Saturday, March 28, 2009

Sunday Dinner, March 29, 2009

It's the end of the month so Sunday Dinner this week is going to be a little sparse.

I have one package of ground beef left so I'm going to make some of my TEXAS HASH with the burger, macaroni and tomato sauce. I'm going to cook some more pinto beans, some stewed potatoes with the last of the potatoes, and probably some BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD.

I have a few pork steaks and pork chops in the freezer so I may broil those in the oven if needed. Just depends on how many will be here for the noon meal.

What's in the works for your Sunday Dinner? Share your plans/menu in the comments if you'd like to participate this week.I'm writing this Sunday Dinner post earlier than usual this week. Jason's 21st birthday is tomorrow (Sunday) so he and Jessica asked me if I'd keep Emmy overnight so they can do something special to celebrate Jason's birthday. I want to get my Sunday Dinner post done early so I can devote all my attention to Emmy.

It will take all my attention to make sure she doesn't try to corner the cats for some very unwelcome mauling, or try to stand on the back of the couch to look at herself in the mirror, or any number of other dangerous proclivities.

Last I heard they planned to go eat at a nice restaurant and maybe go see a movie, but other than eating out their plans were flexible. They'll make their plans as they go along.

Meanwhile I'll have Emmy overnight and for most of the day on Sunday. I don't want to lug her toddler car seat back and forth from vehicle to vehicle, so I'm going to stay home from church tomorrow and have more time to cook my Sunday Dinner while I spend time with Emmy.

When Emmy had the smaller car seat it was a little easier to take her to church with me, but now that she has to have the toddler seat with all the tethers and such it's a pain in the rump to move it from one vehicle to another, plus it weighs a ton!

Much simpler to just stay home with her so we don't have to move the car seat multiple times. I'm sure we'll have a good time here at home, and I'll enjoy the Grandma/Emmy time.I was pleasantly surprised to receive my replacement router early Wednesday morning. I just sent off the defective router on Friday the 20th, so it was only 5 days turn around time to get the new one. I was amazed at the fast service, considering what a train wreck the trouble shooting over the phone turned out to be.

But...and there always seems to be a "but", doesn't there? It's a little word, but it can cover a lot of ground.....

I have a bit of a dilemma and my procrastination isn't helping the situation one bit.

After I discovered the problem with my router and in the midst of working with it, my desktop computer suddenly won't power up. I turned it off one night and it was fine, no problems at all. The next morning when I tried to turn it on, it wouldn't power up.

I push the power button, it whirs for about 10 seconds like it's going to come on, then it makes a loud and alarming "BEEP!" and immediately shuts down. I've tried unplugging it and plugging it back in a dozen times with the same result.

Now the dilemma: To configure the wireless router I need to access both the desktop and the laptop computer while I'm on the phone with the techie guru from India. I can configure just the laptop, but if I get the desktop working after that I'll have to get on the phone AGAIN with the Indian techie guru and spend another agonizing hour or longer and PLEASE JUST MAKE IT STOP ALREADY!

So.....before I call the Indian techie guru to set up the wireless router I have to get down in the floor and dismantle all the wires from my hard drive, then try to troubleshoot what's wrong with it. If it's beyond my abilities to fix I've got a few options, but not many.

The hard drive is 7 years old and that's ancient for a computer. My brother in law, Johnny, works on computers for himself, family and friends and he may be able to help IF it's nothing too involved and IF he has the parts. My computer is obsolete so it's impossible to find new parts; Johnny will have to see if he has an old computer there that he can salvage parts from or it's hopeless.

I sure can't afford to take it to a computer shop, and besides that, they'd be in the same boat concerning obsolete parts.

So if the desktop is declared officially dead I'll be in the market for a new or used desktop computer. Of course FREE is always good too.

I need a desktop computer for my printer and my scanner. It kind of defeats the purpose to have a laptop and a wireless router if you're still confined to a desk with the laptop.

To complicate matters, my desktop is Windows XP and my printer and scanner are compatible with it, so I'm not sure if they'll even hook up to this laptop which is Vista. I think they will, but I'm hoping I don't have to find out for sure. I do know some of the plugins are different from the desktop to the laptop.

