It’s been a while. There’s so much to say but I’ll start off by telling you that my laptop was, once again, on what I refer to as a “Spa” vacation! Ye Ol’ Laptop went, not to Greece but to Geek. Geek Squad, that is. And once again, the Geek Squad came to the rescue. It started out as I was making a desperate attempt to upload photos from my phone to laptop. I kept getting an error message and couldn’t figure out why.
And we all have a good idea of just WHY I need to upload photos to my laptop these days!
I got in touch with Microsoft and, after literally, four hours of the Microsoft technician trying to figure out the issue, I was told I needed to buy more space. Which I did. Yet, the issue with trying to upload photos still remained (I despise Microsoft and Bill Gates). And might I add that at this point I was not a very nice person. Dropping the “eff” bomb was prevalent.
And my special talent is that I’m bilingual in cursing. I was cursing in French as well as English! Oh Merde!
So, The Frenchman, rather than listen to my tantrum, gently suggested we take the laptop on a little vacation to Best Buy’s Geek Squad. We made the appointment, got to Best Buy and explained the situation. Basically, at this point the entire Geek Squad is familiar with me and greeted me like an old friend—or rather a pain-in-the-ass old auntie.
In all honesty, I should just have a room in the house for the Geek Squad to just move in!
And rather than wait to get the issue resolved, I threw up my hands and suggested they just take the damned laptop, keep it till all issues were taken care of and call me when I can pick it up. A week later (last Sunday) she was ready.
Let me tell you something. Those Geek Squad techies are the greatest. Me, being that obsessive note taker that I am, arrived with legal pad and pen ready to take any notes that were needed. And boy, did I need them.
I was more serious than Drew when it came to taking my computer notes!
Now, even though the Squad cleaned up my computer, there was work that I had to do. It seemed that all the photos uploaded to my laptop over the past 6 years were still in the bowels of the laptop. They had to be removed in order to free up space. I needed an additional external drive just for photos. And so, I followed the directions perfectly, purchased a hard drive (Note-The Geek Squad filled an external drive with documents from my laptop. Thus, the photo drive) for the photos, went home and got to work.
Even though these pics are from my phone, they were also on my computer–and pictures going back years and years and years were also on the computer!
I never realized just how many photos were on the laptop and never realized just how long the process of sending them to the external drive would be. It took five long evenings from about 7:00 PM when dinner was finished until around 10:30 PM. It. Was. Grueling!
I. Was. Exhausted. And that was from merely deleting photos!
I made several files to categorize and filled them all. Over 20,000 photos. And I deleted them from the recycle bin. The amount of space that I have available now is like having a new laptop! I also learned that iCloud and One Drive are different backup solutions. So basically, I still have photos backed up without taking the enormous amount of space that I did.
I can’t even with this iCloud. I can’t.
But at least I have some free space now!
Okay, now that that’s explained, what have I been doing?
For one thing, I haven’t exactly been resting on my laurels or my fat ass!
Well, and please allow me to be completely honest and transparent with you before I continue. I’ve received quite a number of products for review and am presently backed up due to the fact my computer was out-of-service. 99.9 percent of the products I’ve received for review have been “gifted” with a couple that I’m now receiving monetary compensation for. I feel greatly appreciated for this simply because blogging takes time and effort and if I’m receiving a small fee, then it is a job paid—and it supplements the paltry salary I receive from my day job. Trust me this blog won’t turn into a “Like-to-Know-It” ad, but please bear in mind that items reviewed are going to be good choices for our demographic.
I’ll be reviewing these shakes by 310 Nutrition. The Toasted Coconut is great but the best is the Salted Caramel…
I also received a lash-perming kit that I’ll be trying out and reviewing. I need time for this one though!
My weight loss journey continues. And it is the most difficult weight loss journey in my life. The scale teeters from 158 to 162—no matter what I do—so it’s really a challenge that I’ll continue to share. Yesterday I took the clothes up from the garage that were stored over the summer. It was depressing because anything lacking stretch didn’t fit. The only thing I can do is move on.
It’s a struggle. My therapist told me once I “let go” I’ll be less stressed and the weight will come off.
My belly hasn’t flattened out at all. I think there are young women who are 7 months pregnant and their bellies are smaller than mine…
….or perhaps my complete lack of excercise gives me a jiggly belly that Santa Claus would be envious of.
I received my Covid “Booster” shot la week ago, which made me incredibly happy! No side effects except a sore spot where the needle was injected and the soreness lasted less than 24 hours!
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy. In and out of Rite-Aid in minutes. So glad I got that booster shot!
In addition, I started watching the new season of Great British Bake Off. This is getting a blog post of its own. I don’t know if you watch this, but loving to bake, this one series is my ultimate pleasure. And last year’s (2020) cast of bakers was my absolute favorite. Absolute favorite! The bakers just mixed and blended (baking pun intended) so well. They were a team of friends and it was the perfect season. This season isn’t the same. At all. I have a couple of favorite bakers that I would like to see go the distance, but I’ll leave my choice for the future blog post!
The 2021 cast of Great British Bake Off. My favorites are Guiseppe, bottom left and Crystelle (back row second-from-left). I’m just not feeling the friendship between the cast as I did with…
Hands down, THIS was the greatest cast of the show ever! EVER! It was like watching a group of best friends. OMG. I loved the 2020 season so much!
The show inspired me to bake a Gateau St. Honore. Cream filled choux pastry puffs atop a puff pastry. Creme Chiboust (and Italian meringue with a mix of pastry cream) spread throughout, and caramel drizzled all over! And THIS is why I don’t lose weight!
