2-20-14 Thursday (We Have 4-Wheel Drive, You Don’t, Na Na Na Na)

Work was closed for both Jim and I on Thursday.  It got pretty bad out there as evident from the news coverage.  We watched a neighbor trying to leave their home only make it 1 block.  They got stuck and had to drive back home in reverse.  We watched more people attempt to leave the neighborhood unsuccessfully.  Jim decided to venture out.  I stayed home.  I think he just wanted all the neighbors to see him leave and return in our 4 wheel drive vehicles. 

Our power flickered at one point but managed to stay on.  So many people lost power.  I don’t know what we would have done without computers and TV!  We spent the day lounging around, surfing the internet, watching TV, and even a nap.

Here’s our snow.

I didn’t take many photos but here’s my best one.

My wonderful HTC Thunderbolt phone became very slow several months ago.  I uninstalled apps, ran utilities and eventually found out that a lot of people were having this issue after an operating system update.  Some say it was corrected after resetting the phone back to factory specs, others said it didn’t help.  I never tried the reset.  The phone has other issues such as a muffled earpiece and mic.  I have insurance on it and it would be replaced for $100 if I “lost it”.  We went into Verizon with hopes of renewing our contract so that we could get 2 new $90,000 phones for just a $100 or so.  So after picking out new phones we found out that our grandfathered unlimited data plan would not carry over.  We need that plan.  We tether our phone to our laptops for internet in Augusta on weekends.  The connection is so awesome that we can effortlessly stream youtube or Pandora without an issue.  So we bailed on a new contract.

A few months later, my phone continues to annoy me so I check for a new one.  VERY pricey.  I check eBay and found a seller with a phenomenal feedback score selling refurbished Samsung Galaxy 3 phones for $230.

I purchased.  I received.  Due to weather issues, the 2 days shipping (I didn’t pay for shipping) took 4 days.  The new phone takes a SIM card that is much smaller than my old Thunderbolt.  I went to Verizon to get the SIM card replaced.  They were very helpful but the sales guy discovered the phone was on the lost/stolen list and they wouldn’t turn it on.  I contacted the seller who said that I should call Verizon advanced tech support.  I did so; they said they couldn’t turn it on.  The seller sent me another phone.  I’m a little annoyed… OK a lot.  It’s been a week to get this resolved and as of Friday (USPS.com shows it’s in NJ) I still don’t have the phone.  They were receptive but wouldn’t send me a new phone until they receive the old one OR I can authorize another phone and then get them to refund it when they receive the “stolen/lost” one.  I went ahead and did that.  The delayed time was due to messages back and forth to get the situation resolved. 

This past weekend, Jim took Monday off for a 3 day weekend and went to Atlanta to visit family. I had to work Saturday.  While in Atlanta, Jim went to look at a 5th wheel RV that I found online.  I love it.  It’s more money than the trailer we looked at in Hickory, NC - BUT it’s also 2 years newer and has more of what we wanted and doesn’t need any work.  The dealership is very busy so they schedule their paperwork signing/deliveries.  The next available is Saturday 3/1.  We’ll drive to Augusta the night before as typical for our usual weekend getaways but we’ll get up early and head to Atlanta to make the purchase. 

It’s got a huge kitchen (for an RV).  Here’s a photo from the dealer’s website.

I’ll show ya more in another post.  I’m excited.  We’re got a dealer recommended transport guy scheduled to take it to Augusta for us.

That’s it for this post.  I leave you with this snapshot of a car in front of me the other day.

and no, it’s not a leap year.

2-12-14 Wednesday (Trailer Upgrades)

Dear Diary,

Today I saw quarterback Frank, he’s sooooo dreamy.

Ooops, wrong blog.  On Wednesday (that was the 5th in case you need to check the calendar), I went to the dentist for a cleaning.  The receptionist tells me that my insurance had expired (it was Jim’s) when they called Monday to verify coverage.  I told them I had Cobra, but she needed to know a number, another number and a phone number.  Panicked, I called Jim.  He didn’t know the plan # and all that so I had to reschedule the appointment.  I don’t know that I’ve ever had to deal with Cobra and therefore don’t really know what I’m doing. I suspect the dentist office may know a lot more about Cobra than I do and might just be familiar with how it works, what I need to do, etc.   So why not call me when you make the shocking discovery that my insurance has ended and you might need new info?  Why not guide me a little and perhaps I could have gotten it rectified prior to my appointment and maybe not waste your time slot now.  Now I have to reschedule for weeks out once again.  (Sorry for the rant, Dr. Dave).

