Good Evening Everybody

Hi CriticalMass
WAY TO GO!!!
New computer and you are learning it's functions!

NO! you and roommate are not allowed to be sickly!
Best wishes for her speedy recovery and that you don't catch it if it's contagious.

Yeah, love those muscle cars.
1st. car was a 68 Plymouth Fury, then a 68 Camaro super sport.
Last car I owned was a 72 VW super Beetle.
It's still here. Steven ran it into the ground and parked it in the yard where it still sits. 🙁

Sweet dreams with a kitty to snuggle. 🙂

Hi Tatoulia
Hope your weekend is relaxing after a busy week.
WTG! doing laundry. So nice of you to be considerate with the machines.
Shrimp & pasta sounds so yummy.

A no spend December???
Don't let the ads tempt you. There will be more & better sales with lesser crowds next year.
Delete any emails from stores.
It might be hard with all the usual XMas frenzy going on but you CAN do this! 😀
Good luck.

I am so tired physically and mentally.
What a week!
Then today I was out in town from 10:30am to 3:00pm.
Saw lots of people, had lots of conversations.
Was at the thrift shop and the clerk (my friend) and the reverend were discussing sales.
They put the entire store on sale for half off.
So much holiday stuff so I bought 5 scented pillar candles and a scented jar candle.
A large elaborate reed diffuser.
5 strands of shaped gemstone beads.
A large box of pine/fir/evergreen incense.
A tiny fabric toy duckie for Scooter.
A crossword puzzle book.
Cinnamon sticks for potpourri.
A bottle of cologne.
Box of scented talcum powder.
And probably some more I can't remember right now.
All for 10.50

Then when I was at the grocery store buying kibble and litter I ran into more people to catch up with.
When I came home I spent a few minutes talking with my neighbor and two horses and the dog who were all out for a walk.
Looking forward to a quiet relaxing weekend.

First post from my new computer!

At the library I was able to look up some manuals and help sites. I'll have to re-download the manuals, though, because it looks like there was a typo on the ticket re the Dell model number. On the computer itself is a different one.

But the manuals are just for occasional reference mainly. I made a happy discovery too that several of the software programs do come bundled with Linux Mint - my Firefox browser, the Libre Office, GIMP (like Photoshop) - main ones I will use. I will want Inkscape as soon as I'm sure how to download and install it.

At first there was a problem with connecting to the library wifi. Kept getting a "Server Not Found" error. So kept Googling different Linux help and trying suggested fixes. Finally, about the last 15 minutes before I headed home, Bingo! I got it to work.

So I'm at home and I've already successfully hooked it up to the wifi here.

I feel so sad for my roommate - she was even more excited than I was through all this, especially earlier today - and then a tummy bug hit her. So she has taken some medicine and I hope it works so she can share the excitement of all this again.

The boy kitty slept with me most of the night. So sweet.

First post from my new computer!

At the library I was able to look up some manuals and help sites. I'll have to re-download the manuals, though, because it looks like there was a typo on the ticket re the Dell model number. On the computer itself is a different one.

But the manuals are just for occasional reference mainly. I made a happy discovery too that several of the software programs do come bundled with Linux Mint - my Firefox browser, the Libre Office, GIMP (like Photoshop) - main ones I will use. I will want Inkscape as soon as I'm sure how to download and install it.

At first there was a problem with connecting to the library wifi. Kept getting a "Server Not Found" error. So kept Googling different Linux help and trying suggested fixes. Finally, about the last 15 minutes before I headed home, Bingo! I got it to work.

So I'm at home and I've already successfully hooked it up to the wifi here.

I feel so sad for my roommate - she was even more excited than I was through all this, especially earlier today - and then a tummy bug hit her. So she has taken some medicine and I hope it works so she can share the excitement of all this again.

The boy kitty slept with me most of the night. So sweet.

Yay for new computer, CM. I hope it serves you for many years to come.

I had a pretty good day after a very busy and big week. I worked from home today and I got three loads of laundry done. I would've loved one more but I could tell people were waiting for it. I did two this AM and then when no one went down in the afternoon, I did one more quick load.
I got my bed changed! I haven't washed my sheets yet. I was trying to leave the washer free for the others.

I'm about to make a shrimp and pasta dish! I'm soooo hungry.

