Computer Crash!!!

Well my computer finally died. I mean the hard drive took a dump. No virus, just 10 years old and quit working. This means I have lost 10 years of documents and pictures stored on that thing because I was stupid and did not transfer anything off of it to an external backup drive or other storage places, as other people have indicated wishing they had done when this very thing happened to them. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. My computer was running like a dinosaur. And I had good intentions of getting it cleaned up and stuff transferred, but just never took the time to do it.

Luckily we have an IT friend who came over last night to see if he could get anything off of that hard drive. After hours of work, it looks like it's going to be impossible to get the data recovered. So he got Bill's old computer cleaned up and working so I can at least use it until I can get something else. Problem is that computer is also a dinosaur and doesn't have enough room on the hard drive for much.

This is what I am looking at....

1. I need a new computer ASAP. a) because I am going to be starting school (will tell you more about this later on. b) this computer will not last for much longer either. I don't have the money for a new computer at this moment. I was hoping that my divorce settlement money (from 3 yrs ago) would have come through by now, but NO it is still tied up in a court battle (another story for another day). Now I am just hoping that I can get some educational grant money that will help cover the costs of a new computer because I will definately need a laptop for school.
2. I can get some of my photos from my blog and facebook and what I have saved in Picasa web albums but I still will have lost at least 7 years of photos I had saved. This makes me very sad and very mad at myself for not taking the time to get those pictures saved somewhere else.
3. I had all my employment stuff on that computer that I no longer have access to. This means I have to start all over again in creating my resume, references, etc. Lots of work.
4. I have several years of tax progams that are just gone. I hope I will not be needing those for anything.
5. I also have lost all my banking information that I have on MS Money. Years of history. Meaning I have to also start that all over again from today. No more history. I hope I won't ever need that either.
6. I am sure there are many more things I am not even thinking about.

Basically my computer was my lifeline. I used it for everything. Sad isn't it? How much we come to depend and rely on that little box.

Needless to say, but I have learned a BIG lesson. From now on I will backup all my important data onto at least 2 other places besides my computer like an external drive, SD cards or internet storage places.

I was blessed with one thing. The photos I was sending in to a local photo contest, I just happened to email them over to the company on Saturday. So while I no longer have those photos in my possession, I can get them off my email and I still am able to be in the contest. Had I waited another day, I wouldn't have those pictures. So I am grateful for that.

If you are in the same predictament that I was in and haven't backed up any of your really important documents and pictures to another location, I highly recommend you do this immediately. Don't be like me and think "Oh it won't happen to me". Because it will!

Well enough of my rambles. I have many things to do now so I am off to get to it.

TTFN

"Unemployed Need Not Apply" - Are you kidding me?

My friend Stephanie who blogs at Steph in the City brought this to my attention today in a post she wrote here.   I was so astounded by this information that I did some checking on my own and learned that there Is. No. Kidding. Here.  It is true.  There are many employers out there who are only willing to hire people who are already employed. 

Check this video out....


As an unemployed person myself who has been looking for a job since having to relocate here from another state due to my DH's job transfer, this just makes me so flippin mad I could scream.  In fact I scream D.I.S.C.R.I.M.I.N.A.T.I.O.N!!  It's not bad enough that whenever I apply for a job I am competing with 800+ applicants for the same job?  This is just VERY WRONG!!   

Here are a couple other links to arcticles other people are writing about this subject.  

Unemployed-need-not-apply-just-die-already

Should Unemployed Job Seekers be Ruled Out? Some Think So - RecruitingBlogs.com

WTF: “unemployed candidates will not be considered” or “must be currently employed.” « InvestmentWatch

Some people are writing to their congressman.  I wonder if that will go anywhere and if its something I should do also? 

Just a little discouraged today by this news!  What is wrong with this country?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!

 

To my Dad

Father's Day

Over the years

As we grow old,

We remember our father

So brave and bold.

In the garden,

Leaning on the plow,

He would listen to me;

I see him now.

He would give advice

And understand;

He was always there

To lend a hand.

God made fathers

Strong and firm,

For he knew our lives

Would have great concerns.

So he gave us fathers

To teach us to pray,

And guide our lives,

And show us the way.

So on his day

Let's take the time

To say "Thanks, dad.

I'm glad you're mine."

Mary Frances Bogle

One of the earliest memories that come to my mind as I think about my dad is sitting on his lap eating potato chips and ketchup while watching Star Trek , Planet of the Apes, or some western with John Wayne.  (I'm giving away my age aren't I?) Ketchup is his favorite condiment that goes with or on anything.  And he is most definately a "Treky"!  He always loved watching those sci-fi shows. And he still is a huge fan of John Wayne.  In fact when he was here visiting me a couple weeks ago, we were all watching some John Wayne westerns. 

