SINGING ODE TO JOY

After two weeks and much aggravation I am happy to report I am back on my computer. I spent a few days last week, talking to IM-ing tech support of AOL. We deleted, we reinstalled things in the very deep bowels of this computers files, and I searched all those things that most people did not know it existed. There were AOL files, with in files, within other files. I right clicked on the AOL icon on the lower bar, and it came up with one click fixes. I clicked on everything that mentioned connectivity. I got notice of about 4 instances of the virus .....Winstartpage22.zz again. So I know that AOL has been breached and had viruses in their downloads. My search and destroy CA antivirus was working overtime on that....

While in the bowels on who knows what folder I came across a file that contained the dreaded "AOL will not download the files needed to complete installation" When click upon it would take you no where....I think this was part of the virus...so, I deleted this file. Then I reinstalled AOL from a disc and now voila, it connects. And the favorites are there as well. I am in blogging and Internet searching NIRVANA. My Karma must be good today. Now I can catch up and see what my peeps are doing.

This is a picture of my mother and I. I look to be about two or three in the picture. Today is the anniversary of her death. She was born in Altona, Germany in 1923.

I have not resolved my computer troubles. I contacted AOL tech support both on the phone and via AOL IM type service where the person will walk you through what ever is ailing your AOL software.

I was unable to get it fixed. He thinks there is corruption in my AOL connectivity software. Although we delved into to the bowels of folder upon folder of AOL software and deleted what could be deleted, we could not solve the problem.

His parting words were maybe you will have to do a restoration to the factory specs. He said back up your things. (I already have done that) Next suggestion is to call HP. Well, that is a good suggestion, but the computer is 6 years and to pay for that service would cost more than the computer is worth. I probably could buy a new one for what it would cost in how to fix the problem.

The only thing I am missing is my Favorites. Guess I will have to figure out how to get there. Probably be from one of the other compters where AOL is installed and send the links to MSN and add what I need to those favorites. Although I have them stored on the computer they are in a PFC (AOL'S) and I need AOL to open them.. GRRRRRR

SATURDAY

What a gorgeous morning !!! Yesterday it went up to about 80, and I had the windows open.

I gave the meal responsibility to Emily and also some money. She had to plan and cook the meal. She made Butter Chicken, which did not have any butter. It is an Indian dish made with chicken. At the Indian store they had a package of spices that was labeled Butter Chicken and she used half of the package. It was good but just a little too spicy....Also on the menu was Curry Rice, which was also spicy. I think it would have been better to have a plain rice and spicy chicken rather than two spicy dishes. I will have her do it again.

The computer still can not open AOL. The source of my ire is Win32/startpage.zz I can not imagine how it got by McAfee.....The first thing I noticed was the McAfee was disabled. I think the source of the problem is AOL. I uninstalled, and reinstalled from the internet, then uninstalled and downloaded from a disc. The problem is opening the installed AOL. I have rebooted, reinstalled the drivers and still something is missing. I have installed a new antivirus program CA and it found 5 of the above viruses on the computer. When I go open AOL it tells me that I am missing files and it will install if I click HERE. Nothing happens then. I need to call tech support.

I must report that the CA program is operating well, although it took me about a half hour to install it will a disc. The firewall would not install and I had to go to the CA website and download the firewall.

What to do today?? Who knows, other than calling AOL. That should be a frustrating experience, but I am ready for the battle....

HOW DO i REBOOT

D:

I like the idea of rebooting. How do I do that? It is still not working properly. I tried to send you an email and I got a message files were missing. I have to get on the computer via a buried IE program. I can not connect with an AOL program, tells me to reinstall some files, but where do I find them??

I hope you read this post..LOL

I did install a new antivirus program and it found five virus, all of the same name. I have that name written down but can't find it at the moment.

