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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Fave days
Argh me mateys - yesterday I was cut off from my blog the whole day. The site must have been down for maintenance or whatnot. It was quite frustrating. So here's what I wrote and saved.
While Saturday night’s all right for fighting, I make no secret Friday night is my favorite time of the week. Second to that are quiet, leisurely Sunday mornings. That’s why I like to get church out of the way on Saturday nights. So I don’t have to rush off in the a.m.
Saturday mornings typically involve non-work related work. Half marathon training (P and I walked 8.5 miles yesterday a.m.) , grocery shopping (one of my non-fave activities), laundry and other assorted errands and necessary tasks (dog food, library, greeting cards). Busy stuff.
On Sundays I can be a lazy bum. I like to get up fairly early as that helps stretch out my casual time. Because before I know it, it’s time to clean or cook. I read the paper, eat breakfast and surf the Internet as I’m doing now. If Paul goes hunting, antler hunting or camera checking, it’s quiet vewwy vewwy quiet (my Elmer Fudd voice). If Jud is home it’s still quiet as he sleeps in until lunch time. Right now the only noise is the spinning washer.
This is the life. Sipping coffee. No hangover – pretty quiet night last night. We went to A&G for supper (still celebrating the 27th anniversary of our marriage ya know). Home by 8ish and in bed – sleeping by 10 PM. Geez we ARE oldy moldy. Did have a migraine early this a.m. – I think it’s just that time of year. Sleeping with windows open doesn’t help my allergies. So I took my meds early and felt better by the time I got up around 7 a.m.
Pet notes:
Odie too is suffering allergies this year and itches like she has cooties. I discovered a rashy spot on her chest last night. Now Daddy Pablo must take her to the Doc to see what’s up. I put hydrocortisone on it this a.m. and she’s simply overlicking her paws now. She did get the excitement of chasing a stray kitty off our deck this a.m.
Our cat (Kitty we call her, though her name officially is Samantha – Amy’s 3rd grade birthday present), is simply elderly. It takes her a long time to make her way downstairs where food and litter are. Arthritis I believe. Her fur, which used to be silky black, and now she’s not able to (or no longer wishes to) keep it groomed and it’s a little clumpy. She doesn’t seem to be in major pain though and is eating and drinking fine. She’s not been to the vet for several years, as that time she bit the vet despite being confined in a plastic box made for cats having shots. Kitty was smarter than the average cat and bit Doc Richard anyway.
I’m thrilled to announce that my cell phone issues have been handled as I went back to US Cellular yesterday and that service guy knew what my problem was- my memory was full and leaking (my cell phone memory, though I believe that accurately describes my own situation as well). He updated my Blackberry software and sold me a $16 memory chip. Now I should get all texts and my alarm should work properly. Too bad Blogspot is having some type of issues and I can’t post this. It’s always something!
I'm at Joan's now and our new Qwest modem is working just fine.
While Saturday night’s all right for fighting, I make no secret Friday night is my favorite time of the week. Second to that are quiet, leisurely Sunday mornings. That’s why I like to get church out of the way on Saturday nights. So I don’t have to rush off in the a.m.
Saturday mornings typically involve non-work related work. Half marathon training (P and I walked 8.5 miles yesterday a.m.) , grocery shopping (one of my non-fave activities), laundry and other assorted errands and necessary tasks (dog food, library, greeting cards). Busy stuff.
On Sundays I can be a lazy bum. I like to get up fairly early as that helps stretch out my casual time. Because before I know it, it’s time to clean or cook. I read the paper, eat breakfast and surf the Internet as I’m doing now. If Paul goes hunting, antler hunting or camera checking, it’s quiet vewwy vewwy quiet (my Elmer Fudd voice). If Jud is home it’s still quiet as he sleeps in until lunch time. Right now the only noise is the spinning washer.
