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Friday, April 11, 2008

The Avatar Should Explain My Absence





The avatar may not work but the little guy, borrowed from my friend sheanc, is supposed to be banging his head on the keyboard. (Update - it worked once I posted it).

The computer is working, I replaced the mouse which helped a lot so far as being able to read my email goes, but the processor is slow. It means that it takes forever for a blog to load and even longer for the comment box. I'm back to trying to stay caught up with at least some of my friends in the Bloglines feeder but commenting has been difficult. I'll keep plugging away at it.

I have several new signers on the guestbook whom I haven't met. To my visitors from Kenya, China, and Malaysia, hello, thank you, and best wishes to all.

To any of you who have sent me Facebook messages. I finally have my password back and tried to catch up somewhat. Unfortunately, it's as slow as Blogger at the moment. I'll go through them a little at a time - meantime I tried to send most of you a hug or a flower.

Dawn and I were out shopping the other day and spotted a yard sale half a block from here. I've been looking for living room chairs to replace our small couch. You can see it's a tiny room and the couch took up most of it. The two chairs were sitting in the yard begging me to take them home. I got the two for $55., a real bargain since they're in almost perfect shape and exactly what the Ray, the cat, and I wanted. Both of them rock and recline and they're so comfortable. Spunky has never been a lap cat but suddenly she's turned into one. She'd prefer to have the chair to herself but will settle for flopping down on Ray.

Ray is continuing with his gardening. We've added fresh herbs, chamomile, several varieties of peppers, one okra plant (for me), a strawberry plant for Dawn's daughter Destiny, and lots of flowers. The strawberry has two tiny berries already and one rose bush has a bud. The cucumber didn't survive but everything else is doing fine so far. The weather here has been beautiful but they're predicting 90's (about 33 C) for next week. Mornings stay chilly still.

I stopped off at Goodwill the other day looking for pillowcases. Found them, several small plates I've been wanting, three pretty coffee cups (mine weren't fit for company, poor things), and a sombrero for Ray (from Chevy's). He doesn't need to be out in the yard without some protection and that will do it nicely. I should take his picture. (Just did - see above). I caught him watching the ball game in the living room while I'm doing the same thing in here. Should have had him change that shirt first - he was mowing the yard in it.

He's doing well although his leg was swollen last week. I think he overextended himself with the planting and weed digging. I nailed him to his chair for most of the next couple of days with his foot elevated and it looks normal now.

Dawn is planning a barbecue here for my birthday a week from Saturday. Should be fun. I know she's making a triple chocolate cake and we'll keep the rest of it simple. Hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. At last report, Jim is supposed to be here from Southern California. I think it was supposed to be a surprise but Tim told me and then forgot that he had.

Can't believe I'll be 70 although some days I feel much more than that. Somehow my two sons thought I was going to be 74 until one of them finally stopped and did the math. Let's see - 1938 - 2008? That's not 74, kids.

Not much happening out of the ordinary. Friend Janet and I are going to a play at Merced College (our Junior College - the other is University of California - Merced) on Sunday. I can't remember the name but I'm sure we'll enjoy it; just for the company if nothing else.

Hope all of you are well. Again, I apologize for not being around more.

Have a good weekend and take care everyone.

42 comments:

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Ann. I've been pretty scarce on here myself. Busy, busy, busy! ;o)

I enjoyed the pictures and the catch-up post. Hope you have a great weekend, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love and hugs,

Diane

Unknown said...

Yes, the avatar says it well!

Yondalla said...

Avatar is definitely banging away -- even on Google Reader.

Be well.

Atasha said...

Hi Ann, Glad Ray is enjoying the gardening. I haven't planted a darn thing yet! Our 3 strawberry plants from last year are still alive and gave me 1 teeny tiny strawberry already.

You're so good to keep up with your readers even though you're having trouble. I absolutely have no patience. :-) Take Care Ann and thanks again for stopping by.

Anvilcloud said...

The thing about banging your head like that is that it feel so good when you stop. I'm glad that you posted and that things are going okay.

Carole Burant said...

