamed up with LaMar Lynch to provide a "Wedding Bundle" - bridal gown, bridesmaids gowns, and handcrafted wedding invitations. These will be available in April for weddings taking place in November 2009 and after.
5. My friend LaMar got some awesome press this week and I am soooo proud of him! His local news station picked up the article and wants to do a spot on him :) What an inspiration!
6. My homeschool center classes are going well, and we are already planning for summer and fall sessions! Good lordy, I'll have to really have my ducks in a row!
7. Miranda is one month away from transitioning from (predominately) 4th grade material into 5th grade. Ronan is about 6 weeks away from transitioning into 2nd grade. Blaise has managed to squash 7th and 8th together, (and dare I say it! - don't tell him, but...) he'll be ready for 9th grade in the Fall! Max is loving his Chemistry class (shock, I know), and is working on a term paper on Joe McCarthy for History. He'll tackle Algebra 2 again for an 8 week session that starts in March.
8. Hubby just got over the flu and boy are we happy he's back to his happy self :)
And that's us, all caught up :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Back from the Holidays!
I hope you all wonderful holidays and time with your families! We celebrated 3 birthdays and Christmas with both my mother and mother in law. My sister came from California for a VERY short visit with baby Jillian. But I think I ate most of her up in a 24 hour period. Just dahh-leeng!
I finished a couple of personal projects for my closet :) and I've been hard at work on the drawing board. I have been formulating my business goals for this year. In that regard, this blog will be strictly my personal blog with ALL my fabulous opinions, reviews, and great finds. I am starting a Callidora's blog on Wordpress. There will be announcements of what I'm doing in my shops, Deal of the Week spots, photos of my custom work, and upcoming items.
I'm very excited for what 2009 will bring!
I finished a couple of personal projects for my closet :) and I've been hard at work on the drawing board. I have been formulating my business goals for this year. In that regard, this blog will be strictly my personal blog with ALL my fabulous opinions, reviews, and great finds. I am starting a Callidora's blog on Wordpress. There will be announcements of what I'm doing in my shops, Deal of the Week spots, photos of my custom work, and upcoming items.
I'm very excited for what 2009 will bring!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Your Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
I'm curious about what others do for Thanksgiving. Leave me a comment with your favorite tradition - it doesn't have to be on Thanksgiving Day, maybe the day before or after. Maybe it's a certain side dish or an activity, whatever it is let me know. I think I have a little something to give away to a randomly chosen comment!
For those of you who receive this by email, please leave your comment on the blog itself rather than sending me a private email (unless of course, your story is long - then send me an email, but leave a small comment here on the blog).
Looking forward to hearing what you have to share :)
For those of you who receive this by email, please leave your comment on the blog itself rather than sending me a private email (unless of course, your story is long - then send me an email, but leave a small comment here on the blog).
Looking forward to hearing what you have to share :)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Halloween Pictures
Okay, I have to share some halloween pictures with you:
This is my sister's family. Aren't they cute - all themed up!
And Princess Jillie:
And here are my nutballs:
This is my sister's family. Aren't they cute - all themed up!And Princess Jillie:
And here are my nutballs:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Where does it go?
Yesterday, Max turned 15. It's hard to believe - where did all that time go? It doesn't seem like I just brought him home from the hospital, but surely he can't be older than 8! And of course, he's not your typical 15 year old. There's no backtalk or sneaking or bad grades or all that teenager stuff. He's responsible, inventive, hilarious, and brilliant. I know, he's my kid I can say that :) But really, he is!
He's very concerned about the upcoming election - he enjoys watching Keith Oberman and Rachel Maddow, and questioning anyone he comes across. He has "upgraded" one of our computers and it looks like Dr. Frankenstein was in the basement. He likes to zip around on his pocket bike (think circus clown) and hang out with his friends doing "parquor". (I think that's how you spell it. It's some new sport known as freerunning.) All the while, planning his future as a chemical physicist researcher. Oh yes, he is almost finished with Physics this semester and he loves it. Next semester is Chemistry 111, PreCalculus, and Psychology. He's planning to transfer to VCU in the Fall of 2009 - so we shall see.
