CLEAR USB modem review

I'm certainly not one of those bloggers who delights in doing giveaways and/or reviews so they can receive a free sample or product. In fact, I have zero interest in those "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" arrangements. But every once in a while (in my case, twice) an opportunity comes up that I can't refuse. A couple months ago, I got one of those opportunities.

I got an email from a CLEAR representative, asking if I would like to try their new service a month. Normally this kind of email would have gone right into the trash, but I was curious about CLEAR. I'd heard about their launch, and wondered how different they were from other Internet service providers. And to be honest? My husband and I had already been thinking of signing up for a new ISP at home. The offer was for a portable USB modem -- not home service -- but I thought it would give me a good idea of how the company works. I knew that one thing I wanted in a ISP was MORE customer service, not less.

I was pleasantly surprised. The emails I sent to my CLEAR representative were always promptly returned, sometimes within just a few minutes. Right around this time, we tested a CLEAR modem for our home and the glitches we had during setup with the home modem (which, again, was separate from the free USB modem trial) were quite easy to resolve thanks to their customer service department, both online and over the phone.

But most of all, the CLEAR USB modem was a joy to use. While testing it, I knew I would never be without internet access, because it created a wireless zone around me that I could tap into in minutes. And on more than one occasion, I found myself needing that modem. Several times I visited a couple of different coffee shops where the internet was down. But with the CLEAR modem, it wasn't a problem for me -- I could just keep on working even though people around me had to shut their laptops and pick up a newspaper to pass the time.

I was a little sad when I had to send the modem back to the CLEAR company. I liked having it as backup when I needed Internet access outside my house. But we did go ahead and purchase the CLEAR service for our home, and we are thrilled with the results. Overall, I think CLEAR is a good company that offers a good product at affordable prices. I'd definitely recommend CLEAR and its services/products to my friends and family!

Full disclosure: I was offered a free one-month trial of a CLEAR USB modem for this review, but the opinion expressed in this post is mine exclusively.

Day at the park

We recently spent a little time at the park with Grandpa Ron and Grandma Carol. And since there were plenty of people around to play with Kellan, I was free to take tons of pictures. Actually, I think I took more than that -- I think I took a gadzillion. Here are a few favorite pictures of my favorite boy, who obviously had a fabulous time.

Sunset sandcastle

Sandcastle construction at sunset -- sheer heaven.

Oregon Coast!

We haven't even been here a full 24 hours yet, but we're already having an absolute blast! Here are some of our pictures so far:

The first thing Kellan did was grab handfuls of sand.

Our first family portrait of the vacation!

Just over the hill is the place we're staying in -- the one with the windows.

Sunset on the beach, 10 minutes after we arrived.

Look at this stick!

Kellan's first beach sandcastle! (He had a little help from Mom and Dad. Just a little.)

Whoa! What's that?

A seal is peeking at us!

Happy faces. :-)

Mr. Blue Eyes

Just look at that kid. Is he not handsome? I snapped this picture at Payette Lake a few days ago. I'm actually shocked that I was able to get Kellan to look at the camera, because he was dead serious about throwing every single rock on the beach into the water.

"Take a picture of my plate, Mommy."

So cute.

I'm always doing a lot of cooking and photo taking in the kitchen, so I can post new recipes on AnchorMommy. And a couple nights ago, I was clicking up a storm taking pictures for my Huckleberry Pizza recipe. As I analyzed and framed a pizza slice in the LCD screen, I heard Kellan say...

"Take a picture of my plate, Mommy."

I had to oblige. Just look at that face.

The most elusive creature on the planet

This is an "Oreo" cow. It is known to breeders as a Belted Galloway. 

I refer to it as my worst nightmare of a writing assignment ever. 

I'm doing a little freelance writing for a local publication, and I'm excited to be on board with this particular project since I'll get to write more long-form, feature pieces. One of those stories is about -- you guessed it -- "Oreo" cows. 

The magazine is slated to go out for circulation in early September. My deadline? The end of the month. Which just so happens to be in a matter of days.

A few people have said they've seen these elusive creatures in a couple of pastures around the valley. Great information, except cows don't give good interviews. I need to find the people responsible for raising them.

But at this point, if I found one of those cows, I would press for an interview and not take moo for an answer.

Mountain adventure

So, you saw my flower pictures from our mountain hike near Bogus, right? Here are a few more of us! 

