Well, the "What If ..." thing that is always in the back of my mind with the computer that holds all of our pictures, all of my artwork..all of our documents....everything...happened here late Thursday night.
First thing Friday morning, I loaded the ol' computer carefully in the front seat of my car, made a short drive and felt like I was walking into the Emergency Room wanting to scream for a doctor to help.......and after 1 hours and 30 minutes with a VERY very nice, patient and informed serviceman, we made some decisions on what steps to take...and I left the store empty handed, a little stunned that the "What If" really did happen, a little woozy from the bill and semi-confident that all would be retrieved..with time.
Now, close to 72 hours later...I am still awaiting a call that I can come pick up my new computer and am assuming that the email registration that just posted for a new system and an email confirmation of my subscription to "Carbonite" indicates that the transplant is almost done.
Note to Self: Don't assume that the external back up system you have is plugged into the computer just because it is sitting next to the tower. It has lights to indicate power, duh.
Note to Self: ALWAYS make the restore discs that your computer suggests that you make in case of an emergency. Huh, really?
Note To Self: Create a list of passwords and the Microsoft Office Key (that super long letter-dash-number-dash-letter key) so you don't have to scower the internet to find it...key found..whew.
Note To Self: Take photos, download photos, edit them, order them and copy them to a disc for safe keeping.
That's alot of learning for one weekend...and I have not even started with the new system.
Between the computer, or lack of one, ..I was able to plant new flowers in the front yard (because it was warm and sunny and as I type this it is just starting to rain)
throw a little 13th birthday party for Ben, travel to an away soccer game and get 10 loads of laundry not only done..but put away.
This weekend has been super productive without the computer and made me realize a few important things to take note of besides all of the learning and lessons.
fyi......discs do not last forever.
Posted by: susan l | March 25, 2012 at 02:32 PM
I just read your blog post to my hubby . . . he said "THAT WAS GOOD!!!". . . this is coming from a computer tech that repairs and recovers lost "personal goodies" all the time.
Great post!
Posted by: Melinda Wilson | March 25, 2012 at 03:43 PM
Oh, Stephanie, my condolences on the computer....been there and can feel your pain. Sometimes the worst things can teach us some of our most valuable lessons, but it still stinks that we have to learn them the hard way..........on an up note, I just signed up for the Scrapbook Life Journal and I am loving it. I have been away from my "creative self" for so long and your class is my jump back in. I can't possibly express how much your work has done for me! Thank you so much and thanks for not letting the bumps along the way change what you do because Im sure I am not the only one that you inspire along the way! Thanks again and I know there are brighter days ahead!
Posted by: Mary Holmes | March 25, 2012 at 07:00 PM
I have so been in your shoes there. I had just bought an external hard drive, was aboutto back up, when the computer just died. Sad day. They couldn't recover anything, and I lost a ton of baby pictures. Thank goodness for Photobucket at the time! I hope they can recover for you!
Off to plug in the tower.. :-)
Posted by: Ashley | March 26, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Hoping and praying that the Lord is helping you use this time away from this consuming world of technology to experience His tender mercies and His loving kindness! xoxo
Posted by: Debbie Schulte | March 27, 2012 at 09:58 PM
PS...your flowers look gorgeous!!
Posted by: Debbie Schulte | March 27, 2012 at 10:00 PM
I feel your pain and was just there a month ago. Kinda sad how close I feel to my computer and all the important things on it. Thankfully after crying for days over lost pictures I remembered that they were on my account at Walgreens, thank goodness. Still sad to have lost all my links/favorites/bookmarks/ and yes those dang passwords and address to everyone. It was a hard lesson to learn.
I even lost my links to your class which I started late on and barely got to see. Would love to have those links/passwords back for it. Will send you an email so I can rejoin the class. IT took me a few weeks to trust getting back on the computer after that. I'm slowly finding my way back to trusting it again, lol
Enjoy getting all kinds of fun things and even chores done during this time. That's what happened to me also.
Good luck!
Posted by: dawn | March 28, 2012 at 04:20 AM
YES..please email me and I will get you everything you need!
Posted by: stephanie | March 28, 2012 at 06:02 AM