Jim's Journey

[Virginia]

Rose I forgot to add that I have downloaded a couple of apps and it was nothing to it. I have Uber but haven’t used it yet. I am on Facebook so I put that on my phone. I can’t remember everything that I downloaded, but it is easy.

[funnylegs4]

Rose I forgot to add that I have downloaded a couple of apps and it was nothing to it. I have Uber but haven’t used it yet. I am on Facebook so I put that on my phone. I can’t remember everything that I downloaded, but it is easy.

True. Instagram works fantastically as an iPhone download and is easy to download. :)

[Donna Thomson]

Hi Rose and everyone, I have had a great time catching up on all the tech talk and on everyone's news. Rose, I have an apple macbook pro laptop and I can plug it in using a cable if I want. We do have wifi in my house and I use my laptop on my lap instead of a desk which is much easier for me because of a pinched nerve in my neck(it hurts to raise my right arm). So this arrangement works for me. But every laptop will plug in if you want it to. If you get an Iphone, you can also use your phone as a 'hotspot' so your laptop can use your iphone signal as wifi. It uses more data, but if you have unlimited data on your phone plan, it won't matter. I use my iphone for wifi up north when I have no internet connection (but do have a phone connection) because I can't type on my phone - I am totally hopeless - the keyboard is too small and the autocorrect is a nightmare! It's so funny that we all have different problems or comfort zones.

I hope that everything goes well with Jim's scan - I know it will be hard for everyone, but thank goodness John will be there for you. I think it's a good idea to have him drive. I will be thinking of you all! We are all doing fine in our family - Nick is excited about the NHL season starting up soon. He has a new helper called Shantel whom he loves (and we do too - she had a sister with CP who passed away - she is so sensitive and funny and kind). Anyway, I'll write again more later! It's 9pm and I haven't had dinner yet LOL! xoxo Donna

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

Rose and Her Computer Woes

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Thank you for the reassurance about iPhone usage. Our mobile phone carrier doesn’t have the iPhone 6sPlus. It offers an iPhone 8 and iPhone 7. I think we need to call the carrier and ask questions. Smart/iPhones are so expensive!

I think I could figure out the basics, and John is always willing to tutor us on technology. He doesn’t have an iPhone, but there’s probably not a lot of difference in how the phones are used. We’ve been Apple users since Day One on computers. I find them very easy to understand, and I don’t have to mess with Windows.

We may have to change our carrier to yours, because ours is more expensive. We’ve been with them for many years, since our first cell phone. We joined them, because they aren’t/weren’t a giant corporation.

We aren’t wireless and don’t have WiFi. We’d prefer not to have either of those. John always says that he gets terrible reception in our neighborhood, or “up here” as he refers to it, since we live on a giant hill. He complained about that when he visited his parents, who lived 2 doors down from us for 20 years, and they had WiFi.

I wish I could just hand all of this over to a knowledgeable, trustworthy person with a list of what we do and don’t want. Get us a phone, get us a new Mac, gets us a Mac laptop for Jim, get us modems, any cables we need, and back up my old computer. I need to hire a geek!

funnylegs4 ~

You’re my on line geek! And I mean that with gratitude and love. I should be paying you!!

The external hard drive arrived. Prepare to chuckle: I couldn’t even figure out how to get it out of the box! Jim had to open it for me!

That happened to me, when I got my first Apple tiny screen computer. I was talking to a friend on the phone telling her I’d received it. She asked me what it was like, and I said, “I don’t know. I can’t figure out how to open the box!” Somehow, I managed to do it, since I was a single mom at the time.

I’m going to copy and paste your instructions, then put them in a list, so I can follow them better. I’ll print out the list to have on hand, while I go through the back up process.

You are being so incredibly helpful. Thank you so much.

BLOOD DRAW

All went well with the blood draw today.

Jim’s belly dropped from 39” to 36 3/4” today, but then went back up to 38”. Nancy said that our bowels are 2 miles long, so it can take awhile for our waste to travel the distance. Once you evacuate some, you make room for more to come in.

Vitals were are excellent, weight stable, and generally, Jim is feeling pretty good. Still has the nagging muscle pull, which Nancy agreed sounded like a muscle pull and not something happening with the tumor.

