Farmerjan's journal - Weather

fuzzi

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I use AT&T. Out here in the sticks, reception is lousy. AT&T is the most reliable. I’ve often wondered about Consumer Cellular, but I stick with what works. Plus BJ and I paid the cell phone bill for DD and DSIL the first 14 years of their marriage, just added them to our plan. Then they got better paying jobs and took over the payments. So now I don’t pay anything.
Can't beat free.

FYI: CC leases the use of other towers so reception in your area might be AT&T.
 

rachels.haven

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Cell service and phones are a racket.

We use visible for a carrier for data on the go and unlocked Pixel phones (with cases because they're slippery and breakable). But most of all we both got numbers with voice.gooogle.com and installed the voice app and put our numbers through it so everything rings on the voice app and if we destroy our physical phones and sim cards which we do from time to time we lose nothing. Most, if not all of our calls and texts are free as a result because they come through the internet at home or work (or now our data is unlimited). We only tell people our voice numbers.

Bonus is you can check your voice mails and texts and make and receive calls from your computer. It also transcribes voicemails for you.
 

fuzzi

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Cell service and phones are a racket.

We use visible for a carrier for data on the go and unlocked Pixel phones (with cases because they're slippery and breakable). But most of all we both got numbers with voice.gooogle.com and installed the voice app and put our numbers through it so everything rings on the voice app and if we destroy our physical phones and sim cards which we do from time to time we lose nothing. Most, if not all of our calls and texts are free as a result because they come through the internet at home or work (or now our data is unlimited). We only tell people our voice numbers.

Bonus is you can check your voice mails and texts and make and receive calls from your computer. It also transcribes voicemails for you.
I want to know more...
 

farmerjan

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Best Buy is a huge electronics store... they are not limited to one carrier... they have every kind of electronic imaginable. Phones, laptops, music stuff.... just all kinds of electronics and they carry most of the newer and the "different" stuff.... None of the "phone stores" have the foldable smart phones in stock... neither the Razr or the Samsung... they can order them... you know the drill... I got such good service the last time I was in there, and got the foldable smart Razr phone for a good price... plus they actually let me see and "feel" it in my hand whereas so many of those places have them in those little display stands and you can't actually pick it up and " feel the size and heft and weight" kind of thing.
There are a couple of carriers around here, Verizon is by far the best for service. Plus, we have the Verizon tower on DS's barn property... so they pay a pretty decent "rent" so it made sense to support them since they in turn support us. But, the thing is the stores that have the support staff... this one just down the road next to the UPS store I go to 12 miles south, the guys are great. I have thought seriously going to Straight Talk, a veteran owned company with conservative values... cheaper... but no "local" support stores...
After this deal with the phone and the obvious incompetence of the "geek squad" at Best Buy... I am just sticking with Verizon... got to talk to DS to see about getting the plan changed and save him some money and then I will pay for awhile...
Kind of the opposite of @Baymule 's deal.... they paid for their DD family for awhile now the DD is paying for her... DS paid for mine for several years, now it is time for me to pay for his for awhile. Our plan has unlimited talk text and Data... he uses it alot... and mine hooks into my Wi-Fi here at the house... just took off the hotspot on mine since I have never used it... he uses his alot... but he does not have a home computer, and he does all sorts of parts orders and lookups of things with dealing with the tractors and equipment and all that...

It was cold again... 19 to start. The sun was out bright and the wind is not much. It is still cold but not biting like it was. But you can see some more "hazy" to the skies already and it is supposed to get cloudier and the snow ought to be getting here by around 3-4 by looking at the radar. I am going to go out and get the last bags of feed mixed that are in the explorer, into buckets in the little red car (forester) ... was supposed to pick up the feed tomorrow with the dr appt... but that will be put off so I will have to get some other feed to mix in to stretch this and not change all at once until we go back in that direction. Oh well...

