Running as fast as I can 01-26-19

Still struggling with my new laptop and all my millions of files.  No luck yet.  But it will have to wait until mid week as I will be up in Los Osos giving a program to their quilt guild on Monday evening.  Have the quilts all selected, but need to get everything else in the car tomorrow.  And I am still quilting on the quilt that has a rapidly approaching deadline.  Oh, why do I procrastinate and leave so many things to the last minute.  Stupid computer has done me in this time.

It is cyclamen time, they are so lovely. 

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With all that is going on with laptop and sewing machines and physical therapy for my hips, I still have a quilt to finish for a deadline, which is fast approaching.  I suppose I was not thinking clearly when I decided to quilt the top part with "matchstick quilting", lines that are about 1/4" apart.  Now that I have my machine back and the walking foot engaged I am making some progress.  But there are all those other things to interrupt the flow!  I will have to apply myself seriously in the next couple days as I am going to be doing a program at Los Osos, CA, which is near San Luis Obispo, on Monday.  I find that my 80 year old body needs a day to recuperate after two days on the road.  So, I won't be back up to speed until Wednesday.  Oh, my, gosh!  Gotta get busy.  

FedEx delivered the hard drive from Carbonite, but I wasn't up to spending enough time to get things going today.  Something else to do tomorrow.  Too bad I don't have a 7 year old grandchild to take care of these computer things for me!

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Still working at new laptop 01-22-19

I did talk to Carbonite today and they are sending a portable hard drive with all my info on it.  This was suggested to me by Jeannine Nida, Kathy Nida's mother, at the Canyon Quilters meeting last evening.  I was grousing to Kathy about my computer problem and Jeannine was listening.  She told me about her experience with Carbonite and suggested I try it.  So, I did.  Now I am waiting for the expedited shipment of the hard drive which Carbonite says will arrive tomorrow.  Then all I have to do is figure out how to download/upload the contents.  They say there is a tutorial on their website. I'll just have to wait and see!  

I was very tired today and after I picked up KoKo from his keeper's house we went to Starbuck's and then came home and took a nap!  I may need one tomorrow also!  The saying "getting old ain't for sissies" is really true! 

The Canyon Quilters meeting was great and I was fascinated by Kathy Nida's process for making her very complex quilts.  I could never do it.  She is simply amazing.  And it was very special to see so many people I know that I haven't seen for some months.  Lots of hugs, one of my favorite things.

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No luck today 01-20-19

Well, it seems the giant snowstorm affects us even in SCalifornia, and it isn't the airline cancellations.  My back up service, Carbonite, is closed due to the "weather emergency".  Isn't that the pits.   And tomorrow is a holiday so I'm not sure they will be available even then.  Meanwhile I can do BLOGGING and EMAIL and read the news.  

I don't have access to my address book, so I cannot respond to those who post a comment on my Blog.  For example, Mary Ann doesn't have a contact on her blog or website, so I can't answer her.  Actually, Mary Ann, I did send you a reply, but didn't look at the outgoing address and after checking I see it went to "no reply".   So you didn't know that my laptop died and I couldn't blog.  Guess I am not dealing very well with these current problems.  

Of course, I do have KoKo to give me sympathy.  Currently he is in my lap interfering with my typing skills.  

Just like he interferes with my reading when he wants attention.

I will try to blog a quilt image tonight, if I can figure it out. 

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NEW LAPTOP TODAY! 01-19-19

I apologize for the silence, but my laptop died completely and I could not figure out how to blog on my phone.  Today I picked up my new laptop from Micro Center, hopefully with all the programs I need already installed.  But now I must begin the download from my backup provider, Carbonite.  I have had to do this once before, but it has been five or six years ago.  I have not been faithful about deleting files, so the download (or is it upload?) will take at least a few days.  But I don't know how to function with Word 10 anyway, so I probably won't be able to post very soon.  