I wondered whether tumor pain would also be accompanied by other symptoms, like loss of appetite or super fatigue. She agreed that those kinds of symptoms would be expected. And, if the tumor wasn’t stable, or even possibly decreasing in size, his blood work wouldn’t be as stable as it has been for weeks now. And, Jim wouldn’t look as good as he does.

When she arrived, Jim greeted her with a cup of decaf espresso in one of my aunt’s tea cups (probably about 100 years old now). It was so nice that she could sit down, relax and chat with us, while sipping her coffee.

She is a blessing to our family, and we love her so much.

CT SCAN

Was scheduled today for 9/24 at 3:00 p.m. UGH! First available appointment. We see Dr. K on 9/27, so that’s going to be exhausting for Jim to have no time to recover from one, before the other arrives.

I may have to drive Jim, if John’s daughter has a game that afternoon. He and she would probably say he should take care of us, but we know how important these games are to her, him, the family, and us, as we’re part of the family. We even have t-shirts!

I think Jim and I might try a “dry run” of getting into the van, driving around the neighborhood, then coming home and getting out and going into the house.

We have had a heat wave with high humidity (77% this morning, which is oppressive for us). Next week cooler temperatures, and that may be the time to do our dry run. I would prefer to have John’s help to steady Jim if he needs it. We’ll talk to him next week, when he visits. We have a lot to discuss.

Thank you all so much for your help and guidance, your love, prayers, support and friendship. We love you and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

P.S. I LOVE MY NEW KEYBOARD AND SPACE AGE MOUSE! Works great, easy to use, and I’m so pleased I found this, after searching through so many options.

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Thank you for the reassurance about iPhone usage. Our mobile phone carrier doesn’t have the iPhone 6sPlus. It offers an iPhone 8 and iPhone 7. I think we need to call the carrier and ask questions. Smart/iPhones are so expensive!

I think I could figure out the basics, and John is always willing to tutor us on technology. He doesn’t have an iPhone, but there’s probably not a lot of difference in how the phones are used. We’ve been Apple users since Day One on computers. I find them very easy to understand, and I don’t have to mess with Windows.

We may have to change our carrier to yours, because ours is more expensive. We’ve been with them for many years, since our first cell phone. We joined them, because they aren’t/weren’t a giant corporation.

We aren’t wireless and don’t have WiFi. We’d prefer not to have either of those. John always says that he gets terrible reception in our neighborhood, or “up here” as he refers to it, since we live on a giant hill. He complained about that when he visited his parents, who lived 2 doors down from us for 20 years, and they had WiFi.

I wish I could just hand all of this over to a knowledgeable, trustworthy person with a list of what we do and don’t want. Get us a phone, get us a new Mac, gets us a Mac laptop for Jim, get us modems, any cables we need, and back up my old computer. I need to hire a geek!

funnylegs4 ~

You’re my on line geek! And I mean that with gratitude and love. I should be paying you!!

The external hard drive arrived. Prepare to chuckle: I couldn’t even figure out how to get it out of the box! Jim had to open it for me!

That happened to me, when I got my first Apple tiny screen computer. I was talking to a friend on the phone telling her I’d received it. She asked me what it was like, and I said, “I don’t know. I can’t figure out how to open the box!” Somehow, I managed to do it, since I was a single mom at the time.

I’m going to copy and paste your instructions, then put them in a list, so I can follow them better. I’ll print out the list to have on hand, while I go through the back up process.

You are being so incredibly helpful. Thank you so much.

BLOOD DRAW

All went well with the blood draw today.

Jim’s belly dropped from 39” to 36 3/4” today, but then went back up to 38”. Nancy said that our bowels are 2 miles long, so it can take awhile for our waste to travel the distance. Once you evacuate some, you make room for more to come in.

Vitals were are excellent, weight stable, and generally, Jim is feeling pretty good. Still has the nagging muscle pull, which Nancy agreed sounded like a muscle pull and not something happening with the tumor.

I wondered whether tumor pain would also be accompanied by other symptoms, like loss of appetite or super fatigue. She agreed that those kinds of symptoms would be expected. And, if the tumor wasn’t stable, or even possibly decreasing in size, his blood work wouldn’t be as stable as it has been for weeks now. And, Jim wouldn’t look as good as he does.

