Falderal and Hendersonville, NC

Don't you love the word "Falderal"? Obviously my spell checker doesn't 'cause it's popped the squiggly red line under the word... what foolish nonsense. Ummm, well the definition of falderal does include foolish nonsense....

Anywaze, the reason I'm going along on what some might call a worthless trifle is 'cause Falderal is the name of a winery in Hendersonville, North Carolina and I fell in love with their wines over the weekend!

I did a show with my son up there over the Memorial Day weekend. Someone from the winery posted a comment on Facebook inviting their friends and fans to visit them. I popped a comment back saying we were going to be up there working the show, would love to stop in but knew we wouldn't be able to do it (long days when you're working a show!). They said to let 'em know where we would be and they'd bring us a sample! Wow, how out of the way, above and beyond nice --- and obviously someone who cared about promoting their wine (very good business sense).

Saturday afternoon someone DID drop by with a sample. Yours truly tried the "Nantahala White" which is a peach chardonnay. Absolutely loved it. Turns out the winery was just a few blocks away! So, long story short, we bought two bottles of the Nantahala White, plus two bottles of their "One Pink Toe" which is a raspberry zinfandel. Ditto on how good it is...

The BAD part about this story is that they can only sell in North Carolina. The GOOD part is that a lot of my friends live up there or nearby, or vacation in the area, so at least I can encourage them to buy and try. Even better, my sisters and I have been talking about a girls weekend in Hendersonville. Not because of the wine, it's a trip we've been talking about for a while. However, we will definitely be stopping by the winery to get the weekend started on the right foot if you know what I mean!

Prior to our girls weekend, we'll be having a girls night and Falderal wine will most assuredly be part of the night!

Hendersonville is a great place to visit and live based on my discussions with the locals. I've done the Memorial Day show for three years now and each year I am more impressed with the area and the people. Finding a great winery just adds to the attraction.

Here's what the label has to say about Falderal Winery: All wines made by Falderal Winery are hand-crafted in small batches to ensure high quality and full flavor. Our wine is crafted locally from the finest juices from all over the world! Once you try it, we know you will agree."

I agree.

www.falderalwinery.com --- haven't checked, but maybe they can ship! If they do, I'm gonna try some other wines.

Addendum: I just popped over to the Falderal website. You must, must go check out the wines they carry! Shoot, I may have to buy one of each and line them up on a shelf just for comments when people come to visit. Great names, great labels, lots of fun: http://falderalwinery.com/our-wines/

Jury duty update

Great news -- the case settled so I don't have to serve. I found out that I was not on one of the panels that would have been selected anyway, so settle or not I wouldn't have to go through a trial.

On a side note, yesterday I heard a story about the troubles they were having in Fulton County (Atlanta, GA) getting prospective jurors to show up. If I heard correctly, only 17% of those who get the notice actually bother to show up. Wow. That's sad. They're getting ready to crack down and start fining people up to $500 for not showing up. They are also offering a one-time amnesty for those who show up and sign up (and show up) for jury duty in the next month.

Here in Fayette County I'd guess we had close to 100%. The room was packed. I found the experience very well run, informative, and pleasant. I didn't want to spend my time sitting in a courtroom but believe it's part of our system and my "duty". Shoot, if I ever have to go through a trial (please, no, no, no) I'd want someone like me on the jury...

If only I had Allstate insurance...

Turns out jury duty is for two state civil trials involving insurance carriers. I'm thinking if I had Allstate or Safeway insurance I would probably not be someone desirable on a trial.

Right now Sheila Studdard, State Court Clerk, is putting us in groups of twelve and querying whether we have either of those insurance companies. I'm on panel five. There are eleven panels.

Crud, I have to come back on Wednesday. I was planning to take my daughter-in-law shopping for her birthday. They just announced that the trial in question was being deferred to Wednesday and that everyone who didn't have either insurance company would be coming back... grrrrrr....

First time for jury duty...

Well, it's almost 8:30 a.m., my check in time for jury duty. I, along with over a hundred others, got here early and am now sitting in the room wondering what comes next. There's still a long line of people checking in.

