Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Should have known
I ought to have twigged on that something wasn't quite right, because I was continuing to be so tired after the trip. Plus I was slowly sprouting itchy bumps that I couldn't figure out a cause for. Couldn't be the kitten, because Mike has held him and been scratched up by him a lot more than I have, and HE had no bumps. Then I wondering if maybe, since all the bumps were on my arms, shoulder area and face, I had gotten exposed to something I am highly allergic to (like creosote) while we were driving with all the windows open.
Caro suggested maybe it was The Return of the Shingles, and I said no, it couldn't be, because like the chicken pox they spring from, you only get them once. But I looked it up anyway...
...and found out if you have a jacked-up immune system, you can get them as many times asyou they want.
How nice for me.
You know how chicken pox are sort of cute on little kids? As with many other things, it's not a look adults pull off nearly so well. Most of the biggish areas on my arms and shoulders are covered by a t-shirt, and the ones on my wrists are fairly innocuous.
But my face looks like I recently went hunting with Dick Cheney, except more scabrous.
Other than that, I'm fine. How are you?
Speaking of Souvenir, he's doing great. Here he is playing with my fake pet rat!
Caro suggested maybe it was The Return of the Shingles, and I said no, it couldn't be, because like the chicken pox they spring from, you only get them once. But I looked it up anyway...
...and found out if you have a jacked-up immune system, you can get them as many times as
How nice for me.
You know how chicken pox are sort of cute on little kids? As with many other things, it's not a look adults pull off nearly so well. Most of the biggish areas on my arms and shoulders are covered by a t-shirt, and the ones on my wrists are fairly innocuous.
But my face looks like I recently went hunting with Dick Cheney, except more scabrous.
Other than that, I'm fine. How are you?
Speaking of Souvenir, he's doing great. Here he is playing with my fake pet rat!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Technology's bitca, and fan enough to admit it
There are many things clamoring for my attention now that I am back after a week's wandering. But top of my priority list was getting Caro back online. As you may recall, there was something horribly wrong with her computer, which adamantly refused to have anything to do with the brand spanking new wireless router.
I solved the problem by throwing money at itlike any good liberal. Before we left Denver on Wednesday, Mike and I stopped at a BestBuy and picked up a nice little eMachine, shiny black and silver, at the very decent price of about $400. (Sometimes I think back to how we scrimped and saved and used our tax refund to afford our first NEW computer, for the amazing price of $1700, NOT including shipping, not much more than 10 years ago, and I am always amazed all over again.)
So Thursday was devoted to the merry-go-round of moving Caro's old files to her new machine, and then Mike's old files to Caro's old machine, and figuring out who got which monitor, and all that. I had had about a brain cell and a half left from the trip, and doing all that pretty nearly did me in. But the new baby connected like a baby calf zeroing in on the momcow, zip-zam-slurp, and now Caro surfs free again!
There is one thing I am not sure about, and that is my impulse buy of a little flash drive. I was thinking it would be a convenient way for me to add book data to my main data base after I have been working in the bedroom, but so far it seems a little awkward to use and I'm not sure I wouldn't have been better off just using a plain old disk to swap data around with. But maybe I just haven't got the hang of it yet.
On the plus side with the laptop, I have discovered that so long as I don't want to do a lot of typing, I can READ online in great comfort, lounging on my back with my legs propped up on pillows and the laptop balanced on my chest. It has made a noticeable difference in keeping my feet and lower legs from getting all puffy, which was the main reason to get it, so YAY!
I solved the problem by throwing money at it
So Thursday was devoted to the merry-go-round of moving Caro's old files to her new machine, and then Mike's old files to Caro's old machine, and figuring out who got which monitor, and all that. I had had about a brain cell and a half left from the trip, and doing all that pretty nearly did me in. But the new baby connected like a baby calf zeroing in on the momcow, zip-zam-slurp, and now Caro surfs free again!
There is one thing I am not sure about, and that is my impulse buy of a little flash drive. I was thinking it would be a convenient way for me to add book data to my main data base after I have been working in the bedroom, but so far it seems a little awkward to use and I'm not sure I wouldn't have been better off just using a plain old disk to swap data around with. But maybe I just haven't got the hang of it yet.
On the plus side with the laptop, I have discovered that so long as I don't want to do a lot of typing, I can READ online in great comfort, lounging on my back with my legs propped up on pillows and the laptop balanced on my chest. It has made a noticeable difference in keeping my feet and lower legs from getting all puffy, which was the main reason to get it, so YAY!