When she arrived, Jim greeted her with a cup of decaf espresso in one of my aunt’s tea cups (probably about 100 years old now). It was so nice that she could sit down, relax and chat with us, while sipping her coffee.

She is a blessing to our family, and we love her so much.

CT SCAN

Was scheduled today for 9/24 at 3:00 p.m. UGH! First available appointment. We see Dr. K on 9/27, so that’s going to be exhausting for Jim to have no time to recover from one, before the other arrives.

I may have to drive Jim, if John’s daughter has a game that afternoon. He and she would probably say he should take care of us, but we know how important these games are to her, him, the family, and us, as we’re part of the family. We even have t-shirts!

I think Jim and I might try a “dry run” of getting into the van, driving around the neighborhood, then coming home and getting out and going into the house.

We have had a heat wave with high humidity (77% this morning, which is oppressive for us). Next week cooler temperatures, and that may be the time to do our dry run. I would prefer to have John’s help to steady Jim if he needs it. We’ll talk to him next week, when he visits. We have a lot to discuss.

Thank you all so much for your help and guidance, your love, prayers, support and friendship. We love you and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

P.S. I LOVE MY NEW KEYBOARD AND SPACE AGE MOUSE! Works great, easy to use, and I’m so pleased I found this, after searching through so many options.

Hi Rose,

You’re very welcome! Thank you! I’v been called a computer geek on more than one occasion and I take the term as a great compliment! You can send me a check. LOL. Kidding!!! I’m happy to do this for you for free! Yes feel free to copy and print anything I say that helps you. No worries I couldn’t open the package for the external drive either because I’m spastic and those packages are not user friendly. Don’t feel bad.

About the external drive: My fellow geek friend reminded me we had to format the external drive for Mac using “Disk Utility” like this Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... See the part for Mac format. This formatting ensures Time Machine works properly. Format before using Time Machine!

If you guys need a new phone without going to Smart Phone or wifi, this is my phone model Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... which has large buttons and easy features.

Yes I would highly suggest a trial run for the driving. I pray Jim will be just fine during both appointments. Glad the keyboard works!!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Donna)))))) ~

You posted, while I was composing my reply, so I missed you!

Thank you for sharing your Mac laptop experience.

I'm endeavoring to understand the technicalities of it all. I looked up WiFi and found this:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

For me, this might as well have been written in a foreign language or hieroglyphics.

Do I need to get a wireless router to have WiFi? How do I know which one is best?

Why am I so utterly inept at all of this? Children understand this stuff better than I do.

I hope that John will be able to help us with transportation too. We'll find out next week, when he visits.

I'm so happy that Nick loves Shantel and vice versa. And I'm happy for Nick that hockey season is on its way. Right now baseball, football, golf, soccer, and motorcycle racing are the top sports draws in our home. But we'll root for Nick's Senators from afar.

We send you, Jim, Nick, Natalie, and your family our love and prayers as always.

Love & Light,



Rose

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

This morning, when I turned on the Mac, it took longer than usual for it to get to my password page. I got the swirling beach ball, but then it suddenly came up. Mid morning, I shut down the computer for an hour or so. I've been putting it on "Sleep" to keep it cool, when I'm not using it, but I thought it needed to be shut down.

When I returned 1 1/2 hours later, I turned on the Mac, and it was weird. Just a white screen, with flashes of black periodically, and the spinning "gear," which indicates it's ready to bring up the password page. Then a black flash on the screen and back to white.

I tried to shut down the computer, using the side button, but it wouldn't shut down.

I told Jim that I thought our Mac had finally had enough. I decided to leave it for awhile and watch the football game with Jim. If it hadn't recovered, I was ready to call Apple support for advice.

When I returned, the password page was up, and here I am.

Questions about the back up process:

While the external hard drive is backing up everything for a few hours, will I be able to use the computer?

Can I put the computer in sleep mode to avoid it getting too hot, while the hard drive is working?

How do I know when the hard drive is finished copying?

The drive's instructions state that I have to download the Paragon drive before I can start. It gives me the Seagate site to do that.

Thank you so much for your help. I'd be completely lost without you!

Love & Light,



Rose

[Virginia]

Funny Legs, looks exactly like the flip phone that I had and fought so long giving up. I got iPhone in order to have GPS. That was the only way I could get Uber which I was afraid I would need. Loved that flip phone, but now getting use to this one.