This is the life. Sipping coffee. No hangover – pretty quiet night last night. We went to A&G for supper (still celebrating the 27th anniversary of our marriage ya know). Home by 8ish and in bed – sleeping by 10 PM. Geez we ARE oldy moldy. Did have a migraine early this a.m. – I think it’s just that time of year. Sleeping with windows open doesn’t help my allergies. So I took my meds early and felt better by the time I got up around 7 a.m.
Pet notes:
Odie too is suffering allergies this year and itches like she has cooties. I discovered a rashy spot on her chest last night. Now Daddy Pablo must take her to the Doc to see what’s up. I put hydrocortisone on it this a.m. and she’s simply overlicking her paws now. She did get the excitement of chasing a stray kitty off our deck this a.m.
Our cat (Kitty we call her, though her name officially is Samantha – Amy’s 3rd grade birthday present), is simply elderly. It takes her a long time to make her way downstairs where food and litter are. Arthritis I believe. Her fur, which used to be silky black, and now she’s not able to (or no longer wishes to) keep it groomed and it’s a little clumpy. She doesn’t seem to be in major pain though and is eating and drinking fine. She’s not been to the vet for several years, as that time she bit the vet despite being confined in a plastic box made for cats having shots. Kitty was smarter than the average cat and bit Doc Richard anyway.
I’m thrilled to announce that my cell phone issues have been handled as I went back to US Cellular yesterday and that service guy knew what my problem was- my memory was full and leaking (my cell phone memory, though I believe that accurately describes my own situation as well). He updated my Blackberry software and sold me a $16 memory chip. Now I should get all texts and my alarm should work properly. Too bad Blogspot is having some type of issues and I can’t post this. It’s always something!
I'm at Joan's now and our new Qwest modem is working just fine.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Aaaar, talk like a pirate
Above - our guy pirates in the hot tub at our Vegas rental home last year.
One of my new fave holidays is coming up in some 20 days. National Talk Like a Pirate Day - September 19 - the birthday of my oldest sis Susi, and a buddy Christine. Plus my co-worker's son Trent who will be 4.
I learned of this holiday just last year when I was out in Vegas - my first trip ever to sin city. We went with 2 other couples (the same Dee, Don, Sharon and Al that we did last weekend with - hmmm alcohol, trips it's a common theme with all of us) for the ISU football game there in September. God knows ISU doesn't make it to many bowl games, so we decided to treat that game as our bowl.
S&A rented us a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Vegas for the long weekend - Thur - Sun. It had a pool with a hot tub. Paul and I won the lotto for the master bedroom - with its own huge closet and bathroom. But the whole place was pretty nice.
We were just getting situated when I got a call from someone I know in the trash biz - Sara runs the landfill in the Pella area. She mentioned to me that it was talk like a pirate day the next day. And that got us going for the whole weekend. Aaar, me mateys!
We mostly hung out by our pool (beverage and book in hand) that weekend. But we also saw some sites of Vegas, Henderson, Hoover Dam and old Vegas. We rode the roller coaster drunk, attended the ISU pregame party at Hooters that was one big Clone lovefest. I took pics there.
The game was pretty good, though the outcome was a heartbreaker in typical Cyclone fashion. We tied it up only to lose in OT. They actually serve alcohol at games in Vegas - there are no topless showgirls there but you can get Jim Beam! We made due tailgating in our rented van - pulling the back seat out to relax in. We saw some people we knew in the crowd - there were something like 10,000 fans there.
My Facebook page is set up in Pirate English, which is amusing to me. I know I'm a bit wacky for a 51 year old wench...
I learned of this holiday just last year when I was out in Vegas - my first trip ever to sin city. We went with 2 other couples (the same Dee, Don, Sharon and Al that we did last weekend with - hmmm alcohol, trips it's a common theme with all of us) for the ISU football game there in September. God knows ISU doesn't make it to many bowl games, so we decided to treat that game as our bowl.
