We've had a very *interesting* month at The Gazebo House!
My husband, aka The Great White Haired Hunter,
accidentally captured a SKUNK in a Have-A-Heart trap.
(he was going after chipmunks that were eating his tomatoes)
We called everyone we could think of to come help us...
our city's Animal Control, Fish & Wildlife, Game Control, etc.
but all the government agencies were useless.
We got a lot of sympathetic laughter but no help.
We ended up paying Critter Control $133.13 to come & take it away.
I'm guessing they came up with that price
with all the "unlucky" 13's in it, just to rub salt into the wound.
Then my computer also got hit with a second "redirect virus" &
needed to have the hard drive completely wiped clean...$$$.
Thankfully, I had most of my important stuff backed up
onto my external hard drive & also onto USB flash drives.
We think it was infected by one of the gaming sites
my grandson goes to when he visits. They have MACs at their house,
so they don't seem to get hit with them, like my PC.
I had Microsoft Security Essentials running & updated at the time,
but it still got through, both times.
No more games for him!
Any suggestions on better virus protection????
I have learned, however, not to keep important info in my Outlook Express email folders! Those don't get backed up.
There is an Outlook Express back up program
that saved me from losing all that information, though.
It is taking me DAYS to get all my programs reloaded into the computer.
I have lost all my bookmarks & the
wonderful fonts that I use in my embroidery machine.
It will be months before I'm back to normal.
On top of all that, my 6 year old Whirlpool oven went on the fritz!
It's touch pad was not allowing me to turn it off
after having it set to 400º!!
Yikes!
The warranty was for 5 years, of course.
~~insert rolled eyes~~
Since I wasn't cooking OR computing,
I've had time to finish some sewing projects.
I made this little skort from the Children's Corner pattern "Sara's Skort".
It matches the lined, zip-up vest
I made last month, for my sweet granddaughter, Ms. C.
It is fully lined & has attached shorts
to provide modesty while doing
cartwheels & round offs & flips.
That girl never sits still!!
I have a beautifully finished quilt & a Halloween
table runner and tutu to share with you,
but the photos are still on my camera &
I can't find the CD to reload the software for it,
so it will have to wait for another time.
What a pain in the butt this has been!
I'd like to get my hands on the people who create these viruses!!!!!!!
I promise to get back to visiting & commenting on all the wonderful bloggers who have left messages. It may take me awhile though.
fondly,
♥♥ Rett ♥♥
I'm joining The Tablescaper for her
Seasonal Sundays meme
just to let people know I'm still alive.
Oh & did I forget to mention DH's kidney stone &
my root canal, all recent happenings, too?
Its been a real *interesting* month around here!
My husband, aka The Great White Haired Hunter,
accidentally captured a SKUNK in a Have-A-Heart trap.
(he was going after chipmunks that were eating his tomatoes)
We called everyone we could think of to come help us...
our city's Animal Control, Fish & Wildlife, Game Control, etc.
but all the government agencies were useless.
We got a lot of sympathetic laughter but no help.
We ended up paying Critter Control $133.13 to come & take it away.
I'm guessing they came up with that price
with all the "unlucky" 13's in it, just to rub salt into the wound.
Then my computer also got hit with a second "redirect virus" &
needed to have the hard drive completely wiped clean...$$$.
Thankfully, I had most of my important stuff backed up
onto my external hard drive & also onto USB flash drives.
We think it was infected by one of the gaming sites
my grandson goes to when he visits. They have MACs at their house,
so they don't seem to get hit with them, like my PC.
I had Microsoft Security Essentials running & updated at the time,
but it still got through, both times.
No more games for him!
Any suggestions on better virus protection????
I have learned, however, not to keep important info in my Outlook Express email folders! Those don't get backed up.
There is an Outlook Express back up program
that saved me from losing all that information, though.
It is taking me DAYS to get all my programs reloaded into the computer.
