Weekly Chat Thread July 31st - August 6th

[staytuned]

Good morning, everyone! Goodbye July and hello August already. Schools around here starting in a few weeks and hopefully all the road work will be winding down. Hope everyone has a peaceful day!

[val2525]

Sunny and hot here. We're supposed to be 100 for the upcoming week. At least the humidity isn't too bad today - 34% right now. Guess I better stop goofing off and get back to work. I have a ton of things due by Aug 21.

[staytuned]

We had 3 days of miserable in 90s with 80-90% humidity. Another round of storms we thankfully didn't get more than a couple claps of thunder and some rain and temps are in upper 70s and humidity in the 40-50% range and feels great.

Forgot to mention a lot of states have tax free weekends coming up on clothing, school supplies and more (check dates and what is/isn't included). OH is Aug.4-6th. Also, National Thrift Day is Aug.17th.

[val2525]

List of tax free holidays for 2023. Multiple states have multiple holidays for different things so you may have to hunt for the school tax free:


taxadmin.org/sales-tax-holidays/


Looks like schools here in the SA metro start Aug 8 through Aug 15. But the sales tax holiday is 8/11-8/13. Talk about waiting until the last minute, TX. Wonder if that's on purpose with the hopes that a decent amount of parents will have shopped earlier in the month and the sales tax loss will be reduced? It wouldn't surprise me.

I may need to stock up on my favorite colored ink pens since they're almost out of ink anyway

[labbypaws]

Got the house almost all set up for the cleaners and they canceled due to a family death. A nice break from cleaning!

[kritter]

I had a cleaning spurt today too. AT&T is coming tomorrow to set me up for
fiber optic tomorrow. I waited until almost the last day to change before they were cutting me off.

[val2525]

Why would at&t cut you off?

[Dawn R]

We are on vacation in the Galapagos and the weather is perfect.

I can't believe that it is August. Where has the summer gone?

[staytuned]

Aug 1, 2023 11:25:45 GMT Dawn R said:

We are on vacation in the Galapagos and the weather is perfect.

I can't believe that it is August. Where has the summer gone?

Don't forget to send us some pics!

[kritter]

Aug 1, 2023 3:20:25 GMT val2525 said:

Why would at&t cut you off?

Because they are moving everybody from their old system which has been around since the beginning of time to fiber optic and then shutting down the old system,  If you don't get fiber optic or change to another carrier than no phone or internet service at your house.  The last appointments to change are on Thursday so I held out as long as possible.

[val2525]

Sounds like Google Fiber breaking into the SA market forced AT&T to upgrade I hope AT&T is cheaper though - Google Fiber is ridiculously expensive IMO.

Two of my office mates have COVID. It's still around, folks. For one of them, this is his 3rd round, I think. He's older than I am with medical issues, so hopefully it's a mild case and he doesn't get any long-COVID issues (which are possible for him).

Sitting in on a 401k sales pitch with some clients. I was hoping they'd cover the big tax credits available this year for new plans, but nothing has been said yet. THAT'S the real selling point.

[kritter]

I hope AT&T is cheaper though - Google Fiber is ridiculously expensive.

Yes, AT&T is cheaper plus they are the only ones that offer landline other than Spectrum.

The tech here is probably no older than 25 plus he said he has not worked on the houses in my area.  He looks confused by my equipment that has been here for longer than he has been alive and keeps having to call his manager.  I think he is trying to do what he does in newer houses with more electrical outlets.  Why couldn't they have sent me an old guy who is close to making retirement after 30 years with the company? 

[val2525]

You'd think AT&T would have reviewed your account first and sent the install guy out with the correct, newer equipment. Oh well.

I'm bombarded daily with mail from Google Fiber. I wouldn't mind changing but GF is just too darn expensive. It's a good 50% more than I'm paying for Spectrum right now. Looks like AT&T fiber is $10 more than Google fiber in my neighborhood. I'm surprised that AT&T isn't trying to match Google's price

[kritter]

Looks like AT&T fiber is $10 more than Google fiber in my neighborhood.

I get $20 off my internet because my landline bundles with it.

[val2525]

One of my toilets overflowed and flooded the bathroom and hallway. I used up every throw rug and every cleaning towel to soak up the water (I wasn't going to use the good towels). I've had more issues with this apartment in 9 months than I think I've had in the past 9 years. Maintenance is pretty good about fixing things so it's not as bad as it could be.

I can't believe it's August already. Only 146 more days until Christmas.   Good thing I've been picking up Christmas decor here and there as I find it on sale.  I have one more "maybe" item to get and I'll have all the outdoor decor. I really want second place this year. I doubt I'd get first, that seems to go with units that have inflatables and I really don't want to mess with inflatables. But I do have an idea of what I want to create while using what I have. I really don't want to buy another round of lights in a different color theme when what I have is still perfectly good.  And paid for   I'd love to make a snowscene of some sort outside my patio since I'm on the first floor but I haven't figured out how to do that without whatever I used for "snow" either blowing away or being destroyed by the squirrels. So that idea may be scrapped.

Whatever I do end up doing, one thing I know - my apartment will be viewable from the space station

It's a family tradition.

[denise15601]

Wow to Christmas deco plans but boo to the toilet overflow..
Ugh

[val2525]

Well I'll be darned. You can buy instant snow. I may have to rethink my snow idea after all

[denise15601]

Spray snow that we had many years ago?

Heck, I can ship some of my real snow to you.

