First, I was a tad concerned about seeing the pastor this morning. While I did not want to scratch his eyes out as I have for the last couple of days, I was still upset enough I was afraid I might say something that I might regret. To understand... during the church service I run the projection system where we have lovely backgrounds, the words to the hymns for the day show on screens for those who do not like to open a book, etc. and the pastor uses PowerPoint to move through his sermons, so we usually deal with one another. (I had also noticed that after 7 months, he had misspelled my name in the bulletin.) So, when he showed up, I had finished my stuff with the system... and I just left without saying a word. I guess that is saying something without saying anything. I am still considering not going to the Church Picnic on the 21st, his last official day... if it is as hot as today, it will be because I do not do well in heat these days. But my anger is finally calming down. I really do not want to waste my time being angry when it will change absolutely nothing. So I am better, but not quite there yet. Pray for me!
Today I managed to do something that the Samsung Corporation had told me twice could not be done.
For those of you who do not know, I used to work in the QA (Quality Assurance) Department for a payroll company that processes payroll for little, medium sized and large companies. I was in the area where the software was being developed. My job, when they compiled the new software in a run, was to test the software on a variety of Operating Systems and, once we got Internet based software, on a variety of web browsers. I was to use the software correctly and then pound it with all kinds of wrong entries to make the software break. Far better to work out bugs before it is released than to send it out riddled with flaws and breakdowns. Once it broke once, I needed to continue to make it break until I could determine which action was actually flawed. Sometimes I could even determine a direction needed to make it work.
I have a lovely little Samsung 'Point & Shoot' camera that allows me to send the pictures I have taken directly to my computers via the Internet. It is so much easier than using a card reader and taking the cards in and out of the camera and computer. There is a PC Auto Backup software that acts as the transfer from the camera. I have had it loaded on several of my computers. It was on my Windows 8.1 computer that I updated to Windows 10 and the program runs beautifully.
If you have been reading, you know that I am putting together a lovely little Dell computer to take on trips so I am not dragging my big laptops out where they might get lost or broken. I wanted to get the PC Auto Backup loaded on it so I would not have to do the card in and out thing. But I could not remember how I got it in the first place. So I contacted Samsung Customer Service with a detailed explanation of what I needed.
The first email was obviously the canned response to my inquiry. I was told that my camera was not compatible with Windows 10. So I plugged my camera into my computers and sure enough, the software, which resides in the camera, was not visible. So I wrote back, and asked them to just send me the program, because if I could get it installed, it works on Windows 10. I gave them the number that was the reference from their first response. Their second response was the same canned response with an emphasis on downloading the user manual and follow instructions that would not accomplish what I wanted.
So I sat back and did some more research... like my old QA days. Today something clicked. There is an I-Launcher program that also must run first. I searched the Internet and actually found a link to the I-Launcher software. I sent to link to myself on GMail so I could open it in my little Dell. It opened, installed and this time when I connected the camera, the PC Auto Backup software was right there. I installed that, took a couple of pictures and it works perfectly..... So take that Samsung. I found the work around for this glitch. I am sure you would have preferred I just buy a new camera... but not today!!!
Tonight I made Clams Sauce with Linguine. It was one of those Easy Peasy recipes that came across my email. I just needed two small cans of chopped clams and a box of linguine. The rest is stuff I usually have in the fridge. I altered it some as it called for a lot of mushrooms and, while I love mushrooms, I wanted to taste the clams. I added onions, too, as everything is better with onions. It was delicious. Another keeper!!
So, have a lovely evening. Another week begins!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Still Angry, Sewing and the Dell....
I am still angry today. Tossed and turned late into the night. Found myself eating ice cream out of the carton at 3:00 AM. The nice thing is that I am not alone. Several church members were at Sew Much Love today and they feel betrayed and are in many different stages of anger and madness. I would hate being Randy tomorrow!
Sew Much Love was nice. I was able to articulate the situation and it was freeing to be able to speak the words to others and find I have not gone around the bend. We discussed changes coming to Sew Much Love. We are looking at either continuing doing the pillowcases, doing something different or adding a charity while doing pillowcases, too. There were only 6 ladies here today, so we will let the others know and see what happens.
In the afternoon we made wired headbands and then three of us made little craft stick chaors for our phones. Next meeting we will be making little duffle bags.
I have been working on the little Dell computer. I cannot tell you how happy I am with it. I took it to Sew Much Love today and played music most of the day using a bluetooth speaker. I cannot believe that it only cost me $58.00, rounded up. I have added a wireless mouse, a usb stick with files from the living room desktop. I loaded a virus protection software and the full Office Suite and there is still plenty of room on the little hard drive.
As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the little machine...
Sew Much Love was nice. I was able to articulate the situation and it was freeing to be able to speak the words to others and find I have not gone around the bend. We discussed changes coming to Sew Much Love. We are looking at either continuing doing the pillowcases, doing something different or adding a charity while doing pillowcases, too. There were only 6 ladies here today, so we will let the others know and see what happens.
In the afternoon we made wired headbands and then three of us made little craft stick chaors for our phones. Next meeting we will be making little duffle bags.
I have been working on the little Dell computer. I cannot tell you how happy I am with it. I took it to Sew Much Love today and played music most of the day using a bluetooth speaker. I cannot believe that it only cost me $58.00, rounded up. I have added a wireless mouse, a usb stick with files from the living room desktop. I loaded a virus protection software and the full Office Suite and there is still plenty of room on the little hard drive.
As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the little machine...
I am dreading tomorrow when I have to deal with Randy face to face. He needs to know how we feel and take responsibility for the pain he is causing. In our opinion, he did not handle this at all well and has shaded the truth about the timing as there is no way it could have possibly happened as quickly as he said! The only truth is that hs has slapped all of us in the face, including the two bishops who helped hire him 7 months ago! At least I no longer want to gouge his eyes out.
Friday, July 29, 2016
I am Angry, today.....
I am angry today. It started Wednesday night. And it has evolved to the current angry state. Hopefully it will move on to forgiveness and/or acceptance so I can move forward. But right now I am angry.
