Driving Me Crazy

I tell you computers can really drive a person CRAZY!!!!!! I thought they were supposed to make our lives easier. Our desktop computer crashed. It had an external hard drive that was set up to automatically back up files. But it hasn't made a back up since September!!!!!! Which means all of our Itunes information is GONE! Messing around with Itunes, I discover that we have two accounts. How in the world did we end up with two accounts? So I am trying to recover what I can, but it is killing me. I do not want this headache or responsibility. I have emailed Apple. I am waiting for the emailed response, but I am leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to a dude ranch with Melodye and the Girl Scouts. So I may still be resolving this issue next week, Frustrating I tell you.

The computer problems means that I did not take the pictures I planned. Hopefully I will remember to take the pictures and post them in between packing for our trip tomorrow.

It's Back!!!!!!!!

My laptop is back, but I can't get the upgrade for our Network Magic to install correctly, which means no internet on it. And for some reason Tommy's laptop will not connect to the internet either, even though the Network Magic says that it is connected. Enough to make a sane person scream.

Fingers Crossed

Supposedly, my laptop will be fixed tomorrow and ready for pickup. The part arrived today, so he will be putting back together tomorrow. I can't wait to have it back. I have really missed it.

Tommy's new new laptop should be arriving anytime now, although a snowstorm is supposed to be hitting all day tomorrow, so it may be delayed.

Yesterday, I had a really great day at Walgreens. (photo when the laptop is back) I got:

• 8 Garnier Shampoos
• 8 Garnier Conditioners
• 8 Garnier Styling Products
• 8 Boxes of Quaker Oatmeal
• 1 Garnier Facial Cleansing Towelettes
• 6 Boxes of Benefiber Sticks
• 3 Hersheys/Reeses Candy Bars
  
• 6 Cow Tales

For all of this I paid $o Out of Pocket, of course I have nothing left from my gift card I had left from last month's rebates. But if I did not have the gift card, I would have spent  $28.91 which is a wonderful deal. With coupons and sales, I saved $161.63!!!! Can you believe it? I had to keep looking at the receipts and telling my husband what a deal I got. And Tommy is so great that he knew to answer "Yes dear, You are awesome!" Oh and I still have a $5 Register Reward left.

MIA

My laptop is in the shop. Waiting for a part to be delivered so that it can be fixed. The port where the plug goes in, so essentially the power port, had to be replaced. It is loose and will cause the plug to just fall out and the battery to not stay charged. Real annoying. Trust me.

So no pictures for this post, they are all on the laptop. In the meantime, we went to see Wicked in Chicago on New Years Eve. It was amazing. I was completely blown away. We went to the afternoon showing so we had family and friends over to watch movies and play video games to bring in the new year. Real relaxing which is always good, but I forgot to take any pictures.

The first was spent sleeping off and on. Now today the second we had cousin, Sami, from Iowa come visit and stay the night. I am still trying to get them to sleep and it is 10:30 at night.

Tommy go a refurbished laptop from Costco for Christmas, but he decided 17" is too big so we took it back today and order a smaller one today. He better like this one. (Just joking, sort of, sweetie)

And of course the obligatory New Years Resolutions:

•  Take more pictures. I would like to try taking a picture a day, but I missed Day One, so mayble I will do 364 or have my 365 go until January 1, 2010.
• Get healthy, which includes exercise and healthy eating. And of course making healthier choices including not eating out as much.
• Pay off my student loan and the van. Look into refinancing the house and possibly doing that.Try to control the spending, which has started because of couponing.
  
• Taking Big Picture's Library of Memories class and organizing those pictures so that I will scrapbook more.
• Craft more, doesn't matter what craft, but actually documenting ehat I do make. (Reminds me I need to take pictures of fingerless mitts I made for Mel and a baby bib I finished for the neighbor's new son.)
• Just be happy. Stop letting other people influence my moods. I am tired of being grumpy because the people around me are.
  

First Attempt and Hopefully Last Attempt

This is my try at scheduling a post. Hopefully, I have figured this out so that I can post a little more regularly. This way I will not have to take the time each day, which I don't, but will be able to do a few posts at a time. Here goes nothing.

Computers

Computers drive me crazy. I don't know what happened, but the laptop would not print. The firewall on the desktop was blocking it. Ok easy enough to fix, but due to an identified problem we could not open the firewall. And that is a direct quote. So tried a restore point, but we could not go back any further than Sept. 1. Finally ended up trying to restore back to factory settings, except some of the stuff is still on there but only part way. Which means that I have to go through each thing, see if it works, and uninstall and then reinstall it. Frustrating and time consuming, especially since I can't do more than one program at a time.

Earlier today while I was backing up Itunes, I read this:

Duke Most Wanted by Celeste Bradley

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book in the Heiress Bride series. I really enjoyed this one. I was cheering both characters on expecially since I had become attached to them from reading the other two books. This was a light but extremely enjoyable read.


