SHORTS: ISP, LIGHTBULB DILEMMA

🙄🙄🙄😳 ???? ISP

1pic

I spent some time trying to decide if I wanted to use T-Mobile as my ISP (Internet Service Provider) .   Actually, I purchased the 15 day trial from T-Mobile.  By day three I still had not hooked it up. Day four, I tried endlessly to get things going using T-Mobile.  In deep frustration  I decided to return the tower.  I really needed someone with IT knowledge to help me. I wasn't in the mood to go through YouTube videos for help.  The ease of a cordless tower and paying almost 1/2 of what I pay for Spectrum still had me wondering. You know the phrase, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." I guess I'll allow Spectrum to continue ripping me off for a while. 

                                           ***

Lightbulb Dilemma

What do you do when you're acrophobic but, you want to install  a new light bulb in your garage?  There are light bulb changer devices sold at the local home centers but, I had no desire to purchase one since the garage would be the only place I'd use it. All of my other light fixtures have covers and the light bulb changer can't help with that. I went to my usual source, YouTube, to see what I could rustle up.     

 Because the light bulb had paddles, I tried using Plan A, made from a broom handle and detergent bottle bottom. No matter how I stuffed the inside, it was still too wonky.     Plan B was with an empty 16 oz. foam, soft drink cup. It worked perfectly for removing a standard light bulb and would probably do just as well inserting  a bulb.

Nonetheless, I still tried inserting the paddle light with paddles closed into the socket.  It worked!😀😀

But, when I tried to open the paddles, it disconnected from the socket and just hung there like a dead fish. 😩

To the rescue came my young neighbor after I asked if he had a ladder and if I could borrow it  (acrophobia: don't ask). He removed the broken bulb from the socket and since there were two in the pack, I gave him the other one to use instead.  I thanked him and offered to give him $$ but, he wouldn't take it.   He took a picture of the box saying he might buy a set. 

The outcome was better than I expected. I have so much light with just the one bulb. 

I can only imagine what it will look like when I get the second bulb put in. 

NOTE: I returned the broken bulb, got a replacement bulb  AND bought a box of the bulbs for my young neighbor. All young people aren't bad. 

It was a good day.🙂

That's it***

Crafting with a COFFEE CONTAINER and a BOX

2 pics, 1 video 29 sec.

 I drink a lot of coffee.  While I do recycle items, there are some that make me go, "Hmm, what else can I do with this?"  If you've read my profile you know recycling and upcycling is a passion of mine. I've made numerous flower planters. Don't be misled. There will be more. 🙂

I was in need of a container to house a set of silicone utensils I'd bought from Amazon.  Folgers container to the rescue. 

I've had a bit of practice with these items over time. Although I couldn't erase the embossed Folger's symbol, I could do a primer to cover the laser printed label.  Follow up was with red spray paint.

The paint looks faded in some areas because I allowed some of the beige primer to peek through. But, I like the look.

After using acrylic paint, Mod Podge, printed label, cording, glue gun, button and spoon I found in my stash, I had the perfect container for my silicone cooking utensils.

Utensils in container.   29 sec. video

The only thing I'm displeased with is the hot glue showing after it has solidified.

                                                              ***

2 pics

Sometimes I get into an intense crafting mood. Today was that day. 

The Dollar Store container that I keep my TV remote and other items in bit the dust.  It was never sturdy and I'm pretty sure that what was supposed to be fabric was just a cheap plastic fabric imposter.  You get what you pay for.😐

My friend VFH sent me a birthday present in this box.

It contained a mug with a positive affirmation inscribed on it, comfortable footie socks, a make up bag, journal and I'm pretty sure I'm missing something. I didn't want to get rid of such a sturdy box so it became the new  container for my coffee table paraphernalia. 

I used good, old-fashioned contact paper to cover it and put it to use. Easy Peasy. 

That's it ***

Chocolate Cake with Aliases

 5 pics

It goes by many names, Chocolate Upside Down Cake, Chocolate Cobbler, Hot Water Chocolate Cake and others. 

Allegedly, this cake makes its own frosting, pudding, lava or whatever you want to call it. BUT! it's located at the bottom of the cake.  🔥Hot water poured on top of the batter  makes the pudding part. 

Being a YouTube fan  I consulted a couple of cooking channels I watch.  

Catherine's Plates 

and

Emmymade  

The Outcome

Mine looks like theirs.

Oh Yeah!!

How did it taste? Sooooo good! 

I added chopped walnuts and whipped topping before consuming.(not pictured. I devoured it too quickly.)

The recipe is easy though I'm not posting it.  I'll leave it to you to pick one of your choice.  I will say this; Follow the recipe to the letter. When it says, "Do not stir." Believe them! DO NOT STIR!!

That's it ***

 

I Won a Watermelon

2 pics

It was huge and it was delicious. 