I will attempt to explain as briefly as possible, but brevity is not my best asset.
At my church, Parkesburg Mennonite Church, we have been going through a transition. The pastor of 23 years retired last December. A search committee was set up and spent many months deciding on what we were looking for, interviewing candidates and then bringing in their choice for a 'trial' sermon. We liked him very much and saw him as a vehicle into a new and exciting era. He accepted the post, knowing that all we could afford was a part time pastor. He felt confident that he could find a job that would fill in the monetary hole.
He had fresh and interesting sermons. He had wonderful, new ideas. He had grand visions for a full church that could afford a full time pastor.
Wednesday night the two bishops who serve our church, called a congregational meeting. Not many were there as it was called at the last minute. The pastor and his family were there.
They told us that Pastor Randy was leaving and allowed him to read his resignation letter. The pastor told us that he had tried to find other part time work so he could continue being our pastor and that it had not worked out. He indicated that an inquiry from another church had come from out of the blue. He indicated that he had not been looking. He said it all happened so fast, but they were going to be moving to North Carolina. He teared up and many around me were sobbing. I had tears. Our hopes were going up in smoke.
I immediately felt cheated. He had agreed to shepherd us and he was bailing out. He was leaving us, once again hurt and without leadership or direction.
The next day, I spoke to one of the Elders of our church. They had planned to go visit Randy that evening to air out some things that had been left unsaid and we had a chance to talk openly and about things regarding this issue. The Elder had noticed on Facebook that Randy had received a post regarding the fact that his house had already been sold and hoping that the bid on his new house would be accepted. Plus he finally had posted pictures of their trip to Hickory.
So I have been stewing over all of this. Hard as I try to say it did come about in a matter of a week or so, I just cannot fathom that. He had to get the inquiry, then he had to consider it and then make the decision to go and visit the area, meet with the other church, get an offer of employment and work out those details, get his house ready to sell, on the market and sold all the while looking for a place in Hickory and putting an offer in on it. Sorry, that is just way too much to have happened quickly!! This has been in the works for a lot longer than a week or so. He had to have fudged those time lines to make us feel better.
Now that I am looking at things, he had never really taken ownership of this church. He had not even taken time to visit at all of the member's homes. I know that he was only actually, by keeping careful tabs on hours spent in church work, working the 30 hours per week he was being paid for and if he went over, then he skimped the next week. His heart was not into being a true pastor.
So, right now, as more and more comes out, I am angry. I am feeling as though we were used by a man who is lost in his own search. I am feeling that we were only something to help pay his bills until something better came along and that he had never really stopped looking for that full time gig.
So I will be angry and pray for the ability to accept what he did and in time forgive him and move forward. I hope that day comes soon as I do not like being angry, but I am and each day I get madder. But I will move past this and once I turn it all over to God, I will find peace.
In the meantime, forgive me if I seem surly. I am just struggling with my anger at the current situation.
I will attempt to explain as briefly as possible, but brevity is not my best asset.
At my church, Parkesburg Mennonite Church, we have been going through a transition. The pastor of 23 years retired last December. A search committee was set up and spent many months deciding on what we were looking for, interviewing candidates and then bringing in their choice for a 'trial' sermon. We liked him very much and saw him as a vehicle into a new and exciting era. He accepted the post, knowing that all we could afford was a part time pastor. He felt confident that he could find a job that would fill in the monetary hole.
He had fresh and interesting sermons. He had wonderful, new ideas. He had grand visions for a full church that could afford a full time pastor.
Wednesday night the two bishops who serve our church, called a congregational meeting. Not many were there as it was called at the last minute. The pastor and his family were there.
They told us that Pastor Randy was leaving and allowed him to read his resignation letter. The pastor told us that he had tried to find other part time work so he could continue being our pastor and that it had not worked out. He indicated that an inquiry from another church had come from out of the blue. He indicated that he had not been looking. He said it all happened so fast, but they were going to be moving to North Carolina. He teared up and many around me were sobbing. I had tears. Our hopes were going up in smoke.
I immediately felt cheated. He had agreed to shepherd us and he was bailing out. He was leaving us, once again hurt and without leadership or direction.
The next day, I spoke to one of the Elders of our church. They had planned to go visit Randy that evening to air out some things that had been left unsaid and we had a chance to talk openly and about things regarding this issue. The Elder had noticed on Facebook that Randy had received a post regarding the fact that his house had already been sold and hoping that the bid on his new house would be accepted. Plus he finally had posted pictures of their trip to Hickory.
So I have been stewing over all of this. Hard as I try to say it did come about in a matter of a week or so, I just cannot fathom that. He had to get the inquiry, then he had to consider it and then make the decision to go and visit the area, meet with the other church, get an offer of employment and work out those details, get his house ready to sell, on the market and sold all the while looking for a place in Hickory and putting an offer in on it. Sorry, that is just way too much to have happened quickly!! This has been in the works for a lot longer than a week or so. He had to have fudged those time lines to make us feel better.
Now that I am looking at things, he had never really taken ownership of this church. He had not even taken time to visit at all of the member's homes. I know that he was only actually, by keeping careful tabs on hours spent in church work, working the 30 hours per week he was being paid for and if he went over, then he skimped the next week. His heart was not into being a true pastor.
So, right now, as more and more comes out, I am angry. I am feeling as though we were used by a man who is lost in his own search. I am feeling that we were only something to help pay his bills until something better came along and that he had never really stopped looking for that full time gig.
So I will be angry and pray for the ability to accept what he did and in time forgive him and move forward. I hope that day comes soon as I do not like being angry, but I am and each day I get madder. But I will move past this and once I turn it all over to God, I will find peace.
In the meantime, forgive me if I seem surly. I am just struggling with my anger at the current situation.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
A New Travel Computer ...and a New Knee Coming
Yesterday was a day of new things.
I got a new computer to travel with. I am preparing to head out of town, via plane, to visit my son and his wife in Fairbanks, AK followed by a visit my other son in Minneapolis, MN before heading home. I am hoping to travel with as little luggage as I can, but I know how I am, so, even though it is not going to be happening for a while, I have already begun to think about what I will be taking. And for those of you who know me well, stop laughing!!!