I have lost all my bookmarks & the
wonderful fonts that I use in my embroidery machine.
It will be months before I'm back to normal.
On top of all that, my 6 year old Whirlpool oven went on the fritz!
It's touch pad was not allowing me to turn it off
after having it set to 400º!!
Yikes!
The warranty was for 5 years, of course.
~~insert rolled eyes~~
Since I wasn't cooking OR computing,
I've had time to finish some sewing projects.
I made this little skort from the Children's Corner pattern "Sara's Skort".
It matches the lined, zip-up vest I made last month, for my sweet granddaughter, Ms. C.It is fully lined & has attached shorts
to provide modesty while doing
cartwheels & round offs & flips.
That girl never sits still!!
I have a beautifully finished quilt & a Halloween
table runner and tutu to share with you,
but the photos are still on my camera &
I can't find the CD to reload the software for it,
so it will have to wait for another time.
What a pain in the butt this has been!
I'd like to get my hands on the people who create these viruses!!!!!!!
I promise to get back to visiting & commenting on all the wonderful bloggers who have left messages. It may take me awhile though.
fondly,
♥♥ Rett ♥♥
I'm joining The Tablescaper for her
Seasonal Sundays meme
just to let people know I'm still alive.
Oh & did I forget to mention DH's kidney stone &
my root canal, all recent happenings, too?
Its been a real *interesting* month around here!
Sounds like some unwelcome Halloween pranks Rett! Sorry to hear about the computer, I know how frustrating that can be! I look forward to seeing your new runner and hope things get back to normal for you soon:@)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are back among the blogging world. So sorry for all the problems, but in the long run of life, you know that they are just the irritants, and not the life changers and in a few months they will be the things to laugh over, and not cry about.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is just not right. The skunk charge and the virus. No more game playing on the computer and the next time it goes out, consider a Mac. We love ours and have not had the first problem.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is some month you've had Rett ~ the computer thing is so frustrating! We had the same problem a few years back and broke down and switched to a Mac. Not a problem since.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see you back though, and I'll bet you did get a lot accomplished on your "break".
Sorry about your computer problems and the skunk! I know the skunk was not a laughing matter, but it really is kinda funny. :-) And that is a really pretty skort!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer...glad that you are back to blogging.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Rett!
You've certainly put your waiting time to good use, Rett!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the skunk escapade, though I have to admit to a chuckle or two. The Great Dane says that we've embarked on The Great Raccoon Relocation Project as we're always catching them in our live traps and then driving a half hour over the pass to let them free.
Since bad luck tends to comes in threes, I think you are due some good luck! I can't imagine the skunk episode. How did the guy even approach the trap without being sprayed? WOW!
ReplyDeleteGet a Mac! You can run Windows, also. I have this for my embroidery software, but I never go online through the Windows side of the computer. A good Mac/Apple person can give you help.
Beckie
Oh my goodness, what a month you've had!!!! I'm so sorry to hear about all those unwelcome happenings...yikes!!! I do look forward to seeing your sewing projects!! Looks like you made good use of your time. Welcome back to the blogging world.
ReplyDeleteRett, thanks for the comment on my blog. I'm sorry to hear of your granddaughter's bus and playground episodes. Bullying is getting the attention that it has long needed. When I discussed my issue this week, she brushed it aside as she always has. Sad.
ReplyDeleteBeckie
My computer just had that redirect virus too, among a couple others. Don't know where I picked it up...definiately not any gaming sites. :) My daughter took it to a friend of hers who is in the computer repair business and he was able to get rid of all the viruses without wiping out the hard drive. Thank goodness, because what a pain to start from scratch! We were using AVG virus protection and he said he was of the opinion The Shield Deluxe 2011 was far better and costs only $40 for 14 months so that's what I'm trying now. Here's the link if you're interested in checking it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pcsecurityshield.com/PP/dspShieldDeluxe.aspx
I'm quite envious of your sewing skills. That outfit is seriously adorable!