No need to apologize for not being around...that's the fun of blogging, even though we don't always post or comment, we know that we'll eventually hear from each other! lol

Glad to hear that things are going well...oh wow, you certainly did get a good deal on those 2 chairs, they look to be in perfect condition. I had to laugh at the cat becoming a lap cat all of a sudden! hehe

Love Ray's sombrero...as long as you don't see him doing some Mexican dance in the garden now! lol

I can't get over how hot it is over there already. We woke up to a Winter wonderland here this morning. I felt like taking out my Christmas music! UGH! Spring is taking a mighty long time to get over to my part of the world!!

Think of you often! xox

Susie said...

Hi Ann,
Great to catch up on your news! What a great find on the chairs :)
I wish our Vincent felt more like being a lap cap, but he's way too snooty!
It has been SO HOT here today!! Ray would truly need his sombrero here!
Happy Birthday!
xo

The Future Was Yesterday said...

HI Ann:
LOVE that hat on Ray! I showed it to the Boss. Hopefully she gets the hint.:) If your computer also runs slower than it used to with other applications not net related, it may need a defragging. It's easy to do: Assuming you have XP: Start>All files>Accessories>System tools>Disk Defragmenter. If you have more than one hard drive, select "C", and down at the bottom, click "Defragment." Then simply wait until you see "OK" in the middle of your screen, close defragmenter, and go your way.

Web stuff being fast or slow has nothing to do with your computer, and everything to do with your ISP. Jump on their back, unless it's just one site (hello Google!) being slow.

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~Good to see a post from you. Sorry you are still having computer problems. The avatar is very good, for when blogger is giving us a hard time, that is just how we feel. The chairs look great and were
a real bargain, well done. Did Ray get the tomatos in yet? The hat will be good when it's very hot. Glad you like the rose, O like the sentiment -
you are great and I value you.
Take care, Much love, Merle.

clairesgarden said...

great bargains! I love to shop in charity shops and second hand stores. we dont seem to get yard sales here.
Ray should take it easy in the garden, he must have spring fever, its catching!!
hope you have a good birthday

Pat said...

Glad all is going well. I remember noting who put the big 70 on their cards and who had the good sense not to when I was 70. One doesn't need it rubbing in:)

ipm said...

love the chairs! and the avatar too.... :))))

sounds like you'll be celebrating in style!

Lucy Stern said...

Ann, your computer has been a pain in the You-know-what.....lol Our tomatoes are growing like crazy, I don't think I have ever seen them grow so fast. I can't wait to sink my teeth into a real home-grown tomato, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I have had such a hard time buying tomatoes at the store because of the price. I think I am going to plant some cuecumbers this week.

Your new chairs look great. I bet you will really enjoy them. Our cat has her favorite chair and she will pout if you kick her out of it. She thinks she owns the chair....

TF, Bonnie, William and I went to the Astros game on Friday night and had a great time, even though the team lost. They had fireworks after the game and we had the perfect seats to enjoy it from.

Did you really say that it is going to get up in the 90's? We've had a couple of days in the 80's but nothing in the 90's yet.

Have a good week. Talk to ya later.

JunieRose2005 said...

Hi Ann,

Happy to know you are doing ok- I have been checking here every couple days!


Junie

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you around! Things seem to be going well...fingers crossed that they stay that way! Your garden sounds wonderful.

Unknown said...

Now birthday girl, quite the complaining to the world about your slow machine, I happen to be the doctor here. Banging heads and avatars and things of that nature, you are making me feel badly here like I need to replug this thing in and shock it or something. We need to either find you a new one with more processor speed or take the chance on the old and get that power supply and rebuild it. I will search on free stuff I just got to new in and they are both slower than the one I had extra for you. I think you Cable provider needs to jump your internet with speed boost, I had to get the speed boost extra, I do not think I told you that. This is not about the processor it is about the speed of your internet baud rate. When I come I will do a speed test and see. I really think it is the speed of your connection here. See you on your birthday. GeekMaster John

ancient one said...

Hi Ann,

I got a new computer last week... but I'm still on dial up... can't tell much difference...LOL

Good to hear from you again...I come every day or so to see what's new...

Happy Birthday!!!!

gfid said...

happy pre-birthday, lovely lady!

i'm still waiting for the snow to melt here. there are these big pine trees on the south edge of my street, that shade the yard. there's not much snow left anywhere but at my place. the tomatoes and mint are up in my indoor grow op. can't wait to get out and play in the dirt.