Since I love being connected, I knew I would need to take a laptop to go along. I have two. Both are Windows 7 machines. I must preserve my Windows 7 machines as the software that I prefer to use for my embroidery does not run on Windows 10, so I am nervous about taking either of them in case one might get damaged or lost. But I did not want to spend a great deal of money on a new laptop. There are just some things I do not want to do want to do on my IPad. I prefer a Windows computer.
SO I have been looking for a bit at some cheap, bargain laptops. But I could just not bring myself to click the 'buy' button. But I finally did. I had seen on Groupon a refurbished Dell Lattitude computer. Designed for traveling and working in difficult areas like construction and only 10.1 inches wide, it seemed like a nice alternative. Several that I had seen were running full blown Windows 10. A slower processor and a smaller hard drive (160 GB), it was still good to great to take on a plane. No need for it's own bag, it could easily fit into a larger purse.
There were no reviews on Groupon, so I Googled the make and model and here they were also on Amazon... my favorite online retailer. The ones on Amazon were a couple of dollars cheaper and the reviews were excellent. Before clicking the add to cart button, I looked at the little area where Amazon will have used or alternative sellers. Groupon was selling these computers for $90. Amazon was selling them for $87. But under the used, they listed used but refurbed models with the same options as the Groupon computer. That price was $58. So I threw caution to the wind and ordered it. It was being shipped from New Holland, PA, so it arrived in no time. It looks new, no scratches anywhere. I did not get a 160 GB hard drive, the one in my machine was 250GB. Windows 10 and when I signed on using my Microsoft account, my backgrounds on my other Win 10 machines loaded on this one.
I have also been subscribing to the Microsoft Office Suite at a cost of $99 per year. I can load the suite on 5 computers, but I only had 4 that I work with, so it got loaded on this little computer. I copied my Desktop files and many of my shortcuts came over. Logged on to Google and using Chrome, all of my contacts came over and I have access to Goggle Drive where I can move files to access them anywhere I have Internet. So I am set up. It is just the perfect solution at a better than perfect price.
I will get pictures of it later.
My other big news is that I went to see my knee doctor yesterday. They took X-Rays and when Dr. Renz came in, he asked about my issue. Being very proud, I explained that I had been having some issues and thought I should get in to him before it got as bad as the right knee had gotten. With no smile at all, he looked at me and stated, "Well, you missed that mark." My left knee is shot. There were several options, but getting a replacement was the best option. So on October 24th, I will head to Lancaster General Hospital to have the left knee done. This will have it over and done with before the bad weather begins in the winter. Once I finish rehab I will be walking without knee pain for the first time in many many years. I cannot wait!!
There was a meeting at church last night. The bishops called us in. The news was not good, but I will save this topic for it's own blog entry.
In the meantime, I will keep tweaking this computer... I am writing on it as I type....so it is ready to fly with me.
I got a new computer to travel with. I am preparing to head out of town, via plane, to visit my son and his wife in Fairbanks, AK followed by a visit my other son in Minneapolis, MN before heading home. I am hoping to travel with as little luggage as I can, but I know how I am, so, even though it is not going to be happening for a while, I have already begun to think about what I will be taking. And for those of you who know me well, stop laughing!!!
Since I love being connected, I knew I would need to take a laptop to go along. I have two. Both are Windows 7 machines. I must preserve my Windows 7 machines as the software that I prefer to use for my embroidery does not run on Windows 10, so I am nervous about taking either of them in case one might get damaged or lost. But I did not want to spend a great deal of money on a new laptop. There are just some things I do not want to do want to do on my IPad. I prefer a Windows computer.
SO I have been looking for a bit at some cheap, bargain laptops. But I could just not bring myself to click the 'buy' button. But I finally did. I had seen on Groupon a refurbished Dell Lattitude computer. Designed for traveling and working in difficult areas like construction and only 10.1 inches wide, it seemed like a nice alternative. Several that I had seen were running full blown Windows 10. A slower processor and a smaller hard drive (160 GB), it was still good to great to take on a plane. No need for it's own bag, it could easily fit into a larger purse.
There were no reviews on Groupon, so I Googled the make and model and here they were also on Amazon... my favorite online retailer. The ones on Amazon were a couple of dollars cheaper and the reviews were excellent. Before clicking the add to cart button, I looked at the little area where Amazon will have used or alternative sellers. Groupon was selling these computers for $90. Amazon was selling them for $87. But under the used, they listed used but refurbed models with the same options as the Groupon computer. That price was $58. So I threw caution to the wind and ordered it. It was being shipped from New Holland, PA, so it arrived in no time. It looks new, no scratches anywhere. I did not get a 160 GB hard drive, the one in my machine was 250GB. Windows 10 and when I signed on using my Microsoft account, my backgrounds on my other Win 10 machines loaded on this one.
I have also been subscribing to the Microsoft Office Suite at a cost of $99 per year. I can load the suite on 5 computers, but I only had 4 that I work with, so it got loaded on this little computer. I copied my Desktop files and many of my shortcuts came over. Logged on to Google and using Chrome, all of my contacts came over and I have access to Goggle Drive where I can move files to access them anywhere I have Internet. So I am set up. It is just the perfect solution at a better than perfect price.
I will get pictures of it later.
My other big news is that I went to see my knee doctor yesterday. They took X-Rays and when Dr. Renz came in, he asked about my issue. Being very proud, I explained that I had been having some issues and thought I should get in to him before it got as bad as the right knee had gotten. With no smile at all, he looked at me and stated, "Well, you missed that mark." My left knee is shot. There were several options, but getting a replacement was the best option. So on October 24th, I will head to Lancaster General Hospital to have the left knee done. This will have it over and done with before the bad weather begins in the winter. Once I finish rehab I will be walking without knee pain for the first time in many many years. I cannot wait!!
There was a meeting at church last night. The bishops called us in. The news was not good, but I will save this topic for it's own blog entry.
In the meantime, I will keep tweaking this computer... I am writing on it as I type....so it is ready to fly with me.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Another Harvest.....