He's very concerned about the upcoming election - he enjoys watching Keith Oberman and Rachel Maddow, and questioning anyone he comes across. He has "upgraded" one of our computers and it looks like Dr. Frankenstein was in the basement. He likes to zip around on his pocket bike (think circus clown) and hang out with his friends doing "parquor". (I think that's how you spell it. It's some new sport known as freerunning.) All the while, planning his future as a chemical physicist researcher. Oh yes, he is almost finished with Physics this semester and he loves it. Next semester is Chemistry 111, PreCalculus, and Psychology. He's planning to transfer to VCU in the Fall of 2009 - so we shall see.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Vacation, part 3
Later on Friday, we went to the hospital to visit the new baby. Here are some pictures of our happy family:
As you can probably tell, we hate babies :) Anyway, Saturday was spent cleaning up, cooking and freezing lots of dinners, and getting ready for the next part of our vacation. Sunday after church, we headed back to Vegas for our Star Trek Mission.
As you can probably tell, we hate babies :) Anyway, Saturday was spent cleaning up, cooking and freezing lots of dinners, and getting ready for the next part of our vacation. Sunday after church, we headed back to Vegas for our Star Trek Mission.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Vacation, part 2
After Mt. Baldy, we arrived at my sister Lori's house. She was busting at the seams, ready to give birth and as you know, did have little Jillie later that night.
Friday morning, while Lori and Brandon were recuperating at the hospital, Max and I had the pleasure of taking my nephews Bryson and Sebastian to their weekly Mommy & Me class. Wow! What an experience! 15 toddlers and mommies doing activities and singing songs for 2 hours. Thank goodness I had Max and my oldest nephew Gavin there to help. Look at these shiny, happy faces!
Friday morning, while Lori and Brandon were recuperating at the hospital, Max and I had the pleasure of taking my nephews Bryson and Sebastian to their weekly Mommy & Me class. Wow! What an experience! 15 toddlers and mommies doing activities and singing songs for 2 hours. Thank goodness I had Max and my oldest nephew Gavin there to help. Look at these shiny, happy faces!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Vacation is over :(
So sad! I had a great time! Max and I landed in Las Vegas on Wednesday night - very late. We rented a car and a GPS we'll call Maggie. Maggie is a ditz - not nearly as competent as Australian Karen or British Daniel.
Anyway, we crawled into our hotel room, passed out, woke up early, ate breakfast buffet as only Las Vegas can do it, then jumped in the car and relied on Maggie to get us across the Mohave Desert as quickly as possible. We admired the heat, bright sun, and lack of vegetation - so reminiscent of our Arizona days; it's a dry heat.
3.5 hours later, we arrived at Mt. Baldy - one of Max's destinations. Of course we had experiments to conduct: air pressure, altitude, vegetation lines of demarcation, air drag, etc. I, personally, was testing my "winding mountainous road" reflexes; that was interesting. The view from Mt. Baldy was gorgeous of course (except for the brown LA fog hanging over their city at midday).
More coming.....
Anyway, we crawled into our hotel room, passed out, woke up early, ate breakfast buffet as only Las Vegas can do it, then jumped in the car and relied on Maggie to get us across the Mohave Desert as quickly as possible. We admired the heat, bright sun, and lack of vegetation - so reminiscent of our Arizona days; it's a dry heat.
3.5 hours later, we arrived at Mt. Baldy - one of Max's destinations. Of course we had experiments to conduct: air pressure, altitude, vegetation lines of demarcation, air drag, etc. I, personally, was testing my "winding mountainous road" reflexes; that was interesting. The view from Mt. Baldy was gorgeous of course (except for the brown LA fog hanging over their city at midday).
More coming.....
Friday, August 1, 2008
Where Have I Been?!
