Overall it is well with us, but I cannot get thee close enough world wide web!

Technically we have phone service, except it doesn’t work. I had to place several calls to schedule a technician and then asked Paul to go down to the “network interface device” to verify that the problem was not our equipment or AT&T’s network. He came back up almost immediately as I was on hold with Verizon trying to get us wireless.

“It takes a screwdriver to open it,” he said

I think you all know that I have embraced this fire-induced clutter free life style as cheerfully as possible, but minimalism has its limits. (Bah dum bum!)

My kingdom for a screwdriver.

I just looked at Paul, shrugged and held the phone at him. He groaned and went to look around. We’ve had many of these shining little marital moments since the fire.

Fortunately he found a screwdriver in the basement and verified that the problem was with our wiring, scheduled a technician who is going to come some time between now and Wednesday. Whoopee thank you.

I was chitchatting with Amber at Verizon who was thrilled to help me get online. I would need a device which, if a signed a 2 year contract, was FREE, with a 1 year contract and some mail-in rebates, was $70 and, in order to go month to month, was $270. I called Peggy, our private adjuster, to get the go ahead, before I raced to the nearest Verizon store and then back in order to get online in the comfort of my rental home.

Alas, it was not to be; she needs to present it to my insurance adjuster to avoid him denying payment in the future which meant I had to drive somewhere to get online to email her the terms that I just outlined above for her to forward to my insurance adjuster who is on vacation until Tuesday.

Everything we do requires permission and documentation and at least 5 phone calls, but the universe seems to prefer 23. I prefer osmosis.

I will be back soonish and be much more cheerful. I don’t want to be that gloomy lady whose house burned down.