S&A rented us a beautiful 4 bedroom house in Vegas for the long weekend - Thur - Sun. It had a pool with a hot tub. Paul and I won the lotto for the master bedroom - with its own huge closet and bathroom. But the whole place was pretty nice.
We were just getting situated when I got a call from someone I know in the trash biz - Sara runs the landfill in the Pella area. She mentioned to me that it was talk like a pirate day the next day. And that got us going for the whole weekend. Aaar, me mateys!
We mostly hung out by our pool (beverage and book in hand) that weekend. But we also saw some sites of Vegas, Henderson, Hoover Dam and old Vegas. We rode the roller coaster drunk, attended the ISU pregame party at Hooters that was one big Clone lovefest. I took pics there.
The game was pretty good, though the outcome was a heartbreaker in typical Cyclone fashion. We tied it up only to lose in OT. They actually serve alcohol at games in Vegas - there are no topless showgirls there but you can get Jim Beam! We made due tailgating in our rented van - pulling the back seat out to relax in. We saw some people we knew in the crowd - there were something like 10,000 fans there.
My Facebook page is set up in Pirate English, which is amusing to me. I know I'm a bit wacky for a 51 year old wench...
Friday, August 28, 2009
Get smart
Above - YOUR P & L Goldsmith - after boating all day so never mind my Alfalfa hair.
Update. I sent an anniversary card to the "other" P&L Goldsmith last week, and today, on our 27th anniversary, I got a card back from them! We've gotten comments from around the state from friends about those imposters from Chariton and their 30th anniversary photo in the DM Register. And even from people (Paul's own clerk at work) who thought that really was us?!? The Pauls and Leslies have decided to meet on middle ground - in Osceola for a meal some day. Stay tuned for photos.
Remember the Get Smart theme song? It played while Maxwell walked through innocuous hallways on his way to work. Doors slammed behind him.
Many of my workday mornings start out just like that. I get that song in my head after I flash my security card at the only door I can get in at 6 a.m. on the SW corner of the Wallace Building. (one time last winter on one freezing and snowy morn, the door wouldn't work and I had to walk around the corner to another door).
Once I get in the security door (and it slams behind me), and up a few steps there's another door. Metal and heavy - only the left side is unlocked. It slams behind me. Around a couple corners in the bowels of the building - doors marked (DO Not Enter - Dairy Lab), stacked computer modems. It's a labyrinth that I finally know my way through. Around a couple more corners and there's the elevators. They might take me to 5th floor. If I hold my mouth right.
All while humming, da da daaaa da! Maybe I'll get the dome of silence around my cubicle!
I love reading tee shirts! And buying funny ones. I got one - a tank - in the Ozarks that says, "The liver is evil, it must be punished". What a hoot!
and this one I saw in the East Village of DM on one of my lunchtime jaunts, "Des Moines, French for The Moines" haw haw. Good stuff!
Remember the Get Smart theme song? It played while Maxwell walked through innocuous hallways on his way to work. Doors slammed behind him.
Many of my workday mornings start out just like that. I get that song in my head after I flash my security card at the only door I can get in at 6 a.m. on the SW corner of the Wallace Building. (one time last winter on one freezing and snowy morn, the door wouldn't work and I had to walk around the corner to another door).
Once I get in the security door (and it slams behind me), and up a few steps there's another door. Metal and heavy - only the left side is unlocked. It slams behind me. Around a couple corners in the bowels of the building - doors marked (DO Not Enter - Dairy Lab), stacked computer modems. It's a labyrinth that I finally know my way through. Around a couple more corners and there's the elevators. They might take me to 5th floor. If I hold my mouth right.
All while humming, da da daaaa da! Maybe I'll get the dome of silence around my cubicle!