Still alive and all!
That old joke about needing a vacation after you come home from vacation is too sadly true.
Mike and I got in on Wednesday night after a rather long day, made longer by little annoyances. I had deliberately left Brush early and brought along a map I'd printed out from Mapquest. *koff*stupidlosers*koff* It blithely got me good and lost so that instead of turning up half an hour early to Mike's neurologist's, we were 20 minutes late.
And THEN the RECEPTIONIST had the NERVE to bitch me out, even though I apologized the second I came up to the desk. Then she had the STUPIDITY to keep it up! So I interrupted her by telling her sharply, "It is not your job to scold me!" And then the doc came out and invited us back to his office, which REALLY pissed her off. But nevertheless, as we say in our family, Someone's Getting A Letter.
The good news about the visit is that the doctor thinks Mike is doing well enough that we can experiment with weaning him off Depakote. The rationale for him taking it was to deal with minor symptoms and his unusual brain wave patterns, which were theoretically caused by incomplete myelinization of his neural sheathes. We're hoping he's been myelinizing himself at the same time that he's been growing like a weed...we'll see.
We got out of town without trouble, even managing to beat the rush hour traffic. But we did come up against road work that required a pilot car and caused a 12 minute delay, and then later ran through some heavy rain and a little hail.
So by the time we got home I was REALLY glad to be home! More catch-up stuff later...I'm still cleaning out the car!
Mike and I got in on Wednesday night after a rather long day, made longer by little annoyances. I had deliberately left Brush early and brought along a map I'd printed out from Mapquest. *koff*stupidlosers*koff* It blithely got me good and lost so that instead of turning up half an hour early to Mike's neurologist's, we were 20 minutes late.
And THEN the RECEPTIONIST had the NERVE to bitch me out, even though I apologized the second I came up to the desk. Then she had the STUPIDITY to keep it up! So I interrupted her by telling her sharply, "It is not your job to scold me!" And then the doc came out and invited us back to his office, which REALLY pissed her off. But nevertheless, as we say in our family, Someone's Getting A Letter.
The good news about the visit is that the doctor thinks Mike is doing well enough that we can experiment with weaning him off Depakote. The rationale for him taking it was to deal with minor symptoms and his unusual brain wave patterns, which were theoretically caused by incomplete myelinization of his neural sheathes. We're hoping he's been myelinizing himself at the same time that he's been growing like a weed...we'll see.
We got out of town without trouble, even managing to beat the rush hour traffic. But we did come up against road work that required a pilot car and caused a 12 minute delay, and then later ran through some heavy rain and a little hail.
So by the time we got home I was REALLY glad to be home! More catch-up stuff later...I'm still cleaning out the car!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Train food pic!
Site's back up, so here it is!
If you look by the exit sign, you will see a little wooden train engine (which hoots very loudly!). Hanging below it is a box with an order for one of the tables. When they send the train out, they make a crossing gate drop down in front of a dumb waiter platform. The crossing bar catches the front of the box as the train toots by, and then the platform lowers it down so the customer can reach it. Drinks are delivered in the regular, boring way, though.
OK, we are off to the Greyhound Hall of Fame and the Telephone Museum (don't worry, those are two different attractions.)
If you look by the exit sign, you will see a little wooden train engine (which hoots very loudly!). Hanging below it is a box with an order for one of the tables. When they send the train out, they make a crossing gate drop down in front of a dumb waiter platform. The crossing bar catches the front of the box as the train toots by, and then the platform lowers it down so the customer can reach it. Drinks are delivered in the regular, boring way, though.
OK, we are off to the Greyhound Hall of Fame and the Telephone Museum (don't worry, those are two different attractions.)
Monday, June 19, 2006
Abilene!
First day of the return leg (or triangle edge, if you want to get technical) of our trip. The place where I host my pics seems to be down, so I can't visually share with you the amazing wonderfulness of the restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas where we ate lunch. A model train automatically delivers your order to your table! Mike was delighted to little teeny pieces.
The rest of the day, though, was pretty much just driving. We got into town here at 4:45, which would not have been sufficient time to see the things I wanted to see, so I decided to go hog wild and stay over instead of pressing on a bit further.
Heck, after checking out the stuff from the Tourist Info place, a couple of days might not be enough time. OH WELLL. More after we actually see and/or do something interesting again.
The rest of the day, though, was pretty much just driving. We got into town here at 4:45, which would not have been sufficient time to see the things I wanted to see, so I decided to go hog wild and stay over instead of pressing on a bit further.
