Loving It

This was our make-shift set up before getting the new computer. We were using our dinosaur laptop for basic word processing and some very slow internet use and we were using the other laptop (which was an amazing birthday gift from my blogging friend Stefanie) for faster internet stuff and Netflix streaming. But the shadow of our super deluxe monitor was always there as it sat dormant since February. The small screens of the laptops mocked me, and the screen on our dinosaur laptop was so grainy that I was actually starting to wonder if the problem was with my eyes or the monitor!

But now that we have the new computer we can use our gloriously ginormous monitor again, and I'm not sure I can properly convey how happy this makes me! The first time I got to use it again I couldn't believe how vibrant everything looked and how much room I have for multiple windows of online viewing. It's like the cataracts have been removed from my eyes and my world is in technicolor bliss once more! I celebrated the new monitor last week one afternoon, while the kids were gone playing with friends, by watching Room With A View (for the 1000th time) while cleaning up the desk area. I love to putter while watch/listening to a movie I know by heart.

The next day I celebrated some more by kicking back watching Downton Abbey (please tell me you love it too) and dining on a fabulous pork tostada from Cafe Rio. It was just like old times and I loved it.

**What's your computer set up like?

Where do you use the computer most?

Have you suffered through slow and old

and then known the joy of speedy and new?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I'm experiencing the back-to-work-blues this week even though I think the new job will be good. It's hard to be at work while the kids are still home for summer vacation and it's hard to lose my freedom again. I'm sure I'll adjust, but it's sort of like ripping open an old wound again.

February Book Club in August

Remember back in February when my computer and my iron levels both crashed hard in the same week and left me despondent and suicidal? The week before those two things happened we met for book club at Amy's house to discuss Ride the Wind and to celebrate Collette's 40th birthday. I didn't get a chance to blog about it until now because the photos were on my computer that crashed and weren't available until this week when Randy was able to retrieve them and put them on our new, fabulous, wonderful, speedy computer.

Amy had cute Valentine treats out. Is it weird that gummy candies have almost no appeal to me other than aesthetically? I guess I don't like things that stick in my teeth.

The ding dong cake looked so beautiful under glass.

They were doing (and still are!) major construction around Amy's neighborhood so Michelle and I were late that night because of a detour and then Collette called and needed directions too.

Amy's iPad, she's an early adopter when it comes to technology...I am a better late than never adopter.

This cake is a thing of beauty.

A funny pose by Collette.

Collette brought us all a bag of Valentine candy.

We went downstairs to Amy's theater room and got cozy in the recliners and under blankets and we did some talking and laughing.

For some reason it's Collette's laugh that always cracks us up the most.

**Do you like gummy candies?

Have you ever had Ding Dong cake?

Have you read Ride the Wind?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I may have just pulled a muscle in my back when I twisted and flew out of my office chair because a black spider skittered out from under the papers I was just working with at my computer!

Remember When?

Remember when I used to post every single day no matter what? Apparently those days are gone, and I'm pretty sad about it. Our computer is still in a coma (it's been 2 1/2 months) which means we are still making due with this old laptop (which is definitely better than nothing, but is not ideal). It is slower, smaller and all-around less fun for me to use (excuses, excuses). Our server times out (I think it's a router problem) after visiting 3 sites so that makes for some annoyingly stilted internet time. Basically I'm fed up with this situation and how it is affecting my blogging (both posting and reading/commenting). Aargh!

**What's your computer situation?
How often do you blog?**

Comment Window Tidbit: Today is the first day of the year that it has actually felt hot outside--it's 79 degrees.

Baby Stepping

One of Randy's co-workers was able to get our laptop working, so as of now I am online once again! This feels like a miracle in many ways and I am looking forward to reconnecting with the outside world again. I still have limited creative abilities since all of our big programs are on our main computer, which is still in a coma, so I don't know when I will be able to create my 12 on the 12th collage, a new blog banner, cards or good mail labels.

As for the iron-deficiency situation, I am on the mend but oh so slowly. I had my first IV treatment last Tuesday and really wanted it to work like Spinach does for Popeye, but instead they told me it could take up to two weeks for my body to make new red blood cells. Apparently iron helps create new red blood cells and those cells are crucial for carrying oxygen to the heart, hence my constant state of feeling exhausted and like I can't get a deep enough breath! It has been awful. This whole experience has made me feel so empathetic for those who suffer with major health problems regularly and has really made me feel vulnerable (not my favorite feeling).

I'm definitely NOT back to my normal self, but am feeling like resuming normal life is in my future (that feels huge right now).

**So how have you been?**

Life on Hold

Once again, I'm at a borrowed computer (this time Lori's) in order to check my email (94 since Saturday, most of which were crap) and do a quick blog post.

Computers Viruses 2: Stuarts 0

We're still technologically challenged and it's driving me crazy. I did NOT need a break from the computer, am NOT enjoying being cut off from things, and am disturbed by how many times a day I think "Oh, I need to look that up on the computer." Aargh!

Iron IV Update

I had my first (of at least 4) Iron IV treatments yesterday and all went well. I sat in a recliner in a little room in the IV Therapy Center at the hospital close to my home for an hour as a Iron dripped from a bag through a needle into my arm. I was relieved it didn't hurt, didn't taste bad and didn't give me a headache (they said that was a possibility). I ended up going to a Relief Society activity (I'm on the committee) from 5:30-9:50 and felt fine, so that was a huge blessing. While at the activity my cute Sunday School teaching partner (an 80ish year old widow) informed me that she and the other "Golden Girls" (the widows in our ward) prayed for me Monday night while they had Family Home Evening together (after she told them what was going on with me). This bit of information brought me to tears and comforted me greatly. It has been a hard thing to feel so anxious, tired and unwell these past two weeks (it feels like it has been months!); it is humbling to feel so out of control.

Thanks for all the kind comments, thoughts, prayers and cards, they are hugely appreciated!

absenteeism

This is Michelle posting for Jill.

She just wanted me to let you all know that their laptop computer has apparently contracted a virus as well, so she will be unable to blog or check email for awhile.

Because being disconnected is obviously just what she needs right now as she's struggling in other ways. Good grief. Maybe she'll have an influx of good mail!

Also, FYI, she doesn't have any answers from the doctor yet and is waiting as patiently as possible.

Winners

I have chosen 5 random winners to be recipients of some good mail from me. Please email me (stuart_jill@hotmail.com) with your mailing info (unless I already have it) and tell me if you'd like stationery, good mail labels or a mix cd. (And yes, I had a more substantial post in the works for tonight, but my photo uploading is sooooo freakin slow that I'm about ready to throw my computer out the window!).

Linda
Courtney
Miranda
Judy
Liz

**Which would you chose...
stationery, good mail labels or a mix cd??
Have you gotten something from me before?**