Time to get outside and try to get a few things done.... And go up and feed the cow later, and put her and calves in for the evening and leave in with the crappy weather coming... Just would be better for the smaller calves to not be out if we get much ice/freezing rain.... they are doing good but don't want them to be kept out if some of the bigger cows crowd near the creep gate and they can't get back in... because you all know that the bigger ones will intimidate the little ones... do not want them to get stuck outside. So far, they seem to be nursing at will and are not shivering or anything in this cold... Might just put the coats back on them for the next few days with the nasty weather coming... gotta get the bigger coat for the jersey... the small one doesn't fit...he doesn't look like it, but he is growing... I have some pics from the first day, will try to remember to take a few today to see the comparison.
 

Ridgetop

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Short version.... seems that the automatic renewal was cancelled in Oct...because ???? maybe a change in the expiration on the card...??? So, don't contact me about it???? It automatically renewed last year... So phone not covered.
You might want to go back in your bills and see if it actually cancelled due to non-pyment or if you were charged and they simpy did not enter the payment.
 

rachels.haven

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I want to know more...
This is our carrier. Idk if they cover your area, but they're pay as you go so if they change or go away we can too. We're paying $20/month for me, unlimited data. DH is more because he uses it for work. Your carrier will give you a sim card. Normally this has your phone number attached to it. I don't even know my sim card number at the moment because I don't use it.Our contacts use our Voice number to get a hold of us and we store our contacts with Voice too. If you destroy a phone and need to replace it, download the Voice app on the new one and log in and your stuff is all there, and you can always reach it on the computer.

I always recommend having a Google voice number, then put their app on the unlocked phone. I think they'd work on a normal cell phone too. I believe they're free except for certain situations. I don't think I've been charged for anything through Google for the last 12 years. Even if I did not have a phone I could call and text people on Google voice's website (my laptop rings!)

And then we wait around and get an UNLOCKED Pixel phone off amazon, usually when the next model comes out we get the old one, but any unlocked phone will do. An unlocked phone is basically just an internet device in this case-like your laptop or desktop. It needs a sim card from a carrier to get data away from wifi, but that's where Visible comes in. My Pixel is a 6a. It's currently $355, but then that's it. They don't add to what you're charged to compensate for it. We've liked the "Crave Dual Guard" cases.

We do things a little differently. It may or may not work for everyone, but $20/month for data, texts, and calls NOW is really nice. This is how we make cell coverage work for us.
 

fuzzi

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This is our carrier. Idk if they cover your area, but they're pay as you go so if they change or go away we can too. We're paying $20/month for me, unlimited data. DH is more because he uses it for work. Your carrier will give you a sim card. Normally this has your phone number attached to it. I don't even know my sim card number at the moment because I don't use it.Our contacts use our Voice number to get a hold of us and we store our contacts with Voice too. If you destroy a phone and need to replace it, download the Voice app on the new one and log in and your stuff is all there, and you can always reach it on the computer.

I always recommend having a Google voice number, then put their app on the unlocked phone. I think they'd work on a normal cell phone too. I believe they're free except for certain situations. I don't think I've been charged for anything through Google for the last 12 years. Even if I did not have a phone I could call and text people on Google voice's website (my laptop rings!)

And then we wait around and get an UNLOCKED Pixel phone off amazon, usually when the next model comes out we get the old one, but any unlocked phone will do. An unlocked phone is basically just an internet device in this case-like your laptop or desktop. It needs a sim card from a carrier to get data away from wifi, but that's where Visible comes in. My Pixel is a 6a. It's currently $355, but then that's it. They don't add to what you're charged to compensate for it. We've liked the "Crave Dual Guard" cases.

We do things a little differently. It may or may not work for everyone, but $20/month for data, texts, and calls NOW is really nice. This is how we make cell coverage work for us.
Thank you!

Filing it away for later consideration.
 

farmerjan

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Sunday evening. It was sunny for a couple hours, then just a "bright grey"... then got real cloudy and more damp and raw feeling. 19 to start, up to 42. By 1 it was just that grey cloudy, you know it is going to "do something" very soon.

