*&*()&%^*(&%(%

I have a virus - no, I mean this computer has a virus.  I have tried to be so careful about protecting my machines.  I usually go to overkill (no pun intended here) to keep viruses and their buddies out.  But since the protection programs are becoming so proprietary, there were issues with the new versions, so I dropped one of them.

I first noticed that I was getting pop-ups galore when I went on-line.  My first
''polly-anna" thought was the server had changed their policies.  I use two different ones, but I still wanted to believe the world had changed - not MY computer - the one I diligently protect.


So last night I loaded my previously used firewall/virus program.  It immediately told me my computer was infected.  It spend quite a while "disinfecting" it.  It required immediate re-start.  So I did.  


Every time I tried to go on line after that - I was dumped.  I figured I was in big trouble.  And I couldn't start this procedure at a reasonable time!  No, I wait until 11 pm.  I. AM. SO. BRIGHT. SOMETIMES.  


The last time I started the computer I decided I better get smart and restart in safe mode.  That allowed me to go to a previous point (whatever the heck it is called - I am old remember - 67 today.).  That got rid of all the "new" stuff, and put me back where the computer worked.

This morning, I have downloaded a free program that my son's computer guru friend swears by to get rid of crap.  It has been running.  We will see.  Most of the pop-ups are gone.  So far I have avoided the computer hospital.  With any luck ...


Peace

Ah, geez

You know me - always jumping into the deep end head first without checking it all out.  Think I did it again - right on!

While checking the ten million emails on my Yahoo account (ALL embroidery sites), there was a message about the July 1 date where if you have any malware on your computer, you will not be allowed to log on to the internet.  I did that - and I am clean.  But, there was more information there about a password bank that gets your passwords off your computer so if you are hacked, they are not available.

You know me - I did it.  For the most part, it was really simple.  But there are two of us using this computer (darn), and since I have the memory of a sponge, which is none - no brain, I often forget passwords to simple places like Facebook, Gmail, and the like.  So that means I just give up and change those passwords. 

When I got to looking in my "vault" of passwords, and I have three gmail accounts and two Facebook accounts, there were something like nine or ten google accounts, and at least six Facebook ones all sitting there with their separate passwords.  Add that to the fact I use two different browsers since they seem to go down with regularity.  I can switch off between them.

Now - I knew I had a problem with what I recalled as my Facebook password when I was trying to set up my new phone.  I couldn't remember what it was right now.  You notice I said "password" and "it."  That's because in my infinite wisdom, I made those applications the same password.  Just remember one for two accounts.  Well, that means you forget one for both accounts.   And THOSE I didn't write down any place.  Smart!

So guess what I have been doing for the past two hours.  Yep - I have been playing with that vault, trying to get all my passwords straightened out.  I think I got G's straight, but I know as well as I sit here, as soon as he tries to access one of his accounts that is password protected - it won't work.  There will be hell to pay tonight!

And I can't even blame chemo-brain anymore!

Peace

Technology - bah humbug!

It seems I get farther and farther behind in the technology field these days.  I have been having a real love/hate relationship with this relatively new laptop.  My son got a Mac, and I am wishing I had done the same thing, but I wanted something that would be cheap inexpensive.

I spent the day a couple of days ago fighting with an embroidery program.  It shows icons of what the design is when you open your folder(s).  That is a nice time saver.  I got the stupid idea to look for updates.  Well, you know what that meant.  The whole thing crashed.  I wasn't able to see a single icon.  No real biggie, but a definite time saver.  I do love that program.  I guess that's why I have spent $80 on it total.  You see in my tech savvy way, I deleted the main program.  So I just gave up and bought another license - along with a DISC this time!!  I know - slow on the uptake!

When I got that program re-loaded, I was getting an error message about Explorer.  I am not an Explorer user, but that stupid program was messing with me making CD's to move the embroidery files from here to the upstairs computer.  So, once again, I ventured forth.  I reloaded Office 2010.  I figured that was where the problem had to be.  I still don't know it that fixed that problem or  not, but it caused another one!

When I went to my picture file, none of the jpeg thumbnails would open.  I had to be in a photo editing program.  Well - that just wouldn't do.  So I waged war again today with that problem.  I finally fixed it.  I can see my jpegs.

But, and you knew there was a but, didn't you?  Another of the embroidery programs is acting all wonky now. It is the one that allows me to change from one type of embroidery file to another so I can use them on my machine.

