Ma and Pa's Blog » Winter

Elf (the movie)

Pa — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:36:15 +0000

Caleb and Owen seemed to thoroughly enjoy watching Elf with us last evening. I think the adults were enjoying it as well … at least this one was. I think it might get added to our Christmas classics short list.

Merry Christmas!

larry — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:07:53 +0000

Thanks, Lyn and Bob, for another very special Christmas gathering. We really enjoyed seeing everyone and eating and drinking too much. Just wish I’d gone home with the yodeling pickle. ;D

Insanity Strikes

Pa — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:16:05 +0000

insane: one who does the same thing again and again while expecting different outcomes (aka: Me).

To explain, I installed Windows Vista on my laptop (for the “ump-teenth” time). I’m too cheap to upgrade to Windows7 ($119 for the least expensive upgrade), and I keep hoping that Microsoft will take pity and FIX Vista.

It’s been a while since I immersed myself in computing, and the ChromeOS netbook (Cr-48) was feeling a little constraining . . . having to set up a private “cloud” server on our XP desktop to archive files; needing to use remote desktop to the desktop to unzip the morning paper; not being able to make quick edits of photos before uploading to our web album; needing a Windows or Mac to print (at least until ChromeOS printers become available).

However, after a day-long series of Windows updates and a dozen or so reboots (many of which would not complete without intervention) I again see the beauty in an OS that maintains itself without my participation. Even if I screw up and have to restore the system entirely, it only takes about 15 minutes, and all my data (bookmarks, passwords, documents) are still available on the “cloud”.

While not as capable as OSX (the other hands-off OS), ChromeOS does most of what I need to do — without 3rd party anti-virus programs; backup software or manual backup sessions; buying, installing and updating office suites.

My OS preferences:
1) Ubuntu (or other Linux distribution) — I also installed it and updated it yesterday (in about an hour);
2) OSX (up to one per household);
3) ChromeOS (with pre-existing OSX or Windows XP);
4) Windows (if I’m feeling the need to punish myself yet again).

Visit with Mike, Jenn, Caleb and Owen

Pa — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:02:35 +0000

We had a great, albeit brief, visit. Mike’s roast cow for dinner, “Despicable Me” with the grandsons, Kewpee burgers, Frontier (Lincoln-like) Logs, and Simon Says. We even learned about Harry S Truman, thanks to Caleb’s thorough research and excellent report writing. Thanks for having us, Mike and Jenn. You have so much to be thankful for and proud of in those boys.

In case Ma forgets her 2nd Kewpee:

From 2011

The Master Builders:

From 2011

From 2011

The Storm that Was “Petering Out”

Pa — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:25:51 +0000

When we went to bed last night the forecast was for light snow today, as the expected storm was breaking up . . . ha!