Anyone care for coffee and....? :-)

Okay, I'm gonna show my ignorance.
Julie what's a frag and how does a computor get them? How do I know if my laptop has been invaded by these? And defragging sounds dangerous, in fact the fear of loss of files has seeped thru cyperspace.... what is it??? Is my wonderful electric friend in danger???

Ohhhhh - whoops, I do panic over these things sometimes. I have this wonderful toy that keeps me in touch with all you wonderful people, and it keeps all my photos. Unfortunately if it eats those mega bites I have no print-outs of them. I DO have them burned on cds so I guess that's a back up, right?

Awwww, Blooms, I'm sorry I scared you. A "frag" is a 'fragment.' It's not anything that we get from somewhere else, we do the fragmenting without realizing it. I should say that the computer does it. What it means is that the computer doesn't keep everything we save in one place on the hard drive, it'll find whatever space is available and sets the data down. Files that aren't saved all at once, for instance a big database, very easily get "fragmented" or pieces of the file are stored in a scattered manner.

It's a good thing the computer *remembers* where it puts stuff. hehehe

When you 'defrag' a hard drive it physically moves the files and puts all the pieces in one place. A fragmented drive slow the reaction time of the computer. In my case, I was noticing a bad lag in screen refresh rates.

The reason I was so concerned about my process is that I've *never* defragged my main hard drive...that's where I have all my software installed. So I was afraid I might lose some important data and not be able to run certain programs, especially the stupid software that runs my satellite internet connection. (We *certainly* don't want me to lose that! LOL)

Now if you're running Windows XP, the process is simple and you can check to see if your hard drive needs to be defragged.

Open up 'My Computer' (to see the list of your drives)

Right Click on (for instance) the C: drive (to get the floating menu)

Click on 'Properties' (to open the properties dialog box)

In the Dialog, Click on the 'Tools' tab

Click on the "Defragment now" button - Don't worry...it's NOT going to do anything yet! (Honest!)

Once inside the area, click on the "Analyze" button...wait a few seconds...you'll get a report on the screen that will show you the extent of fragmentation, and you'll see a pop-up note that tells you whether or not Windows thinks you need to run the Defragment process.

Just keep in mind that the defragging process *can* take a long time. My 60gig 2nd drive took over 5 hours...however my 40 gig main (C:) drive only took about 1 1/2 hours.

If you have your most important things burned to CDs, you're backed up.

I hope I haven't confused you with this information or frightened you (or anyone else). It's easy for me to forget that most people have no idea what I'm talking about. LOL (Oh...and that doesn't only apply to computers. LOL)

~julie~

Julie, thanks that was a very lucid explaination. Even I understood it. Does it itself, sorta, after you okay the process. I've noticed some slow down sometimes. [how spoiled we get] ---

When 'Spin gets here next week, I'll have her show me the process. She speaks fluent computor-ease, she's the one that has dragged me into the 21st century with laptop and digi camera as the incentive. 'Bless her heart'. /;-)

Hi everyone. I've got my tea and there is still fruitcake left! I thought it would all be gone by now. Of course, we are all sort of overstuffed with goodies, the last month has been like a desertathon! Anybody going to diet this month? So many people do I think Jan should be renamed Diet. When I used to sell eggs nobody wanted to buy eggs in the first 2 weeks after the Holidays, so I had to invent ways to use a lot of eggs since I had about 75 hens at that time. I would guess that the bakeries also have a problem.

I just came in from the great white outdoors, my feet are still cold. I need electric socks. Our day could be described as cloudy bright. It probably won't get above freezing today and is supposed to be about 10 tonight. That's +10 fortunately. Last year about this time it was getting down to -20 with a lot of wind and plenty of snow blowing around. All these seed catalogs are a welcome splash of summer and warmth.

Dust filter, cool idea. I need one for the whole house. I don't mind if people write their names in the dust but dating it is a no no.

Today I need to take care of the last few tomatoes that ripened on the basement table. They were very green when I brought them inside and finally look ripe but don't taste very good so they won't be eaten raw. However, after being stewed with onions and having some salt and probably a bit of sugar added they will be ok. These tomatoes are ones I started in my greenhouse last April, grew out in my garden until frost and rescued what I could to finish ripening.

