Mom's old laptop decided to give up the ghost this month, as well. I think it was older than my old desktop, and that's 7 or 8 years. That is a good long life for a computer, especially one that gets hauled on various vacations every year. So, back to Fry's to buy a third computer in 2 months. They need to set up a frequent buyer program for me LOL (at least I didn't have to pay for this one)
I originally had my eye on another Toshiba, which is the brand she previously owned. They had a great deal on a really nice machine. Once we got there though, D (who is a deal locating fool) spotted an Acer for $399. Almost all the same specs, but minus the webcam. You know, Mom really doesn't need a webcam :-P I called my brother-in-law for confirmation, since he is our hardware guru & I am unfamiliar with Acer as a brand. He gave that laptop a thumbs up so that is the one I got.
(D has a friend who has been looking for a laptop, as well, so he called to tell him about the deal. Since the friend was out of town, we put one on hold, with a wireless mouse)
I knew setting up the computer, especially with Vista, would take time - so I decided to just take care of that before I deliver it to her. The more I played with it, the more I liked it. Very happy with the choice, and I think she will be, too...especially at the reduced price. The touchpad is very sensitive, though, so I am glad we set a mouse aside for D's friend. Mom uses a corded mouse so she will be fine.
After just a few hours, I am ready to give the Acer a thumbs up, as well.
The problem came when D's friend sent his mother to pick up the computer that we put on hold - it wasn't there. They said that they hold for 48 hours, and she drove all the way from Surprise to get it, so I was upset. I hate to think of her dealing with trying to sort it out. After about 30 minutes of her getting the run around, D talked to one of the salesmen on the phone and got it straightened out. They gave her one they had in the back *eye roll* Should not have been that difficult.
Cut to us reading the paper later where I see Fry's has a sweet Toshiba on sale for $379. I would've just told her to grab that one instead and saved her the headache. *forehead slap*
UPDATE: Wow, what a rambling, disorganized post. Stream of consciousness... -)
...one of these - though I have nowhere to put it.
Once again we go to the Gotta-Have-It file and find a product with beauty & brains: The Dooney & Bourke Limited Edition Portable Reader
Mmmmm, gorgeous!
via those lovely ladies at Shiny Shiny
From the absolutely gotta have it file, colored bubbles - Zubbles
Check out the glorious blue, or go really red, even pretty purple is available.
Far too much fun. If they find a way to make them glow in the dark or blacklight reactive, I will be beside myself with joy.
I used to like Target.
Now, however, they are playing a major role in subjecting the world to the moron known as David Blaine. Though they claim to be doing it with charitable intent, I can no longer shop at their stores.
Just, eeewwww!
Sportsman's Warehouse is having their annual "We Pay Your Tax" sale through Nov 17th - at least in Arizona (also AR, IN, MN, PA, NV, NM, SD, UT, & WA)
Time to stock up.
I have always had a very soft spot for watches (OK, clocks, too) - I used to collect them. I eventually gave in to the practicality of just using my cell phone.
Now I find ScarlettSusi over at ShinyShiny has very similar leanings - and she's posted a watch that I MUST HAVE.
OK, $150 for a product I'll rarely use is steep - but it is cool. If it was a clock it would be irresistible.
I like ice cream.
I like pasta.
Not so sure this would ever have occurred to me, though.
I have always wanted an ice cream maker, I think because of my sister. She was the perfect wife/mother/homemaker/hostess and always had tubs homemade ice cream in several flavors when she hosted the summer birthday parties at her house (it is now my house).
I even put one on my wish list.
As I was walking through WalMart today (needed bird cage stuff that they didn't have) I found a Rival 4 quart ice cream maker on clearance. Had to get it at that price.
So begins my search for rock salt. The staff at WalMart didn't think they even carried it. They do, I found the empty spot on the shelf where it should be. Tried Safeway, they don't - not enough demand, they said. Hrrmmph.
I will let you know if it is as yummy as I remember, if I ever get to try it out.
I recently had a couple of experiences worth noting:
I purchased a used CD from an Amazon seller. Great price on a discontinued product I've been wanting. The seller sent an email to notify me when the CD was shipped (8/28/06) and it arrived promptly (9/2/06). Just what I would hope for, but not always what I get. I am able to give Avept a definite thumbs up.
I decide against PodFitness, it just isn't what I was hoping for. However, between the 1 month free trial and the easy cancelation, I give them a thumbs up, as well. I paid for a month, but found I wasn't really making use of it. I went online, clicked the "Cancel My Membership" link and I was done. No muss, no fuss - no hoops to jump through. Again, just what I would hope for, but not what I am used to.
Some of you may remember that I like to collect the fortunes out of my fortune cookies, I've always planned on using them in some creative way.
Well, Amy Peters did just that with her favorite fortunes. Very cute idea.
