Sunday, March 27, 2016

Gale's Gallery XXI: For My Favorite Peeps! (and new products)

 Happy Easter!


Peeps Update!

Just when you think you've seen it all, you can find this is our local Kroger's...



Normally, I'm pretty game to pick up a new product having to do with sweets, but I am not so sure about this.  Wouldn't it taste like cereal milk left in the bowl???    There are new flavors of Peeps again this year, including Hawaiian Punch.  Those aren't too bad.  I found them at Turkey Hill.  I still like the blue raspberry best, but truth be told, they aren't may favorite treat.  However, stale ones are better.


For the original Peeps Post click here:A "Peep Show" To Celebrate 100 Posts

Stopped out to Marie's Candies  with Audra on Good Friday.  Not the best day choice as it was so packed I couldn't wait to leave (but not without my dark chocolate peppermint chews...)

I don't like candy corn, but these were too cute to pass up.  They will probably be here until next Easter!

Now what I was really going to show you was a new "My Favorite Peeps" stamp and die set from Simon Says Stamps.  I haven't gotten around to doing nearly the things I have wanted to do craft wise,  but Easter is early this year (that's my story and I am sticking to it!)



A craft binge from Simon Says Stamp:  Kraft yardstick, My Kind of Peep die/stamp set (sold out), Party Animal and Shark set by Avery Elle, Hero Arts shadow ink minis and dimensional bow die from Reverse Confetti.
An Easter card with the Peep set...
A card with the Shark set...







Hope you had a blessed day!  We had my family over, had a good meal, then a nap followed by chores.  The weather was awesome here in Ohio.  

There will be another Gallery soon as I play with the large felt dies...they are addicting and soon cute!  


Until next time, 

Gale

Sunday, March 20, 2016

So Far Google Fi Is A Hit With Me!


Hello!

Easter is next weekend, so plan to see another Gallery post soon!

I was perfectly happy with my "dumb" phone and tablet, but knew I had to make a change.  I really don't use my phone for talking much (I get enough of that at work!) but everyone around me was not-so-gently nudging me to just carry a smart phone and be done with it.

I wasn't thrilled with Verizon for many reasons, including overcharging me for data I couldn't even use.  I owned the phone though and could leave when I wanted.  So I did.

My friend Donna was researching phones and I told her I would get whatever she was getting because it makes me dizzy just thinking of the choices.  When she chose a Nexus 5X, I googled it to see what it was like and came across a news article on CNET.com telling about a new program from Google, called Google Project Fi.  Turns out Taylor had heard of it from last Fall and said it's probably pretty good.  Google folks claiming to be tired of the cell companies taking advantage of their customers started this program.  It used to be invite only, but now is open to the public  So far, so good.  All you need is a gmail billing address, which is easy to get and free.  If you answer a few simple questions, they will port your number for you within a day or so of activating.


The Nexus 5X

Here is how it works:

They give you a few options for the 5X phone, (gig size, color, SIM card included, $5 device insurance if you want) and charge you $199 for 16G or $249 for 32G.  You can also make payments if you want.  (This is $100 less than retail.  If you don't sign up with the program in 30 days, they charge you the balance to avoid cheaters.)  I went with the 16g, and hope it's enough for what I do.  I have a new iMac, etc, so I don't really need to do a lot on my phone. They ship for free and you get it in a couple days.  The plan is straightforward:  Basically, unlimited talk/text for $20/mo plus a few bucks in tax.  You can choose your data plan starting at 1G for $10, 2 for $20, etc.  If you don't use the amount of Gs you purchase, you are prorated a credit on your next bill.  Example:  I bought 2Gs/mo.  If I use 1.5, then I will get a $5 credit next month.  There is no contract (if you buy phone outright) and you can leave anytime.

My first bill with base rate, $5 insurance (which I cancelled and got through my homeowner's policy cheaper), 2Gs for $20 and tax was $48ish.  That's it, no surprises.  There are extras I don't deal with such as free international stuff, etc.  They operate by co-oping with the other networks and your phone is designed to pick up the fastest, clearest in whatever area you are in any particular time.  (The networks had no choice if they wanted to use Google software....)  It also automatically picks up free, secure wi-fi networks when available that don't require passwords.  I still wouldn't do financial things through that wi-fi though.  So, you only use your data when you absolutely have to.

I will let you know how it goes, but if you aren't stuck in a contract, I highly recommend you check this out as a cheaper, simpler option for your cell service.  I also love the phone which does many of the things those expensive iPhones do!

Let me know what you think!

Gale

PS:  Since I didn't use hardly any of the data and got a large credit on April's bill.  I only owe $18.00ish for my current bill!  Awesome!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor...

Welcome back!

I haven't ranted in awhile, so it's high time I did!

Maybe it's just me...

One of the only reasons I haven't gotten rid of my ridiculously expensive Directv service is because I can record stuff and skip through commercials.  (Mind you, it used to be if you paid for your TV service, there weren't commercials as well.  Now, you basically have to pay twice.)  I work odd hours and would miss the handful of shows I actually watch, so I'm putting up with it for now.

That said, lately I have been home several times during the evening news and have made the mistake of watching it in "real time."  Now 6:30 p.m. is usually family dinner hour for folks.  So what's with the rated "R" commercials?  And the gross ones for various conditions which would not normally be discussed at the dinnertime (at least if I'm here.)  Most of these ads aren't life-saving (obviously if they invent a cure for the plague or whatever, I would want them to get the word out.)

My kids are grown, but I still don't want to watch with them folks describing their private issues in detail.  In one half hour program there are at least 12 minutes of commercials, most of which involve pharmaceuticals.  Many of these little blue, purple, pink whatever pills could be better discussed in a doctor's office if you have questions or the condition.  It's not just the "dysfunction" ones that I could do without, but ads for psoriasis, toenail fungus, too much peeing, not enough/too much pooping, etc. are still gross if not embarrassing.  Heck, half of them have side effects that are way worse then the problem--mostly involving death or worse (things that could make you wish you were dead...)

They've banned smoking and some drinking commercials, why not these?  You can't convince me that the average citizen's only way to find out about medical breakthroughs is through primetime commercials.   If you need the help, there are many ways to seek it out without a daily dose of these offensive ads!  Most aren't over-the-counter products, so one would have to get a prescription from a doctor anyway.  Unfortunately, if you can't afford doctor visits and prescriptions, then these ads aren't going to help.  (I would like to think that my hard-earned tax dollars aren't going to folks on public assistance seeking a better love life...but I wouldn't be surprised.)

Maybe instead of spending money on all of the national air time, they could reduce the price of the drug??  They are going to have sales anyway.  Heck, I would rather have the political commercials!

Does anyone else feel this way????

Until next time,

Gale

PS-  Donna commented on Facebook "Aren't doctors supposed to be telling us what to take and not the other way around?"  She would also suggest banning "sanitary items" commercials and I agree!