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

funnylegs4 ~

This morning, when I turned on the Mac, it took longer than usual for it to get to my password page. I got the swirling beach ball, but then it suddenly came up. Mid morning, I shut down the computer for an hour or so. I've been putting it on "Sleep" to keep it cool, when I'm not using it, but I thought it needed to be shut down.

When I returned 1 1/2 hours later, I turned on the Mac, and it was weird. Just a white screen, with flashes of black periodically, and the spinning "gear," which indicates it's ready to bring up the password page. Then a black flash on the screen and back to white.

I tried to shut down the computer, using the side button, but it wouldn't shut down.

I told Jim that I thought our Mac had finally had enough. I decided to leave it for awhile and watch the football game with Jim. If it hadn't recovered, I was ready to call Apple support for advice.

When I returned, the password page was up, and here I am.

Questions about the back up process:

While the external hard drive is backing up everything for a few hours, will I be able to use the computer?

Can I put the computer in sleep mode to avoid it getting too hot, while the hard drive is working?

How do I know when the hard drive is finished copying?

The drive's instructions state that I have to download the Paragon drive before I can start. It gives me the Seagate site to do that.

Thank you so much for your help. I'd be completely lost without you!

Love & Light,



Rose

Hi Rose,

The flashes of white and black may mean you have a virus. Old Macs can get viruses whereas the new ones are usually protected. A lot of Mac updates are security updates for that reason. I also shut my Mac down completely instead of using the sleep function. The sleep function takes more power out of the computer than shut down so my general understanding is that shut down is healthier and speeds the cooling process. I could be wrong about “sleep” and computers though.

Yes you can use the computer and put it into sleep mode during Time Machine as far as I know. I NEVER shut down during Time Machine operation!!! Time Machine will show a gray pop up with the progress of the backup and when the backup is complete. The external drive itself has a light on it that may blink at times which is normal. I think Paragon drive is for if you want to be able to archive/backup both Mac and Windows. I never downloaded Paragon drive into my current drive as far as I remember. I’m not sure. You can download Paragon drive or just format for Mac only. (I think!).
Don’t worry I don’t “get” that wifi link either LOL.

Virginia: Neat that we are flip phone twins! I don't use Uber so I think I will hold onto mine. I once met a guy who asked where I got the flip phone because he hated smart phone and wanted my flip phone model for his birthday LOL.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

I was in the midst of a reply, and suddenly my browser shut down, but here I am again after a brief moment.

Anyway, the black/white flashes happen after I turn on my computer, while I'm waiting for it to get to the password page so I can log in. Could a virus cause that problem? How do I get rid of that virus?

I've written down the information to call Apple Support and our local Apple Store. I'll call them in that order, so I have a better idea of the potential status of our Mac now.

I've been running the fan into the office to keep it cool, and I've been putting the computer to Sleep, and it's stayed very cool today. I'm afraid to shut it down again, because of the difficulty I had today twice after I shut it down.

I'm calling Apple Support tomorrow. Meanwhile, I think I need to leave the computer on. It does cool down, even when I don't put it to sleep. It goes to sleep itself, as the screen goes black, and when I return, the computer is cool, I click on the mouse and up everything comes. I am closing out of all sites now, before I put the Mac to sleep.

Now, I've become a careprovider for a computer! This is ... agh ... my life. I have to have a computer or a smart phone to do what I need to do for our family. So this is a priority now.

Oh, and I was called to jury duty. For many years, I have been excused from jury duty, because I was my sons' careprovider. I filled out the juror form on line today, and my excuse request was careproviding for my husband. I need a working computer during a 10 day period to know whether it was accepted or denied.

Until April, I was employed as Jonathan's caregiver, but because he is my son, the court excused me. I've prepared an appeal, if necessary, but again, I need a computer to do that.

In the early '80s, I reported for jury duty, hoping not to be called. I was impaneled and interrogated by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. I was dismissed by both of them. The prosecution didn't like me, because I was a teacher, counselor, had disabled children. The defense didn't like me because I had family members and close friends in law enforcement. When I returned to the giant jury waiting room, I asked the person in charge to dismiss me permanently.

