Two Penny Travels

New/Old Phones

Our daughter visited us over the Thanksgiving Holidays, and just "sort-of" pushed us into upgrading our phone systems.

The first issue was our Internet connection. We had been using a Verizon Air-Card in a CradlePoint Router. I had been having a few issues with the router seeming to go to sleep from time to time, and it was a bother. I could get good service if I used the Air-Card plugged directly into my computer. Deb wanted me to look at a MiFi at Best Buy.

So on Saturday, we went to Best Buy, and I checked out the MiFi. This is the same as an Air-Card, but it a built-in router offering a four-port hot spot of WiFi. The gal at the phone center suggested we get the Five-Spot instead -- same functionality but has a five-port hot spot and is a later, more up-to-date offering. After checking, she said all I would have to pay was the sales tax since my Air-Card was due for an upgrade anyway. So, for $11 and change we upgraded.

The new WiFi facility has taken a little bit of getting used-to. It does not have any kind of ethernet port, so our netdisk is sitting lonesome and I need to figure out how to use it directly with my computer. But the service offered by the FiveSpot is excellent. We will need to get used to having to charge it via a USB port but that is doable. One big problem is that we do not know it is low on battery until it runs dry and we must hook it up to a power source, either a PC or a USB power port.

So far, Verizon service on the FiveSpot has been significantly better than with the CradlePoint. And we have all computers connected to the FiveSpot WiFi hot spot. We can even connect our Kindles to it. It should serve us well when we go on our planned train trip back east.

While at Best Buy, Deb and her partner Paula both upgraded their phones to the LG Allly. It took a bit of time to get all the things arranged, and it gave me a time to wander the store and look over their shoulders on what they were getting. Looked good!

So after they headed back home, I went down and upgraded my old cellphone to an LG Ally. I now can do texting and some other things I am not sure about. Much to learn.

Alice cannot upgrade her phone until December 18, at which time we will try to get an LG Ally for her as well.

It is scary trying to keep up with the kids these days.

sam

Thanksgiving at Jojoba Hills

Today is Thanksgiving, and our daughter Deb and her partner Paula are visiting for a week. They will join us with other friends for a Thanksgiving gathering in Friendship Hall at Jojoba Hills Escapees Resort in Aguanga, CA this afternoon.

We wish everyone of our friends a happy Thanksgiving. We hope that you like us can be with loved ones and give communal thanks for those blessings we have, especially our families and loved ones.

Sam and Alice Penny

Clearing the decks

I'm still around, though I have been remiss about posting much recently.

I accepted an appointment to serve on the Board at Jojoba Hills last month to fill out the term of a member who had resign. I decided at that time I would run for a three year term on the Board at the next Annual Meeting. Then, after experiencing a couple of meetings and finally remembering what it had been like eight years ago, I withdrew my candidacy. No Board work after February.

I still am working on the long range planning committee, and have a couple of new reports to get out. The next one is what could be the effect of the various economic catastrophes on Jojoba Hills. Not good reading late at night -- creates too many nightmares.

All in all, things are going pretty well right now. We are both well, but backlogged on things to get done around the rig.

Looking back, I don't see that I mentioned that our youngest son is retiring from the Air Force next January -- 27 years and a Full Colonel. He just bought a home east of St. Louis and plans to work in the area of logistics. We are traveling by train back to see his retirement ceremony. More to do and get ready for. I don't have any warm clothes for one thing.

Enough for now. I will work at being more prompt on the next post.

sam