Heck, after checking out the stuff from the Tourist Info place, a couple of days might not be enough time. OH WELLL. More after we actually see and/or do something interesting again.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Cardsharks!
Yikes, I played poker with my mom, my sister Debbie, my brother Steve, my Aunt Marian and my Uncle Herb, and lost TWENTY CENTS!
I ought to be jumping into bed so that Mike will finally go to sleep, or we will both be crabby tomorrow. We hit the road again in the morning, heading home via the scenic route which will eventually include a visit to see the new Casa del Stieb in Brush. So unless I get lucky tomorrow night and hit a wireless hotspot, I'm back to depending on the kindness of libraries.
The family reunion today was fun, with plenty of both good food and good conversation. Souvenir was highly popular with my young relatives, though he only slightly edged out my camera. (I figured the ground was soft and the kids were short, so there wasn't too much danger in letting them have fun taking pictures like all the grown-ups were doing. Here's one that came out well:
I ought to be jumping into bed so that Mike will finally go to sleep, or we will both be crabby tomorrow. We hit the road again in the morning, heading home via the scenic route which will eventually include a visit to see the new Casa del Stieb in Brush. So unless I get lucky tomorrow night and hit a wireless hotspot, I'm back to depending on the kindness of libraries.
The family reunion today was fun, with plenty of both good food and good conversation. Souvenir was highly popular with my young relatives, though he only slightly edged out my camera. (I figured the ground was soft and the kids were short, so there wasn't too much danger in letting them have fun taking pictures like all the grown-ups were doing. Here's one that came out well:
Allllmost caught up--Saturday
It made a nice change to not HAVE to drive today. Mike and I just went out "exploring like cats", taking our actual proto-cat with us. It seems the hotel does not allow cats in the rooms. I mean, wouldn't want whatever smell came out of a teensy kitten and his very clean new litter box to disrupt the smell of the SMOKING room we are in, which was the only one my mom could get for us, as there were several events converging in town for the weekend....
Anyway. We took Souvenir with us to go looking at the train track section of town, and the lot where my grandparents' house used to be, and finally the blocked off square downtown which was full of booths and loud announcers and people. People who stopped me about every ten steps to pet the kitty and more or less politely ask why we were such amazin' fools as to bring a kitty to a loud and hot event. Since we had a good reason, this wasn't TOO much of a hardship. But still.
Eventually we met up with family again at the Bushwhacker Museum, which is not only excellent for such a small town, but nicely air conditioned, AND they let us bring in the cat. (I'm sure having an uncle on the Board helped with that.)
We stayed to hear one of the guest presenters, Kelly Schott, who is an expert on funeral customs and clothing of the Civil War era (and a little time on each end). She brought a wonderful display of clothing and period accessories and ephemera from her personal collection. I talked to her for a while before the show about cats, for the usual reason. (Souvenir is very handy as a conversation starter!)
I had promised Mike we would go to the carnival after the talk (which both he and Souvenir sat through without a peep), but about then the forecast thunderstorm was trying to roll in. I didn't feel comfortable letting him ride rides under those conditions, but we found one of those game booths where you buy tokens and slide them down a little chute to where a pushbar is moving back and forth. With a little patience and planning, you can get it to push tokens and prizes over the edge to you.
Mike enjoyed this just as much as he would have the rides. I got a little neon kaleidoscope, and he got a small stuffed giraffe, a compass and a bottle opener shaped like a dolphin, with a shell and some plastic flowers floating inside. AND we did not get rained on OR struck by lightning!
Anyway. We took Souvenir with us to go looking at the train track section of town, and the lot where my grandparents' house used to be, and finally the blocked off square downtown which was full of booths and loud announcers and people. People who stopped me about every ten steps to pet the kitty and more or less politely ask why we were such amazin' fools as to bring a kitty to a loud and hot event. Since we had a good reason, this wasn't TOO much of a hardship. But still.
Eventually we met up with family again at the Bushwhacker Museum, which is not only excellent for such a small town, but nicely air conditioned, AND they let us bring in the cat. (I'm sure having an uncle on the Board helped with that.)
We stayed to hear one of the guest presenters, Kelly Schott, who is an expert on funeral customs and clothing of the Civil War era (and a little time on each end). She brought a wonderful display of clothing and period accessories and ephemera from her personal collection. I talked to her for a while before the show about cats, for the usual reason. (Souvenir is very handy as a conversation starter!)