[frakinfashion]

My landline, with the old cable, blew its mind last week. This is Verizon's way of telling us oldsters that they are abandoning the old equipment. They've rerouted my calls to my cell phone until it's fixed. They don't want to say that they have no intention of fixing and maintaining old wires. I've met the oldster who is literally the last guy at the company who knows how to fix it. But not if they don't buy the outdated parts. I've had this phone number since 1976 and it will go with me into its next life and unto the grave. So...(taps playing).

[val2525]

Fraken, you might look at getting a VOIP (Vonage or similar) account and use your existing landline number.

My plant stand came in today. It was fully assembled in the box - just had to lift it out, unwrap the included planter pots and put it on the patio. I had to laugh - they included actual assembly instructions. Pretty much telling me to do what I'd already done, since I didn't find the instructions at first. Seriously? That's how stupid we've become? **SMH**

Guess I better go log into my webinar. I'm pissed at the partners at my office. The feds passed a retirement act last December with some AWESOME tax credits for small biz companies that either start a retirement plan for employees, or make some changes to existing plans. We're talking enough tax credits that for some biz, the company cost will be paid for, for up to 3 years. Others will see a significant reduction in costs. Just depends on number of employees the company has. Did the partners bother to tell our existing client base? He!! no. THIS is what the jr partner gets pissed about. The sr partner would rather bring on new (and many times iffy) clients who don't make us any money for the first 4-6 months they're with us, rather than providing additional services to existing clients who WOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICES and at a higher profit margin for us. ** SMH again **.

**folding up soapbox and walking away**

[staytuned]

MIL was having so much static on her landline, AT&T said they didn't show any problem from their end to the box at bottom of the telephone pole and she'd have to pay to have someone check wiring from box to her phone. DH & BIL checked that, replaced wiring and still had static. DH got her Ooma phone service and as soon as it was up and running, canceled AT&T. She keeps her number and landline phone and pays around $7 mo. vs. $40 with AT&T.

Decided to check out SA store I haven't been to in at least 5 years because of high prices and less-than-desirable clothing. Today used to be major sale day with 4 out of 5 tag colors 1/2 price. Hardly any vehicles in the parking lot. They now have 2 tag colors 1/2 off and one 99¢. Still a lot of undesirable clothing, but did find a few things and was pleasantly surprised at how cheap or reasonable the majority of the store was priced, including furniture. Will definitely be stopping back at least once a month. It's a huge store and I didn't really look through a lot of racks, but 2 hours seems about my time limit before I want to checkout and leave.

[val2525]

For the person who goes overboard decorating for Christmas:


www.lakeside.com/product/ho-ho-ho-toilet-paper-holder/LS_101677?skuId=LS_2130710

[kritter]

DH got her Ooma phone service and as soon as it was up and running, canceled AT&T.

I am going to check Ooma out and see if it will work for me.  Will give me a lot more flexibility on internet if I can get my landline set up with them.

[val2525]

Kritter, you can also make calls with your google voice number. I often use it for client calls because the connection is better than on my cell.

[val2525]

I placed a delivery order and after 45 minutes texted the runner asking for an update, since the app was stuck on the same status. Crickets. I was about to text again when the app said the order was reassigned. OK, no biggie, happens all the time. Second runner texts me and says restaurant said the order had already been picked up I guess the first runner was broke and hungry so he took my very boring order. Fortunately Favor has great customer service and they cancelled the first order and gave me a $10 credit. I replaced the order. Maybe this time it will make it to me I also need to make sure that the first charge doesn't go thru on the card, since the food was actually picked up from the restaurant. This is a first, having the food stolen

[kritter]

Aug 2, 2023 22:18:40 GMT val2525 said:

Kritter, you can also make calls with your google voice number. I often use it for client calls because the connection is better than on my cell.

I want to stick with my home phone number and not get tangled up with two numbers.


frakinfashion  I can beat you on long time phone numbers.  My parents bought this house in 1949 and it is the only phone number ever associated with this house.  No way am I ever giving it up while I am still breathing.

[staytuned]

Ooma did assign MIL a new temporary number, but it was only until everything was fully set up (I think a couple/few days) and she has her old number again. Another plus is she doesn't pay extra for long distance calls and easier for her to call long distance with bigger buttons on extension phone than trying to use cellphone.

My parents had the same number since they helped build their house early 50s until Mom passed away in 2018.  I liked calling DH using her aqua rotary wall phone in the kitchen.

[denise15601]

Aug 2, 2023 22:36:15 GMT kritter said:

Aug 2, 2023 22:18:40 GMT val2525 said:

Kritter, you can also make calls with your google voice number. I often use it for client calls because the connection is better than on my cell.

I want to stick with my home phone number and not get tangled up with two numbers.


frakinfashion   I can beat you on long time phone numbers.  My parents bought this house in 1949 and it is the only phone number ever associated with this house.  No way am I ever giving it up while I am still breathing.

Me too.  I still have my parents phone number from the 1950's.  But the number at first was something like J257.  Maybe  about the mid 1950's, the number was changed to what I have  now.

It probably opens me up to scamming since the number  has been around forever.

[kritter]

Since it is almost time for my trip, I started a full house cleanup today. I even dusted. Threw a bunch of stuff in the trash and have several boxes on their way to GW. Lots of clutter and dust catchers will be looking for new homes. Thought about selling stuff online but not enough time before I go and I have other things to do.

If I went on more trips I would probably have a cleaner and more orderly house. Something to consider in the future.

[kritter]