Texicanwife

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

We Are Safe...And Weathering the Weather

I didn’t intend to make another post until my new computer arrives.

However, I did want to let everyone know that we have survived Sandy, and we were among those least hit, although we had been forewarned we would be among the hardest.

God is good!

Here are a few pictures from our front porch this morning:

As you can see….the ground isn’t even covered all the way. We had been told to expect more than 31-inches of snow! There are areas in the higher elevations hit hard….however, we were spared.

Snow continues to be forecast, mixed with rain, for the comings days [through Friday]. But the temperature remains high enough that the ground is not frozen, and so it’s muddy and melting beneath.

We never lost electrical power, although many have. We prepared just in case. I spent yesterday morning cooking food for the next 8 days. Just to be prepared. So, we will simply heat in the microwave until that is used up! Yeah! A week free of cooking! Ha ha

We are praying for all of those who were hit so hard. And for those families who were devastated by the loss of life. We pray God’s blessings on them and His tender mercies. Our hearts are with you all!

My new computer is due in any day now. And until it arrives, I will continue limiting my input on this blog. [I am using DH’s tiny netbook, which is almost impossible for me to type on! Call me old-fashioned, but I require a full size keyboard! And no…..I don’t text!]

I ask that you all continue to consider giving a donation to the American Red Cross at this time, or to your local first responders.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Taking A Week Off

We are taking a week off while we await the shipment of our new computer. [Texican's little netbook is simply too small for getting any serious writing done on a daily basis!]

Our new desktop has been ordered....and should be here within a week!

Until then, remember to keep track of what you eat daily. [My Fitness Pal is a good place for doing that! They evenhave a mobile app for keeping track on the go!]

Keep your home tidy and your family happy! [FlyLady is a great place to assist you if you're not sure where to start!]

Keep crafting! [I find KnitPicks has the best buy on yarns!]

Read a new book every week! [Half.com is my favorite place for hard copies at great discounted prices; eBooks is my favorite place for ereader books at great prices!]

And for goodness sake...sit back and enjoy a good movie when you can.... simply for fun! [I love Netflix for the great selection available there! And you can watch right on your computer if you want!]

See you all back here next week when I will have a full-sized keyboard again, and the ability to do some serious online work once more!

Have a great week everyone!

Texicanwife

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

An Exhausting Day

It has been one of those utterly exhausting kind of days!

First, dh and I were getting showered and dressed to go visit my parents this morning. While he was in the shower, I thought I'd check my morning correspondence. And that's when it happened.

My computer wouldn't turn on.

Not that it wouldn't boot up! I mean literally.... it wouldn't turn on.

So... while I took dd and we headed over to spend the day with my parents, dh stayed home and worked on my computer. To no avail!

He thinks either the switch is burnt out, or the power cord. The bad news? My computer is a Dell "all-in-one". [I'd had some doubts about purchasing it to begin with, because if one thing goes out.... the wholesystem is royally out!] And don't you know my worst nightmare happened!

DH thinks the hard drive can be saved. So.... he has a monitor. I have a keyboard and mouse. And now I am shopping for a computer [tower and operating system with cd drive, etc.]

Problem?

The cost is outrageous when you are living on a social security income! So, I simply have to raise the money needed.

This afternoon, I have been shopping online for a refurbished system through, of all places, Walmart.com.I found the system I want. Has Windows 7, just like mine, and is slightly larger than my current [now defunct] computer. And by buying a refurbished computer, I can get it at a very reasonable price.I have about half of the money needed to purchase it. So I need to raise the remainder.

So... please be looking out for us on eBay and on our Etsy. We will be adding some gently used clothing, a few antique dishes, and more crafted items! I have high hopes of being able to purchase my new [refurbished] computer in the next week or so.

And so... you are probably asking yourself what I am working on if I don't have a computer?

I am currently using dh's 10-inch netbook. [Which has an 8-inch screen, and these miniature keyboard keys! It's murder!!!] The screen is so small, that I can scarcely read it! [I've asked family and friends to limit emails until I have another computer up and running!] Yes.... it will give me a major headache!