A gardening class was being taught at Archwell Health. I posted about Archwell Health  in September.  

The teacher was extraordinary and extremely knowledgeable.  In addition to teaching gardening classes and  traditional farming he also does hydroponic and aquaponic farming. 

After each class he holds a drawing for two prizes. Only those who've never won are eligible.  There were two prizes, a soil tester and a watermelon. I was the first winner and received this gigantic watermelon. ( Secretly, I'd been longing for a taste of watermelon) I won!!This huge piece of fruit lived up to it's outside features. The texture was firm and the meat was m-m-m sweet😌 .

Wanting to savor all of its goodness right down to the rind, it was my intention to make watermelon rind pickles (click the link to see my past production).  But,  that was not to be. The last time I did this was in 2010. It is labor intensive and after saving the rind for a decent amount of time,  a voice in my head said, "NOPE. It ain't gonna happen." Into the garbage the rind went. That's okay, I have the memories of when I did pickle watermelon rind.

watermelon rind pickles from 2010.  I ran out of canning jars so the 

pickles in the 'Classico" jar were refrigerated and eaten within a short 

period of time.

That's It 🍉🍉🍉

I Traveled 566 Miles To Sunday School

6 photos

1 video

 

The Church Without Walls, 

Eldridge Campus.

Houston, TX

It started during the epic period of time that will forever remain in history and is a "given" in  conversations; P-A-N-D-E-M-I-C !

VFH and I met while sharing an Uber ride along with an RHS Queen at a Red Hat Society (RHS) resort event in Arizona in 2018. We hit it off while mingling with other Hatters from all over. ( My reason for joining RHS: to meet others in my peer group) She lives in TX and I live in AL.  

We keep in touch by text or phone. She'd tell me about her sons, grands, church, dogs and the activities of her RHS chapter.  She would often talk about her church even before Pandemic. It wasn't "Bible thumping,  Come to Jesus," talk. More of an," I'm active in my church and this is the latest that happened."   We'd converse about church and Sunday school along with current events and etc.

Sanctuary at The Church Without Walls, Eldridge Campus

Houston, TX

When the Pandemic hit, like most, their church was forced into lockdown. Sunday School (SS) and Church were held online. VFH invited me to their online  SS.  Unable to go anywhere or do anything involving other humans I began to tune in sporadically.  

The first thing I noticed was that most of the people were somewhere in my age group. 😁👏👍😀 Yay!!     I could also tell that the facilitators were knowledgeable, prepared and organized for class.  Soon, virtual attendance became regular attendance. I ordered a Sunday School book and would effort to read the lesson  ahead of time.  I was allowed to take part in the lesson by answering questions put to the class by the teacher and also given sections from the lesson to read to the class. I felt welcomed and comfortable. 

After a year, I knew I wanted to meet these people in person but, I didn't want VFH or anyone from the SS to go out of their way for my visit. As a birthday gift to myself I decided to travel impromptu to The Church Without Walls in Houston, TX  and arriving unannounced for SS. 

The first person I encountered was brother WS who often teaches the class. He knew right off who I was and was surprised as were the others when I  met them in class. My friend VFH was extremely surprised since she usually attends SS online but attends church in person.  Between SS and after church I was able to speak at length with class members in the flesh that I'd only seen online.     The outpouring of welcome, warmth and reception was so satisfying. 

Members  and Facilitators of the "in person" Sunday School  at 
The Church Without Walls, Eldridge Campus, Houston, TX

After church VFH insisted on taking me to lunch at Lazy Dogs Restaurant. It was a wonderful meal and a great time to catch up.

VFH and me after lunch at Lazy Dogs restaurant in Houston, TX. 

Accommodations were at Drury Hotel & Suites.

I like the idea of them having breakfast and dinner included in the price of the room as well as cocktails.

Having a microwave and fridge allowed me to fix a plate from downstairs, refrigerate it and reheat later if I so desired.

Monday, 10-31 was my day of departure for a 2:00 flight back home.  A short weekend trip but, very gratifying. 

Monday morning commute in Houston, TX  (10-31-2022) Goodbye Houston.

Caftan

 I bought these fabrics  in May with intentions of making three caftans. I prefer a cotton blend of fabric for this type of project since it's for comfort  around the house during summer. However, I will wear caftans in colder weather with a sweater. 

 How hard could it be? Who needs a pattern for that? 😶 I do.

Folding, cutting a neck hole and at the last minute deciding I wanted pockets didn't work out as well as I would have liked.

Sewing and drinking coffee. My Home Ec. teacher 
would be appalled. NO FOOD OR DRINK WHEN
SEWING!!

Since the front and back looked the same I decided

to add these beads I had in my stash. The dental

floss is to make sure they stay in place. The only

problem is that the white floss shows. Sooo, I used

a turquoise marker on the  white floss.

