Computer Issues--Bummer!!!!

I can not believe it has been so long since I blogged, but a lot has happen the past couple of weeks.  When I came back from having Thanksgiving in Oklahoma City, everything fell to pieces.  We had a wonderful time visiting Kate and her boyfriend in Oklahoma.  Chris, Kate, Jarod and I went to a Thunder basketball game, had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, and did some Black Friday shopping.  We made it back from Oklahoma on  Saturday, so I finished unpacking, and settling back into my routine of getting ready for Monday.  Sunday was not a normal day because it started out by my son finding a cow dead in the field. Sunday night was another story in it self.  I am not sure what time all the craziness start but it was late.  The first thing I notice was the refrigerator started clicking off and on, while the security light outside dimmed then lit up again.  It was around 9:30 when I called the eclectic company to report what was going on with the power.  The lady who worked in dispatch said they would send somebody to check out the problem.  So Monday rolled around, then Tuesday I ended up with the flu which brings me to Wednesday.  I started to feel better Wednesday afternoon, so I decided to vacuum the floor.  When I turned on the vacuum the main computer exploded with smoke bellowing out of the back.  I brought the computer this year at Best Buy.  I called the eclectic company again on Friday to have someone come out to look at the problem I was experiencing earlier in the week.  Well long story short the linesmen told me I have been pulling only 40 amps of eclectic when I should be pulling at least 100 amps.  They suggested a major upgrade as soon as possible.  Okay that explains why I have not posted lately.  Right now I am using someone else computer to post this blog.  Now for my comment on last weeks last class......  I have learned so much from listening to the speakers on TED Talks.  It is awesome to listen to what others have to say on the subject of technology and the ways it has been use for their different purposes.  I feel making children culturally aware of the world around us is very important.  By this I mean, seeing children from other countries or another states interacting in school.  Technology has helped in so many ways with children's learning either with Math, Reading or Social Studies.  Smart boards, Digital projectors, are just a few to enhance a child's world.  This semester has gone so fast I can not believe it, plus this has been one of my favorite classes not only because of the teacher but the students too.   

Chapter 9...and Skype chat

What would we do without the Internet?????? Personally, I think looking for a good blog is hard work.  Reading through so many blogs to find the one of interests is very tedious.  My son kept saying "When are you going to get off the computer?"  Now I know another reason to consider buying a laptop.   The Skype chat with Mrs. Mimi was intriguing to listen too.  I have to agree with her opinion about teachers and technology.  I think the biggest factor is finding the TIME to learn new technologies to incorporate in the classroom.  Over the past weekend I was trying to figure out now to make a lesson plan into a powerpoint. 

chapter 8...blog, blog, blog

I always enjoy listening to the Ted Talks in class.  I like how you share your different points of view in class.  This past week has been very with school and college.  I have been a little more stress lately because of the big change in my life.  Plus it has been hard for me to concentrate, my mind is thinking all the time.  Could this be because of the unknown, more responsibility, on top of it will I be able to make it on my salary?  I think women just naturally think a lot, along with the worrying thing.   The second mortgage has to be paid off by the end of this year which will exhaust a large portion of money I have left in the bank.  I know I am going to make it, I just have to keep telling myself.  The big lesson I have learned from this experience is you never know what is going to happen from day to day.  You don't always have a warning before tragedy will strikes. To make sure you have enough life insurance to cover your house and other expenses.  At my age I do not qualify for survivor's benefit. because my children are to old and I am not at retirement age, nor will I be for a long time.  That is not fair especially if a women has never work outside the home.  They could lose everything they worked so hard to get. Sometimes the unknown is scary and exciting at the same time.  I am so grateful for each day of my life and the following days to come. I have been following three blogs of women who stay home with their young children.  Two are former teachers I have worked with at W.R.  The one teacher is living in Florida and the other is in Bella Vista.  Cassie the one in Florida talks about how crazy her life is with three little boys at home.  She talks about cleaning her house all the time and get together with other couples who have  small children too.  Susan the one in Bella Vista just found out her little boy has MS.  She talks about the difficulty and gets excited about the process he is making toward his goals.  The other girl has five children and writes articles for a parent magazine. The two other blogs I follow is the American Diabetes Association which keeps me posted on the happenings with the association.  Then the last blog is of course Ms. Mimi.  I love her frankness about teaching.  I have learned a lot in this class by listening to others comments or  points of view.  I love reading Shelli's blog because of her expressive language.  I would love to have a gift of writing like hers.  Writing my thoughts down come extremely hard for me.  I would like it to flow smoother when I write which is not the cause for me.  Maybe I am just plain insecure about my writing.    bye for now

Another picture slideshow by Smilebox

Chapter 7

At our school we use both administrative software and academic software. On the library computer I use the administrative software for my reports. When I first started in the library (13 years ago) we had to do all the reports by hand. Now with the new software in place and a couple of clicks with the mouse I have the reports ready in no time. When I did after school a couple of years ago, the kids love to Poptropica. I've been playing it a little but with all the extra responsibility around the farm and helping my son with his college work I find little time for myself. The kids and I went to Springdale Arkansas Saturday for the American Diabetes Assocation Tour-de-cure/Step Out Event. We volumteered our time in the food service department early in the morning. We had to be there by 6:00 am to make the coffee, then on to the running/walking event. It was fun to be around people who were working for the the same cause. You never know what you will be hand in live. So live each day like it is your last time on earth. Now I know what it means when you have a heavy heart. I can actually feel it, like there is something missing. Sorry about the spelling on my presentation....."communicate." I thought I checked the spelling.....but I guess I didn't!!!!!!! MY BAD

Chapter 6 reflection

I am pretty familar with the Digital tools they talked about in chapter six. I am very lucky because working as a Library Assistant I have to be up on the new equipment. Before the teachers had Whiteboards in their class we had one in the library. So I had to learn how to connect it to everything like the laptop computer and projector. There is so much technology out in the world, it is a little overwhelming. A teacher told me a several years ago she wasn't going to invest in a digital camera. I couldn't believe she said something so cazy, but I guess she was scare to try something new????? I love new technology but it can be frustrating when you don't understand it. My son just brought a wireless router for his PS3. The instrucions were very simple but we couldn't get it to work. A friend came over to help but they still couldn't figure it out. There is 27/7 tech support but you have to answer a bunch of question and you still don't have a number to call. In technology I want everything to be as simple as possible!!!!!!!! I think time is a big component or factor in life. Do you think we are always in hurray any more. It feels like it to me. Hurray to get this done, to learn, to get somewhere or to make something. Is it my age that is getting in the way... I hope not......

Chapter 5 and CoolTools

Chapter 5 was a great review on computers. I really loved working on Web site CoolTools. I put together a slideshow which is what I've been doing most of the night. It takes so long to download pictures. Hopefully it will work..... Let me know what you think.




http://www.photoshow.com/watch/KK8tw7hm