ohbladioblahblog

Warning: this post is very meta.

Computers woes. This time it is because I tried to update to 10.5.3. I foolishly clicked OK when software update informed me. Installation went fine and everything seemed OK until I tried to sync my iPod with iTunes. It hung and I had to force quit. Not having the time to investigate, I left and thought nothing more than it was some strange fluke.

When I was home later, I went to open Lightroom and nothing happened. Oh! I remembered that I should have run disk utility after the upgrade. I did that but nothing happened. Tried rebooting but nothing helped. So I looked online for some answers. I only found more problems. Lots of people had problems with the install, lots of people did not. Others had problems when this one thing or another. Though no one had a firm answer, the consensus was that you should never use software update to install new software updates. Huh? Then what is the point of software update?

And you should always have a boot copy made so you can go back if need be. Well I had not one but 2 boot copies. The problem is that they were both updated from the time I upgraded to the time I found I had real problems. Oops.

I tried installing from the Leopard disk. It would get to carious points and hang. I finally detached my external hard drives without being to eject them to get the install to work. I also had to erase and install hoping that I can get back all my info through one of EDHs.

Once I was up again. I thought I would try the 10.5.3 again. I still had issues and had to erase and install and again. I am now working with 10.5.2. It worked for a week prior to this upgrade, hopefully, it will work for a while until I can figure out the proper way to upgrade without having to go to the root or terminal. Isn’t that why we love macs so that we don’t have to go into the nitty gritty?

On the NASCAR front, the race was delayed due to rain. Ryan was upset for a while but got over it rather quickly.

What a day!

Today was wacky tie day. Ryan did not want one. Andy was happy to wear one of Gail’s. I picked out the Cat in the Hat then struggled to tie it. I haven’t worn a tie since the early 80s and they were much thinner then.

The boys’ IEP meetings were scheduled for today. It’s always depressing to listen to how Andy is smart but lazy. He would just rather play. I don’t blame him but what they hell am I supposed to do with him? I hate to “write him off” when I know he can do better. It also doesn’t help that his teacher is a flake. She is leaving next year which is good but who knows who the replacement will be.

Then I get to listen to how wonderful Ryan is and how his teachers think he is a joy. And his is so smart! Great. But can you teach him to poop on the potty? (A skill that Andy has pretty much mastered. Between the two of them, I have one amazing kid!)

I didn’t even get a chance to digest all the information but had to rush to Sears and buy a range. Oy the delivery and installation is expensive! But I can’t hook it up myself so I pay.

On a good note, I got my reusable bags today and used them at the grocery store. Wow! Twice as much stuff fits in one bag and they are so much easier to carry. I got no rebates for using them but the store was happy to fill them for me.

Had drinks with neighbors. J thought I paid too much for installation. What choice did I have? No time to shop around or try to bluff. It took 40 minutes for the oven to light tonight. It’s ridiculous and I had no options.

Good thing I am so flexible.

OK, stop laughing.

Really, I mean it. Stop laughing!

I had planned to work in the morning, then go out to lunch then get some groceries. I was even thinking about looking at ranges. Then I asked my neighbor about getting his palms trimmed. See, it’s cheaper if we get them done at the same time so the guy doesn’t have to make 2 trips. Ed made the call and turns out the guy can come today about 1:30 pm. There goes lunch. Maybe if the guy is quick I can still get to Publix.

1:30 comes and goes. 2:30, 4:00. At 4:55, Ed calls and says the guy is about 15-20 minutes away. Glad I stayed home, though I got quite a few orders pulled. At 5:05, Ed comes over and says he can’t wait anymore especially since they were supposed to leave by 4:30.

The truck pulls up about 5:45 but no one gets out of the truck. I went out and found them eating their dinner. The guy was nice enough and mentioned the cost would be $60. What?! Last time I paid it was $30. I think my dad paid $45 in January. That’s a BIG increase.

Then I see how he butchers the palms! He takes off way too many fronds. Someone had told me years ago that Washingtonian Palms should had 16 fronds. We were lucky to see 7-8 left on each Palm. Then the guy tells Ed about disease affecting 2 of his Palms and that they should be removed. He said you could tell the disease because of the trunk split.

I paid and came inside and checked on Palm diseases. I didn’t see anything about split trunks. But I did see that cutting off too many fronds is very bad for the Palm. It leaves them more susceptible to disease. And the dying fronds give their nutrients back to the newer fronds before they die.

