September chitchat

[Virginia]

I've never had a SIM card and wouldn't have the faintest idea what to do with it. I made sure I got a phone that didn't need one.

Rose, that tree is beautiful when full, but I can understand that the branches could hang quite low.

[Ikoiko]

Rose, my family in NOLA doesn't have power, but they went to stay with someone out of state.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Ikoiko ~

I'm glad your family is safe, and I hope their home was spared from any damage.

Agate and Virginia ~

I didn't have a SIM card in my previous phone. But our iPad has a SIM card, as does my flip phone.

So, when John arrived today, he removed the new SIM card and installed the old SIM card.

When I got on line on my computer to go through the activation process, I typed in my cell phone number and zip code to go on to the next step. Instead of my cell phone, my iPad phone number and description appeared.

I opened up a chat, and the assistant told me that the new SIM card is for my iPad!

She also told me that I will need to upgrade my flip phone soon, because it won't support their network upgrade. So, I will have to get a smart phone.

After John and his friend removed as much as they could from the workshop and garage, I tried to text John. It didn't work. A message at the top: "No SIM inserted."

I know the card is in there, because I watched John do it.

After an hour on line with the same chat assistant, who helped me earlier, she determined that I should take out the SIM card and put it back in. Of course, I'll need John to do that, because I might as well be wearing boxing gloves when I try to do it. If that fails, then it will have to go back to factory settings (? I think that's it) or I will need to upgrade my phone.

Since I have to upgrade my phone by the end of the year, I will just do that now to get it out of the way.

So, this is the year I joined this century, with a new iMac, a new modem, new cables, and a smart phone. I am and always will be WiFi-less.

John and friend asked me today whether I wanted to keep all of the ladders. I laughed, "Yes, All of them! I plan to climb up to the roof to clean it off and to help you install gutters. Plus, I need to wash the second story windows!"

Just the visual of me trying to do that humored them. "Take all of the ladders and whatever else you need. If something needs to be done requiring a ladder, you'll be the first person I call!"

When they finished, I followed them to the front to bid them adieu, and my next door neighbors were outside. As usual, she looked disgruntled. He was walking back from the neighbor's house across the street. These are the neighbors, who have always looked down upon us and are ultra gossipy. I'm surprised they didn't jump on John as usual, but I wasn't surprised that they ignored me.

You would think that I deserve some credit for having my tree trimmed and the front retaining wall repaired. Plus all of the clutter in my garage being removed. I'm sure that they are displeased to see the old car and the old van parked on the driveway.

I care about their feelings as much as they care about my feelings. They forget how beautiful our home was, before our boys' health declined, and then Jim's health declined. Although they have never inquired about Jim, Jon, or Michael, they have to know that they have passed, and I am alone.

Many of my neighbors, like John's parents, have passed through the years, and all of them were Seniors. Jim and I helped them in any way we could, and we were kind and loving toward them, as they were toward us.

These two neighbors never lifted a finger to help anyone on the street. So, it's not like this is personal toward me, except that I know they don't like me. And that makes me feel even more isolated.

Prayers, positive, healing energy for all ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

I am enjoying the new baby in the family. I am as proud as a Grandmother would be. I usually get pictures in the album set up on my iPhone just of him and sent out to the family about twice a week. Today I got 3 and day before yesterday I got 2. He looks like he is the happiest little one you could ever imagine. He smiles and laughs a lot. Today in one of the pictures he looked like he was thinking real hard. We are all loving this. But I wish I could see him again in person. He will be 2 months old tomorrow. I just want to reach out and hug him all the time. I can tell my Niece has already got her figure back. In a couple of the pictures she has been standing up holding him. She is very slim. She says he is growing so fast.

Edited to add: If only Nuthatch was with us -- she and I could have a ball exchanging pictures of our little ones.

[agate]

You could always share photos with the rest of us.

I'm not clever enough with the phone's camera yet to be very adept at taking photos but hope to get better at it eventually.