I was surprised at the number of Sheriff's deputies hanging out down by the check-in screening area. I wonder if people give them grief or try to carry in contraband. I brought half my life in anticipation of being here for a long time. I have my laptop, two bottles of water, a book, snacks, paperwork, purse with all the usual paraphernalia. I did remember to take the mace off my keyring and, just to be on the safe side, I left my ultra-large barrel mascara in the car. I used to have a metal compact that always triggered the sensors when it went through the scanner --- for some reason when it was slightly angled I was told it looked like a grenade.

Not much else  to share at the moment. I showed my ID when I entered the room. They didn't catch the fact that there was a discrepancy in the name on my ID and the name they listed, but I wasn't going to point it out. I then came in and signed in. Now I sit.

Some people have attempted to get out of duty, and succeeded, while I waited. One had been convicted of a crime, the other just postponed their "duty" for another day. The room is filling up. If I counted correctly there are at least 160 seats plus some extras scattered in the back. There's still a line waiting to get in and it's now 8:33 a.m. I think we're going to fill up the room.

Nuff for now. I'm waiting for the band to set up, the music to start, breakfast to be served, coffee, tea and crumpets...

Jury Duty it is...

It finally happened. I have been summoned to do jury duty. They sure don't give you a lot of notice! I had just under two weeks, which isn't horrible, but when you have an ultra busy schedule it takes some juggling. Good thing I wasn't planning a vacation or wasn't headed out to a conference...

I was pleased to find out they had Wi-Fi and laptops were allowed. I doubt they'll be allowed in the courtroom if I'm selected! I'll try to keep you posted tomorrow on what's going on. Yep, tomorrow. 8:30 a.m.

I'm planning to write about my experience if I'm selected. I have mixed feelings about doing jury duty. It's a good system and I feel like it's my "duty" to do it when called. However, I have a zillion things I'd rather be doing. It does beat going to the dentist though and it should be interesting.

Comcast / Xfinity: The Good, the Bad and the Strange

A short time ago I ran into some issues with Comcast / Xfinity. I wrote a blog about the problems (http://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2012/02/so-long-comcast-sending-xfinity-into.html) and was pleasantly surprised to get a comment from Comcast's National Customer Operations saying they'd like to try and resolve the problems.

I responded --- I'm always willing to give a company that goes that extra mile a second chance (or in this case, a third or fourth chance!).

I received a call from the local office, however, I was out of town. That started a chain of tag phone calls (two for me to every one from them). Finally I got an email from them saying that they hadn't heard from me and if we didn't connect within a certain time frame they would consider the matter resolved. Didn't particularly like that... I sent an email back saying I'd been leaving messages AND once again tried the numbers in the email.

Finally we connected. I won't bore you with the back and forth, but they ultimately came out and switched me from their modem with Wi-Fi to a combination of their modem without Wi_fi and MY Netgear router. Now I can pick up Wi-Fi anywhere in the house, something that did NOT work with their Wi-Fi modem.

The guy who came out to make the switch was great. While here, per the discussion with customer service, he switched out our HD TV modem (if that's what it's called?) for a non-HD modem. However (always a however somewhere, huh?), the modem thingy he had on hand was a silver boxy ugly thing that clashed with the TV, the room and looked like something from the early days of computers.

He was super. He called his office supervisor, explained the issue, and was told it was fine to just leave the HD modem and they would ditch the $10 cost per month. Just as FYI background - we got a package, price was approximately $10 higher than we were told, Comcast customer service said tough and suggested we ditch the HD since we didn't use it, didn't have the option on our TVs.

We were very happy with keeping the old modem minus HD. The switch of computer/phone modem fixed the problem with me IPS address being added to spam blockers, too.

Now for the second "however". I called to get one of the final issues resolved (credit and cancellation of the super-assistance I had to "buy" to fix the problem caused by Comcast) and, after multiple calls, getting discounted a number of times, being shuttled to the wrong area (roughly half a day down the drain) I got the charge reversed HOWEVER I learned that at some point someone at Comcast / Xfinity would do an audit, learn that we had the HD modem and they'd come after us for the $10 a month....

I contacted the lady I'd been working with at Comcast, the local super service lady. She said that was true. Grrrrrr... taking the TV modem switched out would entail a half-hour in one direction drive. She offered to send us the modem AND a prepaid shipping box to return the other. Great.

