So Sunday before church we went back to the BX. It took us a little longer to find an employee this time, but he did seem a bit more knowledgeable and willing to help. We had him put his password into all 4 of the small laptops they had and checked the scores. Compaq was 3.1, Sony was 3.5, Toshiba was 4.0. Hmm, I can only remember 3 of them now. Anyway! Bob pointed to the Toshiba and said, "I'm getting you that one." It was cheaper than the Sony in spite of being a higher rating and a larger screen, and much better than the cheaper Compaq. (Plus, our first laptop was a Compaq and we saw why the nickname for "Presario" is "pretty sorry, oh.") He also got more memory for his computer.
Then we had lunch, went to church, and then I dropped Bob and the children off at the playground while I went to the commissary. Yesterday started off very foggy, but the sun popped out about 1pm and it was a beautiful afternoon. So I went after a few groceries... took my time walking through, trying to remember everything we might need, and ended up with half a cart full - not a huge amount. Then I headed up to the checkout line. At military commissaries worldwide, the custom is to form one line, and the person in front will just go to the next available cashier. Pretty effective way of doing things, if you ask me. But, there were about 50 people in line and two cash registers open. So I tool a good look at my selections and decided I really didn't need that stuff after all. I picked out 15 things, left the rest in the cart, and went to the self-checkout 'express' line. There were about 4 people in that line, and all 4 registers open, so it only took a few minutes. The discount cereal had to be entered by an employee, so I called him over and he eventually figured out how to do it, and then I had to call him back to do the coupon, but I got it done and was FREE to leave. Back over to the playground where the children were very thirsty and *not* ready to go home.
We made it home about 4pm and I started to set up my computer and fix dinner. We just had fruit salad and sausage mac 'n' cheese.
I think I've got it going okay now, with some unwanted pre-installed software removed, and Firefox installed. Now I just have to get my favorites and some programs going and I'll be in there.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Sunday, 8 June 2008
laptops
Thursday night Bob's nerves were on edge a bit. We sat together, doing stuff on our laptops for a while. Then I turned mine off to knit, and when the noise of the fan died down, Bob said, "I'm going to buy you a new computer." Oh? This old clunker is just too noisy to live with.
So we both looked online a little, and then we went to the BX Saturday to see what they have. All I know is I want a 15" screen instead of the current 17" so it will be lighter and more portable (also cheaper). Yes, I'll mis the number pad, but not having my shoulder pulled out of joint every time I go to lift it on my lap will make up for it. :-) The BX had one "cheap" one, so we looked at it some, but were unable to find some information. The "help" didn't know anything about it, and was unwilling to find out any information (like maybe getting the box out to at least see what the manufacturer wanted us to know). There were two more under $1000, but we didn't look at those at all. So far we have found that 1. you get what you pay for, 2. most US companies won't ship over here, 3. the BX isn't the greatest place to shop for computers.
Let me tell you about my current laptop. This was the replacement for the one that got stolen from Bob's car while on base in Texas. (No, we never got any kind of reimbursement for that theft.) While it was still fairly new, two years ago, Bob and I were outside building a storage shed at our rental place. The children got hot and bored, so we let them sit inside the empty house and watch a movie on the computer. About 1/2 way through, Riah (age 2) took what was left of his drink and deliberately poured it over the keyboard. The screen went black. It wouldn't respond to commands. We just knew it was finished. But Bob took it apart and dried it out and put it back together and it worked just fine.
The power cord that came with it has been cut with scissors and pinched in the recliner mechanism of our couch. Then it wore and became frayed at the base of the big square thing that I don't know the name of. I finally got worried enough about it that I ordered a new one, off Ebay since HP won't ship over here. (Oh, yeah, it would also just fall out of the back of the computer without cause or warning.) The new one was not branded, but it worked. Then one day when it was unplugged, William got hold of it. I grabbed it from him and plugged it back in. Click. Apparently he'd got it in his mouth and it was still wet when I plugged it in. Bye-bye new power cord, and Bob has forbidden me to plug in anything ever again. ;-) So I'm back to the old plug.
And then there was the crash when I tried to download a parental control program.