"I can't change my life or heritage. I'm never going to be called to serve. I'm a single mother, and my sons are disabled and often have to be hospitalized. If something happens to them, I won't be here. I'll leave in the middle of a trial. I'll disrupt everything. Please dismiss me permanently."

She did. She looked at me stunned and said, "I can't argue with any of that. Dismissed."

Here I am all these decades later with the same response to jury duty: "I can't do it. Someone depends upon me for everything."

Should the time come, when that isn't the case, I will be too grief stricken, old, worn out and devastated to serve on a jury or anywhere.

I'd better post this, before I lose it again.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, advice, and constant support. We love you and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

[Donna Thomson]

Ahhhh Rose, none of this should be this difficult - the computer, the jury duty - everything! It's crazy making that these life problems get in the way of your caring for Jim and for yourself. I posted this message to you earlier but then it disappeared because I hadn't logged in for a while:
Hi dear Rose,
I think if you don't want a wireless router (yes, you need one in order to have wifi in your house - usually your internet provider installs one for you - just ask them to if you decide to go that route). But if you want the convenience of wifi and don't want a router, then you could trade in your Ipad for one that has '3G' (ie. it works like a cell phone, so the billing is according to the data package you buy with a phone provider). But then Jim could have it with him for appointments while he waits and he would have something to do. Also, you could call him and see him/his doctor over the Ipad during appointments if you weren't with him for some reason. So, long story short, some models of the Ipad work just like a phone. Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register.... xox Donna

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

I was in the midst of a reply, and suddenly my browser shut down, but here I am again after a brief moment.

Anyway, the black/white flashes happen after I turn on my computer, while I'm waiting for it to get to the password page so I can log in. Could a virus cause that problem? How do I get rid of that virus?

I've written down the information to call Apple Support and our local Apple Store. I'll call them in that order, so I have a better idea of the potential status of our Mac now.

I've been running the fan into the office to keep it cool, and I've been putting the computer to Sleep, and it's stayed very cool today. I'm afraid to shut it down again, because of the difficulty I had today twice after I shut it down.

I'm calling Apple Support tomorrow. Meanwhile, I think I need to leave the computer on. It does cool down, even when I don't put it to sleep. It goes to sleep itself, as the screen goes black, and when I return, the computer is cool, I click on the mouse and up everything comes. I am closing out of all sites now, before I put the Mac to sleep.

Now, I've become a careprovider for a computer! This is ... agh ... my life. I have to have a computer or a smart phone to do what I need to do for our family. So this is a priority now.

Oh, and I was called to jury duty. For many years, I have been excused from jury duty, because I was my sons' careprovider. I filled out the juror form on line today, and my excuse request was careproviding for my husband. I need a working computer during a 10 day period to know whether it was accepted or denied.

Until April, I was employed as Jonathan's caregiver, but because he is my son, the court excused me. I've prepared an appeal, if necessary, but again, I need a computer to do that.

In the early '80s, I reported for jury duty, hoping not to be called. I was impaneled and interrogated by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. I was dismissed by both of them. The prosecution didn't like me, because I was a teacher, counselor, had disabled children. The defense didn't like me because I had family members and close friends in law enforcement. When I returned to the giant jury waiting room, I asked the person in charge to dismiss me permanently.

"I can't change my life or heritage. I'm never going to be called to serve. I'm a single mother, and my sons are disabled and often have to be hospitalized. If something happens to them, I won't be here. I'll leave in the middle of a trial. I'll disrupt everything. Please dismiss me permanently."

She did. She looked at me stunned and said, "I can't argue with any of that. Dismissed."

Here I am all these decades later with the same response to jury duty: "I can't do it. Someone depends upon me for everything."

Should the time come, when that isn't the case, I will be too grief stricken, old, worn out and devastated to serve on a jury or anywhere.

I'd better post this, before I lose it again.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, advice, and constant support. We love you and pray for you and your loved ones.

Love & Light,



Rose

Hi Rose,

I’m not too familiar with viruses on computers but other people told me flashes could mean a virus. I’m not sure how one gets rid of a virus. Your best bet is to call Apple. If you have a virus and can’t update your software Apple will likely tell you to either go to a computer repair person or tell you to buy a new Mac. If you go for the repair option Best Buy has “Geek Squad” repair and the ability to back up your hard drive into your external drive without Time Machine if necessary. If you backup without Time Machine your files will be backed up but not your software applications like safari. Yes if the problem occurs when you shut down leave it on. Frankly, I think getting a new Mac would be more helpful to you, rather than a repair, because you’ll have a computer faster.

