Well, my new air card arrived via Fed X while we were eating lunch. I did finish my BLT made with home grown tomatoes before I set out to install the new one.
First I tried to install it on the desk top, like Ron suggested, and it installed fantastic but wouldn't work. Still showing "dormat" on the VZ Access Manager. So down stairs to the laptop. The CD wasn't talking to the computer right. In this frame of time I've been on the phone with a tech from Verizon, because of a slip of the finger, so she is trying to figure out what's wrong. Her suggestion was to find a WiFi and download a different disk onto a thumb drive.
Well, we may be nearing old age but we're no hicks. I logged onto Ron's air card, which is WiFi, and proceeded to open up my stash of thumb drives. TWO, one I know is a back up for Quicken so I'm not going to override that and the other doesn't appear to have been used so I put it in the pc and it already has something on it and the pc won't override. I've condensed this from the two and a half hours it lasted till the clock showed 2:30 pm.
Now it's time for me to think about my nail appointment at 3 pm. So the Verizon tech gives up and says all she can do is send me to the Verizon store with the air card and pc. I agree with he cause I need to hit the road in a few. As we disconnect my pc begins to make a noise, new windows flash on the screen and it starts going thru the process just like it did with the desk top. It managed to finish in time for me to try it out and it works. Don't ask........I won't tell.
I must admit 4 g is nice but not that much nicer that I would ever want to go thru this again. I have promised myself I will never tell anyone how long we've had Verizon air cards and not had a second's trouble again.
The nail appointment went really well. My tech was out with allergies so I had a different tech. She did a fantastic job, so much so I think I like her better than my regular tech. We'll see.
During the course of the conversation I mentioned I had been to Merichkas the night before. One asked where it was and one of the other people asked what a poor boy was. I guess I've lived in Lockport a long time. All these people I'm running into know nothing about Lockport or the surrounding area. They're all Chicago transplants and aren't interested in our heritage.
Merichkas is a family owned restaurant in Crest Hill, IL. It's known for it's poor boys, double baked potatoes, salad with house dressing and to die for onion rings. They do have other foods and I'm told that it is good but when most people go to Merichkas it's for a poor boy.
Before you ask, a poor boy is a strip of steak that has been put through a tenderizer machine and fried with garlic butter served on Italian bread grilled with garlic butter. If garlic butter doesn't roll down your chin on the first bite you ordered it without the garlic butter. I can talk about this because I have half of my poor boy in the refrigerator waiting to be heated up for lunch. Yes they can be reheated.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Good Day/Bad Day
We'll start out with the good. Actually it's been a good week up till today. Sunday the honeymooners arrived back safe and sound. They had some effects from TS Issac during their stay in Santa Domingo but had to bypass it coming back to the states. They landed in North Carolina only to have a lay over while the airlines dealt with some problem the pilots had during the flight.
The Marine finally got off the ground in Seattle heading for Japan on Monday morning after the threats of typhoon passed and arrived in Japan. In fact, we got word today that he was in Camp Fuji and excited with his assignment.
Ron was nice enough the past two days to do all the running for groceries and supplies so I could get some much needed sewing in. I got the muslin bags made for the "Corn Hole" game but ran out of dried beans. While he was off getting the bulk pinto beans I cut out the outside pieces for the bags and sewed them all up three sides. I even tried the one muslin bag that was full and sewn but I couldn't get a neat top stitch so I took it apart and started sewing it without the beans. THREE times. Each time my new sewing machine didn't like what I was trying to do and managed to make a mess for me to rip out. Sure glad we bought sturdy material. Thus far it still looks good. After the third time when the machine started flashing unrecognizable codes and making strange noises is when I turned off the machine and the light.
While all of this was going on we were unable to get the desktop computer to work. Even Mr Know It All failed. The air card was flashing blue instead of green and about 15 seconds after we logged on the air card went dormant which meant nothing would load. SO..... after lunch when I went upstairs I found Ron on the phone with Verizon. He was swapping war stories with some dolly about the pros and cons of track vehicles. Beats me. She ended up transferring him to a guy who actually knew nothing about track vehicles and did know something about air cards. Not enough to fix it but he put on a show of trying.
Since my MiFi is so old I agreed to get a new one that will be faster and more up to date. After listening to all the BS about what my liabilities were he transferred me to an automated operator who went thru another schpeel and if I agreed I was to put in my Verizon billing password. Well gosh dang, I always carry that information with me but I left it in my Sunday dress. DUH With that lack of information, they disconnected the call.
I left the house and sat on the front porch. If they called back fine but I wasn't going thru that again. Poor Ron got on the phone and after three tries, he brought me out a cup of tea and news that he finally got a person and the new air card was on it's way.