Going back to some fun times I've had with my dad makes me remember the camping and fishing trips we took.  He was a really good fisherman.  He taught me how to fish.  I loved walking with him up and down a stream while we fished and waited for that pull on our line. 

The next thing that comes to mind is the card playing we do as a family.  My Dad loves to play cards, in particular a game that the whole Alldredge family plays is a game that we call "Oh Hell" or "Mormon Rummy".  It's a fun game.  I don't know where it came from or how it started.  We have played this game as far back as I can remember. But if you sit by my Dad you can always count on him "rubber knecking", in other words sneaking a peak at your hand.

My Dad is a wood worker.  He makes furniture.  He taught woodshop in Jr. High and High Schools during his whole career.  I remember when I was 13-14 yrs old I wanted a waterbed.  He took me out to buy the necessary wood and took me to his woodshop and taught me how to cut the wood and helped me build my own bed.  I loved that bed! 

Over the years he has made some really awesome furniture.  I own a lot of his work.  My kitchen table was built by him, as well as the china hutch and curio cabinet.  I have several end tables many wall shelfs all done by him.  Me and my children all have dressers made by him.  I am sure I am forgetting some things he has built for me.  Each one is made by his hand.  Each piece is of the quality you could never find in a store.  Each piece I will always cherish. 

In the early 80's my dad retired from teaching for a time and started his own business called U-Bake-It Pizza and Video.  From the time I was 12 or 13 years old I had a job.  All of my friends had a job there at one time or another. He taught me how to work.  He taught me skills that I have used every day since then.  I worked for him until I got married and moved away.  Eventually he closed the stores down and returned to teaching school.  But I have so many fond memories of working there.  To this day, I love my pizza.  And I do make an Excellent Pizza, even if I do say so myself.

I am so thankful for my Dad.  He has done so much for me over the years.  It has been fun reminiscing about all my speicial memories I have with my Dad. 

Dad ~ I Love You!

  

About Skateboarding

My son, Jessie, is really into skateboarding.  While the family was in town visiting he didn't have a whole lot of time to show us his stuff between our activities and the rain.  Bill was kind enough to take Jessie over the skate park one morning before the rain came in and took some awesome pictures for me.

Now I will be the first to admit that I don't get the whole skateboarding thing nor do I know the names of all the tricks and all that, but I do know that Jessie is pretty good at it.  As he should be because he is at the skate park practicing nearly every day. One of the reasons they didn't stay longer with me is that Jessie had to get back to Cedar City to compete in the Utah Summer Games. 

The other sport Jessie is good at is Football.  He will be playing football for Canyon View High School this year.  The other reason he couldn't spend too long visiting me is that he also had to get back for Football Camp.  I hope he does well.  I love to watch Jessie play football and am sad that I will miss his games this year. 

Jessie, keep up all your good work in everything you do.  Love Ya Kiddo!

       

MMB GIVEAWAY!

There is an AWESOME giveaway going on at MMB.  Hurry on over there.  You only have until June 20th to enter.  It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!  And I hope I win!!!!

F-A-M-I-L-Y F-U-N - Part 3

We woke up Tuesday morning and it was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day.  A perfect day for Yellowstone. 
It ended up being the only day of the whole week that it didn't rain.  So off we went. 

Mom & Dad

Dad, Bill, Shellise & Mom (behind there somewhere)

We saw many, many buffalo.  These just happened to be right by the road.

My most favorite part about Yellowstone is being able to see the wildlife.  We saw a lot of buffalo, some Elk, a coyote, and many pretty birds.  I was hoping to see some bears (of course from a distance), and moose but we didn't. 

I love all the colors

The Family. I'm still short!

Pretty Scenery

There was a whole lot of water going down the river and these falls.

Looks so warm and inviting doesn't it?

These were my favorite

Another Shot of the paint pots

Dear Hubby checking out the pretty geyser

Pretty Blue Bird

Mama Elk

And her newborn baby calf

So we made it to the highlight of the park, Old Faithful, and found out we had to wait 1-1/2 hrs for it to go off as we had just missed it.  We had already been driving all day at this point and it was pushing 5:00 p.m. 

By this time the kids were tired of all the driving.  After the 7 hour drive to get to my house and then all the driving we did to get to and from all the other activities and then add on another full day of driving to and through Yellowstone, they were pretty much sick of it.  They were done.  I would have loved to stay longer, but I can't blame them.   So we left the park and drove back home. 

Yellowstone National Park is really awesome.  There is so much to do there.  More than we had time for.  If you haven't been there I highly recommend it.  You really need at least 3 days to see it all.  It is my most favorite National Park and I am lucky enough to live so close. 

