HELP ARRIVED AND I AM BACK ON LINE ~ SORTA

The Dell man came and went in 20 minutes. That's how long it took to put a new hard drive in.  20 minutes. Part of that was paper work !!  Of course it took me two hours to figure out how to 'pin a Favorites tool' on my toolbar.  It still doesn't act like it used to (the toolbar). I guess I am getting too old, I hate change.  I want my old toolbars back, and my favorites list like I had it. I am tired. But I do have a computer back and I am reloading all my software. I am just tired. I don't know enough about computers and I am scared to touch ANYTHING.  I guess that is all for now.  If I live thru getting everything back like I want it I will talk to ya'll in a day or 2.
God please bless ALL of us.
Mary

BACK IN THE SADDLE ~ MAYBE ??

Three weeks ago my computer crashed while shutting down. I messed with it, trying to keep from losing all my clipart and documents. Nothing else mattered. Because we had had attacks on both our computers I had started down loading on cd's my clip art but ran out of discs, I didn't get it finished before it crashed. Was someone up above trying to warn me maybe?? Anyway, I fooled around worrying with the van (transmission is gone in it), finally got my husband's computer up again, and lots of other problems that just would no let go. I finally gave up and called Dell and for once in my life got lucky.  A really nice guy named Deepak tryed to help me.  We could not get him logged on to my computer and nothing we tried with him walking me thru the steps from my end worked.  He asked me how much I valued my documents and clip art. He said if I could lose them I could get my computer a new hard drive for free because it was still under warranty. I hate losing all that but I just don't have the money to pay for saving it.  I can let go. I don't know which is worse losing my favorites lists or my pics I had collected. I am now writing down ANYTHING I add to a favorites list.  There are web sites I like that I may never find again. I am going to make hard copies of my favorite images for my art so I do not have to rely on anything electronic or mechanical. I have a thingy to plug in and back up my computer, but I only used it once and I think I am not going to use it to restore any thing.  I will start from scratch again.  I have learned some lessons, and I am going to put the knowledge to use.  The main thing being hard copy masters of my documents, favorite pics, and favorites list.  I had tried to be scientific about having folders listing my blog followers, the blogs I follow, favorite tutorials, etc., etc., I really tried but there are some sites I may never find again.  I am lucky that I had printed off a lot of clipart to use for new things I am creating to list on ETSY. I can make copies of those to save (some of them from Mind Wide Open, the first challenge I ever entered). That blog is gone now and Gail doesn't have those images available for sale (atleast I haven't found them). I guess I just have to let go of some things.  Over the last 7-8 years I have had to let go of a LOT of things.  I have to remember that I really am lucky because I still have my home, and am still alive and able to function. I have to remember the folks that lost EVERYTHING including family members just a few miles from me in the tornadoes in April. 
Thank you LORD for what I do have and help me handle what I don't have.
The repairman will be here in a few minutes.
Mary

COMPUTER CRASHES, WEIRD KEYBOARDS AND OTHER STRANGE THINGS

This is going to be short. I am writing in my husband's weird keyboard and it is like I don't know how to type. I got Don's computer up and going. My computer crashed Thurs of last week and frankly there may be no hope in sight. I was doing a control/alt/delete to escape the virus attack and one of the .exe files didn't close right and now my computer is caught in 'safe'mode and just loops from boot up to shut down and boot up again, over and over.  I can't even get into the computer settings to try a system restore to save my files or anything.  All it will do when I push the start button is boot up and shut down, boot up and shut down with me just sitting and looking at the screen. I will be glad when July is over, it has been the month from hell for us. The transmisson died in our van and will cost more than I paid for the van. Now this thing is printing in italics?? I hate this keyboard!  Anyway two computers down, one back up, van trash, refridgerator acting up, heat that feels like you really are in hell, I had the flu ( or something like it and still feel awful), Riding lawn mower won't cut. Just on and on and on. August just has to be better. Of course the Federal gov't will probably go belly up. At least I don't count my debt in the TRILLIONS. I hope you all are doing ok. Not sure when I will be back on my own computer. I will try to keep ya'll posted from the sunny and oh so hot south.What was it Carrie Fisher wrote 'Post Cards from the Edge'?? I like that title but never read the book. Thats how I feel tonite, like a postcard from the edge of somewhere!!!!
God bless all of you. I could use a prayer or two also. If any of you have any ideas on how to stop the looping on my computer PLEASE comment.
Bye ya'll
Mary

BRAG MONDAY AT THE GRAPHICS FAIRY

I have been visiting the Graphics Fairy for years (and years). I just can't wait to see what pretties and facinating images she has found.  Finally I am going to join in on her Brag Monday where all of us that have collected and used her images show off our crafting use of same images.
This one I already had in my collection when Soarful Challenges used it a couple of weeks ago as the inspiration image.  Here is the original and my take on it.

original

Thought I would add a little humor to it.  I think it came out ok since I was running out of color ink in the printer. 