We've had air cards in one form or another for over 10 years but the other night I bragged to someone about how well they worked and POW this is the first time we've ever had a problem with Verizon air cards.
Looking forward to the rest of the week going back to good.
The Marine finally got off the ground in Seattle heading for Japan on Monday morning after the threats of typhoon passed and arrived in Japan. In fact, we got word today that he was in Camp Fuji and excited with his assignment.
Ron was nice enough the past two days to do all the running for groceries and supplies so I could get some much needed sewing in. I got the muslin bags made for the "Corn Hole" game but ran out of dried beans. While he was off getting the bulk pinto beans I cut out the outside pieces for the bags and sewed them all up three sides. I even tried the one muslin bag that was full and sewn but I couldn't get a neat top stitch so I took it apart and started sewing it without the beans. THREE times. Each time my new sewing machine didn't like what I was trying to do and managed to make a mess for me to rip out. Sure glad we bought sturdy material. Thus far it still looks good. After the third time when the machine started flashing unrecognizable codes and making strange noises is when I turned off the machine and the light.
While all of this was going on we were unable to get the desktop computer to work. Even Mr Know It All failed. The air card was flashing blue instead of green and about 15 seconds after we logged on the air card went dormant which meant nothing would load. SO..... after lunch when I went upstairs I found Ron on the phone with Verizon. He was swapping war stories with some dolly about the pros and cons of track vehicles. Beats me. She ended up transferring him to a guy who actually knew nothing about track vehicles and did know something about air cards. Not enough to fix it but he put on a show of trying.
Since my MiFi is so old I agreed to get a new one that will be faster and more up to date. After listening to all the BS about what my liabilities were he transferred me to an automated operator who went thru another schpeel and if I agreed I was to put in my Verizon billing password. Well gosh dang, I always carry that information with me but I left it in my Sunday dress. DUH With that lack of information, they disconnected the call.
I left the house and sat on the front porch. If they called back fine but I wasn't going thru that again. Poor Ron got on the phone and after three tries, he brought me out a cup of tea and news that he finally got a person and the new air card was on it's way.
We've had air cards in one form or another for over 10 years but the other night I bragged to someone about how well they worked and POW this is the first time we've ever had a problem with Verizon air cards.
Looking forward to the rest of the week going back to good.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Last Day of Quilt Shop Hopping
We had 5 more quilt shops to hit before the end of August so this morning we took off to finish them up. The first stop was supposed to be in Willowbrook but the store had moved. There was a sign on the door giving the address of the new shop. My feelings about that were still under advisement when we arrived at the new location. The women, whom I have reason to believe is the owner, informed us that we wouldn't be allowed to register for their drawing since we didn't purchase anything. She did change her mind and let Ron fill out the book but no drawing forms were offered. Needless to say, I would have never gone back there again but now I'll bad mouth the shop too.
Off to Bensenville and then Downers Grove and Lisle with very polite and happy people. In Lisle we ran into a fellow quilt shop hopper and since we were having problems putting the next stop in Naperville into the GPS the nice clerk at Lisle gave us precise directions. We thank her very much.
After Naperville the other hopper went on to Cresthill before going to Lockport. We went north on Rt 59 and had a late lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and then on to Lockport for our last shop and purchasing of two quilt backs for my Linus quilts.
We're both glad it's over. I won't do this one again. I don't even remember what some of the stores looked like. We've had positive results from other shop hops and will continue to do those, just not this long a one.
Off to Bensenville and then Downers Grove and Lisle with very polite and happy people. In Lisle we ran into a fellow quilt shop hopper and since we were having problems putting the next stop in Naperville into the GPS the nice clerk at Lisle gave us precise directions. We thank her very much.
After Naperville the other hopper went on to Cresthill before going to Lockport. We went north on Rt 59 and had a late lunch at Sweet Tomatoes and then on to Lockport for our last shop and purchasing of two quilt backs for my Linus quilts.
We're both glad it's over. I won't do this one again. I don't even remember what some of the stores looked like. We've had positive results from other shop hops and will continue to do those, just not this long a one.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wedding day plus one
We all survived yesterday and on a scale of one to ten it went very well. 9 at least. It was a beautiful day, no humidity and gentle breezes. Bright sunshine and no rain. It was a long day. Daughter and her husband got her hair appointment done early so they came down and waited for my Mary Kay lady, Judi Tapella. Judi arrived on time in her new pink Cadillac SUV. Nice car, her 18th new Cadillac.
