Yesterday Craziness and Blogger Issues

 

View from our first campfire of 2014, Sunday evening

 

Dave had an evening doctor’s appointment for 6:45 PM yesterday.  Right around 6 PM, my iPhone croaked.  Buttons and display nonfunctioning.  Fine.  Figured I’d drop Dave off here at home after his appointment and then boogie over to Radio Shack in the mall for a replacement.  The phone was over two years old and I guess it just chose that moment to call it quits.

Right about that time, the power in the office (and the rest of the mill) went out.  Concerned that it might be widespread and we would lose power to our rig, I needed to reschedule the doctor appointment.  (We did not want to leave Maggie in an increasingly hot RV should it lose power.)  That meant, of course, I had to try to find the number of the clinic the old fashioned way, because my phone was dead and the number was stored in there.  Finally found the number and called the clinic.

Guess what?  They didn’t even have him on the schedule.  Well!

Snagged an appointment for him this afternoon and then headed over to Radio Shack.  Why RS versus the AT&T store in the same mall?  Would you believe the AT&T store can’t do anything for me because I have a Texas number and they are not a national store branch.  Really?  Experienced that shortly after we arrived here in 2011; Radio Shack has had my biz ever since.  The guys there are friendly, helpful and know their stuff.

I was eligible for an upgrade on my iPhone at a significantly discounted price and RS happened to have a sale going on top of that.  Long and short, I made out like a bandit with a new iPhone 5S.  Of course, this version is slightly bigger and the charging cord connection is slightly different, so that meant new Otter Box and a new second cord for the truck.  Still, I came out way ahead of the game.  Got three $10 coupons, so I’ll be headed back in the next day or two for a replacement wireless keyboard.  This one is ready for retirement, the same one is on sale at RS and I have a coupon.  Whoohoo!

RadioShack as a company is apparently bleeding and there are hundreds of stores slated for closure.  I bet this one will soon be gone, which is unfortunate.  The mall changed hands a few months ago and most of the stores are gone. 

My phone is charged but I still can’t download the latest iOS version or my apps from the Cloud because I need to be on a wireless network.  Don’t have a wireless network because the modem and router are down because I don’t have power in the office.  Oh well, at least our electrician got the well pump working this morning.  He’ll be back this afternoon to get power back on line.

Hopefully.

Our RV is on a different power line, so we’re thankful we have power to our rig.

Blogger Issues

For probably at least a couple of months, my blog reading list does not automatically load.  I have to reload the page to get blogs to show up, sometimes having to reload more than once.   Over the weekend, I started seeing only the most recently updated blog in my reading list.  Looking at Blogger’s help forums, this is apparently a widespread issue.  The last response from Blogger was about a week ago, indicating they are aware of the problem and working on it.

I can call up individual blogs from the list on the left and read them, but I tend to not get around to that.  Well, especially this past week with all the technology surprises I’ve been tackling.  So!  If I’m not commenting on your blog these days, hopefully I’ll get back to it soon.

I’ve been playing with WordPress a bit again.  My Scotland blog resides there and I’ve been reading some of those entries again, taking a wee stroll down memory lane and the awesome Winter I spent in that bonnie land.  The blog photos did not export to WP and that’s a real shame, but at least the text is there and I do still have the photos on my computer.

Will I switch to WP?  Probably not, as my “community” is Blogger-based.  When I say “community,” I’m not referring to followers of my blog but rather those bloggers whom I follow.  You all feel like neighbors, friends.  LiveWriter works on both platforms, so . . . we’ll see.  I may experiment with posting on both sites for a while, just for giggles.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

What’s In Store This Week?

 

I’m thinking perhaps this week will be a bit quieter than last, although it is early yet, eh?

The work week ended in a whirl last week.  We had been having some Internet issues and, after talking with our IP, it sounded like our router was the culprit.  Thursday morning I began the process of installing a new wireless router . . . only to be interrupted in mid-morning by a quick trip to the vet with Maggie.  She had a “spot” on her belly which looked most like a bite of some sort, but wanted to be sure it was no cause for alarm.

Turns out it indeed was nothing.  Our dynamite vet got her seen quickly and didn’t charge for the visit.  Figured I might as well stock up on her food while I was there.  She has been on prescription food since her episode last month.  Have tried to transition her back to her regular food, but that was unsuccessful.  Oh well.  If this is what agrees with her for now, so be it.  In the area and need a vet?  I’ll steer you to Spring Mills Veterinary Hospital.