They were going home on Thursday and the next day was Wednesday and we decided to forego any other activities and called Wednesday as a recoup day before the long drive back home.  The kids were happy about that.  Bill and I did take Mom & Dad to a couple of our favorite local shops in town.

Mountain Arts Pottery is a locally owned shop where they make all kinds of pottery.  Bill & I love it and are starting (slowly) to purchase items for our kitchen and home. 

The owner happened to be there and took us on a tour of their shop and kilns where they make and fire all the pottery.  That was a really cool educational experience.  This pottery is very popular around here, as well as the bakery that they also have in their store.  Where they make fabulous cinnamon rolls and other sweets, as well as soups and sandwiches.  Of course we had to have our cinnamon roll!

The next shop was the Montana Furniture Traders where they make all kinds of awesome furniture and things like these Burl Wood Baskets.  Bill & I had given a basket similar to this one to our parents for Christmas, but we had never bought ourselves one.  So my Mom bought me one for my birthday (coming up in July). Thanks Mom!   These baskets are awesome! 

The family left the next day. We had a wonderful visit and did some fun things.  The house has felt empty all week.  I really miss my kids and my parents, and look forward to seeing them at the end of July for our family camping trip that we have planned.  

F-A-M-I-L-Y F-U-N - Part 2

Now on to Part 2 of our family fun times while my kids and parents were visiting. If you missed Part 1 you can go here to check it out.

The next adventure took us to Ghost Towns of Virginia City & Nevada City.  I have written about these places before when Bill and I went there a few weeks ago.  You can read that post here.  We enjoyed it so much I just had to take my family.  Plus when Bill and I went nothing was open yet as they don't really get things rolling until Memorial Day weekend. 

We hopped on the train in Virginia City, which took us to Nevada City.  We enjoyed talking to the train crew and learning more about the history of the area.  The majority of our time was spent in Nevada City, Virginia City is more of a tourist trap with all the shops where you can buy souveniers and things.  Don't get me wrong. we enjoyed doing a little shopping and very much enjoyed the Ice Cream Parlor and the Candy Store.  Here are a few of our pictures as we strolled around.....

Just getting off the train in Nevada City

My cute kiddos.  I am still trying to get over how tall Jessie is getting.

The Family!  They obviously didn't get their height from me.

Bill was bad so we locked him up in the local jail. Ha!

He is such a goof!

Dad doing what he does best! 

He said that if there was any reading material he would get down to business!

Daddy & Mommy!

My sweet, beautiful girl.  Comtemplating!  What?  I don't know!

I like this photo though.

Dad explaining to Bill how a Steam Engine works.  

His dad (my grandfather) had one of the first Steam Engines in Utah

The engine my grandfather owned is currently located at the Museum in Delta, Utah.

I am sure this brought back some memories for my Dad.

My Dad with the Steam Engine just like his dad owned.

Heading to catch the train back to Virginia City

We had a wonderful day.  My dad in particular enjoys old mining & historical areas like this.  The weather was cool but very nice.  Our 68 degrees beat the 95 to 100 degree temperatures they were having in Salt Lake that day.

Look for Part 3 coming soon. 

F-A-M-I-L-Y F-U-N - Part 1

My parents and kids are gone now and the house is once again too quiet.   I have been reminiscing about all the fun times we had as well as editing all the photos I took, and this has helped make the emptiness of the house feel not quite so empty. 

They stayed with us for a week.  Bill was lucky enough to only have to work 1 night and got the rest of the time off to spend with us.  I think I am going to break this post up into 2-3 different parts otherwise it will be just way too long. 

So here is what we did the first couple days......

We had a Grizzly Bear Encounter

They were very cute.  But I am glad I didn't run in to them out in the wild.

My Daddy

Some good shots of the kids......

It was windy and they were freezing

Jessie has now grown taller than Shellise who is 5'8

I think he will be well over 6 feet tall soon.

Silly Girl!

Jessie - 14 yrs

We also took Dad to the Vietnam Wall War Memorial.  He served in Vietnam, had a near brush with death there, and does not like to talk much about his experience during the war.  It is so hard to see all the many thousands of names of men who died during that war.  It's very humbling.  I wish I had taken a picture of my Dad at the wall, but I didn't.  This one is from the Memorial Day service.

On Sunday after church we took a drive up to Hylite Canyon reservoir where we had planned on roasting some brat's, hang out at the resevoir and maybe do a little fishing or go on a short hike.  But the weather decided not to cooperate.  As soon as we got there and were getting the fire started, the sky let loose and it began pouring rain.  We hung out there in hopes it would stop after a little while, but it didn't so we headed back home.  We ended up just watching movies that night. 

The weather was kind of on and off for us all week.  There were periods of rain and cold and periods where the sun came out and it warmed up.  We were still able to do most everything we wanted to do.  The next post will include our trips to yellowstone and ghost towns.