Until I either get the desktop going, replaced or hook up the printer to the laptop, I can't use my printer. Plus I'd have to load the software for the printer drivers, etc.

It's just a big mess, y'all. And the whole situation just makes my head hurt with all the uncertainty and the techie stuff just isn't my cup of tea. *Sigh...............*So that's what's happening in my world. I hope things are a lot less complicated in your world. Now I'm going to go take a shower and decide what to cook for supper tonight, then play with Emmy and forget all this computer stuff for a while. It'll still be there when I get ready to deal with it, I'm sure.

And I want to make it plain that in spite of the computer woes, I know that I'm Blessed Beyond Measure, to quote a dear blogging friend of mine who used that as her blog title for a long time. If my computer problems are the worst thing I have to deal with anytime soon, I am more than blessed.Y'all have a great Saturday and a blessed Sunday. May God meet all your needs and may you have enough to share.

33 comments:

Betty said...

Hi Diane, My name is Betty I have been reading your blog for a while I thought it was time I posted a comment. I just read the 100 things about you we seem to have a lot of things in common except I would take eggplant over okra any day. I really like your blog.Your Sunday dinners sound wonderful.

Susie said...

Hi Diane,
We just got home from D's LL game and I was surprised to see your post up already. Having time with grandchldren is a very good reason to avoid the computer! I know Jess & Jason will enjoy the time they spend celebrating his birthday.
Hope you have a wonderful time with sweet Miss Emmy :)
Our Sunday dinner will be at C's. She told me today she's making a Greek themed meal, so I have to come up with a dessert to go with that. I'm thinking something lemony?
Have a great weekend!
xoxo

Sam said...

Hi Diane!

Your Sunday dinner sounds delicious! I've made your Texas Hash many times and we just love it around here!

It's so nice you're taking Emmy for the night! I hope you all have a wonderful sleepover. I also hope Jason has a great birthday.

Your computer problems sound dreadful. I am so bad with things like that. I don't have a mind for it and just need someone else to take care of it. I really hope it works out easily for you and that you don't need an entirely new computer. Who can afford something like that right now?!

Have a wonderful weekend, Diane!

Lots of love.

Mother Mayhem said...

Ham. :o)

Betty said...

Hi Diane,

I'm sure you will find plenty to fix for Sunday dinner if you have quite a few people show up. They all know they can count on you.

Enjoy your time with Emmy. These grandkids all grow up way too fast. Then they don't want to spend time with grandparents.

Computers are fun until they start giving trouble. Then you are right. They can be a pain in the rump!!! LOL!!

Karen H. said...

Good Evening Diane,
I seen on Facebook where your post was up early, so I decided to come pay you a visit. That is so sweet of you to keep Miss Emmy overnight so Jason and Jessica can go out and enjoy their time together to celebrate Jason's Birthday. I know Miss Emmy will keep you busy and occupied. I've never had the Texas Hash before,but I may have to check out your recipe sometime to see if it is something the girls would like to eat. I talked to them a bit ago and they were waiting on their supper at Sadie's Restaurant. (That's my mom's first name, so I guess they decided to go ea there. LOL) and they said it was snowing up in Branson. They said it wasn't sticking because it was too wet. They will be home sometime tomorrow afternoon. I sure have missed them. I sure hope you can get your computer fixed. The one I had before I got my new one was a Windows Me. It was so outdated and no more updates were available for it. I bought this Dell at Wal-Mart and it has both Window XP and Vista. You can switch from one to the other. Freebies are always nice. LOL. It sure has been windy today and turned colder now as well. The radar is showing some snow or mix to the west of Batesville. I missed the weather at 6:00p.m. because I was cooking and washing dishes. Me and hubby had t.v. dinners for your supper tonight. I had fixed a late, late Brunch today that consisted of Turkey Sausage and scrambled eggs and biscuits. I added some fresh herbs and other seasonings to the Turkey Meat and the eggs as well and made like some Breakfast Sandwiches. They were pretty good. I also did one load of laundry and here in a bit I'm going to take me a shower so I can say I've has my Saturday night bath. LOL. I don't know what I will be fixing tomorrow, probably sandwiches since the girls wont be home for lunch. Hubby's vacation is coming to an end in the morning at 6:00a.m. He will have to leave back out going to work. I'm going to really miss him after having him home for 9 days. His back is so much better also. Take care my friend and have a great evening and a Blessed sunday. May GOD BLess you and yours.
Love,
Karen H.

