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!