OT June Chit Chat

[Jeanie Z]

:) My uncle called and he was at the VA hospital having tests for 3 days. He is ok. Jeanie :)

[stillstANNding]

Good to hear that, Jeanie. Stay cool.
ANN

[SuzE-Q]

Jeanie, glad your uncle is ok. Hope the mechanics can finally get your vehicle working properly, this is just getting silly now.

Peg, so sorry about all the animal injuries.

Happy Anniversaries to both Cat and Linda!

Howie, such tough luck about your car. Sometimes, I find it's sheer luck that I don't back into low curbs because I can't see them. How is Seven doing?

Renee, hope to see you here again soon, hope your health is on an upswing.

Agate, how is YOUR health doing? I'm sorry to read you're going through a difficult time, please feel free to vent if you need to.

Good luck to those starting on new meds, please keep us up to date with how it's going!

Happy June to everyone, hope it doesn't get too hot and everyone has a nice month!

[Virginia]

Peg, thanks for starting us off once again. Too bad about all the ailments with your animals. I hope they all get well soon.

Linda and John, Cat and Tom Cat, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Jeanie, I do hope that your van will get fixed RIGHT and soon. As Suze-Q said this is ridiculous. You have paid those mechanics that work on it a fortune I am sure. I was glad your Uncle was found and was alright.

Howie, we are getting close to Friday here in the East. That is your big day to get your vehicle back. I just hope they get yours fixed right the first time, and that you do not have any of Jeanie's problems.

[Virginia]

I read the end of May chit-chat after I read this. So now I understand Howie that you will not be getting your car tomorrow. But Sister is great because she is going to take you to sign for it to be worked on, and take you to get groceries and mail your bills. I hope they do not take forever fixing your vehicle.

Thanks for setting us straight as to how vintage car tags and insurance, etc works.

Agate, sorry you are feeling sad. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I saw someone else today who said they had a bad May. Let's hope it starts over now - May is gone!

[Howie]

Well, it's Friday, and like every time I have something important to do the next day, I can't sleep. But I can't blame it on coffee, although I'm getting ready to go and make a pot.

I got the strongest Folgers Coffee the other day. I like it, and the container is red like my new kitchen stuff I got from Amazon. There's more I want, but not this month, I need my car, and besides signing a paper at the place that's fixing it, I may have to pay $500. My car insurance has a $500 deductible, and I may have to pay it today, then the insurance pays the rest.

I think when the insurance expires this time, I'm going to go with someone else, maybe Progressive. And get just the kind that covers the other guy. I've paid full coverage for 11 years, and I didn't even get a loaner car. It REALLY ticked me off.

I'm watching Sea Hunt. I have the whole collection on DVD, yet I will watch it on TV. I would have loved to make a living doing that. I love the water. And I love aircraft too, but have never done that. What a boring life!

I didn't give Seven any Tramadol today. I'm going to get some tuna and canned cat food, and see if I can make taking medication a little easier on both of us.

Well, coffee time. Only sugar today, I don't even have milk to add to it, much less my French Vanilla creamer. It will be nice to go shopping today, and restock.

Have a great day my favorite group of people!

[stillstANNding]

May the force be with you, Howie!

[Cat Dancer]

Tales of the cell phone: So, my old cell phone was probably burned up in the trash. It certainly isn't anywhere that I've been able to locate. So we went to US Cellular in the next town over (about 45 minutes away), to talk to the folks there about what to do.

And I was very pleasantly surprised. After trying to deal with the US Cellular folks in our tiny town..who were always eager to sell us the most expensive high-end computer phone with fancy buttons, even fancier options, I was nervous.

Instead, the very nice woman showed us the low-end flip-phones very similar to the one I had that turned into a pile of rubble. There was absolutely no pressure to buy a more expensive model. Then she asked what plan we were on ... one that cost us $40/month for unlimited calling (but not much other fancy stuff) . and said something like "..actually that plan isn't available at that price anymore.." (at which time I was gearing myself up for some huge increase in price) and she continued.." that plan is now $25 a month....I can switch both of you over to it, if you want...." (To which I mentally said, "no, lady, we like to be ripped off....we'll keep it at $40 and further enrich the cellphone company), but instead I said, "Oh wow, of course!! Thank you very much!!". And so she did. And then spent 20 minutes on the phone with "headquarters" making sure we got credit for June's payment (already billed to our credit card), and properly rebilled for the $25. Then another 20 minutes with the new phone, installing a fully charged battery, making sure I knew how to use it, making sure the number was transferred from the old phone to the new, making sure all was working properly.

And did it respectfully, without condesention, without making me feel like the old fogy I am. So almost an hour of her time, for a very low-end sale, but sent away two happy customers. We're not thrilled with the US Cellular range -- sometimes TC can't reach me when he's at camp, for example..but really pleased with the customer service.

So we took the money we "saved" and went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch (actually went there to celebrate our anniversary -- thanks for all your good wishes)..but did marvel at her help.

[Lazarus]

Good news on all fronts. Glad you had a good experience.

For future reference for anyone reading this thread, I use Consumer Cellular. I have the same experience you describe.
I have a flip phone which has limited abilities. I could have chosen a smart phone but I love my flip phone! Plans start as cheap as $10.00 a month. I recently added texting for just a few situations but it has been useful in emergencies.

[Jeanie Z]

:) When Jamie's Mother was here I put 80 miles on the van taking her to return her FL tag and to three phone companies to get her iPhone her DIL gave her switched over from her flip phone. We wound up having to go back there as it would not work. A nice young lady helped her this time and she has it working. I sat in the van with the AC on for over an hour each time.

I slept until 11 today. Andy came and gave Lacy a bath and brought me coffee and a donut. I will get dressed and later go to the mechanic and grocery shop. Also my RX's are ready to pick up. Jeanie :)

[Sunshine]

Cat, it might be good to write corporate or local store commending the gal on her patience and helpfulness and respectfulness? Or even write a positive review on yelp?

[Cat Dancer]

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Cat, it might be good to write corporate or local store commending the gal on her patience and helpfulness and respectfulness? Or even write a positive review on yelp?

Yes, good idea. I'll do that! :)

[Howie]

The pen is mightier than the sword.

[Virginia]

Who taught you that Dr. Spock?

Nice story about the phone Cat. Not too many going around these days.

Howie, hope by now you have signed for car to be fixed, grocery shopped and taken care of todays to do list.

[stillstANNding]

Howie, how did things go w your car?

Cat, it sounds like you got a great deal on your phones. All's well that ends well. And belated Happy Anniversary.

Laz, happy anniversary to you, too. Tomorrow is your hard day.

I just came home from taking MIL to her PMD w Peter. Then grocery shopping and dinner at a good Chinese restaurant. I came home after that as MIL wants to go to two more grocery stores!

Tomorrow Peter is going to Worcester, MA for state democrats convention. He hopes to get out early.
ANN