While all this is going on both of my Pfaff sewing machines broke down and have been in the shop.  If you should need machine repair, I highly recommend Sew n' Vac in Long Beach.  Worth the drive and it is a charming shop that has been there for forty years.  Just put this address in your GPS  1762 Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815  562-498-6684.  And take some time to browse the interesting notions and feel the nice selection of fabric.  

If you need a lunch spot try Katella Deli, 4470 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

562-594-8611   www.katellabakery.com   It is a very popular spot, so if it is lunchtime you may have to wait for a table, just go browse the fabulous bakery.  It is impossible for me to leave without a Katella Bakery box in hand.  

Once I get Carbonite working I need to set up my repaired/serviced sewing machine and get busy on this quilt.  I have completed the background, not just this sky, and am eager to get quilting.  There is a deadline and with my usual style I am pushing it! 

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They can't leave things alone! 11-22-16

I find it frustrating to always be faced with changes online.  Now the blog info pages are different and the statistics are different.  Old fogies like things to stay the same - saves on thinking time!

I am much better, but still on the inhalation therapy.  KoKo and I walked both morning and evening, but it is getting cooler and I need to see what I have in the back of the closet to use for a jacket.  Or I may have to go out and buy one.  My least favorite thing to do - shop!

Hearing about all the heavy weather in the northeast makes me think of some of the places I drove this summer and how different they must look now.  I cannot imagine what it would be like to take that drive in the winter time.  Br-r-r-r.  I hope you are all safe on the highways.

What do these cows do in snow?  I know that range cattle just suck it up, but surely there aren't enough barns to house all the others.   These are in NW Massachusetts.

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Plumbing problems 09-04-15

There are times in my life when everything goes wrong at once.   And I think everyone has these times, so I don't feel alone!   It turns out that the plumbing problem I am having is due to a blown filter in the water softener.  The filter is filled with tiny shiny beads which came out of my shower head like a sand blaster.  Now the softener is turned off and I await the repairman who is supposed to come on Monday, despite that fact it is Labor Day.  We'll see.  Meanwhile, my washer is still half full of water and the appliance guy can't come until Tuesday, or maybe Wednesday!  However, this morning Dick Bednar helped me with my computer problem and it seems to be working okay.

Like I said, sometimes everything goes bad at once.  At least I had my power steering fixed last week! 

Podocarpus hedge

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What do you do when you have no electricity?

Yesterday when I came home there was a hang tag on my doorknob saying that Edison Company was going to turn off the power in our neighborhood to do some emergency repair work.  I did not realize how that would impact my plans.  I knew my laptop would run on battery, but I forgot that the modem does not.  So, no computer.  I thought I would go to the library or Starbucks', but I am not tall enough or strong enough to open the automatic garage door.  So, still no computer.  Sewing?  No sewing machine.  Ironing?  No power.  I ended up writing a few checks and a few thank you notes and reading my current novel.  Then I took a nap.  And the  power was back on at 5:30pm when I woke up.  There is a great feeling of frustration and I am more sympathetic to those of you who lose your power due to weather conditions. 

 

"Moon at Sea"   Del Thomas 2015 14" X 14"
Batik and printed cotton fabrics, cotton thread.  Fused, machine applique and quilting.
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Wordless Wednesday 01-22-14

3:30am

3:45am

Computer advice - warning - lesson

This is not a joke.  It is serious and......

 

........IMPORTANT INFO:

Delete ALL e-mail addresses before Forwarding anything.

Use BCC: when sending to more than one person.

This prevents Scammers from "harvesting" most e-mail addresses for SPAM, SPYWARE and VIRUS spreading.

Thank You!

Del and all your other online contacts

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Spring Blooms and websites 03-19-11

 
These are early buds on a Trumpet Vine growing on the pillars where I go for Aqua Therapy.

Around on the sunny side the buds are much further along.  Elegant.

Just a few open flowers.  Sorry I have so much difficulty with the sharpness of closeup images.

 

Here is a better image from last May on the Sherman Gardens tour.

