1/13/15 ATT Sucks. I know, shocker, right?

I might have been the only person in the Western Hemisphere who was mostly ok with my ATT phone.  Happy would be a stretch, but over the past few months I had noticed an increase in my ability to actually complete a call and an increase in data speeds. Well, that mystery is now solved, apparently it was because I wasn't really using ATT's network!  I got this bit of happy news today:

Please note the line, 

We've updated your device so you'll know when you're outside the AT&T network. Just check your home screen and when you're on another carrier's network, now you'll see "Off Network" instead of "AT&T" in the status bar.

They don't tell you you're off network until you've exceeded the limit! And PERMANENTLY disabled your roaming ability!  They gave me a warning when I was in Utah and I bought a Straight Talk Verizon phone. It worked so much better than my ATT phone that I was tempted to switch, but I was too lazy to go through the process of porting my number. Obviously, now I will be doing that. This is one of the Verizon ST phones, and is the one I bought.  Make sure it says CDMA-V.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Prepaid-Cell-Phone-White/29010048

Here's a cheaper option: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-ZTE-Savvy-Z750C-Prepaid-Cell-Phone/29010050

Although, if you get one on the ATT network I think it would not be subject to this stupid policy as ST has its own set of rules.  But why go with ATT when you can get one on Verizon that might actually work most of the time?

Another line of note under Options is:

• Terminate your service with AT&T, with no early termination fee.

This would seem to be an excellent "Get out jail free card" for anyone who is looking to get out of an ATT contract without an ETF. (Early Termination Fee)  Just head to one of the spots on the ATT coverage map that are striped (3rd party provider) and burn up some data.  

As for me, I guess I'll be watching a LOT of Netflix on my phone until 1/27.  Oh, and updating a few gigs of maps, etc.  Consider it a parting gift.

1/9/15 Is it soup yet?

Well, it's obvious that I'm desperate for blogging topics when I'm posting recipes. :-)  But it's cold here in Florida and soup is good food. Plus we're on a diet so soup is definitely on the menu. I had a hankering for green chile stew and found a few recipes on the net, but being incapable of following a recipe I made my own stew with green chiles in it. Can't call it green chile stew as green chilies are absolutely the only the common element. Well, ok, I guess it doesn't even have "official" green chiles in it, but the poblanos are as close as I could get. And they are very green. It is yummylicious though.

2 poblano chiles, charred over a flame or roasted in the oven, and skin removed, or substitute canned chiles (You can youtube how to do this or check out this page: http://www.focusnewmexico.com/chile/chile2.htm  I might use canned next time, this charring was a pain and used too much propane)

1 small onion, chopped

1 small zucchini, chopped

1/2 T olive oil

1/2 t ground cumin

1/2 T chili powder

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, I used ones flavored with garlic etc so didn't use any added garlic. If you use plain, add a crushed garlic clove

1 14 oz can hominy, drained and well rinsed

1 can of stock, chicken or veg would work well. I used powdered bouillon and a can of water.

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot and saute the onions and green chiles until tender. And the garlic if you're using a clove. Add the zucchini, tomatoes, hominy, stock, cumin and chili powder. Simmer till done.  Topping with some chopped fresh cilantro would be awesome. I didn't have any.

It really came out well. More heat than I expected but just wonderful on a cold day. Next time I might add some smoked paprika to bump up the smokiness. I also might use the diced fire-roasted tomatoes, think that will be good too. I'm waffling over the idea of adding mushrooms...  Also, for those who don't care for hominy, subbing potatoes or chickpeas might be an idea. I'm sure it would work well in a crockpot too.

1/7/15 Still parked in Florida.....

Hasn't been much of note to blog about. I did close on my lot, and my stepfather Robert has been doing what clearing that has needed to be done. It looks 1000 times better and I bet I could nearly double my money with just a few hours work. I ordered some new breakers and a 30a RV outlet which should be here in a day or two and then hopefully next week I'll get the power on.  I decided to buy a 12x20 lofted barn. If I get back up to VA I'll pick up my freezer & wine fridges & will keep them there. I was gonna let them sell with the house but if I have space for them....why not.  I moved my stuff in a 5x8 Uhaul so the building is overkill. However, Mom wants to get into ceramics so she can keep supplies there, and I can get some of my art supplies out to use when I'm here. I feel pretty confident I'll be able to sell the lot and building for more than I paid so it's a no-brainer.

Thinking of heading to the Tampa RV show.....I definitely feel the need to get out of the yard LOL