I'm so sorry! It has been a crazy week! I got 4 custom orders in this week. I had to register Max for the Fall semester. I'm frantically trying to finish my neice's Welcome Home gift BEFORE she arrives next week. I've been planning my little California/Las Vegas getaway. Trying to finish up the last touches on the Fall Collection.
So the August Newsletter will be out sometime this weekend (I hope!) with the monthly winner. Whew! What a week! If you aren't on the list to receive my monthly newsletter with giveaway and specials, please sign up here quickly - before I send the next one out :)
So the August Newsletter will be out sometime this weekend (I hope!) with the monthly winner. Whew! What a week! If you aren't on the list to receive my monthly newsletter with giveaway and specials, please sign up here quickly - before I send the next one out :)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Rumblings
I'm tired, it's hot, muggy, soupy gross. Virginia is NOT for lovers; it's for gills. Somebody please wake me when September ends! I have all these great designs in my head and am finding it hard to get motivated in the heat. Although I have been sewing clothes like crazy, I need to get back to the handbags.
Summer veggies are coming in nicely at the market - tomatoes, peppers, and patty pans. The basil is lush and so lots of pesto at my house. We've had Yellow Doll Watermelon for the first time ever and were quite surprised by golden fleshed watermelon.
Neighborhood kids have been driving me insane and public school can't start soon enough. Get all those little devils outta here! I've had to ban my kids from interacting with non-homeschooled kids because the info they pass on to my kids would make your hair curl. See mine in the picture from the convention - very curled, bad kids.
What else? Max is halfway through the second semester of First Year Comp. He takes his math placement test next week to see what math he will take in the Fall. Ronan lost his first tooth yesterday and another will follow very soon. Miranda and I start Girl Scouts in the Fall; I don't think she even knows, but I'm looking forward to it!
I'm gearing up for the classes I will teach at the homeschool center starting in September - Word Roots, Latin, Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. I'm offering Knitting, Crochet, Hand and Machine Sewing in my home.
See now? Aren't you tired too?
Summer veggies are coming in nicely at the market - tomatoes, peppers, and patty pans. The basil is lush and so lots of pesto at my house. We've had Yellow Doll Watermelon for the first time ever and were quite surprised by golden fleshed watermelon.
Neighborhood kids have been driving me insane and public school can't start soon enough. Get all those little devils outta here! I've had to ban my kids from interacting with non-homeschooled kids because the info they pass on to my kids would make your hair curl. See mine in the picture from the convention - very curled, bad kids.
What else? Max is halfway through the second semester of First Year Comp. He takes his math placement test next week to see what math he will take in the Fall. Ronan lost his first tooth yesterday and another will follow very soon. Miranda and I start Girl Scouts in the Fall; I don't think she even knows, but I'm looking forward to it!
I'm gearing up for the classes I will teach at the homeschool center starting in September - Word Roots, Latin, Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. I'm offering Knitting, Crochet, Hand and Machine Sewing in my home.
See now? Aren't you tired too?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Star Trek: the continuing saga
So I told Max about The Experience closing doors and gave him the option of going this year, before it closes and no big Vegas convention this year or next; or continuing with the original plan. He chose to go this year - to experience The Experience before there is no Experience to experience!
Many many thanks are extended to the Grandmas Deluxe for providing a Grandma Grant that will allow us to take this trip. My sister also happens to be in great need of assistance. She lives in eastern Mohave Desert California and expecting her 4th child in August. It seems no one is brave enough to take care of her 10 yo, 3 yo, almost 2 yo boys, 2 dogs, and 1 kitten for two days and nights while she and hubby are in the hospital. Enter Super Sister to the rescue! Able to corral creeping critters, soothe screaming siblings, and cook nutritional meals in a single skillet. (I can't keep the house clean though - that's up to Fly Lady.)
Max and I will depart for Las Vegas the second week of August and drive to California where my sister will promptly enter the hospital and have a silent, serene, swift delivery. We will entertain the pets and walk the children for a couple of days, ooo and ahhh over the baby for another day. Then back to Vegas we go to experience The Experience.