I was sorting through some old files and came across these two websites that I intended to add to a blog a year ago!  http://collectingbuzz.com/  is for a month report on collecting.  I enjoy it.
http://www.classiccinemaonline.com  offers old movies.  The only one I have watched is "The Borrowers" from 1973.   I don't do Netflix because I don't own a player.  Maybe someday I will.  Meanwhile there are some very old films (1930s) that are probably not available on Netflix anyway - I'll check them out. 

Computer Play Day 11-20-10

It has been a rainy Saturday and quite cool, so Corky and I just hung out at home - he slept (which is what he mostly does at the advanced age of 14) and I "played" on the computer. I cleaned out some files, read and answered old e-mail, sorted through incoming on the Surfside newsletter site, and looked at various websites and blogs. It is a way to discover new artists and see what my 'long time favorites" are doing. I found an online exhibit of quilts from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I know a few artists from each country and found some whose work I will look into further. http://www.myplacequilts.com/index.html

I visited http://www.dooce.com (the website of Heather Armstrong) to check out the Daily Chuck pages - pictures of her dog Chuck in silly and serious poses. I admit I don't understand many of her blog posts - it is like reading messages from outer space! Her life is so different from mine it is hard to accept it as reality. But I'm sure it is real and therein is the fascination. She is a fabulous photographer and a fabulous housekeeper, or she employs a fabulous housekeeper. She has a note in the sidebar mentioning this post: http://essdogg.tumblr.com/post/1610272132/beyond-a-reasonable-doubt which I enjoyed. One of her best posts is about finding a lost cat - just in the nick of time: http://www.dooce.com/2010/07/21/susan

About four o'clock Corky and I drove up to Brea to pick something up at a shop and then stopped at a Starbucks drive-thru. A Grande Decaf Latte for me and a dog biscuit for Corky. Starbuck's no longer gives out dog biscuits so I keep a supply in the driver's side pocket of my car. Corky's stuff occupies the passenger side pocket, but he is not to be trusted that close to a bag of treats.

It was just misting a bit when we drove across Imperial Highway - very dark clouds to the east.

After we went through the drive-thru I stopped in the parking lot for another picture.

Exactly 5pm when I took this picture driving southwest on Valencia

This shot is interesting - wonder what it is and how I happened to take it. Need more rest!

Another Learning Curve 08-12-10

A new computer and now a new cell phone. I made this same double 'curve' about six years ago, you would think I had learned my lesson, eh? I've written about the computer problems I have been suffering, so the new computer is understandable. But I haven't said anything about the trouble I've had keeping my cell charged. I could, of course, buy a new battery and it may yet come to that.

For those not familiar with the very latest technology from Verizon, this is the up-to-date Android. The Poodle Parents both bought Droids in May and they are already out-of-date. Mine is the very latest model. . . until next month, I suppose. The PParents frequently change phones, so I thought they would be able to help me learn a new system. She went with me to deal with the slick dudes at the Verizon store and she was a big help - I would probably have dissolved into tears without her intervention.

The problem is that they live in Long Beach and I live in Placentia (about 30 miles). I finally figured out how to call out, but ran into a problem trying to hang-up. The first three people I called received a "Del echo" when I accidentally redialed their numbers when trying to get back to the contacts list. Worse than that, I had deciphered the method to add a number to my list and successfully added it. Later when I was trying to call someone else, the phone dialed that number and I was connected with the woman's husband - very difficult to explain to him what the heck I was up to. At least he recognized my name. I thought I would send the wife an e-mail explaining what was going on, but gave up because as I wrote I began to sound as if I had escaped from a padded cell. So, Sharon, if you read this you'll know that your husband was telling the truth about the crazy lady who couldn't control her cell phone.

