Verizon 4G LTE

WELCOME  to two new Followers:  Jorge and Evielynne Adventures on the Road and Doyle and Terri Johnson.  They both have very interesting blogs, which I'm following, but have to play catch up with some past entries.  Thank you both for following along with me and Katie.  Hopefully we will be full-timers in about a month.  Yeaaaaaah!  : )

I ordered a Verizon hotspot and it arrived yesterday.  I talked to a few Verizon techs on the phone, and the takeaway for me was that eventually 4G speeds will be everywhere, and the new Samsung 4G just came out through Verizon, so I ordered it.  I'll need something on the road, and I've read in some of your blogs about the MiFi.  That's basically what I ordered.  I'm not sure that was the right choice, since I don't get 4G here in San Marcos. It's by zip code, and although some of San Diego gets it, I don't. I don't know if my new zip code at Santee Lakes will have it.  The park does have WiFi, but I was told it's not very fast or reliable.  I need my Internet!  I don't want super slow speeds, and hopefully this will help.

I got it all hooked up when I got home from work, but I couldn't get on the Internet with it.  All bars were showing and it said "connected" but no Internet.  I ended up calling Verizon three times.  It's funny how different a call can be with different techs.  I finally got a woman who told me they were having problems with all the new 4G units, nationwide, the 4G Network was down.  

I have 14 days to test it out.  I had unplugged my router and cable unit, so I got online through a local wireless network that's unprotected, and will check the MiFi unit later today to see how it's going.

I have a potential tenant coming over after work to look at the condo.  He's a single father with a son in junior high, and another that's 17, and in high school.  I was kind of hoping for a little old lady like me, but if he wants the condo and checks out, it's his!  Keep your fingers crossed.

I got this in an e-mail today and couldn't resist passing it on for you "Old Guys."  (Sorry if you've already see it, it's new to me.)

The banker saw his old friend Tom, an eighty year old rancher, in town. Tom had lost his wife a year or so before and rumor had it that he was marrying a 'mail order' bride.

Being a good friend, the banker asked Tom if the rumor was true. Tom assured him that it was.

The banker then asked Tom the age of his new bride to be. Tom proudly said, 'She'll be twenty-one in November.'

Now the banker, being the wise man that he was, could see that the physical appetite of a young woman could not be satisfied by an eighty-year-old man.

Wanting his old friend's remaining years to be happy the banker tactfully suggested that Tom should consider getting a hired hand to help him out on the ranch, knowing nature would take its own course.

Tom thought this was a good idea and said he would look for one that afternoon.

About four months later, the banker ran into Tom in town again. 'How's the new wife?' asked the banker. Tom proudly said, 'Good - she's pregnant.'

The banker, happy that his sage advice had worked out, continued, 'And how's the hired hand?'  Without hesitating, Tom said, 'She's pregnant too.'

Don't ever underestimate Old Guys.

From me and Katie, have a nice Thursday, everyone! : )

Strange...The Palms is not a 2006

I talked to Forest River today - I wanted to know some things about my Sunseeker, so I called and talked to Mike Burns who is in the Sunseeker Warranty Department.  I gave him my VIN # and he told me my unit is a 2007, not a 2006. I'm not sure exactly how that works, but he said they start in the spring making the units for the following year. He said mine was made in November of 2006, as a 2007 model.  Maybe that's why I can't find anything on line for a 2006 2200.

I have the registration and some information from the previous owner.  It was stuck in the envelope with all the warranty info and product instructions.  (I'm going to call him and see if I can find out the history of The Palms.)  His registration says the date is August 2006, but maybe that was when the Ford was built.  Then at the end of the year the "house" was added and it was sold as a 2007.

I haven't gotten my registration yet, I imagine that might tell me something.

I'm having a giant artichoke for dinner - dipped in Best Foods mayonnaise.  I love that mayonnaise! I'll dip almost anything in it, vegetables, sliced apples, bananas, there's so much you can do with mayonnaise.  Slather it on salmon filets and bake.  Yum.  I'm trying to limit myself now, though.  I know it isn't healthy, but with an artichoke, there's nothing else for me. : )

 I Love Artichokes!