I posted a couple of photos on the Cactus and Succulents forum of an epiphyllum I got from Ponditis, it is now in bloom! It's the only one I have and this is the first time it has bloomed. A few people want starts of mine and are offering to make trades so it looks like I will have a little collection going.

Time for me to get moving, I might stop in later. Everybody have a great day.

Hehehehe...Mary, I loved the comment about NOT DATING the names people write in the dust. I'll have to remember that one!

Going over to see the cactus. I "inherited" quite a collection last month when my neighbor passed away. I've never had one and BOY was "not grabbing" them a lesson I learned real fast!

...Pass the coffee, I'm ready for another cup.

~julie~

Mary, you gave me my first 'out loud' guffaw this morning. Thanks. I'm thinking of printing a sign that says just that:

>>"I don't mind if people write their names in the dust but >>dating it is a no no."

Okay somebody write nd xplain how to put these stolen quotes in a box like other folks do. please... ~Blooms
Apic of the sign that presently lives on the kitchen door:
I have posted it before, unfortunately the situation behind the door has reverted to chaos.

Just a quick cuppa Joe please. I'm doing battle with the INS and so far am making a teeny bit of progress after much phone calls and going backwards first. Hadda pop in and give you this link, Blooms...

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/453451/

toodle-ooo!

I love that one, Blooms. But it really needs to be on ALL my doors! ;-)

Kooger...the INS? (Shhhhh....I was born in Australia and have no birth certificate...only the passport my Mom had when we were shipped over here by the U.S. Navy. I'm a little afraid I may be deported when it come time for S.S. :-D) Now if you were talking about INSurance...that's a horse of a different color.

~julie~

Yes, the USCIS or formerly known as the INS. Finally am getting somewhere, I hope! Maybe we can be deported together!!!!! lol (and we're not touching an INSurance discussion in any way, shape or form, period!!!!) LOL

(giggle...nope LOL) Well...where would *you* like to go if/when it happens?
:-D

~julie~

Julie the kitchen door is my only door. and the entire house is encompassed in that sign.

ok Kooger, I try it now:

Kooger , when dealing with the government, backwards first seems to be S.O.P. Luck with the process.

Blooms - hadda think a minute but got it (S.O.P) julie - I wanna go see Ursula in the worst way!!!!

Hi all,
Any coffee left in that pot? I'm exhausted! Its our bulk trash collection week, so I have just been lugging stuff out to the kerb and cramming cardboard boxes with paper. Our stuff from the UK finally arrived just before Christmas - I swear half the shipment was packaging material. LOL

Blooms if you think of defragging like cleaning out the glory hole we all have somewhere that about says it. You bung stuff in there all year, you know where it is but when you want it, you have to shift so much other stuff to get to it, it takes forever. Spring cleaning time we haul it all out, sort it into order, scrap the junk and the broken bits, or fix them and start again. The first week its wonderful, quick and easy to get at, you swear you'll keep it tidy, but do you? Of course not your human aren't you. By the end of the month its back in chaos again.
Computers are much the same - bung stuff anywhere theres a space it'll fit and if it won't all fit well the rest goes somewhere else. They have to be told to spring clean occasionally, 'cos clever as they are they can't think for themselves and decide its time.

Kooger you have my sympathy, dealing with officialdom can be sooooo frustrating. Having to tell the whole saga everytime you speak to someone new winds me up like a clock! The trouble with the INS is you can't get antsy back, or you jepordise your position, they have so much clout. I'm sure it will sort itself out though. How long have you been here?

I'm having fun and games over something I ordered as a Christmas present, way back in November. It still hasn't arrived, I keep emailing the company, and they reply but never say anything you can pin anything to. Another week and I'll get the CC company on the case, but its very frustrating, and I had to buy a substitute present for my friend at short notice.

Enough of the moaning, I think I need a refil on the coffee, and just maybe one of those yummie looking eats if I may? I shall get to losing the pounds once I get active in the yard again, meanwhile......!

Aug. will be 30 yrs. First year as a student, actually got my first green card in Jan. 1978. Where did the years go??

