Tucson
Why is it when one thing decides to go wrong, everything else in the world joins it? I mean, really!?!?!?
This all started a while ago..my laptop (not quite a year old) was acting up. Then it started to crash when I would put a cd in it. After waiting on hold for 15 minutes with Dell, I gave up. Remember, my patience for these type of things is about a nanosecond long. Anyway, I lugged the laptop with me through Missouri...sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't...it was a crap shoot! So, I finally took it in to the Geek Squad at Best Buy last Saturday. Of course, I would not act up for them! GRRRR...figures. Well, I told them to keep the ^&*()@* thing and check it out.
Then yesterday, I fire up my desk top (which was working fine) and get this message that windows could not load, it was missing a ????? file! WTH? So, of course, being who I am, I turned the computer off, let it set for the required nanosecond (remember my patience) and turned it on again...same message. Hmmmm??? I had installed a "window washer" a couple of days ago...wonder if that was the problem? However, I had no way to find out...seeing how I am somewhat limited when I don't have Windows running. So, I call Dell. Glory...I get my call answered in less than 15 minutes. Of course, I am speaking to SOERUPOEWHKS NDFK but I can call him "Mike", from India! However, amazingly, his English is good and I can actually understand him. After trying this and that and more of this and that, nothing, and I mean nothing is restoring Windows (I am, by then, cussing Microsoft)! "Mike" wants to reformat my hard drive, which, of course, I would lose everything! Uh, No, not yet. After two hours with Mike (and my left hand holding the phone all this time and is soundly asleep)I finally tell him I will probably just swap this one for the one that the Geek Squad has. I get a case number and hang up. I am still puzzled that my F8 key on my keyboard wasn't working, nor, when I would reboot the screen would say it didn't recognize my keyboard. Now, my keyboard is a Microsoft Ergonomical keyboard that I absolutely love. But just what was going on? The computer devils were really after me!
I finally have a bright idea! I call a local repair person here and he tells me to unplug the Microsoft keyboard and plug in the regular Dell keyboard and see if that makes any difference! Okay, now, where in the heck did I stash the Dell Keyboard 5 years ago when I got my computer????? After a search, I find it and plug it in and restart the process...and when I got to the point that I was suppose to hit F8 it worked!!! But, of course, that took me to another screen that kept asking me questions I couldn't or wouldn't answer. So back to Dell I go. Now, mind you, this has already taken up most of my day. Now I am talking to Rosa at the Dell call center in El Salvador. She was a little harder to understand, but she walked me through several different processes, and, Viola, Windows is running again! Whoopee! However, I asked her to help me get AOL off my computer. We worked and worked and WORKED, deleted, deleted, deleted...I tell you when AOL gets ahold of your computer, it doesn't give up! We thought we had it, so I thanked Rosa profusely and went on my merry way. Finally, my computer is running again and hopefully, AOL is gone.
Well, this morning I booted up and guess who is still here? Yup, AOL...I give up. I guess I will let it haunt me for as long as I have this computer. And, oh yeah, my laptop is ready to pick up today...all fixed....we shall see.
Ahhhhh...computers, can't live without them, and can't live with them! Or something like that...anyway, I can't live without mine and it is back to it's normal slow self, so I am happy!
What did we do in the days before computers???????
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Warm weather again!
Tucson, AZ
Home again. We arrived home on Tuesday night and it was WARM! YEEHAW! But I am sorta starting at the end, so let me back up a bit.
After freezing at Lake of the Ozarks, on April 12 we headed to Kansas City. About 50 miles out of Lake of the Ozarks this thing appeared in the sky....it was the sun! It wasn't warm out, but at least we could see blue sky! We stopped in Clinton, MO and had lunch with Al's cousins...thanks again Les and Fern! Clinton is such a cute town and so much history! Clinton is the town where the Elk's Lodge building collapsed about a year ago killing one member. Les had been in the Lodge that morning before it collapsed. They are now rebuilding and the new building will be completed in a about a year. There is a little coffee shop we like there, so we had lunch there and it is always good.
Al's cousin Fern and husband Les
From there we went on to Kansas City to see grandson David. We had a great visit with him and he is doing well. We noticed he has matured a lot in the last year and he looked more settled, or happy. We were just very glad to see him and spend some time with him.
David and Gramma
April 13...didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th! We headed back to St. Louis. Bev took me to her Bunko group that night and got me hooked on Bunko. So now I will have to either find a group to play with in Tucson or start my own. What fun!
