A week in review

Yes, it is yet again another picture of Jars of Clay. This is what Heather left me on her kitchen counter. A Jars "shrine" with a pot holder hanging in the corner! She called me from Nashville to say, "I just wanted to let you know that I am standing twenty feet away from Jars of Clay."

"SHUT UP! NO WAY?" This is me, screaming into the phone at her. hehehe I can't wait to hear more. She sent out e-mails everyday with pictures and a list of all the famous people that she had met/run into/stalked that day. Sami and I decided we're going to sign up next year! I "heart" Jars of Clay. (like you didn't already know that)


This is Shyah, her cute "child of fur" whom I took care of. My own two cats are currently going nuts. I'm not quite sure why...

I had to start all over with my computer and the problem does not seem to be resolved. Yesterday, after the 2 1/2 hours Bill (my tech) spent on the phone with Dell, where they wiped out my computer and started all over again only to realize it was a problem with McAffee, everything seemed to be working fine. Cate FedExed me the disks again, and I loaded them back up today in record time (last time it took us 2 1/2 hours to load the fonts, this time we loaded the program and the fonts in 45 minutes)! But the internet is still running deadly slow. It's driving me nuts! And it's the topic of my blog... I am saddened by that.

Good news is, friends are coming to visit this weekend. I'll have more pictures from Meijer Gardens and that will be a welcome change.

I'm also re-reading H.P. I'm on book three. I spent my "time off" yesterday reading lots of Spinner's on Mugglenet.com If you're a H.P. fan and haven't checked it out, you HAVE to. Oh so many thoughts and ideas. Crazy.

Other fun things going on, Bill made ribs yesterday. He created a dry rub, and grilled them for our dinner. Wow, yum, they were awesome! Seriously the best thing to ever come off of that grill so far! He is a grill master.

So this is my week in review. If you have e-mailed me and I haven't responded, I will soon. Once I get back in my work groove and am not totally frustrated with my work computer!

The new desk

I would like to point out how accurate the Mac/PC commercials are. I have enjoyed every single one of them. I really like the newest one where the PC is on a cart with several other "PC's" who have all been given a bad diagnostic. They are right on. Not only did my old computer give me a screen of death warning, but the new computer with Vista is driving me nuts! It's true, I'm a Mac girl and proud of it. But I did get a new desk for the new PC, and had fun putting it together, so I thought I'd share the process with you!


the directions

the pieces (not all of them)


almost finished


Enough space to fit an African Village. I seriously don't know what to do with all this workspace!? But for now, I need to go clean up the rest of the office.

Acquire the Fire

This is the view we had at Ford Field the first night. We were in the LAST row. I'm squishing the speaker with my fingers. We heard Skillet, Hillsong United, and... I think that was it that night.



The next day, we heard Hillsong United (two more times), Hawk Nelson, and P.O.D. We also heard from several speakers. You'll have to forgive me, I forgot who this is, but he is a Colts player, and he shared his story about how his faith helped him get through eleven years of not winning the Super Bowl!

today

What is so special about today that is different from any other day? I don't know. Yesterday was a fun day. I posted on Jars of Clay's blog. Which was great, until I realized that I had forgotten when I post, so does my picture! hehehe I mentioned that Heather will be in Nashville at the Dove Awards and they should look for her. I am very curious to see if they do spot her, and if they recognize her?! I am very excited for her, and am already thinking I'm going to have to volunteer for this next year!

Yesterday was also the return of Gilmore Girls (for those of you who may have missed it, you can keep reading, I'm not going to spoil anything). I did come to a different conclusion then I'd had earlier in the year; I'm fine if Luke and Lorelei get back together and the writers wrap everything up in a nice neat little package. I was angry at the beginning of the year because Amy and Daniel had left, and they were the reason the show was so great. The first few episodes were a little shakey, but I think the actors have helped bring back some of the originality. It's still different, but it's closer to what it was before.

Today is also a Queen day. I still woke up with a Jars song in my head, but then got "I Want To Break Free" stuck in my head, so decided to listen to some Queen. Which brings back a memory of a road trip with Bill. We were on our way back from the midwest to NJ and it was late, we had been driving all day, and Bill was jammin' to Queen. We started discussing how their Greatest Hits album combined with their Classic album would make a great musical, i.e. Tommy.

Of course as soon as Queen is done, it's right back to Jars. My new computer doesn't have speakers, so this is blaring out of the Mac from the other room. I miss Air 1.

I do have pictures from the weekend at Acquire the Fire. I still need to load them onto the other computer, and then there will be a post full of that. It definitely got Heather and I fired up for Sunday School and youth group!!!

TGIF

Today, the Jr. & Sr. High are going to Detroit to "Acquire the Fire". I am looking forward to it. I don't know how crazy it's going to be... but it should be fun. And it will be nice to get away from the horrors of my new computer. (seriously not liking Vista! in case you hadn't noticed)

Today, the sun is shining and it's only about 50, but at least there's no snow. I guess it's supposed to snow again tomorrow. Yikes!