*snif*....I just came in from a BAD day...Rain/.sleet...MUD....I need a hot chocolate and a piece of the Fruit Cake....*ahhhhhh* Isn't it wonderful to have fiennds like ya'll!! Thanks. Jo

Kooger, I think you and I might be in the same boat...except you probably have your papers 'in order.' I scared to death to ask for a new social security card now! I called the local office and they told me that I'd probably have a hard time what with 'terrorism' and all. (Geez! Gimme a break! The gov has been taking my taxes since before I was 16!) Sure hope everything goes well for you.

Ok Blooms...where did you find the instructions on how to do that? LOL I saw Dave explain it or direct a bunch of us to the the FAQ sheet, but...uh...I foe-got how do it! :-D

Okus...that's a *great* way to explain the frag problem. (I got lots of those places here...and only *I* know where to find all the pieces. hahaha)

~julie~

Okus - in that case it's just like clearing out my WHOLE house - which looks like I've never done it either.

Kooger, it's spring there/or summer Did you see the wildflowers Ursula posted this morning? Good time to go.

Kooger and Julie, keeping my fingers crossed on the green thing.
Waiting for the next bad weather, hate those icy roads. Forecast is foreboding; inside not much better-trying to clean up my Everything Room-ACK-maybe I will have some more coffee and cake and think about why I started the project in the first place., and share a bit more of the MONK marathon..

Marcia...if you need a reason for your "everything room" project, you might have blame 'Monk.' I think it might be rubbing off on you. hehehehe Just have another piece of cake...or maybe you want to try one of these fantastic scones. And if you're really good, I have a little extra biscotti over there in that Christmas tin on the counter.

~julie~

Speaking of not dating the dust....my grandma told me never to line shelves with newspaper....because the date is on it!! Come to think of it, that's the only household tip she ever gave me. Must have known from the start that I was hopeless. LOL BTW, that was the days before they sold shelf paper in the stores. Loooooooooooong ago.

Blooms, yes, saw those pretties Ursula was sharing. She said she's got more so I'm checking there often - just like ole Brimley or whatever his name is..... lol

Julie - call the HQ number - 800-375-5283 and ask for an 'information' officer. Bet they'd have an answer for you. Sometimes you have to try different options in order to get a person - don't pick '4', it's just a machine. And just hit '9' if you get a machine, then you can choose a different number. I just put the phone on speaker and wait til someone answers, 15-20 min.

Meezers, you brought some really OLD memories with along with your shelf liners. I remember my mom using the shelf paper that had a lacey border that hung over the edge. (I also remember "oil cloth"...back then they used it for table cloths...oh and then there were all those embroidered kitchen towels, doilies, curtains, and table cloths....oh my goodness, you really sparked a diversion with that one. LOL)

Speaking of 'dust' I'm supposed to be cleaning out my corner (Thanks to Marcia and her 'everything room'. :-D)

~julie~

I still have quite a few linen tablecloths that my mom embroidered or cross stitched. They have held up extremely well, for being as old as they are. I have handkerchiefs on which she tatted lace borders, and several framed crewel or embroidered pictures that she made in later years, in spite of severe arthritis in her hands. Bless her dear heart, I think of her every day when I see those pictures hanging here. She was my stepmother, and a truly wonderful loving person. I was very lucky to have had her in my life. Anyone else have dresses made from flour sacks??? She would glean through huge piles of those to find enough matching ones to make me an outfit. Almost all my clothes were home sewn by her.

Good morning. Helping myself to the tea and goodies. I'll sit here where I can see out the window. Looking at other people's yards is lots of fun.

Oh dear, meezers, then I have a very dated cupboard where I keep pots and pans, newspapers in there. I start with a thick layer and take the top sheet off when it looks bad, but I have been seeing corners in there that look like they need soap and water! Drawers too. Oh my, well, I guess winter is good for that sort of thing. Every once in a while I get into a "clean it out, throw it out" mood, but thankfully I recover to normal quickly before I hurt myself. I do remember those fancy shelf papers which I never used, but I did use contact paper once, JUST ONCE! what a mess and when I pulled it off the paint came off too. I think just peeling off the backing in a strip along each end ould have been enough instead of sticking the whole thing down. Oilcloths were my table cloths for years when the kids were at the spilling stage. Every couple of months I bought a new one and put the old one to use somewhere else. I still see oilcloth for sale in the local hardware store but haven't bought any in years. That picnic table of mine needs a cover, maybe I will look more closely and bring one home for it.

