Inside My Mind

What was the old Morton Salt catch line? Oh yeah, when it rains it pours. Ain't that the truth. Things have gone from rocky to downright hair-pulling, stress inducing horrific here in the Den.

There were the issues with the car. There are the issues of getting a business up and running. There are the issues with Iohn's sister. Then there is the medical problems I have and now the scare and the continued concern with my Dad.

Over the last couple of weeks he has had various heart surgeries, heart attacks, electrolytes going crazy. He's still not out of the woods.

As always finances continue to be an issue. It is difficult when on disability and trying to maintain some sort of independence to have a decent living standard. You have to spend to make money...yet the reason you are trying to make money is because you don't have any money...but you have to take what you don't have to make what you hope to have. Clear as mud right?

My contract with the Sullivan Daily Times has expired. Based on the response the cost ratio doesn't add up to continuing the relationship. I may place an ad from time to time, but with little to no calls based on the past 13 weeks of ads, it is not cost effective. I have much better response from word of mouth and my online sites.

It is hard to beat the offerings we have available as Ivy Web Services. And in this current economy, our rock-bottom pricing should have people banging down the doors and keeping the phone ringing off the wall. At least that's what you would think.

Here are our products:

Ivy Web Host - Hosting 4 Less! Plans start at $1.95 per month.

Ivy Site Design - Your place for simple, but quality site designs for both personal and business use.

Ivy ISP - Your Internet Portal. DSL from $30 per month. WiFi $18.95 per month.

Ivy Cellular - We have you covered, no credit check, no deposit, no contract. Unlimited Talk and Text $39.95.

March has come in like a lion. Let us hope things calm to the lamb state by month's end.

February is the shortest month of the year, but this month, this year, just seems to drag on and on and on. January flew by. The first month of the year came and went before I had time to take a breath. These first 26 days of 28 have felt like a long night in the far, far northern regions that yearn for the sun to make an appearance.

The Ivy ISP Router X for WiFi access in Dugger is now up and running. This should provide a better connection and stronger signal. It is still recommended for most residential users to also use a Loco booster antenna to capture the signal. At $18.95 per month you can't beat our internet access for WiFi.

Business continues to expand for Ivy Cellular. Our unlimited talk and text plans for $39.95 and $40 per month beat the competition hands down. We now offer coverage on both the CDMA and GSM networks. This allows for around 93% coverage nationwide.

Our DSL offering of internet access continues to expand as well. Ivy ISP is very competitive with the big dogs with services starting at only $30 per month. Our attention to personal customer service sets us apart.

We may be in the cornfield and the coal fields, but Ivy Web Services has you covered!

With the success of Ivy Cellular with the CDMA network, it just seemed to be appropriate to cover as much of the cellular territory as possible. That said, I am to announce that in addition to providing unlimited talk and unlimited text through Page Plus and the CDMA network, we now offer unlimited talk and unlimited text for those who prefer the GSM network as an authorized dealer for Simple Mobile.

So what's the big deal? The CDMA network does not use SIM cards. The GSM network utilizes SIM cards. You are able to bring your own, non-active device for either network and get unlimited talk and text for around $40 per month. There is only a nickel difference between the two. So if you prefer a phone with SIM card, Ivy Cellular has you covered. If you like the phones with out a SIM card, Ivy Cellular has you covered.

For the best coverage on the mobile network, Ivy Cellular has you covered! How is that for coverage?

Most people don't understand how difficult or costly it is to start a business and make a successful run of it. In my case, it is with my various offerings through Ivy Web Services. The two primary services are internet access through Ivy ISP and cellular services through Ivy Cellular".

The cost involved in obtaining equipment and marketing can be heavy. Then there is the wait on a return of investment to justify or at least break even. Attempted to stay fluid is like trying to hold off a dam break with a few toothpicks at times.

In the economic climate that holds sway in the cornfield and across the US of A, my rates should be quite appealing. I have some of the lowest rates with best service around. Yet, there is the hesitation, the wait for consumers to find me or try me.

For the moment, here in the Den, we are making it...sort of...but not easily. People are clueless to how much on the edge I run. With my medical condition it can compound the anxiety, the sense of glum foreboding.

But, I try (yes, at times I'm very trying) to stay optimistic.

First need to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to the most beautiful little girl in the world...my granddaughter...Dylan! Dylan is 3 today! Love you, sweetheart!

Oh the joys of winter. The slipping. The sliding. The ditches. Yes, the ditches. Coming home or rather attempting to come home last night after running karaoke at the Sullivan American Legion, the corner a block from the post became a nightmare. Turning ever so slowly made no difference. The Olds ended up hitting a concrete culvert, putting a hole in the radiator and getting stuck in a rather deep drainage ditch.

I had only driven one block. I was making a turn onto Main Street to continue south. The snow and ice determined I was going no farther at that moment. Thanks to the kindness of strangers with a 4-wheel drive truck, the Olds was eventually pulled from the ditch. I managed to go the 5 blocks or so and park the car at Mom's.

The Toyota we bought last week is still being repaired. This leaves us motorless. Iohn has to work this evening and the next 5 days. We are in Dugger, in the cornfield, while work is 10 miles away in Sullivan.

I am sure we will manage and survive. We always do. Of course help and a watching hand and eye from above doesn't hurt. Having family that cares and understand is also a boon.

Bill went out last night to help us. Jeremy, my nephew, came and brought us back to Dugger. Mom made hot chocolate. We were unhurt and unscathed...expect for my pride.

Yes...ah...winter...gotta love it!