April 14...the day dawned dreary, COLD and rainy and yes, we even had some snow mixed in with the rain. Bev and Mike took us to a spice store in south St. Louis (I think) called Penzey's. I have never seen so many spices in one place! Then we went to Kimswick, MO for lunch at the Blue Owl cafe. Bev and I went there last year for lunch, so this time we took the guys with us. Unfortunately, it was raining so hard we couldn't get out and walk around the town. Cute town, right on the Mississippi...but since the great flood of 1993, the city has built dikes to protect the town.
The famous Blue Owl Cafe
April 15...Sunday. We really didn't do too much today. Bev fixed a wonderful dinner and we just rested most of the day. We did get out to the new Cabela's that just opened in St. Louis and Bev and I wandered around the St. Louis Mills Outlet mall.
Mike and Bev have the neatest dog (next to ours of course)...Herbie. He is a riot! Always busy, always happy.
And, as usual, we get fed very well while we are here. They are both great cooks. Here is what Bev fixed for dinner tonight...not only taste wonderful, it is pretty!
April 16...Today we went back to Cabela's as AL wanted to buy a new fishing reel...however, the service was so poor, he finally gave up and walked away. And yes, I will write a letter to Cabela's about it.
April 17....the weather is finally nice in St. Louis...of course, we leave today. FIGURES! However, the weather has been nice since Sunday, just not as pretty as it is today. Long flight home, only had a 40 minute layover in Dallas but we made the change okay and so did our luggage. We got home about 8:30 p.m. to two dogs and two cats who were very glad to see us.
April 18...I hit the floor running this morning. Jeannette is flying in today and I had to get the house clean and drop the dogs at the groomers (we couldn't see their eyes!!!). I picked Jeannette up and we headed over to the Voyager RV Resort as she was looking at Park Models (11x35 trailers) to buy so they can spend the winters here. She found a cute one and they bought it! It has an Arizona room attached to it and also another room that Gary can use as an office.
April 19. My kids do like to keep my life interesting! Billie called this morning apparently while I was having my nails done, and left a message that Dan had crashed his airplane. He was okay, but the plane was totaled. Of course, I was worried out of my mind until I talked to her and CONFIRMED that he was okay. Apparently he was landing at the airport in Pacoima (California where he keeps his plane) and he landed hard, which caused the plane to "bounce" back into the air. And as the news write up said "The pilot reportedly applied full power with the wing flaps extended. The aircraft subsequently stalled, and the left wing impacted the ground. The plane then cartwheeled off the runway and into the infield area, coming to rest near the administration building." Scary stuff! That just took years off my life! But, most importantly, Dan is okay, a few bumps and bruises, but okay. Thank you God.
Jeannette left today after doing some measuring at the park model and making arrangements for inspection, etc. We are so glad they will be here during the winter months --- it will be great having them close.
April 20...
Cortney is staying with us for a few days while her parents are gone on a camping trip for their anniversary. We love having Cortney with us....it is so nice to have young people around. I can remember hearing my mom say that and I always wondered why she said that....now I know!
April 21
Every time I fill up the car with gas I look around for the person with the gun! I feel like I am being robbed! Good heavens, when will the extortion of the American people by the oil companies end??? Gas is nearing $3 a gallon here and I understand in Washington it is running about $3.22 a gallon. We may rethink driving the truck and trailer anywhere!
Cortney is at work tonight (she works at the very exclusive spa, Miraval, which is down our street about 3 miles), last night she came in dead tired. Apparently the spa is at full capacity and she had 24 rooms to do last night. She "refreshes" the rooms every evening, meaning, clean towels, bed turn down, etc. AH, to be young and energetic again!
Tomorrow I will start working on the 5th wheel...getting it ready for the big trek north which will probably take place around May 3. Yes, I am starting to pack AGAIN! I have to say, I am really good at it...since I get plenty of practice!
So, until next time, be happy and pray for the families and friends of the slain students from Virginia Tech.
Home again. We arrived home on Tuesday night and it was WARM! YEEHAW! But I am sorta starting at the end, so let me back up a bit.
After freezing at Lake of the Ozarks, on April 12 we headed to Kansas City. About 50 miles out of Lake of the Ozarks this thing appeared in the sky....it was the sun! It wasn't warm out, but at least we could see blue sky! We stopped in Clinton, MO and had lunch with Al's cousins...thanks again Les and Fern! Clinton is such a cute town and so much history! Clinton is the town where the Elk's Lodge building collapsed about a year ago killing one member. Les had been in the Lodge that morning before it collapsed. They are now rebuilding and the new building will be completed in a about a year. There is a little coffee shop we like there, so we had lunch there and it is always good.