Sorry folks, but when your extra income comes from the computer, and it's down, and no way to getto your saved writing, genealogy, etc., I've spent the day worried sick over it! And haven't even given a thought to keeping track of my intake today. Not the best I know, as I had a very large pumpkin spice cappucino this morning!

I did spend the day with my parents. And we had a wonderful time.

But there isn't a photo one to share with you on this post!

Forgive me!~

Let's meet back here tomorrow, when I hope to try to get a decent handle on the situation and have more info to share with you then.

I'm thinking we can share a nice cup of cocoa, while we talk about the day!

Tonight, I'm sitting her working on more snowflakes [for Christmas cards] while I watch Netflix on this teenie-tiny screen!

Have a great evening all!

Monday, October 22, 2012

October Photo A Day Challenge - the 22nd

The 22nd.....

...In Your Town.

Election Time In My Town

Slow, Slow Day

You know those days, don’t you?

The ones where you feel like you’re running full speed…. But in quicksand? The harder and faster and you run, the deeper in the stuff you get?

Yep…. It’s been one of those days.

And now…My Fitness Pal is down for maintenance. Been down for a couple of hours now, and I can’t get my dinner in to figure up my stats for the day! So…. This is going to be one of “Those” posts!

I began my day with tea and toast, which I applied a little raspberry preserves to. [About a teaspoon all together!] Not much of a breakfast…but I did enjoy it.

DH had awoken me at 8:30, after I had not gone to bed until 4:15! Therefore the quicksand slogging all day! Ugh!

I checked my correspondence this morning, and read the blogs I so enjoy. Then went to work writing. But I simply could not stay concentrated on the project at hand. I need a good night’s sleep!!!

So, I simply read all day.

At lunch I broke and made DH and I a potted meat sandwich, and opened a small tin of beans and wieners for each of us. Pretty decent lunch actually!

After lunch, I peeled and cut up 2-large onions, 3-stalks celery, and about 6 large potatoes. I put them in the crockpot, and covered them with water, and added salt and pepper liberally. I set the temperature on high.

At 5 p.m. I ladled the water out of the pot, added 2 cans of evaporated milk, along with 4 cups of water, 1 cup being hot water with cornstarch, which made a roux.

I continued cooking on high for another 45-minutes. Oh, my but this was a wonderful potato soup! Large chunky potatoes, celery and onions!

I also sliced a loaf of French bread, for dipping in the thick stew. So delicious!!! Even DH loved this! Yummy!

I can’t begin to tell you what my stats were for the day.

[Terrible thing that we rely totally on a website for such things! Back in the day, I had a calorie counter book to help me do this, and I ran around with a notepad and pencil! Now I consult a website after everything I eat!]

And now?

I am heading over to Netflix to watch more of the series Brothers & Sisters [Sally Field and Calista Flockhart]. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a serial! Lovin’ this show! I’m up to episode 11 of Season 1. Great show!

While I watch, I am working on snowflakes for my Christmas tree and Christmas cards project! Keeps my hands busy!

What are you working on today?

Tomorrow I am heading over to spend a few hours visiting with my parents. Then it will be back home to get a little writing done, if my brain will work! [Writers block is the worst!]

Let’s meet back here for a little Earl Grey as we unwind for the day! And let’s hope that the My Fitness Pal website is back up by then!

And I almost forgot about the great eBay buy that came in today!

[the big Bible]

I’ve been watching German Bible’s on auction sites for quite some time now, as I wanted one for me, and one for my mother. [My maternal great-grandparents were German.] It was simply something I’d longed to have. Last week I came across an auction about to end, and I was able to purchase both a full size German Bibel [both old and new testaments] and a new testament. Both are over 100 years old [the full Bible from 1884, and the new testament from 1906]. Others are selling for any where from $160 to several hundred of dollars [some even without covers!]. I was able, by watching for a closing auction, to grab these two, sold together, for only $5 plus postage! And their covers are excellent!