This was another slow day. There are just periods of time when I just do not feel like moving... and as Miss Marji would say..... that is OK!
I actually slept until 10:30 AM after feeding the dogs at 7:30 AM. It was not solid sleep and the last couple of hours were some more weird dreams. I cannot tell you what the dreams were, just that they were strange and I was actually happy to have wakened.
But when the garden got into some shade, I went out with shears and removed some more beans, some more cherry tomatoes, one small tomato that had ripened and a lovely eggplant. Nibbled on the little tomatoes as I peeled, sliced, dipped in egg and bread crumbs before frying the eggplant. OMG... it was delicious! I am feeling that all of the trouble to get it in was well worth it thus far!! I already am thinking about where I can make it bigger.
Look at today's bounty:
I actually slept until 10:30 AM after feeding the dogs at 7:30 AM. It was not solid sleep and the last couple of hours were some more weird dreams. I cannot tell you what the dreams were, just that they were strange and I was actually happy to have wakened.
But when the garden got into some shade, I went out with shears and removed some more beans, some more cherry tomatoes, one small tomato that had ripened and a lovely eggplant. Nibbled on the little tomatoes as I peeled, sliced, dipped in egg and bread crumbs before frying the eggplant. OMG... it was delicious! I am feeling that all of the trouble to get it in was well worth it thus far!! I already am thinking about where I can make it bigger.
Look at today's bounty:
Tomorrow I see my knee doctor. It will be interesting to see what I have to go through in order to get it fixed. Also have a meeting at church. It was suddenly called and we are a bit concerned about what the bishop will be coming to tell us.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Good Grief it's Hot....
Excessive Heat Warning in this part of the country. Feels like we are well over 100 degrees and in the next day or two it might actually get to that point without indexing in the humidity.
I slept well last night. I knew that eventually I would catch up on the sleep I had lost.
But today was a quiet day. The dogs were only allowed out for a few minutes at a time. And while they usually enjoy lazing around in the yard, today they barely left the porch. I just had them out for the last pee break of the day and while in the dark it is not quite as hot, it is still uncomfortable. I like the warm weather as compared to the cold... but spring and fall temperatures suit me better.
Worked a bit in the dining room, going through the stuff that has piled up on the table. Washed some of the Sew Much Love finished pillowcases. Getting them ready for donation.
So, not a lot of stuff to report today.... other than to say it is H O T .........
I slept well last night. I knew that eventually I would catch up on the sleep I had lost.
But today was a quiet day. The dogs were only allowed out for a few minutes at a time. And while they usually enjoy lazing around in the yard, today they barely left the porch. I just had them out for the last pee break of the day and while in the dark it is not quite as hot, it is still uncomfortable. I like the warm weather as compared to the cold... but spring and fall temperatures suit me better.
Worked a bit in the dining room, going through the stuff that has piled up on the table. Washed some of the Sew Much Love finished pillowcases. Getting them ready for donation.
So, not a lot of stuff to report today.... other than to say it is H O T .........
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Little Sleep and a day at the pool...
Last night sucked. I was up just about every hour on the hour. Perhaps it was the chicken wings. Perhaps it was just the moon. But it made for a long night and a hard morning to crawl out of bed.
But I went to church, Sunday School and helped run the projection system... it worked perfectly.
After church, I came home. Put the dogs out and gathered my swim suit, a towel and the rest of the beans before heading to visit Debby Patton for a pool party and picnic.
The pool was very refreshing, warmer than I might have liked, but still nice. I slathered on the sun screen because I have not been out in the sun for quite a while. Debby and I talked and bounced around the pool. She was expecting her son and his family and there were others who might come, but she was not sure. Soon, two friends of her landlord arrived from a weekend in Rehobeth, followed by her landlord, Nici DiAntonio. Then Kenny, Sherry and the kids arrived, followed by Kim Tait and her father and eventually her mother.
There was a lot of swimming and floating around. A lot of kids splashing, water gun fights as well as cold, frosty beverages and shots being enjoyed by the adults.
Then there was food. Burgers, dogs, sausages, cold salads and my baked beans. If anyone came away hungry it was because they were not trying to enjoy all of the wonderful dishes that were brought together.
Once home, the dogs have not left me alone. I am guessing that they do not realize just how oppressive the heat has been. Poor things were stuck in an air conditioned home.
Relaxed the remainder of the evening. Watched the newest "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" movie on the Hallmark Channel. Watching "Barnwood Builders" as I write. Will fix an ice cream cone before heading to bed! This week is a visit to the Orthopedist to start the process of fixing my left knee. Prayers appreciated!
But I went to church, Sunday School and helped run the projection system... it worked perfectly.
After church, I came home. Put the dogs out and gathered my swim suit, a towel and the rest of the beans before heading to visit Debby Patton for a pool party and picnic.
The pool was very refreshing, warmer than I might have liked, but still nice. I slathered on the sun screen because I have not been out in the sun for quite a while. Debby and I talked and bounced around the pool. She was expecting her son and his family and there were others who might come, but she was not sure. Soon, two friends of her landlord arrived from a weekend in Rehobeth, followed by her landlord, Nici DiAntonio. Then Kenny, Sherry and the kids arrived, followed by Kim Tait and her father and eventually her mother.
There was a lot of swimming and floating around. A lot of kids splashing, water gun fights as well as cold, frosty beverages and shots being enjoyed by the adults.
Then there was food. Burgers, dogs, sausages, cold salads and my baked beans. If anyone came away hungry it was because they were not trying to enjoy all of the wonderful dishes that were brought together.
Once home, the dogs have not left me alone. I am guessing that they do not realize just how oppressive the heat has been. Poor things were stuck in an air conditioned home.
Relaxed the remainder of the evening. Watched the newest "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" movie on the Hallmark Channel. Watching "Barnwood Builders" as I write. Will fix an ice cream cone before heading to bed! This week is a visit to the Orthopedist to start the process of fixing my left knee. Prayers appreciated!
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Gifts from the heart...
Today was a giving day.
