Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Great Disappearing Act

I have two very good reasons to be absent from blogland this week. They came home Friday for spring break.  If you’ve read here very long, you know that everything goes on automatic back burner when my two favorite coeds come home from college. I like to hoard my time with them.

Today, I’m down to one. The Practical One has left to bask in the sun on Hilton Head Island for a few days so it’s just Mom and The Whimsy, and I hope to take advantage of her considerable talents while holding her hostage. You see, the girl is a computer whiz.

And I’m what you call technologically challenged.

This isn’t a new revelation. I’ve fought it my entire life. In college, I made a (B) in a total crip course called Educational Technology. Apparently, I can diagram a compound complex sentence with a double gerund, but I can not thread the film into a 16mm projector. No matter how hard I tried, it still spit streamers of celluloid all over the table.

Just like that reel to reel tape recorder.

And forget about synchronizing sound. My films always sounded like a bad Japanese movie.

As a young teacher, I meandered to the copy room one day and was greeted by a Xerox machine wearing a sign that said something like this:

Mrs. B-
I am a machine.
I do not respond to begging,
scolding,
or angry whacks with the palm of the hand.
Please do not kick me.

Such a smarty pants I worked for…

Technology may have improved in the past quarter of a century, but my skills have not. Computers are my natural enemy, and I’ve killed about a dozen of them since the dawn of the cyber age.

The Man of the House blames it on my unwillingness to learn. He must be right because I’ve read tutorial after tutorial and I still don’t know the difference between a blinkie and a button and can’t figure out how to center a picture in a header let alone shrink it.

I would ask for advice, but I probably couldn’t figure out how to follow it anyway.

On top of it all, I’m an impatient clicker.
And if one click is good, a double click is all the better.

clickclick…

On a regular basis, my screen becomes demon possessed and fills up with little blog boxes which multiply faster than I can double click a red (X). I usually throw my hands in the air and scream a little before doing the only computer move I know.

Control alternate delete…

I said all that to say this:

I have been trying to change the look of my blog for some time now, but apparently predesigned templates and centered pictures are above my pay grade. I thought I would dink with it while that daughter is home to handle the fall out.

However, because I don’t want to be a cyber spectacle as I tackle changes, I’m making the blog private for a few days while I do it.

Just thought I should mention it a day or so before I lock up.

I’ll be back.
I hope.

But if something happens, and I inexplicably delete myself from blogland,
It’s been really nice knowing you…

28 comments:

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

ohhhh I hope you are changing the brown because it is soooo hard to read ! and my pore ole eyes will thank you... like you I am also technologically challenged. I can find the ON/OFF switch and that's about it.
Enjoy your time with your sweet co-ed...
(())

Jennie said...

I have been checking in daily and missing you! Glad to know you're off doing more important things. (Unlike me, apparently!) Not sure if word has gotten around the grapevine, but the job I would *love* to get has asked me in for an interview at 2pm today. I feel selfish asking for constant prayer, but I know you are a faithful interceder. (I guess that's not a word, but you get the drift.) If I don't get it, I'll know I wasn't supposed to, but I have a very good feeling about it.

Thanks so much! And tell Miss Whimsy 'hey' from all of us. We're borrowing her again next week if it works out! ;)

Crickit said...

I'm so glad that you have been enjoying time with your daughters! :) We will see you when you get your new background up and running! You have been missed!

Angel said...

HA HA HA!!! This is great. You are not alone Debbie. Thanks for sharing what I'm sure is one of your very few shortcomings and giving us all a good laugh in the process. Hope all goes well with the new design. We don't want to lose you in Blogland!

Canadagirl said...

You got me giggling and smiling from ear to ear on this one. [0= I can relate on some things but at the same time I learned enough of html to be dangerous. *grin* Ohhh embrace your time with your dc and have fun giving yourself a new look! And I do hope that there won't be any drastic mistakes and our beloved Debbie will continue to be able to keep us in stitches. *grin*

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

At The Picket Fence said...

No no no! Don't delete yourself from blogland...I would miss your hysterical, witty and reflective posts! Seriously though, I laughed so hard over the diagramming sentence comment...you know they hardly even do that anymore in school...but those kids can sure text well...;) That was sarcasm in case you were wondering. I'm glad you're girl is home to help you with your blog. Here's something funny for you Debbie. My parents gather up all the universal remotes that they somehow unprogram between my visits and save them all for me to reprogram when I'm out there. ha! So no worries you're not alone. ;)

PS-always let me know if you ever need help with something blog related and your kiddos aren't home to give advise. I'm an email away!

Hugs!
Heather

The Decorative Dreamer said...

So nice to know you have been enjoying time with your daughters! I understand completely about being technically challenged. Lucky for me I have two helpers here in the house. Too bad they often get frustrated and remind me to figure it out myself. If I hear; teach a man to fish...one more time! LOL! I think its a great idea to go private while you tinker with your blog. I've never thought of that before but it's a great idea! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

FrouFrouBritches said...