I had promised Mike we would go to the carnival after the talk (which both he and Souvenir sat through without a peep), but about then the forecast thunderstorm was trying to roll in. I didn't feel comfortable letting him ride rides under those conditions, but we found one of those game booths where you buy tokens and slide them down a little chute to where a pushbar is moving back and forth. With a little patience and planning, you can get it to push tokens and prizes over the edge to you.
Mike enjoyed this just as much as he would have the rides. I got a little neon kaleidoscope, and he got a small stuffed giraffe, a compass and a bottle opener shaped like a dolphin, with a shell and some plastic flowers floating inside. AND we did not get rained on OR struck by lightning!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Oh, wait!
That last update? Thursday. I am obviously having a swell vacation, because I am too tired to tell one day from another....
This pic is from Friday morning, showing Mike in our amazingly soft and comfy Dreamcloud nest.
Friday is the day we went to yard sales and bought cat gear. We did manage to go to that noted tourist mecca, the Fan Museum housed at the Vornado factory in Andover.
Shortly after the post I made from El Dorado, I realized that if we wanted to make it to Fort Scott in time for the last trolley ride of the day at 4 o'clock, we were going to have to hump it, driving straight through at the legal limit.
Despite having to slow way down numerous times because we had the luck to JUST THEN run into the main body of bike racers doing Race Across America, and also despite the headquarters to the trolley ride being VERY badly (as in not at all) marked, we managed to make it there just as the people were leaving the 3 o'clock ride...
...which turned out to be the last one of the day. Yes, the website said their summer hours were 10-4, and the rides were advertised as running hourly, but the LAST ride started at three.
Again we were forced to say OH WELLLL.
But we made it safely the last 20 miles to Nevada, eventually hooked up with the family and got checked in, and thanks to the wonders of wireless, I even got online to get caught up a little with the wider world before falling into a well-deserved air-conditioned sleep.
Tomorrow I will tell about today and then it's off to the jolly reunion!
This pic is from Friday morning, showing Mike in our amazingly soft and comfy Dreamcloud nest.
Friday is the day we went to yard sales and bought cat gear. We did manage to go to that noted tourist mecca, the Fan Museum housed at the Vornado factory in Andover.
Shortly after the post I made from El Dorado, I realized that if we wanted to make it to Fort Scott in time for the last trolley ride of the day at 4 o'clock, we were going to have to hump it, driving straight through at the legal limit.
Despite having to slow way down numerous times because we had the luck to JUST THEN run into the main body of bike racers doing Race Across America, and also despite the headquarters to the trolley ride being VERY badly (as in not at all) marked, we managed to make it there just as the people were leaving the 3 o'clock ride...
...which turned out to be the last one of the day. Yes, the website said their summer hours were 10-4, and the rides were advertised as running hourly, but the LAST ride started at three.
Again we were forced to say OH WELLLL.
But we made it safely the last 20 miles to Nevada, eventually hooked up with the family and got checked in, and thanks to the wonders of wireless, I even got online to get caught up a little with the wider world before falling into a well-deserved air-conditioned sleep.
Tomorrow I will tell about today and then it's off to the jolly reunion!
Catch-up post--Friday
I was very very pleased to check into our room at the Econolodge last night and find out we could hook up to wireless internet. BUT I was severely zosted, so I just read some LJ Flist and jumped into bed.
But now, further details, as interpreted from notes made as I typed at a wooden picnic table by the beam of a flashlight clutched under my chin. Just like the old time pioneers did.
It was quite windy and hot much of the day (Shake and Bake!), as I think I mentioned when I was complaining about the air conditioning giving out on us. Luckily, years of living in southeastern Colorado have given me pretty good wind-rider skills. The trick is to not over-compensate when you unexpectedly drive past any sort of windbreak and abruptly get a reminder that you have been steering into the gale, and suddenly need not.
A few miles from Dodge City there is a small but very neat and pleasant little town called Wright. Since this is Mike's last name, of course we had to go after the photo op.
The picture would be funnier if Mike were taller, but OH WELLLL.
Here's a pic of Souvenir, trying to figure out how to eat a slice of turkey (which is another hint as to how very young he is--we had to give him the crash course in eating and drinking). As you can see, he is a gray tabby. He's a longhair, and has at some point been wulled around by a small dog or a bigger cat, as he has (healed) spots where something grabbed his skin hard enough to remove fur. (No, I don't think it's ringworm, mange or mites--I've seen all those and this isn't any of them.)