Al's cousin Fern and husband Les
From there we went on to Kansas City to see grandson David. We had a great visit with him and he is doing well. We noticed he has matured a lot in the last year and he looked more settled, or happy. We were just very glad to see him and spend some time with him.
David and Gramma
April 13...didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th! We headed back to St. Louis. Bev took me to her Bunko group that night and got me hooked on Bunko. So now I will have to either find a group to play with in Tucson or start my own. What fun!
April 14...the day dawned dreary, COLD and rainy and yes, we even had some snow mixed in with the rain. Bev and Mike took us to a spice store in south St. Louis (I think) called Penzey's. I have never seen so many spices in one place! Then we went to Kimswick, MO for lunch at the Blue Owl cafe. Bev and I went there last year for lunch, so this time we took the guys with us. Unfortunately, it was raining so hard we couldn't get out and walk around the town. Cute town, right on the Mississippi...but since the great flood of 1993, the city has built dikes to protect the town.
The famous Blue Owl Cafe
April 15...Sunday. We really didn't do too much today. Bev fixed a wonderful dinner and we just rested most of the day. We did get out to the new Cabela's that just opened in St. Louis and Bev and I wandered around the St. Louis Mills Outlet mall.
Mike and Bev have the neatest dog (next to ours of course)...Herbie. He is a riot! Always busy, always happy.
And, as usual, we get fed very well while we are here. They are both great cooks. Here is what Bev fixed for dinner tonight...not only taste wonderful, it is pretty!
April 16...Today we went back to Cabela's as AL wanted to buy a new fishing reel...however, the service was so poor, he finally gave up and walked away. And yes, I will write a letter to Cabela's about it.
April 17....the weather is finally nice in St. Louis...of course, we leave today. FIGURES! However, the weather has been nice since Sunday, just not as pretty as it is today. Long flight home, only had a 40 minute layover in Dallas but we made the change okay and so did our luggage. We got home about 8:30 p.m. to two dogs and two cats who were very glad to see us.
April 18...I hit the floor running this morning. Jeannette is flying in today and I had to get the house clean and drop the dogs at the groomers (we couldn't see their eyes!!!). I picked Jeannette up and we headed over to the Voyager RV Resort as she was looking at Park Models (11x35 trailers) to buy so they can spend the winters here. She found a cute one and they bought it! It has an Arizona room attached to it and also another room that Gary can use as an office.
April 19. My kids do like to keep my life interesting! Billie called this morning apparently while I was having my nails done, and left a message that Dan had crashed his airplane. He was okay, but the plane was totaled. Of course, I was worried out of my mind until I talked to her and CONFIRMED that he was okay. Apparently he was landing at the airport in Pacoima (California where he keeps his plane) and he landed hard, which caused the plane to "bounce" back into the air. And as the news write up said "The pilot reportedly applied full power with the wing flaps extended. The aircraft subsequently stalled, and the left wing impacted the ground. The plane then cartwheeled off the runway and into the infield area, coming to rest near the administration building." Scary stuff! That just took years off my life! But, most importantly, Dan is okay, a few bumps and bruises, but okay. Thank you God.
Jeannette left today after doing some measuring at the park model and making arrangements for inspection, etc. We are so glad they will be here during the winter months --- it will be great having them close.
April 20...
Cortney is staying with us for a few days while her parents are gone on a camping trip for their anniversary. We love having Cortney with us....it is so nice to have young people around. I can remember hearing my mom say that and I always wondered why she said that....now I know!
April 21
Every time I fill up the car with gas I look around for the person with the gun! I feel like I am being robbed! Good heavens, when will the extortion of the American people by the oil companies end??? Gas is nearing $3 a gallon here and I understand in Washington it is running about $3.22 a gallon. We may rethink driving the truck and trailer anywhere!
Cortney is at work tonight (she works at the very exclusive spa, Miraval, which is down our street about 3 miles), last night she came in dead tired. Apparently the spa is at full capacity and she had 24 rooms to do last night. She "refreshes" the rooms every evening, meaning, clean towels, bed turn down, etc. AH, to be young and energetic again!
Tomorrow I will start working on the 5th wheel...getting it ready for the big trek north which will probably take place around May 3. Yes, I am starting to pack AGAIN! I have to say, I am really good at it...since I get plenty of practice!
So, until next time, be happy and pray for the families and friends of the slain students from Virginia Tech.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Spring? SPRONG!
