Frustration of the Self Taught

I'm a closet computer geek. Most of what I know I taught myself. My boss at church thinks he has a gem because I'm not scared to try anything and he doesn't have to pay a Computer Technology salary and yet gets the benefits. Boy oh boy. Right now I think he'd be better off spending the big bucks.

A little over a year ago we decided I would teach myself web design and create a web site for church. Ok, I'm game. So I research the software and (stupidly) picked the one that looked to be the easiest to learn and as it turned out was also the cheapest. Cool! I got myself a trusty self help book and I was quickly on my way to our very own web site.

Now fast forward to the present. Last week I did my usual web updates and poof - no way Jose'. It wasn't going to work. So I called my web hoster (is that a word?) I was told they had done some tweaking and that the extensions used by Front Page would no longer work. Something about security. I'm not too happy, but what can I do? So I try to tweak things, I fail, and the web page is down.

Sigh.

I might mention here that the other mistake I made was I chose a fellow parishioner's small business to host the web page. I spent time off and on all week trying to tweak things so I could get ANYTHING on the web and it just wouldn't work. FINALLY they call me back today and tell me that Front Page will no longer work. They claim that it won't work on any provider's site any longer, not just theirs. I'm having trouble believing this, but I don't know whether it is true or not. After biting my tongue, I finally let loose and gave them an earful as an unhappy customer only can.

They knew they were going to make these changes. They knew customers (not just me) would be impacted. It would have been so simple to have sent out a notice, email, made a telephone call. Something.

So......

I am now back to the drawing board.

Here is what I bought. I almost went with Dreamweaver the first go around but it is a much more dynamic program than Front Page (which is a nice way of saying it will do more but will be more difficult to learn).

And....

I bought this to go with it.

I almost bought the Dreamweaver for Dummy book, but that word Dummy... hmmmm... I ain't no Dummy!

This book boldly claims I will learn Dreamweaver in 24 hours. Maybe I can take them to court when that doesn't happen....

Anyway, wish me luck.

I'm going to need it!

The Ultimate Dog Bed & SmilePurdy!

How is this for a doggy bed? We bought this "fat sack" quite some time ago for our grandkids to "sack out" on when they are here. It has turned out to be quite the hit with all of us - especially Whiskey here. Every time I shove it in the corner where it belongs, he whines until I pull it back out so he can lay down on it and watch TV or us.



Last night I pulled my camera out to look through some pictures I had taken. Whiskey immediately perked up. Ok, so how far will he go with this?



I went to the other side of the room and told him to stand. Yep, he wanted that picture taken.

I put his buddy sheepy next to him and told him to lay down next to it. Yea, he liked that idiea too.

So then we took the glamour, over the shoulder shot. Nice. And I was done. Put the lens cap back on the camera and sat back in my chair.

Errrr Whiskey wasn't quite done posing. He stood like this until I picked my camera back up and took this picture. Is he trying to tell me something?

Apparently now he is done with his photo shoot. Damn dog. He rules this house.

Chronicles of a Country Girl Giveaway

Do you like beautiful photography? If so, you might want to look into this giveaway by Chronicls of a Country Girl.
Chronicles of a Country Girl: Another Giveaway. Because I like them.

I got clued into this through Blueridge Gal's blog. All you have to do is leave a comment saying which photograph is your favorite and she'll enter you into her contest.... mention her on your blog and you'll get a second entry.

This is one giveaway I am hoping I win!

Deanna needs...

I must be losing my mind. I don't usually do these things. I got this from Matt at http://abigmacattac.blogspot.com/ My Side of the Story. He challenged us to google ourselves and post the first ten results. At least my mind doesn't immediately go south like Matt's did and think things like "that sounds dirty" ;) But my curiosity did get the better of me and I just had to do it. And once I did it, I have no choice but to post it.

The directions are: Go to Google and type in your name followed by the word "needs". List the FIRST 10 THINGS that show up. No searching around for something better!

Deanna needs:

1. To change her underwear. Who said I'm wearing any?


2. Children. Not likely! Been there, done that.


3. To stop naming her things. If I want to name my things, I will. And while we are at it, if I want to talk to myself, I'll do that too. I might even answer myself!


4. A new bikini. Yea, like I need a hole in my head. The world is a better place if I don't, thank you very much.


5. To get over thinking she should be on the top runner of a pedestal. Now that's just mean. If I don't think great things of myself, who exactly will?


6. Medication. Pass the Vicoden please.


7. A little help. This Deanna person really is kind of pitiful according to google - Deanna needs a LOT of help, not a little.


8. To go back home. But, but, but.... I haven't left...


9. To make a difficult decision. White wine, or red...


10. To stay away. Make up your mind! You already told me to come back home. Now I'm so confused, my head hurts. Pass the Vicoden, please.

Ok. That was 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back! Your turn!

Chamois Treasures

With Jim's mom in a home, we are faced with the task of dismantling her life treasures and pass them on to future generations who will hopefully love and cherish what they stand for. The process so far has been that Jim and his brother, Tracy, took inventory of the large items and things they knew might hold special memories. We then sent that list to their sister, Sandy, who is in Indiana, and to our children. We are hoping within the next month or so Jim, Sandy and Tracy will be able to go through the house taking turns choosing items they want to treasure for years to come.

