It has been raining for several days off and on. I hear it thundering now. It sure makes my patio plants happy. Look at them.
As you can see, many plants are quite lush. Not many are flowering though. The cone flowers are drying up. I still have pentas and lantana and hibiscus blooms.
And of course the rapidly growing purslane is still going gangbusters. The mound of it nearly spans 2 feet now.
I just took Charlie to get groomed. I realized yesterday when I was at his vet (which is right across the street from the groomer) that I wouldn’t be able to lift more than 10 pounds for awhile. And Charlie is over 10 pounds, so I realized that I’d better get that done.
I got groceries yesterday. And I ordered a computer.
Sunday night I was up in the middle of the night with pain from my hiatal hernia. For those of you who haven’t experienced this, it is terrible chest pain.
I have to chew antacids and walk and walk and walk. So I circle round and round my apartment until I can burp up the air or whatever it is. Then I can go back to sleep.
Before I fell asleep, I had laid awake worrying about this computer. It is growing worse all the time. And the timing of this when I’m having cataract surgery tomorrow is exactly the wrong time to have a computer go out.
This laptop is flickering and sometimes it lasts for quite awhile, which means I can’t use it. I can’t connect to the cursor. So I just have to wait until it stops doing it. But I know this will be the demise of the computer.
So I got up yesterday morning and drove to Staples. I had looked at all the ads online. I really needed to see the laptops in person.
Unfortunately I could not find one laptop that had the rectangular shaped power port I wanted. Maybe I’ll just have to leave it plugged in all the time.
I ended up ordering an HP, which I’ve never had before. I wish I could have gotten it yesterday and got everything uploaded that I need. But it will take a couple of days. It will be at Staples either tomorrow or Thursday.
This is what I ordered: HP Pavilion 15-cs0061st, 15.6 inches, 8GB, 256 GB M.2SSD, Windows 10.
I also purchased a 4 year warranty. I doubt that covers every little thing. But I’m tired of buying laptops. At least this will give me a measure of comfort because they said there is only a 2 day turnaround if I have to use the warranty.
So here’s the price breakdown:
Regular price: $829.99
I opened a credit card (yes, I’m getting weary of doing this, but I wanted free interest to pay it off). From various coupons they took $230 off the price.
Then I paid $199.99 for the 4 year warranty. I haven’t bought an extra warranty for a computer before. But with my current luck, I felt I should.
Then if you bought an HP computer, you could buy an HP printer for $20, so I did that. I haven’t had a printer for the last 3-4 years. It’s still sitting in the box. Might not get to that till after surgery.
So my total with tax came to $927.04. Boy, I hate to add that on to what I already have to pay off. But the two things I absolutely must have to work as a blogger is a computer and a camera.
And thank goodness it’s a tax write off.
It looks like a nice computer. Though I don’t put much stock in the appearance of a computer. I just want one that will work.
I told the guy who helped me at Staples what this laptop is doing. He works on computers. He knew what the problem was, he said.
The manager was helping us and she asked him if maybe he could fix it, and then I’d have an extra laptop on hand. And he told her that it would be so expensive to fix it he doubted it would be worth the trouble.
So if I can just get through until the new laptop comes in, I’ll be happy.
This is my list of medications I’m checking off before surgery. Then after this page there are two more pages equaling two weeks after surgery when I have to use drops that I have already drawn in preparation.
I place a check mark in each space for the time of day I use the eye drops.
I will be at the surgical center at 6:30 tomorrow morning with my daughter. Then she will drop me off at home and go to Andrew’s school to enroll him and then come back for awhile.
I have a follow up appointment with my optometrist at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. If I get lucky my laptop may be in as Staples is close to his office.
I don’t know about posting tomorrow. I’ll just have to see how I’m doing and if this computer is working.
I have to go pick up Charlie Boy soon.
Blessings on your surgery and a quick recovery. And so glad you got a new computer ordered. Sure hope it works great for you without any problems.
I know you are going to be much relieved to have this surgery and computer issue resolved.
Everyone I know had great results so I am confident you will, too.
Love seeing how organized you are for your recovery. Helps so much to have that chart to check off the meds.
Blessings. Keep us posted on how you are.
Brenda, I think we all will survive if you don’t post tomorrow! Just take a day off to rest after your surgery. You may be tired from the anticipation of the surgery as well as the surgery itself afterward. I hope it goes well–I’m sure it will. I remember when I had my cataract surgery I couldn’t believe how quickly it was done. And they didn’t give me a very heavy anesthesia and I was fully awake really quickly afterward. In fact, I swear, I was half awake during the surgery and remembered the doctor and nurse talking while he was performing the procedure! Yet I didn’t feel a thing! I’m pretty sure you’ll be surprised at how quick it’s over.