I love reading tee shirts! And buying funny ones. I got one - a tank - in the Ozarks that says, "The liver is evil, it must be punished". What a hoot!
and this one I saw in the East Village of DM on one of my lunchtime jaunts, "Des Moines, French for The Moines" haw haw. Good stuff!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Oh yeah
Take that you mofo Qwest guy. You said you doubted the modem was the problem with our Internet. And when I hooked up the new modem the much nicer Qwest lady sent. And between the new modem and the cords etc., that baby is now cooking!
So I'm baaack! Yep I'm pretty wired when I'm not wired. I gots to have my Internet. I've been wired since the mid 90's now. Got hooked up back in the day when all we had was dial up. Back in the day. I used Netscape and thought I was queen of the surfin' world! It's such a relief to get the wireless up and running again at Joan's. Even got Joanie fixed up so she can use her computer wirelessly now.
Now my damn phone is beginning to act up - forgetting to accept texts and not sounding the alarm when it's time to get it. You'd think all technology was against me. The US Cellular guy said if my phone happened to get wet I could get a new one for $25. Hmmm it was raining today. But dammit I like my phone and don't want a new one...
I like to hear from you readers out there. I know some of you don't like to comment online (or haven't figured out how to..). But it helps to know you're out there. Feel free to skip boring days. As I told my friend Mar today, I blog to breath. It's really like therapy - I do it for me, but enjoy having you readers along for the ride!
Book club was lots of fun last night at Thea's. It was a dark and stormy night...and a good time was had by all. To combine two corny phrases. We had a big group - nice to get some new members in the mix. We discussed "Digging to America" by Anne Tyler. It came with discussion questions right in the back, which is quite helpful. We take turns reading them - which even gets the less vocal (we kind of a mouthy group, but there are a couple quiet ones) members talking.
Poor Thea got a bit nervous as the dark stormy night was producing copious amounts of rain and she was afraid of her pool flooding. I was glad to have Dianne make a meeting after she missed the last two. She's such a character and makes me chuckle. She always seems upbeat. Last night she talked about nearly getting cold feet on her wedding day - thinking of escaping out the bathroom window. Last night Angie brought oreos and Jackie brought delicious coffee cake. Vidette was delighted to discover we could bring alcohol if we so desire. Next time girl friend!
So I'm baaack! Yep I'm pretty wired when I'm not wired. I gots to have my Internet. I've been wired since the mid 90's now. Got hooked up back in the day when all we had was dial up. Back in the day. I used Netscape and thought I was queen of the surfin' world! It's such a relief to get the wireless up and running again at Joan's. Even got Joanie fixed up so she can use her computer wirelessly now.
Now my damn phone is beginning to act up - forgetting to accept texts and not sounding the alarm when it's time to get it. You'd think all technology was against me. The US Cellular guy said if my phone happened to get wet I could get a new one for $25. Hmmm it was raining today. But dammit I like my phone and don't want a new one...
I like to hear from you readers out there. I know some of you don't like to comment online (or haven't figured out how to..). But it helps to know you're out there. Feel free to skip boring days. As I told my friend Mar today, I blog to breath. It's really like therapy - I do it for me, but enjoy having you readers along for the ride!
Book club was lots of fun last night at Thea's. It was a dark and stormy night...and a good time was had by all. To combine two corny phrases. We had a big group - nice to get some new members in the mix. We discussed "Digging to America" by Anne Tyler. It came with discussion questions right in the back, which is quite helpful. We take turns reading them - which even gets the less vocal (we kind of a mouthy group, but there are a couple quiet ones) members talking.
Poor Thea got a bit nervous as the dark stormy night was producing copious amounts of rain and she was afraid of her pool flooding. I was glad to have Dianne make a meeting after she missed the last two. She's such a character and makes me chuckle. She always seems upbeat. Last night she talked about nearly getting cold feet on her wedding day - thinking of escaping out the bathroom window. Last night Angie brought oreos and Jackie brought delicious coffee cake. Vidette was delighted to discover we could bring alcohol if we so desire. Next time girl friend!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2 posts due to unfortunate Internet issues at Joan's
The gauntlet
I had to walk the gauntlet tonight. No it wasn’t like the gauntlet American Indians used to have to walk in order to prove their manhood. (Remember the movie “A Man Called Horse”?) I believe that showed an example of a gauntlet – and it was brutal. The person had to walk a long aisle of men who took their best shot at him – with weapons. By the end he was bloody!