COMPUTER EUREKA MOMENT

After much anguish, moaning and groaning and gnashing of teeth, I turned on the computer this morning and it is now working. On my desktop popped up a "Security update" from AOL. I now know where the problem lies and it is not me. I am very careful about opening things and not downloading thing. Do not send me anything I have to download or click on to receive, because I will not open it........I am glad that problem is solved and I DID NOT CAUSE THE PROBLEM.....

WHAT A DAY

What a day, I am hounded by computer demons again.....First I had the McAfee security by AOL and it told me that my virus protection was not working.....uninstall and reinstall.......still not working.

I had installed 9.5 and after that I had pop ups with (about:blank). I did a search and it said it was a Trojan....So, next I uninstalled 9.5, that left 9.0 on the computer and half of the page was blank......Tried a system restore x 3.....did not work either....GRRRRRRRRRRRR

Search for antivirus programs.....chose one with a 90 day free trial, but will not get rid of spyware..........Tried to redownload and reinstall 9.5, half a page still missing...... GRRRRRRRR. The virus search said I didn't have a virus......

Went to add/remove programs and uninstalled the entire AOL programs....Should I call it a day or try to reinstall again. Frankly I am tired of this damn computer. I think I will call it a day. I am at my wits end for today.

BACK TO WORK TODAY

After my respite of the week off , it was back to work for me…..the schedule was very light about one third of usual.  Tomorrow has picked up some.   Today was orthopedics, three total joint replacements, on three different people   We do spinal anesthesia on each.   In with the local medication to do the spinal we also put a bit or Morphine, this will be the person pain relief most of the day and into the night.   With a general anesthetic, you would get IV Morphine, but the spinal Morphine will last much longer.  

Everything is the same at work.  There is rumor of them cutting out the coffee…..it doesn’t matter to me since I do not drink it.   But that is the height of frugality.    Guess I will have to bring my own coffee cup to drink my tea, as well as my own tea bags. 

The POWERS  that BE decided will are going to have a stroke center, they want to get that up and running.  Also a Level 2 Trauma Center is in the works for 2011.     Wait till those docs find out there is no coffee…….

The weather is getting more spring like,   it was cold this morning but warmed up nicely by the afternoon.  I have visions of sitting on my deck and having a cup of whatever I will be drinking.  Tea or wine…..

SATURDAY

I liked this picture so well, I put it on my desktop.  Taken at Phipps Conservatory.

Yesterday the kid and I went out to Ross Park Mall.   I was amazed there was only one vacant store front.   The Mall close to my house has about 25 vacant, looks like a ghost town mall.   One would think they would do something to attract business, I had heard from a number of sources that the local mall refused to decrease the cost of its rent, so a lot of stores have closed.  

I am not a business major but it sounds like bad business sense to me.   I had thought that Ann Taylor Loft and J Jill had closed their stores, but no,  just at my local mall.   There they were at Ross Park in all their glory.   They really have a nice selection of stores.   The only problem is it taked forty five minutes to drive there as opposed to twenty to Monroeville Mall.   We decided that we will go once a month or so.

On the way back Emily was playing her iPod on my car radio.  It has a connection, all you need is a audio cable and a Aux switch and you can play the iPod.    She wanted to know, while listening to Mick Jagger, if they had played those song on the radio.  WHAT????   I asked, still dumfounded .   “Well, did they say…….Here’s the latest hit from the Rolling Stones”    asked Emily?     Still dumfounded I said “Of course!!!!”   I find that just weird said she.  I can’t imagine hearing the newest release from them on the radio.    “I can’t wait to write this in my journal”  said Claudia

 

SPRING BREAK ALMOST OVER

Not that is was spring break in the traditional sense.   It was my spring break from working.  I got a lot of things done, that I would not have done on my one day off.    