What are the chances I can do a no spend December?

Yay for new computer, CM. I hope it serves you for many years to come.

I had a pretty good day after a very busy and big week. I worked from home today and I got three loads of laundry done. I would've loved one more but I could tell people were waiting for it. I did two this AM and then when no one went down in the afternoon, I did one more quick load.
I got my bed changed! I haven't washed my sheets yet. I was trying to leave the washer free for the others.

I'm about to make a shrimp and pasta dish! I'm soooo hungry.

What are the chances I can do a no spend December?

Tillie, that's all so fantastic! Hope there will be more clearing out to come.

I had a 1979 Ford LTD from 1997 to 2011. Though by the last years it would've needed the engine rebuilt. I loved that car when it was running well. What's funny is I went from it to the infamous red Ford van.

The night I was dealing with the seller, my friend's husband was along for asking manly mechanical questions. I said something about how long the red van was. He said it was the same length as the LTD. He was right - 17 feet on both!

I've liked big vehicles except for when I first got my Camaro at 19. Eventually the Camaro was what made me like larger vehicles so much.

My Dodge Caravan is plenty big for this time in my life.

My phone rang a little while ago. I got excited that maybe it was the computer shop, but it was a robocall. Pooh.

I'm dressed, have fed all the furry residents, and am probably going to hang out at the library awhile until hopefully I get the call that the computer's ready. I'm restless - I know my location won't make things go any faster but I'd be close and could hop in the car and zip over.

It'll be different, I know, than getting another Windows machine - may or may not take awhile to be up and running. But surely I can figure this out between what I can learn reading - I joined a Linux users forum - or watching YouTube or whatever.

*Jiggles feet in excitement*

Tillie, that's all so fantastic! Hope there will be more clearing out to come.

I had a 1979 Ford LTD from 1997 to 2011. Though by the last years it would've needed the engine rebuilt. I loved that car when it was running well. What's funny is I went from it to the infamous red Ford van.

The night I was dealing with the seller, my friend's husband was along for asking manly mechanical questions. I said something about how long the red van was. He said it was the same length as the LTD. He was right - 17 feet on both!

I've liked big vehicles except for when I first got my Camaro at 19. Eventually the Camaro was what made me like larger vehicles so much.

My Dodge Caravan is plenty big for this time in my life.

My phone rang a little while ago. I got excited that maybe it was the computer shop, but it was a robocall. Pooh.

I'm dressed, have fed all the furry residents, and am probably going to hang out at the library awhile until hopefully I get the call that the computer's ready. I'm restless - I know my location won't make things go any faster but I'd be close and could hop in the car and zip over.

It'll be different, I know, than getting another Windows machine - may or may not take awhile to be up and running. But surely I can figure this out between what I can learn reading - I joined a Linux users forum - or watching YouTube or whatever.

*Jiggles feet in excitement*

Wow!!!!! Congratulations Tillie!!!!! Wow!!! You did it! You made this happen! I know you are bumped and bruised and sore and I guess it doesn't matter because this is such fantastic news!!!! You did this!!!! You did this!!!

Yay roofer dad roofer son roofer son friend!!!

Yay!!!!

I am so excited about this!!!!!!!!

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Sounds like a fun day at school, enjoy! ;D

Last night before bed I took some aspirin because I knew I would be hurting this morning.
It worked and I am not doing bad at all.

Found Scooter's mousie drowned in the water bowl again this morning.

Can't believe that I actually picked up, shoved and dragged so much hoard yesterday.
Also had to push an old Ford LTD across the yard out of the way.
It had sat out there for so many years it was sunk down into holes/pits at the tires, making it even harder to get moving.

The only clear space to move all the clutter to was the clear narrow path along the driveway.
Now it's really hard maneuvering from the house to the yard, car, road.
Steven needs to get out there and deal with all his "stuff".
I did my part. My areas are all clean & tidy. I helped clear space for the vehicles to get hauled out. I took care of the car title transaction.
Steven was always too busy? He was always in the garage saying he was "lookin" for something.
Something unnecessary because I would grab what we needed or the roofer would since we knew where our tools were.
I am hoping he was embarrassed by the state of things and that it's enough to motivate him to do something about it.
As you know, I can not make all those keep/toss/recycle/donate decisions because it's not my stuff.