The girls are home? How FUN!

I'm so with you on the lack of computer genius. Anyone who looks at my blog can tell how computer illiterate I am since my background is still messed up and has been that way for MONTHS! I wish I had a computer genius at MY house!

I'm cracking up thinking of you at the copier, kicking it and threatinging it. So funny!

Sue said...

So glad you have been enjoying some time with your girls Debbie. Nothing beats time alone with them! I wish I had some computer help too ~ I get sooooo frustrated. { I also got a B or C in college in the AV class - I could not show a filmstrip to save me! ]
Anyhoo ~ can't wait to see what changes you make.
Blessings
Sue

Chatty Crone said...

You better not go anywhere - your blog is perfect just the way it is. Love, sandie

Chatty Crone said...

I'm glad you enjoyed your two girls! sandie

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
Don't you dare go anywhere and leave me here in blogland! So glad you have your girls at home this week...I am never happier than when we all can get together. And when they have families in different states it makes it that much more difficult. Enjoy your time together.


~Jean

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

YAY for the girls being home!! Always... AL that takes precedent!!

As to the tech thing... just know that I have laughed out loud in the last few minutes reading this! My skill level seems to be right on par with yours, and I have no daughter bounding in to help me out of the trap... she is busy with 3 little girls of her own. So..... lead the way, and we will enjoy the fruits of your labor, and your sweet daughter's!! :)

elizabeth said...

Download your blog first before making changes!!!We would miss you too much if you disappeared! Hurry back!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Debbie,
I would be excited too, hope you have a great time with your girls. The time goes by so quickly. Have fun!!
Thanks for coming by last week, and for your sweet comments.
Blessings, Nellie

Gayle said...

You're just too funny.

CAL said...

I too have a love/hate relationship with technology.

I would miss your blog, please stay put!!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Always such fun to come here...now after reading my post you should You Tube your problem and watch how it is done! I am more comfortable taking things apart or decorating than computer things...I hate to feel dumb and this computer can sure do that to me.
Enjoy spring break with your girls!! I hope you get it figure out...I would hate to miss my trips here

Renée said...

Glad your visit with the coeds was sweet and hurry back all done over...I can hardly wait!

Sharon said...

You will never be able to escape me - danger, Will Robinson...

Best of luck with the techno stuff - I'm terrible at it, too. Apparently, you really can't teach an old dog new tricks!!

And have fun with your girls, Debbie!! Hug them until they tell you stop, and then just keep hugging them!!

xoxo to you...

Kelli said...

Can't wait to hear all about the adventures with the girls! You better find your way back here! We need the gifts you share!!

Denise said...

WOW! The site looks fantastic. So crisp and green...I don't know how much Miss Whimsy helped, but give her a high five if she did. Otherwise, kudos to you, sister, everything looks GREAT!!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Debbie, I was really getting upset there for a bit, clicking on your site and getting the old disappearing act. But .... voila! Here you are, and looking better than ever, my dear! Love the new look. If truth be told, you'd probably be an expert in no time, with techy stuff, but it does require a bit of--uh--patience. (hehe) The copier note had me rolling.

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

I am smiling because my Miss Whimsy was home this week, too, and I only posted once. Oh, well. I love your new header! Your title font is the same as my HELLO HOME font, so I love it! :)
I was actually starting to create a new header for myself with Picasa3 last night, so there will be changes at my place, too. I have a test blog that I use, then I copy the html over to mine.
Enjoy your girl while she is there!
HUGS and blessing to you, Lady Triple M. (Meandering Motor Mouth).
Love, me

Anonymous said...

Hehehe...you always make me smile and a lot of times even laugh outloud, Debbie.

I stopped by to let you know that I'm sooo glad to hear you're following along with The Power of Words study. I rarely do studies on my blogger but felt this one was too good to keep to myself. Hope you keep up the next two days left.

I LOVE the new page design. The header is gorgeous and the colors are so fresh. I have to admit I prefer the font you have now--the black against the white background. It is much easier to read. I love it!! Great job Ms. Computer Whiz. Enjoy your babies.

Ooohhh!!! I almost missed that my button made button of the week. WOO-HOO!!!! Thank you my sweet sis. Blessings!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I am with you! Those kids! They have been computering it since birth! I love your new header, but thought I was at the wrong house!

Carol

Sue said...

Glad you got to spend this special time with the girls, Debbie! I like your new template and design, and now missy, if you leave , I am only going to let you be gone for a few days.
Hugs,
Sue

Sue said...

Oh! by the way, since I messed my blog up, I am having to go around and rejoin all my fav. blogs, sO i signed to follow you tonight again for the second time. lol.
So I am in good company when it comes to this tech. stuff.
Hugs,
Sue

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