You don't even have to leave home.
All you have to do is spill a glass of water onto your laptop.
ADVENTURE!!!!
If you are lucky, you have another computer nearby so you can google "What do I do when I spill water on my laptop?"
Step three is wait 24-48 hours for it to dry out before turning it back on. Are you kidding? This is the digital age. There is no waiting. Isn't there a shortcut? (If you want to know the other steps so you can be proactive, google it yourself.)
Well, sort of. If you have a son in the business you can ask him. He will say "It was time to get a new one, anyway." Actually, he had several good suggestions, which still lead to "You will have to get a new one."
But, while you explore all the good suggestions, the 24-48 hours pass...... and you weren't waiting!
Boy, isn't the digital age GREAT!?
A piece of advice: Back up everything somewhere else. I hear there is a cloud, but I don't know where it is. You can look it up.
Second piece of advice: Spill water anywhere else, but not on your computer. Or on your sleeping spouse. If you spill water on your sleeping spouse, there is no back up, and you will be on a cloud with wings and a halo.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Next-to-the-last minute
We are leaving in three weeks.
So there is a lot to do.
Peggie still has the show to hang downtown. And she is submitting work to two other exhibits that will take place while we are gone.
We are trying out a new landscaper to maintain our yard while we are gone. We are having the bedroom floor and stairs redone. Laminate in the bedroom and carpet on the stairs. The new bed we bought in Connecticut is great. Now we need to get rid of the old bed. We need to replace the tires on the trailer. The truck has to go in for service, plus we are finally getting running boards so getting in and out will be easier.
It is springtime in Tucson, so of course the drip irrigation system is acting up and needs attention. Every time I cross off something on the to-do list, I add two more things.
Also, it is March Madness time, and we are hoping the Wildcats will play a few more games before somebody beats them. Or not. Championship?
Ariana is on spring break, so we are skyping more just to hang out together. (I purposely did not capitalize skyping 'cause in my mind it is as generic as aspirin or kleenix.)
There is a lot of sorting to do. Last time we took the trailer to Skagway, we took way too much stuff. Proof came when we discovered we had sprung the axles. Now we know we can get along with what fits in a Jeep. If the Jeep is overloaded. But we know what clothes to take, what food to take, what tools. Well, tools are silly. Don won't be there with all the right ones and the know-how to use them, so the most important tools will be a phone and the AAA number.
So there is a lot to do.
Peggie still has the show to hang downtown. And she is submitting work to two other exhibits that will take place while we are gone.
We are trying out a new landscaper to maintain our yard while we are gone. We are having the bedroom floor and stairs redone. Laminate in the bedroom and carpet on the stairs. The new bed we bought in Connecticut is great. Now we need to get rid of the old bed. We need to replace the tires on the trailer. The truck has to go in for service, plus we are finally getting running boards so getting in and out will be easier.
It is springtime in Tucson, so of course the drip irrigation system is acting up and needs attention. Every time I cross off something on the to-do list, I add two more things.
Also, it is March Madness time, and we are hoping the Wildcats will play a few more games before somebody beats them. Or not. Championship?
Ariana is on spring break, so we are skyping more just to hang out together. (I purposely did not capitalize skyping 'cause in my mind it is as generic as aspirin or kleenix.)
There is a lot of sorting to do. Last time we took the trailer to Skagway, we took way too much stuff. Proof came when we discovered we had sprung the axles. Now we know we can get along with what fits in a Jeep. If the Jeep is overloaded. But we know what clothes to take, what food to take, what tools. Well, tools are silly. Don won't be there with all the right ones and the know-how to use them, so the most important tools will be a phone and the AAA number.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Back from NY
We spent the last two weeks with GajT. Ariana got bunk beds so we shared her room with her. Julian is soooo cute. By the time we left he was smiling more. He is good all the time except for Papa's bedtime, which he thinks is his crying time. Taking Ariana to her school and other activities is fun. She recognizes the routes and lets you know if you make a wrong turn. She is an avid game player, and enjoys creating "shows." When she wears her robe, she makes a "show" of tying the bow in front. She taught herself by watching Papa tie it. The family went to a circus recently so each show begins with "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, are you ready for...."