I think I blogged about this before - when I was in high school, I'd get my allowance and walk down the hill to the grocery store, buy an artichoke, walk back up the hill, boil it and eat it hot.  It was my favorite food for years.

From Me and My Dog, Katie - have a nice Tuesday evening, everyone! : )

P.S.   The artichoke was DELICIOUS!  And now I'm going to do some sorting and packing.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Short post today - I'm taking it easy this morning, and will start soon preparing my chips and dip and turkey stuffing to bring to Tom and Trish's house.  There will be a bit of a crowd, so I think I'll leave Katie home this time.  That will be easier for all of the humans, but Katie will miss a good time running around the house and yard.  She LOVES going to Tom's house, because there is so much room for her to roam and run and kids to play with. Plus, with three kids, there are crumbs to get under the kitchen counter where the stools are.  She is always nose to the ground in that area. : )  Their house is always spotless, but under the stools is still a good hunting ground for Katie.

I also changed out my photo - I just love the old one.  It was taken at my parent's 60th Anniversary party, and I don't usually get photos of myself.  When I try, they are always awful, and deleted. Since I'm usually the only one taking pictures at family gatherings, I don't get pictures of me. The kids are usually the ones I'm trying to get good photos of.

This one was taken last year, so it's pretty current, and looks more like me.  It's not super clear, but it's so small you can't tell. The new me!

I hope everyone has a delicious Easter meal today, whether you're eating with family, friends or alone.  This might be my last Easter Dinner with family for a while, so I'm going to enjoy it! Next year I hope I'll be in a campground "on the road."

From Me and My Dog, have a Happy Easter, everyone! : )

Packing up The Palms, the Famous Musser Onion Dip

Happy Easter tomorrow, everyone!

Katie and I were up early this morning, stopped by the grocery store to get things for tomorrow - Easter Dinner at my son, Tom's.  I always make dressing if we are having a turkey, and we are, in addition to an Easter Ham, so I'm bringing my turkey dressing and chips and dip.  We have what we call "the Famous Musser Onion Dip."  My dad, Frank Musser, didn't cook, but he did make this onion dip. Who knows why?  But he did, and now I make it, and when I'm gone, I'll bet both my kids will make it, too. People just love it, and it's so easy to make.  I'll put the recipe at the end of this post.

Then we went to the storage lot and picked up The Palms.  I just love her!  I parked her in the driveway and I started going through stuff for things I'd would want to bring with us, and not sell in the Estate Sale.  The other night I went through both bathrooms and got everything except what I need everyday now, and packed them in boxes.  This morning I went through my craft/sewing room.  I was able to fit quite a lot of it in The Palms.

I am leaving my sewing machine, all my materials, threads, quilting books, magazines and patterns, all my quilting rulers.  I have a large soft sided carrying case that I used to use to bring my quilts to class with all the materials.  I've spent a fortune on all this quilting stuff, and I hope I get something back for it all.  I am going to keep my sewing machine tote, though. It will be good if I need to walk to a store to do some shopping. It's quite roomy and has wheels and a zippered cover.  It stores nicely under the dinette table.

I am also leaving all my craft stamps.  I have tons of them, and lots of different inks and papers, from when I was into my card making with stamps.

Most of the craft things fit into the outside storage compartments.  I'm using two of the three compartments for this stuff, and the third will be for tools, hoses, stuff  like that.

I just couldn't leave all my books, though, and did bring some. I put them on an upper shelf over the couch along with my condo paperwork, homeowner rules and regs, and I think I'll use that top shelf for recent tax papers, everything I need to keep. It will be out of the way, but available if needed. That shelf will be my "filing cabinet."

My daughter Kristy and her husband Matt gave me a set of Coral dinnerware to use in the RV, and it's in the cupboard, along with paper plates and bowls and paper coffee cups with lids.  Plastic knives/forks/spoons are in the drawers. I'll bring some my daily silverware with me, too.