Something that amazed me, especially considering his young age (his eyes haven't even lost the baby blue color!) was that he woke us in the night that first night, crying and trying to scrabble out over the glass of the partly opened windows. When I couldn't soothe him, I finally tried putting him out on the ground, intending to follow and find him a snack. But what he had WANTED was OUT. To pee in the dirt of the little drive! TWICE!
That is my idea of a cat with extremely desirable instincts.
But now, further details, as interpreted from notes made as I typed at a wooden picnic table by the beam of a flashlight clutched under my chin. Just like the old time pioneers did.
It was quite windy and hot much of the day (Shake and Bake!), as I think I mentioned when I was complaining about the air conditioning giving out on us. Luckily, years of living in southeastern Colorado have given me pretty good wind-rider skills. The trick is to not over-compensate when you unexpectedly drive past any sort of windbreak and abruptly get a reminder that you have been steering into the gale, and suddenly need not.
A few miles from Dodge City there is a small but very neat and pleasant little town called Wright. Since this is Mike's last name, of course we had to go after the photo op.
The picture would be funnier if Mike were taller, but OH WELLLL.
Here's a pic of Souvenir, trying to figure out how to eat a slice of turkey (which is another hint as to how very young he is--we had to give him the crash course in eating and drinking). As you can see, he is a gray tabby. He's a longhair, and has at some point been wulled around by a small dog or a bigger cat, as he has (healed) spots where something grabbed his skin hard enough to remove fur. (No, I don't think it's ringworm, mange or mites--I've seen all those and this isn't any of them.)
Something that amazed me, especially considering his young age (his eyes haven't even lost the baby blue color!) was that he woke us in the night that first night, crying and trying to scrabble out over the glass of the partly opened windows. When I couldn't soothe him, I finally tried putting him out on the ground, intending to follow and find him a snack. But what he had WANTED was OUT. To pee in the dirt of the little drive! TWICE!
That is my idea of a cat with extremely desirable instincts.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Looking for Miguel and Tulio!
Because Mike and I have successfully found El Dorado. Kansas.
It's not 98 here yet and I think the wind is stopping, so that's good. Last night it was nice to have the wind, as we were sleeping in the car at Cheney (no relation!) State Park. It felt nice and cool all night, and kept the mosquitos away, although I did have a lightning bug land on me. Attracted to my general neonness, I guess.
I am hoping to expand on things and maybe even do some pics later tonight, when we will be in a for-reals motel. But the short version is, yesterday at the little rest area/park in Kinsley, Kansas, we got a Souvenir. That's his name. A possibly as much a 5 weeks old kitten, most likely dumped.
He is taking to being a travellin' man very well. Today we lucked upon (and it really was luck, because I got a little lost and was following directions to find my way back to my itinerary) some yard sales and have now acquired a litter box, scoop, small cat dish, toys and a crate for a total of five bucks! I think that shows this was one of those "meant to be" cats.
Got to go now, cat and boy are playing in the park, awaiting their promised ice cream. And I only have 9 minutes left on the library computer....
It's not 98 here yet and I think the wind is stopping, so that's good. Last night it was nice to have the wind, as we were sleeping in the car at Cheney (no relation!) State Park. It felt nice and cool all night, and kept the mosquitos away, although I did have a lightning bug land on me. Attracted to my general neonness, I guess.
I am hoping to expand on things and maybe even do some pics later tonight, when we will be in a for-reals motel. But the short version is, yesterday at the little rest area/park in Kinsley, Kansas, we got a Souvenir. That's his name. A possibly as much a 5 weeks old kitten, most likely dumped.
He is taking to being a travellin' man very well. Today we lucked upon (and it really was luck, because I got a little lost and was following directions to find my way back to my itinerary) some yard sales and have now acquired a litter box, scoop, small cat dish, toys and a crate for a total of five bucks! I think that shows this was one of those "meant to be" cats.
Got to go now, cat and boy are playing in the park, awaiting their promised ice cream. And I only have 9 minutes left on the library computer....
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Getting out of Dodge
In a few minutes, we will be. Literally. I am typing this from the Dodge City Library's computer lab, enjoying the coolness and lack of wind. Yesterday evening I checked all of Dreamcloud's fluids and topped him up...except the crucial one of freon. We enjoyed about a minute and a half of chilled air blowing on us when we first turned it on--after that it was back to the old standby of opening up the windows and pouring water on ourselves from time to time.
