We recently learned a valuable lesson a very very hard way. The hard drive on our computer crashed, and we lost everything.
And I do mean everything.
We had all of our digital pictures from the past 4 years on there. We had all of our important documents, including but definitely not limited to taxact files, resumes, all the Kiddlywinks stuff, school docs, everything I have created in CorelDRAW for the past 4 years, all the songs we had downloaded, all the videos we had downloaded, that is enough, it is making me very sad.
So if you have any pictures with any of my family in them, please send them on to us. If you know us, you already probably have contact info. If not, then please leave a note (with no personal info like addresses or emails for security's sake) in the comments section and we will get ahold of you somehow.
I am more than willing to either arrange a FedEx pickup of anything you can burn to disk, or pay for shipping, replace disks you use to send us pictures, or if you are willing to send us print pictures I guarantee I will scan them and lovingly return them within a week, including a copy of the pictures on disk so you can have a digital copy as well.
As far as our lesson goes, here is a breakdown of our new computer (great timing, huh? guess what we got for Christmas. =(
* HP model d5100t, customized to include the following components
* Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 2.83 GHz
* 6 gig of RAM
* 500 gig of a Raid 1 data security hard-disk configuration - this means there are 2 500 gig hard drives, one solely to back up the first, and connected in such a way that it is highly unlikely that BOTH will fail at the same time
* A 1 terabyte external hard-drive for serious backups (images of the full system and actual files of all important docs, pics, all of that listed above and more)
* Of course, graphics card, sound card, Lightscribe DVD/CD burner, and all that Jazz
We learned our lesson the hard way. Don't wait to learn yours the same way. You can get external hard drives for fairly cheap for good-sized models. Here are a few suggestions:
PC World review of top external hard drives for 2008 - a good place to start since they perform tests not just on size, but on performance and reliability, with prices ranging from $129 to $755, but you can find smaller drives for less money, like some of the following:
Amazon.com listing of hard drives...starting at $69.99
More external drives (just click on the different types for different configurations and prices.
Heck, Walmart carries them. You can just go there and browse.
You can even buy a DVD burner and periodically backup your pictures and vital docs every quarter or so. DVD burners can be had for about $50 (maybe less), and a single layer DVD holds up to 4 gig...a double layer up to 8. DVD disks are about $1 to $1.50 each (can be had for less - shop around), but that is a small price to pay to make sure you don't lose stuff in this digital age.
My plan is to once a month take an image of my primary drive and store it on my external drive, along with all pictures and important docs in their original format. Every 6 months to 1 year we will backup pictures on dual-layer DVD and store them in my safe-deposit box.
I went from nothing to overkill, but this was a very bad experience.
Don't let it happen to you.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wat u can get me for Christmas YAY :)
If anyone is wondering wat to get me for christmas i want money. I prefer cash but i will take a check. And no i am not going to buy drugs just lots and lots of sugary carbinated caffine drinks called Monster. I neet at least enough to buy 20 to last me about a week. That will be all thank you. Oh and just in case you dont have a sence of humor i was just kidding. About the monsters not the cash. :)
NUAMES
Hi, I have not posted a blog in a long time so here is a quick review my school. This year for high school I am going to NUAMES (Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering and Science) it is am early college school. Next year I will attend college level classes at Weber State and I plan on graduating with my associates degree. Just so you know how small my school is there are only 11 portables that make up NUAMES, there are only about 300-400 kids in the whole school, that includes 10th 11th and 12th grade. WOW that's tiny. Our mascot is a Nighthawk. We are the NUAMES Nighthawks. Everyone wanted to be the NUAMES Nerds but the administration said NO! It is the best school in the world because it is so small everyone knows everyone, that means no clicks. YAY. Well ill post more about NUAMES l8r bye.
Jose and the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory
One day when Jose was playing X-box he heard a noise coming from his closet. When he opened the door a magic chinchilla said, “Jose, you are the chosen one.”
Then Jose said, “What the freaking heck are you doing in my closet?!” Then the magic chinchilla told him all about how the evil penguin, Gladys, stole the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory from the museum of random valuable things, and how he kidnapped the presidents pet snail, speedy. The magic chinchilla also told Jose that he could fly while holding a bagel, freeze anything with his mind except for newspaper, eat anything no matter what it was, and talk to pencils. Then the magic chinchilla burst into flames and was gone forever.
Jose spent the next few weeks mastering his abilities. When he was sure he had them all down he filled a backpack with 3 packs of bagels, food, water, and a picture of the chinchilla that gave him his destiny. He flew into the air and when he was over the great country Arkansas he dropped the bagel and fell about 27 feet onto a cow. The cow turned out to be the one who was supposed to show him the way. When the cow got him safely to the Kinko’s factory the cow burst into flames and was gone forever.