I got the feed mixed and all of it out of the explorer, and into the forester in buckets and about 2 more buckets worth to mix still in the bags, but are in the forester.
I stood up all the panels for the poultry run and leaned them up against the trailer they had been in/on. The rain has pretty well cleaned them all off except one of the roof panels that was under one other one, so that is stood up on the "outside" so it can get rained/snowed on and the rest of the stuff all washed off. I was maybe going to try to get out the DeWalt impact thing and work on them after I got done with the cow and all, but it was getting late.
I also moved the couple of boxes with some stuff for the garden, out of the house into the shed. Dug in the freezer and got a big chicken out, some other stuff that I was going to take to DS, and got it all in the house.
I didn't have room for the bucket of milk I brought home the other night, in the refridge in the house... and since it has been running so cold outside, left it in the cooler chest... well.... it is partly frozen... so have it in the house to thaw, so I can make the bread pudding I wanted... and then the rest will fit in the house fridge. I need a second fridge so things like this will be cold but will not freeze because of not being able to control the temps.
Then I got the 2 big boxes out of the way, off the front porch, and over to where I want to put up this greenhouse I got to replace the lighter plastic one that got torn up in the wind awhile ago. They reimbursed me nearly the purchase price and I didn't have to sent it back so it was okay. I just haven't gotten the new one I got, put up yet. It is not as heavy as I think I might need here with the winds... but it is the polycarbonate sheets that are "semi-rigid" ..... so we will see. I covered the boxes with a tarp and are up on the one garden cart, off the ground. Maybe I can get inspired to get some things done.

I also let the little NH rooster out for a bit, he comes out of the cage/crate and likes to scratch around, but goes right back in when feeling threatened... so that is good now. The cats are big enough that he feels threatened so was back in more than out since the cats "had to be" right around out there.
Filled the "barn" shaped bird feeder I treated myself to last year, with bird feed I didn't realize I still had in a bucket. Hope that will help them if/when we get the "winter storm" that is been all the talk for the last couple days.

Went up to the cow and let her in the barn, one calf was with her, the other was around the other side and scooted right in the creep gate with the black calf... got her and her 2 on "her side" of the barn, fed grain. Fed grain to the weaned holstein and the black calf on the other side. left them separated for the night. Put a sq bale of hay in the bunk feeder for her and another 1/3 or so of a bale in the other side for those 2 calves. The cows and calves had been out eating hay from the rolls so they shouldn't be too hungry anyway. Took a section of ice off the one water trough so she will have water right off to drink, and she can push down the ice on 2 other troughs. Who knows what we will get this evening/night/tomorrow morning as far as weather and precipitation goes.
Then went and filled the car since it was below 1/2 tank... don't like to let them get too low and maybe real cold temps cause some freezing/condensation and water in the tanks.

Made a ham and provolone cheese sandwich and used up the last of the ham, that I sliced off a ham I had cooked and then froze this package.
As soon as the milk is thawed enough that I can use the whisk to mix all the cream back in, I will see about getting the bread pudding made and in the oven.

It hadn't started "doing anything" when I quit and came back in the house around 4 or so. But, you can "feel it".


Well, forgot to post this... so will just add a bit. It started to snow a little after dark. There is about 4 inches or so out there.... snow is very fine looking. It is staying right around 25 so not too terrible cold.
Expect there will be a good amount by morning. It looks like we will be in the area that stays mostly above the freezing rain line, so hopefully mostly snow...

Milk is still fairly frozen so stuck it in the fridge, it will thaw a little more overnight... will take it out in the morning and get it thawed out more so I can make the bread pudding. Chicken is thawing in a cold room and probably will not be thawed by morning either, but ought to be getting closer so I can cook it tomorrow afternoon/evening.
 

farmerjan

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Good WINTER Morning.... It is WHITE out there... We have around 5-6 inches of snow with a crunchy coating of ice on top of it. It is still doing a misty thing, and the forecast says we will get another wave of snow as this storm exits to the north and east. We have been right along the line of the snow and the icy sleety mix.

