Shopping, Gardening, and Scrappy Socks

Monday
We went to the car dealership. We thought we were picking up our car, but the trailer hitch wasn’t
installed, and they changed their story about financing. We left the car there, and they will install the trailer hitch. Next week, we hope to pick up the car and pay in cash.

Tuesday
We decided it was time to get back in the exercise routine. So, we went to the senior center and walked for an hour. Then, we went to Costco and bought lots of things we really didn’t need but wanted. In the evening, I went to my knitting group.

Wednesday
We went to the senior center and walked in the morning. When I got home, I did some yard work since it is expected to rain for the next few days. Then I spent most of the day working on my scrappy sock and watching videos. After dinner, we watched movies on Prime Video.

Thursday
After walking in the center, we went to the Apple Store. I picked up my new MacBook Pro that I bought online last week. Then I talked Don into buying a new Apple Watch (Series 11). He has been needing a watch for a long time because his watch would die in the middle of the day. It was a Series 2, so I think he was past due for a new watch. As soon as we got home, I set up my new computer. Meanwhile, we mowed the lawn to get it ready for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday. It took several hours to migrate my data from my old computer to the new one, so this was a good use of our time. In the afternoon, my friend came over to give me a cover for Don’s watch that she had on hand, and then I migrated Don’s data from his old computer to my old computer (his new one now).

Friday
I worked in the yard some more and then spent the rest of the day knitting on my scrappy sock. I finished one, and I really like how it turned out. I couldn’t wait to start the other one. Don is happy with his new computer. I figured that his old one was about 8 years old, and the one he is using is now 3 years old, so he will be able to use it for a few more years until I get another new one.

Saturday
It was a rainy morning, so we went to Walmart because a lot of people woke up and it got crowded. Then I had to help Don set up some things with the computer. In the afternoon, I was on Zoom with my knitting friends and finished the foot and heel of my second scrappy sock.

It’s been a very productive week!

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Stop Judging Others

In defense of phones . . . or at least in defense of not judging others from Roman Reboot, Melissa wrote a great post about judging other’s phone use and here was my response:

“This was a great post!! I love technology and my phone and I’ve been criticized about both a lot by family and friends and even people who don’t know me. I was just on a cruise and paid for the internet ($99 unlimited for the week), which really make people’s eyes roll in the back of their head. What they don’t know is that I’m up around 4:30am and I play on the Internet while hubby sleeps and he is fine with that. I load photos, I write a blog, I email family and friends to see how they are doing and I read other blogs. There is nothing else to do and I can afford it so why not? Once hubby wakes up and we start the day, the computer goes in the closet until the next day. I use my phone as a camera too and share photos but that involves looking at it. Maybe the mom is taking photos and sending it to the dad so he can “share” in their fun day. All I know is that I have enough trouble keeping up with myself much less anyone else.”

We don’t know about someone else’s life so how can we judge what is best for them? Until we walk in their shoes, we don’t know what their needs or expectations are. When a mom is on the playground with her kids and is on the phone, how do we know that she isn’t an important surgeon who took the day off to be with her kids? Maybe someone texted her an important question and rather than going back into work, she takes care of it on her phone. Maybe the woman is dealing with a friend who is depressed and the attention she is giving the person may keep them from committing suicide. We really don’t know what the circumstances are so without knowing all the information, how can we judge someone?

I’m so tired of people judging others when it really isn’t any of their business. I saw this a lot in the school system. Too many teachers were watching other teachers who left school early or arrived late. Some didn’t teach the same way as others. I never understood why it was any of their business. I spent my time making sure I did a good job and that I showed up when and where I was supposed to. I didn’t have time to watch anyone else! I was too busy teaching!

When I find myself judging others (let’s face it, we are all human and can’t help ourselves), I remind myself that I don’t know what the situation it. When someone is having a bad day and their customer service stinks, I remind myself that they might have a serious situation at home they are dealing with. I think about all the terrible things that might be going on in their lives and it puts my present situation in a different perspective. It helps me to deal with my own behavior since I can’t change their behavior.

Maybe if everyone minded their own business and worked on being better people, the world would be a better place! I don’t know but it makes sense to me. Maybe too much sense.

How do you stop yourself from judging others? Please share.

A New Computer

Having my three year old laptop die on me was like losing my best friend suddenly! I had no clue that it was going to die. It was working fine earlier in the day and that night when I turned it on, the light came on and then it went out. Nothing I did could convince it to come back to life. When I got home, I used my husband’s laptop to search for a solution. After 6 hours of searching and trying all that was suggested, I gave up. It was dead.

The next day we went out and hunted for a new laptop for me. I had done my research, checked out consumer reports, read reviews online and hoped for the best. I came home with another Toshiba Satellite because they have been good for me.

Luckily my husband was able to salvage the hard drive from my old friend and we put it in a case so now I also have another external hard drive. I was able to transfer all of my files onto my new computer. Thank goodness.

Of course I preach to others about backing up their computers but I wasn’t sure if I backed mine up last week or the week before. I was kicking myself because I couldn’t even remember what programs I had on my computer! Why is it that it is so easy to warn others but I don’t follow my own advice?!

I am going to make a list each month of the programs I have on my computer. Plus I will back up my computer once a week. I promise!

Remember to back up your computer and back it up often!! You won’t regret it! I wish I listened to myself more often!

Acer and School Computer Laps Opportunity

I recently received an email telling me about a possible opportunity to win a computer lab and thought I would share this with my readers. If you are interested, here is the information along with contact info. I am letting you see the email that I received below:

"This is a challenging time for schools across the country. We know budget cuts, increasing standards and the stimulus package for education programs are weighing on the minds of teachers, school administrators and district IT professionals. To help K-12 schools navigate through these challenges, Acer, a market leader for netbook, notebook and overall PC technology, is offering an opportunity for schools to test its products with a free trial for a chance to win a grand prize of a new computer lab outfitted with Acer and Intel technology. Three runner-up winners will also win Acer and Intel technology for an entire classroom.

I am writing because I think your readers and their students could greatly benefit by this simple program. To enter Acer’s Education Technology Initiative, school district staff members and teachers must submit their application by August 31, 2009 at www.acer.com/us/k12.

To help guide you and your readers on the process for Acer’s Education Technology Initiative, I’ve included a few Q&A details below:

Question: Do you have to pay for the equipment if you are outfitted but not selected for the prize?
Answer: No. At the end of the 30-day product trial period, school district staff members can either return the product (free of charge and shipping) or purchase the product at a special discounted price.

Question: What info is required for the application and how long does it take to complete?
Answer: The only information required to apply is your name, contact information and school district – making this a simple application form that takes a matter of seconds to enter. Entries will be accepted for staff members of K-12 school districts only.

Now is perfect timing to take a test drive of the latest education technology for planning before the next school season begins. For more information about the building blocks of Acer’s K-12 education technology products and solutions, please visit: www.acer.us/education/index.htm.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or interest.

Thank you,

Stefanie Stockton on behalf of Acer and Intel
503-488-4400, sstockton@cmdagency.com"

Original image: 'GHCA's Computer Lab Running Gentoo Linux' http://www.flickr.com/photos/27315689@N00/408727666 by: Michael Surran