Mary said...

Diane,

I hadn't decided what to have for Sunday dinner, but you gave me a craving for mac and cheese, so maybe that's what we'll have. Like you, end of month is always a challenge.

Sorry to hear about your computer woes. I have an Acer desktop that was brand new last August and it is already acting a bit weird. Go figure. I hope you're able to get yours fixed.

Take care and enjoy your time with Emmy. I had Jordan yesterday, as he wasn't feeling well, and both of the boys today.

Blessings,
Mary

Dawn said...

We're just going to have chicken quesadillas and tacos. Simple and fast.

Have fun with Emmy - the car seat thing is a hassle, which is why I've been fortunate to get car seats from Freecycle and other ways that didn't cost me. So I run around with 4 car seats in my minivan.

I would not have a clue which wire to mess with, so am thankful I don't have to. We have a techie nephew and some guys at church that are willing to help as well.

Have a great Sunday, whatever happens and whoever shows up!

Lucy Stern said...

Your dinner sounds really good, Diane. I think I want to cook some pintos in the crock pot....I have a nice ham hock that I can put in to season the beans...I make a salad and some cornbread....

I know that you will have fun with Miss Emily and will probably be ready to give her back Sunday afternoon....It seems the older we get the quicker we tire out...I hope Jason and Jessica have wonderful time together to celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday, Jason!

I don't know what to say about your computer except, I am glad it is your problem and not mine....lol. Good luck!

I am glad that you recognize how blessed you are, I feel the same way about me too...The Lord has blessed us greatly....Thank you, Lord. Have a great week.

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday to Jason!!! Gee, to be 21 again, huh? I can remember my 21st birthday....many years ago! LOL

You are having more than your share of computer problems. Mine wasn't powering up, either, and I discovered it was the cord! If it gets bent a certain way, it won't power up. I move it and bend the cord, and it starts right up! I think the cats have been behind there playing! So I had to tape the plexiglas to to the scanner/tower cabinet to keep them out from behind there. I had to get a big sheet of plexiglas when they kept chewing through my cords! One day I had no fax and also no phone! They had chewed through both of those cords! And now they have chewed the cable to my Xerox printer, and that is one heavy cable...I hate the thought of even buying a new one of those! $$$ I don't use that big printer much, anyhow. I have another one I use for the business...until they get to that cord.

Your dinner sounds so inviting! At the end of the month like that, maybe everyone who comes to eat could each bring a dish. All the cooking wouldn't fall on your shoulders that way, and especially at the end of the month when supplies are kind of sparse before grocery shopping. I posted a good chicken recipe on my blog the other day. I thought it was good and so easy to put together, too. I'm not cooking anything tomorrow...may run out and pick up something at one of the restaurants and bring it back. I will be working on newsletters and no time to cook. This is my 'crunch' time again...deadline coming up!

I don't believe you've been to visit me lately to see the mess I have been in....it's getting better now. Someday....I will finish that bathroom! LOL I don't work as fast (or as steady) as I did when I was in my 20's! ha-ha

((( HUGS )))

Raymonty said...

Thank you for sharing and don't eat to much. . . . . . . I buy cheap computers so that when one goes down, I have a back-up to keep going on the Internet.

Hootin Anni said...

Texas Hash sounds perfect. I think I'll be cooking up a batch of chicken fajitas tonight. And some refried beans [which I love].

Oh man....just the mention of the Indian computer guru makes my stomach churn. I know just what you mean by all this. It's so frustrating.

Granny said...

Sorry about your computer woes. I know the feeling well.

I make a version of your Texas hash too but I just call it "glop". Today's dinner is a reprise of yesterday. Meat loaf, taters, homemade slaw. Banana bread for dessert.

I made add another veggie if we're hungry enough.

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Your computer problems sounds like a nightmare. Hope they work out soon.
As usual your dinner sounds downright good!

I am sure you will have lots of fun with Emmy, don't these little ones keep us busy trying to keep up with all there activities?

Iris

Linda said...

