letsgetitoutfront

The Tech Klutz!

I would like to be more informed about computer technology! This tech thing drives me up the wall, back down, and around and around! Just when I think I have one thing under control, I have another problem cropping up.

I know the basics, how to turn on and to turn off the computer. Reboot took some time but all the other stuff has me gritting my teeth and biting my nails. Apple’s security is downright daunting. The constant downloads, the system changes and a message that says, “Do you want to sync?” WHAT?!! I usually say no but I think I did something wrong because now I am being charged twice on Microsoft. I just found out that they are not one and the same thing!! Then I have this Co-pilot thing that pops up once in a while and I ignore it! I’m not a pilot so why do I need a co-pilot? I can’t think of all the other stuff but there is plenty to get your panties in a wad if you are not used to it.

Elon, I NEED YOUR HELP! His name “stands as a colossus in the domains of technology and innovation.” Probably, the same guy who makes everything difficult as far as computer technology goes.

So I would like to be more informed about computer technology. How it works, what to do if something goes wrong and how not to care if I have “trouble” popping up on my screen. Each morning I approach my computer wondering if today will be a good day as far as my computer goes. Is it moody, is it out to get me and will it behave?

These days, I am trying not to panic if I see a black screen, I know how to fix that. I am learning as I go along that computers are a godsend but they do demand more than just the basics to have them on your side and to have a mutual coexistence, one of peace and tranquility!

Daily writing prompt

Which topics would you like to be more informed about?

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LOL!

Obama vs. Trump

Donald Trump and Barack Obama ended up at the same barber shop. As they sat there, each being worked on by a different barber, not a word was spoken.

The barbers were both afraid to start a conversation, for fear that it would turn nasty. As the barbers finished their shaves in silence, the one who had Trump in his chair reached for the aftershave. But Donald was quick to stop him, jokingly saying, “No thanks. My wife, Melania, will smell that and think I’ve been in a brothel!” The second barber turned to Barack and said, “How about you, Mr. Obama?” Barack replied, “Go right ahead, my wife Michelle doesn’t know what the inside of a brothel smells like.”

BAM!

*************************************************************

I picked up a hitchhiker. The man got in my car and said, “Thank you for picking me up, but I mean how do you know I am not a serial killer or something?”

I said, “I don’t know for sure, but the chances of 2 serial killers being in one car would be astronomical.”

Oops! Think he survived?

Life Without Music?

I think it would be just fine. Don’t get me wrong, I love music but I’m not a fanatic as some people are.

I know someone who spends most of his time listening to the same music over and over again. It seems to soothe his frazzled nerves. Why not something new? His answer, “I have my favorites.”

I love country music, pop rock, easy listening and sometimes classical. I do have my favorites too but I can go a day or more without listening to music. It’s not a must. I love silence so I can sit for hours and listen to nothing in particular!

What would my life be like without music? I think it would be just fine. Music is soothing and it calms but there are other things which do the same for me. My answer, “Music is not a 24/7 thing, I can take it or leave it.”

Daily writing prompt

What would your life be like without music?

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Mood Boosters (Archives)

Quotes have the ability to boost up your mood, they can also help you out of the doldrums and just a dose can put a pep in your step and get you going. Here are a few of my favorites to put a positive spin on your day. Enjoy!

“The pages of yesterday cannot be revised. But the pages of tomorrow are blank – and you hold the pen. Make it an inspiring story.” NotSalmon.com

“Don’t worry. Just when you think your life is over, a new story line falls from the sky and lands right in your lap.” Rebekah Crane

Here’s the problem. I don’t want a new story line, I want the old one with a view to the finish line! Doable?

“To be a champ you have to believe in yourself when no one else will.” Sugar Ray Robinson

“Problems are like washing machines. They twist, they spin and knock us around. But in the end, we come out cleaner, brighter and better than before.” Unknown

Fingers and toes crossed and hoping!

“I love it when the coffee kicks in and I realize what an adorable badass I’m going to be today.” Unknown

Coffee does the trick every time!

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.” Marilyn vos Savant

Never ever give UP!

“Every morning starts a new page in your story. Make it a good one today.” Doe Zantamata

What are you writing in yours today?