The dogs did their normal 7:00 AM wake-up call. They went out and I fed them. I was thinking that I would crawl back into bed and just rest for about 30 minutes and then get up to start my day.
Two and a half hours later, I wake up. Now I am starting my day behind.
So, I grab my coffee and head to Maryland to deliver my "world famous baked beans" to my BFF, Marji. She was having kind of a foggy morning, she may have been napping as I arrived, but we were soon chatting and catching up, even though we talk almost everyday. I was just getting ready to leave when she insisted that we have lunch. She sent Danny out for provolone cheese and then they made the most delightful tomato sandwiches (Marji's signature sandwich) and some of the WF Baked Beans. It was delicious.
I headed home so Marji could sleep. Upon arriving, I found my neighbor to the south of my house out in her yard. As I have been purging through stuff, I had run across a few things I knew I would not be using, so I wanted to give them to her to sell in her yard sale. She has accumulated a lot of 'stuff' herself. She sells it all at the every day yard sale she runs. She needs it to pay the taxes on the 11 acre property that she owns. According to her, she is always delinquent and playing catch-up by selling her stuff. I had not talked to her since before I left for Fancy Gap, so she had a lot to fill me in on.
I left a message with Debby, who had invited me to her pool today and tomorrow and left a message that I would not be coming today but would be there tomorrow.
I then had a call from my friend Jan, who is in the process of packing up everything she owns and moving from Rockville, MD to Tucson, AR at the end of August. She has been having difficulties with her only daughter and had determined to move to Tucson to be near her family as her brother lives there. The daughter is not making it any easier and she is looking forward to having the entire move done. I am guessing that there will be some mini meltdowns during the next several weeks. It is an emotional time for her, breaking ties with her daughter, her only child. And I will be there for her. And I hope I will have a chance to go out and visit her once she gets settled.
I made baked hot wings for supper and cooked a couple of ears of corn. Tomorrow I will go to Debby's after church with a few WF Baked Beans for a swim party with her son's family.
I did a quick dash to WalMart to get snacks for coffee hour at church and also picked up some Breyers Salted Caramel Ice Cream and some Breyers Snickers flavored ice cream, along with a box of ice cream cones. Marji and Danny give me an ice cream come for dessert today with Blue Bunny Salted Caramel ice cream. I looked at my WalMart for it, but the only Salted Caramel was Breyers. I tried the Snickers in a cone tonight. I had not had cones for a long time and they tasted very nice. Plus, it will make my ice cream last longer by eating lees of it at a sitting. That is a good thing!
Almost time for bed and another super hot day tomorrow.
The dogs did their normal 7:00 AM wake-up call. They went out and I fed them. I was thinking that I would crawl back into bed and just rest for about 30 minutes and then get up to start my day.
Two and a half hours later, I wake up. Now I am starting my day behind.
So, I grab my coffee and head to Maryland to deliver my "world famous baked beans" to my BFF, Marji. She was having kind of a foggy morning, she may have been napping as I arrived, but we were soon chatting and catching up, even though we talk almost everyday. I was just getting ready to leave when she insisted that we have lunch. She sent Danny out for provolone cheese and then they made the most delightful tomato sandwiches (Marji's signature sandwich) and some of the WF Baked Beans. It was delicious.
I headed home so Marji could sleep. Upon arriving, I found my neighbor to the south of my house out in her yard. As I have been purging through stuff, I had run across a few things I knew I would not be using, so I wanted to give them to her to sell in her yard sale. She has accumulated a lot of 'stuff' herself. She sells it all at the every day yard sale she runs. She needs it to pay the taxes on the 11 acre property that she owns. According to her, she is always delinquent and playing catch-up by selling her stuff. I had not talked to her since before I left for Fancy Gap, so she had a lot to fill me in on.
I left a message with Debby, who had invited me to her pool today and tomorrow and left a message that I would not be coming today but would be there tomorrow.
I then had a call from my friend Jan, who is in the process of packing up everything she owns and moving from Rockville, MD to Tucson, AR at the end of August. She has been having difficulties with her only daughter and had determined to move to Tucson to be near her family as her brother lives there. The daughter is not making it any easier and she is looking forward to having the entire move done. I am guessing that there will be some mini meltdowns during the next several weeks. It is an emotional time for her, breaking ties with her daughter, her only child. And I will be there for her. And I hope I will have a chance to go out and visit her once she gets settled.
I made baked hot wings for supper and cooked a couple of ears of corn. Tomorrow I will go to Debby's after church with a few WF Baked Beans for a swim party with her son's family.
I did a quick dash to WalMart to get snacks for coffee hour at church and also picked up some Breyers Salted Caramel Ice Cream and some Breyers Snickers flavored ice cream, along with a box of ice cream cones. Marji and Danny give me an ice cream come for dessert today with Blue Bunny Salted Caramel ice cream. I looked at my WalMart for it, but the only Salted Caramel was Breyers. I tried the Snickers in a cone tonight. I had not had cones for a long time and they tasted very nice. Plus, it will make my ice cream last longer by eating lees of it at a sitting. That is a good thing!
Almost time for bed and another super hot day tomorrow.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Old Friend, Old machine, Windows 10 and a visit....
It was a busy Friday. Up around 8 AM. Showered and dressed. Put clean dishes away, straightened up the kitchen a bit. Lugged some bags to the sewing room. Picked and sorted some things in the living room before an old friend arrived.
Jane Hallman became my friend during my divorce back in the early 80's. She let me be her companion on my first venture out into the dating world and was with me when I met Rudy. I was at her wedding to Jack Wright and grieved with her when he died. She has since married again and we have kept in touch. She had texted me on Facebook to see if I would be interested in a vintage Kenmore sewing machine in a cabinet with a sewing chair. I told her I would happily take it and if no one from Sew Much Love would be into it, I might add it to my vintage sewing machine collection. So Jane brought it down from Phoenixville and after working at her brother's church here in Parkesburg, she came to the house. We chatted and caught up on our lives. What was nice was that the chatter was easy and light, as if it had just been a couple of weeks rather than multiple years. We then got the machine and cabinet and chair out of her car and she headed home.