But we are having fun so far. Mike has seen a new railroad company's engines, Cimmaron Valley, so he was tickled. We've done a little bit of exploring, although since we used to drive to Garden City fairly frequently for his orthodontist visits, we kind of know that first 120 miles pretty well. Now we are finally in unknown territory!
I was still working on Caro's computer until I finally gave it up, past midnight (still no joy, but I think the 2Wire tech guy and I have a thing going, and we might have to run away together). So I didn't get some emails answered I was really really intending to answer! Sorry, you guys who know I mean you!
I better hit the trail again and get us OUT of Dodge now. With luck I can post something again later tonight!
But we are having fun so far. Mike has seen a new railroad company's engines, Cimmaron Valley, so he was tickled. We've done a little bit of exploring, although since we used to drive to Garden City fairly frequently for his orthodontist visits, we kind of know that first 120 miles pretty well. Now we are finally in unknown territory!
I was still working on Caro's computer until I finally gave it up, past midnight (still no joy, but I think the 2Wire tech guy and I have a thing going, and we might have to run away together). So I didn't get some emails answered I was really really intending to answer! Sorry, you guys who know I mean you!
I better hit the trail again and get us OUT of Dodge now. With luck I can post something again later tonight!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I NEED a vacation...
...to rest up from getting ready to go on vacation.
Yes, Thursday morning Mr. Mike and I are heading off to a family reunion in Nevada, Missouri, which is timed to coincide not only with Fathers' Day, but with the annual area celebration called Bushwhacker Days. Which I told my mom was false advertising because one, I very much doubted Bush was going to actually be there, and two, those touchy Secret Service guys wouldn't let ya give him a whack if he WAS.
I have been working on getting ready to go, making lists, starting boxes of things to take--you know the drill. It's funny how the more I do, the longer the list gets....
I have been trying to get the new laptop programmed so I can upload a few pictures from the road. I could not find the CD that has the software for the camera, so I got the brilliant idea of uploading the file from THIS computer into the storage space on my website, then downloading it again via the laptop. Except it took really a long time and I ran into some trouble and I got tired and was trying to fix something...and I accidentally DELETED the software that came from the disk that is hiding from THIS computer.
This sucks quite a bit.
I'm going to have a look around for it tomorrow, although I've figured out a lame work-around that will probably DO. Wish I could say the same for Caro's still out of service computer connection. Though at least we are somewhat on the track there. I have gotten some fairly thoughtful replies of things to try from the 2Wire guys, and so I remain hopeful.
I will also probably remain pink at the extremities for a few days. I knocked down a couple bottles of cartridge refill ink, and forgot to pick them up promptly. Climber found the magenta one and decided to taste it...so now she is black and white with some pink splotches, and I have matching ones on my feet from where the ink was seeping into the carpet (no worries there, it's crappy carpet) and on my hands from picking up the poor, wounded bottle.
Think I am going to call it a night.
Yes, Thursday morning Mr. Mike and I are heading off to a family reunion in Nevada, Missouri, which is timed to coincide not only with Fathers' Day, but with the annual area celebration called Bushwhacker Days. Which I told my mom was false advertising because one, I very much doubted Bush was going to actually be there, and two, those touchy Secret Service guys wouldn't let ya give him a whack if he WAS.
I have been working on getting ready to go, making lists, starting boxes of things to take--you know the drill. It's funny how the more I do, the longer the list gets....
I have been trying to get the new laptop programmed so I can upload a few pictures from the road. I could not find the CD that has the software for the camera, so I got the brilliant idea of uploading the file from THIS computer into the storage space on my website, then downloading it again via the laptop. Except it took really a long time and I ran into some trouble and I got tired and was trying to fix something...and I accidentally DELETED the software that came from the disk that is hiding from THIS computer.
This sucks quite a bit.
I'm going to have a look around for it tomorrow, although I've figured out a lame work-around that will probably DO. Wish I could say the same for Caro's still out of service computer connection. Though at least we are somewhat on the track there. I have gotten some fairly thoughtful replies of things to try from the 2Wire guys, and so I remain hopeful.
I will also probably remain pink at the extremities for a few days. I knocked down a couple bottles of cartridge refill ink, and forgot to pick them up promptly. Climber found the magenta one and decided to taste it...so now she is black and white with some pink splotches, and I have matching ones on my feet from where the ink was seeping into the carpet (no worries there, it's crappy carpet) and on my hands from picking up the poor, wounded bottle.
Think I am going to call it a night.
So far, so eh....