Jo said...

Oh I hate computer problems! I was having a heck of time with mine today. I thought I had a virus, because every single time I tried to sign on to the internet, it would like try to open 100 explorers. I finally noticed my enter key had gotten stuck down. Ah well.
Hopefully things will get fixed soon! Tell Ray I love him in a sombero.

Anonymous said...

It's good to catch up on you...you are a precious lady! I hope you enjoyed your birthday, you don't seem that old to me because you are young at heart

Andrea said...

finally wrote a blog on mine and the first person I check is YOU! love ya.
it is wonderful to read about Ray out and about gardening. that is excellent.
And I love the avatar. That would be me at work.
sigh
hugs to yas

mreddie said...

Glad you found some chairs that are just right - the hat looked snappy on Ray - my older brother is named Ray. Glad the garden is going well, I haven't planted yet as I am still working on another retaining wall - probably next week. ec

Gina said...

Good to hear how well you are both doing! Do what you need to do, don't worry about us over here!

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Ann, Good to hear Ray is productive in your garden and your keeping well.
I trust you plan a mini celebration for your 70th -Best wishes

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~ Happy, Happy Birthday
for Saturday 19th. I hope you have a wonderful day and maybe get a call from the girls. Enjoy your special day and 70 is a great number. I will be thinking of you. Much love, Merle.

Duxbury Ramblers said...

Happy Birthday Ann - from the ramblers.

audrey` said...

Happy Birthday, Ann =)

Jeanette said...

Hi Ann. Called to wish you a very happy 70th birthday,
Hope you get all your computer problems ironed out quickly...

peppylady (Dora) said...

I tried to leave a comment a while ago here but something went wrong.
Anyhow I don't recall what my comment was about.
But I'll say "Hope all is well"

Betty said...

A little bird told me you are having a birthday today. I just stopped by to wish you a Happy Birthday. Pea is the little bird.

smilnsigh said...

PEA sent me over with Happy Birthday wishes, for April 19.

Mari-Nanci

Carole Burant said...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Ann
Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!!!

Just be glad you can't hear me sing! lol Hope your day has been going well and have a piece of that birthday cake for me:-) xoxo

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, dear Ann!

May all your birthdays bring you joy;
many, many, more;
years to journey.
May each new day be as wonderful as the last;
discovering life's bounty;
filled with love, health, and happiness.
May your heart find its path;
through all that you do;
God continue to bless you.

Marty said...

Hi Ann,

Stopped by to say hi. I am really behind in my blog reading. Glad to see all is going well. What's happened to "Is America Burning"? Looks like something went terribly wrong there. Hope Worried is ok.

Mary said...

Happy Birthday to you. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Ray looks just fine in his gardening clothes. We get to see the real him this way and I love that sombero. Just perfect for keeping the sun off.

Sorry to hear of your computer problems. I hope you can get them all sorted out. Technology is great when it's working, when it's not it is very annoying.

Take care and blessings for the coming week.

Mary

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Ann,

Happy Birthday!!!

Janice~

Gwen said...

Hi Ann.
Just popped in to say hello and I
hope all is well .

audrey` said...

Dear Ann

It's so nice to meet you here and there (Facebook) =)
HeHe!

Lucy Stern said...

Hi again Granny, Came to see your new chair once again.

Jo said...

Hi, Ann, I have missed you but I'm glad to see everything is okay with you.

Happy 70th(!) Birthday.

Cheers,
Josie

Puss-in-Boots said...

Hi Ann, Like you, I haven't been around for a while but am slowly making a come back.

Glad to hear (and see) all is well with you, Ray and Spunky. Congratulations on your 70th...if you've had it, I hope you had a lovely time. If it's pretty close, than a very happy birthday and let's hope you have lots more.

Big birthday hug to you.

Alice said...

It's been a while since I worked a lot with computers, but still, I can remember the freustration. Glad it's working again (for now, at least - MWA-HAHAHAHAHA....oh, wait, sorry, I'm on your side, aren't I? Cancel 'evil laugh').

Ray looks great. That's a good look for him, but you know what it needs? A straw donkey: THAT'S what it needs.

*grins*

I'm feeling a bit more like my old, nutty self again. Can ya tell??