Minor Christmas Miracle

I felt like baking yesterday...I consider it a minor Christmas miracle! I don't bake much these days, now that little children no longer live at our house. Amy and Jud used to "help" me bake. They'd break eggs for me - onto the counter - the floor. Yeah, big help! I'm amazed I was patient enough to let them.

And when it came time to lick the beaters...I had to share with them! That was tough I gotta tell ya! I baked a lot of cookies and bars back then - and would read in between batches, sitting on the little footstool they used to stand on to help. Eventually, Amy became a pretty good baker herself. Jud...learned to toast his own Pop Tarts!

I had to make sure our baking powder and soda wasn't out of date before I began to bake! Stuff gets old when one never uses! I actually made a batch of those chocolate cookies a couple weeks ago when we went to Kansas City - and remembered how much I like 'em! So yesterday I baked a double batch! Next I whipped up snack mix to take along to Colorado.

Computer:
I spent a couple hours today trying to fix my dang computer - it's having issues - waking up after I put it to sleep. I HATE computer problems! It's just supposed to work, right? Dell support sounds like they think I need to reformat my hard drive. GREAT! I'll just back up all my music and pics ASAP. I'll get right on it.



 

Facelift

If only I could send myself into to Dell for a lovely face lift just like the one my computer just got! You may recall - since I've been bitching about it for a month or so - that my computer had issues. The cord quit working and would no longer breath life into my machine.

So as long as I was on the horn requesting assistance - I did it via an online IM thing - typing to a nice polite person who I'm certain lives across the world from me. When she (pictured in the IM as a woman) asked me if there was anything besides the cord they could help me (pictured on IM as a little man) with, I said "my hinges are floppy". I know, kinda personal but I needed help. My warranty only goes through next June.

I got the total protection package for 3 years for both my computer and Jud's. Hey, I figured he's going to college, he'll likely drop his computer sometime. And I've had computer problems before - a tough thing to take care of living in Creston. My Dell hasn't been perfect (either has Jud's) but they've been attentive to fixing it. I had some early issues with the hard drive, but since then, I've not had a problem for over a year.

So I packed Dell off to somewhere in Texas. My roomie Joanie shipped him FedEx, since that's where she works. Today she brought him back, kindly awaiting the return of the delivery guy who tried in vain to bring it to me at Joan's home in Waukee. Yay for Joan.

When I took him out of the box, imagine my delight to find out that not only did I get a new cord, and secure hinges, Dell has a new keyboard, touch pad and wrist rest. He's like a new laptop! Plus they're sending me some little battery that was out of stock.

Imagine if my doc could take care of me like that when I have a physical. "Oh Les, you're looking a little worn - those age spots and all - How about a new skin?" Wouldn't that be fab?

I'm very happy to get my Dell back. We've spent a lot of time together these past 2.25 years.

Oh HE Double Toothpicks

Now my computer needs to go to the shop. I'm having very bad karma with technology lately. Dell is sending me a box like a little casket to send her to the repair shop. Bad cord, loose hinges and a crack in her frame. I must say the Dell tech I talked to online was quite polite and helpful.

I think I'll need a 12-step program to go cold turkey without it. I'm addicted, it's true. My Dell keeps me in touch with my sisters via emails and photos, buddies and Facebook friends. It allows me to do this Blog nearly every day. It's just a part of my routine.

I work on the computer most days at work too, but that's not the same. I can't just flit about looking at stuff I want to there. I use my work computer for typing letters, doing spreadsheets and work-related emails. Not for fun stuff.

I hope Dell comes back to me quickly! Until she goes, I'm charging my computer with my former roomie Krissy's Dell cord. Krissy is here visiting early this week, but will be off to parts north Wednesday. That will be about time for me to ship this beast.