Front

This shows the finished caftan to
the waist. I was later told that this is 
a tunic and not a caftan.

It is now the middle of October so I'll put the idea of two other caftans to the side until warmer weather, the same way I did last fall 2021 for

    this 

          project

Bleached flannel

But, that's a story for another time.  

That's it***

Digging Sweet Potatoes

 I have to admit that when I saw this Facebook post,

the first thing that came to mind  was 1965 and the extremely popular tune  by Jr. Walker and the All Stars singing "Shotgun." * 

There's a portion in the lyrics that  says, 

" We gonna dig potatoes. We gonna pick tomatoes..."

After arriving it was determined that I wouldn't be digging any potatoes and that most had already been done.

I did come  prepared. 

I can't tell you the friendliness, warmth and welcoming I felt from the people associated with this church. It was if they'd always known me and I was one of their members.  

The weather was beautiful and cooperative. Here's a 360 of the surrounding area.( < :30 length)

What a tranquil site/ sight. Pews and tables located underneath this towering tree. I'm told that services are held here whenever weather permits. In case of inclement weather services are held at the Urban Ministry building located on the block diagonally east to this site. (<:30 length)

   DIGGING UP THE POTATOES  (click the link for video 1:23 length )

OTHER  GARDEN ASPECTS

I was gifted this bag of sweet potatoes by the good people at Community Church Without Walls.

DISCLAIMER:   To my knowledge, no shotguns, red dresses👗 or high heels 👠were involved with harvesting these sweet potatoes.  Although, I can still do the Jerk and the Twine.😊

S'Mores were to be roasted over the campfire later.

*Shotgun was the "Electric Slide" song of the time. You could be sure you'd have a crowded dance floor when Shotgun was played. Years later after reading the lyrics ,they seem to have been made up as the musicians were playing.   Most songs tell a story. This one did, but with some unusual characteristics.😧 Still, it was #1 on the Billboard chart for weeks.

     

WBW- The Other White House-revisited

 WBW- Way Back Wednesday is the same as TBT- Throw Back Thursday only it's done on Wednesday.

I did a post on this fading 1905 mansion in a previous post titled The Other White House in 2019. At that time the owner of  Le'Nell's Beverage Bar had bought the property, added her beverage store to the left and had future plans of turning the mansion into a family restaurant.

Fast Forward to September 24, 2022.

I was part of the Eat, Drink and Ride Tour with a group of Red Hatters. Le'Nell's was a stop on the tour.

The establishment is designed beautifully.  They have a wide assortment of beverages.  Gins, which were displayed in a bath tub. Whiskey, wine, sake, and much more.

* Champale

That's it 🍸🍷🍹

. 

Red Mountain Makers Fundraiser and Open House

   

Birmingham, Alabama was once well known for its  iron and steel industry.  

There was a running joke when I went off to school, that if you were from Birmingham, Alabama your Daddy worked at one of the steel mills. Not always true but, close. 😊 

Though the steel mills have closed, their  history will never be forgotten. Steel was the bread and butter income of many families.  Sloss Furnace,  now a historic landmark, was once a blast furnace producing pig iron. It was open from 1882 until 1971.

 Further notoriety of the iron and steel business in Birmingham, Alabama is seen through it's permanent fixture of  the cast iron statue atop Red Mountain, known as Vulcan, 

Signage could have been a little better. Had to walk two blocks to the entrance

 Jiggly octopi made from 3-D Printer

The welding I did not get to see because I didn't want to wear a sweaty welding hood

Auto darkening hood

that unknown other people  had been wearing.        Icky!! 😖

I did get to see blacksmithing and the forging of a sword.

 

Red Mountain Makers is not only paying homage to the city's steel and iron industry. It is keeping alive many of the crafts and vocations that might otherwise be lost without those who continue to practice them.

That's it 🔥🔥🔥

COOKING FOR ONE> maybe two APPLE COBBLER

 I've been trying out many of the recipes at One Dish Kitchen.  She has some great, conservative ways to make the most of food prep especially with the  high grocery prices. Sometimes you want just enough for you and another person (or  two for you).😄 The key is measurement conversion for more or less. In this case less. I'm not the best mathematician so my version of this One Dish Kitchen dump apple cobbler is my own.

Joanie, the author of One Dish Kitchen suggests using ramekins. She featured many styles and a link to where they could be bought if you choose to purchase online or in store.

 I bought these from Amazon.

This one's a winner and I'll be making it from time to time.🏆

Footnote: I also bought the silicone baking mats from Amazon. I'd been wanting one of these for cooking and crafting. This box came with two. I used the mat to save on clean up. It worked perfectly. Just a swipe with a damp cloth and the cooking juices were gone . I was left with a clean baking sheet underneath ready for the next project.👍

That's it ***