Good evening,
Happy Friday!  Nira, I am sure you will have a great time with Jamie.  I hope you had a good trip.  Pam, still cleaning up gardens and putting the rest of us to shame.  LOL.  I didn't make it to the school today as we were too busy at work.  Ate in the cafeteria smiley: eyes.  It was a bit hectic first thing as a very brilliant man over in R&D sent out a technical summary about an issue we are having with some printed circuit boards that weren't built correctly.  I guess he was in a hurry or doing too many things at once, which we all seem to be guilty of at work.  He left out a word.  It makes a big difference if the word is "not."  The difference between this is a serious issue and this is not a serious issue.  His primary audience for the email was the head of quality and regulatory.  Fortunately it could be cleared up and we all laughed about it later in the day. I got out on time and was off on a mission. 

I had a brainstorming session with my gadget guys at work this morning.  They helped me come up with a solution for my slower than a snail internet service.  It started with getting an I-pad with cellular 4G service, then instead, perhaps a smart phone with hot spot feature to tether to laptop or I-pad.  My friend said I-pads are nice but not all that easy if you prefer typing on a keyboard.  Then this other guy mentioned his parents had a hot spot device.  It is small, not even 3"x4"x1" and you just plug it in and then you have secured wireless internet access at the speed that smart phones boast about.  I am delighted with it.  I might need to move it around to optimize its location, but so far, doing great!  The woman at the Verizon store, also discussed having cellular home phone service.  Between the two of them, it comes to about what I was paying for my other service, might even be cheaper.   They won't commit to what those pesky taxes and surcharges will be.  And I get speedy internet.  And, my favorite part, the hot spot is portable, can go with me... to Mom's... to a family reunion at a park, etc.  I forgot to ask how long it would run on chargeable battery.  They only had one choice in the store and I wanted to bring it home with me.  My usage on battery should be rather limited except for power outages or outside outings and I have my generator for power outages.  I am very happy with how this turned out.  Despite spending over an hour in the store, first discussing all my options, and then getting it all activated.  The woman at the store will handle porting over my home phone number once I call to say that I am happy.  I will play with the phone stuff tomorrow.  Since the hot spot required paying for a data plan... it appears that I can move up to a smart phone for about what I pay for my dinosaur.  I decided to do a bit of research on which one I would like and can do that anytime.  If I do that, I am not going to become a smart phone junkie.   I do not want everyone knowing how to get me in an instant every waking moment or worse yet when I am asleep.  They all track me down just fine the old fashioned way! 

All in all a good outcome!  I hope everyone ended up their week well!  Enjoy the weekend!