It is very noisy, very hot, and very heavy. When typing, "M" skips a lot. The built in mouse touch pad thingy will stop working at random times. But it still works. And I recommend HP to anyone in the market for a laptop, because they have some good features, and it can take a licking.
I wonder what I'm gonna get.
So we both looked online a little, and then we went to the BX Saturday to see what they have. All I know is I want a 15" screen instead of the current 17" so it will be lighter and more portable (also cheaper). Yes, I'll mis the number pad, but not having my shoulder pulled out of joint every time I go to lift it on my lap will make up for it. :-) The BX had one "cheap" one, so we looked at it some, but were unable to find some information. The "help" didn't know anything about it, and was unwilling to find out any information (like maybe getting the box out to at least see what the manufacturer wanted us to know). There were two more under $1000, but we didn't look at those at all. So far we have found that 1. you get what you pay for, 2. most US companies won't ship over here, 3. the BX isn't the greatest place to shop for computers.
Let me tell you about my current laptop. This was the replacement for the one that got stolen from Bob's car while on base in Texas. (No, we never got any kind of reimbursement for that theft.) While it was still fairly new, two years ago, Bob and I were outside building a storage shed at our rental place. The children got hot and bored, so we let them sit inside the empty house and watch a movie on the computer. About 1/2 way through, Riah (age 2) took what was left of his drink and deliberately poured it over the keyboard. The screen went black. It wouldn't respond to commands. We just knew it was finished. But Bob took it apart and dried it out and put it back together and it worked just fine.
The power cord that came with it has been cut with scissors and pinched in the recliner mechanism of our couch. Then it wore and became frayed at the base of the big square thing that I don't know the name of. I finally got worried enough about it that I ordered a new one, off Ebay since HP won't ship over here. (Oh, yeah, it would also just fall out of the back of the computer without cause or warning.) The new one was not branded, but it worked. Then one day when it was unplugged, William got hold of it. I grabbed it from him and plugged it back in. Click. Apparently he'd got it in his mouth and it was still wet when I plugged it in. Bye-bye new power cord, and Bob has forbidden me to plug in anything ever again. ;-) So I'm back to the old plug.
And then there was the crash when I tried to download a parental control program.
It is very noisy, very hot, and very heavy. When typing, "M" skips a lot. The built in mouse touch pad thingy will stop working at random times. But it still works. And I recommend HP to anyone in the market for a laptop, because they have some good features, and it can take a licking.
I wonder what I'm gonna get.
Thursday, 5 June 2008
the conclusion
Well, well. When Bob got home last night, I showed him the letter/bill, and laughed. He was quiet for a minute, and said, "My flesh wants to throw a fit and let them know just how wrong this is, but my spirit says 'just pay it.'" Knowing how it was bothering him, I read to him my thoughts on the matter, and he said, "Let it go."
So I'm proud of him for doing the right thing.
And I wonder if my talking about it is "doing my alms before men" ... if so, I guess I'll do without the reward... I'm not here to brag, but to: 1, work through it; 2, be transparent that it doesn't come naturally to me to do the right thing; 3, maybe even be an encouragement to someone else.
Now I'm actually gonna have to call the people to find out who to pay (them or the guy), and it's gonna be hard to not at least say something, but I guess it would mess up the whole point if I did. All those years of not saying anything will serve me well, I hope. (For my new friends, I talked very little as a young person.)
Anyway.
Last night William ate a big bowl of (infant) cereal at dinner. After dinner we went to Tesco because Bob is out of Nutella and William fell asleep on the way home. We left him in his car seat while we got everyone else in bed, and he snored away. Finally I went to get him, just sure he'd wake up and nurse, but he stayed asleep through the unbuckling and the trip down the hall to his room. So he went to bed without nursing. I don't know whether to dance or cry. My baby is growing up! He sure is a sweety. Got a video of him sitting up saying, "Dadadadadada pthhttt."
(We also got a chocolate-filled croissant each. How great is that for my diet? I didn't eat much dinner...)
So I'm proud of him for doing the right thing.
And I wonder if my talking about it is "doing my alms before men" ... if so, I guess I'll do without the reward... I'm not here to brag, but to: 1, work through it; 2, be transparent that it doesn't come naturally to me to do the right thing; 3, maybe even be an encouragement to someone else.
