A Space Of One's Own

It has been hard to blog recently because it hasn't been easy to get onto my computer. (And blogging from the tablet is super annoying.) When we started to redo 'the office' to make a nursery it meant getting rid of the spot that I would use my laptop. Jason's work station was moved into the spare room/laundry room and there wasn't space for my chair and little table. For a while I used my laptop on the coffee table downstairs (as I am doing at the moment) or sometimes in bed. However, it was a strange phenomenon where it was either in the way or too out of the way. If it was in the way then it would get moved and tucked away somewhere and that made it harder to pull it out again later to use.

This has meant no blogging, but also my emails are piling up and I haven't done my banking. I have stopped playing WoW, which I have pretty consistently been involved with since Fall 2019. There is also jobs to apply for and more cafe stuff to finish up. Basically I need it to be easy, and comfortable, to work on my laptop. Didn't know this was an issue since I haven't really had or used a desk in a while, but I guess I did always have some type of set up that made it convenient. 

We do have plans to rearrange the living room soon, for baby proofing now that Cigi is becoming more mobile, and that will have some ripple effects for the dining room. I think I will try to set up in there. So fingers crossed you will start to see more posts soon!

And Why Did I Go?

So, since I haven't been away, and most people knew that I wasn't, what has been the cause of the month-long blog hiatus? A lot of friends and family have been wondering why I haven't posted, and everyone has their own ideas as to the reason behind my stalled writing on Always Standing.

Here are the theories I have heard:

- The trails of home-ownership. Nope. It has been a busy Spring at Casa Verde but more for Jason than me. He has been working on the lawn, trying to get rid of weeds and seeding in more grass. While I was in Ottawa this past weekend Faye and David came and helped Jason and Noah tear down the gross shed/kennel behind our garage.

- Newly wedded bliss. Nope. I know we just had our honeymoon, BUT. We got married in September 2016, moved in to our own house in May 2016, bought our home in December of 2015,  and we had started to live together in October 2013. So the bliss wouldn't really be the type to keep me from posting.

- My new job. Nope. While it is true that I am working long hours at the office in preparation for our big summer event, it has only stopped me from posting in that I don't want to log into a work computer to do it. We use Google for everything here and having my account on the computer to access Blogger might get tangled up in the accounts I use for work. But I often have my personal computer here so could easily pop on it during a break and fire off a post.

The actual reason:

- My tablet broke! I don't think I ever mentioned that I had my own tablet but Jason got me a very nice Google Pixel C for Christmas. (It was intended for my birthday but came so early that I got it at Christmas instead.) Well, I have been using it to post on Always Standing because it is always on hand and the Blogger interface on it is okay. I hadn't realized how much I relied on it to blog, but I do. All my Azores posts were done from the tablet, it is pretty much my main computer now. Well, the screen on it went wonky about a month ago and Jason spent some time trying to fix it but ended up having to send it away. I have it back now and posting will pick up again.

Who Even Are You?

Jason started a new job yesterday. He came home with a MacBookPro and is going to be getting a new iPhone as well. I couldn't believe it! I knew that if he stayed with his previous job his plan was to change his equipment at the next upgrade over to Apple products, but I think part of me thought he was joking.

How can a computer programmer want a Mac? Maybe he doesn't spend a lot of time in Excel, using spreadsheets is way easier on PCs, I don't like the Apple version at all, even the Microsoft releases for Macs is bad.

I guess I have never really ranted against Apple products on Always Standing before. Just some quick mentions that they are difficult to get used to and leave me feeling lost. I don't really like Apple as a company or its products. (Even though I once raved about an iPad - that was before I had seen other tablets.) I don't have time to get into it right now but I am a PC girl to the end!

Also, I gather that the woman who narrates the new iPhone (iPhone 6s) commercials sounds like me, especially the one about the moving photos feature. Check it out HERE and let me know.

On My Desktop

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

I keep a photo of Dad on my desktop at work. I don't remember how it got there. I thought it might have been from when I posted it to Always Standing, but that was in April of last year and I wasn't working at FORREC yet.  I can't image why else I would have brought it onto my desk top, but it is there. I like to see the little thumb nail and be reminded of him.