Hi Diane,
I think it is cool enough here to have a nice big bowl of soup one more time before the hot weather arrives. So....lentil soup tonight.
It makes me nervous just reading about your computer woes. You are much more computer savy than I am - and you're having trouble. I can't imagine what I would do if mine suddenly wouldn't power up.
I really would like to get a laptop, but the thought of actually getting set up with a new computer scares me to death. I really love the idea of being able to have the computer wherever I am. I don't have the least idea where to begin. I don't even know which laptop is best, and is Vista okay (I've heard so many complaints.)
Anyway....enough of that stuff. Enjoy that precious little girl today.

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane, I haven't commented for quite some time so....hello from north Idaho. I do read you every week even if I don't leave a comment...lurking, I guess it's called. You are so funny! I am thinking that you have been gifted with a great sense of humor, in addition to hospitality and encouragement among other things. V from n. Idaho Yep, still snowing here!

kkryno said...

Hi, Diane!

Sorry to hear that you are having more computer woes! Not fair. It seems like the computer monster is always lurking, trying to spoil the fun!

Sounds like Sunday dinner at your house will be a great one again.

We're going to have baked chicken with rice, green beans and bacon, and a nice salad. I've really been craving salad so I guess that's a good excuse to break out the salad spinner! Well, that and the fact that K. and my waist-lines are turning into waist-lands!
Maybe I should skip the bacon! lol

Anyway, have fun with Emmy; and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, Vikki.

Jess said...

Thank you for keeping Em...I'm glad that she was so good and did so well.

Like i said since she did so good, we may do that more...money allowing of course...lol

Love you and thanks
Jessica

Carole Burant said...

KFC...I'm on strike today so that's what I'm going to go pick up for dinner! lol

I will have to go over to Jess' blog after this so that I can wish Jason a Happy Birthday:-) How lovely that you got to keep Emmy while they went out, they certainly deserve this little break! I'm so looking forward to the days when Lily is old enough to come stay here:-)

Oh dear, that IS quite the dilemma you're having with the laptop, desktop and router! My desktop is over 9 years old and although it isn't giving me any problems yet, I'm glad to also have my new laptop to use "just in case" the desktop goes because like you, the parts are now obsolete for it. Although...I'll have the same problem you do with the scanner and printer! OY! Hope you can get it all figured out soon so your head won't hurt anymore! lol xoxo

Brenda said...

That's too bad you're still having to deal with all the mess. Maybe your BIL could help you with the router too?
We're just having good ol' tacos this evening for dinner. Mexican food is a staple around here!
Have a blessed and Productive week, Diane!
Hugs

Gigi said...

Ugh - computers! Some days the aggravations outweigh the pleasures...hope your problems are resolved soon!

I know you had a great time with your little Emmy...aren't grandbabies the BEST??!!

I wish you a blessed week, my friend!

MightyMom said...

I don't want to scare you or anything....


BUT



when we bought our new desktop our printer and monitor were just fine.....and the printer was only a couple years old....



BUT




we were told that we would have to buy a new printer and monitor as Vista wouldn't run the ones we had.


BUT



the package was actually cheaper than just the CPU and monitor so we went ahead and did the package instead of risking it.


BUT


I love my allin1 so I guess it was worth it after all.



GOOD LUCK!!

The Old Gray Mare said...

I hope you enjoyed your time with Emmy. They can be a handful at that age, so full of energy & curiosity, but they see no danger. Lots of preciousness & fun, nevertheless!

Your Sunday dinner always sounds so good. Usually we just have frozen pizzas on Sunday.

Oh how I sympathize with your computer troubles!

Ours also was 7 or 8 years old (we bought it at a yard sale), and the guy working on it couldn't find the parts to fix it. And it needed a lot of new parts.

It did the same thing yours is doing as far as it booted up just fine and then the next time it was dead.

We ended up buying a new one and that's not all bad. Except the expense, of course. ;o)

I hope you have a great week!

TorAa said...

Hi,
long time since my last visit.
It seems you are the same busy bee like allways.
You Sunday Dinners are really something .

Sorry, with your computer problems. It's so disturbing. I know how it feels when the adrenalin increases due to some PC and Network problems.
My PC have shut down twice this Day due to "Severe errors". And my wireless connection interferes with some neighbours. So i've gone back to the old cable. It's safer and faster.

