I finally made it to an amusement park this summer. Richard, Angie, Ritchie, and Becca took me (or I should say, I took them, cause I did the driving LOL) to Six Flags. We had a great time riding some coasters, playing in the water park and riding a lot (and I mean A LOT) of kiddie rides. Luckily, the day was only partly sunny so we didn't get too sunburned; but we did get burned out from walking around. Boy, sometimes it pays to be a kid - while I had to stay alert and awake to drive us home, the kids quickly crashed in the back seat. I've also been informed that I will HAVE to do this again next year. Yeah!!

The Serial Thriller	The Mind Eraser

Computer Update

Again, the computer was returned to me, and once again I had to take it back. This time every thing seemed to be working well, until I hooked up my zip drive and NOTHING happened. My laptop couldn't "see" the zip drive, so since the zip runs from the printer port, I tried hooking up the printers. The laptop recognized both printers but would only print out gobbly-gook. Now, I'm really starting to get pissed off with Best Buys. After taking the computer back, it took them a whole week to even get my computer up to Cleveland. I know that for sure, since I've been calling my store plus the service center EVERY day. I plan to irritate the heck out them until they either fix the darn thing or honor the extended warranty and replace my machine. I spoke for almost half an hour with a guy at the local store (Chris) and have promised to drive him insane until this problem has been solved. Have pity on the poor guy though. He's really quite nice and has already been subjected to my tales of purchasing the computer in the first place (check out the month of FEB last year), must less all the problems that I have been going through now.

The biggest news of this week has to be that Jodi and I finally talked. Of course, I had to prompt our discussion by leaving a letter on her car window the other night before Jim and I went to Cleveland to see the WWF. (Oops! I forget to mention that part, didn't I? LOL Jim and his ex had planned to go see wrestling and since Jim is now single, he had that extra ticket. Being the friend I am, I went with him. And I had a good time too!!) Anyway, it was several days until Jodi and I got in contact with one another, and things went well.

What a difference a week can make. This week is nearly the opposite of last week. Now it's rainy and getting COLDER every day. I was wishing, hoping, and praying that summer would end on a hot note, but it's being obstinate this year. But that doesn't mean that summer is over. Not by a long shot. On Tues. and Wed., as it started cooling down, my friend Jim, my roomie John and I screened in my front porch. I am very impressed with how well we did the construction (we were quite butch LOL) and want to, once again, send thanks to the guys for all their hard work - especially Jim! Oh yes, I can't forget to thank Linda too. It sure was a lot easier painting the lattice when I had her help. Plus she gave me a really cute little grill! (And it'll be put to use soon, when I have my cookout Labor Day weekend.)

After 2 hours Tues. night and 3 hours on Wed., the porch is framed in and painted.
Another 4 hours on Wed. and half of the lattice is painted and the screen is installed.
After two rainy days, the lattice is completely painted and some lattice has been put up. (MouseOver the green highlighted pix!)
On Sat., the rest of the lattice is put up, and the door is installed.
From the inside looking out on the world
The pups checking out the finished product.
BEFORE	AFTER

Computer Update

Finally some good news! As we were working on the porch construction project, I got a call from the Best Buys service center asking for permission to trash my dead laptop. Hopefully, by the weekend, I should get a call from the local store informing me what needs to be done next to get a replacement for my laptop. Of course, I've already scoped out the machines in the store and I'm looking at a 19inch monitor, a Hewlett-Packard 40gig, 899mhz machine with a built in CD burner, along with a digital camera. With any luck, next week's installment of the computer repair saga should be to show you a picture of the NEW computer!!! (But, please, keep your fingers crossed until then. LOL I don't have a lot of faith anymore but I do have a lot of perseverance.)

Although we thought we might go Monday and Tuesday of this week to Niagara Falls, I finally made the trip on Thursday and Friday with my friend Jim. We had a wonderful time. The weather was nice; the trip was fast; the sites were gorgeous.

Click above for the SlideShow

Final Computer Update	Ah! The new computer is at home!
All the new gear on the desk Me taking a picture of me taking a video of me taking a picture

And my GrandMother, too!!

Yeah!! Finally it seems that a month is ending on a high note. Today, I got a visit from my Mom, her hubby (Dennis) AND my GrandMother. In a way, I've been pretty lucky. The man that my mom married comes from Ohio. That means that there's more than just me living here, so every once in a while (about this time every year), my Mom comes North for a short time to visit me.

My Mom (Celia) and her Mom (Peggy)
Joxer trying to get my GrandMother to play with him	Dennis	"I'm not crying; the sun was in my eye."