“The most courageous decision that you can make each day is to be in a good mood.” Voltaire

This is a hard one but I start with a smile on my face.

Look at the stars……

“It won’t fix the economy. It won’t stop wars. It won’t give you flat abs, or better sex or even help you figure out your relationship and what you want to do with your life. But it’s important. It helps you remember that you and your problem are both infinitesimally small and conversely, that you are a piece of an amazing and vast universe.” Kate Bartolotta

How amazing is that?

AND FINALLY:

“Life is short. SMILE while you still have teeth.” Unknown

Have an amazing day.

Celebrating Holidays

One of the things about leading a “recluse” lifestyle is that holidays don’t matter much anymore. The days are rolled into one and when once holidays meant a big deal, it is now stress-free and peaceful.

Nowadays, holidays are just another day to me. I wake up, go about getting what needs to be done and sometimes I have a special meal meaning I spend some time cooking instead of throwing something together. Back when I celebrated holidays like my life depended on it, it was chaotic and peace was nowhere to be seen. Now, it drones on but it is much better this way. However, Christmas is the exception. I do decorate the house not with a ton of lights like I used to but toned down to a bare minimum. I do spend time picking out presents, gift-wrapping is done with my eyes closed and it looks that way too! I’m not good at wrapping presents but who cares.

If my son happens to show up, then there is a special meal planned. Otherwise, it is just Chachi, the cat, and yours truly and we go about the day as just another day. I love spending time alone and I don’t mind sharing it with Chachi so all is fine and good. I am getting so used to this lifestyle that I think when the right guy shows up, he’ll have a hard time adjusting. Chachi will definitely put up a fight and me? I don’t really know. I only know that I like it like it is now.

Daily writing prompt

How do you celebrate holidays?

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Cooking at Its Worst!

I was 13 and in Asia at the time. My best friend, Juliana, was like a puppy who followed me around and looked up to me. I was a troublemaker and got her into trouble in more ways than one.

One day, her parents were at work and she was hungry. So I decided to cook her something. I was just learning to get a handle on cooking and my baking attempts took off splendidly! However, cooking was something else. I wanted to do a stir-fry. We went to the garden and gathered what we could find. I decided that the banana flower would do just fine. The banana flower “is a delicacy in many parts of Southeast Asian countries.” I didn’t know it at the time but it looked good enough to eat, luckily it wasn’t poisonous!

We went into her kitchen or rather her mom’s kitchen and started chopping up things. I had the rice going and turned on the stove and it worked just fine. So far, so good. When the pan was hot enough, I throw in the ingredients with a great big smile on my face but Julie wasn’t so sure. She had a look of fear on her face. She should since I had got her into trouble more times than I can remember!

Anyway, I seasoned the dish, put a cover on the pan and went to play. It got boring so we decided to take a walk. You guessed it! We came back with smoke billowing out of the windows! Long story short, I was banned from her house for about a week or so. I took it in stride but poor Julie was under house arrest! The one week went by quickly enough and we were back to being best friends again.

The cooking attempt was an epic fail. I must say I am a good cook and these days I do burn some dishes BUT that first cooking attempt taught me a lesson, keep your eye on what you are doing. However, writing is a distraction and once in a while, I forget until the smoke alarm goes off!

Daily writing prompt

Write about your most epic baking or cooking fail.

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Raincoat Weather

Looks like rain moved in and it had rained last night. I had planned on a long walk this morning but had to think twice about being out there in the fields with the winds picking up speed. I looked for my raincoat that I bought last year but never had a chance to wear and it was just taking up space in my cupboard.

Today, I reached for it. It is a black and white striped number that has sweatshirt material sewn into the hoodie. Nice looking and since I was hell-bent on going for a walk, I slipped it on, paired it with a pair of maroon sweats and grey boots. Piling my long hair on my head and fastening it with a clip, face bare of anything except for a light lip conditioner and I was ready to go.

The wind was blustery as I approached the fields. The indigo-colored clouds seemed to be holding more rain. They were moving in waves across the mountains. Nothing else was moving out there except for the occasional crow flying overhead and the pigeons grazing in the fields. The farmers had done a good job of clearing away the cornfields and the rapeseed plants were down to the roots.