I just gave away my older camera, which is the kind that takes film. I haven't bought or developed any film in many years and have a notion that film cameras aren't much used any more. I still have my digital camera though as well as the one that comes with the phone.

[Sunshine 2]

Virginia! Fresh Life! Babies are the best!

[agate]

OK, this one is no longer a baby but was one not so long ago. I took this a couple of hours ago. This is my grandson at age 3. He has his very own iPad which he gets to use on weekends: _Y-pMvkAmDEOkfYY-Vtb9QxE2_ulp2hvHUhiL-bi6Vt3Fi9BFQ0LC41iyjp8Os2OBgnmxoHYYvTtWoptKDgqLwsODOcP7iE1Gt0YWs8E27yYyXdRTJ7HiUIT5glT0AUq0KEHVVKgBPZ7PIpV1M82brXBVBPX0oSxg7qSYGNogPQs4G9U5ojipcdzqXVCU_Le5GL4-r0ZCtzpD7_xEUNfta4g8U-3uj8UrZRaLSDlHC6f703J56IEbLtXX9Ngv4F

It was pointed out to me that I could take a photo on the iPad. Sure enough. Much easier than the phone!

[Lazarus11]

Wonderful!

[Lazarus11]

OK, this one is no longer a baby but was one not so long ago. I took this a couple of hours ago. This is my grandson at age 3. He has his very own iPad which he gets to use on weekends: _Y-pMvkAmDEOkfYY-Vtb9QxE2_ulp2hvHUhiL-bi6Vt3Fi9BFQ0LC41iyjp8Os2OBgnmxoHYYvTtWoptKDgqLwsODOcP7iE1Gt0YWs8E27yYyXdRTJ7HiUIT5glT0AUq0KEHVVKgBPZ7PIpV1M82brXBVBPX0oSxg7qSYGNogPQs4G9U5ojipcdzqXVCU_Le5GL4-r0ZCtzpD7_xEUNfta4g8U-3uj8UrZRaLSDlHC6f703J56IEbLtXX9Ngv4F

It was pointed out to me that I could take a photo on the iPad. Sure enough. Much easier than the phone!

I am trying to respond to agate’s picture of her grandson with the iPad but discovered there is no comment button under each post….anyway, I am tired but wanted to say hello everyone and wonderful picture Agagte posted!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Grandmas don't have a corner on the market of loving babies! Aunts can be just as proud, thrilled, doting, and delighted as Grandmas. This sweet little fellow came into your lives at just the right moment. He truly is a bundle of joy!

I also miss Nuthatch and her many wonderful photos and stories. She would love sharing your nephew with you.

agate ~

Your grandson is just adorable! And he knows how to use an iPad! Awesome! No excuse for me then to not be able to figure it out!

You took a photo with your iPad! Great! I do know that is a feature, and John showed me how to do it a couple of years ago. But, I've forgotten. Your photo is very good too. I just want to pinch (gently) those cherub cheeks!

Did you have a visit with him today?

After a conversation with my dear friend, who helps me with my technological devices and my life, we decided that I will get an Apple iPad SE. It looks like a good size for me, and it's current, so it won't go out of date too quickly (we hope). It does have a SIM card.

John is in agreement, and he will help me set up the phone, although my dear friend told me that it will be easy and familiar to me, as I'm an Apple gal all the way. Just don't ask me to insert or remove a SIM card. I'm useless there.

I'm fine with getting an iPhone now. I'm not worried about it. I'm sure I'll figure it out. I just want a break from things, which have to be done, because I can't delay them any longer. My internet went out; my cables were wet; I had to have the cables replaced. My cell phone will be extinct in December, so I have to have an iPhone/smart phone.

It's like all of the chickens came home to roost at the same time, and it has worn me out. However, I must be grateful for the many years that all of these things served our family. My computer, phone, cables, modem, all outlasted their life span. And the reason why we couldn't upgrade was because of the disturbance it would cause for Jonathan and then Jim.