I then finished working on converting song lyrics to the format that our projection system can present to the church on Sunday and went down to Parkesburg Mennonite Church. I fired up all of the equipment. Fingers crossed and everything booted up and ran. Added the song, set up the song order and tested PowerPoint, everything is ready for Sunday.
In the meantime all day I am baking yet another batch of homemade baked beans. My BFF Marji loves my baked beans. They were at the Amish Fireworks last weekend and I know she had hoped to take some leftovers home to enjoy. Alas, there were no leftovers. So, since her birthday was this week, I made a batch and am going to take them to her tomorrow. She will be thrilled.
Just after 6 PM, I headed to Thorndale to visit with one of my other BFFs. She had received a disturbing letter from a family member that she is estranged from. So I went down to make sure she was OK and help her talk through things. She appreciated my visit and I headed home so she could head to a movie that she was looking forward to watching. I had to get home to tend to my beans so I would not burn them.
It was an excellent day. Got a little work done and visited a great deal with friends. Perfect day, in my book!!
Jane Hallman became my friend during my divorce back in the early 80's. She let me be her companion on my first venture out into the dating world and was with me when I met Rudy. I was at her wedding to Jack Wright and grieved with her when he died. She has since married again and we have kept in touch. She had texted me on Facebook to see if I would be interested in a vintage Kenmore sewing machine in a cabinet with a sewing chair. I told her I would happily take it and if no one from Sew Much Love would be into it, I might add it to my vintage sewing machine collection. So Jane brought it down from Phoenixville and after working at her brother's church here in Parkesburg, she came to the house. We chatted and caught up on our lives. What was nice was that the chatter was easy and light, as if it had just been a couple of weeks rather than multiple years. We then got the machine and cabinet and chair out of her car and she headed home.
I then finished working on converting song lyrics to the format that our projection system can present to the church on Sunday and went down to Parkesburg Mennonite Church. I fired up all of the equipment. Fingers crossed and everything booted up and ran. Added the song, set up the song order and tested PowerPoint, everything is ready for Sunday.
In the meantime all day I am baking yet another batch of homemade baked beans. My BFF Marji loves my baked beans. They were at the Amish Fireworks last weekend and I know she had hoped to take some leftovers home to enjoy. Alas, there were no leftovers. So, since her birthday was this week, I made a batch and am going to take them to her tomorrow. She will be thrilled.
Just after 6 PM, I headed to Thorndale to visit with one of my other BFFs. She had received a disturbing letter from a family member that she is estranged from. So I went down to make sure she was OK and help her talk through things. She appreciated my visit and I headed home so she could head to a movie that she was looking forward to watching. I had to get home to tend to my beans so I would not burn them.
It was an excellent day. Got a little work done and visited a great deal with friends. Perfect day, in my book!!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Windows Upgrade and First Harvest
Woke up this morning and already had over 3,000 steps on my Fitbit. According to the recorded data, I was quite active between 8 AM and 9 AM. As far as I can tell I was sleeping. These little 'bits' that 'count' steps are not perfect. If I sit in my chair and swing my right arm, it thinks I am walking. From time to time I will find I have been doing things in my sleep. I know I was sleeping... this morning I had wakened and turned the vibrating in my bed. I was asleep and dreaming, some really strange dreams. Unsettling dreams, as they were about people from my past and living in strange places and difficult interactions with those people. I was happy to wake up and then wondering what I was actually doing besides being curled up in my 'amusement park' bed.
Today was a good day. I did not get a great deal accomplished here at home. I did, however, have more fun with computers. I went to the church a little after noon. It had been determined that we should take advantage of the free upgrade from Microsoft to Windows 10 on the media laptop in the sanctuary. That offer is ending at the end of July. So I went in, kicked off the upgrade and then spent some time talking to Pastor Randy about a couple of programs that I am involved in. Headed back upstairs and the Upgrade was almost done. I watched as things finished up, turned on the projectors to the screens and the first one started flickering and acting like a strobe light. It would not turn off with the remote, it would not turn off with the emergency stick to the on/off button. It just sat there and flickered.
I was beginning to sweat, my body's reaction to stress. I was afraid that perhaps Windows 10 would not work with the projectors. Or some professional tweaking might be needed. But, bottom line, I had to get the projector shut down. So I called Nelson, one of the Elders and the person who comes in and fixes everything. He came and got up on a tall step ladder, unplugged the projector. Then we rebooted the computer, turned the projectors back on and they booted up just fine and everything projected. I will go back in tomorrow with the songs list for Sunday and try it all again, just to be sure.
Then I came home and did my first veggie harvest. I picked half of the bean plants and got in the little grape (but they look more like cherry) tomatoes, This is what I ended up with:
Not a bad first harvest. It has been a long time since I had a vegetable garden. I have not pinched off the suckers on the tomatoes, so I will have more tomatoes but they will be smaller. While I thought I had spaced things OK, I will need to enlarge the garden next year to spread things out. My poor peppers are lost in the tomatoes. But the eggplant is managing to survive. In fact, there is an eggplant that is close to being ready to be picked and at least three more growing. And the regular tomatoes are showing signs of ripening. Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches are in my near future.
I cooked only half of the picked beans, just had the little tomatoes to eat along with some Hamburger Helper. The fresh veggies were picked and on my plate in 90 minutes. They were so, very tasty!!! Look at the finished plate!!!
Today was a good day. I did not get a great deal accomplished here at home. I did, however, have more fun with computers. I went to the church a little after noon. It had been determined that we should take advantage of the free upgrade from Microsoft to Windows 10 on the media laptop in the sanctuary. That offer is ending at the end of July. So I went in, kicked off the upgrade and then spent some time talking to Pastor Randy about a couple of programs that I am involved in. Headed back upstairs and the Upgrade was almost done. I watched as things finished up, turned on the projectors to the screens and the first one started flickering and acting like a strobe light. It would not turn off with the remote, it would not turn off with the emergency stick to the on/off button. It just sat there and flickered.
