Our new mac toy

I have a long and sordid story to tell about all the troubles we've had with crappy computer components. But I'll save you 20 years worth of grief and just speed up to yesterday's exciting instalment.

I went to work yesterday, bringing my son along as school is out. (YES!) We packed up the 'ol laptop and some movies so he could sit in the lunchroom while I wallpapered yet another firetruck.

But... troubles galore hit us from all directions.

I brought the wrong laptop. Oh yes. We have TWO crappy loaners to choose from. One runs at 60% capacity and I grabbed the one at 3%.


I brought the wrong cord. We have a few of those as well. Mix and match you know.


So we borrowed a cord. Strobe light type of connect but if you held it just right...


Ahhhh. Of course. Crappy 3% laptop  doesn't accept dvd movies. Riiiiiight.....


I looked around the extreme mess we'd made of the lunchroom with our jury rigged system and before I mustered a temper tantrum, I simply and calmly resolved to be

DONE. SO DONE.

I announced to my son we were heading to the Mac store  for a new laptop. NOW.

Ever make a very big decision in 30 minutes flat from start to finish? That's so not me but it was yesterday.  I basically blew in those doors with my debit card ready to burst into flames. My firetruck was waiting and my boy needed his movies!

We ended up choosing a new 13" MacBook Pro. My intent was to get a $500 refurbished variety. Until I saw the new screens.

Don't even THINK about old technology! Go for the LED screen.

Plan B was officially in full effect and this laptop became MUCH more than just a means to entertain a 12 yr old.

This thing is itty bitty to me. At a whoppin' 13", it's pretty compact. I REALLY wanted the 15" screen but I also had to accept some reality. Price AND portability. This thing was a lot more compact to cart around. And that's the whole point this round.

(truth be told? The 15" in my price range was sold out.. )

No matter. This will also be my new Starbucks laptop. :) For now. Until, you know, I can spring for that 15" screen for myself and all...

Gotta tell ya, I really hate laptops because of their keyboards. I always use to bring a full size honkin' keyboard with me when using the others. Not cool.

Until my fingers landed on this one.

The keys 'feel' rubbery to the touch and grab your fingers. LOVE them. They also have tiny led lights under them so you can see at night. It's pretty cool. :)

Got a mouse too. The cord is on the short side for right handers though, so not sure what's up with that. I like the cordless varieties but dislike worrying about changing batteries on the road. We went easy this round.

Easy to buy and quality all the way

What I really like about buying from Mac is the fact that your options are bundled and limited. You decide what you need, then decide if the price is ok for your budget. If not, there are others to choose from.  But you KNOW everything is top of the line no matter what you choose. And that makes me hand over my money in comfort.

I'm also a Mac fan because of how easy they are to navigate. I have to know too much with PC's. I don't want to know lots. I just want to punch typing keys, load my pics and have fun, ya know?

We did not go with all the bells and whistles because my son may need a laptop for school next year. I decided on this purchase with that in mind. Maybe by that time I can have my own...

My boy thoroughly enjoyed his new movie experience! The screen clarity is like looking outside. I liken it to HD TV. Crystal sharp and clear. I beg you to go check out what I'm talking about next time you're in the market for a computer/laptop. Because I want any blogger that messes with photos to see what I'm talking about.

This thing will also be so fun to take camping with us. :)

The next recycle depot run will make me smile from ear to ear. And I'll make sure we make a stop at Starbucks with the new laptop to celebrate it all. :)

I'm pretty frugal. But one thing I won't be frugal about is good money well spent. Whether it be PC or Mac will be your call to make. Stay current and you'll love blogging all the more.

(Mac doesn't know who I am or what I did. I bought this baby with my own money.)

What's your last heat of the moment purchase?

You vs. the computer; who's the boss?

Can you spot what's missing from this picture?

Excuse the bad photo, but it's nighttime and changes happen here 24/7.

Here's the shot you're use to seeing. 

 If you guessed my computer, you would be right. The Mac is currently residing in my downstairs office short term.

I'm having trouble with the wireless router staying online so I'm fiddling with things downstairs to see if I can improve the issue until my new router arrives.

The picture totally makes me smirk...

What do you think these two are thinking? Or saying to each other? Can two very different worlds AND generations get along?

First thing that came to mind would be them slingin' corny zingers...

:)

What's the result of the computer ALL THE WAY downstairs anyway?

I don't like it.

It's too far away from the action of everyday life. 

It's an effort to run downstairs and do stuff on.

I miss my crutch.

Crutch? Yeah. Crutch.

You see, since this thing's been out of sight, out of mind, I've been... doing stuff. Stuff other people without blogs do.

I love escaping online as an excuse to run from stuff I dislike. And I do it far too often.

Case in point. 

