My Gizmo MVP’s For The 2013 Snowbird Season

Each major sport in North America designates a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the end of their respective seasons.  This award goes to the player who is deemed to have contributed the most to the success of the team.  Well, we snowbirds have a season too and for me “Gizmo’s” are a big part of a successful year.  With that in mind, here are my “2013 Snowbird Season Gizmo MVP’s”:

#1.  Time Warner Broadband Modem/Router for only $35 a month

Hands down, our Arris router/modem setup from Time Warner Cable giving us lightning broadband Internet access has been the absolute winner of this year's Gizmo MVP Award.  For only $35 a month, and not a penny of cost for the modem/router, we no longer have to suffer with poor park WiFi.  We have unlimited downloads so there is never a 5GB limit to worry about. 

This tremendous setup has allowed us to watch Netflix and iTunes movies whenever we want.  The router creates our own WiFi network in our rig so that we can access the Internet at broadband speeds using our iPads.  When we return to the Sands next winter, the first stop I’ll be making is to our local Time Warner store!

#2.  My Canon G15 Powershot Camera (thanks, girls)

Coming in second on this year’s MVP awards is my beautiful, new Canon G15 camera – a Christmas gift from daughters Carrie, Erin, Maggie and Hayley.  This new camera has been a dream to use and I’m absolutely delighted with the quality of the images produced by the G15.  It’s compact, has a rugged build and it’s very easy to use and operate.  It’s been a great companion to my blog this year.

#3.  Apple TV

This small Apple TV gizmo is to me a surprise 3rd place finisher for MVP honours.  It connects wirelessly to our Time Warner router and allows us to watch first rate movies immediately with no waiting or having to go to even a Red Box.  We’ve already watched Academy Award nominated movies Argo, Zero Dark Thirty and we plan to watch Lincoln Tuesday evening on its first day of release.  We’ve had a lot of enjoyment out of this little $109 device.

#4.  Our iPads – terrific for Google Hangouts & Facetime

Our new iPads have also been a great hit this winter while here at the Sands RV Resort.  Along with the convenience of Internet access anywhere in, or outside of, our rig, they have been wonderful devices for using in video chats using Google Hangout or Facetime.  We’ve enjoyed long, extended video calls with all the kids and it’s really made it seem like we’ve been there in the same room!

#5.  Epson NX530 Inkjet Printer

Another valuable addition to our list of gizmos this year has been our compact, wireless Epson printer.  This is Paulette’s baby and she uses it almost daily for printing out coupons to Jo-Ann’s quilt stores.  She also seems to get a lot of use out of both the copier function as well as scanning – almost always quilting patterns I’m guessing.  It has saved a lot of trips to Staples for copying!

Speaking of MVP’s – Tiger is again ranked #1 Golfer in the World

Yesterday morning, I watched the end of the Arnold Palmer Golf Tournament won by Tiger Woods.  The win, Tiger’s 3rd of this short season vaulted him back into the #1 spot in the world of golf.  I was thrilled to see Tiger playing so well again and to watch some of the shots that only he seems capable of making.  What a golfer!

Another reason I was happy to see Tiger regain the #1 ranking is because it was great to see him rebound from both his serious personal problems and from major injuries to his knees and other aches and pains.

Many folks expressed doubts about Woods’ ability to regain his dominance in golf and he was subjected to a lot of ridicule.  One thing they forgot though is that Tiger is as mentally tough as they come.  He possesses immense resolve, determination, tenacity and perseverance.  Anyone who doubted Tiger clearly had no idea at all just how mentally tough he is.  Get ready – his best is yet to come!

Have a great Tuesday, and thanks again for visiting!