I wasn’t bloody, but I felt like I’d been pummeled - after walking through the cosmetics area in Younkers at Valley West. It wasn’t yet busy when I got to the mall, so the beautifully made up and coiffed women were all looking for customers. I dared walk through. They took one look at me and decided I wasn’t a likely candidate for their services. Not worthy…like I was something they'd like to scrape off their pointy shoes. Well F’em! I can’t help it if I’m inept at girly thangs…
Ozark Lake Daredevils part deaux
Where was I? Since my Internet at Joan’s has been out, I can’t look to see just where I left off in my tale of our wonderful but brief vacation to Al and Sharon’s Lake Place. Unfortunately A&S had to leave for a family funeral. Night one was a whirlwind, and none of us were feeling too perky to start Friday a.m.
Late in the afternoon on Friday, Donnie got word that Paul E and Lucy were in town. So we cruised to a restaurant for – surprise! More drinks and food. I had a Cajun Bloody Mary and woooweee coach, it was damn hot! We sat and chatted – P&L are remodeling a new place they purchased recently.
What to do for the evening? We were all pretty beat from our tough day of hanging out on the lake – drinking and snacking. So P&L (not us but the other P&L Paul and Lucy) came over and P grilled burgers and potatoes. I needed food like a hole in the head, but yeah I ate a burger. Then it was off to bed.
When we got up on Saturday we did take a 4 mile walk – and oh the hills! Bobbie and Dee even ran up some hills – animals! Jeff, Paul and I didn’t. It was a gorgeous day and we had an invite to Bob and LuAnn’s place for breakfast – P&L were staying with them during the remodel of their new place. The Bloody Mary’s were ready when we got there! Plus eggs, hash browns, bacon and hot cakes. It was fab and I was hungry after my walk.
Then we took off for Party Cove – Paul and I were Cove virgins. What a place – if only we were 21 instead of 51! What a show of boats and breasts. We hovered for a couple hours and just watched – Donnie and Jeff floated around on noodles a bit. I took it easy on the fluids – remembering my near catastrophe the day before!
We headed to Dirty Dogs that afternoon – a crowded place with an entertaining singer, Billy Blue or something like that. He insisted on flinging beers that weren’t Bud lite into the water. We got a couple different appetizers and I had me some weed. Jeremiah Weed the ice tea drink. It was very refreshing.
Then Dee decided we needed shots and we had red-headed sluts! Not sure what was in that baby…we headed back to the house and cleaned up a bit to go out to eat. (see there’s a recurring theme here). Captain Ron’s had a pirate theme (you know Talk Like a Pirate day is only a few weeks off – one of my fave holidays, September 19!).
I had fun shopping there. See – I DID do something besides drink and eat that day…I bought an eye patch for $1. We got home pretty early after our wild day of watching young people get crazy and foolish. Sunday was leaving day (tears here). We went to Miller’s Landing once again for breakfast – and I had to purchase the “The Liver is Evil it Must be Punished” shirt. Too funny!
Our drive home was uneventful – I read my book for the Book Chicks meeting this week. It would have been another gorgeous day to be there at the lake.
I had to walk the gauntlet tonight. No it wasn’t like the gauntlet American Indians used to have to walk in order to prove their manhood. (Remember the movie “A Man Called Horse”?) I believe that showed an example of a gauntlet – and it was brutal. The person had to walk a long aisle of men who took their best shot at him – with weapons. By the end he was bloody!
