Well, I finally NEEDED to get a new pc, so last Saturday I bought one from Future Shop. It's lovely to have a shiny new one with lots of fun features my old one lacked, but all the pre-planning to get it up and running is almost too much for me!
First, I had to ensure my IT guy could copy all the files from my old pc, install new anti-virus, MS Office, set it up and give me a run through on all the changes, before I was open today. Talk about a small window of opportunity.
So yesterday, after coincidentally waking at 6:30am to get a glass of water (I'm usually still dead to the world at that time), I heard the distant sound of a dump truck (which was for us, but we had no idea they'd come THAT early), lumbering down the road. We had to rush to get dressed, pull a huge tarp out of the back yard to the driveway and watch almost a full load of dirt spread out over a good part of the top of the driveway. My hubby, after surveying just how much was delivered, thought he'd better tackle it in wheelbarrow loads UP THE HILL to the backyard where we're filling in the old "pool hole". Well, it can't just end there without me getting involved (in all fairness), so I get a steel rake and begin dragging all this into the centre of the "pool hole". Holy sweat, never mind the fact that, again, I'm usually STILL dead to the world AND we haven't eaten anything yet. Poor Dan took about 10 full wheelbarrows full up that hill at a running start and then had to get ready for work where he had a presentation to give and 2 important conference calls to deal with. Suffice to say he slept like a rock. Now me on the other hand, I was up to 1:30 am working on my class for today; I needed to change it up as I was bored with the current design that I did months ago.
But there was so much more to my day yesterday! After Dan left for work and I'd finished somewhat "leveling" out the dirt, I of course had to shower. The phone rang and it was my IT guy saying he could take my laptops and do the work that day. Knowing that I'd better take the opportunity sooner than later, I said I'd drop it off to him (and he lives in mid-town) by 2pm. It was 11am after I was all cleaned up, but then the doorbell rang and here was UPS with my shipment that everyone's been anticipating: the new Spellbinders dies they all ordered. So, now I'd better reconcile all of the orders, email everyone asap to let them know it's here BEFORE I go and take my laptop to the IT guy which I will be without until he returns it. Phew! I was rushing and emailing, checking and double-checking, getting MORE emails as I'm trying to have less and losing my mind, worried I'd forgotten something time-sensitive to reply to or...? Holy cow! All of a sudden I have 1/2 an hour to get to IT guy (who has an appt. 15 min. after I'm scheduled to meet with him)! So, I think I literally threw the laptops into the bag (almost forgot the power cord), shut everything down and run out the door. Naturally, I forgot to print out the directions to his place. Flying down the 400 at far too fast of a speed that would certainly make my hubby want to prevent me from driving any vehicle, I made it in time. I was also getting directions from IT guy while driving (a no-no). I arrive, park in front and ring the doorbell - nothing. Knocked - no response. Again, a little louder - nada. Back to the car because in my hurry to get to his door as soon as possible, I left my cell in it. Called - oh, he didn't hear it. At least that's all it was; I was afraid he'd left me for his next appointment which was in 8 minutes. I was all panicked and talking fast in my rushed-state, only to find out that his appointment had been canceled. Thanks for telling me. I could have been a little more leisurely on my way down! Ok, done here, time to go back home. I have 6 voicemails from frantic customers who haven't heard back from me since they emailed in the morning; I am ready to fly to a foreign country and retire under a palm tree for all this mayhem. NOW, call everyone back and get ready for the class.
Today, I got up, cleaned up, ushered Dan off to work and tried to have some semblance of order at my desk where IT guy would soon need the space to set up all my equipment. I'm almost bursting at the seams for 2 reasons: I can't wait to have my new pc and printer (PLUS I'll now be able to add the E-craft software to my new pc), and because I'm concerned about all the emails I must have in my Inbox - ugh. As it turns out when IT guy arrives and gets the system up, I don't have too many emails and none are urgent. The next challenge that's making me do a proverbial eye roll in my head is that the ports that I need to plug all the bits into are on the opposite side of the pc - something I failed to consider. Can I stretch these cables that are running through the ceiling any further? Another big task at hand. All is nearly ready when 2 customers come in to pick up their orders - I love these ladies, well, I love ALL my customers, but it was funny because I'm asking if they don't have anywhere to be really fast; this is going to take a few minutes. They're cool and just check out other new stuff that arrived - thank goodness!
OK, we're good to go! But the printer is still downloading the new software, so sorry ladies; can I email your receipts to you later today...? No problem.
OK. Ladies have left, IT guy is leaving, now I have to clean up this mess and make it fit and functional for me! Cables and cords are snaking everywhere and of course I can't forget I've got to get into the ceiling to pull some more Ethernet cable to reach the ports on the far side of this new pc so I don't have to have it off to the side, awkwardly, like how he had to move it for set up. Vacuum up all the bits that fall, put the screwdriver back in the garage, replace the trim, put the stepstool back, it's now time to get the class prepped for tonight and finish the last few designs and techniques for tomorrow night's class. In a moment of wonder, I stop and seem to finally be granted the time to sit in my chair and type this incredibly long novel (that likely no one will read), but hey, today for me it was therapy (but much cheaper). Speaking of therapy, I believe it's time to wander upstairs to the chocolate cupboard... jm
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