9am here. Time to get dressed and go into town.
So happy today! ;D

SO HAPPY about the roof and the vehicles!

CM, I hope you like your new computer.

Planting mushrooms at school, today. Also starting hand puppets.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
Sounds like a fun day at school, enjoy! ;D

Last night before bed I took some aspirin because I knew I would be hurting this morning.
It worked and I am not doing bad at all.

Found Scooter's mousie drowned in the water bowl again this morning.

Can't believe that I actually picked up, shoved and dragged so much hoard yesterday.
Also had to push an old Ford LTD across the yard out of the way.
It had sat out there for so many years it was sunk down into holes/pits at the tires, making it even harder to get moving.

The only clear space to move all the clutter to was the clear narrow path along the driveway.
Now it's really hard maneuvering from the house to the yard, car, road.
Steven needs to get out there and deal with all his "stuff".
I did my part. My areas are all clean & tidy. I helped clear space for the vehicles to get hauled out. I took care of the car title transaction.
Steven was always too busy? He was always in the garage saying he was "lookin" for something.
Something unnecessary because I would grab what we needed or the roofer would since we knew where our tools were.
I am hoping he was embarrassed by the state of things and that it's enough to motivate him to do something about it.
As you know, I can not make all those keep/toss/recycle/donate decisions because it's not my stuff.

9am here. Time to get dressed and go into town.
So happy today! ;D

Then I washed dishes
hemmed a pair of jeans
and washed two loads of laundry.

Just so darned happy the roof is fixed and some derelict vehicles are gone. 😀

SO HAPPY about the roof and the vehicles!

CM, I hope you like your new computer.

Planting mushrooms at school, today. Also starting hand puppets.

After I ate lunch I went back out and rehung my clothesline.
Then moved some stuff out of the areas of the yard that are mine, areas I keep up.
Then I swept the porch and walkway.

All done 😀

Now I am thinking about going into town tomorrow just for a change of pace.
Need to get kitty litter & kitty cereal anyways.

Would stop by the thrift shop too and talk to humans I know.

Then I washed dishes
hemmed a pair of jeans
and washed two loads of laundry.

Just so darned happy the roof is fixed and some derelict vehicles are gone. 😀

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for feeling well enough to sit with your lady friend! 🙂

Yeah, a web browser then start adding your other stuff.

Youtube has a lot of videos by people explaining things electronic.
I use it often and it really explains things in ways even I can understand.

The Jeep and camper trailer are GONE!!
No longer cluttering up the property.

The roofer son and I moved heaven and earth to clear paths for them to be moved out.
I'm tired LOL 😀
Steven has a space to park the truck now that does NOT block in the car so I can come and go as I please.

A friend of the roofer's son is very interested in the old Dodge pickup.
Would be sold but Steven has "misplaced"the title somewhere...
But there are ways to get around that and he's looking into it.
Fingers crossed that truck goes too X

Oh yeah, the roof work is all finished 😀

Plus I have some wood from when the power company cut down those trees for me.
I offered it to the son since he heats with a wood stove and he will return to collect it.
Win, win all around.

After I ate lunch I went back out and rehung my clothesline.
Then moved some stuff out of the areas of the yard that are mine, areas I keep up.
Then I swept the porch and walkway.

All done 😀

Now I am thinking about going into town tomorrow just for a change of pace.
Need to get kitty litter & kitty cereal anyways.

Would stop by the thrift shop too and talk to humans I know.

Hi CriticalMass
YEA! for feeling well enough to sit with your lady friend! 🙂

Yeah, a web browser then start adding your other stuff.

Youtube has a lot of videos by people explaining things electronic.
I use it often and it really explains things in ways even I can understand.

The Jeep and camper trailer are GONE!!
No longer cluttering up the property.

The roofer son and I moved heaven and earth to clear paths for them to be moved out.
I'm tired LOL 😀
Steven has a space to park the truck now that does NOT block in the car so I can come and go as I please.

A friend of the roofer's son is very interested in the old Dodge pickup.
Would be sold but Steven has "misplaced"the title somewhere...
But there are ways to get around that and he's looking into it.
Fingers crossed that truck goes too X

Oh yeah, the roof work is all finished 😀

Plus I have some wood from when the power company cut down those trees for me.
I offered it to the son since he heats with a wood stove and he will return to collect it.
Win, win all around.