Four Seasons, Missouri
April 10, 2007
After arriving in St. Louis last Friday, to 32 degree weather, and the weather deteriorated from there....I think spring has NOT sprung here! We arrived at Mike and Bev's and of course, they could hear me whining about the weather from the corner! I AM COLD! AL IS COLD! Of course, it couldn't be because we were both dressed for Arizona (it was 90 in Phoenix when we left!) Al had shorts on and I had capri's and short sleeved top. It didn't take us long to find our coats! And that night St. Louis broke all records for cold..it was down in the low 20's! I kept checking the calendar to make sure it was not Christmas and it was really April! BRRRR
Saturday
Today was a bit better...it got up to a whopping 38 during the day! Our great granddaughter, Natasha, age 7, went on a Easter Egg hunt at the church and all she could say was "it was cold!" Granddaughter Sarah and Natasha and I went out to lunch and did some shopping so I could buy a couple of long sleeved tops and some long pants (I packed when it was 90 degree's in Tucson...couldn't imagine it being this cold anywhere!) Despite the cold, we are really enjoying visiting with Mike, Bev, Sarah and Natasha...haven't seen Chris (Sarah's boyfriend)yet...he is too busy working.
Easter Sunday
Today dawned bright, sunny and cold. I was convinced that Santa was going to be delivering Easter eggs this year! We went to church and it was cute to see all the little girls dressed up in their Easter dresses and big heavy coats! The BIG FREEZE (as the media is calling it) has frozen all the crops in the entire state and most anything that had blossomed was dead! The poor tulips are drooping and some tree's are still bare. Dinner was wonderful (hey, it is at Mike and Bev's and the food is ALWAYS outstanding at their house!)..Sarah and Chris provided the Honey baked Ham, Bev made a wonderful layered salad, Natasha helped make dessert. Everything was very low keyed, which is just what we wanted. We watched the movie "Happy Feet" and then the classic Sound of Music. It had been years since I had seen it and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. All in all it was a great Easter...except it was cold enough to be Christmas!!!!
Sarah, Chris, Natasha and "Herbie" Mike and Bev's dog
Monday
We took off today for our timeshare exchange at Lake of the Ozarks. It was an easy drive to "Four Seasons, MO" -- now, I know, you are asking, WHERE? We are actually 8 miles from Osage Beach, which is a resort town on Lake of the Ozarks. We usually visit our friends, Carl and Ruby Skidmore down here at this time of the year, however, they aren't here yet. So we are just kicked back, relaxing and doing not much of anything. The weather is still not cooperating. Tonight we decided to barbecue a steak...however, we ran into a small problem. After stopping at the store to pick up a few food supplies for our few days here and we even remembered to pick up barbecue briquet's and lighter fluid-- we were pretty proud of our selves to remember those. HOWEVER, what we didn't remember was matches to light the barbecue! Hmm---rubbing sticks together was out of the question! So I walked down to the INDOOR pool and found someone with a book of matches. This wasn't the easiest task...no one seems to carry matches anymore. At any rate, Al braved the cold and barbecued.
Tuesday
Today we woke to------yup, you guessed it... dreary, cloudy, and yes, cold weather. Mid-morning it started to sprinkle. We decided to take the toll bridge across the lake to Laurie (where the Skidmore's live) and have lunch at one of our favorite little places, "Cousins". Skidmores have been going there for years and when we are here we have to have either lunch or breakfast there. It was a short drive over there since we took the bridge, but the road was really a narrow, curvy road. On the way back, it started to rain. Then we decided to take in the outlet mall in Osage Beach...a huge outlet mall. We made a stop at Le Crueset to pickup a pan Bev wanted and next door was the Coach Outlet Store. I couldn't pass it up! And I wound up buying a Coach purse! Something I have always wanted! YEEHAW! I am no longer allowed in a Coach store however! This afternoon it was raining, gray, cold and downright ugly. At times we swore it was going to snow!
Our view from our condo,tennis courts and the lake beyond.
Tomorrow we are going to hang around here and do some exploring, IF it isn't pouring down rain, (who am I kidding??) which, is the forecast. At least we are getting some rest! However, the bed in this condo is hard...I said it felt like I slept on a table!
Thursday we will pack up and head towards Kansas City where we will visit with grandson David. We will stop on the way in Clinton, MO to visit with Al's cousin Fern and her husband Les. Then Friday back to St. Louis for the weekend before flying back home and to warmth on Tuesday. So until then....we hope all is well with you and yours and that you are warm, happy and living life the way you want.