One of our pleasures was minding the kids (we like that plural form) while Tomoko gave piano lessons upstairs. She also teaches Ariana on a voluntary basis. That is, Ariana goes to the piano and starts to practice, and Tomoko provides feedback and direction.
Greg and Tomoko are house shopping so it was fun to ride along and see some of the homes for sale in the area. It is a real decision between open rural properties and convenient, but crowded, urban sites.
We did get a day alone in the city. We took the train from Tarrytown, then rode subways between city locations. The Brooklyn Museum of Art had a show by El Anatsui (you can look him up) that was amazing.
The City Quilter, a shop midtown, has added a gallery next door whose current show was quite good.
Then we went looking for a place to eat. We found an Indian restaurant kind of out of the way. It was so good we were recommending it to Greg and discovered they have eaten there before. There are thousands of restaurants in NYC, what are the odds?
Our flights both ways went through Atlanta. Crowded, but nothing terrible. Some delays, but not outrageous.
One thing we did that we did not expect. We bought a bed. Peggie needed to get a good pillow. She wanted one anyway for the trailer. We found a Relax the Back store in Greenwich, CT. that carried the right kind. While lying on one of their TemperaPedic mattresses to try it out, we mentioned that we also were in the market for one of those. The salesmen pointed out that he could sell us one, have it delivered in Tucson (they are nationwide) and we would save the sales tax. No delivery fee. And he would throw in the pillow for free. Eventhough it wasn't a throw pillow. Haha. So we bought it. Again, we were going to get one anyway, for the trailer, and we saved significant money. Now we are waiting for it to be delivered (maybe today) so we can try it out before we head to Alaska.
One of our pleasures was minding the kids (we like that plural form) while Tomoko gave piano lessons upstairs. She also teaches Ariana on a voluntary basis. That is, Ariana goes to the piano and starts to practice, and Tomoko provides feedback and direction.
Greg and Tomoko are house shopping so it was fun to ride along and see some of the homes for sale in the area. It is a real decision between open rural properties and convenient, but crowded, urban sites.
We did get a day alone in the city. We took the train from Tarrytown, then rode subways between city locations. The Brooklyn Museum of Art had a show by El Anatsui (you can look him up) that was amazing.
The City Quilter, a shop midtown, has added a gallery next door whose current show was quite good.
Then we went looking for a place to eat. We found an Indian restaurant kind of out of the way. It was so good we were recommending it to Greg and discovered they have eaten there before. There are thousands of restaurants in NYC, what are the odds?
Our flights both ways went through Atlanta. Crowded, but nothing terrible. Some delays, but not outrageous.
One thing we did that we did not expect. We bought a bed. Peggie needed to get a good pillow. She wanted one anyway for the trailer. We found a Relax the Back store in Greenwich, CT. that carried the right kind. While lying on one of their TemperaPedic mattresses to try it out, we mentioned that we also were in the market for one of those. The salesmen pointed out that he could sell us one, have it delivered in Tucson (they are nationwide) and we would save the sales tax. No delivery fee. And he would throw in the pillow for free. Eventhough it wasn't a throw pillow. Haha. So we bought it. Again, we were going to get one anyway, for the trailer, and we saved significant money. Now we are waiting for it to be delivered (maybe today) so we can try it out before we head to Alaska.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Arkansas Adventures
Last Saturday Brother Don arrived at about 7:30 in the a.m. We fed him breakfast of bacon and eggs with hot coffee. Then I loaded my travel bag, including winter coat, gloves, sunglasses and hat, and off we went to Arkansas. The purpose of the trip was to retrieve household goods from storage at Brian's (Don's son) house, since Don and Karin had just moved into their house in Clarkdale. I went to share driving chores, primarily. And for the fun of the trip, of course. We planned a route that would include some stretches of road new to me, but without adding significant time to the trip.
Here it is: I-10 to Deming, NM, NM 26 to Hatch, I-25 to San Antonio, NM (not Texas), US 60 (new to me) to Santa Rosa, I-40 to Oklahoma City, I-44 to Tulsa, US 412 to Springdale, AR.(the last two new to me) We returned on the same roads except we stayed on I-40 to Flagstaff, then I-17 to Verde Valley.