Here's the score for our home listeners:
Swimming pool: Tie. Chlorine in any form seems to not be an option without a filter system also working. But I HAVE acquired the correct width of black plastic for a cover/solar heater, and also some spa algaecide that seems to be doing the trick.
Riding lawn mower: WIN! Tires aired up, battery recharged, some weeds mowed! Go me!
Computer: Uh. Query is in to Tech Support at 2Wire. So the ball is still in play there, I guess.
Swimming pool: Tie. Chlorine in any form seems to not be an option without a filter system also working. But I HAVE acquired the correct width of black plastic for a cover/solar heater, and also some spa algaecide that seems to be doing the trick.
Riding lawn mower: WIN! Tires aired up, battery recharged, some weeds mowed! Go me!
Computer: Uh. Query is in to Tech Support at 2Wire. So the ball is still in play there, I guess.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Do not taunt Happy Fun Day!
Did not get much done today, but had lots of fun due to unexpected visitors! Sterling has Lexie riding shotgun in his truck for a week, and they managed to get a load that allowed them to swing through Colorado to see the family.
I forgot I was going to take a picture of Sterling's long hair, but there is still plenty to be seen here.
Mike and Lexie really had fun playing together--this is them tickling each other in the car when we stopped at BJ's for something to drink.
Here's a more traditional and cuter pic of Lexie, taken by Mike when they walked down to see the historic Pike Tower during our visit to the park.
It was just a pleasant, cheerful, chatty catching up day!
I forgot I was going to take a picture of Sterling's long hair, but there is still plenty to be seen here.
Mike and Lexie really had fun playing together--this is them tickling each other in the car when we stopped at BJ's for something to drink.
Here's a more traditional and cuter pic of Lexie, taken by Mike when they walked down to see the historic Pike Tower during our visit to the park.
It was just a pleasant, cheerful, chatty catching up day!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Two out of three is barely acceptable
So here I am FINALLY connected via my laptop to the wireless thingie. I started this nonsense at 3 o'clock. Getting the first computer hooked up only took a couple hours, but Caro's is STILL refusing to accept the regime change....
It's almost midnight so I am going to give it up for today and try again tomorrow.
It's almost midnight so I am going to give it up for today and try again tomorrow.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Time to put in some new bulbs?
Go here and make a pledge to switch to the new improved Compact Fluorescents!
Why Switch?
What costs less than two grande lattes, saves you a bunch of money and helps save the planet?
Compact fluorescent bulbs.
* They screw into ordinary light sockets.
* They give the same light as traditional bulbs.
Replace one 100-watt bulb with a just-as-bright 30-watt compact fluorescent, and cut more than 1,300 pounds of the global warming pollutant carbon dioxide over the life of the bulb. Swap out two bulbs to lower your household emissions by more than a ton!
Lowers your electric bill liek woah, too!
Why Switch?
What costs less than two grande lattes, saves you a bunch of money and helps save the planet?
Compact fluorescent bulbs.
* They screw into ordinary light sockets.
* They give the same light as traditional bulbs.
Replace one 100-watt bulb with a just-as-bright 30-watt compact fluorescent, and cut more than 1,300 pounds of the global warming pollutant carbon dioxide over the life of the bulb. Swap out two bulbs to lower your household emissions by more than a ton!
Lowers your electric bill liek woah, too!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Breeder hit with dead Chihuahua
"ST. PETERS, Missouri (AP) -- A woman angry that her new puppy had died pushed her way into a dog breeder's home and repeatedly hit her on the head with the dead Chihuahua, authorities said.
The 33-year-old woman told police she had taken the puppy to a veterinarian, who said it was only 4 weeks old and needed to be returned to its mother. But before she could return the puppy, it died...."
Keeping in mind we only have the angry ex-pup owner's word that it was in fact too young to be sold...but if the age was correct, I am wondering which person in this case was the bigger freak/idiot?
The 33-year-old woman told police she had taken the puppy to a veterinarian, who said it was only 4 weeks old and needed to be returned to its mother. But before she could return the puppy, it died...."
Keeping in mind we only have the angry ex-pup owner's word that it was in fact too young to be sold...but if the age was correct, I am wondering which person in this case was the bigger freak/idiot?
Friday, June 02, 2006
For my knitter folk
I saw this and thought of several of you, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. I got it from this site:
http://www.plan59.com/blog.htm
where they regularly put neat old ads and images, mainly from ads and magazine covers. This one is totally cute, a hunky 50s lifeguard knitting himself an argyle sock!
http://www.plan59.com/blog.htm
where they regularly put neat old ads and images, mainly from ads and magazine covers. This one is totally cute, a hunky 50s lifeguard knitting himself an argyle sock!