Third HOWEVER... the modem they shipped to us was the same one we refused. Now we're at a stand still.  I have some posts out on forums trying to find out how we can go about getting a different modem / receiver. The Comcast lady tells me that it's the silver boxy thing or nothing. I have found the sleek black boxes out on eBay but have been told that's an iffy proposition. They could be stolen, Comcast could come after us for using them, etc.

It's a silly thing but dang it, after all the time and effort we've put into this I know that every time I look at that silver box on top of the TV that I'm going to get irritated. Not sure what I want to do at this point. I'm looking at options. I zapped an email to the Comcast lady asking if we could just BUY the black DCT700 (which is what we had before). I'm waiting.

So long Comcast, sending Xfinity into the beyond...

It's been a very frustrating few weeks. I've finally decided that my only option is to ditch Xfinity / Comcast and move over to Uverse or whatever it's called...

My emails have been vanishing into thin air. Some go through, some don't. I thought it was my web host as I have umpteen different websites and multiple email accounts for each site. I have it set up so they go to three different computers so I can keep up with them a little easier.

When they couldn't find a problem I figured I had a corrupt file and so spent time deleting emails, reloading programs, cleaning out things, and doing all the things you do when you have huge email files.

Nothing worked.

I receive emails just fine. It's when I reply or send that I have problems. I decided to call my web host instead of opening an on-line ticket and get to the bottom of it today after doing some experimenting on which ones were vanishing, trying to find a pattern, etc. After a loooonnnngggg time we finally discovered that my IP address was being blocked by pbl, zen.spamhaus and others. Six all told. The only solution they could come up with was to have Comcast assign a new IP address.

Ha ha ha on me.

The Xfinity woman-with-attitude that I talked with dumped it back in my lap but not until she messed up my Internet service. She had me unplug their modem and she tried to reset the IP address. She dorked it up trying to do something -- she admitted it. Because of whatever it was she did, I couldn't get back on to the Internet via wireless. I was on hold multiple times while she talked with her supervisor, they tried various things... THEN finally told me I had to call Comcast's Signature Support as it was over their heads.

She neglected to tell me that I had to PAY for the privilege of talking with Signature Support.

She messes up my system and I have to pay to get it fixed. You know I was a bit uptight about that one...but I make my living on the computer and you do what you have to do. I paid.

While working with the $$$ignature $$$upport guys (yep, took two), I learned that I shouldn't be using my Netgear router --- which the Xfinity guy who installed the new router when we bundled phones into the system NEGLECTED to tell me... So, after they got everything up and running, yours truly had to run to the store to buy an adapter 'cause my main computer was too far away from their modem to work. My other computer is, luckily, near enough to plug in directly.

I am livid. I STILL don't have my email working. Turns out I'm not alone with this problem. After talking with some tech friends and doing some research I learned that having a Comcast IP address blocked on the receiving end is not unusual. Seems that Comcast is supposedly the most abused email system when it comes to spamming. And, if what I've read is correct, Comcast isn't going to do diddly-squat about it.

I wasted an entire day on this mess and it's still not resolved. I decided to wait until tomorrow to try Comcast again. I want my money back for Signature Support. I also want them to find a solution for the email problem. If not, adios Xfinity.

Wish I'd NEVER decided to bundle phone, Internet and TV.

Gotta tell you NOT to do the phone thing... they told us incorrect dollar amount (extra monthly $8 not shared during multiple discussions), told me modem had 12 hour back up so wouldn't lose phones during Comcast outage. Lost service during first outage...they had to come out & put in a new modem. I could bore you to tears on the subject of Comcast phones (assuming you haven't already gotten bored and quit reading, of course ;-). I will tell you that to solve THAT problem I have to unhook the TV modem they gave us, travel to their center & exchange it...time, time, time.

Now this email problem with the modem. IP address can't be changed 'cause of the type modem, or that's what they told me.

I know U-Verse AT&T will more than likely bring its own set of problems, but I'm tired of fighting with Comcast. And, I need my email to work.

Guess that's enough venting for now. Writing a blog and sharing with whoever reads this is SO much better than kicking the wall or hitting a pillow .

Storm - 1 Comcast / Xfinity - 0

We had a bad storm yesterday and it knocked out our electricity. Just ours, no one else in the neighborhood got hit.