When Jose got inside he saw a suspicious group of penguins standing in the corner watching him carefully. Then one of them pulled out an M16 and tried to shoot him. He just barely escaped into the basement and locked the door when they busted down the door and ran in. As they came into the room Jose stepped on a trapdoor that led to the super cat’s hideout. Jose had heard about the super cat, but he thought he was only a story. The super cat said to Jose, “You are Jose and I am super cat, I made a teleporter that will take you strait to Gladys’ top secret headquarters in Wal-Mart.” Just as super cat pushed the teleport button he burst into flames and was gone forever.
When Jose got to Wal-Mart he went up to an employee and asked him where the evil penguin was. The man said, “Oh he’s on isle 7, but don’t touch his hair.” Jose said thank you and went immediately to isle 7.
When he got there, Gladys said, “How did you find out where my top secret headquarters were?!” Just as Jose was about to freeze the evil penguin he realized that Gladys had on a body suit made of newspaper. There was nothing Jose could do. Then the penguin ran away.
While Jose was searching for Gladys he ran into a pencil, he asked the pencil, “Have you seen this penguin?” While holding up a picture of a penguin with long shaggy hair.
The pencil simply replied, “I don’t have any eyes stupid.” Then out of the corner of his eye Jose saw the penguin run into the girls bathroom. Jose cornered Gladys in the bathroom and noticed that he had the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory and the president’s pet snail in a cage. All of a sudden the evil penguin had a seizure and the newspaper fell off. Jose grabbed the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory, Speedy, and flew out the window.
Jose returned the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory to the museum of random valuable things, returned Speedy to the president, won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and returned home still not knowing why there was a chinchilla in his closet.
Then Jose said, “What the freaking heck are you doing in my closet?!” Then the magic chinchilla told him all about how the evil penguin, Gladys, stole the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory from the museum of random valuable things, and how he kidnapped the presidents pet snail, speedy. The magic chinchilla also told Jose that he could fly while holding a bagel, freeze anything with his mind except for newspaper, eat anything no matter what it was, and talk to pencils. Then the magic chinchilla burst into flames and was gone forever.
Jose spent the next few weeks mastering his abilities. When he was sure he had them all down he filled a backpack with 3 packs of bagels, food, water, and a picture of the chinchilla that gave him his destiny. He flew into the air and when he was over the great country Arkansas he dropped the bagel and fell about 27 feet onto a cow. The cow turned out to be the one who was supposed to show him the way. When the cow got him safely to the Kinko’s factory the cow burst into flames and was gone forever.
When Jose got inside he saw a suspicious group of penguins standing in the corner watching him carefully. Then one of them pulled out an M16 and tried to shoot him. He just barely escaped into the basement and locked the door when they busted down the door and ran in. As they came into the room Jose stepped on a trapdoor that led to the super cat’s hideout. Jose had heard about the super cat, but he thought he was only a story. The super cat said to Jose, “You are Jose and I am super cat, I made a teleporter that will take you strait to Gladys’ top secret headquarters in Wal-Mart.” Just as super cat pushed the teleport button he burst into flames and was gone forever.
When Jose got to Wal-Mart he went up to an employee and asked him where the evil penguin was. The man said, “Oh he’s on isle 7, but don’t touch his hair.” Jose said thank you and went immediately to isle 7.
When he got there, Gladys said, “How did you find out where my top secret headquarters were?!” Just as Jose was about to freeze the evil penguin he realized that Gladys had on a body suit made of newspaper. There was nothing Jose could do. Then the penguin ran away.
While Jose was searching for Gladys he ran into a pencil, he asked the pencil, “Have you seen this penguin?” While holding up a picture of a penguin with long shaggy hair.
The pencil simply replied, “I don’t have any eyes stupid.” Then out of the corner of his eye Jose saw the penguin run into the girls bathroom. Jose cornered Gladys in the bathroom and noticed that he had the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory and the president’s pet snail in a cage. All of a sudden the evil penguin had a seizure and the newspaper fell off. Jose grabbed the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory, Speedy, and flew out the window.
Jose returned the Golden Pin of Eternal Glory to the museum of random valuable things, returned Speedy to the president, won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and returned home still not knowing why there was a chinchilla in his closet.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween
Woo Hoo!!!!! The time is upon us to get all that last minute Halloween costume and candy shopping done! You have exactly two days so ready . . . set ... ... ... GO!!!!!!!!! So who else is excited? I sure as heck know I am! But I can't decide if I'm gonna go to my awesomely insane cousin's birthday party or trick-or-treating. Probably the party, though. So, guess what I'm gonna be for Halloween? Go ahead, guess! Ahem, I said, GUESS! OK fine, I'll tell you, sheesh! I'm gonna be a devil! It's an insanely cute costume!
But enough about me, let's talk about you guys!