If not for the tremendous love and support I have received in the past 2 1/2 years (plus, of course), I would be a bowl of jello left out of the fridge for too long. But someone always comes along, picks up the bowl, and puts it back into the fridge. I am blessed.

Love, prayers, and positive, healing energy for all ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

Agate what a sweet looking little boy, and smart on top of that. You must be so proud. He has grown and changed so much since you posted the last picture. A good looking young man.

If I knew how I would post some of my little one.
Mine are in a special app that I downloaded called a “FamilyAlbum”, but it is only pictures of him unless my Niece or Nephew in law is holding him. I would read and try to find out how to post pictures, but I expect everything would be about posting from the photo app.

[Virginia]

I am terribly depressed tonight. My landline phone, internet and TV are all out. This is Spectrum that is out, but I thought it was just me and not everyone else. I got down on the floor and tried rebooting my modem. I could not get back up no matter how hard I tried. I crawled to a couple of pieces of furniture in my office, but I just couldn’t do it.

I finally knew it was no use, my right leg that I use to push up with would not come up more than 3 inches off the floor. I had to call 911. The first time I have had to do that. I felt so demoralized and embarrassed. Thankfully I had cellphone in there and I had clothes on. I had taken a shower, washed and fixed my hair earlier. I had put on a night shirt, but I put a housecoat over it.

I can’t tell y’all how bad it makes you feel to be on the floor, not have anyone to call and absolutely not be able to get up. This is the first time I have been that helpless.

[Howie]

"Help, I've fallen and I can't get up". Virginia, I would guess you've seen those commercials. They are called Life Alert. I would give them a call, and see if that's for you. There are times I have gotten in the floor, and have to crawl over to a piece of furniture. So far I've always been able to get up, but it gets harder all the time.

[agate]

Virginia, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm glad it wasn't a fall that might have involved an injury but you shouldn't have to be crawling around trying to find out what's wrong with your electronics.

I know what you're going through. I haven't had to call on anyone yet but there have been many times when I was afraid I might have to, and that is very humiliating even to think about.

I have Century Link for Internet service, and I've noticed how often it's their problem and not mine but I had to go to their Website to find that out. How to get to their Website without any Internet? That is always a problem but sometimes I can get there on the iPad.

Some areas have better connectivity than others and I've heard of maps where you can see how your area stacks up. I haven't looked at any of them yet but keep intending to.

Did help arrive promptly, or did you have a long wait?

I guess we always have to keep ourselves looking decent and presentable just in case. Impossible to do if you take baths or showers!

Rose, today I was treated to a visit with William and his dad. That iPad of William's is a very watered-down version, with only kid stuff on it. He can't do e-mail or Internet browsing --or register on message boards!

I'm enjoying seeing a human being who isn't glued to a cellphone. He's fairly attached to the iPad but it's not total absorption.

[Virginia]

Howie, I do have one of the life alerts you are talking about, but I didn't try pushing the button I wear because they would call 911 just like I did. But since I wasn't close enough to talk into the box and you can't talk from the button you wear around your neck I figured it was better for me to call from my cell phone and let them know I was not injured. If it had come from the personal alert people they would have sent the fire truck with possibly siren plus ambulance. This way I could tell them my needs and ask that they not do all that.

Agate, I did not have to wait long. Two guys came and when they opened my front door they called out "fire department". I told them to turn to the right and there was an alarm system and I told them how to disarm it. Then they came on back to me.

They were so nice and since I thought there was something wrong with my modem they even got down on the floor and tried to fix it for me. I told them what my problem was that caused me not to be able to get up. I apologized a number of times, but they were so kind and one told me that was what they were there for.

It was after they left that I found out that Spectrum had an outage in my neighborhood and there was nothing wrong with my modem. I have felt like crying all night. To think that I have come down this far. I knew I was getting weaker, but I just didn't know how weak I was.

Thankfully I did have my cellphone, but the only reason I did was I thought I might have to call Spectrum to tell them there was something wrong with my phone service on my landline.