DS called, and he wanted to take the explorer... the good friend that he went to the car show with a couple months ago, had a massive stroke yesterday afternoon... no, not shoveling or anything, it was before the weather started. Was talking to his wife and crumpled on the floor and was rushed to the local emergency room and then taken to UVA medical center an hour east in Charlottesville... it is not good. He has been on medication for the blood clots, and they say this was bad, I understand they did surgery and could not get it cleared out... don't know all the details. DS wanted to be able to go with the son over to the hospital, and I think take his wife also... luckily the explorer has 4wd and heavy rough tires. Roads are plowed but not great, although that will be mostly interstate. So, I went out and started it and was scraping snow/ice off it... and he came by in the bale truck from feeding somewhere I guess...thought he had done all that yesterday ? .... and told me what was going on and said he would be back in a little bit as soon as he talked to Jason (son).... so finished scraping the windshield that I couldn't reach in the middle, and went home to get changed into other clothes...
He just came back a minute or so ago... and left. It is not looking good... and the friend has a DNR so unless God has a miracle in the pipeline, it is going to be a not very good day.

Power has been good so far. It is hovering around the 33 degree mark, so at least not freezing more.

When I went out to work on the snow/ ice on the explorer, I also stopped and got some of the ice off the bird feeder that I filled yesterday. One side is totally frozen where the snow/sleet/ice had blown against it and froze solid, but got the other side opened up so the birds can get to it. I have seen several birds out at it so that is good. I'm not a fanatic about feeding birds, and when the ground is bare they pretty much fend for themselves... they ate all the sunflowers in the garden, that they could as fast as they could this fall... but when the ground is covered and the ice coating, it is too hard for them to try to find anything. I dumped a little on the ground as I cleaned out the one side, and there have been several out there so that is good. One thing, the "pansy a$$ed" cats of mine went out the front door, and as soon as they got to the snow, said NUH UH... NO WAY... and came right back in the house. So the birds will not have to deal with the cats for a bit....
The chicken is about half thawed, so it is on the kitchen counter to get thawed a bit more then will get it in the oven. Going to get the milk out of the fridge, and see about getting it all whisked and ice crystals out so I can get the bread pudding made up and in to bake first....
Then get in the LR and work on getting things ready for the new heater stove.

Ordered the blower for it also.... found it on eBay and the company that had the stove said they did not have the blower offered but would get it listed when I sent a message to inquire about it. They did get it listed and I did order it from them. $75 as opposed to the $200 quoted from the place that I went and looked at the stove in person. I understand that they need to cover the cost of the "brick and mortar" store... but at more than $200 more for the stove/heater and another $125 more for the blower, I just could not swallow that much extra for the very same thing. The stove should be at TSC today... or maybe tomorrow with the road conditions and that is understandable... the blower will get delivered directly here... and I will figure out how to get it put on. I am going to take this old heater out and probably just junk it for scrap metal. Not worth trying to get it fixed from what a guy told me with the age of it...he said he was not sure that the parts were available since it was not a "popular brand". A new one like it is only around $200. Be safer to just junk it, I think. The company where I found it on eBay, is close in PA, and they answered all my questions and said that the top got very warm... so I might be able to actually "cook" on it... like a pot of soup or beans or something... that is what I want.... plus having a kettle/pan for water evaporation to add humidity to the air since I get nosebleeds easily when it is real dry. I hope that it will do what I want and cut the electric bills and use the propane that I have already available. Yes, I pay for that, but at least the stove will work if the power goes out....
Next is a possible whole house generator run on propane.... after I get some of the renovations done upstairs. That is in the works for this coming spring now... got to be able to open the windows to throw out the old plaster and stuff so no use to do it in the cold. We'll see.

So, going to go in the kitchen, get something done... and look out the windows. I will try to go up to the pasture in awhile. The bale truck is here so can take it up there with the 4wd and not have to worry about anything. I will feed the cow in the barn again so the calves do not have to try to follow her around in the crusty, hard, ice covered snow. Let the other bigger ones break up alot of that around the round bales and such today... and when the weather clears off tomorrow, can let them all back out loose.
 

frustratedearthmother

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Milk is still fairly frozen so stuck it in the fridge, it will thaw a little more overnight...
LOL - sounds odd to have to put something in the fridge to thaw out! Works though - fridge isn't below freezing. I'd have a hard time dealing with that kind of weather - weather wuss here!
 
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