I wasn’t bloody, but I felt like I’d been pummeled - after walking through the cosmetics area in Younkers at Valley West. It wasn’t yet busy when I got to the mall, so the beautifully made up and coiffed women were all looking for customers. I dared walk through. They took one look at me and decided I wasn’t a likely candidate for their services. Not worthy…like I was something they'd like to scrape off their pointy shoes. Well F’em! I can’t help it if I’m inept at girly thangs…
Ozark Lake Daredevils part deaux
Where was I? Since my Internet at Joan’s has been out, I can’t look to see just where I left off in my tale of our wonderful but brief vacation to Al and Sharon’s Lake Place. Unfortunately A&S had to leave for a family funeral. Night one was a whirlwind, and none of us were feeling too perky to start Friday a.m.
Late in the afternoon on Friday, Donnie got word that Paul E and Lucy were in town. So we cruised to a restaurant for – surprise! More drinks and food. I had a Cajun Bloody Mary and woooweee coach, it was damn hot! We sat and chatted – P&L are remodeling a new place they purchased recently.
What to do for the evening? We were all pretty beat from our tough day of hanging out on the lake – drinking and snacking. So P&L (not us but the other P&L Paul and Lucy) came over and P grilled burgers and potatoes. I needed food like a hole in the head, but yeah I ate a burger. Then it was off to bed.
When we got up on Saturday we did take a 4 mile walk – and oh the hills! Bobbie and Dee even ran up some hills – animals! Jeff, Paul and I didn’t. It was a gorgeous day and we had an invite to Bob and LuAnn’s place for breakfast – P&L were staying with them during the remodel of their new place. The Bloody Mary’s were ready when we got there! Plus eggs, hash browns, bacon and hot cakes. It was fab and I was hungry after my walk.
Then we took off for Party Cove – Paul and I were Cove virgins. What a place – if only we were 21 instead of 51! What a show of boats and breasts. We hovered for a couple hours and just watched – Donnie and Jeff floated around on noodles a bit. I took it easy on the fluids – remembering my near catastrophe the day before!
We headed to Dirty Dogs that afternoon – a crowded place with an entertaining singer, Billy Blue or something like that. He insisted on flinging beers that weren’t Bud lite into the water. We got a couple different appetizers and I had me some weed. Jeremiah Weed the ice tea drink. It was very refreshing.
Then Dee decided we needed shots and we had red-headed sluts! Not sure what was in that baby…we headed back to the house and cleaned up a bit to go out to eat. (see there’s a recurring theme here). Captain Ron’s had a pirate theme (you know Talk Like a Pirate day is only a few weeks off – one of my fave holidays, September 19!).
I had fun shopping there. See – I DID do something besides drink and eat that day…I bought an eye patch for $1. We got home pretty early after our wild day of watching young people get crazy and foolish. Sunday was leaving day (tears here). We went to Miller’s Landing once again for breakfast – and I had to purchase the “The Liver is Evil it Must be Punished” shirt. Too funny!
Our drive home was uneventful – I read my book for the Book Chicks meeting this week. It would have been another gorgeous day to be there at the lake.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Damn technology
My Internet works fine at work and at home, but neither Joan's nor my computer will pick up Internet via Ethernet nor wireless at her house.
I've spent a couple hours on the phone with Qwest, our Internet provider. Last night's guy was pretty snippy. It looks as if the modem is working, but we're not getting it on our computers. Qwest man says to call Dell and Dell says "not our problem". FML
More later when I'm happily surfin' once again...
meanwhile Joanie is canning tomatoes - no techie problems there! mmmmmmmmmmmbacktowork....
I've spent a couple hours on the phone with Qwest, our Internet provider. Last night's guy was pretty snippy. It looks as if the modem is working, but we're not getting it on our computers. Qwest man says to call Dell and Dell says "not our problem". FML
More later when I'm happily surfin' once again...
meanwhile Joanie is canning tomatoes - no techie problems there! mmmmmmmmmmmbacktowork....
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