The first thing I did was pick up the Xfinity / Comcast phone to call the electric company. No dial tone. The phone said "Searching...." and it kept at it until the phone beeped... and then beeped again a bit later. I finally took the battery out of the phone. The land-line phone we have, the one without any computerized or electrical gadgets, the one that has always worked in the past (pre-Comcast) was dead as the proverbial doornail.

Luckily in our modern world we all had cell phones and I was able to report both the electrical outage and the phone outage. Comcast said the battery failed on the modem and they'd be out next week to fix it. Uh huh.

We switched to Comcast phone last week. We already have cable and Internet. When I compared their latest deal (it included Fox Business News Channel for as long as we have the phone and some movie channel, plus a whole bunch of others) to our current deal with AT&T we saved some money. Not a ton, but in the end, after the two year 'deal' period, we'd still save a few pennies so I decided to give it a try.

My biggest concerns had been losing phone service when we lost cable / Internet and/.or electricity. I asked the guy on the phone AND the service tech when he came out to install. All kinds of assurances flowed... backup battery gave 4 hours of talk time or 8 hours of phone in the event electricity was out... the phone was separate from cable / Internet and would work in the event either or both of those went out.

Four days later, electricity is out and that brand spanking new modem has what they say is a defective battery. They actually had me open the modem to ensure that they put a battery in the thing. Nice people, can't complain on that front. Every experience has been good with the individuals I've encountered at Comcast / Xfinity.

Problems continue to be length of time it takes to get them out here. It's usually three or four days to get into the rotation. Then they cancel and reschedule (have had that happen twice).

Now I'm going to get a new modem or new battery or maybe both. My problem is going to be that I'll have to wait until the electricity goes out to know whether it'll actually work or not. I'm sure they'll have a little tester, but it won't tell me whether the battery holds a charge. It won't tell me if the modem connects correctly with the battery.

Oh, and lest someone suggest that maybe it got hit with lightening, it didn't. The fuse blew at the main pole coming into our house. I watched them replace it and voila, all the lights came back on... and the phone.

Not happy thus far. I do like having Fox Biz though.

Over 15 "Freedom Riders" Set to Journey Across the Country From Atlanta to New York City as a Means of Tribute to September 11th Fallen Heroes

/PRNewswire/ -- Ask any citizen on the street and they can tell you vividly where they were when our country came under the worst attack on our homeland. Imagine being a first responder and going out to help the innocent victims of September 11th, 2001. Almost ten years to the day, a cycling tour (Freedom Ride) has been organized from Atlanta to Ground Zero to commemorate the first responders and pay tribute to the fallen heroes and their equally courageous survivors.

In 2009, on the eighth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, firefighter, Mike Palmeri of Atlanta Fire Station 21, was working the same shift he was the day of the attacks. An avid cyclist, he envisioned a ride covering more than 1,000 miles on two wheels. That vision became a reality. Now, with 15 cyclists, they have been dubbed, "The Freedom Riders." The riders are made up of both Georgia-based firefighters and public safety officers.

On Friday, August 26th, these intrepid Freedom Riders will take to their two wheels as they embark on a journey of a lifetime. A send off ceremony will take place on Cafe Street, the outdoor lobby of The Terminus Building in Buckhead, Georgia at approximately 9 am. A moment of silence will be observed at 9:11 am. The riders will continue through the city of Atlanta's Midtown and Downtown communities before heading north through Ellijay and the ominous challenges of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Every day for 16 days, the Freedom Riders will press on through weather and an average of 100 miles a day as they head for their pilgrimage goal, Ground Zero in New York City. Their "family," the American Fire Service at the end of each day's ride, will greet the Freedom Riders in every city. A solemn remembrance service, at Ground Zero, will culminate the ride on the ten-year anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2011.

For a complete list of Freedom Riders, ways to support and volunteer, please visit www.FreedomRide2011.com. Connect with the Freedom Riders on Facebook and Twitter to follow them on their journey.

Mission:
Demonstrate the American Spirit of duty, honor and country
Raise money for the Atlanta Fire Foundation

Had my thermography scan this morning

I wrote earlier that I was considering having a thermography scan rather than suffering through another mammogram. After I shared my thoughts on it, I went out and researched the subject as I indicated I would (see some of the links at the end of my blog).