So that’s it. Hopefully, you are still with me as the fall/winter clothing gets showcased and I can write about how the pandemic affected a style change for me. Hopefully, you are both patient and entertained by my not-so-successful weight-loss journey. And hopefully, you’re in for some humor!
I went off my no-buy. This adorable frock is now hanging in my closet awaiting to be showcased in a blog post!
Now, it’s off to review!
Hi Catherine…welcome back! Can’t wait to see your reviews – always a hoot! Jeanne – Doodle T and Me!
Thanks Jeanne! Hope all is well with you and the family! XOXOXO
Yay!!!!! You are back – something for me to be happy about, my weight loss is just not happening at the moment as too much stress and worry with a family situation back home so if I am awake I am probably eating. But we take happiness where we find it, the bake off is great and there is also the great british sewing bee which even if you never sew is endearingly lovely as the contestants just gel, another favourite is the great pottery throw down – I just sit like a dopey sponge on the sofa and lap them all up, comfort tv at its finest. Looking forward to your reviews and that dress is beautiful and you will look magic in it. Hopefully you can do more baking videos for you tube xxx
Oh Juliet–Ain’t it the truth about the stress eating. Sometimes I wish I could throw every bit of food in the house in the trash instead of my body being a trash disposal. I’m excited for Friday when we get Bake Off here in the States. It’s bread week so I’m tempted to make a loaf! Fingers crossed that Guiseppe gets star baker this week! I don’t thik we get sewing bee here in the states or pottery throw down but I’m going to check netflix! XOXOXO
We do have the Pottery Throw Down. It’s on Netflix, I think. I do wish we had the sewing one, though!
Hear you about the (non) weight loss 🙁 Too busy making ( and sampling)cookies to keep Thing 1 and Thing 2 entertained while their Mamma and Daddio are waiting on Thing 3 to show up. Kiddo should be here in a week or two! You can also keep your photos on an external hard drive and they have a lot of memory. I pay 1.99 a month for extra space on iCloud because….two grandchildren and counting!!
Man, I saw my 89 almost 90 yr old Aunt arrrgh she is an enviable size 8. Made me feel like Princess Lumpia…tells my 67 yr old cousin and myself that “ you girls need to start moving your asses” I would say she is a vulgar old broad but she got her MA in English literature at 70 and just won a prestigious poetry award! She’s right though I have to get walking or my butt will be ‘three axe handles wide’ as Ma used to say!
I am curious about the ‘lash lift’ kit!
Hey Al, I also pay that $1.99 for iCloud so now Owen’s pics take top row! You’re so lucky to have that third one on the way! Oh God. I know that I should be out walking but I swear, every evening when I arrive home from that miserable job, I am spent. If I walked regularly I would be down to the 20 pound loss in no time! xoxoXOXOXO
Welcome back! Love that dress!
Thanks Cindylou! Yeah. Isn’t that dress great? I can’t wait to wear it! XOXOXOXO
Glad you are back. We’ve missed you!
Thanks so much Leslie! I’ve missed you guys and writing. I’m working on a blog post now! XOXOXO
So happy to have you back! I am also intrigued re the lash perming kit – but like the lovely perfume you have been trying I suppose it won’t be available in Australia! I would buy all the perfumes if I could!!!
Hi Anne! The lash perming kit is sold on Amazon so that should be available to you–right?? Those perfumes are the absolute bomb!! XOXOXOXO
Yay! I’ve missed your writing so much. I hope this year sees you return to Paris and for us to enjoy the adventure!
Thanks so much! Now that my laptop should be in tip top shape, I’m back to doing what I love! XOXOXOXO
The never- ending battle of weight loss – especially after 60. I do some form of exercise every day for an hour. It keeps me in shape, but doesn’t take any weight off! It’s all about what goes into the mouth. Anyway, so many good things to think about these days – grandkids and all. I focus on them and getting out more since being vaccinated. Happy to hear from you, Catherine. I always feel like you say what I’m thinking
Hi Catherine,
It is so lovely to read a post from you. I haven’t been near WordPress for a while so haven’t kept up with things.
After reading your posts I always feel energised and want to get cracking doing things. Your perseverence with your laptop is to be commended. I don’t think I would have been so patient. I think I would have chucked a wobbly.
Glad you got all your photos sorted.
It still seems strange that you are heading into winter while here in Australia we are heading into summer although the weather is more winter like at the moment.
LIke you I have been trying to get my weight down as my stomach seems to have doubled in size during lockdown. We are still having COVID issues here and are still trying to get folks to innoculate. Nowhere near ready for boosters as so many are still only at one injection. Things are speeding up a bit recently.
I have started back on my walking and hope that will help my stomach to disappear. 🙂
OMG, losing weight? Faggert about it. Impossible. Interesting about your photos. I wonder where mine are? I’ve also got thousands. How could i have missed last years Great British Bakers? Was it on Netflix? I must find it. I love that show.Just keep on doing what ever you’re doing it’s always fun.
Oh, Lordy! Weight loss is so terrible! I wrote about it on my blog. Interestingly, it received very few comments…not that I get many comments anyway. I just keep plugging away because I refuse to buy new clothes! And, I completely agree about the Great British Baking Show…loved last year’s cast. I am trying to watch the first episode, but our fire stick keeps shutting off. I do miss Mary, Sue, and the other woman. I do love Noel, though…give me a guy with guy liner any day!