Laptop Update

Well, Krysss (one of my readers! Yay, I have another!), I haven't gotten my laptop yet.

I sort of decided one day to just buy one of the HPs in Costco and narrowed it down to one of the three they had there. Then I paid for it, and then it was out of stock and then they credited me for it. And that sucked.

Then I started asking the IT guys at work. We have quite a large IT department and apparently it's like your favorite flavor of ice cream: every one of the guys I talked to had a different opinion!

So now, desperate as I am to get one I'm going to do a little digging on the Dell site and finally make a decision. My problem is that I always assume "as is" isn't good enough and I start upgrading and my custom laptop goes from a base price of $849 (which is within my budget) to oh, I don't know, $1200, $2300... and then I get discouraged and I stop and another week goes by without a laptop!

An internet friend just got a Sony Vaio and said her hubby got if for her after a lot of research. So I ask Tony at work about it and he doesn't like them, they last 2 years and then they have to be replaced. No way, Jose! I'm not buying another one in 2 years! When I get this it has to last at least 5 before I can even begin to think of going through this again!!!

Anyone of my 12 readers have an opinion about what laptop I should buy? Here's some of what I'm looking for: 4GB/500GB, a pretty good processor (I'm not a gamer but I will be adding Photoshop and I don't want to wait minutes for my photos to open!), a screen somewhere around 15"-17" (I'd LOVE the bigger screen but don't want to spend that money and then I have to worry about a case; apparently it's not so easy to find a laptop case for the 18"+ screens...), reliable, Windows 7 (64-bit), and Office Professional (2010 if timing allows).

Suggestions?

A Library to Dream Of...

OMG!!!
I am totally in love with this library!
And the story behind it? Awe-inspiring!
PLEASE click on this link and enjoy the pictures and the story!!!
The Daily Adventures of the Hillan Family

I'm an Organizer and a Creator

Who'd 've thunk it?!?!?

I went to Careerpath.com to take the Dewey Color System test. According to my results, I'm an Organizer first, and a Creator second. Here's some of the test results (and I agree with anything highlighted in red ink!):

"The Dewey Color System® is now the world's most accurate career testing instrument. This report based on your personality traits indicates your two most enjoyable day-day-day occupation skills. It’s a summary of the full report, the Color Leadership Evaluation 5.0.

"Best Occupational Category
You're an ORGANIZER
Keywords
Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate
These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.
ORGANIZER CAREERS
Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.
ORGANIZER WORKPLACES
Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you. [I totally agree - I HATE having 50 bosses! - a direct slam at a previous employer! - krys]
Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.

"2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR [NEVER would I have picked this word out to describe myself! - krys]
Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression [This is VERY new to me! - krys]. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new [I'm a HUGE fan of learning new things! - krys]. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or whether they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas."

So, who'd 've thunk it? Not me, that's for sure! A creator??? I'd find that amusing had I not just spent over $100 on art journal books and magazine, were I not obsessed with learning to create art for my art journal class, and had I not recently discovered that, indeed, I CAN express myself visually...

Happy Heart Day!!!

Happy, Happy Heart Day to my very own Valentine!

Hon, you are the BEST husband, a PHENOMENAL father, an absolutely WONDERFUL son-in-law - all in all, you're pretty much PERFECT!!!

I am so very lucky to be married to you, even on those days when you annoy me, but more importantly on those days I annoy YOU!! (I know there are more of those than there are of the other!)

Please know that I love you with all my heart, and I always will, forever and ever.

And when I sometimes forget to show you, it doesn't ever and won't ever mean I don't love you, it just means that I'm being a bit selfish that day. I promise, though, that soon enough I'm going to realize just how rotten I was and I promise I'll make it up to you!

Thanks for 10-and-1/2 years of married bliss, and 20 years of togetherness!

Love you THIS MUCH!!!!

Where Women Create & Knitterly

There's an awesome blog about women's studios: Where Women Create.

Today I read her blog post about Knitterly, a yarn shop in Petaluma, CA.

I don't knit and barely can crochet, but if I'm within 50 miles of Petaluma, I'M THERE!!!

The store is gorgeous! And they're giving away a surprise package to a random poster. By posting on Facebook, Twitter, and on your blog, you get a few extra chances to win! I'd love to win this for my mama!!!

I'm over at a new blog, too!!!

So if you're interested take a meander on over to BookTeaCatDog. It's a blog co-authored by my two sisters AND yours truly...

We're not the most interesting people in the world, I admit, but I have to say Middle Sister is an awesome author(ess) and I LOVE her writing style! You will, too!

Little Sister hasn't contributed to the site yet, but we're hoping to see a post from her soon...

I don't know how I'm going to keep track of what I post where, and I sure don't want to lose any of my readers so I'm hoping you'll add our combo blog to your blogroll if you're following me... :-D

Might I also refer you to The Mossy Nest, my middle sister's personal blog, and Tea in the Parlor, her tea-related blog, if you're interested in tea and tea cozies...

And feel free to visit Little Sister's new site: Must Luv Pets. She has a real cute video of her puppy and one of her cats - it's a must see!

The cutest pets ever!

Okay, click on this and you'll see my sister's pets, her Westie and one of her kitties (the mama one!) getting along like a house on fire!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7yoNEYJ5IM

And Miss Hope, Duncan is still promised to your Prissy!!!

My Word for 2010 (Thanks to Spell with flickr)

You may have noticed the addition to my page, up there, above the boring "About me."

Declutter.

I posted about this previously.

So far I've made two donations to the VietNam Veterans Association, and seriously? If it isn't nailed down, it's fair game! Clothes, small appliances, home decor, books I really don't think I'll ever look at again, stuff of all shapes and sizes...

So far, though, you'll all be glad to hear, Jack's made the cut! He's a keeper, I know, and I can joke about it, but I would never, ever get rid of him!!! I'm one lucky girl! (And no, he doesn't read this blog, so I'm really not kissing up for any reason!)

If I could, I would seriously give thought to emptying my house and starting over from scratch. From colors and trim to cabinets and furniture - I'm craving a clean, uncluttered, bright style. I absolutely ADORE natural wood, but to lighten up my house and in turn, make ME feel lighter? I could live with bright white trim and lots of contrasting colors like yellow and orange and red and green and blue...

I'll keep you posted on how much I "lighten my load" since it's a real priority for me this calendar year!