If my Palms live long enough for another trimming, I won’t be using this guy again.

I hate spending money when it’s not my plan to spend money. Sure, I know I have to spend money on food, housing and utilities. But what I really mind is having to buy a new range because mine is dying. Iit’s over 8 years old and that is the expected life span according to consumer reports. But I don’t remember my parents having to do this. They did get a new stove at one time more because mom wanted one. My brother took the old one which was still working.

I had plans to shop for a range today after my chiropractor appointment. I was ready and in the car and the car when click click click click click click click click.

Crap!

I called AAA then cancelled my appointment. The stewed about the whole thing. I thought it might be the starter since there was still juice but it wasn’t getting enough. I called Bonnie to ask about a used starter from the yard. Then she called E and he said he could send it. E also said that it might not be the starter that the clicks could mean the battery, the starter or the alternator and how we should check for them. Bonnie was planning on sending the starter but then I asked how I was going to install it. (I know how to put gas in the tank, pump up the tires and refill the washer fluid. I could probably check the oil and add to it if necessary.) I remembered my neighbor is good with cars. I checked to see if M was home and ask if he could install a starter. Then M came to check the car.

M got his power pack and tried to start the car. It sounded better but was still not starting. At this point, AAA called and said they would be 30-45 minutes. (Funny, that what AAA said when I called them 55 minutes ago.) M still wasn’t sure about changing the starter since he couldn’t see enough under the car. He went and got his hydraulic jack (see, I told you he was into cars) and lifted up the car a bit. He found the starter and thought he could but then wasn’t sure because of some blind screws. So he called his mechanic which was good to find out since I haven’t really needed one and I just go to the dealer. (Yes, I know they are more expensive but for the most part, can be trusted. You just never know with these places that look like they might tip over in the next hurricane.) Then M called to see if the dealer had the part and how much: yes and just under $375. Damn! Bonnie’s plan of sending the starter sounded better even though I would have to wait a couple of extra days. And M confirmed that the mechanic would installed a used part.

At this point, AAA finally showed up. He tried with his power pack (much more power than M’s) and it started right up. Yay! So it is the battery. OK where is the best place to get one? AAA can sell you one. Uh yeah, for a premium. M suggested Walmart or Advance Auto Parts. I asked if he could install it. (See, mini vans have limited space under the hood so the battery is actually under the fuse box.) M looked and looked and decided he couldn’t, or that he really didn’t want to. That was fine. I would rather pay the cost than have him get upset trying to do this. I called Pasco Motors and they said it would be quick, less than 30 minutes.

Well, it wasn’t quite that quick but it’s done. And it was only $135. And then I had no time for groceries nor looking at ranges. Hopefully the range will start again tonight and I can eat some tuna for lunch tomorrow.

Now I wonder where all this extra cash is supposed to come from?

When I was a child, I would often wish I was a boy instead of a girl. I got along better with my brothers than my sister who always wanted to play dolls or house. My name would have been Thomas Henry, one I like a lot better than what I have.

I think making friends would have been easier. Boys are so straightforward. If they get mad, they fight, get it over with and go on. No petty backstabbing.

I would have been able to play little league. They started allowing girls to play just as I was getting too old. I loved playing sports. Knowing the rules made things so much easier.

Puberty. Though I have been blessed with fairly easy periods, it was always a time of panic knowing it might come any day and you might not know it before someone else spotted the signs.

I could have had a paper route. Yes, the papers allowed girls to deliver but not my parents. Instead I got to babysit. I didn’t mind watching toddlers and preschoolers. I never liked watching babies. You never knew when the next job was coming. If you had a social life (I didn’t), you had to decide between babysitting and fun. But you needed money for fun.

Career. No one would have thought anything about me being an architect or engineer. But being a girl, I was thought to be good in math or else why would I want to do that. No one said that to boys. I also would not have been one of 2 to graduate with a degree in architecture in a class of 20+.

No pantyhose.

I could hang out at bars without a second thought. Nice girls don’t go to bars alone.

I could scratch myself in public.

But then again…

I wouldn’t be able to indulge in owning several pairs of fun birkenstocks when 1 pair of sneakers would be fine. Though no one would think twice about a guy with large feet.

I wouldn’t be able to use the phrase “women problems” when I wanted to get out of something.

I might be scoffed at for my love of gardening and scrapbooking.

I’d have to laugh at fart jokes.

I wouldn’t be able to have a good cry. But would I even need to?

I wouldn’t be mother to my wonderful boys.