I've pretty much told this story to anyone who would listen but since this is my blog, I'll be telling it again. About two years ago we bought a new laptop that I just love. Unfortunately about six months after I bought it, Big Boy thought it would be a great idea to pop about twenty of the keys off. I decided the best way to handle the situation would be to lay a black cloth over the keys, plug in a keyboard and never think about it again...
I don't know why I let it go as long as I have but I've finally gotten around to having it fixed. I checked online to be sure I can get a replacement keyboard and luckily I found one right away. Not knowing much about this kind of thing, I was a little worried about how readily available a replacement keyboard would be and discovered it's a piece of cake to get one so I called a computer place my parents use and asked them what is would cost to take care of the laptop fiasco. They told me it would be about $45 for the keyboard and another $30-35 to remove the old one and install the new one. Interesting. Needless to say I was a little put off and I went online and ordered the keyboard myself and paid a total of $20.25 including shipping. I ordered on Sunday night and it was in my mailbox today. I mulled over taking it over to the computer shop just for the installation but decided to check out a site I found the other day on how to do it yourself. I figured since the computer shop couldn't guarantee they wouldn't damage the motherboard, what the hell did I have to lose? In all fairness though, the computer shop is really good. I know my parents have been using the same shop for years so I don't want to take anything away from it.
After a few minutes of going back and forth over what to do, I just went for it and after about fifteen minutes and a few choice words, my laptop is as beautiful as the day it was taken out of the box. I still can't believe it and I'm totally patting myself on the back for this one. What's really cool is I did a factory restore last week so it's like having a brand new computer! This is a really great site if you ever need to perform surgery on your laptop. Heck, he saved me over fifty bucks so he's my hero of the day!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I Didn't Think I Had It In Me
I did it.....I QUIT SMOKING! I never thought I would be able to do it but I honestly feel I can call myself a non-smoker now! I've been smoking for nearly 18 years. Yeah, you read that right, 18 years. Sometimes it would be very light like maybe five or six cigarettes all day and other times I could smoke up to a pack. There was always a direct level of correlation depending on what was going on in my life.
In my late teens and twenties I never wanted to quit because I was going out all the time and partying with my friends and everyone knows that if you smoke, a beer and a cigarette go hand in hand. I was constantly telling myself I was going to quit and that I could do it but I could never even make it two days. How pathetic is that. I could not go two days without a cigarette. Hell. three hours in and I was already a mess. I laugh at the way I used to justify smoking too. Obviously, I never smoked in my car or house or near my son but still.....gross.
After having Big Boy like the idiot that I am, I started smoking again. Why you ask? Because I'm an idiot. About a year after having him I asked my OBGYN if he could right me an RX to help me quit so he wrote me Chantix. I did my research and it seemed many people were having positive results. Unfortunately, even though it was working it was also giving me migraines. So, I quickly threw in the towel and lit up. For the last two years I have made every excuse in the book why I could wait a little longer until thankfully, the Hubby sat me down and really talked some sense in to me. Aside from that, my mom is having problems due to smoking and everything just clicked and I realized I have been slowly committing suicide for nearly twenty years and it is extremely selfish of me to do this to everyone.
About eight weeks ago, I decided enough was enough and it was time. I was smart enough to concede that I needed help and I knew I couldn't do it alone. I broke down and bought the Nicoderm CQ patches. After reading the box I was all kinds of pissed that it was a ten week process but reluctantly slapped on a patch and went for it. Here I am nearly eight weeks later and today I bought the final box of the Nicoderm program and I nearly cried when I realized I did it. I made it through the toughest part and even though I still have two weeks left I am confident enough to call myself a non-smoker!!! It was hard, there is no denying that but once I learned how to change my schedule up and keep myself busy, each day literally became easier and easier.
So there you have it! I have saved an insane amount of money and probably added at least ten years to my like. I feel like a million bucks, my skin looks better and it's so nice not stinking like a filthy ash tray. I've even gotten to the point where the smell of it makes me sick to my stomach. So to anyone who thinks they can't quit smoking...if I can do it ANYONE CAN DO IT!!!!!
In my late teens and twenties I never wanted to quit because I was going out all the time and partying with my friends and everyone knows that if you smoke, a beer and a cigarette go hand in hand. I was constantly telling myself I was going to quit and that I could do it but I could never even make it two days. How pathetic is that. I could not go two days without a cigarette. Hell. three hours in and I was already a mess. I laugh at the way I used to justify smoking too. Obviously, I never smoked in my car or house or near my son but still.....gross.
After having Big Boy like the idiot that I am, I started smoking again. Why you ask? Because I'm an idiot. About a year after having him I asked my OBGYN if he could right me an RX to help me quit so he wrote me Chantix. I did my research and it seemed many people were having positive results. Unfortunately, even though it was working it was also giving me migraines. So, I quickly threw in the towel and lit up. For the last two years I have made every excuse in the book why I could wait a little longer until thankfully, the Hubby sat me down and really talked some sense in to me. Aside from that, my mom is having problems due to smoking and everything just clicked and I realized I have been slowly committing suicide for nearly twenty years and it is extremely selfish of me to do this to everyone.