Screen Shot From My Work Laptop

(July 2015)

A Caturday Update

Aunty Laura sent me a little update about Rusty, who is looking as cute as ever:

Rusty With His Paw On Aunty Laura's Shoe

Photo by Aunty Laura

"Thank goodness I didn't get a kitten. He is about all I can handle. On last Friday night I went into the hospital for three days and he was left alone. Fortunately Linda fed him and changed his litter and played with him a couple of times a day. Rusty wore her out. He got fixed the day after I got home and he is doing find. They cut his claws for free. He has ring worm and I have to pick up some pills for him. Thanks to Linda's care he is none the worse for the wear of me being away. He is a very good companion. Loves to watch me play spider on the computer."

Rusty And Spider Solitaire

Photo by Aunty Laura

"Hasn't scratched the furniture but does not use the scratching post much except to stretch out and sleep on the carpet base. Rusty likes a little milk. I had the Computer Guy show me how to E-mail photos of Rusty. They are not as cute as Rasta's are. He doesn't wake me up in the morning to feed him. He waits till I get out to the kitchen to start meowing. He likes to put my fingers in his mouth and chew on my nails. I am having trouble brushing. He only wants to play with the brush and me. I have real trouble keeping him off the computer. About all I can think of to tell you about him. Thank you so much for giving me Rusty. Love Aunt Laura"

An Urban Mouse Catcher

Rasta catches real mice out when he visits my Aunt and Uncle. Even though he is an indoor cat, they live in the country and their house is over 100 years old. His extra thumbs/paw make it even easier for him.

Two on the other hand - is a city cat. She would have no idea how to catch a mouse. The type of mice that she attacks are attached to laptops:

"Don'ts worry guyz, Iz gots dis!

Iz am on de mooose. Iz sits on dit."

Mesmerized By The Mouse

Rasta Stares Down The Mouse Cursor

Self Portrait With Webcam

More Cats In The Computer Chair

I didn't want Caturday to get too focused on Rasta. So, last week had Jason sitting in his office chair holding up the tiny kitten. This week it is Jason, in the same chair, with Two:

Two Sitting On Jason's Lap

"Why iz you not paysing attentionz to me?"

Photo by Me

Us

Jason, "Stare directly at the camera."

Jason and I

Self-Portrait Online 

By Christine Sweeton

Cat And Mouse

The computer in this picture is pretty old but cat behavior has not changed much with the addition of laptops and tablets. Two does this now and Binx did it before. (Thank you to Jenn for posting this on Facebook) Cat on keyboard:

Wrong Email I Think

This poor girl, I think she got the wrong email. She is obviously looking for some friend she used to talk to over facebook, but that isn't me - I also think the friend was male. I can understand how she may have gotten confused, because judging from her typing, spelling, grammar, etc. I don't think she is very bright.

------ from an Email

BABE... i guess your not getting any of my email huh? ive been tryign to email u so many times but this dam laptop is such a piece of garbage and keeps freezing.. anyways how u been?

In case u dont know who this is its ME Adriana.. we used to chat a bit on facebook and then I think u deleted me :( haha.. anyways guess what... I got 2 things to tell u.. both good news.. 1) im single now.. yup me and my bf broke up about 3 months ago... and 2) guess where im moving? RIGHT EFFING NEAR
U.. lol... ur actually the only person im gonna know there.. well 3 cousins too but i cant chill with them lol..

I remember when we chatted u told me u thought i was cute and u wanted to chill so now we finally can HAHA! im kinda scared to move.. im hoping this email addy is still the one you use and u can chat with me ebfore i get there.. maybe even help me move my shit in...are u still on facebook? i cudnt find ui was
soo confused...anyways im gonna need someone to show me the town and take me out so u better be around bebe...

we only chatted a couple times but i remember thinking to myself i wanted to get ot know u better when i was single..a nd i thoguth u were cute too but cudnt tell u cause i wasnt single lol...ok so more info about me.. well im 23.. virgo.. love the outdoors and love to socialize, go out for drinks, restaurants, movies etc.. travel.. i have a lil kitty named BOO and i luv her to death... uhhh oh im a super horny gurl too but
every gurl is they just wont admit it. so ilove watching p0rn and all that.. love sex etc blah blah blah...who doesnt..