Now I'm actually gonna have to call the people to find out who to pay (them or the guy), and it's gonna be hard to not at least say something, but I guess it would mess up the whole point if I did. All those years of not saying anything will serve me well, I hope. (For my new friends, I talked very little as a young person.)
Anyway.
Last night William ate a big bowl of (infant) cereal at dinner. After dinner we went to Tesco because Bob is out of Nutella and William fell asleep on the way home. We left him in his car seat while we got everyone else in bed, and he snored away. Finally I went to get him, just sure he'd wake up and nurse, but he stayed asleep through the unbuckling and the trip down the hall to his room. So he went to bed without nursing. I don't know whether to dance or cry. My baby is growing up! He sure is a sweety. Got a video of him sitting up saying, "Dadadadadada pthhttt."
(We also got a chocolate-filled croissant each. How great is that for my diet? I didn't eat much dinner...)
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
post script
I think this is a test.
Last night I read Ganeida's blog about peace.
This morning I read
I don't mind forgiving people, but I want them to know that I know they did wrong and I'm forgiving them because I'm a good Christian. haha.
So you know I'm struggling with the issue, but either way I have an easy 'out' - I'll see what Bob says. Sometimes it's good to be a woman. :-D
Last night I read Ganeida's blog about peace.
This morning I read
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.Then I got the bill from Elvins. Humbug.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
I don't mind forgiving people, but I want them to know that I know they did wrong and I'm forgiving them because I'm a good Christian. haha.
So you know I'm struggling with the issue, but either way I have an easy 'out' - I'll see what Bob says. Sometimes it's good to be a woman. :-D
trouble with the rental thing
Some of you may remember the oil tank/pipe leak drama...
To recap:
1. We had the oil tank filled.
2. The next day I noticed a dripping on the valve, and turned all the knobs I could find to get it to stop.
3. I called our rental management people.
4. 4 or 5 days later they sent out someone to fix it
5. The heater wouldn't restart.
6. They sent someone to bleed the line and re-light the heater. (3 days later)
7. They sent me a bill for the line bleeder guy, because it was my fault the oil got turned off and thus necessitated the guy coming out.
What else was I supposed to do? If I hadn't turned off the oil flow, instead of a drip (which soaked the ground as it was) the whole tank would have leaked out in the time it took them to get someone out here! I guess that would have been my problem, too, since I'm actually paying for the oil in spite of them saying they would pay it.
See, the asking price for the house was 1000GBP per month. We are allowed up to 1200, but we only get up to the price (we can't get a cheap place and pocket the difference), so we offered 1200 with heating oil included. They wouldn't write that part into the contract, claiming we wouldn't get our utility allowance if they knew about it, but we do have it in writing on another paper. Only, last time we filled up the tank, they sent us this lovely letter with the check saying how we paid in 200GBP per month, and we had spent 40 more than we'd paid in, so we couldn't charge them for more until we'd caught up a bit. Also they included in the tally some oil they'd put in before we moved out here. So basically, instead of them covering the cost of oil, they are just holding a set amount towards the cost. We decided to let that go since it would probably work out anyway, seeing as we were over only 40GBP in the winter, and we'll use a lot less in the summer. But this!
I guess I'll either let this go, too, or else try to find the number for the base housing office and find out what I ought to do.
Pity the company works in this underhanded way, as we really like the house. Mr Elvin seemed so nice, too, when we were out looking for places. I should have gone with my first reaction when they didn't have the keys for the property they'd made an appointment to show Bob, and left him standing on the curb for an hour not knowing if they would show up or not. When they offered to make another appointment, I said, "Why would I? How can you manage a lease if you can't even show a house?" I was right.
Anyway, it's not like the price would break us, it's just WRONG.
To recap:
1. We had the oil tank filled.
2. The next day I noticed a dripping on the valve, and turned all the knobs I could find to get it to stop.
3. I called our rental management people.
4. 4 or 5 days later they sent out someone to fix it
5. The heater wouldn't restart.
6. They sent someone to bleed the line and re-light the heater. (3 days later)
7. They sent me a bill for the line bleeder guy, because it was my fault the oil got turned off and thus necessitated the guy coming out.