Okay, back home and to our regularly scheduled programming.  Router installed and my laptop, Dave’s laptop, my iPhone, router extender in the rig and our Wii console all online.  Printer?  Printer?  Oops.  It would not connect.  After troubleshooting most of the afternoon, realizing it wasn’t gonna happen and then researching printers,  I found myself at Best Buy around 5 PM picking up an HP Envy 4500.

Meet Hal, the newest addition to my office

Why a name?  Why “Hal”?  Well, both old and new printers use 61 ink cartridges.  Took the ones out of the old printer and popped ‘em in Hal.  Hal responds (text only, of course) that these were from an older generation machine and would I please replace with newer cartridges?  What?  They are 61s and the same ones that I’d get if I bought new  . . . how the heck did you recognize that they came from the old printer?  Creepy.  Hal it is, then.

Long and short is that Thursday evening was spent attempting to get Hal and Dave’s laptop (an Asus) to converse.  They simply refused to speak to one another.  Hal was installed correctly and completely on the Asus and was recognized as the default printer; however, Hal refused to accept and produce anything the Asus had to offer. 

Fine.  I went to bed.

A couple of hours Friday morning resulted in getting the old HP printer uninstalled from the Asus and then reinstalled as a local printer.  Connected those two via USB cord and voila!  We have printed material!   On researching and hearing stories of others with the same issues, I’m led to believe it is a Windows issue, specifically Win 8.1.  Sheesh.

The up side is that getting the old HP into Dave’s part of the office frees up an enormous amount of space on my desk.  Nice.  It’s much less constricted, open and free of “stuff.”

I can also print from my iPhone to Hal, which is sort of nifty.  Not sure how often I’ll use that, but I guess it might come in handy sometimes.

Tickled that I did all this without calling Geek Squad and getting outside technical help.

Back in the early 1990s, I did hardware and software beta testing for Apple in Houston.  For years I worked from home in medical billing and as a medical transcriptionist and had to be able to troubleshoot and fix issues.    I’ve set up systems and networks, installed software, etc.  These tasks are even easier now, as virtually everything is plug-and-play.  I know how this stuff is supposed to work.  When something doesn’t, I’m the proverbial terrier wrestling with something.  My teeth sink in and I’m reluctant to let go until it’s resolved.

These lilies finally bloomed

Found out late Friday afternoon that a piece of equipment would be picked up early Saturday morning.  I always make out a bill of lading and take a photograph of whatever is leaving once it’s loaded on the truck.  So!  My alarm was set for 6 AM and I actually managed to crawl out of bed, although I was still sleeping for the first 15 minutes of being on my feet.  Ha! 

Dave went with me to the little farmers market up the road later Saturday morning and scored a couple of nice tomatoes.  Me?  I got two more walnut chocolate-chip cookies.

Got a kick from watching Momma Groundhog and little ones

Moving ahead to Sunday . . . having taken care of personal business (paying bills, doing paperwork, etc.) and other chores the day before, Sunday was a chill day for me.  Dave split and chopped wood in the late afternoon and we had our first campfire of 2014.  It was a perfect evening for it.

View from the campfire

So now it’s Monday morning.  Errands are run and my every-other-Monday report submitted for work, so I’ll move on to my next project.  That includes programming a remote camera for work.  Guess I’ll be putting on my geek hat again later today!

Whew!  And it’s just the beginning of the week!

Life is interesting and good, eh?

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate the Small Things - A Blog Hop Post - No. 4

 

 

It’s Friday and time once again to Celebrate the Small Things!

Not only does Friday herald the end of the week, but also celebration!  I’m a bit late getting this post done, Wednesday and Thursday being focused on upgrading our network router and the resultant cascade effect.  Oh the joys of technology!

 

Meet “Hal,” new addition to the office

 

• I am most definitely celebrating having set up the new router  and getting all our devices online.  Our wireless printer was a few generations old, so new router ended up meaning new printer.  That ended up with a all-day event of wearing my geek IT “hat” getting all our devices online.  Dave’s laptop refused to communicate with the new printer, etc.  I am celebrating having accomplished all this without consulting outside technical support!