Judi took the time and did my daughter and my makeup, a beautiful job she did. Then I put out some ham and hard roles and fresh fruit for a quick lunch. Daughter was supposed to be at the church by 1:30 pm for pictures. While she and her husband were getting dressed, problem number one. Husband didn't have a shirt. Off to Target to buy one real quick. In the mean time daughter left with Amber and Tim and Sam so she could get to the church on time. Left Nick and Elie at our house to ride with us. Son in law comes back and the shirt he bought is to small. Back to Target. We got dressed, loaded up Nick and Elie and headed for the church. Made it early enough to be in some pictures before the service and son in law made it in time for the service.
There was a couple hours between the wedding and the reception so we came home and relaxed. Sure glad we made that decision as we were ready to head to the reception and enjoy the evening. Eric and Julie made a beautiful couple and will make beautiful babies. Love being a grandma and having little ones around again.
Judi took the time and did my daughter and my makeup, a beautiful job she did. Then I put out some ham and hard roles and fresh fruit for a quick lunch. Daughter was supposed to be at the church by 1:30 pm for pictures. While she and her husband were getting dressed, problem number one. Husband didn't have a shirt. Off to Target to buy one real quick. In the mean time daughter left with Amber and Tim and Sam so she could get to the church on time. Left Nick and Elie at our house to ride with us. Son in law comes back and the shirt he bought is to small. Back to Target. We got dressed, loaded up Nick and Elie and headed for the church. Made it early enough to be in some pictures before the service and son in law made it in time for the service.
Friday, August 17, 2012
25 hours
Can't believe it's finally here. I know I'll be glad when it's over with and life can get back to normal for a few weeks.
Tonight is the rehearsal and pizza after wards and then tomorrow afternoon is the time.
Today has been up in the air between my daughter fretting over her husband's tan line and her step daughter and family's luggage being lost by the airline, I'm ready to go sit on my front porch and chill out.
Before I do, I'll try and explain the two major problems. One, son in law's tan line. You see he rides a Harley/or any other kind of motorcycle and his head is so hard he doesn't have to wear a helmet or as he says, statistics prove that it's safer not to wear a helmet. The next stereotype is since he doesn't wear a helmet, he wears a dew rag, hence the tan line. Which my daughter is planning on hiding with makeup.
Second, Daughter's step daughter and her son and baby daddy flew in from New Jersey this morning for the wedding. Great flight, much easier than driving but the airlines lost their one and only piece of luggage. No carry on or anything. I was really looking forward to seeing how they were going to look at the wedding when I just read the luggage has be found but not delivered to them yet. I'm glad for them but I'll just have to imagine how they would have looked.
Now having rid myself of frustration, I think I will go and sit on my front porch swing and read a Sue Grafton novel. Then off to the store for some lunch meat and fruit for lunch tomorrow now that I know how many people will be at my house getting makeup.
By the way, if I stepped on any ones toes enough to upset them. Don't call me. I merely expressed my opinion and, like everyone else, I have the right to have one.
Tonight is the rehearsal and pizza after wards and then tomorrow afternoon is the time.
Today has been up in the air between my daughter fretting over her husband's tan line and her step daughter and family's luggage being lost by the airline, I'm ready to go sit on my front porch and chill out.
Before I do, I'll try and explain the two major problems. One, son in law's tan line. You see he rides a Harley/or any other kind of motorcycle and his head is so hard he doesn't have to wear a helmet or as he says, statistics prove that it's safer not to wear a helmet. The next stereotype is since he doesn't wear a helmet, he wears a dew rag, hence the tan line. Which my daughter is planning on hiding with makeup.
Second, Daughter's step daughter and her son and baby daddy flew in from New Jersey this morning for the wedding. Great flight, much easier than driving but the airlines lost their one and only piece of luggage. No carry on or anything. I was really looking forward to seeing how they were going to look at the wedding when I just read the luggage has be found but not delivered to them yet. I'm glad for them but I'll just have to imagine how they would have looked.
Now having rid myself of frustration, I think I will go and sit on my front porch swing and read a Sue Grafton novel. Then off to the store for some lunch meat and fruit for lunch tomorrow now that I know how many people will be at my house getting makeup.
By the way, if I stepped on any ones toes enough to upset them. Don't call me. I merely expressed my opinion and, like everyone else, I have the right to have one.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
W minus 2
Actually it's one and a wake up. That military terminology never leaves. Today is a dark and dreary day with some thunder and lightening and rain but we won't let that dampen our spirit. No we won't.
Today is pampering day with nails and toes this afternoon and a facial mask this morning. In fact it's on now so I don't have on my glasses. If anything is terribly wrong I'll try and catch it later.
Purple nails, we'll be on our way.