In a recent comment, a Follower said she uses Snapware that she got at Costco.  When I saw it at Costco, I thought they were great storage containers, so I bought a set, too, and it fits nicely on the shelf above the plates and bowls and cups. There is a lot of it, but it stacks well.

The hardest part was deciding which area of The Palms would be used for storing which things, and then all of a sudden it made sense, and then I started putting things away.  I got some rubberized type cupboard lining material so things wouldn't slip when I'm driving, and a wire thing that I put in the kitchen cupboard that doubled my shelves.

The funniest thing is that when I took the toaster/oven out of the box and put in in the corner of the kitchen counter, it looks EXACTLY like the fake one on the photo in my last blog.  Exactly.  So funny.  : )  I wasn't sure it would fit that well, but it did.  I don't like much on my counters, and will only have that and my new little Keurig coffee maker.  And maybe a plant.

This is just like playing house - so fun! : )

Then around 6:30 the sun was starting to go down, and we brought her back to the storage lot.   I got a lot done.  Next weekend I have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then the Estate Sale ladies are coming on Monday to start pricing and staging everything that's left.  So next weekend will be a busy one for me.

Once everything is gone, I'll still live in the condo.  Camping out inside until it's leased.  Hopefully soon.  I got a large FOR RENT sign at Home Depot today. It's mounted on a frame that you can anchor in the lawn, so I'll probably put it up tomorrow.  No calls yet for potential tenants.  I might have it listed a bit high, but will wait a week or two, then lower the rent if I don't have anyone insterested.

Here's the recipe for the  Famous Musser Onion Dip.  We don't have measurements, you just add to taste.

1 package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
about 1/4 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise
grated onion to taste - I usually put in a couple of tablespoons
5 or 6 shakes of Worchestire Sauce
a little bit of milk to make it smooth, not too much
salt and pepper to taste

Stir it all up, or blend it, and it's done.

It can taste different each time depending on how much of each ingredient you use, but no matter what you do, it will taste great.

From Me and My dog, have a nice Easter Sunday, everyone! : )

Kitchen stuff

I was looking at the photos of my Followers, and noticed one that I didn't remember seeing before.  I looked at each one and found two Followers who are recent, and I haven't acknowledged them.  Joe Baker and kenp, I don't know how you stayed under my radar, but I'm sorry I missed you when you started following.  I don't see a blog for either of you, but I hope you enjoy following along with me and Katie - we should be living in The Palms soon, and I'm glad you're along for the ride! : )

My toaster/oven arrived today!  It is so cute!  I think it will fit very nicely on my kitchen counter.

It's about half the size of my current toaster oven.  It's taller than I thought it would be, but of course it has to be tall enough for the toast to fit vertically. It has a pretty small footprint, though.  I'm not going to use it yet, but it will be in the first load I bring to The Palms.  One nice surprise is that it has a baking pan.  Like a miniature cookie sheet - so cute!  Andy Baird commented that I should get a silicone baking sheet, cut it, and use it on top to cover the toaster slots when I'm baking.  That will make the oven work better. I have one on order - thanks Andy! - I wanted a black one to match the appliances. I'm going to cut it in half, use half on top when I need it, and the other half I'll set the toaster/oven on so it won't slide. I can also use it on the "baking pan."

This is what my kitchen will look like:

 I added graphics of my new coffee maker, toaster/oven,

and fake plates, cupcake and flowers. 

Question:  See the stickers on the stove hood?  There are three "caution" stickers right there, and I wanted to remove them.  I was told I should leave them so I'd remember what they say - the "caution" stuff.  What have you done with this kind of thing?  I'm thinking I'll take a close-up photo and paste them inside a nearby cupboard.  I think keeping them there is like leaving the tag on your hat - like Minnie Pearl.  What do you think?

I saw this on line - see the wall attachments? Even if just for my knives and a flower pot, I think I'm going to look into them. I don't know if they will work in my kitchen, but I sure like the way they look, and they would be space savers and keep things handy.

I'll at least hang a magnetic strip on the wall behind the stove for my knives.

After all this kitchen talk, I'm going to see what I've got for dinner.

From Me and My Dog, have a great Friday evening, everyone! : )