Weekly Chat, Sunday 28 November 2010

Hi all: Thanks AQ for starting us off this week. Finally got my computer up again, just in the last 30 minutes. Amazing feat if I do say so myself since I managed to find the System Restore dialog box without a working monitor. I was just barely - and I mean barely - able to make out the very faintest images on my failed laptop monitor (the VGA output thingy wasn't outputting a signal coz I'd done something horrible (got the Blue Screen of Death) when I was trying to hook up the new monitor; couldn't even get the ancient monitor I'd been using to light up).  It's funny, you'd think you could see faint images on a monitor in a dark environment, but I had to have the lights over the dining table up as high as they'd go before I could make anything out. A bit counter intuitive.  Anyway, used OH's Windows book to use keyboard command to open the Start Menu, then, using pictures of dialog boxes from the book, was able to find System Restore and somehow get it started!  Had a hard time seeing the cursor too, but it  showed up against the white background of the dialog boxes, so that was a help. I had the old monitor hooked up and as System Restore ended, the monitor sprang to life - never been so happy to see the familiar Welcome!  I did take it over to Best Buy and they said they couldn't fix anything since they couldn't see anything  - they were very nice, but I just get so stubborn when it comes to things like this and get on my "where there's a will there's a way" soapbox. Sometimes it works! (New monitor back in store; not sure what I'm going to do but have to make certain that my computer is compatible with whatever else I try).

Also managed to isolate the cable/flat screen telly problem and the guy is coming first thing tomorrow morning to see what's going on - there's apparently something wrong with the signal on that one cable coz the box works perfectly in other rooms and boxes in other rooms don't work out here.  Who knows, maybe everything will be up and running tomorrow.

AQ: I do see that Miss 14 isn't doing well at school. And that GS was ungracious when you showed up.  I would've gone ballistic to be greeted like that.  Hmm.  Did you tell Dau and s-in-law?  Not happy to hear all that at all.  :-(  If you need someone to fly over and set the kid straight, let me know!  :-)

Anyway, I'm about to topple into bed. Also did a lot of washing (guess what's on the agenda tomorrow); went to the roses and then the gym then home to mess with electronics. But all in all, a pretty successful day. Will catch up with everyone tomorrow. In the meantime, stay warm (or cool if you're AQ)

Thanks AQ for starting the week. I don't feel I should comment about your grandchildren as you seem to be having a bad enough time without my adding to your woes. Cheer up, it will soon be over.

Annette, Your perseverance paid off. Well done. I hope now, that all will be sorted out for you. 

Osprey, Thanks for last night's lovely photographs. I should think your sons are really enjoying all that snow but it sounds like hard work for you. Snow is lovely to look at but far from lovely to live with !

A dry and very frosty morning here. Hope you are all keeping warm and safe.

Hello All:   White over, here, but more frost than snow for us.  Hear its really deep in some parts of the country-  Keep safe, everyone.  The sun has come out and is blinding against the whiteness of the garden and fields.

Went to bed late last night, after outing to Quiz Night - we had a hot pot supper at about 9.30 and of course it's late to eat, so I had indigestion when I finally fell into bed after midnight!  Managed to drop off around 3.30am...  a bit groggy now, and will have to have a nap after lunch today.

We came 3rd in the Quiz, but were very pleased, as all of the other 9 teams had more people in than us, and we were beaten by two teams of 7 people, whereas we were only 4!  Got seriously stuck on "what is the European Anthem?"  (answer:  "Ode to Joy")   Pleased to get easy questions like identifying pics of the Bewick Swan, and the Giant Redwood trees, but got stuck also on who painted "The Scream" - answer, Munch.

Sorry to hear you have teenager problems, AQ - they are the worst kind of protagonist.  "Send 'em to bed with no supper!"  our parents would have said...   can't do that now, can we? At least you have a consolation that they will grow out of it, eventually.

Off to hose myself down, as Annette describes. Will attack the Christmas cards again later, I've only written some and have some more to make, now, too.

Just glanced back at the end of last week's thread:

Tiger:  Meant to tell everyone about the new Birds prog, but see you spotted it.  There is another one on the 'extra' channels now, called "Birds Britannia", too.  Am recording it but have not watched any, yet.

osprey - enjoyed your pics.  Annette: Glad at least some of your infernal electric problems are sorted.

Lynette;  "Good Things Come in Small Parcels!"

 Nice to see Trish 2 at the end of the last thread.

Lindybird: Since you like BB, you will probably like 'Saving Scotland's Landscape'. See pages 7 and 8 below.

Some episodes still on iPlayer I think.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/groups/lochgartenospreys/forum/t/20487.aspx?PageIndex=7

Afternoon all,

No further snow here but it was an exceptionally cold night and lots of ice on untreated roads. Current temp -1.5c.

Thanks for all the pictures of snow. I think we have got off lightly so far. Not doing a lot today but I can hear Hamish barking so I had better get my wellies on. Keep warm.

Thanks, jsb -  I have been watching and enjoying "S. Scotlands Landscape" - one of the best programmes on this year I think.

Thanks for the snowball, Alan!

Afternoon all the snow has arrived here in Fife some on Friday night along with thunder and lightning but the majority of the snow has fallen last night and this morning was lying in bed this morning with my cup of tea with the curtains open watching the snow, the best place to watch the snow.  The birds are attacking the bird feeders with gusto so will have to watch so that I can keep them topped up.

Have enjoyed all the chat and pictures of the snow and when you see how much snow other people are getting I think I am lucky to only have about two inches.  Hope everyone keeps warm or cool as per their location. 

Thanks george - the birds certainly seem to appreciate what I am putting out on the feeders.