Oneupspersonship
This was to be my follow-up entry to me griping about all the Stuff that has been going on around here. But I was waiting to get the okay from Damaris, and then she wrote it up herself, so here it is.
(The first part is about her having a good day because they closed on their new house without further problems, and how their luck was running unusually high.)
"On the way home, I had stopped to get the girls and me some ice cream and a water. The total came to $6.66. The cashier joked with me and asked if I'd like to buy a candy bar or something else. I said no, I don't believe in stuff like that. :) And I still don't, but it is a bizarre lead in to the next hour. 20 minutes later, Nigel called.
Apparently while driving home on I-76 through construction, our new chaise had somehow slipped loose off the trailer and into traffic. The jeep behind him was able to swerve and miss an accident. The chaise was about 200 ft back before he was even able to pull over. Because Nigel is incredibly sweet, and terribly afraid of me, his first thought was to get back to the chaise and make sure it wasn't injured. :) The lady in the jeep who had to swerve to miss the chaise pulled over to help. The chaise had landed on the other side of the construction zone. They ran back together to go get it. Nigel then hoisted it up on his shoulders and asked the lady to tell him when it was clear to run across traffic. She said "Go." Nigel takes several steps out, she yells, "Wait, come back." And there was a car going at least 55 mph and it hits the chaise, which is on his back, smashes into his head, and sends it flying. Nigel said he felt the car brush against his pant leg. Luckily the chaise was sticking out and that is what the car hit. The chaise went flying again while poor Nigel staggered around in complete shock."
(...)
"I was still on my way home when he called to tell me what had happened. He was trying to tell me what happened while I was driving through the most insane hail storm I've ever seen. It was pretty much like driving through a blizzard. I couldn't see 3 feet in front of me and I was driving though lakes of hail water. In fact, it was so dangerous I had to pull over to talk on the phone.
I spent yesterday evening just crying and hugging Nigel because I can't believe how close we came to losing him...literally an inch. Now that he's calmed down he jokes and says if the car would've hit him. he'd have hurt the car not the other way around. I joke and say I wish I would have just bought the d*mn candy bar!!!
Nigel wants me to tell everyone the chaise is fine!"
That Damaris. Always has to be the head drama llama....
(The first part is about her having a good day because they closed on their new house without further problems, and how their luck was running unusually high.)
"On the way home, I had stopped to get the girls and me some ice cream and a water. The total came to $6.66. The cashier joked with me and asked if I'd like to buy a candy bar or something else. I said no, I don't believe in stuff like that. :) And I still don't, but it is a bizarre lead in to the next hour. 20 minutes later, Nigel called.
Apparently while driving home on I-76 through construction, our new chaise had somehow slipped loose off the trailer and into traffic. The jeep behind him was able to swerve and miss an accident. The chaise was about 200 ft back before he was even able to pull over. Because Nigel is incredibly sweet, and terribly afraid of me, his first thought was to get back to the chaise and make sure it wasn't injured. :) The lady in the jeep who had to swerve to miss the chaise pulled over to help. The chaise had landed on the other side of the construction zone. They ran back together to go get it. Nigel then hoisted it up on his shoulders and asked the lady to tell him when it was clear to run across traffic. She said "Go." Nigel takes several steps out, she yells, "Wait, come back." And there was a car going at least 55 mph and it hits the chaise, which is on his back, smashes into his head, and sends it flying. Nigel said he felt the car brush against his pant leg. Luckily the chaise was sticking out and that is what the car hit. The chaise went flying again while poor Nigel staggered around in complete shock."
(...)
"I was still on my way home when he called to tell me what had happened. He was trying to tell me what happened while I was driving through the most insane hail storm I've ever seen. It was pretty much like driving through a blizzard. I couldn't see 3 feet in front of me and I was driving though lakes of hail water. In fact, it was so dangerous I had to pull over to talk on the phone.
I spent yesterday evening just crying and hugging Nigel because I can't believe how close we came to losing him...literally an inch. Now that he's calmed down he jokes and says if the car would've hit him. he'd have hurt the car not the other way around. I joke and say I wish I would have just bought the d*mn candy bar!!!
Nigel wants me to tell everyone the chaise is fine!"
That Damaris. Always has to be the head drama llama....