View all my reviews.

Both girls had soccer games this weekend, but they were cancelled. The only way they could play is if they switched to water polo o had their boats out there. Which was nice because it did free up some time.

Went to Walgreens today and got some great deals. I forgot to take a picture before I put it away. But the lowdown is that the total came to $91.81 before coupons. After coupons I paid $38, recieved $5 register rewards and will receive $16 in rebates. Go me. Now this was a learning trip also concerning the register rewards. If you pay with register rewards, then the new register rewards will not print out. Which means that you should do multiple transactions. I asked so the manager said he would give them to me this time, but only this time which was nice of him. The only problem was that I did remember the one for $5, but not the one for $4.50. But as I said, I am using this as a learning experience.

This Week

I may not be working, but I used more gas this week than usual. : (
Here is why:

• Melodye's swim lessons every morning Monday through Friday.
• Art Lessons 30 minutes away on Thursday
• Thyroid Uptake and Scan for me which means three visits to the hospital 30 minutes away.
• Melodye's follow-up doctor's appointment for her bloody noses
• My doctor's appointment to find out the results for my Thyroid Uptake and Scan. (The results better be ready. I would hate to drive 30 minutes and then find out that a different appointment needs to be scheduled due to the results not being available.)

Tonight I had to order a new power cord for the laptop. There goes $100. The AC power cord is not always registering that it is plugged into the computer so the battery dies on us and the computer is forced into hibernation while we are using it. Highly annoying!!! I think it is the cord. Tommy thinks it is something internally wrong with where the cord plugs into. Let's hope I am right, since it is the cheaper of the two.

I am honestly going to try to post more often since I am on summer break, but as you can see from my list above here, I am still just as busy just without work. Next week I will be going for training on School Plans Tuesday through Friday half days. I am able to go because Tommy is on vacation from school, but not work.

I Did It!!

2008-01-13 Toni's Blanket
Originally uploaded by jlniksich

Here is a photo of Toni's completed blanket with her name added. The photos not that great. I went outside to take the photo but even then it wasn't great because it was an over cast day.

I have met some goals for this month.
* I have completed 10 dishcloths.
* I reset the laptop back to factory settings and it is working wonderfully now!!! I am just exstatic about that.
* I have labeled all of my pictures from October through now.
* I have printed out the photos that I like.
* At school I did about 80% of my filing.
* At school, I consolidated and unpacked two boxes.

It sure does feel goood to have met so many of my goals for the month.

This weekend was a busy one. Mick, Darla, and Sami came into town on Saturday. So we went there to visit. The girls had a blast. Sami ended up staying the night with us. We let the girls stay up late since they don't usually get to spend time with Sami. Then Sunday morning we took Sami back and stayed to visit because Erika, Sean, Logan, Katie, and Tucker also came to visit from Iowa. It was amazing how well the kids played together even though they either don't see each other that often or that had never met before. Then of course we ran errands and went to one of our favorite places Costco. While there we picked up the girls' Easter dresses. Had to get them now before they sell out of the sizes we need.

Tomorrow I do not have work for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. After dropping off the girls I am hopin to get some things done around here. I would like to watch some episodes of Gilmore Girls (just started watching season 1 from the library), knitting, scrapbooking, and organizing the scrapbook room. As you can tell I really want to spend some quality me time. At the same time Tommy doesn't have school so we are going to spend some time together. I think that maybe we should go to Chipotle to eat. That just sounds so yummy right now.

Catch Up

I haven't been near the computer for days. Tommy has used it for homework or Melodye has been on Webkinz. We really, really need to get the laptop up and running again. Figured I would do a quick catch up post.

• I cannot find my little camera. I keep it in my purse. It was not there when I went to use it this weekend. I know I had it after Christmas, but I don't remember when I saw it last. I am still holding out hope of finding it. Although the little gnome or elf that has Melodye's DS probably has my camera.

• Brooke still does not want to sleep. . . . ever!!!!!

• Had a meeting after school today for THREE hours. It actually was a good meeting, just a really long time after working a whole day and on a Monday.

• I now have 7 dishcloths knitted. I am loving knitting the ballband dishcloth pattern. It is super easy.

• I scrapbooked a new layout and used my new portable printer (HPA626) to print out the picture. I know, I know I have plenty of pictures that still need scrapbooked. I just really wanted to get this story down.

Doctor's Visits and Such

I went to the doctor and had my thyroid checked. My thyroid is visibly enlarged and the results came back abnormal, so I will be starting thryoid medication. Here is to hoping that this will take care of some of the problems I have been having like being tired all of the time.

On another note, I think sharing my goals for the month here is going to help me accomplish them easier. It's as if I am being held accountable. For example, I have 4 1/2 dischcolthes completed, I started one scrapbook page, I read one book, I filed 3/4 of my papers at work. All good things I tell you.