The picture I mentioned that I posted over on Cactus and Succulents is causing quite a stir, apparently nobody else has one like it, so I have offers of trades, but will have to wait until mid April or so to keep them from freezing on the way. Ponditis, you do need to get that greenhouse and give your momma plant a sunnier home. Maybe for now just put it by your sliding glass door and then outside with morning sun in the summer. I have mine on the north side of the center bench were it gets a bit of shade from the bench. We also used shade cloth from about May to October since our sun is very bright. Have to wait until about April to send any plants through the mail.

Kooger and Julie, I sure hope you get the immigration problems straightened out soon. I wouldn't want that hanging over my head, a major stress thing I think. Or is it outa sight, outa mind?

Time for me to get out there and feed the horses and the dog and cat. All eyes start watching the back door about this time. Really folks, I am not THAT late, it is Pacific time here, only nearing 7:30 and it has only been light for about half an hour. Back later.

Mornin' all.....just found you sitting in here gabbying away and thought I'd poke my head in....see who's here and what's on the table for discussion and digestion! tee hee hee I'm toting the last of my Date Nut Swirl cookies with me. You all are a mighty special group as I don't share these with most folks....too yummy and I want them all for myself. Grandma handed down this recipe and I think I'm the only one in the family that makes them as a Christmas tradition anymore. So pretty arranged on the plate with there swirling center of yummy. Now look at that! They go along nicely with those thumbprint cookies, fruit cake and butter cookies! What a nice selection we have here. I think I'll take some of that chocolate-almond biscotti, Blooms, if'n you don't mind. Vanilla Nut creamer and sugar for me please. Hope you don't mind the monster DG cup I brought along. It's so big it keeps me from having to refill all the time.

I've been in a funk since the holidays. Can't seem to get in my rhythm. Maybe when the kiddos are back to school on Thursday. Got all the holiday decorations in the house put away on Sunday, but still got to take that tree down. Just not in the mood. *sigh* Might still be here in June!

Nearly 10am and the kids are all still asleep.....what a blessing, but it will be a curse come Thursday morning when they need to be up at 6:45 or so. Poor things....Christmas break is just long enough for them to alter their sleep habits and then it's time to go back again. And they just got over the daylight savings change in December!

They've been sending out weather advisories for 1 inch of ice followed by 2 inches of snow for today and tomorrow for the last several days. I already have a fine coating of ice on the deck. Poor doggies slid about 6 feet before they stopped when they hopped back on the deck to come in.

Out to check the front walk to see if I need to get some ice melt down. Back a bit later I'm sure.

I'll have a 2nd cup today, plus some choc. goodies - if they're the dark kind - milk choc. is just too sweet for me. :) Fussy or what?

Brenda, sounds like you're going to get up to an inch of ice on top of what you've already got! Wow! It is funny watching the four footeds sliding on it tho. Pour Barney tries to jump up the one step we have and falls back down. He makes it on the second try. We supposed to get a good bunch of snow, no more ice. Hurrah!

Your kids don't go back til Thurs.? Our's started yesterday already.

Stay warm all. Be back later...........

Morning, everyone! I think I'd better just have coffee this morning and ignore all the goodies... my "spare tire" is really overinflated, LOL. Well, maybe just ONE biscotti...

I'm a bit sluggish this morning, slept too much, almost 12 hours last night but needed it as I only averaged 5 hours per night while my half-sister and neice were here through Sunday morning. Too old to be staying up late like that and I'll be glad to get back on a regular sleeping and eating schedule.

I get to have lunch tomorrow with a new DG member living close to me, Roseone33! I'm so excited!! There is actually another member listed as being in my town but she and her husband are still living in Atlanta while building their house up here and we haven't had a chance to meet yet.

Brenda, can't believe how your area is getting slammed with ice now. Just be careful on the steps! We should be having similar temps this time of the year but it was so warm yesterday I was down to a sleeveless teeshirt while at the laundromat. Man, I hate not having my W&D here but there's simply no room, nor hookups.