Lib said...

Hi Diane,
Trying to catch up Again!
Hope ya'll had fun with The Little Princess:o)
I fixed a Shep. pie, and Buttermilk cornbread for dinner.
Have a great wk.
Love,Hugs,Blessins',Lib

Barb said...

Your computer woes are giving ME a headache, so I can imagine how good it feels on your end. What a mess. I hope your desktop hasn't bitten the dust.

It's Monday of course, but since I'm pretending it's still Sunday, why, here I am, right on time. I made a special dinner for Rob's birthday - marinated flank steak.

I hope you have a nice quiet week and I hope you solve some of the computer problems. Mine is five years old, so I have a feeling I'm not far behind you. Sigh.

miss G said...

hEY sISTER fRIEND
mY HEART SKIPPED A BEAT, I thought you were going to close off and have no contact at all by the sounds of it , I cetainly hope you can get it all worked out ,I know it is awful when you have to stand on one leg ,unplug the puter jump three times with the cord in your mouth and hold the phone trying to understand the technology rambled out with a thicker accent than ours LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL and then do it AGIN !LMBO
stressful puter problems !, good luck ,hopefully it is not to painful this time :-) I think I would go in withdrwals without you on here /FB etc.
I wish I was a computer Uh , (politically correct here LOL) a person with extreme computer knowledge ,that could fix any existing problem one might have :-)with the greatest of ease ;-)
I would share my wealth of knowledge .Unfortunately I find things out by fluke /luck and perserverance :-)

I wish you luck and sending loads of sugar for Lil Emmy xoxxo a little dusting for you too XOXOX


Greeneyes

kansasrose said...

Hi hon,

Late as usual commenting...your dinner sounded delicious as always.

I LOVE your Texas Hash. It's a big hit here. Dh said he could "run away with ya". Your homestyle recipes are what my farm-man said he grew up on...except there wasn't that special added 'southun' touch. ;)

My puter is starting to act up now. ( is this catching?) It's a Dell and 6 years old and has had the p*** worked out of it. It's about ready to give up the ghost. I keep talkin' real nice to it, encouraging it to hang in there. lol. I can't afford a new one right now.

Happy birthday to your sweet son in law! 21 is a good age. Hope Jess and Jason had a nice celebration. You is a good granny too...looking after little Emmy so her parents can have a nice evening out. I'm sure Emmy and her gran and gramps had a lovely visit!:)

Have a blessed week dear friend,

Love, Jen

Rachel said...

I'm sure your Sunday dinner was great Diane! I've already forgotten what I had now! It was fast food though. Pretty typical for my Sunday dinner I'm afraid.

I bet you had a great time with Miss Cute Emmy!!

Sorry about your computer problems. I hope things get worked out easily for you. I need to take my desktop one in for some work. I think it's caught a bug of some sort. I'm so thankful for my computer guy!! He built my first computer for me and hooked it all up, and he gives lifetime support over the phone. I don't think I could handle talking to some foreign person over the phone about it. Arghhh!!

Hope you find an easy solution!!

Hugs,
Rachel

nancy said...

Aaaarrrrgggghhh. Computer problems are such a bane to me, I got a headache just hearing about yours. Here's hoping you'll be able to salvage it.
sorry I haven't been around much, but we're still busy making a house a home, if you know what I mean.
Having lots of fun, though!
Hope all is well with you.
Love,
Nancy

Mim said...

HI Diane,
I like you hate spending hours on the phone trouble shooting electronic problems or receiving bills that are wrong and needing to make these long lengthy calls.. urghgh.
Hope your computer problems are getting solved.

Girl Raised in the South said...

First - love seeing the dogwood blossoms on your template - they are dogwood, right? Second - I had a friend suggest to me that I go to www.freecycle.com to give away some things when we move, and I've got to think there are people out there who want to get rid of an old desktop since you not only cant sell them for much of anything but you also cant just get rid of them. I'd also check www.craigslist.org and click on wherever is closest to you - there's bound to be another desktop dirt cheap - hope the suggestions unearth a good deal for you! xoxox

Sister said...

Hey Diane,

Happy weekend! :)

xo