I really hope we get a chance to chat for a bit either online or on the fone before i get there enxt week.. i hope u remmeber me and still wanna chill and arent married yet lol.. OH YA also.. i need to find a job when i get there..

do u have any hookups or know anybody hiring? id LOVE to work in a bar or osmehting like that...really anythgin cause my current job is fun and all.. and technically i CUD keep doign it but i want a change.. i
currently work from home and well thats cool but i need ot be out meeting people.. oh wait. i dont think i ever actually told u what i did? hmm shud i......???? ok WELLLL... and dont get all weirded out
on me.. i work on a webcam chat community site and i get paid to chat with people and get naked HHAHA... BOMB right :)? I KNOW.. like i figure iim horny anyways why not get paid to chat with people and play with myself heheh...anyways i hope u dont look down on that and NO THATS NOT WHY IM CONTACTING U RELAX URSELF lol... i actually need help once i move and i remembered u live there so im reaching out....like i said before this computer is a complete piece of CRAP and freezes NON
STOP.. ive tried ot send this email to u maybe 3 times already and im hopign this time i can hit SEND before i run into trouble lol..

ANYWAYS.. heres the deal....every month natalie (my boss) gives each of us 3 VIP codes to give out to whoever we want.. so with this code u can lgoin to watch me at work for free and dont have to pay like
everyone else... the only way i can give u one of the codes (so we can chat) is if you absolutey DO NOT give it out to anyone else and u ONLY USE IT FOR URSELF... i only get 3 a month and she gets pissed if more than 3 people use them so DONT SHARE IT MISTER... i figured u cud always email me back instead but my email account doesnt even let me login half the time.. so the bets palce ot chat me is my chat room...

if theres anyone else logged in when u sign in ill boot them out.. but remember DONT SHARE THIS PASSWORD PLEASE BABE IM BEGGING U.. I TRUST U... im online most of the day now to try and save money for my move.. also since im in such a huge debt already form my student loan :( I really thingk we need to chat before i get there and make sure u evern remember me hahha.. anyways ive rambled on and on now and ur probably soooo annnoyed with me so ill stop now.. im gonna go start work.. i really hope u come chat me. it wud make my day and releive a lot of my stress about the move... REALLY i mean that....anyways once i see u in insdie ill shoot u myc ell number and u can gimme yours.. if u dont wanna come chat i understand but its really the only palce to find me now days.. if u email me abck ill probably get it once i get there after my internet is setup so about 2-3 weeks fomr now.. but im hopign to see u in my chat room.. rmemeber its 100% free with this code im gonna give u.. just DONT GIVE IT OUT OR ILL KICK U IN THE BALLS INSTEAD OF LICK U IN THE BALLS WHEN IS EE U hahahahha...k babe im out
for now... chat ya soon.. kisses xoxo Adriana

(She then provided a link)

I have gotten the occasional porn spam or other sex related spam but I have to admit this one is done nicely. She just wants the recipient to be able to get a hold of her! She is moving nearby, they are going to start hanging out. Before she moves he might as well talk with her through her porn-website-job, how nice of her manager to provide a code to let friends into the chat room. Especially since her laptop has been giving her toubles.

Really Sims? Really?

I got the following email today:

This is for the Sims Social which is played on Facebook. I don't like it as much as the real Sims so stopped playing a long time ago - now they are trying to pull at my heartstrings. (I didn't like it because it often suggested paying money and you had to wait to do a lot of things because other Facebook people would need to give you items.) However, my sim looks totally different than the one above so it isn't really working. Though it is making me want to play the normal PC version, which I have yet to load on my laptop.

A New Background

With my last laptop I really felt that changing my wallpaper/background would really make a difference and help improve things:
- After getting it repaired
- After reformatting it
My old laptop was not really the greatest and I know logically that the image displayed has nothing to do with how well the thing works.

However, I still take the choice of background very seriously. You have to look at it all the time! I don't like having people, or landscapes; I love roses. So, after taking my time and reviewing some options online, for my new laptop I have decided on the following:

New Laptop

I finally got around to replacing My Little Pet, the old Acer laptop that stopped working on me a few months ago. I now have a shiny new Samsung! It is very nice to have a working computer again, I was relying on my work computer during lunch hours and my phone the rest of the time - that wasn't really cutting it. I have lost my copy of Microsoft Office and I also don't have photoshop loaded on this, so everything still isn't perfect in my world of computers but this new laptop is definitely a step in the right direction!

Do I O U 2?