April 10, 2007
After arriving in St. Louis last Friday, to 32 degree weather, and the weather deteriorated from there....I think spring has NOT sprung here! We arrived at Mike and Bev's and of course, they could hear me whining about the weather from the corner! I AM COLD! AL IS COLD! Of course, it couldn't be because we were both dressed for Arizona (it was 90 in Phoenix when we left!) Al had shorts on and I had capri's and short sleeved top. It didn't take us long to find our coats! And that night St. Louis broke all records for cold..it was down in the low 20's! I kept checking the calendar to make sure it was not Christmas and it was really April! BRRRR
Saturday
Today was a bit better...it got up to a whopping 38 during the day! Our great granddaughter, Natasha, age 7, went on a Easter Egg hunt at the church and all she could say was "it was cold!" Granddaughter Sarah and Natasha and I went out to lunch and did some shopping so I could buy a couple of long sleeved tops and some long pants (I packed when it was 90 degree's in Tucson...couldn't imagine it being this cold anywhere!) Despite the cold, we are really enjoying visiting with Mike, Bev, Sarah and Natasha...haven't seen Chris (Sarah's boyfriend)yet...he is too busy working.
Easter Sunday
Today dawned bright, sunny and cold. I was convinced that Santa was going to be delivering Easter eggs this year! We went to church and it was cute to see all the little girls dressed up in their Easter dresses and big heavy coats! The BIG FREEZE (as the media is calling it) has frozen all the crops in the entire state and most anything that had blossomed was dead! The poor tulips are drooping and some tree's are still bare. Dinner was wonderful (hey, it is at Mike and Bev's and the food is ALWAYS outstanding at their house!)..Sarah and Chris provided the Honey baked Ham, Bev made a wonderful layered salad, Natasha helped make dessert. Everything was very low keyed, which is just what we wanted. We watched the movie "Happy Feet" and then the classic Sound of Music. It had been years since I had seen it and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. All in all it was a great Easter...except it was cold enough to be Christmas!!!!
Sarah, Chris, Natasha and "Herbie" Mike and Bev's dog
Monday
We took off today for our timeshare exchange at Lake of the Ozarks. It was an easy drive to "Four Seasons, MO" -- now, I know, you are asking, WHERE? We are actually 8 miles from Osage Beach, which is a resort town on Lake of the Ozarks. We usually visit our friends, Carl and Ruby Skidmore down here at this time of the year, however, they aren't here yet. So we are just kicked back, relaxing and doing not much of anything. The weather is still not cooperating. Tonight we decided to barbecue a steak...however, we ran into a small problem. After stopping at the store to pick up a few food supplies for our few days here and we even remembered to pick up barbecue briquet's and lighter fluid-- we were pretty proud of our selves to remember those. HOWEVER, what we didn't remember was matches to light the barbecue! Hmm---rubbing sticks together was out of the question! So I walked down to the INDOOR pool and found someone with a book of matches. This wasn't the easiest task...no one seems to carry matches anymore. At any rate, Al braved the cold and barbecued.
Tuesday
Today we woke to------yup, you guessed it... dreary, cloudy, and yes, cold weather. Mid-morning it started to sprinkle. We decided to take the toll bridge across the lake to Laurie (where the Skidmore's live) and have lunch at one of our favorite little places, "Cousins". Skidmores have been going there for years and when we are here we have to have either lunch or breakfast there. It was a short drive over there since we took the bridge, but the road was really a narrow, curvy road. On the way back, it started to rain. Then we decided to take in the outlet mall in Osage Beach...a huge outlet mall. We made a stop at Le Crueset to pickup a pan Bev wanted and next door was the Coach Outlet Store. I couldn't pass it up! And I wound up buying a Coach purse! Something I have always wanted! YEEHAW! I am no longer allowed in a Coach store however! This afternoon it was raining, gray, cold and downright ugly. At times we swore it was going to snow!
Our view from our condo,tennis courts and the lake beyond.
Tomorrow we are going to hang around here and do some exploring, IF it isn't pouring down rain, (who am I kidding??) which, is the forecast. At least we are getting some rest! However, the bed in this condo is hard...I said it felt like I slept on a table!
Thursday we will pack up and head towards Kansas City where we will visit with grandson David. We will stop on the way in Clinton, MO to visit with Al's cousin Fern and her husband Les. Then Friday back to St. Louis for the weekend before flying back home and to warmth on Tuesday. So until then....we hope all is well with you and yours and that you are warm, happy and living life the way you want.
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