About eight weeks ago, I decided enough was enough and it was time. I was smart enough to concede that I needed help and I knew I couldn't do it alone. I broke down and bought the Nicoderm CQ patches. After reading the box I was all kinds of pissed that it was a ten week process but reluctantly slapped on a patch and went for it. Here I am nearly eight weeks later and today I bought the final box of the Nicoderm program and I nearly cried when I realized I did it. I made it through the toughest part and even though I still have two weeks left I am confident enough to call myself a non-smoker!!! It was hard, there is no denying that but once I learned how to change my schedule up and keep myself busy, each day literally became easier and easier.
So there you have it! I have saved an insane amount of money and probably added at least ten years to my like. I feel like a million bucks, my skin looks better and it's so nice not stinking like a filthy ash tray. I've even gotten to the point where the smell of it makes me sick to my stomach. So to anyone who thinks they can't quit smoking...if I can do it ANYONE CAN DO IT!!!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
All Good Things Must Come To An End
This is a shameless vent but it really has me down. My pool temperature has dropped nearly fifteen degrees in four days. Do you have any idea how bad this is for me? I don't think you do. Friday afternoon it was a toasty 85 degrees. Perfect in my opinion. Now...struggling to stay above 68-70 degrees.
Yeah, I know I'm being petty and selfish but I'm just not ready to throw in the towel. Big Boy loves the pool so much and to be honest, it really wears him out (which is good for me). Since he has never been the best sleeper, the pool really helps everyone get a good nights rest. Obviously, if this is my biggest complaint of the day, I should thank heavens for all that I have but for some reason I'm thrown off by the summer ending this year. Usually, I've got my fall clothes out and itching to break out the uggs but I feel like summer just started, at least weather wise. Maybe it's because this was the summer that "never was." It rained most of May and June. July and August were nice but I don't think the temps ever broke one hundred which is odd and there weren't any significant heat waves. Very strange.
Give me a few days. By this time next week I'll be jumping out of my skin thinking about the pumpkin patch and apple picking. I guess I'm bummed because I just love swimming with BB and watching how great he is doing and I know he isn't going to understand why we have to close it. I won't leave it open for longer than a week or two once the temp goes below seventy, just isn't worth it. Such is life.
This is my useless ramble for the day. Thanks for listening.
Yeah, I know I'm being petty and selfish but I'm just not ready to throw in the towel. Big Boy loves the pool so much and to be honest, it really wears him out (which is good for me). Since he has never been the best sleeper, the pool really helps everyone get a good nights rest. Obviously, if this is my biggest complaint of the day, I should thank heavens for all that I have but for some reason I'm thrown off by the summer ending this year. Usually, I've got my fall clothes out and itching to break out the uggs but I feel like summer just started, at least weather wise. Maybe it's because this was the summer that "never was." It rained most of May and June. July and August were nice but I don't think the temps ever broke one hundred which is odd and there weren't any significant heat waves. Very strange.
Give me a few days. By this time next week I'll be jumping out of my skin thinking about the pumpkin patch and apple picking. I guess I'm bummed because I just love swimming with BB and watching how great he is doing and I know he isn't going to understand why we have to close it. I won't leave it open for longer than a week or two once the temp goes below seventy, just isn't worth it. Such is life.
This is my useless ramble for the day. Thanks for listening.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What a Blast!
I want to thank a few friends who took the time to head down to the Jersey shore to come and visit me! Tina, Mary #1, Mary #2 and Miss Melissa! I don't talk much about the friends I have made through BabyCenter over the years but I should. It turns out they are truly some of the greatest friends I have ever had.
So about a week and a half ago they planned a meet up in Connecticut at Nat's house and took the time to swing by my place on their journeys home. How cool is that! They stayed one night and I was so happy to show them the shore. Obviously, I had to take them up to the boardwalk. I forgot how fun it is to go up there and eat clams on the half and fried oreos myself :) A few of us rode the sky coaster and just had a genuinely good time. There is nothing better than going out for a kid free night with some good friends.
The next day proved to be just as fun. Of course Big Boy was all set to go to my parents house for the day but somehow (insert sarcasm) he sobbed and weaseled his way into spending the day with me. Luckily, for the most part) he was on his best behavior. We all went out to breakfast and had some great laughs but sadly Melissa and Mary #1 had to leave so Mary could catch her plane back to Georgia. I thought it would be fun to take Tina and Mary #2 to the beach, It was a beautiful day and even though I'm always a bit leery of driving on the beach (Hubby always does the driving) I think the girls had a blast and will hopefully always remember it!