We went to Chamois with our three children so they could tell us what treasures they want us to keep for them. It is amazing the memories that they held special. All three want the cheapest candy dish ever. They remember sneaking candy from it when Grandma wasn't looking. Julie wants a painted wooden footstool with an ugly decal on top of it. This was her time out stool. They all want the Navy picture of Grandpa and Grandma's engagement picture. That, of course, is to be expected. It was such a special evening for us going from room to room, each of us sharing a special memory.

At least now when it is our time to make our choices, we will know what to choose. The next step will then be for our children to take turns choosing which treasure to take home to their own homes to caretake for their children.
Here are a few of the items I did bring home with me last night. (And no, I'm not one of those who is sneaking things out before anyone else gets a chance. Everyone knows I have these things.)



The religious picture was the find of the night. We found it in a damp corner of the dark basement. It is very moldy smelling and I almost didn't retrieve it. After wiping the glass clean I was amazed to find Grandma Lizzie's (Jim's dad's mom) First Communion Certificate dated 1902 and written in German. It is actually in amazing good condition, considering how it was treated. The photo album holds images of generations of the family. Aunt Marthy (Jim's Great Aunt) crocheted the pin cushions. The scrap book was another find. It holds art work of Jim's dad and uncles. The baby shoes were a mystery until I turned them over and found a faint SH written on the sole. They will be mailed to Sandy tomorrow. And the cute baby? That just happens to be one of the few photos of Jim when he was a little boy. Trust me, it will be preserved.

I wish I had thought to bring my camera with me and take other pictures, but oh well!

Are you a Brother Ed?

I subscribe to an email thingie called "Heroic Stories" www.heroicstories.com

Sometimes I read the stories and shake my head in amazement and often I cry as I read about the kindness of those "who have" to those "who have not." Often I wish I were more like the people I read about who are willing to give their all unconditionally. I struggle with that.

As a church secretary I often deal with people asking for help. They show up at my office door almost demanding for assistance like it is their "right". Or they call and when I ask how I can reach them they give me a cell phone number. Helloooooooo if you can't afford a loaf of bread, you probably shouldn't be spending money on a cell phone. I will admit that I am always thankful that we have a lady who really cares about those asking for help - I gratefully pass these requests on to her. I am ashamed at how little I seem to care. I do care... I really do... but how do you tell the difference between those who have done their best and yet the system, or worse, their "loved" ones, have stomped on them, from those who have abused all the good that has come their way. Maybe it shouldn't matter. If someone needs help, no matter why, I should give it. But that isn't right, is it? It makes my head hurt!

Well, this one struck a chord with me. I'd like to think I have it in me to be a Brother Ed. I'm not sure I do. Do you? Here is the story:

In August 1980 an ugly scene brought my 13-year marriage to an end. I fled our home with my two children, $5 and nowhere to go except my mother's. Staying there more than a couple nights wasn't an option. The next morning I headed out to find help. The welfare office referred me to an emergency agency that found a small apartment. It was dismal and in a rough area, but I had to make the most of it. A woman there wrote down an address and said to go tell "Brother Ed" she'd sent me. The address was a nondescript warehouse near a Catholic school. Inside,f loor to ceiling held everything imaginable from furniture to clothing. A short, unassuming, thin Caucasian man approached, introduced himself as Brother Ed and asked how he could help. Scared to death about the future, I told him who sent me. Brother Ed led me through the packed maze to a clearing, his "office". He sat me down, offered a soda, and his lunch! He softly asked me totell my story. He listened as it poured out... years of abuse, the fix we were in. He nodded, concerned, asked few questions, and accepted my tears. He offered neither sympathy, nor disapproval. When I felt too wrung out to speak, he went to work. We toured the place as he anticipated our needs, referring to himself in third person, as "Brother Ed". He selected twin beds for my children, a sofa bed for me, sheets, blankets, clothing, towels, washcloths, small kitchen appliances, cooking utensils, everything we'd need -- includingi roning board and iron!With each step I felt more dumbfounded. Was I expected to pay? Nothing was new, but it represented a small fortune to me. I couldn't believe hewas GIVING this stuff to us! Within minutes, a huge pile was gathered near the doors, and Brother Ed explained the furniture would be ready that afternoon. With his next question my heart sank, "Do you have a way to move everything?" As my mind whirled, he said, "You can use Brother Ed's van." I should return at 5 p.m. with helpers, load the van, move everything, then return the van. All matter-of-fact, as if he'd known me his entire life. Overwhelmed, I couldn't believe that he seriously would allow total strangers to disappear with his personal vehicle, possibly never to beheard from again! But that's exactly what happened. I did, of course, return Brother Ed's van along with my eternal gratitude. I later learned Brother Ed was a local Jesuit. The warehouse stored donations for the order's second-hand store. Though his vocation was helping others, I will ever remain indebted to Brother Ed. I do what I can to pay it forward. I've never forgotten his selflessness, and am still deeply touched and grateful, and can only guess how many lives he has touched. I truly believe Brother Ed saved me and my children. I know he saved my spirit.

End of the rainbow

The Island of Dominica is one of my favorite Islands. People were carefree and everything was fresh and clean. The rainforests were absolutely fabulous. Seeking a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Not this guy. He appears to not have a care in the world.