My computer died suddenly and other recent happenings

If you've seen less of me online this week, my dears, it is because this Monday, February kicked off by me attempting to turn on my computer and finding that it simply wouldn't do so. It was, as the old expression goes, as dead as a doorknob.
 
This was both worrisome and greatly surprising, as the machine was little more than two years old and was, in theory, a powerhouse of a laptop that cost quite a pretty penny when it was bought new at the end of 2013.

Hop ahead to this week and the issue lies in the motherboard, which is completely fried. The cost to replace such is comparable to that of many new laptops, so replacing this part isn't a logical route to take.

Thankfully, it would appear that the hard drive is intact and functional, so I should be able to import the reams of data on there straight onto my new computer and not lose anything vital in the process.

I'd honestly expected to get 4+ years out of my (now "old") laptop and was surprised that it would give up the ghost so suddenly. Even more jarring is suddenly being faced with the cost of new computer, something that falls under the heading of a business expense for me, and which has been quite a shock to the system and pocketbook alike!

After three days of nearly around-the-clock shopping, both online and off, I was able to determine that there was nothing locally that met my specs (chief amongst which was great screen resolution, as I do so much work with photos that I need to be as true-to-life as possible), so on Wednesday afternoon I placed an order with Dell and should have my new computer in two to three weeks time.

I opted to purchase an extremely extensive three year warranty package, so if - goodness forbid - my new computer were to run into issues in the next 36 months, it would be completely covered and, in theory, a replacement issued, if need be. Hopefully it won't be though and this new gem of a laptop will last be for that long and then some!

{Being computer-less for long  periods of time is simply not on option for me, especially considering that I make my livelihood online through my blog and Etsy shop, so a new one had to be ordered on the absolute double!!! 1950s photo source.}


This is, of course, not how I expected February to play out online in the slightest! Thankfully I have a fair number of this month's posts already written and ready to go live, so things will not be a ghost town here this month, fear not!

In general through, operating just off of my cell phone, or a borrowed computer, when I can get access to one, I know that much in the ways of my online plans and productivity for February will be temporarily curtailed.

I will be doing my best in the coming weeks to stay abreast of blog comments that I receive here, my emails, social media PMs, and your wonderful blogs. If something is very important/time sensitive and you need to get ahold of me, please email me with the word "Urgent" in the header of your message.

In other recent news, my family suffered a heartbreaking blow last week when my 95 year old step-grandfather - a wise, warmhearted, extremely hard working man - passed away after a long battle with various medical issues. His departure did not come as a shock to our family, given his health, but it is certainly painful all the same, especially for all nine of his children (of whom my step-father is one)        and their families.

Under our own roof, Tony and I have completed (or at least made serious in roads) a lot of home organization, DIY, and (early spring) cleaning jobs that we opted to tackle in January, which is awesome! Some remain to be wrapped up, but such is certainly in sight and we're delighted about that.

Speaking of Tony, the poor dear has been experiencing some rather serious back problems for several months now, which have only worsened in recent weeks (I'm sure that the above mentioned heavy-duty work around the house didn't help matters there for him one bit) and is going for a doctor's appointment to hopefully get the ball rolling on some answers at to what is at the route of this issue a little later today (he and I are leaning towards a herniated disk, but of course, until we find out more, that is just our educated guess base on his symptoms and our research).

Aside from those points, and some (normal level, for me) flare-ups with some of my medical conditions, we're okay and certainly hanging in there. Despite the various difficult points that have been, and continue to be, on our plates, we're in good spirits and remain hopeful that February will ultimately turn into a lovely, enjoyable month (very much including Valentine's Day itself, which I have some really fun posts already lined up for).

I truly appreciate your understanding regarding my computer situation and look forward to hopefully getting 100% back to normal on that front by the end of the month.

Wishing you all an awesome, fun filled February!

We're experiencing temporary technological difficulties

 Good morning, my dears, I hope that your Friday morning is off to a fantastic start. This post, which I'm writing mere minutes before it goes live, can largely be summed up its title. You will note that I intentionally said "technological difficulties", instead of the more commonly used "technical difficulties". The reason for that is because it is indeed technology that's been causing me some trouble as of late.

You see my laptop, my beloved, trusty workhorse of a laptop, which I've had some 4.5 years now, has finally come to the end of its life. It has a number of issues that are all compounding its demise, but the most problematic is one with its power cord socket (where the cord plugs in), an issue that is notorious amongst Sony Vaios, of which it is one. Over the years (the last two years, to be exact), we've bought many new cords for it, but even that no longer does the trick, and coupled with some other issues (such a the fact that its operating speed has become slower than molasses being poured at the North Pole), it's hard to get it to turn on any more, let alone hold any kind of battery charge.

For nearly all of the past two days, I couldn't get it to do either, but have finally been able to once again today, and so I'm feverishly writing this post while I still can!

Last night, after a few days of carefully weighing numerous potential new replacement options in our price range, Tony and I decided that a Lenovo laptop would be a great fit for my needs, and so we ordered one online.

According to the website, it may take up to 15 business (not calendar) days to ship, plus the actual shipping time itself, so when all is said and done, that could be as long as a month from now. That's a worst case scenario though, and I'm hoping that it will in fact be more like ten to fifteen days (but only time will tell).

It's entirely possibly that before the new Lenovo arrives, this one will go to the great computer room in the sky however, and if it does, my online presence may drop down to just what I'm able to do from my phone.

I have numerous posts written and slated to go live already for much of the rest of the month, and have opted to leave those up for now, and as always, will try to reply to comments, visit your wonderful blogs, spend time on social media sites and the like, as best I can with a current laptop that may really and truly sing its last tune at any given moment.



{We've come a long way from the days of most computers filling whole rooms as they did back in the 1950s when this photograph was taken at Vassar. I can't help but relate though to the woman's somewhat defeated/exasperated expression here, as it's not too far off from the ones I've been flashing while contenting with a laptop on its very last legs this week. Image source.}

 
Soon enough though, my new computer will here and after a brief "getting to you" period with it, all should be as right as rain once more. Huzzah! :)

Still, as I've already been online less lately because of this situation, and may likely be in the coming days, I just wanted to give you all a head's up and let you know why such may continue to be the case until my new computer arrives (dealing with a nearly dead laptop has also postponed my ability to get my Halloween costume post up this week, as I'd initially planned, but rest assured that, even if it's towards the end of the month, it will appear here asap!).

Aside from that, most things have been well so far during the first week of November. We made it to antiques & collectibles show on November 1st (that I mentioned here) and had a total blast - with, naturally, a bit of shopping to be had. The first snowfall graced our ground on Monday (though it didn't stick around long), and here, as with most everywhere, the stores are all gearing up big time for Christmas already, just as my own thoughts are thinking ever more to the approaching holiday season.

My new laptop is my present (and then some) this year, and what a tremendously awesome gift it will be! Just think of all the blog posts, for starters, that will be written on it in the months and years to come!

Have a beautiful, fun filled Friday and weekend, everyone!