I'm a huge Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef fan, so we may try to eat a meal at Rock's restaurant. Definitely will be eating at Quark's and any Wolfgang Puck restaurant. We want to go up in the Stratosphere and be at the top and I don't know what else.
This time, when I take pictures with Klingons and Ferengi, I will have them actually printed and not stored on my computer like I did the last time. Only to have them all completely lost due to a lightening storm power surge computer crash 2 months after they were taken.
We are really looking forward to this trip! It will be wonderful to see family and my new niece as well as say goodbye to a very big part of our world. Those who are Trekkies would understand - there is a lot of emotion involved, sort of like a Playoff football game. My only regret is that Blaise won't be able to go and he is a huge fan.
Many many thanks are extended to the Grandmas Deluxe for providing a Grandma Grant that will allow us to take this trip. My sister also happens to be in great need of assistance. She lives in eastern Mohave Desert California and expecting her 4th child in August. It seems no one is brave enough to take care of her 10 yo, 3 yo, almost 2 yo boys, 2 dogs, and 1 kitten for two days and nights while she and hubby are in the hospital. Enter Super Sister to the rescue! Able to corral creeping critters, soothe screaming siblings, and cook nutritional meals in a single skillet. (I can't keep the house clean though - that's up to Fly Lady.)
Max and I will depart for Las Vegas the second week of August and drive to California where my sister will promptly enter the hospital and have a silent, serene, swift delivery. We will entertain the pets and walk the children for a couple of days, ooo and ahhh over the baby for another day. Then back to Vegas we go to experience The Experience.
I'm a huge Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef fan, so we may try to eat a meal at Rock's restaurant. Definitely will be eating at Quark's and any Wolfgang Puck restaurant. We want to go up in the Stratosphere and be at the top and I don't know what else.
This time, when I take pictures with Klingons and Ferengi, I will have them actually printed and not stored on my computer like I did the last time. Only to have them all completely lost due to a lightening storm power surge computer crash 2 months after they were taken.
We are really looking forward to this trip! It will be wonderful to see family and my new niece as well as say goodbye to a very big part of our world. Those who are Trekkies would understand - there is a lot of emotion involved, sort of like a Playoff football game. My only regret is that Blaise won't be able to go and he is a huge fan.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Happy 4th?
Hope everyone had a happy 4th! We had a great big cookout on Thursday with our homeschooling friends and we had the Grandmas spend the holiday weekend with us. It was good to see everyone and eat lots of good food :) The kids went to see fireworks and that left a nice quiet home for me! Ah - the sound of silence!
How was your 4th?
How was your 4th?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
New Computer :)
Have I told you how much I love my husband? What a wonderful man! We got our stimulus check a couple of weeks ago and we had already talked about how badly we needed a new front door. The frame is crooked and has been for years - letting in lots of hot in the summer and cold in the winter. We had 2 last windows to put in from last year's home improvement project. College to pay for, you know the list goes on and on. So, of his own accord, he asked me if I wanted a new computer. Me! Wow! A new computer? I said no, I don't really need it, we can use the money for new carpet, kitchen floor, etc. And he said, " I don't know how you can stand using that computer! You're trying to run a business and that thing is always frozen or hung up on something. You can time a page flip with a calendar!" This is all true, but I had been using it that way for so long I really didn't notice anymore. It's like I'm a computer enabler - I know it's trying and means well; I'll go switch over the laundry while it's trying to flip a page - yes, I'd make excuses for the computer.
So now, I type to you on my brand spanking new Gateway computer! It's beautiful, quiet, sleek, and blazing fast - everything you want new technology to be! It even has speech recognition, so watch out Computer- here comes Star Trek!
So now, I type to you on my brand spanking new Gateway computer! It's beautiful, quiet, sleek, and blazing fast - everything you want new technology to be! It even has speech recognition, so watch out Computer- here comes Star Trek!
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