BYE-BYE JEEP!

Woohoo!

I'm feeling better - took a longer nap than I meant to yesterday afternoon but it did me good. I'm going to be able to keep today's time to sit with my older lady. Had to cancel Tuesday because I was still coughing, blowing my nose, and exhausted.

Getting excited, albeit nervous, to hear soon from the computer place!

I guess the first thing to install would be a web browser, then install the rest of my software?

BYE-BYE JEEP!

Woohoo!

I'm feeling better - took a longer nap than I meant to yesterday afternoon but it did me good. I'm going to be able to keep today's time to sit with my older lady. Had to cancel Tuesday because I was still coughing, blowing my nose, and exhausted.

Getting excited, albeit nervous, to hear soon from the computer place!

I guess the first thing to install would be a web browser, then install the rest of my software?

BYE-BYE JEEP!

Woohoo!

I'm feeling better - took a longer nap than I meant to yesterday afternoon but it did me good. I'm going to be able to keep today's time to sit with my older lady. Had to cancel Tuesday because I was still coughing, blowing my nose, and exhausted.

Getting excited, albeit nervous, to hear soon from the computer place!

I guess the first thing to install would be a web browser, then install the rest of my software?

THE SON IS TAKING THE JEEP!!!!!!!

Now he has to figure out how to move a derelict Ford that's behind it so he can get that Jeep out.

Two fewer derelict vehicles/campers for me to have to maneuver around.
Fewer places for wasps to build nests!

HAPPY DANCING 😀

I have the pink slip right here on the fridge ready to finalize the deal. 😀

BYE-BYE JEEP!

Woohoo!

I'm feeling better - took a longer nap than I meant to yesterday afternoon but it did me good. I'm going to be able to keep today's time to sit with my older lady. Had to cancel Tuesday because I was still coughing, blowing my nose, and exhausted.

Getting excited, albeit nervous, to hear soon from the computer place!

I guess the first thing to install would be a web browser, then install the rest of my software?

Good Morning Everybody!

Hi CriticalMass
Feel all better real soon.
Enchiladas and home made chicken soup will be Great medicine. 😀

Very glad you took some photos of the old computer.
You two went through a lot together over the years.

In no time at all you will be accustomed to the new computer system and able to work around any frustrations.

Hi Tatoulia
Happy your London fog with a down vest was warm enough.
Wishing you a great day at work today. 🙂

Hi Subclinical
Relieved the chicks are doing so well. 🙂

Hope things get straightened out about that parent.
This year you have an extremely full schedule without much time for other things.

WTG! for locating the wax for the log project.

Roofers back working.
From what I can see from the ground it looks so much better than it has ever looked before.

The Father is taking the ratty little camp trailer!!!!!!!!!
The son is seriously considering taking the Jeep!
Fingers crossed.
Now Steven has to move a huge mess of hoard out of the way to get the trailer free so it can be hauled out.
Yesterday I cleared all Steven's hoard out of the inside of that camper trailer and Steven started yelling at me and being nasty.
I think he wanted it all sorted out and put somewhere, not just all put into boxes/totes???
Anyways I called him a "B" and now I won't help him at all any more.
His way of clearing to get the camper out has been to sit there and just play with all the things he has heaped out there, no progress.

Top of my right knee is deep grayish purple from my fall but fortunately doesn't hurt except when I touch the bruise.
Slept in this morning. My back hurts from clearing out the camper trailer.
And I am still pizzed at Steven.

Scooter still hides when the roofer shows up but he is not terrified any more and quickly recovers soon as the workers leave.
Jack is lurking about the edges but runs to me when he sees me outside.
Cautious.
Twinkles has no problem napping and ignoring all that's going on.

THE SON IS TAKING THE JEEP!!!!!!!

Now he has to figure out how to move a derelict Ford that's behind it so he can get that Jeep out.

Two fewer derelict vehicles/campers for me to have to maneuver around.
Fewer places for wasps to build nests!

HAPPY DANCING 😀

I have the pink slip right here on the fridge ready to finalize the deal. 😀

You can add me to the people who don't understand computers, but I understand losing the stuff on one. I know computers were supposed to solve the paper issue, but I keep paper backups of anything I don't want to loose - so many lists of bookmarks scribbled on scrap paper! I need to do better.