Well, the day took a left turn. That is left turn out of my driveway and back to the hair dresser from yesterday. Of course she wasn't in today so I trusted my head to another and she managed to do some repairs. When I went to dry my hair this morning I discovered a hunk of long hair in the middle of my forehead. Long you say. So long it appeared that it had never been cut, which the person this morning confirmed. It looks a lot better, still a wave on the right side, but I'll deal with it.
Hope the manicure and pedicure person doesn't use two different colors polish. Well maybe that wouldn't look to bad. After all the wedding colors are purple and green.
Today is pampering day with nails and toes this afternoon and a facial mask this morning. In fact it's on now so I don't have on my glasses. If anything is terribly wrong I'll try and catch it later.
Purple nails, we'll be on our way.
Well, the day took a left turn. That is left turn out of my driveway and back to the hair dresser from yesterday. Of course she wasn't in today so I trusted my head to another and she managed to do some repairs. When I went to dry my hair this morning I discovered a hunk of long hair in the middle of my forehead. Long you say. So long it appeared that it had never been cut, which the person this morning confirmed. It looks a lot better, still a wave on the right side, but I'll deal with it.
Hope the manicure and pedicure person doesn't use two different colors polish. Well maybe that wouldn't look to bad. After all the wedding colors are purple and green.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
W minus 3 and counting
Two more days and a wake up but who's counting. Our second oldest grandchild is getting married Saturday. Since the first got married in Maryland by a judge this will be the first wedding and we are all excited. We've purchased the dresses, men only have their suits cleaned and pressed, made the necessary beauty appointments and are starting the count down.
I've already blogged about my daughter and I buying the dresses. Today is my haircut day. The nice lady who usually cuts my hair was trying to get me to let it grown out. I tried for three weeks. Just isn't working. I have naturally curly hair. It looks like I stuck my finger in a live light socket or got a fuzzy perm. If I work with it I'm in the roaring 20's with wavy hair. Just not a frizzy/wavy haired person. We'll see how the session goes in a few minutes when I get back from the beauty shop. Wish me luck that I have some hair left but not a lot ,
I've already blogged about my daughter and I buying the dresses. Today is my haircut day. The nice lady who usually cuts my hair was trying to get me to let it grown out. I tried for three weeks. Just isn't working. I have naturally curly hair. It looks like I stuck my finger in a live light socket or got a fuzzy perm. If I work with it I'm in the roaring 20's with wavy hair. Just not a frizzy/wavy haired person. We'll see how the session goes in a few minutes when I get back from the beauty shop. Wish me luck that I have some hair left but not a lot ,
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Quilt Hopping
It started on Tuesday but I've already told you about that so we're going to skip to Thursday morning. Not real early since none of the quilt shops open before 10 am.
First stop was Oswego, IL. Nice shop downtown where we bought several craft patterns. Then Batavia, Winfield, St Charles, Hampshire, Carpentersville, Huntley and Woodstock. We ended up in Rockford with one last stop at a shop that stayed open till 6 pm.
We bought some quilt backing and craft patterns in some of the places and a couple sewing supplies.
After spending a free night at the Clock Tower Best Western in Rockford, including a free breakfast of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, cereal and fresh fruit, we hit the road.
Three more quilt shops in Rockford (big quilt town) it was off to Pecatonica and Orangeville. We had been warned about the problem finding this shop so we stopped at the BP gas station for directions as soon as we got into town. Glad we did. The employee was extremely familiar with the shop and gave us precise directions that got us there quickly and directly. No further explanation will forthcoming. Then it was on to Pearl City and Galena. Heading back south and east Leaf River and Clare were our last two stops.
Home was the next destination. After two days, over 600 miles, 18 quilt shops when the owner of the last shop asked me which shop was my favorite, I couldn't even think of one to answer her.
I don't think I'll ever do this Quilt Shop Hop again. It was just to much traveling in one day and no time to enjoy the different shops.
Almost forgot to tell you we're not done. We still have six shops to hit in our region. They are close so we can do them a little more leisurely before the end of August deadline.
First stop was Oswego, IL. Nice shop downtown where we bought several craft patterns. Then Batavia, Winfield, St Charles, Hampshire, Carpentersville, Huntley and Woodstock. We ended up in Rockford with one last stop at a shop that stayed open till 6 pm.
We bought some quilt backing and craft patterns in some of the places and a couple sewing supplies.
After spending a free night at the Clock Tower Best Western in Rockford, including a free breakfast of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, cereal and fresh fruit, we hit the road.
