Thursday, November 19, 2009

On backing up your pictures


Most of you are probably much smarter than I am. A few weeks ago our computer went kaput.

We would try to start the thing and it would work and work and work and then go off again. It was very frustrating.

When we realized that it was probably gone for good, we were more than frustrated because it dawned on us that all of our pictures, our honeymoon, Abby's birth, her first birthday, first Christmas (you get the picture), were all loaded into said dead computer.

Now, we have several computer experts at our disposal, so we arranged to get the computer to one, and we had great confidence that the pictures could and would be recovered.

Unfortunately, most of the pics are gone into cyberspace forever.


We had some pictures on our camera that had never been taken off, and we have wonderful families who take just as many pictures as we do.

When Abby was first born, we were diligent to save those onto a flash drive, but as she got older, we got lazier and the pictures never made it anywhere but onto the copmuter and occasionally here to this blog.

I've had my classes praying that perhaps we would be able to find them, but we're pretty sure that isn't going to happen.

You would think that with all the experience I've had with losing things on computer hard drives, I would know better, but I guess experience isn't the best teacher for me. Maybe this time I'll pay attention and learn something.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Looking for encouragement? I don't suggest Walmart.

I've got to share this moment with all of you out in Bloggerville.

Jason and I went to Walmart on Saturday night to get a few things: diapers, milk, etc. I had mentioned earlier that day that I desperately needed to get a cheapo wedding band since my fingers have now swelled to the point where wearing mine puts it in jeopardy of being cut off at the hospital.

We stepped up to the counter to look at bands, and the lady behind the counter, who was obviously clueless about the emotional needs of pregnant women, asked if she could help.

Here's the conversation:

Me: "I'm looking for a cheap wedding band to get me to the end of my pregnancy."

"Oh, well, you probably don't have anymore than what? One month left?"

Me: "Ummm...actually I'm due the beginning of February."

"Oh, well, you're what? A size 10 at least" (Let me enter here that she wasn't talking about dress size).

Me: "My wedding band is a size 5."

"Looks like you're at least a 7 now."

Me: "No, I think the 6 will do fine."

At this point, I was slightly annoyed, but I tried on the size 7 and the size 6 ring and what do you know, the size 6 was perfect.

Conversation continues:

The Walmart lady: "Yeah, that'll probably do because I'm sure your doctor doesn't want you to gain anymore than what? 10 more pounds."

Okay, now she was really starting to irritate me. I didn't know whether to laugh or to start crying. Being the discerning woman I am, I ignored this comment and told her that we would by the ring.

I walked out of Walmart wearing my size 6, $30 wedding band.

Maybe Walmart should do sensitivity training for their staff who deal with pregnant women and jewelry. Maybe I'll suggest that.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Dragons, alligators, and getting up in the middle of the night

Abby has always been a wonderful sleeper - she most definitely takes after her mother. She started sleeping through the night when she was about 6 weeks old, and she still asks to go to bed when she's tired. It's been a blessing really, but lately she's started waking up in the middle of the night screaming. These are scared screams not your average, I want attention, screams.

Here's my problem: when I ask Abby in the morning what scared her in the night she'll say various things, a dinosaur, an alligator, this morning it was a dragon. Jason does a great job of taking her into her room and scaring away whatever came in during the night.

My question is, I guess, what's normal? Is it normal for a 2 and a half year old to suddenly, out of the blue, start having nightmares?

We've never done this before, and I'm at a loss.

Any advice would be awesome.