I was beginning to sweat, my body's reaction to stress. I was afraid that perhaps Windows 10 would not work with the projectors. Or some professional tweaking might be needed. But, bottom line, I had to get the projector shut down. So I called Nelson, one of the Elders and the person who comes in and fixes everything. He came and got up on a tall step ladder, unplugged the projector. Then we rebooted the computer, turned the projectors back on and they booted up just fine and everything projected. I will go back in tomorrow with the songs list for Sunday and try it all again, just to be sure.
Then I came home and did my first veggie harvest. I picked half of the bean plants and got in the little grape (but they look more like cherry) tomatoes, This is what I ended up with:
Not a bad first harvest. It has been a long time since I had a vegetable garden. I have not pinched off the suckers on the tomatoes, so I will have more tomatoes but they will be smaller. While I thought I had spaced things OK, I will need to enlarge the garden next year to spread things out. My poor peppers are lost in the tomatoes. But the eggplant is managing to survive. In fact, there is an eggplant that is close to being ready to be picked and at least three more growing. And the regular tomatoes are showing signs of ripening. Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches are in my near future.
I cooked only half of the picked beans, just had the little tomatoes to eat along with some Hamburger Helper. The fresh veggies were picked and on my plate in 90 minutes. They were so, very tasty!!! Look at the finished plate!!!
Yummy, yummy.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
A Dogs Day...
My days have been full of many things. Nothing special, just staying busy.
Today I had to set my alarm clock. I needed to have Winston at the Groomers by 9:00 AM which has become my normal getting out of bed time. I never sleep through to 9:00 AM. Miles has a very good internal clock. He either needs to go out or he is hungry... or both. This happens between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM... generally in the 7:00 AM area. This morning it was closer to 6:30 PM.
Winston's groomer used to be in Parkesburg. Now they are outside of Cochranville, on a horse farm, in a shed. So the quick 8 minute ride is now more like 15 minutes. But it is all back country roads. Just so you know, the corn in Chester County is doing really, really well.
I left Miles at home. He needs to learn how to be on his own from time to time. Little did he know that when I got home, he was going to get a bath, too. He was delighted to see me. I checked email, which led him into a false sense of security. But finally, I got up and we headed into the bathroom and got everything ready.
I had hoped that I would have been able to bathe him in the kitchen sink, but my kitchen sink is a double sink and he is just a tad too long for it. If I were to bathe him there, I would be cleaning up water and shampoo from everywhere. So he gets bathed in the tub.
Even though his skin has been much improved since Fancy Gap, when I got him he had a very bad staph infection on his skin as well as in his ears. But my wonderful vets worked with us until it was all cleared up. But I decided to do this bath with the anit-bacterial shampoo to make sure there was nothing lingering under his long, silky fur. So, he was washed and then rolled all over the living room, trying to get dry. It was really quite the show. Next time, I will try to catch it on video.
Winston was home by noon and looks very handsome. I replaced his Thundershirt by mid-afternoon. He has been having some anxiety attacks. Again, working with my vets, we have several levels of care when he gets them. But what I have discovered is that he is one of the dogs that has a very positive response to the Thundershirt. It calms him down without needing any medication. I have an original Thundershirt. I ordered a second one which arrived today. It is made of a thinner fabric than the original. Perfect weight for summer. I take it off from time to time to let his fur/skin breathe but when he starts pacing, I put it back on and he stops pacing and plays with his toys and sleeps peacefully.
The rest of the day was more sorting and purging. I do this from time to time. When I combined all of the stuff from the Maryland house to this house after Rudy died, I was overwhelmed with stuff. But I went through each room and got things in some sort of order. Then I made the sewing room and it got better. This is the third sorting and purging. I will be traveling this September and there will be a dog/house sitter in the house for two weeks, so I am trying to make it a little less cluttered.
So far, so good!!!
Today I had to set my alarm clock. I needed to have Winston at the Groomers by 9:00 AM which has become my normal getting out of bed time. I never sleep through to 9:00 AM. Miles has a very good internal clock. He either needs to go out or he is hungry... or both. This happens between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM... generally in the 7:00 AM area. This morning it was closer to 6:30 PM.
Winston's groomer used to be in Parkesburg. Now they are outside of Cochranville, on a horse farm, in a shed. So the quick 8 minute ride is now more like 15 minutes. But it is all back country roads. Just so you know, the corn in Chester County is doing really, really well.
I left Miles at home. He needs to learn how to be on his own from time to time. Little did he know that when I got home, he was going to get a bath, too. He was delighted to see me. I checked email, which led him into a false sense of security. But finally, I got up and we headed into the bathroom and got everything ready.
I had hoped that I would have been able to bathe him in the kitchen sink, but my kitchen sink is a double sink and he is just a tad too long for it. If I were to bathe him there, I would be cleaning up water and shampoo from everywhere. So he gets bathed in the tub.
Even though his skin has been much improved since Fancy Gap, when I got him he had a very bad staph infection on his skin as well as in his ears. But my wonderful vets worked with us until it was all cleared up. But I decided to do this bath with the anit-bacterial shampoo to make sure there was nothing lingering under his long, silky fur. So, he was washed and then rolled all over the living room, trying to get dry. It was really quite the show. Next time, I will try to catch it on video.
Winston was home by noon and looks very handsome. I replaced his Thundershirt by mid-afternoon. He has been having some anxiety attacks. Again, working with my vets, we have several levels of care when he gets them. But what I have discovered is that he is one of the dogs that has a very positive response to the Thundershirt. It calms him down without needing any medication. I have an original Thundershirt. I ordered a second one which arrived today. It is made of a thinner fabric than the original. Perfect weight for summer. I take it off from time to time to let his fur/skin breathe but when he starts pacing, I put it back on and he stops pacing and plays with his toys and sleeps peacefully.
The rest of the day was more sorting and purging. I do this from time to time. When I combined all of the stuff from the Maryland house to this house after Rudy died, I was overwhelmed with stuff. But I went through each room and got things in some sort of order. Then I made the sewing room and it got better. This is the third sorting and purging. I will be traveling this September and there will be a dog/house sitter in the house for two weeks, so I am trying to make it a little less cluttered.