And - speaking of my machine.  Yep - battle there too.  It has been squeaking - a lot.  I know it needs its yearly cleaning and check up, but I just didn't want to give it up for three days.  It has been acting a fool. I have to cut out thread nests about three times for every 1000 stitches it does.  It broke a foot (on the machine - not mine) and ruined my brand new wonderful embroidery scissors when I was trying to get rid of one of those nests.  At least I was able to complete all the fancy stuff on the photo album cover for the youngest granddaughter!  I had to take it to the old workhorse to sew it together however.  So I took the sick machine to the shop a while ago.  I was just there yesterday for club meeting, but decided I would wait until we went to the SSB to take the machine in.  Nope - got to take that drive again today!

Such is my tale of woe.  Technology -  bah!  So with all the problems I have been trying to solve - I still don't have new pics of the SSB loaded onto the computer.  When I couldn't see what I would try to upload here, what was the use?  I have embroidery projects lined up to the ceiling.  I do have dress making to do - so I CAN do that.  Isn't my life just pitiful - don't answer that.  I know the answer.  This month reminds me of just how lucky I am every day.  I really don't forget it with pink ribbons everywhere.  I will try to get those pictures posted tomorrow.  G will be gone again tomorrow and Sunday afternoon.  I should be able to get a lot done!

Peace.

The retirement continues

So far so good. Knock loudly on wood!

Things are going well, and the house is flowing like a well oiled machine. But the problem is the time feels more like vacation. I don't think this can continue long.

We will be going to the SSB tomorrow. We will be staying for a week, so it will be more vacation. I don't see any changes with the - except I will be there with no hot spot from my phone, That will be the bad thing for me. This is my morning tradition.

Other things going on - now that I am on the hydrocodone a muscle relaxant was added. I thought it was just effecting my walking. Today, I really think it is effecting my brain. I can't remember anything. I really got scared yesterday That is the bad. The good is that I don't have back spasm that just about cripple me. There is still a big problem on the right, but it isn't making my whole back cramp up. I am getting very dedicated to my PT that I learned. I do the exercises every other day.

So we will be off. Seven days in the almost wilderness. The house is up where I have to climb stairs to get in - the fewest is 6. So once I get in, I don't get out except on the deck. I have the computer so that I can work on things there, but I wish I had my big machine. I took it a couple of times, but G hates it because it is so heavy. With the new trick., it doesn't fit on the floor of the backseat. Not enough room. The case isn't water-tight, so it cannot go in the back.

I am getting very bleary and cannot type well right now, as if I could ever type. I an having a problem with word recall. Shoot - I am having trouble with anything requiring thought. And this computer is doing some weird things - like erasing whole sentences. So I leave you for a while.

I will post if the phone provides my with a signal. Stupid phone! I should have gotten one like this one from AT&T. I know they work.

The rant continues

One would think that the beautiful weather we have been having for several days would make me mellow and mild and without complaints. It seems to work in the opposite. Perhaps it is all the ragweed that is blooming, and this year instead of the nasal and sinus problems I just turn into a witch (and exchange that "w"); oh - it is Halloween after all. I guess I'm just "feeling the season."

Yesterday I let off some steam that has been building for a long time. Today it will be newer steam. For the past five years, I have hated October because it is Breast Cancer Awareness. I should be a good veteran of that disease, and hope that all women pay attention. All it does for me is to drive home the point that I didn't follow the guidelines. For that I had Stage 2 breast cancer. It makes me remember, even more often, that I may very well have a recurrence at any time. Talk about a bummer, and here are all the little walks, fashion shows to raise funds, and pink ribbons that adorn every possible surface. The reminder is just too much. I HATE October.

With that having been said, let's move along to the next, and continuing complaint. I STILL HATE WINDOWS 7! I am sticking with it because the computer guru who writes for the paper says that my beloved XP is going to be obsolete in just a matter of years.

I would yank this OS off this computer in a flash if I didn't feel I should get to at least have a pleasant greeting with this thing. I spent the entire day yesterday looking for a file (a huge file of embroidery programs that I have been collecting for years. I don't know if it was Win7 or the new computer that I will swear is HAL from the movie 2001.

The beast has a mind of its own. All I have to do is look at it and something will be deleted - in fact I thought this post just went into cyber space, and I didn't do a thing to cause that! But yesterday that file completely disappeared from the folder.

So I thought, no problem - I have it on the external hard drive that has saved my butt many times. I booted the external drive - there is was - I moved the cursor, and poof - it was gone. Probably into the same place the original one went.