Tomorrow my brother has surgery. I am sending good thoughts and prayers his way that the srugery will go along wonderfully, recovery will be fast, and he will still be able to smell now that he finally can. Yes, his surgery is on his nose. It's been broken many, many times. He just did a real number on it this time.

I really need to figure out what is going on with my laptop so that I can start putting pictures in these posts. But it is frustrating me so much that I just don't want to turn it on to even look at it. For right now I am taking a Scarlett Ohara stance "I'll think about it on another day."

New Years Update

New Years has come and gone. I seriously meant to get more things done, but there is not enough time in my day. Don't get me wrong . . . I did get a lot done. I just plan to get more done than is humanly possible.

Over Christmas Break I:

• built a computer desk and filing cabinet
• moved said desk and filing cabinet and set them up
• cleaned out filing cabinet, shredding, updating file folders with all new labels (I should take a picture because it just looks beautiful to me)
• took down Christmas decorations
• organized scrapbooking embellishments that my dear husband was quick to point out were already organized and that I probably will go back to that particular organization
• enjoyed time with my family
• played a lot of Guitar Hero 3 and Wii
• typed up a list of everything each individual student in my class needs to work on and then took that list and retyped it by skill and listed each student under it. This took a lot longer than I thought it would. Isn't that how it always goes.
• Knitted two dishcloths
• almost finished Toni's knitted blanket. I just need to add her name on it and weave in a few ends.
• started getting papers together for taxes
• worked on the computer - still working on it - it's slower than molasses now and I cannot get my favorites, but maybe that will change when the MSN cd comes in the mail
• decided last minute to host New Years Eve (decided night before). My parents, Tommy's parents, Noel, Jill, Maddie, Nonnie, Karlee, Nick, and my kids were there. We had Italian Beefs and spent the night playing Guitar Hero, Wii, and pool. I think we all enjoyed ourselves. And of course having people over motivated us to get more cleaning done that we had planned. : )

New Years Resolutions - I am going to make general resolutions. I think I am going to try instead to make goals for myself for each month.

Resolution 1: Organize scrapbook room - okay reorganize.

Resolution 2: Exercise

Resolution 3: Lose the stress

Now for the goals for January:

Work Related : downsize two boxes, file, clean off back shelf

Knitting related: finish Toni's blanket, finish 10 dishcloths, start Juliet

Scrapbook related: Put pictures in albums, name pictures, save pictures on external hard drive, print out pictures, make something

Reading : Read at least two books

Exercise: At least 12 times (already completed one on 1-1-08)

Update on Computer

I finally got Network Magic working, which I absolutely love. It makes networking so easy. Ends up that I just needed to go to the website to download the newest version of the software. See simple.

Then I tried to get MSN working. No such luck. I keep getting an error message, but I am told there is a fix for it. I download the fix and it tells me that I am raring to go. But no such luck, I get a different error message telling me that a part of the library did not download. I finally called Verizon today (we get our MSN through Verizon). The girl at Verizon told me I am out of luck. I can access MSN through Internet Explorer, but not through the butterfly because they do not have the link. I ask for MSN's number and call them. The automated voice tells me that since I am a Verizon Broadband customer I will be forwarded to Verizon. So at this moment my laptop sits wanting to be used for my internet perusing, but cannot because I am not able to locate my favorites on Internet Explorer.

Christmas was wonderful. I would love to add a picture, but the pictures are on the laptop. I will try anyway, but not promising anything. The family got a Wii. Tommy got Guitar Hero III. We are all loving both. I never thought I would be able to play GH3, but I am loving it just as much as Tommy. Melodye got a Webkinz Pegasus. Brooke got a Train Table. I got a computer desk and a portable photo printer. THose are our favorites. I am trying to include a photo of Melodye as she opened the Wii.

Now to just get all the organizing I want to finish and school stuff I would like to finish before Thursday when I go back to work.

GGRRRRRRRRR Computers

Computers do make your life easier, but then they go and drive you crazy. I discovered Thursday that the DVD-Rom drive on my laptop was not recognizing that anything was in there.

I tried a restore point. Nope didn't fix it.

Tried another restore point. Nope didn't fix it.

Went to try another restore point, but nothing would move at this point. Started computer over. Nope didn't fix it.

Finally decided to take it into Best Buy. They said it would be $100 just to look at it. Nope didn't fix it.

Found a way to start the computer back to factory settings. Nope didn't fix it.

Called HP, luckily it was still under warranty for 13 more days. Stayed on the phone for 1 1.2 hours with Dave at HP. He helped me with getting the DVD-ROM working which involved taking the drive out and putting it back in.

Figured since I was irritated enough, I would switch over to Vista. No problems doing that. But for some reason I cannot get our Network Magic for our Network working. It wants me to connect to the network in order to install. Now that just does not make sense to me. How do you connect to something before it is installed and you are trying to connect wirelessly?