 Anyway, thanks to Karen for all her hard work to give us this huge library of images for us to play with and give our imaginations freedom.

Here is a link to Graphics Fairy: http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ and a link to Soarful challenge in case you would like to join the fun and challenge your imagination: http://jeanette-soartfulchallenges.blogspot.com/

PS she is using another Graphics Fairy image this week ~ a pretty honey bee.

Mary

COMPUTER VIRUSES AND FEAR

This weekend has been interesting, confusing and just plain made me mad. My husband has picked up a computer virus on his computer.  It trys to make you think it is Microsoft Windows trying to 'protect your computer from a threat'.  It puts up screens with trick questions kinda like the old joke question ~do you beat your wife? If you answer Yes you tell every one you beat your wife and if you say No then you tell them you used to beat your wife. It asks if you want to protect your computer ~ yes or no. You are damned if you answer either way.  Well that is what this virus or worm or what ever it is.  If you answer either way you let the virus in your computer.  It has tried 3 times on mine and each time I was on a different website. I am wary of ANYTHING that pops up on my computer so I just do my trusty 'control-alt-delete' and get completely out of whatever I am in. I don't care what I lose NOTHING is as important as protecting my computer. It may not work for ever but for right now it has worked 3 times for me.  When I do my 'control alt delete' I hit log off and when it comes back on I hit shut down normally.  Right now the only thing my husband can do on his is play solitare.  He can not use the internet.  We called Dell (where we bought the computer and warranties) and then called Mcafee (Our supposed computer virus protection, that's a joke)  and both told us we would have to fork up $90 to $150 for a ONE TIME shot at having our computer fixed.  Maybe. They aren't real sure. Good luck folks, I am going to have to dump my husbands entire operating system and hope that works.  With my computer, so far so good. I have started down loading my pictures, and  word processing stuff and clip art and hope I have time to get the most important stuff off MY computer before this virus changes and if it hits you and there is no way out.  People that write this stuff should be taken out and hung.  From a high tree limb. And left there to rot and warn any other jackass with the same ideas what will happen.  I will keep you posted but be VERY VERY CAREFUL of ANYTHING THAT SAYS WIN 7 SECURITY AND TRYS TO LOOK LIKE WINDOW MICROSOFT STUFF.  IT IS EVIL. AND IT IS JUST 1 CLIK AWAY.
Mary

SOARFUL CHALLENGE AND BACK AMONGST THE LIVING

I know I am just under the wire on this challenge.  I have had the images printed and blocked out in my mind since Monday.  BBBBBut...... I have been under the weather with a darn virus (I guess, but when you don't have health insurance you don't run to the doctor).  I feel better today than yesterday, so maybe I am over the worst. 
I found a new blog challenge called Soarful Challenge.  http://jeanette-soartfulchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/07/early-architecture.html
Now for the challenge:  here is the image we had to work with.

The image originally came from Karen at the Graphics Fairy.  If you have never prowled thru her blog I have a button on the right side near the bottom. I added an image from the BBC~UK~DRWHO called weeping angel. I think she is just covering her eyes.  The background image is from Gail Schmidt at Shabby Cottage Studios (her old blog) which has some great images for free.  She has moved to a new blog and site, so you should NOT wait to check out her old one because it could go away any time. Here is a link to her old site ~   http://shabbycottagestudio.blogspot.com/     There are some great freebies there and her collage sheets are well worth buying. Anyway, here is my entry to the challenge.  I call it "Come out, come out! where ever you are".

I have to admit all those arches and such look like great hiding places.  This is my first time with Soarful challenge and I will be back.  This was fun, I just wish I had felt better.
God Bless all of you.
Mary

JULY HEAT, ETC

Been hot as hades lately and I have not been feeling too well.  Think it might be a tummy virus.  Trying to work on some challenges, not getting very far though. Been in bed most of the day Wednesday and think I may do the same today.  Be back soon, just wanted everyone to know I was still alive and survived July 4 although it sounded like the neighbors were blowing up the neighborhood with their fireworks.  Oh well, see you later.
God Bless each of you.
Mary