Later in the day, Jim calls whoever he needs to and they tell him we have to pay for it and get reimbursed by X (Jim’s former employer).  This was part of his severance package, why is it so complicated?  After the call he read (who reads?  ) that it’s very complicated and is some sort of strange reimbursement deal but only up to a certain amount when the moon is full on Tuesday’s on the fifth cycle of Juhykl, a holy day for gerbils of the stars.  He was told Cobra is paid so he never questioned how and we just went on with life.  Now we find it in some cryptic text better left in the ruins of an ancient civilization.  Luckily he’s working, I’m working, so we can get insurance coverage instantly due to a “life event”.

This weekend (on Saturday) we went to Hickory, NC to look at a new(er) trailer.  A 2007.  I’ll provide photos, schematics, life histories, blood samples and DNA results if we go through with the purchase.  We looked at some brand new trailers that we absolutely love but are twice the price.  My birthday is coming up, well in 4 months, that gives you plenty of time.  Any takers?

We plan to consign the motorhome.  We really can’t be bothered with the whole negotiating and showing it.  Ain’t nobody got time for that.  We may do a few updates to it prior to it’s sale.  Stayed tuned.

So in my quest to ditch cable TV, I have made it easy to plug Jim’s laptop into the TV.  I have an extra power cable, and an HDMI cable on hand.  I purchased a cheap ($8) remote control on Amazon.  It works OK.  Jim said maybe a wireless mouse would work better.  I might just try that.  The reason I’m telling you all of this is to show you the packaging.  It’s hilarious and in Engrish.  It’s reminiscent of the “protable” scale directions I purchased.  The instructions are hilarious but you knew that already since I mentioned it a sentence or 2 ago.

Above: Clicking on the photo above will slaughter baby unicorns open a new window (not like in your house or something) and embiggen it so you can read it.  Go ahead, give it a click.  You know you want to.

Wednesday was a half day for Jim and I.  The snow was falling fast and heavy.  I got out at 11:30 and he was off at about 12:30ish.  For entertainment, surfing the internet and watching season 1 of American Horror Story.

2-2-14 Sunday (A Single Is One)

Jim started his new job.  So far so good.  There’s a few bumps in the road we’re going to have to live with for now.  His schedule is 9:30 – 6:30.  Mine is 8-5.  I can change my schedule but I really don’t want to.  Getting home early means I can get some stuff around the house done, start dinner or just have some me time.  He also has to work 11-8 on Thursdays and alternate on some Fridays. 

The pros?  Well, he has a job with no gaps from his previous job.  Pay is similar.  He and I can have lunch and see each other at work.  He’s like 300’ away from me.  Our company is good to it’s employees.  His travel time went from 40 minutes to 10 minutes each way.  This also saves a ton on gas.

We had lunch a few times this week.  It was a nice change for me because I tend to just eat at my desk and work.  Basically, giving the company free labor.  I do it out of boredom I suppose.  Now Jim and I will eat lunch and then take a walk around the complex. 

On Wednesday, we had 1-2 inches of snow.  As typical, it partially melted and became ice.  We seem to get ice storms here.  It’s only once a year, if that.  This year it caused a lot of issues in Atlanta (as you probably saw on the news) and in Charlotte, some issues.  Our neighborhood and the road to our development is very winding and hilly.  This made for a few fender benders and treacherous driving. 

It was strange how the weather affected the same company, differently.  They delayed my work hours until 10am.  Jim’s was normal.  A friend who works downstairs in business banking had the whole day off, and others were told not to come in until 11.  It’s interesting and often frustrating that different departments “value the safety of our employees” differently than others. 

On Friday night, when Jim came home from work, I pretty much had dinner ready.  We ate, and then took off to Augusta.  Unfortunately we didn’t get there until 10pm.  After we unpacked and settled in, I was pretty much tired and we went to bed.  It’s like we wasted a night or something. 

