Eureka! Part 1

Have you ever wondered how Eureka ever became a positive expression? To me, it sounds more like a proper expletive. No matter, it serves such a purpose for my thoughts on technology these days.

VOIP is a fantastic phone service that utilizes the internet to give you cheap local and long distance service. The only catch is that your internet must work. We haven't really run into any problems until these last few weeks. Some how lights are blinking on all the many devices but no one is talking. Something about the router and modem and cables and static and well. . .no phone. After a few calls to AT&T and "solving" the problem many times, we finally ran head long into the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.

All that prevented us between reconnection and the outside world was a password. Well not really a password, but the key answer to a secret question. Question, "What is your favorite restaurant?" I guess we don't really have a favorite because after guessing over 20 different restaurants we still didn't come up with the right one. The guy kept reminding me that divulging my secret answer would jeopardize his career. Fair. It's not his fault that my life doesn't revolve around one place to eat out. (or 20 others for that matter). I did remind him that these random password secret questions are much like the super expensive car keys that new cars all seem to need. To replace one of those bad boys, you are looking at about $200. But, I ask, how many times has you car been broken into and stolen vs how many times you lose your car keys? Who are we trying to keep out of our cars and likewise our accounts?

In the end, we decided to leave AT&T (rash I know, but really we were a bit underwhelmed and still internet-less) We signed up with Clear. A new and only real affordable option for internet in our area. I keep waiting for Verizon Fios to find us again, but I am not holding my breath. They have a 4G network and a reasonable price tag for super fast internet. Unfortunately, the tower, which is less then a mile from our house, doesn't have enough guts to support a wireless router which is essential for our phone. When I do use the phone, I sound more like a Robot or popcorn then a person.

After calling CLEAR and speaking with a very strange service representative, didn't find their company so CLEAR. She even suggested that we ditch the home phone option and go straight to cell phones exclusively. Tempting, but again, the loss cell phone vs lost home phone option is risky. And, if I ever get a babysitting someday, what would they use when we are out? No way I am leaving my iPhone with a teenager to have unlimited text and internet capacity.

Now our choice is to stick it out with the new guys "CLEAR" or crawl back to AT&T if we want any internet. These choices definitely Eureka!

Hay! Merry Christmas

From our Family to yours, Merry Christmas! PS Mia is the cute little Elf on the reindeer's back. Nice ears, don't you think?

Crocs and their many should be non-uses

Crocs have to be the ugliest form of footwear invented, but they are so wonderful. I love throwing them one to quickly run to the store or take out the garbage or pick up me from the bus stop. Unfortunately, I sometime forget that they really aren't outside of the house shoes and just add to my disheveled look I try to pull off everyday.

It was bound to happen that I would forget my shoe choice at a most inconvenient time. Such as racing to Zumba only to realize my crocs were still on. In my mind, I tried to figure out if it was worth it to race to some store to buy a pair of shoes. No, because 1: I would be even more late if not miss the whole class. B: I am way too cheap to throw away money on new shoes just because I wasn't thinking.

So with just about enough dignity that a Zumba fan could muster, I began shaking my stuff whilst trying to keep huge crocs on my feet.

Foiled by the Grinch

Yesterday I made my appearance in court for my "moving violation" that occurred several months ago. I have been stewing over this ridiculous ticket for way too long. With camera in hand, I made my way to the courthouse for the truth to be told. Too bad my camera was confiscated at the front security desk. Good thing I printed off the mapquest page. After an almost hour long wait, a prosecuting attorney pulled me into another room. He fit a stereotypical model of a schmooze. His hair was slicked back and his smile curled up just like the Grinch when he thinks of his awful idea. He used such choice phrases like "look, I'm not here to talk you out of proceeding to trial" and "Officer so-and-so is here ready to testify against you. He even took notes" and my favorite of all "I am here to make you a deal to save you x amount of time and x amount of dollars". He rolled his eyes a few times and even held back a snort when he could use his new found knowledge of traffic laws. My 12 miles over the posted speed limit now became over 20 since unknown speed limits = traveling 35 miles per hour. I tried to remind him of the ever more important rule of driving in a manner to prevent accidents, but he just said too bad you got caught.