I would suggest backing up with Time Machine now if you are having these kinds of issues because one of my Macs completely died after a while I.e never to be turned on again, so you might want to salvage what you can, while you still can, out of the Mac.

Yes it seems jury duty comes up at the most inconvenient times. The reasons for the prosecutor and the defense attorney disliking you did give me a little laugh though. So sorry all this is happening now! My prayers to you!

Yes Donna’s right, I once saw my friend use 3G on iPad to access google drive when we were in an area that had zero wifi. 3G is good if you don’t want the modems or if you want something more mobile in addition to ethernet modems.

[Jeanie Z]

:) I had been stuck on page one and missed all these updates. My memory is not great anyway.

I have a Samsung Android phone but I am thinking of getting a Jitterbug, which is a flip phone from Best Buy or Rite Aid pharmacy. It has an emergency button. I think it is only $10 or $15 a month. Jeanie :)

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

We Got A 3G iPad!

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Donna ~

WOW! Did you ever save the day for us! Thank you so much for telling me about 3G iPads. I read the link, then I went to our mobile provider's site. They have an iPad. I started the on line chat and asked, "Does your iPad offer a 3G option?" The answer was "YES!"

So, I called our provider, and a very sweet, articulate, and pleasant woman helped me. I ordered the iPad. It will be here on Wednesday! We can start using it immediately!

For now, we're going to skip the Smart/iPhone and keep the one we have. We only use it for calling each other, when we're apart, or calling John, and texting. Our new plan gives us unlimited talk and text on the phone, which is 1/2 the price we'd been paying previously. So that is good.

With the iPad, I will have access to the internet, should the computer fail, before I can get a new one. That's important so that I can order from Instacart, communicate on Jim's health portal, communicate on BT, use my webmail, order supplies or whatever, etc.

I shared all of this with the very nice woman, who helped me. I even told her that Jim has cancer. And why we don't want wireless or WiFi because of the electromagnetic field. Imagine how much EMF we had with all of Jon's equipment going all of the time. His bed, his mattress, O2 concentrator, suction machine, TV, cable, lift. She was so sweet, and she said, "I can certainly understand your concerns."

Jim asked me if I had a new best friend, when I got off of the phone. I'm all jazzed, because we solved a lingering, nagging problem, which has been keeping me awake, literally at night.

I'm expecting a stress rash to break out any day now.

When I told Jim about the 3G iPad, he was over the moon. I told him he can go to Netflix and watch all of the great stuff I've been watching through the years, and we can watch together on his iPad. Jim exclaimed, "Oh, I have lots of places I want to go!"

I know he misses playing solitaire on line, which goes along with his love of crosswords. His Crosswords book will remain a bathroom pastime, and iPad will be hanging out in the living room time. His memory has improved since he's been doing crosswords, and he's enjoying it so much. I know he'll brighten up with internet access.

But he also wants to visit music sites, Native American flute sites, travel sites, and look up anything that pops up in his head.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you, Donna for this information, which just made our lives better and easier!


funnylegs4 ~

I definitely want a new computer, not to repair the old one. If I'm investing in a computer, it's going to be a new one, with the latest of everything, and I will vow to it to keep its OS updated. I will also vow to it to keep it backed up once a month.

I've been using Sleep mode, and when I got up this morning, one tap of the mouse, and there she was. I refer to our computer as female. She has been put through the wringer, and she has stamina and determination. She's in menopause now, so she's having hot flashes.

Like me, she's been too busy taking care of business to take care of herself. Of course, she depends upon me to take care of her. So, she's a reflection of me. Except I am well past menopause, but I still have hot flashes and sweat when the humidity hits 77% like it did a few days ago.

But I'm giving her TLC now. She gets to take lots of naps. She has been cool as a cucumber all day.

I didn't get a chance to call Apple today, because I was busy with the iPad adventure.

I also haven't had a chance to start the back up on the hard drive. I'm starting to feel nervous and confused about doing it. I received an email from Amazon, which offered providing the services of a geek to come to our home and do it for us.