Saturday was a relaxing day.  We had lunch at Farmhaus Burger.  The place was so busy, we waited in line for a while.  It’s our second time here.  The last time I loved the burger flavor… a nice blend of meats.  Jim wasn’t as excited.  This time we both agreed that it’s pricey (which isn’t an issue if it’s a to-die-for meal) and not awesome.  I still like Five Guys and Red Robin better.  Why keep searching for a better burger if we think those are awesome?  I’m not sure, but we do.

While departing Farmhaus and using the crosswalk like a good law abiding citizen, we heard the crosswalk speak Southern.  I took my phone and recorded it.  I tried uploading to Youtube but it detects no video and then rejects the file.  I had to make a “movie” out of it for Youtube to accept it.  I hope you appreciate my hard work!  It’s only 13 seconds long.

“Wait! Walk sign is on to cross Broad Street.”

Later in the day, a conversation about burgers with Wayne and Bob led to a recommendation to try Gary’s Burgers (no website). We roped Jeff and Craig into joining us who enjoyed the wings and chicken tenders.  Jim and I got burgers.  They were pretty good but didn’t win over our 2 favorites.  The staff was very, very friendly.  The funniest thing, Jim ordered a double and I ordered a single.  Before the order was finalized, I said to Jim, “I wonder how much of a size difference the single and double is.”  He was sweet enough to immediately volley that question off the cashier.  He asked, “what’s the difference between the single and the double?”  She replied, ready, she replied, “Well (all Southern-like), the single is one patty and the double is two.”  I didn’t even laugh (until later).  I was shocked.  Once we all got to the table, we had a great time with that.  Jim did re-ask his question as, “what’s the difference in size”?  She replied, “Each patty is one fourth of a pound.”  Now why she didn’t say “quarter pound”, I’ll never know.

Sunday’s drive back was uneventful.  We got home, unpacked, grocery shopped and then went out for dinner AGAIN.  Since we don’t watch football, the Super Bowl is a perfect time to get into an otherwise busy restaurant.

1-26-14 Sunday (A Food Post)

This week was Jim's last unemployed week.  He worked on adding shelving to the master closet.  When we had the house built, we specified the height of the shelving (up high) knowing that we’d add another row below in the future.  2 and something years later, Jim added more shelving.  It looks great and we definitely have more room than we need.  Shoes are much more organized too.  I don’t have a before photo so I don’t think you’d appreciate the after.

Friday night we went to Nom Nom Burger, with Groupon in hand (of course), for dinner.  Jim didn’t research it prior to the purchase so we had no idea it was an Asian burger place.  Yes, really.  Checkout the website.  Click on the menu and then on each burger to see the description… very unique. 

I ordered the Kalbi.

I asked what Kimchi is and was told it was very spicy cabbage.  I got that on the side and I’m very glad I did.  It definitely had a kick.  My side was a very zesty French fry.   It’s not on the menu but it had seasonings on it and was drizzled with a red spicy chili sauce.  That sauce was very hot.  Luckily there’s barely any on the fry but definitely more than adequate.  Overall a different and tasty meal.

Jim had the Katsu.

I was going to get this but the orange marmalade turned me away.  It turned out that the onions are caramelized IN the ginger orange marmalade and so it’s not a strong flavor.  Jim said he didn’t taste orange but rather the entire burger flavor which was really good.  He had sweet potato fries with his.  We have to come back since we have another Groupon but we’re happy about that.  It’s a 30 minute trip to get there which isn’t awful.  This is a place we’d bring guests who appreciate “different” foods.

Saturday night was our bi-annual trip to Chima!  Oh my gawd is this some fabulous meat.  In attendance: Ruby & Jamie, Beth, Robin and Deanna.  I won’t post all about Restaurant Week and Chima since I do that twice a year.  If you have no clue as to what I’m talking about, click here and read my previous posts about Chima.

Sunday night?  Restaurant Week again.  Holy crap, such awesome food as Ruth’s Chris.  With us was Beth, Anne, Angie and Dr. Dave. 

Sorry I was so busy stuffing my face, I forgot to take photos.  Especially at Chima, I was going to pass my camera around the table for all of us to snap photos.  It was a huge round table with a lazy Susan in the middle.  I should have popped the camera on that thing.  Maybe next Restaurant Week. 

We skipped Augusta this week.  Jim starts work on Monday.