I really really need a laptop. My parent's want their netbook back, and I find it challenging to use. I got it in my head that I would buy a very cheap laptop - for $200. I scrounged together $200 and started looking; well, it turns out that laptops are sightly more than that. So instead I am going to start paying back the people I owe money too, which includes, but I don't think is limited to:
- Teri (for hotels/hostels during our trip)
- Steph (for a train ticket to her wedding)
- Dad (for the bridesmaids' dresses he put on his Sears card)
Let's just not talk about the credit cards...

10 Days!

It has been so long since my last post - 10 days. I barely remember how to blog anymore. It is a combination of work being crazy with our annual event, May and June being very busy socially (pretty much all of my weekends are booked), and probably most importantly the breakage of my laptop leaving me using my parent's borrowed mini or Kristen's Mac. I appreciate the generosity in both cases but both are a little harder to write on than a normal size PC computer/laptop. I am going to try to get into a better pattern of things - working out, sleeping, blogging - the usual things I promise myself.

Testing - Testing - 1 - 2 - 3

This is my first attempt posting to Always Standing from my phone!  I downloaded the Blogger app a couple of months ago but never got around to using it. It looks as though I can add links and pictures - but I'll figure that out later. For now just being able to write a general post will be nice. My laptop is so messed up that I hate using it at home and work is so busy, I would never be able to post from there, even during lunch break there isn't really time. Hopefully this will allow for a few more posts a month.

Where It Should Go

I have NO money at the moment, but when I do, this is where it needs to go:
- To Kristen (for rent, hydro, cable/phone/internet)
- To Teri (for previous snowboard trip)
- To Noah (for Oscar pool)
- To The Other Christine (for future snowboard trip)
- Get glasses
- Oil change for The Toy
- Pay of credit cards x2
- Get Two fixed
- New phone
- New laptop
I think the last two are just wishful thinking and won't be done for a while. Maybe I should get started on my taxes so as to have some extra money.

Why Now?

I can't afford this right now!! Seriously, in the weeks leading up to Christmas two very important, and very expensive, things in my life broke. First my glasses snapped in half right in the middle. Then the mouse for my laptop (the little pad thing) stopped working. I now am using an external mouse but it is a big pain. I taped my glasses together but I can't wear them out like that so have been using my contacts everyday. I don't know when I will get a new computer or new glasses but it won't be until the new year when I actually have some money.

Christmas List - 2011

Big Ticket Items
-Ownership papers for The Toy
-Snow tires for The Toy, used is fine
-Point-and-shoot digital camera
-Good warm but stylish winter boots (7)
-Running Shoes (7)
-BlackBerry Torch
-Tablet
-Cordless Drill
-A nice watch
-Good TV speakers

BOOKS!!
-Any!
-Used is great
-Easy book to learn Bridge, basics
-Books on Social Media Marketing

Gift Cards
-Sears
-Smart Set
-Victoria Secret
-Chapters
-Ikea
-Lululemon

Games
-Taboo
-Scatigories
-Boggle
-Apples to Apples
-Just Dance for Wii

Everyday Essentials
-Toothpaste
-Hard alcohol
-Liqueur
-TTC tokens
-Thin black socks (7)
-Athletic white socks (7)
-PJs (M/L)
-Milk chocolate, not with nuts

House & Home
-Extra long twin bed sheets, normal and flannel
-Throw blankets, burgundy/maroon
-Big purple bath towels
-Cheap guest pillows, small and thin so as easy to store
-Nails and such to hang things
-Simple jewellery box, black or dark brown
-Fun ice trays
-Black slotted-turners/spatulas
-Wooden mixing spoons

Useful Things
-Small set of binoculars
-Lens cap for 72mm camera lens
-Small umbrella
-Flashlights of various size
-Humidifier
-Air purifier that can remove pet dander

Electronic-Like Products
-Sims 3 Expansion packs (not Ambitions)
-Wii Remotes (x2)
-AAA and AA batteries

Health & Beauty
-Foaming hand soap
-Lip balm
-Eye shadow primer
-Eye make-up remover
-White nail polish
-Apricot Scrub (Blemish and Blackhead)
-Pretty forehead sweat bands

Random But Specific
-Moleskin 2011 Planner, 12 months, weekly, horizontal, hard cover, large
-Small Address Book, very small and with the alphabet things but then only lines so the addresses can be as long as I like
-Euros, Pounds, and American money, small bills and change would be welcome
-Small Swiss-army-style knife for purse that includes good scissors
-Dove deodorant, ultimate, visibly smooth, nature fresh

Happy Holidays to all!!!