Jim's WBC and RBC are low, and he needs another test this week, per Dr. K. It's not a good time for a stranger to come into our home for hours to do this task. It's not convenient for us, given Jim's on/off sleeping, his constant bathroom breaks, our feeding schedule, etc. I know it should be a great solution, but it's not for us. The office is in utter chaos as I continue to clean out for the termite extermination.

I spent a good part of the day, while Jim was sleeping, working in the office, tossing big folders of information as old as 2006 pertaining to our home and van insurance. I have kitchen garbage bags full of stuff for shredding, envelopes containing photos, a bag of Meds that need to be discarded, and it's a disorganized mess. I don't want anyone to come in here! And I do not have the energy to get all of this done in a few hours. Or a day. Or even a week at this point.

So, I have to give this back up process the old college try, following your very good instructions, and the video I need to re-watch about using Time Machine, and whatever prompts I get during the process. I should be okay. But this stuff stresses me out!

I woke up at 2:45 after about 2 1/2 hours of sleep, and I heard the clunking sound of the fountain in Michael's pond indicating that the water level was low. I just laid there until I got up at 6:30, listening to it, thinking about the computer and everything on my TO DO list, worrying about Jim's blood test results, missing Jonathan and Michael, praying for all of you and our dear friends, several of whom are confronting a potential health crisis too right now.

Jim only had a couple of hours sleep too, but he watched golf and made himself a sandwich. He was so quiet, and I didn't hear him, believing that he was sleeping. I could have come downstairs to share our insomnia. However, I need to be prone for a few hours and use my heating pad on my back and hips to be able to function everyday. At least I am doing a semblance of resting. TV would just annoy me.

After my morning walk, I watered the plants in the backyard and filled the pond. No more chunking motor sounds tonight.

Thank you and everyone, who is sending positive energy to us and our "devices," which are responding well at this point to your good thoughts.

Jeanie ~

You just lived through another hurricane and dragged your trash bin out to the curb in your scooter, Jeanie. Don't you worry about a thing. You are just fine! In fact, you are awesome! You caught up in time for some good news!

Please keep taking excellent care of yourself, Jeanie. I know how much you want to go to your reunion, and Jim and I are rooting for you!

Thank you all for your continuing love, prayers, support, and friendship, and remember that you and your loved ones are always in our prayers.

Love & Light,



Rose

[funnylegs4]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Donna ~

WOW! Did you ever save the day for us! Thank you so much for telling me about 3G iPads. I read the link, then I went to our mobile provider's site. They have an iPad. I started the on line chat and asked, "Does your iPad offer a 3G option?" The answer was "YES!"

So, I called our provider, and a very sweet, articulate, and pleasant woman helped me. I ordered the iPad. It will be here on Wednesday! We can start using it immediately!

For now, we're going to skip the Smart/iPhone and keep the one we have. We only use it for calling each other, when we're apart, or calling John, and texting. Our new plan gives us unlimited talk and text on the phone, which is 1/2 the price we'd been paying previously. So that is good.

With the iPad, I will have access to the internet, should the computer fail, before I can get a new one. That's important so that I can order from Instacart, communicate on Jim's health portal, communicate on BT, use my webmail, order supplies or whatever, etc.

I shared all of this with the very nice woman, who helped me. I even told her that Jim has cancer. And why we don't want wireless or WiFi because of the electromagnetic field. Imagine how much EMF we had with all of Jon's equipment going all of the time. His bed, his mattress, O2 concentrator, suction machine, TV, cable, lift. She was so sweet, and she said, "I can certainly understand your concerns."

Jim asked me if I had a new best friend, when I got off of the phone. I'm all jazzed, because we solved a lingering, nagging problem, which has been keeping me awake, literally at night.

I'm expecting a stress rash to break out any day now.

When I told Jim about the 3G iPad, he was over the moon. I told him he can go to Netflix and watch all of the great stuff I've been watching through the years, and we can watch together on his iPad. Jim exclaimed, "Oh, I have lots of places I want to go!"

I know he misses playing solitaire on line, which goes along with his love of crosswords. His Crosswords book will remain a bathroom pastime, and iPad will be hanging out in the living room time. His memory has improved since he's been doing crosswords, and he's enjoying it so much. I know he'll brighten up with internet access.