The dude at Verizon told me there were lessons available on the website to help people (he didn't say ssllooooww people) learn to use their Droid. There is an instruction book in the box - about 3"square and 1/4" thick, containing both an English and a Spanish version. For my eyesight a very strong magnifying glass is necessary and even then it is a strain. I've looked at the website a bit to find a lesson or two, however I have been busy doing other things. Like having dental surgery today to put in the post for my imitation tooth. This is such a long process that I'm surprised that so many people opt to have the procedure. Tooth pulled in February, impressions taken in June, post inserted in August and the new tooth goes in mid-November - all to the tune of about $3000. I am supposed to recline a lot today with an ice pack on my face and repeat this tomorrow. I've done fairly well, but couldn't resist the call of my computer. Fortunately, I am not alone - Corky is here until Tuesday morning. He knows something is different and actually laid next to me on the bed and snuggled. Corky is a very special guy, but under normal circumstances he is not a cuddly guy. So, it is a comfort to know that he cares!

Computer generations 08-08-10

Jesse, the computer guru, was here most of the day setting up my new Dell laptop computer and moving files from both old laptops to the new. The only place to do it, with enough surface space, electrical connections, light, etc., is in the family room/breakfast room.

The table with both ends extended is just large enough to accommodate three laptops, one auxiliary monitor, two printers, two mouses, a mouse pad and an external backup.

The auxiliary monitor goes with the 2006 Dell laptop whose screen rarely lights up. In front of the old Dell is the defunct Fujitsu (what a piece of junk - new in June 2009). Lit up in front is the new Dell and then there are the old Epson (which I will still use) and the new Epson complete with FAX, memory card slot and who knows what else.

This Dell has a "softer" screen which seems to be easier on my ageing eyes. After I took the photos and went to download them I discovered that there is no memory card slot on this new Dell and only three USB ports - all occupied. Guess I will have to get something that provides extra slots. It's always something, eh?

No quilt from TCQC until next Sunday. I need to get the files reorganized and maybe take some pictures of quilts I have had for years, but have never taken digital pictures.

Interesting stuff 04-12-10

Since I don't have children or grandchildren I don't have a very broad view of what is "in" these days. In many ways I lead a sheltered life. But once in a great while I browse about online and discover interesting things. Recently I followed an AOL shopping item and discovered Gelaskins. I suppose they may have been around for years, but I had never encountered them. They are 'protective' covers for electronic devices - laptops, phones, etc. - and some of the art is fascinating. I tried to upload an image, but it didn't work and I am too tired to figure out another way. So, you check out the site if you are interested...

http://tinyurl.com/y7f9maf AOL shopping article

http://www.gelaskins.com/index.php Website

http://blog.gelaskins.com/ Blog

Do you have experience with these Gelaskins or a similar product? I'm just curious.

Sometime ago I talked about the website "Scribbler" and showed a few images I had scribbled. Terry Grant posted on her blog about an even better scribbler which is fascinating. Check it out at:

http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/scribblertoo/

You can see a couple of Terry's drawings on her blog: http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/

Learning I don't know about computers 09-01-09

Nothing like a lesson from a 'pro' to teach one how much they don't know about computers! I've never seen a screen as large as hers on a home computer, but already I have been told it isn't anything unusual. I think her process of putting up two newsletter pages side-by-side when she is working on her newsletter(s) is a great idea, so this is next on my list of things to buy. My little Fujitsu laptop in the bottom left won't even show one page at 100%! She also explained about files and how to move them around and sort things into them - amazing!!

But what I covet the most is a son who is knowledgeable about computers and is very helpful when Jeanne has a question or a problem. Now, why didn't I think of that forty years ago?

Jeanne waiting for me to settle down again. She might be resting her eyes from the computer, saying a little prayer like, "Give me strength", or perhaps she just needs a little nap. What a wonderfully kind person she is, I know I will never be able to thank her adequately.

Jeanne takes quilters on tours to both France, where she lived for sometime, and Japan, where she is knowledgeable about quilting and quilters. Wish I could go on the Japan tour that is scheduled for the first of November, but I think my health might be a problem. But maybe you can go, check the website at:

http://www.jeannemillstours.com/