Okay, time for McD's. I'm lovin' it

Peace

No work, more snow, I "heart" my Mac

I realized if I posted a new blog (blogged a new post?) that my Jars of Clay pics, my boys, would no longer be seen on this page. So, I'm fixing that with more pictures from the concert!





I am sitting here, waiting to see if I get another phone call. The first one was to cancel the after school program. They were closing the school early, yes. Due to snow. We have 2-3 inches. Wait, it's April. Yes, and this is Michigan. Good thing I hadn't put away my winter clothes yet. I won't do that until June. You think I'm kidding. I just took a picture to show you.



Yes, I just took this picture from the computer room. Beautiful isn't it? Sarcastic too. Maybe if it were still February! Interesting. Thanks, Global warming, for making spring winter again. All my tulips. They were about to bloom too. Hmph..

Back to work

A week off (unpaid vacation) = $0.00

A new computer = $1,000.00 (not my money)

Taking pictures to share on my blog = priceless

I tried. I had a better idea earlier while I was unpacking, but the styrofoam fumes got to me. And just so you know: Vista is EXACTLY like the commercial. oie vey. But I get a clock and I named it (Fleur, I think I have to come up with a better name). I also named my sleep/screen saver, it's called naptime. The joys of a new computer. Back to work.

Next addiction

Now it's back to Harry. Heather and I began the slow count down, by watching H.P. 1 & 2 yesterday. We also ate tons of junk food. It was great! Okay, the food wasn't that bad; mac & cheese (no paprika incident this time), doritoes and guacamole, homemade oreo ice cream (thank you Ben & Jerry's), left over deviled eggs, and cookies. Did I forget anything? Yup! Pizza rolls! Yum! The only reason we didn't watch other H.P. movies, was because ours are still packed somewhere.... and Heather doesn't have three. And I'm sorry, but you can't have a marathon and skip one! Before 5 comes out, we'll have found ours and we'll have a "proper" marathon! All things H.P.

I still haven't received my new computer. It's expected to be delivered tomorrow. Yeah! I ordered a new desk. Both of which I will have to photograph so I can share with all of you! Fun! :)

Speaking of which, I went back to Meijer Gardens with Sami and her daughter Rhea. We had a great time! And we're going again in May when they have the Chocolate exhibit! They don't know what they're getting into, having something like that with us around! I digress, here's the clear wing butterfly, I finally got a good picture of it!

Birds & the Butterflies

I had "birds and the bees", but then realized those are not Greg's favorite things, and I didn't want to scare him away... and the new title is more appropriate.

Here you go Connie. Hey, it's a great picture! I just hope nature doesn't mind my interuption...

Still

Well, it has been an interesting couple of days. Yes, I'm still on my Jars of Clay high. It is a great and natural high, almost brought to a screeching hault by my faulty nano. Alas, a trip to the apple store, restored it, and taught me how to handle the situation next time it arises.



Monday morning started out interesting enough with a faulty work computer (I would like to add here, because Bill cannot comment having forgotten his password, that he calls me "technology poison", this was NOT my fault. The computer was old and destined to die soon, even Cate admitted that she had been thinking of buying me a new computer knowing that one was about to kick the bucket) I had a difficult time getting the computer to even start up, and then once it did, I immediately (under Bill's good advice) did a full back-up. About two minutes after the back-up, it gave one short beep, and froze for eternity.

I might not be so stuck on the death talk, if it weren't for a funeral that we went to yesterday. It was my mom's oldest sister's husband. My uncle by marriage. He had been diagnosed with cancer awhile ago, and it really was a blessing that he passed away. I noticed something remarkable; there weren't that many tears shed during the funeral, or when the pastor was speaking at the cemetary. But when the men did the 21 gun salute and then played taps, there were very few dry eyes. It is one of those things, since 9/11 that effects me more then ever. That and when I hear the National Anthem. (Bill and I have a hard time watching the Olympics! And Memorial Day, forget it, I'm a basket case) I don't know how to explain that emotion that is caused by something so simple, yet has been so profound in so many lives. It is touching to see that no matter where they were, or how old they were, that those who served our country have respect.

Thank you for indulging that. Now, I would like to discuss the fact that it is snowing. Bill warned me that it often snows on or after his birthday (the 20th), I was warned. And I remember April Fool's Day having snow... but it was so nice and warm and spring-like. Oh well, it will be nice and sunny again next week. Or rainy, but at least warmer.

So Bill and I are tag-teaming for use of the home computer. I have a week off, or until I get the new computer. I will probably share a little bit about it when it arrives. Cate did not spare any expense when it came to buying me a new computer (here's a teaser: a 19" flat panel screen). I now need a new desk.

Happy Wednesday!