(Hat Tip to ShinyShiny)
If you are going to be a clock watcher, you might as well make it worth watching - like this very cool cube clock.
I have been considering a web enabled phone lately, and I am leaning towards T-Mobile and their MDA handset. The plan seems pretty reasonable, and the phone is cool.
Besides, the Shiny girls seem to like it.
Are any of you familiar with this set up, or do you use one like it?
As if we need another reason to stock up on pretty footwear, now the right shoe can banish bumpy thighs.
Just looking through US Weekly where they have a feature, T-Shirts For Every Budget.
The cheapest t-shirt they listed was $40.
$40 for a t-shirt - that's supposed to fit any budget?!?
Guess it's all in your view point.
I was taking advantage of the 24 hour WalMart (love that concept) to do a bit of Christmas shopping (so not in the mood for this). I finally made my way to the checkout behind a lady buying some goodies for her son - bike, stereo, MP3 player. Larger items that are generally security tagged. She was quite pleasant and friendly, there was no reason for what happened later.
After she was checked out and on her way, and the cashier was ringing up my purchases, I heard the alarm go off. Security tags, remember. So the cashier says, "I should have told her that would go off. Ah... F**k her".
I called the manager this morning to let her know and she had about the same reaction as everyone else I've told, "WHAT!?!" I hope she will actually have a talk with the girl, but I am not so sure. When she said "We will review the tapes to make sure she really said that" I sort of figured she was hedging her bets (do they really have tapes of all the cashiers?) but who knows.
As a side note, at the end of the conversation I said, "You have a happy Holiday" and she said "Merry Christmas" Yep, at WalMart.
I know need is an awfully strong word, and I know I won't actually wither up and die if I don't get one, but how fun is this thing?
I've seen it on the Think Geek site for a while now and tried to ignore it; frivolous, silly, kitschy..... But, I can't help it - too much fun. I need it.
What would you program into yours? (256 characters or less)
I realized that perhaps $900,000 is a bit much for a Christmas present, as much as I know Lori would enjoy it.
But then I found this ad, and think it might be more reasonable - do you think she would like it?
Holiday Throws - For SaleCan't you just imagine her curling up under that on a cold night? Anybody else want one?A friend of mine is selling throws. You know what they are, the thingy that you throw over your bed to keep you warm. I only have the one attached sample to show you now.
They are $133.00 each ---- I know it sounds expensive, but they are really good quality. I am getting 3 --- one for my bed, one for my sofa and one for traveling. With winter closing in and the holidays coming up they are a must have.
Take a look at the attached picture and let me know if you are interested.
Orders are due by this weekend!
But how can you possibly resist - they are too precious.
Oh, and they do have a practical side, too, if that is important to you.
I just pulled out a pair of my old jeans and was reminded why I love Levi's shrink-to-fit so much.
If 501's don't make your butt look fantastic, nothing will. Those things are like magic.
After Halloween costume sales at Trashy, Fredericks, The Castle Boutique, Anticipations.....
Via ShinyShiny: A cell phone for kids that seems to have all the right features. I love the idea of being able to get a hold of the kiddies at all times, and their not having an excuse for not checking in. I do, however, have a problem with the absolute dependence I see on constant digital communication in some youngsters. It seems they would rather sit around and text message the kid next door than go outside and talk to her. The Tic Talk seems perfect for the pre-teen set - communication, with parental parameters.
I had to run to WalMart tonight to pick up a couple of things and, of course, the lines were excruciatingly long...and that was at 9:00 p.m. The self-checkouts were closed, though I may have had some trouble there anyway since I had alcohol (I'll tell ya that story tomorrow) so I queued up a prepared for the wait.
But they have a new system. Now, I'm not claiming that I breezed through by any stretch of the imagination, but it would have been much longer if not for their new fangled ring-you-up-while-you're-in-line set up.
Basically, a checker with a rolling cart for bagging scans a card which she gives to you, then she scans and bags your stuff. You give the card to the cashier when you get there and all you have to do is pay. So while the 'real' cashier rings up the items of one customer, the traveling checker rings up the items for the customer behind - twice the scanning/ringing/bagging in the same amount of time. Yay!
I used to do this at my store after we got our fancy fabric scanners. They were "strictly to be used at the cutting table", but I soon found they had many, many more creative uses - better/faster customer service was just one of them.
I picked up my mom and step-dad from the airport this morning, after their 2 weeks in Hawaii. It was great to see them again, but it meant waking up at the crack of early. Since I was already up, I stopped by Goodwill on the way home to see if there was anything I had to have - after all it's half price day.
And there it was:
How kitschy, how cool, definitely one of the tackiest things I have ever seen - how perfect for the patio by the pool. I search and finally find it, the price tag: $9.99. You've got to be kidding me! I can take home this beautiful bit of decor for just $5! Oh yeah, Baby!