I was so sad to see them go and I'm hoping we can make this an annual tradition. I just keep thinking how cool it was to have Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusettes and Georgia all come together for an awesome night out!
Thanks girls and I miss you guys already!
So about a week and a half ago they planned a meet up in Connecticut at Nat's house and took the time to swing by my place on their journeys home. How cool is that! They stayed one night and I was so happy to show them the shore. Obviously, I had to take them up to the boardwalk. I forgot how fun it is to go up there and eat clams on the half and fried oreos myself :) A few of us rode the sky coaster and just had a genuinely good time. There is nothing better than going out for a kid free night with some good friends.
The next day proved to be just as fun. Of course Big Boy was all set to go to my parents house for the day but somehow (insert sarcasm) he sobbed and weaseled his way into spending the day with me. Luckily, for the most part) he was on his best behavior. We all went out to breakfast and had some great laughs but sadly Melissa and Mary #1 had to leave so Mary could catch her plane back to Georgia. I thought it would be fun to take Tina and Mary #2 to the beach, It was a beautiful day and even though I'm always a bit leery of driving on the beach (Hubby always does the driving) I think the girls had a blast and will hopefully always remember it!
I was so sad to see them go and I'm hoping we can make this an annual tradition. I just keep thinking how cool it was to have Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusettes and Georgia all come together for an awesome night out!
Thanks girls and I miss you guys already!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Hello Old Friend
It feels good to be back. It's been a long summer and my poor blog has certainly taken the backseat to just about everything. I noticed my one year blogging anniversary came and went and I never even realized it. So here it after eleven on a work night and I've decided I will make time to do what I love. Ironically, I make time to do things I can't stand so why should The Beach Life be neglected.
Well, my blog title certainly held true to it's name the past few months. For what I like to call the "summer that never was," I did spend a good amount of time on the beach. Big Boy (remember him) is an absolute beach bum at heart and he would have lived there if he could. He has certainly kept me on my toes the past few months. His six week summer program ended a few weeks ago and he is all set to head back just after labor day. Truth be told, I was not happy with the summer program. His teachers were different and I don't think they commanded the same respect and attention as his normal school year teachers had. He changed during the summer program and not for the good. I'm looking forward to him going back to his normal routine come September, we all are.
Other interesting tidbits. We needed to overhaul the pool a few weeks ago. Both the liner and the pump needed to be replaced and even though it really wasn't in the budget there was no way we could let it go much longer. Thank heavens for good friends though. One of the greatest things about hubby and his crew is they are all always helping each other out. It's really pretty cool. So when the pool needed the work, one of the boys is actually a pool guy in the summer and was able to get us an incredible deal on the overhaul and it was done so quick I nearly fell over. Seriously, I can't believe it's done!
Work is work. I finally got my NJ tech license and if I can ever find the time to study (which I should be doing now) I'll take the test to get my national license. It's kind of expensive and my employer will only pay for it once so I can't screw up but since being a screw up is in my blood I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Other that that we are just wrapping up summer and I'm eagerly waiting for my favorite time of year! Sadly, this is one of the first years I'm sad to see summer go. As busy as we are all the time, we still made plenty of time for fun and I'm not ready to close the pool and say good bye to the warm weather. I guess we need to make these last few weeks count. I'm thinking we are long overdue for an Indian summer. Wouldn't that be so sweet!
Well, my blog title certainly held true to it's name the past few months. For what I like to call the "summer that never was," I did spend a good amount of time on the beach. Big Boy (remember him) is an absolute beach bum at heart and he would have lived there if he could. He has certainly kept me on my toes the past few months. His six week summer program ended a few weeks ago and he is all set to head back just after labor day. Truth be told, I was not happy with the summer program. His teachers were different and I don't think they commanded the same respect and attention as his normal school year teachers had. He changed during the summer program and not for the good. I'm looking forward to him going back to his normal routine come September, we all are.
Other interesting tidbits. We needed to overhaul the pool a few weeks ago. Both the liner and the pump needed to be replaced and even though it really wasn't in the budget there was no way we could let it go much longer. Thank heavens for good friends though. One of the greatest things about hubby and his crew is they are all always helping each other out. It's really pretty cool. So when the pool needed the work, one of the boys is actually a pool guy in the summer and was able to get us an incredible deal on the overhaul and it was done so quick I nearly fell over. Seriously, I can't believe it's done!
Work is work. I finally got my NJ tech license and if I can ever find the time to study (which I should be doing now) I'll take the test to get my national license. It's kind of expensive and my employer will only pay for it once so I can't screw up but since being a screw up is in my blood I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Other that that we are just wrapping up summer and I'm eagerly waiting for my favorite time of year! Sadly, this is one of the first years I'm sad to see summer go. As busy as we are all the time, we still made plenty of time for fun and I'm not ready to close the pool and say good bye to the warm weather. I guess we need to make these last few weeks count. I'm thinking we are long overdue for an Indian summer. Wouldn't that be so sweet!
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