So happy you found a computer. Hewlett Packard is a good brand, I think. If I weren’t hooked on Macs that’s the one I’d probably go to. Hopefully, you’ll have it quickly and can relax once you’ve transferred all the info you need to.
Love the butterfly photo and all the gorgeous flowers. They will get a new lease on life with all your rain! Send some of it to Michigan, okay? So hot for days here.
Giving you a lot of credit for shopping for a computer so close to your surgery. Sending healing thoughts and wishes. Please take the time to rest, relax, and soak up some TLC!
Dear Brenda- sending positive thoughts your way. You have such a gift for gardening- beautiful arrangements on your patio. What an oasis you have created.
Brenda,
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I had it done a few years ago and so did my husband. You will do just fine!
Good luck with your surgery, Brenda. I know it is always a bit scary to have any surgery-even when it is a ‘safe’ surgery.
That is the same laptop I have and it did take some getting used to. Windows 10 gave me fits at first but I finally figured it out. It is very FAST with the touch screen an I sometimes send things away before I mean to do so. lol
Have a good night. I hope you get a good night’s sleep. xo Diana
Praying for a successful surgery ailmkhs@yah
Good luck tomorrow!! I will be thinking of you!! I have only had HP computers and I love them. They seem to be very durable.
Best of luck with your eye surgery tomorrow – I’ll be thinking about you and saying a prayer that all goes well.
I can’t believe you’re having problems with your laptop…it doesn’t seem that long ago that you bought it! Hopefully, this new one will last you a long time.
Sending good karma and positive healing for your procedure tomorrow. I’m confident everything will be fine.
Sending you all good thoughts for tomorrow’s surgery and for the new computer. Your plants look so good- you have such a wonderful touch in both your outside “room” and the inside. Love that new painting in the bedroom, cheery yet serene. Hugs to your little Charlie too.
Mary
Did you consider getting an iPad Pro? Years ago I bought my first IPad and I’ve never looked back. Often people buy expensive computers that aren’t really necessary anymore. My husband does tech support and is always amazed how much money people will spend on something that’s not really needed.
Good luck tomorrow. It’ll be nice to have the ordeal of getting it done completed.
So glad you got your new computer. I was getting nervous about your old one quitting right when you had to have your eye surgery, now you can rest easy knowing you have that out of the way. HP is a good choice. Best thoughts for your cataract surgery. Godspeed!
HP has a program called SmartFriend for $14.95 and you call them each month and they clean and align your computer and keep it in good condition. I have had very good luck with it.
You are in my thoughts Brenda and please take a day of rest tomorrow. The HP looks nice and I’m sure it will work great for you. Your patio is just beautiful; those plants are just flourishing with all that rain.
Carol and Molly xoxoxo
God Bless you on your surgery. You will be in our thoughts.
Hoping and praying all goes well tomorrow. Had the surgery when I was 75 (I’ll be 80 in November) and see better now than ever. Best, Barb
good luck tomorrow. I am sure it will be fine. Go home relax and cuddle with Charlie.
Praying that surgery and recovery go smoothly!
Wishing you the best of luck tomorrow and for a speedy recovery. Will be thinking of you. If Charlie is anything like my 5 Biscuits (my 5 Shih Tzu’s) you will have the best companion that will lay low with you while you heal. It is amazing how they know when your not feeling well. I had surgery last summer and each of them had to smell me over when I got home and then as soon as that was done it was snuggle time with me until I was back on my feet again.
TRY NOT TO STRESS ABOUT ANYTHING ( much easier said than done I know ).
YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE HERE, WHEN YOU ARE UP TO POSTING, DON’T PUSH YOURSELF !
SNUGGLES TO THE PUPSTER.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR EVERYTHING !
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. and wishing you ALL the best!
and just think! when it’s over you’ll have a brand new computer to get used to. LOL.
your patio plants are simply beautiful I love the lushness and the green.
we’ve had light rain off and on but literally not a sound of thunder. and that’s almost my favorite part!
but oh how I DO love the cloudy day rain!
thinking of you and surrounding you in serene and super healing white light.
Good luck tomorrow Brenda, you’ll be fine. I know, it’s just nerve-wracking. I’m glad your getting a new computer, that’s one less thing to worry about. My brother bought an HP computer last yr and he loves his, but he got a desktop. Have a great day tomorrow!
I’ve always had good luck with HP computers so I hope you do too. Not unlike yourself, I depend on computers for my income and so I always keep 3 going just in case. One Win 7 and two Win 10’s. I keep two desktops because I find them more comfortable for working then I do my laptop. Like others have mentioned I also keep my laptop plugged in all the time. I only disconnect when I have to travel once a month. I try to be extra gentle with any connectors.