 

 

• I am celebrating the fact that these lilies finally bloomed!  They had been on the verge of opening for several days and have arrived at last!  This is their third year of coming back annually and I’m proud of them for doing so.

 

• Once again I’m doing the Happy Dance because of the weather here in NW New Jersey.  Today’s high is to be around 76F and was in the mid 50s last night.  That’s grand sleeping weather, especially in an RV with a window open. 

 

Our home, to the right of the office trailer

 

What are you celebrating today?

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate the Small Things - A Blog Hop Post - No. 3

 

It’s Friday and time once again to Celebrate the Small Things!

Not only does Friday herald the end of the week, but also celebration!  I’m attempting to limit myself to three items each week, but that is sometimes difficult.

• I’m composing this post Thursday evening and simply celebrating the lifestyle I’m fortunate to lead with my husband and wee dog.  Sure, Life throws curve balls now and then – serious issues that challenge one – but these are the Good Years.  Trust me.

 

Celebrating the return this week of an annual visitor

 

• The weather over the past several days has truly been a cause for celebration!  We have experienced highs in the 70s and mid 60s, even with a couple of days of low humidity.  Heat and humidity simply drain me of energy and feelings of well-being, so I have been thoroughly enjoying this week.

 

Celebrating an evening walk in divinely cool weather

 

• Saturday is the opening of the annual local farmers market.  Even though small, it is pretty nifty and the breads we got there last year were certainly worth celebration.  Fudge.  Oh my yes, the fudge was, too!  I plan to mosey up the hill to check it out Saturday morning.  The market.  And the fudge!

What are you celebrating today?

Thanks for stopping by!

Week Is Almost Gone

 

 

Two years ago I planted daylilies in two big plastic pots that were here on the property.  One pot is in front of each office porch.  This is the second year these lovelies have returned.  With all the rain and cooler temperatures we have had over the past week, both plants have sprouted buds.  This one is in front of the main entry and seems to be the most prolific at this point.  This evening after dinner I noticed the bloom starting to open.  I may just have a lily tomorrow if it isn’t beaten down by the heavy rains that are forecast.  Nice!

It has been a productive week thus far, although I really don’t know how that happened.  Perhaps it’s just been quiet around here and that’s given me a bit more time to turn my attention to other things. 

I renewed our Geek Squad support and internet security coverage for another year.  Perhaps a bit pricey last year for the initial coverage, I got a substantial discount on the renewal.  We each have a laptop and had an issue or two during the coverage year with one or the other, and I used the Geek Squad support.  It definitely paid for itself, and I was quite satisfied with the customer service over the phone.  I like what we’re using for internet security, and it seems to be doing the job.  I use my laptop in our work here and it really has our entire life on it.  Our laptops are our connection to the outside world, too, so it’s worth having some protection and support. 

My oDesk assignment is still percolating along and I’ve already put in a lot of hours this week.  If I take the rest of the week off, I’m comfortable with that.  Today marks my one-year anniversary on this assignment.  I’m still enjoying it and glad to have landed a gig that suits my temperament and schedule.  The folks I work with are pretty laid back and pleasant.  It’s not technically challenging, but that’s fine.  At this stage of my life, I’m not attempting to climb a corporate ladder by “proving” myself to anyone.  It’s enough to keep my brain ticking over a bit, stay abreast of technology and bring in some “mad money” or funds to squirrel away for that beach holiday next year.

Did I mention I upgraded my laptop to Windows 8.1?  All my programs work fine, but I’m not impressed with the changes made.  I actually liked Win8 and Metro mode.  (My laptop kept booting in desktop after installing Win8.1, so I had to figure out how to change it back to booting up in Metro.)  I have a touchscreen but typically use a mouse.  Seems to me 8.1 is more awkward, not as streamlined in functionality and pretty much a step backwards.  Like they are trying to blend Win8 and the desktop look/mode.  Ugh.  Might be great for those who don’t like Metro, but I think it’s rather gangly and awkward.

Just checked the Wundermap.  Looks like we have more rain/thunderstorms heading our way this evening.  Tomorrow is supposed to be the stormiest of this week, with a nice weekend on tap. 

Dave is racing Saturday, which is looking good with sunshine and a high in the lower 80s.  The local farmers market opens Saturday,and I plan on checking it out.  I’m hoping the grass will have dried out enough to be mowed Sunday.

It’s almost the weekend!  What are your plans?

Thanks for stopping by!