So far, so good!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Updating my Internet
Been a long time. I have really gotten away from writing. A really good friend of mine told me I was letting her down by not keeping up with my stories. From the dashboard, I can see that there are very few people who are checking the site. I also have found that by not writing, I was letting some things get under my skin instead of letting them go, so I am going to be doing a better job of writing. Hopefully!!
Yesterday I had to do a lot of work on the Internet connection here in my house. I had gotten an enticement from Verizon to up the speed of my connection to the maximum that they are currently offering. It would include the new "Quantum Gateway" Router and would only increase my cost by $15.00 per month. I had questions, so I called the 800 number in the letter.
The young lady was very helpful. She explained everything slowly and completely and in several different ways, just to be sure that I understood. Then she went into my account, they usually do, and announced that in December I would be renewing my contract with them and my rate was going up by $25.00 a month. "Great", I think, "A total of $40 per month in December!" But this lovely young lady (and her supervisor listening in) offered me a deal.... keep my monthly rate at it's current level if I renew now. The only thing that will change is that all of the movie channels that were my 'gift' when I signed up two years ago will disappear. No big deal.... I think I have looked at three movies on HBO in the last year and a half! Just keep my DIY channels and wherever NASCAR is broadcast and I am a happy camper!
So, I agreed, and I received my new router yesterday. It was up to me to install the thing.
For most people, that would not be hard. Follow the directions on the card, attach your desktop to the router... done.
I am not most people!
Once the living room desktop was connected, I went to the basement and restarted to TP Link access point that I had to use to get the wireless signal to the basement and my sewing room. Gratefully, it was hard wired to the new router, so it rumbled around a little bit and, voila, any device that had been connected to the TP Link Access Point was now connected to the new network. So the Wink Hub was connected, the lights were connected to the Hub and my Amazon Echo was connected to the network. I can still turn on and off six (6) different lights in the house just using my voice. Five of the eight IP Cameras that broadcast live from my house were connected directly to the router or the access point, so I only had to reconnect three, that were wireless, to the network. That required them to be hard wired at the router, reset to the new network and then reinstalled. Easy Peasy.
I took my signal extender that is in the bedroom and reset it to factory settings. The we searched for the new network, punched the WPS buttons and it was connected. Now I can connect some items to the network in the bedroom much more easily. My little house is close to 100 years old. There is a lot of plaster and lathe, cinder blocks, etc. that tend to block modern wireless signals. So the extender and the Access Points are needed to send the signal throughout my house. Although the new router seems to have a stronger signal than the old one. Either way, there are signals all over my house now.
The final major task was to get the IP Cameras to broadcast from the Blue Iris software and stream live from my special web address. Try hard as I could, I could not make it happen. I made sure that the new IP address was where it needed to be, and still nothing. Thank goodness for my brother, who was very patient and walked me step by step until we realized I had forgotten to set port forwarding within my firewall for it to work. Once we got that hole punched into my firewall and rebooted the router, I was back online.
Just a few more little things like my Amazon Fire TV and my phone, and it was done. I am sure I will be finding a few things that remain to be changed, but I was up and running by bedtime and since the router did not arrive until around 5:00 PM, I think I did well!
Chalk up one for the old lady!!!
Yesterday I had to do a lot of work on the Internet connection here in my house. I had gotten an enticement from Verizon to up the speed of my connection to the maximum that they are currently offering. It would include the new "Quantum Gateway" Router and would only increase my cost by $15.00 per month. I had questions, so I called the 800 number in the letter.
The young lady was very helpful. She explained everything slowly and completely and in several different ways, just to be sure that I understood. Then she went into my account, they usually do, and announced that in December I would be renewing my contract with them and my rate was going up by $25.00 a month. "Great", I think, "A total of $40 per month in December!" But this lovely young lady (and her supervisor listening in) offered me a deal.... keep my monthly rate at it's current level if I renew now. The only thing that will change is that all of the movie channels that were my 'gift' when I signed up two years ago will disappear. No big deal.... I think I have looked at three movies on HBO in the last year and a half! Just keep my DIY channels and wherever NASCAR is broadcast and I am a happy camper!
So, I agreed, and I received my new router yesterday. It was up to me to install the thing.
For most people, that would not be hard. Follow the directions on the card, attach your desktop to the router... done.
I am not most people!
Once the living room desktop was connected, I went to the basement and restarted to TP Link access point that I had to use to get the wireless signal to the basement and my sewing room. Gratefully, it was hard wired to the new router, so it rumbled around a little bit and, voila, any device that had been connected to the TP Link Access Point was now connected to the new network. So the Wink Hub was connected, the lights were connected to the Hub and my Amazon Echo was connected to the network. I can still turn on and off six (6) different lights in the house just using my voice. Five of the eight IP Cameras that broadcast live from my house were connected directly to the router or the access point, so I only had to reconnect three, that were wireless, to the network. That required them to be hard wired at the router, reset to the new network and then reinstalled. Easy Peasy.
I took my signal extender that is in the bedroom and reset it to factory settings. The we searched for the new network, punched the WPS buttons and it was connected. Now I can connect some items to the network in the bedroom much more easily. My little house is close to 100 years old. There is a lot of plaster and lathe, cinder blocks, etc. that tend to block modern wireless signals. So the extender and the Access Points are needed to send the signal throughout my house. Although the new router seems to have a stronger signal than the old one. Either way, there are signals all over my house now.
The final major task was to get the IP Cameras to broadcast from the Blue Iris software and stream live from my special web address. Try hard as I could, I could not make it happen. I made sure that the new IP address was where it needed to be, and still nothing. Thank goodness for my brother, who was very patient and walked me step by step until we realized I had forgotten to set port forwarding within my firewall for it to work. Once we got that hole punched into my firewall and rebooted the router, I was back online.
Just a few more little things like my Amazon Fire TV and my phone, and it was done. I am sure I will be finding a few things that remain to be changed, but I was up and running by bedtime and since the router did not arrive until around 5:00 PM, I think I did well!
Chalk up one for the old lady!!!
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