*I use to be able to keep up to the gardening outdoors. Reality check: I'm light years away from being remotely ready for summer. And it's already summer. Whoops...

*I use to envy those with clean homes and wonder how they do it. But I get it now. They have time to clean. Huh...

Scout's honor... my house has never been cleaner. I come around the corner and BAM.. Clean view + short term memory = where am I?!?

And I like it.

The moral here

Make sure you're living life, then bringing your stories online, rather than the other way around. 

If you're sitting in front of your computer stressing that you have nothing to blog about, you aren't living.

If you refuse to open your front door due to the mess to even a burglar, you aren't living.

Life, THEN a story. I think that's what blogging use to be all about, remember?

And you may even get a clean house out of the deal.

 downstairs

upstairs

Do you let the net take over your life?

How do you fight the 'urge'?

Other blog tips can be found HERE.

Giveaway winners for Silhouette and Shandell's

Who won?!? Who won?!? 

The below lucky gals won, that's who! 

But first...

My take on these items

I really enjoyed both these giveaways. I found them equally useful and both offered free reign of one's own creativity as the only limit. I hope to bring more like minded giveaways on board that help us achieve more beautiful and inspiring homes.

Do you sell an item that falls in this category? Check out the advertising packages avail HERE.

If you don't win, I'm sorry. :( 

But... good news! Both these items are on sale for a VERY short time!

#343 as per random.org (forgot to screen shoot it)

Rachelle was saying she'd like to make signs all over her house. I'd say Rachelle is certainly on the right track to accomplishing just that. Lucky girl. :)

Congrats Rachelle! You are going to love creating with this amazing machine.

I'll have Silhouette contact you. :)

Silhouette special

1 Silhouette SD

2 Packages Temporary Tattoo Paper

for $199 

(US only)

  

That’s a $120 savings! Plus...

25% off all other products 

in the Silhouette shop (excluding gift cards and download codes) 

Offer until June 29.  That's tomorrow!

Use code FUNKY JUNK to get the deal.

Click the above button to order.

 Linda, I hope you have that ball jar ready because your wish just came true. :)

Congrats! I'll have Susan from Shandell's email you so you can swap info. :)

Shandell's special

10% off 

any of the 6 lighting kits avail!

(US and Canada)

Offer until July1st

Use code funkyjunk (no spaces) to get the deal.

Click the above logo to order.

Congrats to both lucky winners!

I really REALLY hope you'll post about your wins and what you do with your new treasures. I'd love to share them. :)

And a very special thanks to both Silhouette and Shandell's for their generosity!

Stay tuned for more reviews and tutorials on both items above.

Junky picket phone organizer

I seem to collect pickets. 

I found two really large pickets at the curb last year. One of them was used for my picket toolbox.

Picket toolbox... do you name all your projects strange names too? Maybe it's just a junk thing...

Anyway, here's the other. HUGE.

What's that thing stuck to it you ask?

It's an old door hinge welded into this position. I had it on another project and it proved to be perfect for my new game plan.

This is my sign shop office downstairs. And I know how to make a paperwork mess like the best of them.

So in order to clear up some desk real-estate, I decided I needed to hang my phone list and notepad on the wall somehow.  And that itty bitty wall space would prove to be just right.

Ohhh... isn't he handsome? :)

I love this old style clipboard. The metal works AND woodwork are absolutely gorgeous.

So I thought this would be a great place to hang my phone list. The clipboard is really meant for notes, but I have my own special system for notes that's more efficient I'll tell ya about in a minute.

As luck would have it, I found this old relic at a thrift. It's a hole puncher I paid a whoppin' buck for that fits the antique clipboard! YES. No more hole alignment guessing.

Perfect. :)

In order to protect some personal numbers, I'm just showing you a blank page.

Phone list tip

I build my phone list in a word processor on the computer, then simply print it out. It's easy to change, easy to read and when they get crapped out, easy to freshen up. I also place the list inside a page protector so I can walk around with it.

Every phone has the same list as well as one in my vehicle.

A little lightweight rope sealed the deal for hanging the notebook. An S hook works even better but doesn't look quite as cool. :)

Note book tip


My secret weapon for staying organized beside the phone are thick spiral notebooks. I date the top, then proceed to take messages. When I've dealt with the new entry, I draw a line through it.

With this method, your notes never disappear on you. The reference is avail at the flip of a page. I have a notebook beside every phone and every computer. And one in my truck. It's saved my bacon countless times.

That rusty hinge is now a very handy junk style pen holder.

The system is so simple it really doesn't even deserve a post.

But sometimes the simplest ideas can also be the best. :)

Guess I've been on a phone organization binge lately cuz here's the upstairs variety.

Very different yet equally effective.

How do you organize beside your phone?

SNS 87 ~ unique lighting with a GIVEAWAY!

Shandell's

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #87

Theme - unique lighting