Three more quilt shops in Rockford (big quilt town) it was off to Pecatonica and Orangeville. We had been warned about the problem finding this shop so we stopped at the BP gas station for directions as soon as we got into town. Glad we did. The employee was extremely familiar with the shop and gave us precise directions that got us there quickly and directly. No further explanation will forthcoming. Then it was on to Pearl City and Galena. Heading back south and east Leaf River and Clare were our last two stops.
Home was the next destination. After two days, over 600 miles, 18 quilt shops when the owner of the last shop asked me which shop was my favorite, I couldn't even think of one to answer her.
I don't think I'll ever do this Quilt Shop Hop again. It was just to much traveling in one day and no time to enjoy the different shops.
Almost forgot to tell you we're not done. We still have six shops to hit in our region. They are close so we can do them a little more leisurely before the end of August deadline.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Quilt Shop Hopping
If you haven't quilt shop hopped I just don't know if I can explain the thrill. This one started in June and lasts till the end of this month (August) so, naturally, I'm just starting now. The object is to hit a designated group of Quilt Shops and shop and buy and have them stamp your "Passport" that you've been there. When you have all the shops stamped, you turn in the passport and become eligible for some really nice prizes.
I've only been on two shop hops before and they were just 4 days long. This one covers most of northern Illinois and is broken into three regions. We decided to save our area till last so we headed north today. Up I-355 as far north as Grand Ave and as far west as Woodstock, IL. Barrington, Crystal Lake and Arlington Park were a few of the places. I had finished seven quilt tops for the Tucson Linus Project so I was searching for backings. The added incentive was 15% off what ever you bought while you were there. Some of the places had nice selections of bolts of cloth at reasonable prices and others had nice selections with high prices. I tried to find ones with the discount bolts and did pretty good. I got four backings, three pin cushion kits, and one 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 block pattern. And all at 15 % off.
Now the remaining stores that were already closed plus heading west to catch those 9 and then back to this area for the remaining region.
We enjoyed the drive with views of areas we'd never been through but I miss the smaller ones where you run into the same people at different stores. I also miss the little gifts they give out in the AZ one. I did get a purse tissue holder with tissues.
I've only been on two shop hops before and they were just 4 days long. This one covers most of northern Illinois and is broken into three regions. We decided to save our area till last so we headed north today. Up I-355 as far north as Grand Ave and as far west as Woodstock, IL. Barrington, Crystal Lake and Arlington Park were a few of the places. I had finished seven quilt tops for the Tucson Linus Project so I was searching for backings. The added incentive was 15% off what ever you bought while you were there. Some of the places had nice selections of bolts of cloth at reasonable prices and others had nice selections with high prices. I tried to find ones with the discount bolts and did pretty good. I got four backings, three pin cushion kits, and one 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 block pattern. And all at 15 % off.
Now the remaining stores that were already closed plus heading west to catch those 9 and then back to this area for the remaining region.
We enjoyed the drive with views of areas we'd never been through but I miss the smaller ones where you run into the same people at different stores. I also miss the little gifts they give out in the AZ one. I did get a purse tissue holder with tissues.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Surprise
We got a great surprise this afternoon. A visit from our two oldest grand children, Michael and Eric.
Eric is getting married 3 weeks from Saturday and Michael is in the wedding. Michael is one of The Few and the Proud ready for a new post after the wedding, Fuji, Japan.
He flew in from California this afternoon and Eric picked him up from the airport and after dropping his sea bag off at Eric's and a stop at Portillo's for food, they came over to visit the grandparents.
We all had a great time discussing many different subjects in the general category of guns and politics, which we all four agree on.
After several hours, we decided it was time to eat so off to Merichkas for poor boys and onion rings and more conversation only a little less controversial in a restaurant full of people.
We even ran into some old friends from work. Ray and Kathy Mutz. It was great to see them. They both looked great.
We got to ride in Eric's new truck, it's nice but it took all I had to climb into the cab. He needs some step rails.
Nice way to spend Friday with no plans.
Eric is getting married 3 weeks from Saturday and Michael is in the wedding. Michael is one of The Few and the Proud ready for a new post after the wedding, Fuji, Japan.
He flew in from California this afternoon and Eric picked him up from the airport and after dropping his sea bag off at Eric's and a stop at Portillo's for food, they came over to visit the grandparents.
We all had a great time discussing many different subjects in the general category of guns and politics, which we all four agree on.
After several hours, we decided it was time to eat so off to Merichkas for poor boys and onion rings and more conversation only a little less controversial in a restaurant full of people.
We even ran into some old friends from work. Ray and Kathy Mutz. It was great to see them. They both looked great.
We got to ride in Eric's new truck, it's nice but it took all I had to climb into the cab. He needs some step rails.
Nice way to spend Friday with no plans.
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