What else was I supposed to do? If I hadn't turned off the oil flow, instead of a drip (which soaked the ground as it was) the whole tank would have leaked out in the time it took them to get someone out here! I guess that would have been my problem, too, since I'm actually paying for the oil in spite of them saying they would pay it.
See, the asking price for the house was 1000GBP per month. We are allowed up to 1200, but we only get up to the price (we can't get a cheap place and pocket the difference), so we offered 1200 with heating oil included. They wouldn't write that part into the contract, claiming we wouldn't get our utility allowance if they knew about it, but we do have it in writing on another paper. Only, last time we filled up the tank, they sent us this lovely letter with the check saying how we paid in 200GBP per month, and we had spent 40 more than we'd paid in, so we couldn't charge them for more until we'd caught up a bit. Also they included in the tally some oil they'd put in before we moved out here. So basically, instead of them covering the cost of oil, they are just holding a set amount towards the cost. We decided to let that go since it would probably work out anyway, seeing as we were over only 40GBP in the winter, and we'll use a lot less in the summer. But this!
I guess I'll either let this go, too, or else try to find the number for the base housing office and find out what I ought to do.
Pity the company works in this underhanded way, as we really like the house. Mr Elvin seemed so nice, too, when we were out looking for places. I should have gone with my first reaction when they didn't have the keys for the property they'd made an appointment to show Bob, and left him standing on the curb for an hour not knowing if they would show up or not. When they offered to make another appointment, I said, "Why would I? How can you manage a lease if you can't even show a house?" I was right.
Anyway, it's not like the price would break us, it's just WRONG.
tired
For some reason I was unable to sleep last night. I finally got up at midnight and lay down on the couch (keep in mind it's a 2-seater and I'm 5'10"), where I rested fitfully until 4:30. Then I returned to my bed, waking up Bob, and tossed and turned till 6:30. ick
On other news:
Bob may be able to go to Iceland for 3 weeks in September. That will be exciting for him if he gets to go.
Everybody is talking about prices going up, so I guess I'll join in. :-) Bagged salads at the commissary have gone from $2.10 to $2.79. I'd sure like to find some lettuce seeds.
William finally likes to eat at the table. He likes baby cereal, tolerates applesauce, and drools a lot at yogurt. Other foods are spit out, and water sure gets a reaction.
We bought Othello from Target.com and we are learning to play it properly, instead of on the computer. We also got some shoes for Taryn and me and a dress for Naysha (it's almost too small).
The neighbor girl says she wants to come live with us. :-)
Taryn has finally learned to write in cursive. She's doing A Reason for Writing - the same book I used when I was in homeschool. She finished her Science and History, and is now doing handwriting, Math, and English. Guess which is her least favorite.
I think that's about it so far this week.
On other news:
Bob may be able to go to Iceland for 3 weeks in September. That will be exciting for him if he gets to go.
Everybody is talking about prices going up, so I guess I'll join in. :-) Bagged salads at the commissary have gone from $2.10 to $2.79. I'd sure like to find some lettuce seeds.
William finally likes to eat at the table. He likes baby cereal, tolerates applesauce, and drools a lot at yogurt. Other foods are spit out, and water sure gets a reaction.
We bought Othello from Target.com and we are learning to play it properly, instead of on the computer. We also got some shoes for Taryn and me and a dress for Naysha (it's almost too small).
The neighbor girl says she wants to come live with us. :-)
Taryn has finally learned to write in cursive. She's doing A Reason for Writing - the same book I used when I was in homeschool. She finished her Science and History, and is now doing handwriting, Math, and English. Guess which is her least favorite.
I think that's about it so far this week.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Parental rights
I'd have quite bit to say on the subject if it weren't bedtime. Maybe later.
But anyway, check out this story at Parade.com. Do parents have the legal right to teach their own children? Oy! At what point will we have to have state permission to let the baby sit up on his own? Can I have a conversation as we walk along? What if he asks about a color, or the name of a bird? Do I have the right to answer his questions? I'm not a professional...
But anyway, check out this story at Parade.com. Do parents have the legal right to teach their own children? Oy! At what point will we have to have state permission to let the baby sit up on his own? Can I have a conversation as we walk along? What if he asks about a color, or the name of a bird? Do I have the right to answer his questions? I'm not a professional...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)