IT’S BEEN A GREAT NEW YEAR – SO FAR!!

Jan 28 – Even though we did not eat our Black Eyed Peas for Good Luck until the 5^th of January, it looks like 2011 will be a good year, based on happenings so far. A couple of things have worked out for us real well!! Hope the rest of the year goes this well.

A NEW SAGA OF OUR SPLENDIDE WASHER/DRYER

Jan 26 – A few weeks ago I was planning to wash clothes in our Splendide Washer/Dryer in the motorhome. I loaded the unit with clothes and detergents, closed the door tightly, and pressed the Power Button. Nothing happened! I opened and closed the door several times and pushed the Power Button and the Start Button. Nothing happened!! The unit was dead.

I called the distributors for Splendide and they gave us the name of Sundance RV Mobile Repair as their representative in our area. We had used Sundance before and had confidence in their service. We explained our problem and he agreed to take care of the repair; however, he could not see us for a week. By that time, we would be out of the park for two weeks. We set up an appointment for the day after we returned to TT Palm Springs, January 26.

When Sundance came we explained to him that the Washer/Dryer was less than a year old. We had our old unit replaced in November 2009. In March of 2010 Camping Connection had to replace two circuit boards. Then, the heating element went out and needed to be replaced. We argued that it was a new machine and it appeared to be a lemon! Splendide would pay for repairs but would not replace it. Tiffin Motorhomes agreed to replace the machine. In April the current machine was shipped from Tiffin n Alabama to the Tiffin representative at Lazy Days in Florida and he arranged to have the machine installed by Longview RV Service in Florida. And now THIS machine has stopped running!!!

Sundance looked at our unit to determine the problem. He mentioned that it looked like we’d had a possible power surge that could have knocked out the Circuit Board. The Surge Protector in the machine had a “pin hole” burned area which showed evidence of a surge and probably would not be covered under the warrantee

After reporting our situation to the Splendide distributors, he had Good News!!! He said Splendide had agreed to cover the cost of parts and labor, except a charge of $55!!! An appointment has been set up for February 1 to have the Splendide repaired – Under Warrantee!!!

That was the first sign 2011 is going to be a good year!!!

NEW VERIZON PALM PIXI PLUS HOT SPOT AND NEW VERIZON PLAN

January 27 - Friends Barb and Dennis were chatting with us on Wednesday, telling us about a new Verizon Hot Spot they had bought at the RV Show in Quartzsite, AZ. It sounded like a really good deal so we decided to take a quick trip to Quartzsite today (135 miles away), even though we were not certain we would have the same luck.

We found the Verizon booth at the RV Show and happened to talk with Witt, the same representative that Barb had talked with. We explained our situation – new phone, new VZAccess USB Wireless Connector, new two-year contracts for each. Monthly charges were $35 for the Nationwide Talk Plan and $60 for the VZAccess = $95 plus taxes, surcharges, etc.

Witt said it would cost us $240 to cancel out of our VZAccess plan, or he could do an “Add On” which would save us on our monthly payments. I don’t quite understand everything about it, but this is how it worked!!

First of all, the device itself is FREE!!!

We would keep our current telephone at $35 a month. Witt would change our current Nationwide Talk Plan to a Family Share Plan and add a second line for $10 a month and give us 100 additional anytime minutes. That would satisfy one contract.

He would replace the VZAccess USB with the new Palm Pixi Plus Wireless device that we can use to connect our computer to the internet with 5 GB, and it can also be used as a second phone. The monthly charge would be $25. That would satisfy the other contract.

The end result of the Add-On would be a two line telephone plan plus access to the Internet for a total cost of $70 plus taxes, surcharges, etc. A savings of more than $20 a month!!!

When we tried out the new device, it works fine – perhaps a little advanced for us, but we will conquer it!!! It works great as a wireless connection for the computer. As fast or faster than the USB connection!!

Too good to be true!!! But it is!! Another sign that 2011 is going to be a good year!!! Hope this keeps up!!!

Thanks Barb and Dennis for telling us about this good deal!!!

FRIENDS COME TO SEE US AT TT WILDERNESS LAKES

Jan 24 – Today is our last day at TT Wilderness Lakes for this time around. We leave tomorrow for TT Palm Springs. We were so glad when our friends Karen and Bruce were able to adjust their travel and TV Football schedules to be here at Wilderness Lakes with us for a couple of days. We have known Karen and Bruce for years, but really got to know them when Bruce and Ken were partners in the Men’s Pickleball Tournament up at TT LaConner in September.

Karen and Bruce came over to our place Sunday night and we taught them our favorite card game – Euchre!! It’s a really fun game and brought lots of laughs trying to keep it straight that the Jack of the trump suit and the Jack of the same color in a different suit are stronger than the Ace! And keeping score using two cards rather than pencil and paper brought a lot of “Now, what’s our score??”

That was a fun evening!!

Monday morning found Bruce out on the Pickleball court. Unfortunately, Ken and Bruce did not have a chance to renew their Tournament partnership. May tomorrow morning before we leave

On Monday morning, our good friend Kerry (of Kerry and Rick), stopped by for a few games of Pickleball. Kerry and Rick live in San Juan Capistrano. We had a great time when we visited them a number of years ago to see the Swallows Come Back To Capistrano. Kerry had suggested we come the weekend of the big Parade instead – that was more fun. Besides, all the residents do everything they can to keep the Swallows from coming back!!!

We were delighted to see Kerry again and play a game with her. Kerry has not lost her Pickleball skills even though she spends her time now doing triathlons!!

After our match: Ron, Faye, Kerry, Ken.

Here she is in action with Ron!!

Thanks for stopping by Kerry. We missed you Rick. Let’s all get together real soon!!!