Well, I ned to get outside and fill my bird feeders... y'all have a great day!

meezers!!! I had LOTS of flour sack dresses when I was little. Same thing with trying to match up enough of them for my grandmother and mama to make a pattern. (you know...those were *really* wonderful times.)

I'm in the middle of re-recording some Gardener's Diary programs over to DVDs. What a pain to try to eliminate those commercials...sorta cuts into my DG time. ;-)

I'll be back in a while to say hi to everyone who has visited...I saw a lot of things I wanted to comment on while I was quickly scrolling through. DON'T LEAVE!

~julie~

Darius - I need to refill my feeders too, but wondering if I should wait until the icing is over. Hate to frutstrate them with frozen over feeding ports! The squirrel is out there running from one to the other to the other and not finding his morning meal! I'll probably fill one of them partially to get them through the night. I'll refresh them tomorrow after the nasty weather stops so they can recover their energy from the cold one that is to come.

Just gonna fill my cup up real quick. Darius, could you pass the biscotti, please? Thanks.

Back a bit later to gab...

Well the Peachbowl surprise went wonderfully. He was so surprised that he couldn’t speak! I’ve never actually seen anyone have that problem. Lol The only issue is that I parked my car next to a chainlink fence in the parking lot and there happened to be a construction portapotty on the other side that some huge man apparently HAD to use. He put 2 dents in my hood, 1 huge one on the roof and broke my windshield. People suck. I had the windshield replaced for $200 and found out that my insurance deductible is only $100 for non collision physical damage, so I need to give them a call I guess. I’d just hate for it to hurt my premiums. I’ve NEVER made a claim, never had a wreck. *sigh*

Okay, enough of that! Pass that biscotti! lol :)


Blooms, you actually ENJOYED driving through Kansas??? I remember I loved the sunflowers, but otherwise it is flat flat FLAT! Lol

Marcia, I was wondering about that green zinnia too. Looks like Envy to me. *shrug*

Hmm...need I mention that it is around 70 degrees here all this week?!?!?! The stupid daffs are poking up and I saw someone's forsythia starting to bloom!!!

Hey now, Ang!! Kansas is .....well....errr.....ok....FLAT! At least out west. Over here on the Missouri border we've got trees and hills, by golly. But it sure ain't GA!!! LOL My grandma hailed from GA so been there often in my youth. Now that she's gone I don't get down there.

Uh-oh...those forsythia are gonna have a problem blooming come Spring. Don't they set buds in the fall like hydrangeas and lilacs?

Ok...now the mourning doves are out at the feeder (or shall I say underneath them). Better get out there and fill them. It's just SOooooo cold.

Naw....I'll have just one more cup of coffee to warm me before I brave it. Mmmmm.....who brought this fudge. Just delightfully sinful to eat this stuff.

Was anyone watching (better said, recording) the Gardener's Diary on HGTV in the mornings? I only found the program about 8 weeks ago. I didn't care much the personality of the host in the beginning, but I sure did LOVE to see the gardens she visited. And WOW! what an education I got from all the plants that were mentioned.

Well...HGTV replaced that show with 'Rebecca's Garden' yesterday morning, can you believe that? ;-) I was really disappointed to turn on the recorder and not find my dream gardens there. :-( Oh well...at this point I'm just thankful that I recorded the programs while I had the chance.

Now...for the replies...

Mary, I'm not having any immigration problems at the moment. Just borrowing trouble, probably. I'm supposed to be a U.S. citizen by default (born out of the country to an American sailor). I've just been warned by the Social Security people, locally, that I need to get hold of my birth certificate...but to get a copy from Australia I need several forms of ID, of which one is the SS card. I think they call that a 'catch 22'. So I guess if I croak in the next couple of months, my husband better not tell anyone. hehehe

Brennie! So glad you peeked in AND decided to stick around for a bit. (That biscotti is yummy!) I think maybe you and I have both found that 'after the holidays funky-blue can't get it together' mood. Stick with US girl...we'll fix ya right up. :-)

Kooger...I think you and I might in the path of that icy stuff too, judging from what I just saw on the weather channel. As for me "Yipeeeeee" It's supposed to *really* snow here...maybe up to 12." And if it does, I'm going to be out and about with the camera. (I'm like a kid when it comes to snow. hehehe)

Darius, I think I need to stay away from all these goodies too. Thank heavens *these* are no-cal. Isn't it great getting to meet someone with the same interests? Especially when you get to meet them online. Maybe one of these days I'll get to meet a couple of fellow DG'ers that live in my area. (Can you tell I'm little envious> ;-))

Be careful, everyone in the path of the latest storm...ok?