I was fervently trying to remember some of the sub-files, and my memory pulled its little act of not being of help at all. I poked and poked until it was time to get the sewing machine from its yearly physical exam. I remarked to the machine doctor about my problem, and we chatted a bit. I came home and remembered a bit of that large file. It is now in place, but in the mean time I discovered that I believe this little lowly laptop only wants to have DVD type of discs put into its little body. It wouldn't write to just a plain, everyday, name brand CD!

So, as of this moment, all it well. I still am in a funky mood even though I should feel good about me clean teeth since I just returned from that appointment! MIL is doing better. Her More-than-assisted living won't take her back right now. She falls too much, so she is headed for re-hab. Me thinks that may be a no return trip, but she has fooled me before. She will probably out live me!

Peace be with you!

"Fall" update

Wow, that title sounds so appropriate for the season. Too bad it is just me complaining again!

Yesterday was really pretty bad as far as soreness. My knee really scared me. Before I got out of bed, I felt some things that weren't right. I couldn't move laterally without pain, and I couldn't push backward without pain. I was about to call the doctor immediately. But being the procrastinator I am, I waited. It was probably a good thing because as I moved around my knee got better - so no damage there. It is doing OK. I knew the blow there was not great because there is only a little roughness on the scar.

My back is another thing. I was already having problems with the left side sciatica. Last week when I became Mrs. Clean, I knew I aggravated that situation. I was set to tell them to fix it this time. Of course they are having problems setting up the surgery center at the close clinic, and that appointment was put off to the 21st. My back is killing me - on the opposite side from impact. The pain will radiate around to my navel, but enough of this stuff. There is more to life than complaining. My main reason for posting about the fall was because we really have a killer step!! That's two of us in the last three months, and four in the last year!

I got the new computer yesterday. It is Windows 7. I am intimated. Things are so different. It suggested I do a backup of the system yesterday. So I got my CDs out. Guess what. It won't write to them - at least for this. I don't have DVDs so I am not using the new jewel yet.

The keyboard is so "touchy." When I was going to put in my name - I didn't get it all in, so that will be wrong for eternity I guess. So here I am on the old Gateway with my air card puttering around the Internet because Comcast IS STILL DOWN!!!

I am going to go to the desk top because I know they will have me become a contortionist to fix it. I was going to get a new router, but with no signal, what's the use right now.

Have a great weekend!

Peace be with you.

Surprise

I really didn't think that my post got on yesterday. It certainly was rough and not well written.

I am on the Dell desktop which is really wonky, but I think it will work well enough to get this written. I spent most of the day yesterday, yes you guessed correctly, working with the laptop. At the beginning I had very little hard disc space. After manually deleting as many files from the recovery (ha - what a misnomer) files that it is a little bigger, but ...

Some of the rest of the time was spent in here with the Dell trying to reload the router. There is nothing wrong with the router - I don't think. The problem is still with the lap top. I reloaded the wireless port in the lap top, and it did show the spots available. I entered the new key for my router, and the computer sat there trying to connect. Oh well, I think I have spent enough time with that thing.

This computer is slow as molasses, and gets caught in who knows what and will dump you, but it does work, sort of.

I hope G gets the gift card to Best Buy. That will be $200 toward a new lap top. That one is fried. I laugh when I think of the guy at the repair shop talking about how slow the processor in the lap top is. He would laugh hysterically at this one!

Funny how with each new computer you get you think it is just so fast - until you load it, and then get a new one.

I have rambled enough for one day. It is still all about the gripes with computers. I think this is the end of that subject. It is boring.

And whre am I today?

Same place, doing about the same thing. I am reinstalling software.

As Jude pointed out, I didn't really do anything but form of restore. I have done this before - on the Dell desktop. On this laptop, it just works differently. When I tried to bring things back, it didn't work. At any rate, even if it had worked, the items in my bookmarks would b gone.

So, I have collected all the CD's that come with the programs. I had a real scare when I thought I had lost the CD for my air card! I have another year on that sucker's contract. It would be terrible to not be able to use it. I imagine that I could download the drivers from ATT, but then maybe not.

I discovered that I could download the drivers for the bigger printer. I have absolutely no idea where that CD went. When G brought home the huge laser printer (yuck - not even set up yet and weighs a ton), he said we could download the drivers. He was right!

In better news that made my day, the truck is ready. I really hope the estimate was low, but you know how that goes. It will probably be double because of hidden problems. For something that looked like there was no damage where the impact occurred ...

Well, since it takes a partial lifetime for these programs to load, I best get to it.

Peace be with you.