Rett, sounds like goblins are out early. Sorry you've had to deal with all of this. As the commercial says: Life comes at you fast! I hope to get to see photos of the new quilt and table runner. Been thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fall ~ sarah
So sorry to hear of all this misery. And no one wanted your skunk...that stinks! ;)
ReplyDeleteI went through this a couple of months ago and it was miserable. I am still catching up. I now have what some serious geeks have recommended for my PC, AVG. No more anti virus. Just google AVG and you should easily find a download. Hope this helps. Its VERY frustrating.
I agree with you! There should be a special jail cell for those who try to destroy people's computers. That just makes me sick and I know I haven't backed anything up for quite a while. You have motivated me. I just love how appliances are programmed to quit just after their warranty expires too. But at least your sewing machine still works. What a beautiful outfit. You are amazing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back! Oh brother, mud, malaria and mortgage as my mom used to say, all unwanted things!
ReplyDeleteI have been told to go Mac next time too, but you can't use live writer, and I couldn't blog without it!
I had AVG and still got viruses, and Avast now. No program works perfectly, some things still get through.
The outfit is just adorable, you are sew talented! :)
So will you be dressing as FiFi LePew for Halloween?
Hoping next month will be better for you!
Goodness, Rett! What a month! I love the skort you made for your grand daughter ... what a great pink outfit you made for her. At least all this *stinky* stuff let you finish the skort! Good to *hear* from you ... hang in there! Happy Seasonal Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYou've not only had a wild month, you've had quite a summer leading into Fall. Glad that issues are being resolved. The darling outfit had to come as a welcome respite. Eager to see your new runner as the star of one of your tablescapes. Thanks for keeping us in your knotted up loop. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeletePepe Le Pew is one of my very favorite cartoon characters. I can imagine a real one isn't quite as cute.
ReplyDeleteI hope the stars realign and your luck changes.
When it rains, it pours for some people - must be your turn Rett!
ReplyDeleteWhen I purchased my Mac this summer I must have said 3 times about downloading the anti-virus software we have and they kept saying, no, you won't need it. I felt quite vulnerable for the first while but now don't give it a thought. Most hackers won't go after Macs but PC's are easier to corrupt; friends have confirmed this.
And, no grandchildren get on my computer for anything! Call me mean, but I spent much $ for this can't-live-without-it piece of technology. :-)
Judith
Oh I'm so sorry about the bookmarks. I lost mine a few months ago and some I'm sure I wont find again. It comes in threes so things are looking up.
ReplyDeleteWow, you sure have had a stinky month! I was a little worried about you!
ReplyDeleteThe skort you made is adorable, glad something good came of your down time!
Yes, I've found some green tea that is tolerable, nothing can taste as good as black tea tho :-(
I ordered some really good green teas from Harney and Sons.
Katherine
You have had a VERY event-filled time. I hope things calm down for you soon.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to agree with you - isn't it amazing what all we can get done without the lure of the internet?
I had to laugh at all that has gone wrong for you this past week. It's not funny, I know, but wow, if you don't laugh you'd probably go crazy. On the plus side, things can only get better.
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate that? I've had issues, too. I don't know what the answer is, but I hope you have everything worked out now, Rett. And a skunk can be a scary thing so I'm glad you found someone to cart it off. How awful! Just look at it as protection in case it had sprayed you. I'm thankful that the Great White Hunter didn't think it was a cat! ;-)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila
OMG, Rett, you have had quite the month. My computer crashed last year and it was a nightmare getting everything set up again. I have since subscribed to Carbonite, a service that backs up my computer daily so if it ever crashes again it will only take a few minutes to restore everything. It's only $59 per year. I highly recommend it. Hope this coming month will be a better one for you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your stinky happenings :) and computer woes~ car & computer troubles are the pits! We had a delightful experience with our Whirlpool washing machine 6 months out of warranty with a bad control panel...Grrrr!
ReplyDelete