I had a tooth removed, or extracted as they say in the profession.    It was a molar and part of a three unit bridge.   On the latest bite wing it showed some decay at the bottom of where the metal cap was located.    The whole story is that the tooth was non restorable.  I had a root canal years ago and the tooth had no pain, but still decayed.    My jaw now hurts, it looks OK, no swelling or redness, but the bone hurts.  I had this done on my week of just in case it did hurt I would not be at work.   The pain is alleviated with Motrin.

I have cleaned out my closet and made the donation to the Thrift Store, sorted thru some of my books.   I only got $15, I feel that somehow they should be worth more than  that.  My other choice would be to sell them on e-Bay, that would have involved time and effort on my part.   I could have donated them to the library where they would have been in the fund raiser for new  books.    I do not know what I will do with the next lode.  

I sorted out the two pantries and arranged them in some order that would put things alike together.   I was getting to the point that I had to buy things because I could not find them.

The only thing left to do is defrost the freezer, maybe I will save that for another day.  Tomorrow Emily and I are going to ROSS PARK MALL.   They have Nordstrom's, and Tiffany's to name a few.   We want to see what Tiffany’s have to offer…I suspect we will not buy anything at either……….But we will have lunch out. 

Trivia tonight and the drive there will be a bummer because the Penguins are playing their last scheduled game.  In hockey it seems that if you will one game you are in the Playoffs.

ITS SNOWING OUT THERE

 

It is snowing outside.  A few days ago it was 60/70.   I listened to the news this morning and there were accidents all over the town, on the ramps and bridges.   You would think that the snow was some once in a decade event because people drive like it is dry and crash on the icy spots on the bridges.   WHAT A SURPRISE!!!!!  

I am off this week and had a few things lined up to accomplish.   The first was to go thru my closet and sort what I no longer wear and take it to St. Vincent DePaul thrift store.

That has been accomplished.  I am also going thru books (I really hate to part with them) and box them to take to HALF PRICE BOOKS and recycle them. I actually have started on the book debridement.

Today I have plans to go thru the panty and rearranging the shelves.   I have a habit of buying things when I can’ find what I am looking for.   If I have many duplicates I may take them to the local food pantry.

I have a downstairs pantry area, that my sister calls my nuclear war stockpile.  So, I have enough to keep me busy this week.  

Yesterday was spent at the dentist, where I had a tooth extracted and have a minor pain in the jaw.   Motrin will fix that.

I am full of good intentions and hope to get things done.  Some how I feel when I am off I am entitled to rest up from working,  I just never get things done. 

Maybe it is because on that one, lonely day off during the week I make appointments that need to be done or have a long list of errands that I can’t do if I am at work.    So, enough of this typing and on to publish the post and get to work….

WHAT IS GOING ON????

  I took this picture at the Phipps.  I really like color.   I have been remiss at writing in my blog.  What is the problem?   But, I have also noticed that a lot of people also have not been writing?  

Do they have nothing to say, has spring hit and every one is getting rid of cabin fever?    Also a few of the blogs I enjoy reading now have become “Invited Only”   What is with that?   Are they tired writing?   Have they gotten some harassment of their blog?    Have they run out of ideas?  I am not a conspiracy theorist….

I must admit sometimes I am out of ideas, and I can’t explain it but I am sometime too tired to write.   This was an activity I enjoyed and now it just feels mundane?    I hope I get over my malaise soon.    

I am off this week, and perhaps I feel a need to get things done in my life.   I have several projects I want to get done.  First, which I started this morning, is to go thru my closet and eliminate things I no longer wear or have not work in a while.  I have a box designated to go to St. Vincent de Paul's this week. 

I find that once it is gone I do not miss it, I really have to think when I am sorting.   I have many things that are still in the laundry room and I want to bring them upstairs to be put away, but the closet was getting too crowded.   I am slowly replacing fall/winter with spring/summer. 

Emily had worked at a thrift store during college and she is my mentor whom I consult if they could use whatever article or not.   She said just give it, if they can not sell they will give it to a shelter if it is usable.   Guess I have a lot of work to do this week.