Eric and I finally got internet, so I am celebrating the occasion by posting for the first time.? Things here in the exciting town of Plainview are going well.? I am substitute teaching (my first day is tomorrow), and school has finally begun.? Needless to say I am feeling happy and productive.? Anyway, I don’t really have anything interesting to say, so ciao, and I hope to blog more soon!

Ever since we have moved out to the boonies, getting clear reception on the cell phone has taken on its own art form. There is one spot in the living room where you can get good reception…you just have to stand on top of the recliner and–without losing your balance–hold one arm pointed to the ceiling. Then you only hear a little static. So Lacey gave me an ultimatum: get us a land line or buy me a better cell phone. I opted for the former, sort of.?

AT&T does not offer service where we live so we could not transfer our previous number. I called Verizon to get a quote for a residential line, local calls only. It was going to be $40 after taxes and fees! And the customer service lady was not very nice. I told her I would find a different option. I ended up with Vonage–woo-hoo, woo-hoo-hoo. It works through our existing high speed cable internet. All I had to do was connect our phone to a router. The really? great thing is that it is only $15 (plus like $3 in fees)? for 500 anywhere minutes a month. They also have a good online interface. Plus I get to go around the house singing their jingle–woo-hoo, woo-hoo-hoo.

By the way, even though I told the Verizon lady that I decided I did not want their service, I received a bill from them a week later? with connection and service charges…. Ugggh. It took talking to five different people to get it removed.