Usually, I just think my bad thoughts and smile. This time I half spoke my bad thoughts and fumed over the lack of justice that I was witnessing. They didn't want the truth. They wanted my money. Yet, in the end, I folded. I knew I was in the right, but I was done with this escapade. I have never in my 15+ years of driving all over this country received a speeding ticket or any other sort of traffic violation. The prosecutor noted that and knock the fee to $130 with no defensive driving test and a probationary 90 days to not get pulled over again. $130 and I was free. I took a few moments to think about it. I wondered how I would win in court. I have a feeling that my hear say evidence (camera wasn't coming into the courtroom) about the over hanging branch covering the speed limit would have been ignored.

I left angry and with a better understanding of how so many countries live with corrupt leaders and "law"givers. It was too much of a gamble for me to pay the full ticket ($176) plus court fees ($100+) and have the ticket on my record (who knows what that would have done to our insurance). $130 sounded good and the attorney knew it.

What I am left with is the questions why? Why can a police officer pull me over when several other cars were driving much faster then me? Oh wait, I know, I was the only one going slow enough for him to pass two lanes of freeway entrance traffic and a solid white line and catch the dangerous driver. Why am I being punished for a bad pruning job? Oh wait, I know, because the state needs easy money. Why else would the police officer pick such a precarious spot to park his unmarked police car? Why did I not have the guts to stand up for myself? Oh wait, I know, I never do.

Oh well, I guess my painting and replacing a wretched chandelier will have to wait. San Antonio needs an easy $130.

Glorified Saran Wrap

I just received our family's Christmas cards in the mail when the weather turned. I think that the bad weather had everything to do with my "bragging" on our Christmas cards about the weather being so nice. (curious about what I said. . .well wait until you get one of the cards in the mail. . .not sure if I have your address. . .email me or leave it as a comment on this post) We have endured many a hot summer days with hopes of the pleasant winter weather. So, when the thermostat was registering 40 degrees, I wasn't a happy camper. We set our heater at 69 in hopes of not paying too much for our comfort. Too bad the heater was running all night long.

Opening windows on sunny days and baking a little more than normal helped with the heater's persistent running. We even went to the extreme tacky lengths of shoving cloth napkins in to the door crevices to help stop all the cold air from rushing in. Finally, with help from a little know product called Window Insulation Film. What is this magic product and how would it be helpful? Take the idea of plastic wrap stretched tight over a window instead of leftovers.

It is quiet a process that involves alcohol wipes, double sided tape, plastic wrap, and a blow dryer. Each window is about a 10-20 minute process and we finally finished the whole upstairs Saturday night. Just in time for us to put up the Christmas lights. Unfortunately, we usually use the upstairs windows to access our lower roofs which meant a careful removal process and a even carefuller replacement. We went to bed grateful for a sealed house and hopes of a less frequent heater situation.

Sunday morning we argued with the kids about taking coats to church assured that the weather would merit a heavier jacket. Wrong. Overnight the temperatures shot up from the low 40's to the mid 60's. That to me is window opening weather and we are sealed in. Oh well, may be it will feel like winter again someday and we will be prepared.

Some Kind of Wonderful

Miss Meekers, you hold a special place in my heart. You are the special someone who made me a mom. (Mia around 18 months and or Talia's age now)How could I be so blessed to have such a girl in my life? You can do everything. Your magical optimism is infectious and shapes our family's life daily. I love your obsession with reading and learning. I love hearing you sing and catching mini shows when you don't realize that I am watching. I love your diplomatic tendencies and your innate sense of equality (even though it is often slightly biased). Your siblings adore you and wait anxiously for your arrival home each day from school. I love finding you and your siblings immersed in some game you've concocted or find them rapt in attention while you read to them. Your beautiful smile and surprisingly blue eyes are only second to your precious spirit and tender heart. Thank you for who you are and who you make me want to be.

Mr. Man

There is a reason why I call you Handsome. I love your smile especially when it creeps onto your face every time an engine roars or sheep are ramming their heads together.
(picture by Tiago and my iPhone)
I love your curiosity even if the bugs' life is put at risk of closer inspections. Your love for life is as contagious as your laughter. (picture by Tiago and my iPhone)
Your tender spirit and love of Jesus is evident in how you treat all of us in the family and stray dogs that need attention. Nothing is more sweet than your consideration of Mia or Talia's feelings above your own. Thanks for reminding us about scripture study and prayers. Thanks for energizing the group and cuddling. I love your hugs and whispered I love you's. I love that you eat and drink like a horse but hide that evidence nicely (I mean your weight and not your ability to sneak food behind the couch and leave it there).I love you, Mr. Handsome Man.