Passwords, bane of my existence

I’ve paid our bills online for a long time.  I like how the transactions show up on my bank’s app within 24 hours.  I like saving money on stamps and checks.

I remind Cliff occasionally that if I die first, he will need to call the phone number on each credit card and have them go back to mailing a paper bill to him.  He is not knowledgeable enough about the internet to pay bills online, although I told him to have our daughter help him out if he had a problem.  Honestly, he'd be wise to cut up all but one credit card, because there are three cards we hold only because they give credits for using them, so I get money back.  Then there's a Kohl's card I never use unless I get 30% off; once in awhile they actually give me 40% off by email.  He would never use that card anyhow.  I'm not sure he'd use Amazon, although he has before, if I'm sitting there beside him to help.  So the card that gives us the most money back for Amazon could go.  And so forth.  Anyhow, we don’t carry a balance on any card:  we pay in full each month.

I recently had a horrible experience because I got flustered and made too many attempts to register my brand new Macbook.  I had my Apple password written down, even.  But between mixing up my Mac computer password a time or two with my Apple password and accidentally typing in a wrong letter at times, I was out of luck.  Never fear, I thought.  It's a brand new computer, and the folks at Apple have to help me.

But everyone I got in touch with began the conversation with "type in your Apple ID”.  Now, if I'd had my new computer ID, the one I use to sign in so I can use my computer, there'd have been no problem.  But I had gotten so confused after trying to figure out the difference between my Apple password and my sign-in password, I couldn't do that either!  All this took place after I had spent a couple of hours transferring all my pictures from my old Mac Mini.

The first two techs I contacted had no idea what to do about this situation, since nobody but me knows my Apple ID.  Mac products have such high security about them, the company makes important passwords really hard to make, and won't accept them if they aren't "tricky".  This is a good thing when someone is trying to hack into your computer, but if you've lost your password, it isn't good news.

The third tech person I talked to was a calm, kindly woman who kept assuring me I wasn't stupid, these things happen, yadda yadda.  I'll admit I calmed down considerably, talking to her.  She had me try many things, but nothing worked.  

"Well," she said, after about an hour of trying to get my problem solved, "it looks like we're going to have to wipe everything out and start over, so it will be just like it was when you first got it."

On the bright side, I'd only downloaded things from my old computer.  I did it once, so I knew I could do it again.  And that's how the problem was solved.  Folks, put your Apple password in a safe and don't lose it, because unpleasant things happen if you forget it.  

Yesterday while Cliff was helping his brother work on a tractor at his place, I got to thinking about passwords and how much stress they have caused in my life.  I changed every one of our credit cards so we get a paper bill in the mail; paying online saves the cost of buying checks and stamps, but I've decided it's worth making the switch for my peace of mind.  By the way, right now on the new phone I bought to replace the one I thought I'd lost won't let me sign into Google.  I wouldn't care much except I can't get apps from Google Play.  If I'm ever in the mood to talk to a foreign tech I can't understand, I'll call T-mobile and see if they can help me.  Yes, even T-mobile has gone to using overseas help now.  I'm hoping someone at the T-mobile store can help me, next time we pass by one.

Now, from yesterday's post about our road trip, which I posted on Facebook so I could tag certain people who don't normally read my blog, several had questions about the following photo:

One friend asked why the man didn't have a beard; I suggested perhaps he was single, since young Amish men don't grow a beard until they marry.  Someone else asked why he was wearing jeans?  Amish men don't wear jeans.

Cliff's cousin, Darrell, left a comment on the post that properly explains the situation.  First of all, this isn't an Amish guy; in fact, Darryl says there are no Amish in Morgan County.  Darrell types in all caps because it's easier for him.  Many older fellows who type with one finger do that, including Cliff.  I tell you this because I'm going to do a copy-and-paste and give you the explanation straight from the horse's mouth... so to speak.


"THE ONES HERE ARE NOT AMISH THEY ARE PENNSYLVANIA OHIO KANSAS DUTCHMAN THEY ARE HARD WORKING MOST HAVE BUSINESS OR FARM.RAISE CATTLE THERE PLACES ARE REALLY KEPT UP BEAUTIFUL HOMES MOST DRIVE TRUCKS & VANS EXCEPT ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY THEY DO THE BUGGIES
WE PROBABLY HAVE 50 TO 75 BUSINESS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY SIDE."

I GET ALONG WITH THEM JUST FINE THEY MAKE OUR COUNTY LOOK NICE AN CLEAN."

And there you have it!