About Communicating Online & Off-line

On the 2nd weekend of January 2026, root beer floats with chocolate ice cream are my Saturday treat. Why? Because yesterday was my McD lunch treat day; and I do not have McD without soda. Thus, my no soda January failed. The disappointment I feel creates the excuse to have root beer floats. No soda January will resume after the root beer is gone.

After that sorrow, I have been dealing with things that require communicating online. Needless to say, it has been frustrating because the bully mentality of websites is difficult to deal with. The you do it our way or else is not a good way to treat people. 

Then, there's the issue of why of the problems happen that usually turns out to be my fault because I'm not tech savvy. I believe when pages have the plus sign, +, to open a new tab, that will be the online rule for websites. But, it is not the rule. 

For example, the AOL app. On a website that sends me an email with a verification code to my AOL email address, I cannot read that email because there is no + available for (that I found) a new tab to the AOL email to be opened. 

I uninstalled the AOL email app. Using regular AOL email isn't as good, but it gives the me control I should have as a customer. 

The other frustrating online issue is the Contact Us feature. Right off, the next page is to FAQs. Ok. I type in question just in case, (being I have a reputation for being the fault of the problem). Nothing there. So, I hunt for the Contact Us option originally given. Oh dear, I have to log in, create an account and go through more hoops that sensibly necessary. 😖

On the bright side of life, I have enough sheets of forever US Postal stamps to last me 3 or 4 years (with the one stamp use per month that I have now). How did I end up with so many stamps!? 

I think when postal clerks are so nice, as soon as they ask if there's anything else we need, knowing the postal service struggles, I feel the least I can do is buy stamps.  The other reason is my desk gets so messy, I can't find the stamps I have. So, I buy more. The Oh so that's where they are, is always a cheery moment. Also, when mailing off a package, put stamps in there before sealing the box. 

Ever see one of those shows that helps folks declutter, where everything in the room is removed, and only what is useful is put back? Well, I'm going to do that with my desk area. It has to start first thing in the morning to have time to clear someplace to sleep. 😎

How is your January going?

Going for the Make-over or the Spruce Up?

The new year energy is one of the best next to the back to school vibe. Instead of resolutions, deciding on ways to challenge ourselves can provide us with weeks of entertainment. 

For example, I’m going Dry January with soda. I know sugary drinks aren’t a healthy choice body wise. The fizzle of carbonated beverages, however, does have a soothing effect on my mood. No soda? 

Potato chips and water are a big time creator of something is missing. At my age, I do enough wondering what naturally. I don’t need to create more confusion. The solution: Don’t have chips in January. 

The challenge thrives on laughing at myself. A side effect is thinking about what about pickle juice? A pickle juice sandwich with no chips just is not right. 

Overall, I don’t drink soda that often. No soda is not a big change. Chip sandwiches the same. The point is that I’m choosing to make-over how I approach what I eat and drink. Many  meals I like are paired with soda. And those meals are mainly burgers, pizza and greasy. All  other food is good with water. I sip wine after meals. I only like beer with Chinese food. 

Spruce up my menu? 

Have more Chinese food and drink beer.