So what are you gonna be for Halloween? And I really wanna know so comment and tell me! Well, if you don't know, here are some great costume ideas:
Bought Costumes from Wal-Mart:
-Whoopee Cushion
-Adam/Eve
-Fairy
-Bratz Pirate
-Devil (ME!!!)
-Angel
-Greek God/Goddess
-Queen/King/Prince/Princess
Homemade costumes (YAY!!! Creativity!):
-Robot (boxes and tin foil)
-Ghost (white bedsheet-cut eyeholes) (for a funky ghost use colored sheets) ;)
-Hobo (old button up shirt, messy hair, brown make up so you look dirty, brown eyeliner to draw messy patches and scratches)
-Headless Business Man (big white church shirt-pull it over your head, church pants)
-Girl (for boys only. wear a dress and do a girly hair do or a wig)
-Boy (for girls only. wear a baggy boy t shirt and baggy jeans, wear a baseball cap backwards with your hair pulled up in it)
Hope these helped! Have an awesome Halloween and get lots of candy!
But enough about me, let's talk about you guys!
So what are you gonna be for Halloween? And I really wanna know so comment and tell me! Well, if you don't know, here are some great costume ideas:
Bought Costumes from Wal-Mart:
-Whoopee Cushion
-Adam/Eve
-Fairy
-Bratz Pirate
-Devil (ME!!!)
-Angel
-Greek God/Goddess
-Queen/King/Prince/Princess
Homemade costumes (YAY!!! Creativity!):
-Robot (boxes and tin foil)
-Ghost (white bedsheet-cut eyeholes) (for a funky ghost use colored sheets) ;)
-Hobo (old button up shirt, messy hair, brown make up so you look dirty, brown eyeliner to draw messy patches and scratches)
-Headless Business Man (big white church shirt-pull it over your head, church pants)
-Girl (for boys only. wear a dress and do a girly hair do or a wig)
-Boy (for girls only. wear a baggy boy t shirt and baggy jeans, wear a baseball cap backwards with your hair pulled up in it)
Hope these helped! Have an awesome Halloween and get lots of candy!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chad's Weight Loss Update
I really did not want to push Glynna's wonderful post down further on our list, but it is time to provide an update on my weight loss because I hit a milestone this week.
As of 2 days ago, I broke the 240 lb barrier.
I now, according to the Weight Watchers scale at work, weigh 239.6 pounds. Since I started this journey right after our trip to Reno and the Grand Canyon, and since I did not take any "before" photos in an official way, I am using a picture of me from our trip that highlight where I was before and where I am now.
As of 2 days ago, I broke the 240 lb barrier.
I now, according to the Weight Watchers scale at work, weigh 239.6 pounds. Since I started this journey right after our trip to Reno and the Grand Canyon, and since I did not take any "before" photos in an official way, I am using a picture of me from our trip that highlight where I was before and where I am now.
281 pounds
Here we are at Hoover Dam, June 18, 2008. This is me at my heaviest in the past 2 years (yes I did weigh more 3 years ago, and before I had cancer I hit my highest - 293).
239.6 pounds
Here I am today, September 28, 2008 - wearing the exact same shorts I was wearing at Hoover Dam in the picture above. That is exactly 71 days, or about 0.58 pounds per day.
Not bad, huh?
So, I am halfway to 200 pounds. See you in another 71 days!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Separation Anxiety...Mine, not theirs...
It has been a long time. My excuse is always the same. Life is busy. It really is. I know it is for all of you. But I guess I had something to say tonight, to "lighten my load" so-to-speak.
Tonight I got my first real experience of separation anxiety from my children. Does that make sense? I guess I have always known it would come. I guess I have sensed it coming on for the past several months...but tonight, when it really hit,...it also really hurt. I'm not trying to give this certain child (to whom I am referring) a guilt trip. He/she is only acting naturally. But I need to give myself a break too. I am a Mom of teenagers and crying over them is natural too, I'm sure. Ok, ok, I will stop being so cryptic and just tell my story...
I grew up in a situation where I had no one to talk to about personal teenager "stuff". Well, of course, I had my siblings. We were always very close. And I had Ruth Tuckett, Susan Haws, Karen Bloxam (sp?), Maggie Egbert, Sandy Leavitt, and many other wonderful "Moms" to turn to. (Thank you all, by the way! I will always love each of you and thank God for the woman you helped me become.) But, I did not have my own mom to turn to...and it isn't so easy for a teenage girl to turn to her dad...(even though he really did his best. He's a good dad.) Anyway...
Chad has wonderful parents. I love them deeply. But Chad never really felt comfortable as a teenager to talk to his parents either. I am finding out, no matter how painfully, that this is the rule, and not the exception.