I know it’s always something Brenda but in these cases there’s nothing you can do about it. No sooner might you feel you’re a tad ahead of the game and then whammo – another good size doozy.
I just try not to even agonize over it because there’s no point. Certain things you just have to have to function or you cannot operate otherwise. Always harder too being single because there’s nobody else to help with anything. Only the sweat of your own brow has to do it all.
Good luck tomorrow for sure.
Good for you for choosing a new computer! Know I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow ~
Hugs ~
bobbie
wishing you well with your surgery tomorrow and a speedy recovery. I found out today my eye surgery will have the out of pocket cost to me of $100.00 if done in a surgical clinic and $200.00 if done in the hospital. Now I have to contact my doctor for a referral to a clinic and make the appointment.
Get well soon.
Brenda, sending you well wishes for a successful surgery. I had an HP before my Mac and I loved it. I hope you will be happy with your new computer and have better luck.
Have a great day!
My mom has laser surgery on both of her eyes when she was in her 70s, and she came through with flying colors. I am sure you will be just fine. From what I understand, it goes really fast and almost literally in the blink of an eye it’s done! I think the storms that you’ve been having are headed our way in the great lakes region, we’re supposed to have rain tomorrow and some could be severe. There have been storms passing further north of where I am in SE Milwaukee County about 7 miles from Lake Michigan. It’s been a below average summer for us rain-wise, and well above average temperatures, a repeat of last summer. This summer, though, my purple cone flowers look sick and some just seemed to shrivel up and die. I gave them the same amount of water as last year and they were thriving last year. So I figure they may have gotten some kind of disease. I didn’t think it would be heat related because last year was just as intense as this year. I have new sprouts of them coming up elsewhere in the garden, which did not happen last year, or the year before. Obviously they free-seeded because I did not cut them down over the winter. Last year it seemed the insects were always on the old dried out flower heads, eating something or other! So I don’t know what to think. It was hot last year too, way hotter than it used to be when it was normal. Nothing is normal anymore. Arggghhhh. HP is a very good brand, especially their printers. Well, for me anyway. I’ve always had HP printers and the one I have now is several years old and performs perfectly. It has the full range of services, printing, scanning, faxing, copying in black and white and color, and prints photos on special paper beautifully. I paid $50 for it some years ago – at least six since I’ve been here in this smaller retirement ranch house 4 years now (time flies!) and I had it at least 3 or 4 years at my former home. So it could be 8 years old, wowsers.
I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I have always had HP computers & had good luck with them all. The laptop that I have now is a HP & probably 9 or 10 years old. Works perfectly, we do updates to it when necessary.
Cathy K.
Best wishes for a quick recovery from surgery and hope you love your new computer!
Your patio looks stunning!
Sending you good wishes that all will go smoothly for you. I think you made a good decision to get your new computer now before your old one fails completely. Give that Charlie Boy a hug for me.
Best wishes with the surgery tomorrow!
The laptop is nice looking and it sounds like you did great! I think the warranty is a great idea. I used the warranty until it expired, and last week, it cost me quite a bit to repair my Apple.
Hoping for easy surgery and fast recover for you.
Blessings for your surgery tomorrow,Brenda,hopefully it will go without a hitch and you’ll be enjoying improved eyesight.
The new laptop looks good!
A good friends hubby worked for HP for many years that’s all she would have in her office.
I had a Dell just a couple of years back,I was quite disappointed,trouble with the power cord was it’s demise as well.
Here’s a blast from the past,my first computer was a Gateway desktop with Windows ME,I don’t think that thing has 1 good day!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and keep good thoughts that your little Charlie will be waiting patiently for you to get home to him tomorrow. Rest and hopefully over the weekend we will hear from you.
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! Your flowers are so beautiful, I am jealous, here in Colorado everything is dry and burnt.
Brenda, hope this surgery will have you seeing clearly & enjoying the bright colors, especially in your garden. How I love you pictures of your garden. Glad you got a new computer, too! Looking forward to hearing from you afterwards!!
Busy day for you. You sound organized and you’ll be better when it’s all over and you are home. Count on your daughter for anything. Just ask.
Hi Brenda – Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way for your surgery and your new computer. Enjoy your plants – they are looking lovely! Best Wishes! Lourdes
Good luck tomorrow Brenda! I’ll be thinking of you! Hope recovery goes smoothly for you, too! 😉
Wishing you an easy peasy surgery tomorrow, Brenda! I’ll be thinking of you!!