I read and read and read and then read some more. I am now a semi-expert on the issue. After all my reading and research I concluded that it's was worth giving it a try. Generally it was considered a viable alternative by some and a good addition to health care by others. I didn't find any that said "NO, HORROR, DO NOT DO THIS".

I checked around, couldn't find any place locally that did it other than Health Concepts in Fayetteville. There was one place listed in Peachtree City, but they didn't have a website. I may be an Internet snob, but if some place doesn't have a website, I'm not going. It looked like they used some kind of mobile service anyway.

I had my appointment this morning at 10 a.m. I had already filled out my paperwork, which they conveniently post on-line so you can print and complete prior to the appointment. Saved me time, saves them paper and toner!

I walked in, handed over my paperwork, sat down and before I got comfortable they were ready for me to take my scan.

It was painless. It was fairly fast given they do six different scans. I didn't have to sit in a room with a whole bunch of other women wearing a little paper top. I wasn't cold. They didn't mash my boobs. The tech explained everything to me prior to starting, then answered questions and volunteered more info as we went through the process.

After it was all said and done, I was able to look at my scans on the computer. They had a huge chart showing the various things to look for and she took time to point out and compare some of my results with those on the info chart. Of course, we didn't get into "gee, that looks bad" or any kind of suggestion regarding the results. She just explained what the various colors meant and things along those lines. I was able to see just how tense I was in the neck area!

I was back in my car in half an hour. Loved the turn around!

Now I wait. I was pleased to learn that they send the scans to Duke to be read by experts. She said it can take a week, but typically they're much faster. She explained what they'd be looking at, how they did it, what they were looking for when they manipulated the scans. I won't bore you with all the details. If they find something I'll get a call. If they don't, I'll get a letter. This is one time when I'm willing to sacrifice a tree to make paper for my letter!

I found it to be a very easy process. It wasn't demeaning or uncomfortable in any way. I would prefer not to have spent the $175 but it was certainly worth it given the alternative.

In three months I'm supposed to go back for another scan. I wasn't real thrilled about that one - it'll be another $150 dollars. However, after learning why they wanted the scan, it made sense. Cancer cells grow fast enough that in a three month period they'll be able to see if there have been any changes. If I have what they think might be a 'hot spot' they'll compare today's scan with the one they take in three months. If it's grown or gotten 'hotter' then I'll be off to see my insurance-covered doctor to get a mammogram.

According to the tech this process can detect many cancers years earlier than a mammogram or self exam. In my reading I learned that mammograms detect roughly 80% of cancers, ultrasounds around 83% and thermography, 90%.

It made sense that thermography might find more cancers. You have to have something big enough to feel to find it with a self-exam. It has to have reached a certain size to be detected in a mammogram. The thermography scan picks it up as it's picking up steam. In my laymen's terms, cancers start changing things around the corrupt cell. It needs nutrients, it's working, it's hot even when it's just beginning to cause trouble.

It's not meant to completely replace having to have a mammogram. Here's a disclaimer that I found typical on most sites I looked at "Disclaimer: Breast thermography offers women information that no other procedure can provide. However, breast thermography is not a replacement for or alternative to mammography or any other form of breast imaging. Breast thermography is meant to be used in addition to mammography and other tests or procedures. Breast thermography and mammography are complementary procedures, one test does not replace the other. All thermography reports are meant to identify thermal emissions that suggest potential risk markers only and do not in any way suggest diagnosis and/or treatment. Studies show that the earliest detection is realized when multiple tests are used together. This multimodal approach includes breast self-examinations, physical breast exams by a doctor, mammography, ultrasound, MRI, thermography, and other tests that may be ordered by your doctor."

Given that mammograms can detect some cancers that thermography scans might not pick up, it's probably not a good idea to eliminate those nasty things completely. I think if I had a history of breast cancer in the family or high risk factors I would probably do both. If I had to do test frequently as some with high risk factors must, then I might opt for thermography the majority of the time to keep from subjecting my body to even tiny amounts of radiation.

So, bottom line for me, in three months I'll go plop down more money for the baseline comparative scan. In a year I'll have another scan. I'm having my regular exam by the doctor in June so she'll do a touch and feel scan that's probably better than the ones I do.