So, on that note, Chad and I have always tried our best to be completely open and honest with our children. We have tried to build a relationship of trust with them so they know they can turn to us about anything. I naively, and arrogantly, believed I was exempt from the rule that teenagers trust their friends and turn to their friends more than they do their parents. HA! What a fool am I! ha ha...Ya, now that I have stopped crying and have stepped back from the situation, I can laugh at myself and see how truly arrogant I have been.
This particular dear child of mine is going through a situation that he/she 'discusses' through many texts with 'certain' friends that she/he absolutely will not discuss whatsoever with me. I tried very delicately and cautiously to ask about it, only to get my head practically ripped from my body. Then, the silence and texting began again...which I was sure at the moment was about his/her lame parents since she/he asked me how to spell the word "interregate". He/she actually told this friend that her/his parents were interregating him/her!
Well, this dear child of mine has become more and more testy and short with Chad and I over the last several weeks. Sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggshells around this kid. I feel like Chad and I can do nothing right. (Please tell me this sounds familiar to some of you out there...) Well, my heart has been cracking bit by bit, but tonight for some particular reason, my dang heart just crumpled and broke. I exploded at this child. The child was completely oblivious as to why his/her mother was freaking out on him/her. He/she seriously had no clue that her/his behaviour was anything less than normal...(Well, now that I have calmed down and am releasing through this blog, I can see how silly I have been and I can see that his/her behaviour truly HAS been normal for this time in her/his life.)
Anyway, I got my feelings hurt...but I am a mom. My kids are growing up, whether I like it or not. I will get over it. (Won't I?! ;) ) The crazy thing is, most of the time I kind of enjoy that they are independant. I guess no matter what, I will always foolishly want to be #1 to them...and that just ain't gonna happen. And I know it. And I have just got to deal with it. I will always love them. I will always be here for them...if and whenever they want or need me. And that will do just fine...
Goodnight.
Tonight I got my first real experience of separation anxiety from my children. Does that make sense? I guess I have always known it would come. I guess I have sensed it coming on for the past several months...but tonight, when it really hit,...it also really hurt. I'm not trying to give this certain child (to whom I am referring) a guilt trip. He/she is only acting naturally. But I need to give myself a break too. I am a Mom of teenagers and crying over them is natural too, I'm sure. Ok, ok, I will stop being so cryptic and just tell my story...
I grew up in a situation where I had no one to talk to about personal teenager "stuff". Well, of course, I had my siblings. We were always very close. And I had Ruth Tuckett, Susan Haws, Karen Bloxam (sp?), Maggie Egbert, Sandy Leavitt, and many other wonderful "Moms" to turn to. (Thank you all, by the way! I will always love each of you and thank God for the woman you helped me become.) But, I did not have my own mom to turn to...and it isn't so easy for a teenage girl to turn to her dad...(even though he really did his best. He's a good dad.) Anyway...
Chad has wonderful parents. I love them deeply. But Chad never really felt comfortable as a teenager to talk to his parents either. I am finding out, no matter how painfully, that this is the rule, and not the exception.
So, on that note, Chad and I have always tried our best to be completely open and honest with our children. We have tried to build a relationship of trust with them so they know they can turn to us about anything. I naively, and arrogantly, believed I was exempt from the rule that teenagers trust their friends and turn to their friends more than they do their parents. HA! What a fool am I! ha ha...Ya, now that I have stopped crying and have stepped back from the situation, I can laugh at myself and see how truly arrogant I have been.
This particular dear child of mine is going through a situation that he/she 'discusses' through many texts with 'certain' friends that she/he absolutely will not discuss whatsoever with me. I tried very delicately and cautiously to ask about it, only to get my head practically ripped from my body. Then, the silence and texting began again...which I was sure at the moment was about his/her lame parents since she/he asked me how to spell the word "interregate". He/she actually told this friend that her/his parents were interregating him/her!
Well, this dear child of mine has become more and more testy and short with Chad and I over the last several weeks. Sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggshells around this kid. I feel like Chad and I can do nothing right. (Please tell me this sounds familiar to some of you out there...) Well, my heart has been cracking bit by bit, but tonight for some particular reason, my dang heart just crumpled and broke. I exploded at this child. The child was completely oblivious as to why his/her mother was freaking out on him/her. He/she seriously had no clue that her/his behaviour was anything less than normal...(Well, now that I have calmed down and am releasing through this blog, I can see how silly I have been and I can see that his/her behaviour truly HAS been normal for this time in her/his life.)
Anyway, I got my feelings hurt...but I am a mom. My kids are growing up, whether I like it or not. I will get over it. (Won't I?! ;) ) The crazy thing is, most of the time I kind of enjoy that they are independant. I guess no matter what, I will always foolishly want to be #1 to them...and that just ain't gonna happen. And I know it. And I have just got to deal with it. I will always love them. I will always be here for them...if and whenever they want or need me. And that will do just fine...
Goodnight.
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