Persistence pays off

While I got things done, it was a frustrating day! Why? My computer just seemed to have an upset tummy! I couldn't open apps (trust me—they call them apps on the computer now instead of programs—it drives me mad) on my computer. I rebooted MULTIPLE times. I even shut the computer off and let it sit by itself to contemplate life as a dead object, and even then, I struggled. I'm not sure what that was all about. 

I did not get the blue screen of death - I got WHITE. 

Not a good sign when you need your computer!

And then during other attempts, I got the circle. 

Nor is this!

When I finally got back in, I was asked if I really wanted to open the file I had been working on, because it had caused a fatal error last time. Good grief --- what the heck is happening? 

I got scared enough to crack open this. 

A BRAND new hard disk

This is a new hard disk I bought a while back. I'm going to use it to replace the one I use every day. I suspect that one is on its last legs, and I had better listen to the computer because if that one goes, I'm in big trouble. I'll start transferring the data this afternoon. 

I also had a lot of trouble transferring files from one spot to another - it took hours instead of seconds, which isn't normal. I was NOT touching the older hard disk - I was transferring from my phone to OneDrive. So something was up with the computer, and I don't know what. But the first step is to replace that hard drive. They do NOT last, and that one has been around long enough. 

I'm still moving data around, and that is going to take eons. But I'm going away in a couple of weeks, and I might take the hard disks with me and spend an hour a day messing around, as I'll have time. But before I go -- that data needs to be transferred. 

I also need to get cracking on emptying OneDrive. It's not full, but it's getting full, and it's mostly stuff that I no longer need. So I must deal with it. 

OH - I found a folder filled with every screenshot I've ever taken, and I take a lot of screenshots. I usually save them in the appropriate folder, but they also get saved on the computer. Why? Why is there so much duplication? I don't get that, and perhaps there is a setting I can change so it doesn't save every screenshot I take. 

I managed to get some sewing done, and eventually some computer work, but not nearly as much as I would have liked - AGAIN! Now I'm running out of time and need to start prioritizing between the three tasks! 

I'm almost ready for one of the presentations, but I still need to work on the other, so that one will be my priority today. I have to at least have SOMETHING to show the class. 

I was lamenting to DH as I drove him to the train that I had forgotten to buy bananas when I walked to the grocery store the day before. I hate when that happens. It's not that I had forgotten - I just hadn't noticed that there were no more bananas. He reminded me that I pass close to the store on my way home. Go to the grocery store in the car? How dare he suggest that!! 

However, I stopped and got bananas. Can you believe that it's been well over 6 years since I took the car to the grocery store? OK - I think I've been to the grocery store in the car once in the last year. What a complete hassle! I know - I actually have to park the car and go in. When I walk- no thought required - just walk into the store. And I don't mind going every day or every second day because it's something to do, and it only takes 30 minutes to get there and back on foot if I take the shortcut through the forest. 

My bananas for breakfast

The bananas had just been set out, and all of them were green. Then I remembered to check the single-banana section, and there were three, one of which was ripe enough to eat. All was good in my world. I hadn't seen the computer issue yet. 

But while I was waiting for the files to transfer, I went to the mail box just in case. And OH MY GOSH --- there it is!!!!! Interestingly, neither the Global Tracking System nor Canada Post identifies the package as arrived!!! What is interesting is that this looks like a brand new package - not the original that was supposedly sent the first time. It was postmarked in France, and the sender's name is the person I dealt with on Etsy - Canada. Hmmmmmm. No mention of the name of the company. 

My package has arrived!!!!!

And there are my labels!!!! I'm so excited, but I don't have time to start using them yet. There are supposed to be 400 labels - I'm not about to count them, but let's say there are lots. What a relief to get those - I ordered them at the end of December, and finally they are here. 

My labels!!!!

Now that the labels have arrived and my Outlook issues seem resolved, perhaps I can go back to the house issues and see if I can resolve them. Dealing with too many issues at once is not something I do any longer. Give me two issues maximum at a time, and lots of persistence and patience, and I can resolve anything. 

And then I ended the evening with more reading—a daily 30-minute nap is highly recommended—I mentioned that yesterday—but PLAY is also good for your brain, including SHOCK—playing video games like Tetris and Candy Crush. The issue with those is that they are addictive, and you have to find a way to stop after a certain amount of time. |I will NOT play video games. My past addictive behavior with computer games is not something I want to get into. 

Then I spent about an hour with the puzzle last night. I look forward to this relaxed time with my brain - no books, no music, just chilling! 

Progress on the puzzle

I didn't quite find a home for all the pieces I had set out the night before, but I did find one of the two missing border pieces! I still don't understand why they don't just jump out! I'm loving spending an hour each evening working on the jigsaw puzzle. It's a nice diversion, and I'm so anal about the pieces. Yep -- I moved some of them, so I'm now down to three design boards, including the one that holds my current working pieces. I could consolidate them onto two boards, I'm sure. But the repetition of moving them? That's very good for your brain!! The tactile thing and keeping them organized—I love it!!!

There are lots of funky things I still need to assemble, and I'm still finding pieces with bits of yellow, red, blue, green, and purple, though I think I have them all now. I'm down to metal and woodgrain! 

I have several videos as part of my prep for the weekend classes, and I have them all set to go for when I'm back from the gym. It's going to be a busy day, and I had better get myself organized!! The extra 20 minutes I spend at the gym after my spin class has been incredible. I'm working on my stretching and working on my abs. WOW -- I will never have a six-pack, but my core is getting much stronger. And guess what that means? My stability and balance are getting better!! I used to struggle with the ab workout, but it's getting so easy. I must up my game!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!