Kellan did an amazing job. He hiked most of the way all by himself. We only carried him for a few minutes at a time when we encountered rough terrain. He's definitely an outdoorsy kid!

The mountain air was cool and refreshing, and we wrapped up our hike with a delicious picnic.

Summer flowers

We took a hike up near the Bogus Basin ski resort this weekend -- what a treat for the senses! Everywhere we looked, there was something beautiful, from the sparkling mica scattered across the ground to the rainbow of wildflowers.

Take a look!

Answering the Go Local Challenge

I'm honored to be a guest blogger for a good friend of mine, Heather of Living Senses! She shared a post of mine with her readers on Monday. Click on over and check it out!

Heather is spearheading Go Local 2009, a challenge to eat and prepare locally grown food. I admire her dedication to this cause -- she is quite the expert at gardening and food preservation! While I'm not operating at her level -- yet -- my post at Living Senses is all about our first foray into vegetable gardening. Who knows? Maybe I'll be canning by the fall!

In the studio with Uncle Scott

Hmm. Could this be a peek into Kellan's future? 

His Uncle Scott has a pretty sweet setup -- electric guitar, amp, headphones -- and Kellan was quite happy to help take his act from solo to duo. And I think Kellan actually showed Uncle Scott a thing or two, including how to use a guitar stand as a microphone. 

Scott generously provided his guitar skills to back up Kellan during U2's "Elevation" and "Vertigo." Scott also helped him learn a couple of new songs (new to Kellan anyway) by the White Stripes and The Black Keys. Then Kellan treated us all to some of his new material, "Flying" and "Halloween."

I'd say this could be a musical match made in heaven.

Horses, ice cream, cotton candy and horses

Every year the Children's Home Society puts on an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social complete with carriage rides, a bounce house and clowns. Most years, we forget about the event until we're driving by and see everyone cleaning up. Not this year! (Thanks, Michael.)

Kellan enjoyed a delicious cup of chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and tried cotton candy for the first time! He didn't really like it though. Which is a-okay by me. I'd really prefer that he not like spun sugar.

Another big first: Kellan's first pony ride! He rode like a pro. Check out the video!

Our Hawaiian Getaway!

Look at us! Don't we look tan and refreshed? Betcha didn't know we recently snuck away for a Hawaiian getaway! Probably because we didn't have to go very far. Just about 10 minutes from our house, actually. Michael's tan comes from soccer coaching. Mine comes from the bottle.

This photo of us was taken at the lovely Ono Hawaiian Cafe. It's a great place with great food, and a relaxed vibe that instantly makes me feel like I'm on vacation. My former place of employment treated us to this meal, thanks to the generous gift card they gave me during my last week on the job. And I was more than happy to enjoy the gift. In fact, we all did. 

I tell you what. I am really enjoying having dinner with my two favorite guys every night, instead of shoveling down food at my computer keyboard in the newsroom. 

Kellan's first bowl of cereal

Sometimes I think I take this healthy eating thing a little too far. 

For example, last week I decided Kellan was ready for his first bowl of cereal. His spooning skills have come a long way, so I looked over the cereal stash for something reasonably healthy. I pulled out Uncle Sam. Now, I bought this because of the "toasted whole wheat and flaxseed" description on the box, which sounded pretty healthy. What the box does not say, however, is that you might as well just eat the box itself. It probably tastes better than the cereal.

But I figured if it's the kid's first bowl of cereal, he doesn't know the difference. Am I horrible, or what? This kid has no idea there's a whole world of Captain Crunch and Froot Loops out there. And I'm happy to keep it that way. 

Sure enough, he gleefully gobbled it down. At least I chopped up some strawberries to sweeten up the cardboard crunch. I'm not a totally horrible mom. I hope.

The long road of friendship

She's the friend who's seen me at my best, and my worst. The friend who remembers each of my teenage boyfriends and crushes, and I hers. The friend who hates the idea of touching other people's feet as much as I do, yet thinks nothing of taking a needle and tweezers to the sole of my foot to remove a highly irritating deck splinter. The friend who lives hundreds of miles away from me now, with a husband and kids of her own.

What a treat it is to be able to see her -- to delight in the way our lives have changed, and remember the many years we spent trying to find our way in the world. Not to mention the mistakes we made along the way. 

