Computer Still Sick....

I thought I would get my computer back yesterday so that I could work on re-installing all of my software and data on Sunday. It's looking like it will be next week before I get it back . Good thing I have other computers to work with in the interim.

Computer Woes

It's looking as if it is a software issue. That's very solvable (a lot of time, but not a lot of money), but I'll know for sure later this morning. If it is, I'll have the techs re-install the basic O/S and I'll re-install my many programs and download my date from my on-line data backup system. Here's bringing that to the test - has it truly backed up my data the way that I need? I'll be finding out :-)

GRRRRRRRRR

My main computer refuses to boot up this morning. 'Nuf said. Postings may be few for the next few days.

Goals vs Reality

As usual, for my day off, I have a list of things to do that numbers a dozen errands or more and doesn't even include my normal 2-3 loads of laundry and the forming, shaping, and preliminary enameling of the floral elements that I cut out two weeks ago. But this is my only day off, so I don't have a lot of choice. The challenge in any list of errands is to accomplish as much as possible as efficiently as possible. If done correctly, I may indeed have the time to shape and form, or at least begin the shaping and forming of my florals so that if I can't enamel them this week, I can do so next week.

I purchased some fixative spray from Thompson Enamel a couple of weeks ago (along with the new colors that I needed for this project). Now I need to research how to use this. I know that Linda Darty mentioned it when I took her Master Class a year ago (hard to believe it's been almost one year since that wonderful week of pure bliss). If I can't find anything specific on how to use this and the proper proportions for the solution, I'll have to Email her directly, or phone Coral at her place in Seattle, for instructions. I am hesitant to phone Coral because I didn't buy the material from her so it seems rather an imposition to ask her how to use something that she didn't supply. But there are a few things that I want from her, so I might phone her if I can't figure this out properly on my own. I'd better check my bank balances before I do so though, and make sure I have a list of the Japanese colors that I want from her before I do so. It's FAR too easy to indulge in new colors and money is tight. I'm double-checking and questioning every purchase these days. That's probably for the best, though. Have a great Wednesday. Go through your list, cross off many items, and create something that will bring you bliss today.

Auction items for BEADING FOR A CURE are available now at eBay. Check out our website at http://www.beadingforacure.org/ to see what is available this week and what will become available for our other weeks of the 2009 auction. Then please bid - bid HIGH. Proceeds from our auctions are donated to eliminate the horror of colorectal cancer.

Savings - A Perspective

The news broadcast today states that savings rates in the US are at a high unmatched since the 1980's - a five percent (5%) level. The same report stated that this rate needs to decrease to get the economic furnace fired up again. I am mystified. For most of my life I have heard the pundits despair that our savings rate was so low. We were usually compared (negatively) to Japan, where rates of savings were double-digit. But now, with this report, it seems that we are suddenly being told that savings is bad. I must disagree with that. I think savings is good - I just wish I had the money to be able to save some. I suspect I'm far from alone in that sentiment.

I have two major trips/conferences scheduled for this summer. I will be attending the Bead & Button Show in June, and Metal Clay World in July. My personal savings right now are approximately $200. That's not going to take me far with either of these conferences. So, I'm putting everything aside that I can. By the time June comes around, I'll probably have at least $300 more put aside just from putting aside all of my change and $1 bills each night. It's rather amazing how quickly that can add up. I spend larger bills sometimes specifically to get some smaller bills that I can stash away. That's my savings plan. It's pretty basic, but it seems to be working for me. And if I can save the money necessary to fund incidentals at the two conferences this summer in this manner, I'll be very happy to join this savings revolution.

Monday, Monday...

The week is starting out running. How I can already be behind at 4:11 a.m. is a mystery to me. Yet I am. I have mail orders to confirm, deposit slips to make out, Emails to read, and I have to leave the house at 6:00 a.m. for my be-weekly chiropractic appointment. I have a bunch of stuff in my car trunk for the shop - a new typewriter because our old one died last week, some groceries... The parking lot will be almost solid ice, so carrying everything into the shop without falling on the ice may be an interesting experiment in balance. But once I'm there, I can power up the laptop, replace the typewriter and write the checks that I need to have ready for today, and maybe catch up with the rest of my Email before the day starts.

Sunday was fun. As usual, I had no intention of spending the day at my computer, and as usual, that's what I ended up doing after all. I had a very enjoyable day, accomplished a great deal for my on-line characters, but I didn't really accomplish a lot in my real-life life. But my DH was pretty happy with what he was able to accomplish with his characters, and all things considered, it was a nice day off. Today....back to the grind - LOL. Good thing I actually do love what I do....