But he also wants to visit music sites, Native American flute sites, travel sites, and look up anything that pops up in his head.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you, Donna for this information, which just made our lives better and easier!


funnylegs4 ~

I definitely want a new computer, not to repair the old one. If I'm investing in a computer, it's going to be a new one, with the latest of everything, and I will vow to it to keep its OS updated. I will also vow to it to keep it backed up once a month.

I've been using Sleep mode, and when I got up this morning, one tap of the mouse, and there she was. I refer to our computer as female. She has been put through the wringer, and she has stamina and determination. She's in menopause now, so she's having hot flashes.

Like me, she's been too busy taking care of business to take care of herself. Of course, she depends upon me to take care of her. So, she's a reflection of me. Except I am well past menopause, but I still have hot flashes and sweat when the humidity hits 77% like it did a few days ago.

But I'm giving her TLC now. She gets to take lots of naps. She has been cool as a cucumber all day.

I didn't get a chance to call Apple today, because I was busy with the iPad adventure.

I also haven't had a chance to start the back up on the hard drive. I'm starting to feel nervous and confused about doing it. I received an email from Amazon, which offered providing the services of a geek to come to our home and do it for us.

Jim's WBC and RBC are low, and he needs another test this week, per Dr. K. It's not a good time for a stranger to come into our home for hours to do this task. It's not convenient for us, given Jim's on/off sleeping, his constant bathroom breaks, our feeding schedule, etc. I know it should be a great solution, but it's not for us. The office is in utter chaos as I continue to clean out for the termite extermination.

I spent a good part of the day, while Jim was sleeping, working in the office, tossing big folders of information as old as 2006 pertaining to our home and van insurance. I have kitchen garbage bags full of stuff for shredding, envelopes containing photos, a bag of Meds that need to be discarded, and it's a disorganized mess. I don't want anyone to come in here! And I do not have the energy to get all of this done in a few hours. Or a day. Or even a week at this point.

So, I have to give this back up process the old college try, following your very good instructions, and the video I need to re-watch about using Time Machine, and whatever prompts I get during the process. I should be okay. But this stuff stresses me out!

I woke up at 2:45 after about 2 1/2 hours of sleep, and I heard the clunking sound of the fountain in Michael's pond indicating that the water level was low. I just laid there until I got up at 6:30, listening to it, thinking about the computer and everything on my TO DO list, worrying about Jim's blood test results, missing Jonathan and Michael, praying for all of you and our dear friends, several of whom are confronting a potential health crisis too right now.

Jim only had a couple of hours sleep too, but he watched golf and made himself a sandwich. He was so quiet, and I didn't hear him, believing that he was sleeping. I could have come downstairs to share our insomnia. However, I need to be prone for a few hours and use my heating pad on my back and hips to be able to function everyday. At least I am doing a semblance of resting. TV would just annoy me.

After my morning walk, I watered the plants in the backyard and filled the pond. No more chunking motor sounds tonight.

Thank you and everyone, who is sending positive energy to us and our "devices," which are responding well at this point to your good thoughts.

Jeanie ~

You just lived through another hurricane and dragged your trash bin out to the curb in your scooter, Jeanie. Don't you worry about a thing. You are just fine! In fact, you are awesome! You caught up in time for some good news!

Please keep taking excellent care of yourself, Jeanie. I know how much you want to go to your reunion, and Jim and I are rooting for you!

Thank you all for your continuing love, prayers, support, and friendship, and remember that you and your loved ones are always in our prayers.

Love & Light,



Rose

Hi Rose,

Excellent! So glad you scored an iPad! My friend with the stroke was able to operate an iPad just fine very early on in his recovery when he was still very weak and somewhat out of it, so I have no doubt Jim will be able to operate it easily. iPad is so much better than iPhone for what Jim wants. Yay!!

I like how you personify your Mac. I agree, a new Mac would be the way to go. The backup is simpler than even I thought it would be when I did it. You are probably overthinking it. As soon as you click in the right places the computer does the work for you.
What confuses you about the backup? The formatting? Or Time Machine? I would love to help more if you let me know? Can you have Apple or Amazon help you by phone??

My prayers continue.