Oh wait, I have a Corolla. I can't take it anywhere.
Sigh......
Now here is an appliance I can get firmly behind!
Does that count as cooking?
ShinyShiny girls, coming up with another useless gadget I have to have
Oh yeah, that goes on my wish list.
The girls at ShinyShiny aren't too jazzed about this portable DVR, but I think it rocks...other than the plus sized price tag - ouch. (the current conversion rate makes that $1,042.98)
ShinyShiny (I love those girls) have a source for the cool fan from I, Robot. I remember seeing it in the movie and feeling an immediate desire. Ah, to be independently wealthy.
Of course, Star's fond memories from the movie involved that apartment, as well - but tend more toward the heating up, not cooling down. Perhaps for a future Some Days Reilly will consider Will Smith - and maybe she can find a still of that shower scene.
Those of you who know me know I love Barbie. Yeah, yeah, yeah - but I can't help it.
You may also know I love USB keys - love 'em.
So you know I gotta love this...
For those of you so inclined, there are some great military stickers and embellishments available for scrapbooks (or whatever) at Uniform Designs. You can find them in Arizona at these stores.
This is way cool - and it's pink.
I want one, but can't seem to find a way to add it to my wishlist....
Have I mentioned how much I love wish lists? I love being able to find gifts for someone else that I know they want, and I love getting surprises in my mailbox.
More details later
I couldn't help myself.
I don't know how I'll pay for it.
I know I'll cringe when the bill comes.
But...I needed it.
UPDATE: Looks like I am just part of a growing trend.
I got myself the 30 GB Creative Nomad from Fry's Electronics.
But the battery isn't charged yet...and I want to play
OK, now the girls at Shiny Shiny have tapped into my inner diva. How did they know I have a weakness for disco balls (yeah, that's right. Wanna make something out of it?) I even have a large one hanging in my office, and a table top version on my bookshelves. Love the sparkly little lights all over my room.
I'm not crazy about the version they show in their post, but I LOVE the mirror ball version. And it's USB powered.
I need this. No really, I do!
I am in love with USB keys - don't know why, but they get to me. In fact, SG gave me one over the Holidays just because he knew I liked them.(PNY 256mb with neck strap, very cool)
I also love digital cameras - who doesn't? - and enjoy a good webcam.
So how could I not be completely enamored of this - a digital camera/usb key/webcam. And it's cute.
I don't even have a baby and I want one of these.
I love my MP3 player - but it has it's limits. Storage limits, to be specific - oh, and it eats batteries like SG eats ice. (that's a lot)
I know an iPod would mitigate those problems, but the price.......
Looks like, if I can buy this here in the States, it would shave the cost a bit.
Lori recently posted about a new smelly product she was looking forward to - until they ran out. New product, already gone - either very poor planning or very popular product...or both.
It reminded me of the shop I found this summer called Everything Smells. You can shop by product or by scent. They don't have the Philosophy products, but they do have a great selection of other chocolate stuff.
and beach stuff
Everything from Almond to Wet Garden including (though I can't imagine why) beer and dill pickle
mmmmmm
I love Shiny, Shiny for many reasons: cool gizmos, hilarious commentary, and an unusal affinity for pinkness.....
How can you not smile when they make these stupid things sound like fun?
I recently got an MP3 player (I know, "don't buy stuff for yourself so close to Christmas") and I love it - so much music in such a tiny package.
But.....it could be better.
The player should be separate from the storage. Why can't I have a player that accepts any USB key that I want? I could then set up separate USB keys with different music and just plug in what I want, not have to hook up the player to my PC and change it out.
Playing it in my car should be simpler. It is a pain in the tush for most of my driving - short distances. I have to turn on the car adapter, then turn on the player and wait for it to get going, then hope I can get it to go through my radio. Unfortunately all the radio stations that the adapter uses are broadcasting here so I usually have static. Why can't I get an integrated player in my car that would just accept the USB keys like I mentioned above? Get in the car, plug in your tunes - good to go.
Or, apparently, I could just get an 20GB iPod with it's 5000 song storage capacity. That is almost enough to hold my whole CD collection. Or the 40GB iPod with its 10,000 song capacity. And I can put my calendar there. And my address book. and....
But I still like the USB key option.
I'm just sayin'....
I just got an email from Hallmark - I had no idea they did flowers
but they do
and they're pretty
Mom is a purple lover like me, I think she would love this one
Well, the Republican Meetup last night was small but interesting. I really enjoyed talking to the people who showed up. One of them was wearing really neat patriotic and "Support Our Troops" jewelry which her sister designed. Apparently, she is just getting started so doesn't have an online presence yet - but they are working on it.
If I get more info on purchasing, or even just pictures, I will let you guys know - they were great and they made me smile. I want, I want, I want!!!