I also resist change once I learn how to do something.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you were warm enough. It got down to 8 here, but it is a "balmy" 29 now. The chicks made it through.

I got an email from a parent last night that I don't know what to do with. She said my boss wanted her to talk to me about doing a class I am already doing and when could we meet to discuss it. I forwarded the email to my boss and said "I am confused. Is she teaching next year? What do you want me to do?" This is not a parent I want to spend time with and even if it were, the time is dear right now.

Honestly, I am thinking about cutting back my hours next year so I can focus more on pottery and because I will have a grand baby and need downtime. So I would hand off the class willingly, but also completely. I am not going to be her mentor, and I cannot coteach with her.

I found my wax in the basement, so I can take it in and use it for sealing our mushroom logs tomorrow - less in the basement, more class budget for something else.

We will do candles also, but not this week.

Good Morning Everybody!

Hi CriticalMass
Feel all better real soon.
Enchiladas and home made chicken soup will be Great medicine. 😀

Very glad you took some photos of the old computer.
You two went through a lot together over the years.

In no time at all you will be accustomed to the new computer system and able to work around any frustrations.

Hi Tatoulia
Happy your London fog with a down vest was warm enough.
Wishing you a great day at work today. 🙂

Hi Subclinical
Relieved the chicks are doing so well. 🙂

Hope things get straightened out about that parent.
This year you have an extremely full schedule without much time for other things.

WTG! for locating the wax for the log project.

Roofers back working.
From what I can see from the ground it looks so much better than it has ever looked before.

The Father is taking the ratty little camp trailer!!!!!!!!!
The son is seriously considering taking the Jeep!
Fingers crossed.
Now Steven has to move a huge mess of hoard out of the way to get the trailer free so it can be hauled out.
Yesterday I cleared all Steven's hoard out of the inside of that camper trailer and Steven started yelling at me and being nasty.
I think he wanted it all sorted out and put somewhere, not just all put into boxes/totes???
Anyways I called him a "B" and now I won't help him at all any more.
His way of clearing to get the camper out has been to sit there and just play with all the things he has heaped out there, no progress.

Top of my right knee is deep grayish purple from my fall but fortunately doesn't hurt except when I touch the bruise.
Slept in this morning. My back hurts from clearing out the camper trailer.
And I am still pizzed at Steven.

Scooter still hides when the roofer shows up but he is not terrified any more and quickly recovers soon as the workers leave.
Jack is lurking about the edges but runs to me when he sees me outside.
Cautious.
Twinkles has no problem napping and ignoring all that's going on.

Cm I am proud of you for working through the computer issues. I don't understand a word of it and I'm so proud of you! We switched to windows 10 at office and honestly I haven't noticed a change so clearly it's different on a personal computer vs a work computer where I use the same stuff all the time. Because I know everyone is complaining about windows 10.

Ok back to office tmr. Another day at the office. Honestly how did I ever go in five days! I'm very spoiled. Having another big day there tmr. I should be nervous but I'm not.

Tillie I do need to show some flexibility in my routines. I used to change my sheets on the weekend, which could mean Saturday or Sunday. I'm probably going to work from home on Friday. So it's fine.

Tillie Keep me posted on the roofers!!

I wore my London Fig with a down vest under it. I was fine.

You can add me to the people who don't understand computers, but I understand losing the stuff on one. I know computers were supposed to solve the paper issue, but I keep paper backups of anything I don't want to loose - so many lists of bookmarks scribbled on scrap paper! I need to do better.

I also resist change once I learn how to do something.

Tatoulia, I'm glad you were warm enough. It got down to 8 here, but it is a "balmy" 29 now. The chicks made it through.

I got an email from a parent last night that I don't know what to do with. She said my boss wanted her to talk to me about doing a class I am already doing and when could we meet to discuss it. I forwarded the email to my boss and said "I am confused. Is she teaching next year? What do you want me to do?" This is not a parent I want to spend time with and even if it were, the time is dear right now.

Honestly, I am thinking about cutting back my hours next year so I can focus more on pottery and because I will have a grand baby and need downtime. So I would hand off the class willingly, but also completely. I am not going to be her mentor, and I cannot coteach with her.