The Story of the $500 Hat:
Don likes to drive on the top half of the gas tank. This is good for gentlemen of our advanced ages because it means frequent stops to limber stiff limbs and to relieve the bladder in a timely manner. It also provides ample opportunities to change drivers to avoid fatigue. Don has driven the roads between Springdale and Verde Valley countless times, so he knows all the good gas stops, eateries, motels and RV spots. He directed me to his favorite truck stop on the far side of Amarillo, then we decided to stay at the Super 8 next door. At the desk Don asked for a non-smoking room with two beds and I jumped in and suggested we stay in the presidential suite. The clerk didn't get it, so I explained that the presidential suite is the room reserved in case the president shows up unexpected. She said she didn't like Obama, so I said, "Perfect, you won't mind giving us his room." Next morning, way over in Oklahoma City, I realized I had left my Uof A hat at the motel. Well, on the way back, we were stopping at the same truck stop, so I pulled in to the Super 8 and went inside. The same woman was there along with a manager type. (The manager type was sitting counting money, that was the give away.) So I said, "Remember me, I stayed in the presidential suite on Saturday and I left my hat and was hoping somebody had saved it." The manager type said, "What was your room number?" Incredulously, I responded, "You don't know which room is the presidential suite?" Then I gave her our room number. Finally, she sent the clerk to look for it. She came back with my hat and I was all excited, but as it was handed to me, the manager type said, "That will be five hundred dollars." So I said they could put it on that credit card we used (Don's, not mine) and left. So now I have a $500 UofA hat.
Who put the Super in Super 8?
On the return trip we again chose a Super 8 to stay in, this time in Moriarity, NM. The day we got back to Clarkdale, we unloaded the truck and trailer into the garage, returned the trailer to U-Haul and were taking a much needed break when Karen's phone rang. The caller i d said it was her sister, Karla. Karla never calls to talk, she texts, so Karin thought it must be important. After she said "Hello" she immediately started laughing. When she hung up she explained that since Karla was listed as emergency contact, the Super 8 had called her to tell her that Don had left his partial dental bridge in the room. So he called them and arranged for them to mail it to him. They would charge the postage on his credit card. So now he has a $5 bridge thanks to the good folks at Super 8 who don't throw away things you leave in your room.
Two great Oklahoma road signs.
Approaching a construction zone we got the usual warnings about double fines in work zones. But I was surprised by a later sign containing just four words:
BEGIN
SPEEDING
DOUBLE
FINES
Later, right in the middle of Oklahoma, a state known for being windy, a sign warned:
Crosswinds may be present
Here it is: I-10 to Deming, NM, NM 26 to Hatch, I-25 to San Antonio, NM (not Texas), US 60 (new to me) to Santa Rosa, I-40 to Oklahoma City, I-44 to Tulsa, US 412 to Springdale, AR.(the last two new to me) We returned on the same roads except we stayed on I-40 to Flagstaff, then I-17 to Verde Valley.
The Story of the $500 Hat:
Don likes to drive on the top half of the gas tank. This is good for gentlemen of our advanced ages because it means frequent stops to limber stiff limbs and to relieve the bladder in a timely manner. It also provides ample opportunities to change drivers to avoid fatigue. Don has driven the roads between Springdale and Verde Valley countless times, so he knows all the good gas stops, eateries, motels and RV spots. He directed me to his favorite truck stop on the far side of Amarillo, then we decided to stay at the Super 8 next door. At the desk Don asked for a non-smoking room with two beds and I jumped in and suggested we stay in the presidential suite. The clerk didn't get it, so I explained that the presidential suite is the room reserved in case the president shows up unexpected. She said she didn't like Obama, so I said, "Perfect, you won't mind giving us his room." Next morning, way over in Oklahoma City, I realized I had left my Uof A hat at the motel. Well, on the way back, we were stopping at the same truck stop, so I pulled in to the Super 8 and went inside. The same woman was there along with a manager type. (The manager type was sitting counting money, that was the give away.) So I said, "Remember me, I stayed in the presidential suite on Saturday and I left my hat and was hoping somebody had saved it." The manager type said, "What was your room number?" Incredulously, I responded, "You don't know which room is the presidential suite?" Then I gave her our room number. Finally, she sent the clerk to look for it. She came back with my hat and I was all excited, but as it was handed to me, the manager type said, "That will be five hundred dollars." So I said they could put it on that credit card we used (Don's, not mine) and left. So now I have a $500 UofA hat.