Now, back to the recorders...:-D

~julie~

Oh Julie, I think you are sending that icey stuff over here, we got a good dose of it yesterday afternoon. Went to HD to pick up drywall, DH is fixing up the basement storage areas, and it started sleeting on the way home, Within minutes the roads were glazed over and by the time we got on the expressway, cars were sliding every which way. In a five mile stretch we saw 6 cars off in the ditch or spun around backwards. We opted to stay on the Xway because the side roads would have been worse with less traffic, got home safely slid into the driveway, and stayed home the rest of the day. Still icey this morning and lots of fender benders, and now predictions of a pretty good snowfall.........coming from the WEST!! I accept full responsibility because I wanted some to cover up the tender perennials................but I' m still not gonna shovel.
Lemme get another cuppa, and just a nibble of those Date Nut Swirls. They look fabulous. Well, let it snow, I don't need to go drive in it, went to Sam's this morning and stopped at the super on the way home, making pasties for supper...got the filling all ready to go, just have to roll out the pastry, and do the last minute assembly . Eat two, freeze four, for two lazy days in the future. As that old saying goes, Plan Ah
ead.

hehehe...meezers, looks we're *both* to blame for this one. :-D (Please be careful out there!) OHhhhhhh pasties! I haven't had those for years. You can bring one of those frozen ones over when you stop by for *lunch* here tomorrow. ;-)

~julie~

Oh, My... I haven't had Pasties either in many years... what's the filling, M5?

Meezers, glad that you got home OK. We had the ice a couple of days ago. Supposed to get it again, as well as snow. Will need one of those pasties (does it have beef and rutabagas ?) passed to me, if I have to drive in any bad weather on Sat. Wish I could get my old studded tires back.

Thought I better pop over here to Julie's to see if she's having anything yummy for dessert after supper tonight. Don't mind me.....just get over here to get some of Angie's yummy hot chocolate with a good-sized dollop of whipped cream (oh...my...look at this it's the real deal - non of that non-dairy whipped topping here!).

We're still getting rain at my place but temps are 29° right now and it's only a matter of time. All the rain from about 3pm on has frozen into big heavy ice on the trees, shrubs, grass and what's left of the perennials. Snow comes later tonight they're saying. Darned if there isn't also flooding in some of the creeks and streams too! Lousy night to be about. Already cancelling activities for tomorrow too!

I'm the girl scout cookie mom for my daughter's troop and was suppose to pick up cookies tomorrow morning, but they've called and pushed it to next week. Good with me...I wasn't quite in the mood to contend with 56 cases of girl scout cookies!!!

Meezers - I'd sure like that recipe for Pasties. Like, Marcia I'm curious what you put in yours. Do you make the pastry from scratch? Got me a brand new Kitchenaid for Christmas and I'm dying to make something in it.

Gotta dash y'all. Have a grand evening and I'll see you 'round mid-morning tomorrow!

Brenda, you will absolutely LOVE that Kitchenaid. I got mine 3 years ago and wish I'd had it 25. It's the best! What size did you get? I got the 325 hp one - would have liked the Professional one but it was kinda pricey and not on sale. Kohl's had an excellent sale and I got mine for $228. tax included! It was on sale, then I just happened to be there the day they had an unadvertised kitchen dept. sale, (actually had to come back because the sale didn't start til 1 pm), and, applied for a card, another 10% off. Whoooweee! It was my lucky day! So, whatcha making first? You can always bring the finished product along for coffee and we can all judge the first result. Yum-yum!

Welll......I did make DH's birthday cake (and the frosting for it) from scratch on New Year's Eve day. Yep...he's a New Year's eve baby....couldn't wait for the new year I guess. It was pretty darn good too.

Mine's the Artisian....325 watt too. Black to go with the major appliances. It will be fine for most jobs I'll give it I'm sure. Maybe with the yucky weather I'll dig out the cookbooks and decide on something.