I walked hands shoved into my pockets. It wasn’t cold but the wind was strong and I was glad I had my hair up because the wind was doing a job picking out strands as they whipped around my face. Something about the wind when it pulls and tugs. I like the feel of it brushing against my face. All was quiet today except for the cawing of a lone crow or two. Fall was definitely moving in on silent feet. Soon the leaves will start to turn and then they will fall and gather on the ground. It will be colder and much nicer for walks!

The walk took all of 40 minutes but my mind is clearer, my thoughts are taking shape and I am thankful for a brand new day. I know not what this day will hold and if it will be good or bad. However, I know I am equipped to handle whatever comes my way just as nature is doing.

Have an amazing day.

Know Your Worth!

This is a nice one. I read it somewhere and it made me sit up and take notice because quite often we let our “value” go unnoticed and settle for way less than we are worth.

A father said to his son, “You graduated with honors. Here is a Volkswagen Beetle that I bought many years ago….it is over 50 years old, but before I give it to you, take it to a dealership downtown and ask how much they are offering you.”

The son went to the dealership, came back to his father and said, “They offered me $10,000 because it looks very used.” The father said, “Take it to the pawn shop.”

The son went to the pawn shop, came back and said, “They only offered me $1,000 because they say it is too old.”

Finally, the father asked his son to take the car to a classic car club and show it there. The son took the car to the club, came back and said, “Some people at the club offered me $100,000 because it is a very rare car and sought after among the members.”

The father said to his son, “I wanted you to understand that the right place appreciates you in the right way. If they don’t value you, don’t be angry, it just means you’re in the wrong place. Those who know your value are the ones who truly appreciate you. Never stay in a place where they don’t recognize your value!

Know your worth, know your value and if you are not appreciated, LEAVE The right person will know your worth and will appreciate you for who you are.

Have an amazing day.

Loosen Up!

A girlfriend said to me recently, “You need to loosen up! Unbutton a few buttons on that blouse of yours and show a little skin if you want to have some fun! That’s exactly where your problem lies.”

Uptight? Perhaps, she is right. However, the lady is no saint! This bit of advice needs to be taken with a pinch or two of salt! However, I do think that she has something there. I wish I had learned not to be a stick in the mud much earlier. I’ve been called many names but the one that stands out is “stick in the mud” although others call me “complicated” as well.

I think I am both. I am prim and proper, I don’t drink, smoke or do any of the other stuff that “fun” is equated with. Life was made difficult by sticking to those rigid rules. Do I regret them? Not really but it could have been easier I guess if I had learned to let go just a little. Letting go was one lesson that took the wind out of my sails. If I had not been so stubborn and had loosened up when it was needed, I guess the letting go part would have been easier.

My message to those of you who hold on to your principles and think there is no other way, try loosening up just a little. I learned many painful lessons being the way I am and I tell myself it is okay BUT sometimes I wonder if life and the lessons I had to learn could have been a tad easier. Perhaps…..

Daily writing prompt

Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

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Mandy Hale Quotes (Archives)

Mandy Hale is a blogger turned New York Times bestselling author and speaker. She is also the creator of the Social Media movement, “The Single Woman.” Mandy has made a name for herself by empowering women with her quotes that speak to the heart of the matter. However, the self-help relationship guru remarried her toxic/narcissist ex who broke her heart many times over. She has written many books and articles about the emotional abuse and betrayals she suffered in that relationship. So WHY go back to him? Nobody knows for sure but ‘love’ does work in mysterious ways and sometimes to the detriment of ‘SELF’ and all that matters! It doesn’t change the power her quotes have to change your mindset. Here are some of them to get your day started.

“Sometimes it takes a heartbreak to shake us awake to help us see we are worth so much more than we’re settling for.”

“Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.”

“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.”

“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”

“Sometimes you have to move on without certain people. If they’re meant to be in your life, they’ll catch up.”

“You’re beautiful, just the way you are. Shine on, and dare anyone to turn off your lights.”

“Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is BRAVE, even if you stumble a little on your way out the door.”

“Just be yourself. Let people see the real imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person that you are.”

“Learn to be alone and to like it. There is nothing more freeing and empowering than learning to like your own company.”

My favorite:

You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. (This is a hard one for me.) Dance as though everybody is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.

YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE.

Have an amazing day!