MIA

I realize I've been MIA for awhile. Sorry about that, but real life intervenes. The largest portion of time was computer-related. Just before Thanksgiving, my computer started running very, very slowly and things were loading slowly or weren't loading at all...software or internet-related items. I had a sinking feeling my computer's hard drive was about to crash (it IS 6 years old). So after a few days of dealing with the awful lag, decided to go out and buy a new one.  Brought it home and was waiting for the next day when I hoped my geeky youngest daughter could hold my hand through setting everything up.  Meanwhile, I left my old computer on.  The next morning I awoke and went into my office, turned the corner to sit down at my desk, and...you guessed it...the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.  At least I was prepared with a new computer ready to hook-up and I have Carbonite, so everything was backed up.

Then comes a whole 'nuther part of the story.  I had splurged and not only bought the CPU tower, but a new monitor as well.  Well, in hooking up the monitor, all I got were funny black lines on a white background.  Knew everything was hooked up properly, so I reboxed the screen and returned it (1/2 hour each way, mind you).  Got the new screen home (same type) and hooked it up.  It worked fine until the screensaver activated, then I got those wonky lines again.  After a few choice words (I won't repeat them here, LOL), I did the boxing and returning thing again.  This time I changed up the monitor to the same type as the CPU.  Got it home and all seemed fine.  Spent THREE straight days downloading all my backups off Carbonite (during which time you turn off your screensaver, per instructions *you know where this is going, right*) and then start using my computer and loading on all the software and stuff so the backups work (another two days) and have my computer all set up the way I want.  Put the screensaver on again, and....yep, you guessed it!  ARRRGGGHHH!

Figure the only thing it could be is CPU-related at this point.  I mean, come on, it's only coincidence up to a point!  So I have to completely reformat the computer back to factory settings ('cause all my stuff was on it at this point), take EVERYTHING back and get a top-of-the-line gaming laptop and have been in heaven ever since.  Of course, I lost another week reloading everything!  So I essentially lost 2-1/2 weeks of my life I can never get back...

Regularly scheduled programming shall resume shortly.  :o)

So there you have it,
Suzy