I'm going to look into the ultrasounds, too. Maybe in a year or two, insurance will start to cover more preventative options like thermography and ultrasounds as opposed to mammograms. A girl can dream...

Here are some articles. Read them with the knowledge that many are protecting their bread and butter, and that anything 'new' is suspect by some.

• http://www.breastthermography.com/mammography_thermography.htm
• http://www.johnsonmedicalassociates.com/Resources/HealthArticles/BreastThermography/tabid/72/Default.aspx
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/mammography-versus-thermography.html
• http://www.infraredcamerasinc.com/Thermography-Articles/Medical-Infrared-Breast-Thermography/Mammogram-vs-Thermogram-Debate.html
• http://breastthermography.com/
• http://www.breastcheckup.com/Article1_Therm_Versus_Mamm.html
• http://nydti.com/what-is-thermography/thermography-vs-mammography/
• http://www.iact-org.org/patients/breastthermography/mammography-vs-therm.html

Thermography vs Mammogram

I'm going Monday to a local clinic to have a thermography scan. I'm working on the terminology, this is all pretty new to me!

I've been overdue for a mammogram and have been putting it off, putting it off, and putting it off. Did I say putting it off? Oh, man, do I hate those things. I'm one of the unfortunate few who always gets called back to have a second scan. It's bad enough having them mash your boobs once, but to sit there in the waiting room still wincing from the pain of the first one knowing you're getting ready to do it again is about as much fun as... well, can't think of anything to compare.

I got into a conversation with a friend who works with breast cancer survivors. She convinced me I should get my butt (and breasts) in to get a mammogram. A couple of other girlfriends joined the conversation and we started sharing horror tales about the process. Yes, it's true. If you lay on the ground and have a car roll over your breasts it's good prep for this procedure.

Smashing them in a refrigerator door will also help prepare for the pain. I'm sure you've seen the many cartoons and jokes, just like I have. Problem is, they're not really funny when they're true!

So, the breast cancer friend suggested we try thermography. I'd heard a bit about it, but figured it was probably expensive and that insurance wouldn't cover it. I called and asked and learned that no, most insurances won't cover the scans. There is one that will do it, but you pay extra so it's probably less expensive just to pay for the scan out of pocket.

I'm getting ready to go do some research. I have an appointment Monday morning at Health Concepts in Fayetteville, GA. The cost for the torso scan is $175. Then you're supposed to do a follow up in around 3 months for $150 to establish a baseline. Then it's $150 a year for a scan.

I heard there's a clinic in Peachtree City that also does scans. I'm going to track them down and compare pricing. I'm willing to drive a bit to save some money!

I'm also out doing research on the procedure itself. If they find something I know I'll then need to schedule a mammogram so I can get under my insurance and go the doctor route. Of course, I'm hoping they won't find anything!

I'm going to end this, go do my research and will share more with you later on what I find.

Grab your tissues and prepare to be inspired

This is a video from 1999. It is a timeless example of true love and inspiration.

The young man in the wheelchair being helped in the Iron Man has cerebral palsy, is mute and a quadriplegic. His family was told he'd be a vegetable and to put him away. Instead, his parents (now divorced) and two brothers treated him as a regular member of the family.

When he, Rick, was 15 his Dad pushed him in a 15K race. He wrote on his computer that it made him feel like he wasn't handicapped.

At the time of the video above Rick was 37. His dad, Dick Hoyt, was 59. They were the first tandem couple to ever complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. It took them just over 16 hours.

In thinking and reading more about the father-son duo a myriad of positive messages flitted through my mind. Think about what it takes for a Dad, who I understand wasn't a runner prior to their first race, to push through and become strong enough, determined enough, to do this for his son. How can I complain about the petty things in my life when I watch that video and reflect on their lives? How can I whine about the aches and pains I have from walking or running when I'm in perfect health, have healthy children, after reading about this family?

The pair are still running together and have a website, http://www.teamhoyt.com/.  Reading through the pages on the site it turns out that the duo have now completed six Ironman competitions!

I guarantee you'll need tissues to watch this.

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Father-son marathon duo finds a new challenge
Celebrity owner reopens Holland landmark
DICK HOYT TAKES ON RESTAURANT BIZ
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090623/NEWS/906230344