Fetafilter

Thursday, January 12, 2012
Big decisions
I have not posted here for way too long, so I thought I would share a big upcoming decision in my existence for some input from the vast Fetafilter audience. The background story: Raymond finally wore his computer mouse out slaying thousands of computer generated foes of all sorts. As he could not be without a computer for much more than a few minutes before turning into a jellyfish, I gave him the mouse from my desktop compy. It's a reasonably nice if somewhat pedestrian Microsoft wireless optical mouse with back buttons and side scroll. Ray likes it. That of course left me with no mouse, so I dug up an old Logitech MarbleMouse (TM) trackball that I had and put it on my desktop computer. Now don't get me wrong, I like the MarbleMouse quite a lot and used it for years. It has lots to recommend it. However I now often tend to use my desktop computer for CAD type stuff, and find a trackball a bit tedious and limiting for my style of work. So now I am faced with choosing a new mouse for my computer. This is a big deal. I am sort of particular about computer mice and have had lots of them. On my laptop I use a Logitech wireless Anywhere Vx mouse with Laser Darkfield technology. I have grown to consider this the current pinnacle of mouse development. Awesome tracking, even on a clear glass surface, thanks to the Laser Darkfield technology. Great (selectable!)feel to the scroll wheel and a decent, thought not overdone, number of assignable auxiliary buttons. The battery life is very long and you can turn it off by closing a little door on the bottom that covers the laser window. It has a nice solid feel and is well constructed. Add in the tiny USB receiver and this is a winner. By far the nicest mouse I've ever had. A tad pricey but worth every cent. Sort of sleek looking to boot. So the obvious thing would be to just get another Anywhere Vx with Laser Darkfield technology and put that on my desktop. And that was what I was initially thinking to do. Then I get this email from Logitech. It is offering me the chance pre-order the new logitech Cube(TM) portable mouse/presenter mouse. More about it here: CUBE MOUSE!!! Hmmm, small lightweight, rechargeable, touch scroll and lift it off the table and it becomes a wireless presenter for controlling power points and the like. This is most interesting. I could get one of those for my laptop and transfer my current Anywhere Vx with Laser Darkfield technology to my desktop. This looks so cool. But it this what I actually want? I don't know! What to do? Such a conundrum. I am a bit hesitant to order without actually handling it, but they DO offer a money-back, no questions asked guarantee. The smallness is a bit of a concern as my hands are not real small. But the new-and-coolness, along with the clever multi-functionality sort of call out to me. Oh how to decide?
thus voiced The A, Mistah @ 10:28 PM
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Shakespeare- Macbeth, Chaz Style
Homeschooling is a bit different when the college students are on winter break...
thus voiced Mrs A @ 1:28 PM
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Καλά Χριστούγεννα
Merry Christmas.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 9:27 AM
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Saturday, December 17, 2011
Trip to the Higgins Armory
A hidden treasure in central Massachusetts is the Higgins Armory. We've made a few trips to the museum and renewed our membership again today. They have renovated a room into interactive space for kids. The boys tried out their strength at archery. This is only one of numerous stained glass windows. This one depicted "David slaying eight-hundred". The highlight of my day was a gingerbread castle competition. After I get my photos off of Alan's camera, I'll post some of those. All these pictures were taken from my iTouch so the quality is poor.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 8:40 PM
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Saturday, December 10, 2011
Decorating for Christmas

thus voiced Mrs A @ 9:44 AM
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Thursday, December 08, 2011
Blogging is now my Job
I was recently selected to be a blogger for Lowell General Hospital in conjunction with the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. I have just started this fall and am finding it fun and interesting. I have met some new moms in the area and have made some new friends on Facebook. I receive a stipend which isn't bad either (everyone knows I haven't earned a paycheck since the early 90's). Here's the blog- please check it out and don't be afraid to comment. We're trying to get things rolling and the public interested! Merrimack Valley Moms
thus voiced Mrs A @ 12:22 PM
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Monday, December 05, 2011
Indian Summer
It was too nice out to stay indoors. Teds and I headed to Veteran's Park. The day was 65 degrees and spectacular. My poor Black-eyed Susans are confused. They think it's time to bloom...
thus voiced Mrs A @ 2:54 PM
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Turkey 2011

thus voiced Mrs A @ 10:30 PM
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I just took all the pictures off of my memory card in my camera. Teddy has been using it for the past few weeks creating Lego Bionicle videos that he wants to post on YouTube and become famous by. I haven't taken much notice as to what I took off the cards - 4 gigs each time and I've done it four times (that's 16 gigs of hard drive space GONE on my computer), but this morning I noticed this gem that Teddy took. I know my kids always looked like this; somewhat disheveled, oddly matched outfit, and toting the most ragged of stuffed animals, but I didn't think it would pass down to the next generation! We don't call Amelia "The Ham" for nothing.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 8:53 AM
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Monday, November 21, 2011

I just realized, thirty years ago today Alan put an engagement ring on my finger.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 9:59 PM
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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wood pile
Amelia scrambled to the wood pile and said, "Say cheese, Daddy, say cheese!". She wanted Mark to take her picture. Mark captured this wonderful picture. In case anyone is wondering, that pile is two cords of wood, which will be added to the three already in the wood shed. Winter, you don't scare us!
thus voiced Mrs A @ 7:36 AM
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
Amelia Stays at Yiayia's House
In years past, PlayDoh was the bane of my existence. This week I am enjoying tiny lumps of hardened blue Playdoh scattered around the house by Amelia. It's different being the yiayia'. When Amelia insisted on using the plastic utensils that she had been cutting up Playdoh with to eat her lunch, I said,"okay!". It's different being the yiayia'.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 8:15 AM
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Elias Carroll Van Der Hyde Born 11/09/11 at 10:45 am 9 lbs. 9 oz. 22" A miracle blessing.
thus voiced Mrs A @ 10:23 AM
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Saturday, November 05, 2011

Why is waiting so hard? Waiting for my next grandchild to be born.... Waiting for a diagnosis for Ray....
thus voiced Mrs A @ 1:28 PM
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Wednesday, November 02, 2011
The Ham in a Cow Suit
Amelia's grandparents from Virginia sent her a cow suit. It is only fitting seeing that they are from Van Der Hyde Dairy in Chatham. She seems quite happy sitting there with Uncle Ray, but she could only sit for a minute. That cow suit makes you run!
thus voiced Mrs A @ 11:55 AM
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