I found my wax in the basement, so I can take it in and use it for sealing our mushroom logs tomorrow - less in the basement, more class budget for something else.

We will do candles also, but not this week.

Going back through some posts, plus have some news to tell. This could end up long.

I've still been sick but may be finally starting to lick the illness itself. The full restoration of energy will take slightly longer. Temperatures here trending out of that cold snap and supposedly will be steady in the 50s-60s the next few days.

Tillie - Enchiladas are something I've been wanting to make too, and the other day I found affordable non-GMO corn tortillas. So, soon there will be enchiladas. Also, hope you didn't jar your bones too much when you fell! And glad the hazard was removed. Finally, thanks for the reminder about chicken soup. I thought Monday evening I should make some yesterday from some deli pulled chicken leftovers and dried spaetzle noodles. Then I forgot. Can make it today.

Tatoulia, glad you have that lamp. My psych dr had some in her office the other day and we talked about it as a possibility. I doubt Medicare would pay for it, though. So I do my workarounds - Vitamin D supplements, going outside when it isn't too cold, my Winter Journal, prayer, bunny and kitty snuggling...

I've also been doing what Tillie mentioned, being proactive and stocking up on staples a bit so that as the grocery and Walmart crowds get ever more big and hectic, I won't have to be in them too often. I believe that our different neural circuitry that makes us less tolerant of the overstimulation of modern everyday activities such as shopping, is also what makes it harder to make sense of our living spaces, possessions, decisions, and and daily tasks.

WTG Tatoulia for listing the chair, and for shredding!

Milk Duds are usually my go-to movie candy. Especially for a suspenseful movie, gotta have something that I can really chew, helps my nerves. Popcorn is great if I'm with someone who wants to blow the money for it. Extra buttery oil, please. Live dangerously. No liquids for me though, or I won't be able to sit through the show.

SubC, hope chickie babies are snug and toasty and doing well.

Now for the latest about the computer. Tatoulia you are right, it's not convenient but I'll get through it. It was quite a mind blowing mix of feelings last night, saying goodbye to the old one. It has been my auxiliary brain through an eventful decade. I bought it with my last decent tax refund from my days in the workforce, in early 2010! I took a couple pictures of it. Guys at computer place probably thought I was a crazy old lady. Oh well.

The data retrieval from the old hard drive, I did not understand until reading the work ticket, only includes data files, not programs. So I won't have my old Microsoft Office that I liked, not even for reference. I'll have to learn about Libre Office or perhaps an alternative.

Plus no programs means bye-bye old Chrome web browser, with any history and bookmarked websites therein. This is what I just went through on my Android tablet recently!

I'm sure you all understand that it's disconcerting. Lately with my physical clutter struggle I had idly wondered the old "what if" a tornado or fire claimed my papers and I just had to reconstruct what I could and accept that some was just gone?

It's both harder and easier to be going through this while sick and fuzzy headed. Harder to think - but also don't have the energy to overthink. And maybe I've momentarily exhausted my ability to feel frustrated at computers. And at my own human limitations, ADHD creativity or no, to capture all the ideas my mind generates, plus track the day-to-day things to remember...

I keep returning to, well, Lord, I'm alive, so that's something, and I'm thankful. Literally feel in wonderment that in the 21st Century one CAN still have a heartbeat, breathe, eat, move, etc. even if one's technology is compromised.

So anyway, the deets: I picked out a refurbished Dell laptop. They will remove the Windows 10 and install a Linux operating system - I think we settled on Mint, which is said to behave and look fairly close to my beloved Windows 7 (i.e., Windows before Microsoft ruined it). I jotted down a list of software I had that I could recall, many of which are open source already, easy to get again. I will spend these days, till I pick up my new satellite brain, learning Linux.

Finally: The library computers use Windows 10 so if I can't figure out right away how to do something on my new one, I can run up there. Or use my roommate's laptop after hours. Knowing that helps my jitters to calm down.

I have to laugh that of course this all happened during National Novel Writing Month.

All in all, for me, given the suddenness of everything (I hate surprises and forced change) I'm handling this reasonably well. Thanks be to God.

Going to lay my fuzzy head down for a cat nap now.