During our weekend visit, we took one outing together without her newborn and two-year-old. Just like the many years we spent tooling around in her Subaru sedan as teenagers, I sat in the passenger seat, she in the driver's seat. Back then, I was the navigator (she had a terrible sense of direction) pointing her to the appropriate left or right turn and sometimes warning her to watch for a stop sign or red light. Now, I may sit in the passenger seat from time to time, but she's in the driver's seat.  She knows her own way around her own life, and doesn't need my help. That's the way it should be. 

We meandered around the grocery store, throwing things in the cart not just for ourselves, but for her family -- all the while scheming ways to get her toddler to eat more green vegetables. I still remember the days we would shop for just a pint of ice cream. Or once we were (finally!) 21 years old, a case of beer. 

Our journey together from teenage years to early adulthood seems a distant but not completely foggy memory, especially when I'm sitting in the passenger seat of her car. And even though the people and circumstances of our lives have changed, what a comfort it is to know that we possess one of those rare friendships which easily withstands the many miles and years. During those few-and-far-between occasions that we are able to spend time together, it's not hard to remember the days when the two of us had nothing but a car, a long road, and time on our side. 

And maybe a pint of ice cream, just in case.

AnchorMommy is here!

My new website has been monopolizing all my free time, but it's FINALLY up and running! Here's a look at the home page.

The address is www.anchormommy.com -- take a peek, and tell your mom friends to do the same!

Preparing for a new start

Boy, have I been a hit-or-miss blogger lately. 

I have a good reason, I swear. I'm preoccupied by the fact that soon our household will transition from two incomes to one.

Well, I'm not being truly honest. I will have a little pet project once I am no longer gainfully employed, and just about every spare minute I have lately that's not occupied by cleaning, cooking or laundry has been devoted to getting that little project off the ground. 

I can't wait to unveil what I'm working on. But the final product is probably about a week away from completion -- if all goes according to plan. 

As soon as it's ready, I'll post the big announcement here! Until then, wish me luck. I have seven more workdays before my career as I know it will come to an end. Knowing me, I'll be a blubbering mess on my last day. 

But good things are just around the corner.

All right, seriously now...

Okay, I know it's a weekend and we're all busy trying to have fun and enjoy time with our loved ones. But I'm serious about this Pay It Forward thing. Now I'm gonna have to get a little pushy.

Who doesn't want something fun and thoughtful from little old me? I know it involves a promise to pay it forward in return, but that's easy enough to do, right? I swear I will make it worth your while. 

So once more...

The Rules:

1. I agree to send a lovely little something (or somethings) in the mail to the first three blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this Pay It Forward project on their blog, pick three people to send something to, and so on.
   
2. You have to promise you will post about this on your blog and link to mine.
   
3. Make sure to include your email address in the comment (if I don't have it already) so I can email you to request your shipping address.
   
4. If you don't have a blog...I don't want you to be excluded. Just make sure you leave your email address in the comments, and we'll agree to skip over the blog posting part. But you still have to pay it forward to three others!
   

Come on now! Don't let me be a slacker on this project and not see it through --help me keep my promise!

This is between me and Coffee

Dear Coffee,

You know I love you. I really do. But I think it's time you and I spend a little less time together.

I just think I'm becoming too dependent on you. Even when I try not to think about the two of us together, my thoughts inevitably drift back to you. And your scent. And what it feels like to hold you.

Okay, there I go again. See what I mean? You obviously don't need me in the same way. Can you honestly say you can't start your day without me? No. Our relationship is clearly out of balance.

I just need some space.

Don't get mad if you see me hanging out with Excedrin in the meantime. Yeah, I can admit it's a rebound relationship. But I'll have to do something to take the edge off of how much I'm going to miss you. Every... single... morning.

Love,
Me

Pay It Forward Time

A while back I signed up to be a part of a Pay It Forward project my friend Danielle suggested on her blog. This is the lovely package she sent me:

Well, I've been worried/wondering how the heck I would pay it forward, but then I realized something. I won't know how or what to give/do until I know who's on board with me. So here's where you come in.

The Rules:

1. I agree to send a lovely little something (or somethings) in the mail to the first three blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this Pay It Forward project on their blog, pick three people to send something to, and so on.
2. You have to promise you will post about this on your blog and link to mine.
3. Make sure to include your email address in the comment (if I don't have it already) so I can email you to request your shipping address.
4. If you don't have a blog...I don't want you to be excluded. Just make sure you leave your email address in the comments, and we'll agree to skip over the blog posting part. But you still have to pay it forward to three others!

That's it! So who's in?