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| Gene with his Android tablet at the coffee shop |
These days, when I walk into the coffee shop in the morning, I usually find my friend Gene sitting there with his tablet. He used to complain about me always being plugged into my iPad, but now it seems he's gotten the bug himself. He stopped carrying internet in his home, so he waits until he gets to the coffee shop and its WiFi before he reads his email and checks Facebook. Yes, even my Luddite friend Gene has a Facebook page now! Gone are the days when he would scoff at me for my addiction; he's right there with me. And now I have a Kindle Fire which seems to be taking the place of my beloved iPad. The apps for Android tablets (the Kindle Fire is in this category) are different from Apple apps, and I think I might be stuck with the two of them when I'm out and about until I find apps for all my favorite things.
I skipped my exercise class yesterday so that Smart Guy and I could be at the local Social Security Office when it opened. On Friday, we received our notification of benefits for 2014, and we both had some expenses that were unexplained and rather worrisome. They were the same on both of ours, an extra $80 out of each of our benefit amounts. That sort of adds up! We found that whatever the issue was, it had been cleared up by the time we got there. The clerk pulled up our accounts and saw that everything was as it should be, and NOT what had been printed out on our benefit letters.
She also explained that we could check our accounts ourselves at any time, if we wished to set up individual accounts with the SSA. I will do that, but not any time soon, since I'm still a bit shaken up by what happened and not quite ready to verify that she is correct. I won't receive my money until the middle of January, anyway. But what a shock it was. I lost sleep for a couple of nights over the weekend, wondering what was wrong. I slept just fine last night.
Now about that Kindle: I am enjoying it very much indeed. It's cheaper than the iPad mini I contemplated buying, and just the right size for reading books, reading my email when connected by WiFi, and reading websites, just as I do with my iPad. It's quick to respond and definitely a different beast than my iPad. Right now I'm engrossed in a book my sister Norma Jean told me about (a John Grisham novel,
Sycamore Row). I've finished more than half of it and find myself being pulled back again and again. That would be just fine if I was traveling or something, but I had to put it down so I could get this post written. It will wait for me, just like any other book. I pretty much love my new toy.
:-)
fingers crossed the soc. sec. is indeed okay. :) glad you (and gene) like your electronic readers. :)
ReplyDeletenice..you will have to let me know on the rest of sycamore row...i enjoy grisham, but he has had a few stinkers of late....ugh on the head aches on your benefits....ha, gene is ahead of me since i gave up FB 3 years ago...smiles.
ReplyDeleteUgh that's so disturbing about the benefits. Here's hoping all is okay from here on in. Keep on enjoying your Kindle. I have a Kobo Arc and am loving it. So cool to just download a library book and commence reading at just about any time. Except for blogging time, of course. ;)
ReplyDeleteSeveral people have complained about surprises on their SS statements, my sister being one. So glad yours was cleared up.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love Kindle? I envy you having the Fire version.
That Grisham book is next on my to read list. His dad lives in my small town and I have met his brother,Mark, who has also written a book.
Enjoy.
Fingers crossed for the benefits to really be all worked out!
ReplyDeleteMy kindle is ancient by today's terms, I can download books but that's about all. So it hasn't yet taken the place of real books or my laptop in my heart yet. But I'm glad you are loving yours!
Far Guy got his in the mail today..nothing had changed for him..a small cost of living increase. The Govt can mess up just about anything...
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you like the Kindle Fire..I usually just use mine for reading:)
Still love my iPad, but have heard great things about kindle fire...
ReplyDeleteDavid loves his Kindle Fire, too. But I prefer my desktop PC. Lol. I am so happy that the two of you got good news at the SS office. I know how bad news can weigh on you.
ReplyDeleteArt was not thrilled about me buying the iPad, but now he's on it as much as or maybe more than I am. He uses it to check his email, etc. instead of turning on his desktop. He didn't think I needed my Kindle either, but now he's got the Fire and uses it ALL the time. Oh yes! Technology is here to stay.
ReplyDeleteSeniors are the fastest growing age of new users. Not surprising Gene is on the net. I don't understand your health benefits but it's nerve wracking when money has been taken from your account.
ReplyDeleteThis luddite doesn't play Facebook. Or kindle.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your benefits HAVE been properly resolved.
Hugs.
When I retired October 1 my Social Security was scheduled to drop by $300 a month (correct, because my pension was from a place that didn't pay into Social Security). I reported it TWICE but they are still overpaying me. I hear it could take a year to get it straightened out. So I'm moving $300 a month into a different account. I know they'll catch up and I don't want to have a huge amount to come up with.
ReplyDeleteGlad your SS benefits have been cleared up.
Sorry to hear the SS problem made you lose sleep. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your new Kindle Fire. I have been looking at them and Amazon keeps sending me deals but I haven't had my Samsung Galaxy all that long so I'll wait a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteThere is too much choice around these days when it comes to computers. I'm still using my netbook when I'm away which suits me very well. I also have a kindle for reading but still love the feel of a book in my hands.
ReplyDeletedon't forget DJan, you can sync your books to your Kindle and whenever you open either your ipad or your kindle to read it will sync right to the page you are on which ever device you are reading on - go to devices on your kindle account and add your ipad device and everything you have either way should sync once you have added your device on kindle - nice to see a photo of Gene and using great technology. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteB has a kindle Fire, and she uses it all the time. I have an old kindle that's starting to fall apart (I'm reading Donna Tartt's much-acclaimed "Goldfinch" on it right now), so I'm asking for a Fire for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI have a plain old kindle touch but think I may upgrade to a fire in the new year. I had a nexus but not good for they eyes to read on that kind of screen for long.
ReplyDeleteIt really is simple t create a social security account online.
Loved Sycamore Row-agree with some of the other posters that Grisham has been pretty stinky lately but I got it because A Time To Kill was one of my faves. I tend to start a book at dinner time and the read until two am.
Do you have the new Kindle Fire? I had the older version, but gave it to the grandchildren when I got my iPad. The Kindle does have a lot of apps...the grands filled mine with games. Since their time with technology is limited by their mom, they have become masters of deception and the kindle is so easy to hide under the covers!
ReplyDeleteTom reads on his Samsung Galaxy, also an Android. He also uses it for email and Facebook, with WiFi. I read on my simple Kindle paperwhite, which is small and very portable. Now that we have iPhones, I use my phone a lot for data and email and Facebook. In fact I just started a new list in the notes app for books. Sycamore Row has just gone on the list. I like Grisham novels and have read most of them.
ReplyDeleteIn the evenings I have my laptop on my lap, as in right now, and my phone is on the table at my side. It's so easy to just add a note on the phone rather than go get paper and pen and then lose the list.
Yep. Technology is wonderful.
My favorite still, of Grisham's books, is THE CLIENT. And I know just what you mean about not wanting to put his works down to do something else besides reading.
ReplyDeleteAs for Social Security mishaps and losing sleep over it....hope it all has worked itself out.
I hope it is al straightened out and you get the proper amount come January.
ReplyDeleteFunny how more and more people are becoming plugged in--LOL! Your Kindle Fire sounds like a good purchase. So does the book, for that matter. ;)
Glad you are sleeping again!!
I read a hard copy version of Sycamore Row. Enjoyed it very much. I still like my books in the paper form.
ReplyDeleteYes it seems more elderly are getting the bug for things you mention. The only draw back is visual limitations:( Sadly I have that issue.
ReplyDelete