EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES

 

          Okay, I know I haven’t been posting anything and that includes the next chapter of my book. I have a zillion excuses to offer and hope you’ll forgive my writing lapse. I’d much rather be writing than…   

          Trying to set up a new computer. I bought a new computer at the beginning of April and let it sit in the box while I tended to other things, i.e., cataract surgery. Once that was taken care of, I moved on to the new computer. I didn’t feel savvy enough to just go it alone, so I asked for assistance. My first assistor wasn’t able to do much because the one place she wanted to get to wouldn’t come.

So, I asked another assistor to give me a hand. This person used to be an IT person at a rather large institution. I assumed that he would marry up the old with the new and transition files that way. Nope, his way was to copy to a stick and then paste to the new computer. This worked well enough in that I was able to continue what he’d started and move everything over…or at least I thought it was everything.

I continued to have problems in that I no longer had Outlook. So both my erstwhile helpers returned and between all three of us, I am now able to access Outlook, Xfinity and Yahoo is set up for when Xfinity gives email the heave-ho. I am so very thankful to both my assistors and must think of something I can do in the way of showing my appreciation.

Of course, once the computer situation was remedied, the printer decided to stop cooperating. It was talked to by the computer and was happy to print whatever it received; however, after one clear line, the next would be all smudged and unreadable. Well, I  could fix that!!! I had all the printer cleaning and aligning things recommended, plus I used a kit I bought some time ago to clean the printer heads…all to no avail.

So, I ordered a new printer. It had to be a Canon that used 250-251XL cartridges. I found one and it arrived and sat in the box for a week or more as I tried to find the energy and brain cells to allow me to take on another form of technology. Let me tell you, I could have waited another month or more for the upcoming experience.

Removed the ink cartridges (most almost new) from the old printer. Took the new printer out of the box and got it set up. Installed the old cartridges only to have the printer tell me they weren’t going to work…where were the ones that came with me??? So, put in the new cartridges. Still no go but figured out it was because of the cord Canon had included. I removed the old USB cord from the old computer and plugged that in. AH, SUCCESS…but nope, not going to print.

Thankfully, my first assistor happened to come by (actually, she planned it because I’d lamented via text) and found the problem within like a minute. I don’t think she was here for more than three minutes total.

So, just this morning, I went to print only to have the damn computer want me to save the document instead of print. DAMNIT, the document had already been saved. I wanted to PRINT!!! I went online and followed the suggestions I found there and VOILA, I could print.

Then on Thursday, came the frosting on the cake or what I hope is problem number three solved without further issue.

I went to the Lynnwood Olive Garden restaurant to have lunch with a friend. After lunch, I went to the bathroom prior to leaving the restaurant. When I reached my car, I couldn’t find my key…on a stretchy bright green thingie. Sometimes when I go to the bathroom, my key will drop out of my jeans pocket. I went back inside the restaurant and checked the bathroom…no key. Asked the restaurant greeter and we looked at the floor where I sat…no key. The wonderful lady even went in the back and checked a couple of places where it might have ended up, including the garbage and, NO KEY.

Well, I thought of everyone I could call for help and decided on AAA. The very nice young man arrived in less than thirty minutes and within five minutes, he had my car door open and again, NO KEY. So, it had to be some place inside Olive Garden. I left my car unlocked when I began to return to the restaurant.

On my way there, I once again felt in all my pockets and, again, NO KEY; however, as my hand traversed the front of my jeans/sweatshirt, I felt something…the plastic thingie on which my key was fastened. I pulled up my sweatshirt and VOILA, there was my car key, stuck inside the front of my jeans. I guess when I went to the bathroom, rather than fall to the floor, my key somehow ended up down the very front of my pants. Funny, right…wrong!!!

There is my tale of woe for April. I had to devote way too much time to technology and searching. I’m hoping that May allows me time to do the stuff I really like to do, i.e., writing, driftwood sculpting and gardening. I guess I should ask y’all to pray for me based on my April experiences.