Who put the Super in Super 8?
On the return trip we again chose a Super 8 to stay in, this time in Moriarity, NM. The day we got back to Clarkdale, we unloaded the truck and trailer into the garage, returned the trailer to U-Haul and were taking a much needed break when Karen's phone rang. The caller i d said it was her sister, Karla. Karla never calls to talk, she texts, so Karin thought it must be important. After she said "Hello" she immediately started laughing. When she hung up she explained that since Karla was listed as emergency contact, the Super 8 had called her to tell her that Don had left his partial dental bridge in the room. So he called them and arranged for them to mail it to him. They would charge the postage on his credit card. So now he has a $5 bridge thanks to the good folks at Super 8 who don't throw away things you leave in your room.
Two great Oklahoma road signs.
Approaching a construction zone we got the usual warnings about double fines in work zones. But I was surprised by a later sign containing just four words:
BEGIN
SPEEDING
DOUBLE
FINES
Later, right in the middle of Oklahoma, a state known for being windy, a sign warned:
Crosswinds may be present
Friday, February 15, 2013
Learning slowly
I must be a slow learner.
I just helped Greg and family move. It was a lot of work!
I told him next time I will have a prior engagement.
So now brother Don has bought a house and is going to settle down after 18 years of wandering aimlessly.
Amazingly he kept a bunch of household stuff in storage all this time and now needs to move it. I volunteered to help! What was I thinking? Well, we don't have to pack boxes. Just load already full boxes into the U-Haul. We don't have multiple flights of stairs at both ends of the move where I have to keep accurate count to avoid a fall. It is mostly driving to and from Arkansas. I've never been to Arkansas, so I'm in.
He will pick me up in the morning, we will eat breakfast, then off on a road trip. Our only worry will be those potentially nasty winter storms.
Wish us luck. I hope Arkansas is worth it.
I just helped Greg and family move. It was a lot of work!
I told him next time I will have a prior engagement.
So now brother Don has bought a house and is going to settle down after 18 years of wandering aimlessly.
Amazingly he kept a bunch of household stuff in storage all this time and now needs to move it. I volunteered to help! What was I thinking? Well, we don't have to pack boxes. Just load already full boxes into the U-Haul. We don't have multiple flights of stairs at both ends of the move where I have to keep accurate count to avoid a fall. It is mostly driving to and from Arkansas. I've never been to Arkansas, so I'm in.
He will pick me up in the morning, we will eat breakfast, then off on a road trip. Our only worry will be those potentially nasty winter storms.
Wish us luck. I hope Arkansas is worth it.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Happy Birthday, Ariana
Our wonderful granddaughter is 5 years old today! She is the smartest, prettiest, kindest, giggly-est granddaughter anyone could every wish for. She goes to preschool, dances ballet, does gymnastics, plays piano, speaks a little Spanish and French and a lot of English and Japanese! She likes to ski and ice skate and create art. And, she told me a couple days ago that she can tie a bow! We think she is just AMAZING!
Aunt Casey and Ariana
Have a fun birthday celebration at school with your friends and have a great ice skating birthday party!
Chocolate is a good thing to have on one's birthday.
Grandma and Grandpa love you!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Finally....
We can stop holding our collective breath.
Julian Hibiki Thomas has joined the family.
He was born at 6:55 EST in Greenwich, CT. Weighed a hefty 8-11 and is pink and healthy.
We had been skyping all day with Ariana and Sumie awaiting the news. Greg kept us updated by email. We got to hear him crying on the phone just minutes after his birth.
It has been an exciting day. Peggie has the quilt top finished just in time. Now we are looking forward to our visit at the end of the month.
We just love that we are in this time of our lives and that technology has provided us with opportunities unavailable to the previous generation.
Julian Hibiki Thomas has joined the family.
He was born at 6:55 EST in Greenwich, CT. Weighed a hefty 8-11 and is pink and healthy.
We had been skyping all day with Ariana and Sumie awaiting the news. Greg kept us updated by email. We got to hear him crying on the phone just minutes after his birth.
It has been an exciting day. Peggie has the quilt top finished just in time. Now we are looking forward to our visit at the end of the month.
We just love that we are in this time of our lives and that technology has provided us with opportunities unavailable to the previous generation.
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