Computer Question: HELP!!

***UPDATE***

I called a coworker and he sent me this link: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=921049

Apparently this was a registry issue. I followed the instructions and now have my Wallpaper back!!

WOO!!

***************************

I need your help, Peeps.

I'm stumped.

I've lost the ability to put a wallpaper on my desktop.

I (normally) use the Webshots wallpaper program. You can Ctrl + Shift + W to change the wallpapers or you can go into the program and change it there.

When I Ctrl+Shift+W, it acts like its activating a wallpaper--but I still get a blank screen background.

I cannot choose a picture on my desktop and right click it to make it my wallpaper--and when I go to Display Properties and choose Desktop--its frozen. It won't let me choose a wallpaper.

I can change the color of the background and I can move my icons around...I just cannot put a wallpaper up.

WTH, Peeps??

Any ideas?

MiniWarrior~ism

Should we rename MiniWarrior to MiniArtist? :) Here's the latest drawing of MiniWarrior. He drew a picture for his frog habitat so his imginary frog (I ain't going there with him, Peeps. I can't do anymore animals!!) could have a change of scenery.



The bugs are stickers he pasted on.

Work View

I was digging around in my photo album and came across a couple of pictures I had taken of downtown where I work.

I thought I'd amuse you Punks with them.



Alright, OK. I admit it. I have nothing else to blog about, Mmm k?!




*cough cough* I'm SICK--watcha want from me?!



It's my Friday, Peeps. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Sick...*whine*

Tis the season to pass the flu bug and I be sick, Peeps.

Again.

*sulk*

Soon as my coworker comes in today I'm gonna skulk off to my nest and sleep.

Is there anything suckier than working sick?

I ask ya.

Hmm?!

[Hero] Youngest Baby Beatles Show in Diaper-Hey Jude

Cutest Video, Evah!!!

For Bob-a-roo and Cindy: A Tag

Argh. I've been tagged TWICE by two wonderful Peeps so I guess I'll breakdown and do this thing.

Two Names You Go By: Mom and Kat

Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Black Adidas jogging pants, black Nike shirt. I just got back from a long walk! *pant pant*

Two things you want (or have) in a relationship: Loyalty and humor and an intense understanding of my Hello Kitty needs.

Two of Your Favorite Things to do: Write and Read

Two things you did last night: Watched a movie and stayed up WAY too late. (I'm using Bob-a-roos answer cuz that's exactly what I did!! lol Watched Jason And The Argonauts. Turns out it's a 4 hour movie!!!

Two people you Last Talked To: Lord V and MiniWarrior

Two Things You're doing tomorrow: Pack for new house. Bring MiniWarrior swimming.

Two Longest Car Rides: From Washington to Mexico and Washington to Florida!

Two Favorite Drinks: Coffee with two Splendas and hazelnut creamer. Diet Sierra Mist.

Two Things About Me you may not have known: I was once a Mime. I used to have a Madonna space between my teeth. A most excellent water shooter!

Two jobs I have had in my life: Grade School Director, Baker (for my college)

Two Movies I would watch over and over: Parent Trap, Transporter 2 (purrrr purrrr)

Two of my favorite foods: Clam Chowder, Filet Mignon

Two places I'd rather be right now: Hmm...um...at the new house and Maui

OK. There ya go Bob and Cindy!

MiniWarrior~ism

For those who have followed my blog these past two years know that my son MiniWarrior is Autistic.

Autism is a difficult disability to define.

I've been told that Autistics:

1. Don't make eye contact
2. Don't feel empathy
3. Don't speak or have difficulty speaking
4. Live in their own worlds and cannot relate to others

MiniWarrior (like his Momma) defies labels.

If you met my MiniWarrior you would understand.

He loves people. He will actively seek you out to chatter your ear off; his lips spread wide in a teeth gapping grin of happiness.

His eyes will sparkle with animation and he'll closely follow yours to watch for clues of your own happiness.

He struggles with facial expressions. If you are stoic, he will watch you closely to see if you are angry with him.

He doesn't understand sarcasm and he is just learning the basics of language based humor.

Lord V loves puns and will often say a silly one and then grin at MiniWarrior to show that he has made a joke.

Like:

"Hey Lord V. do you like frogs?"

"Toad-ally, MiniWarrior. Toad-ally."

MiniWarrior will search his face closely and run the words through his head. You can see the labor process and then suddenly, miraculously, his face will light up and he will laugh with delight.

"That's a good one, Lord V!" He will exclaim and then he'll add it to his list of favorite things to say.

Repetition is a big thing with MiniWarrior. If he's allowed, he will eat the same food, watch the same movies, play with the same toys and speak only of his favorite topics over and over again. He never tires. In this he is un-exhaustible.

I've worked with MiniWarrior through his 10 years of life to endure variety. He balks and complains but he has learned to be more flexible and to accept changes in his routine. Small ones...but he no longer flings himself to the ground in a rage when his daily routine is disrupted.

This past summer he has become consumed with bug collecting (as most of you know). He's still consumed with bugs. He draws them, talks about them, reads about them, plays with bug toys...etc. He is...Bug Boy.

I had a lengthy conversation with him, on the way to school a few months ago, about his all consuming passion to talk only about bugs.

I explained to him that he must not only talk about bugs to people.

"But Mom, I love bugs!"

"Yes I know, MiniWarrior, but other people do not wish to always talk about bugs. They will grow bored and not want to talk with you."

"But I LOVE bugs!"

"Yes I know. But to have a conversation with people you must talk not only of things you love but allow them to talk about things they love, too."

We discussed 5 different conversations topics he could talk to people about: Animals, planets, weather, video games and favorite TV shows.

We practiced as we drove along. Just when he got comfortable with one topic and started obsessing with it, I would force him to change to another topic. He was so very frustrated with me.

I mention all of this because of something that happened this past Saturday night.
Something I just had to tell you all because I am just so proud.

Saturday evening, we dropped MiniWarrior off at an open gym night. A gymnastic place where kids can climb and run and play while their parents go out for a few hours to enjoy adult freedom.

This was the first time that we dropped MiniWarrior off without his friend tagging along with him so we were a little nervous as to how well he'd do alone. But, he's done things alone before like Summer Camp and seemed to do very well.

We were standing in line waiting to sign him in when he turned to talk to a boy standing beside him.

"Dude, do you have Nintendo DS?" He asked, his face scrunched in intense concentration watching closely to see the other boy’s reaction.

"No" The kid replied offering nothing more to the conversation.

Undefeated MiniWarrior shuffled his feet and pressed forward, "I do." He added with a tentative smile.

"I have a Wii." The boy added begrudgingly.

MiniWarriors face lit up. "Oh, Dude! Do you have Super Mario? I love Super Mario!"

Interest flickered on the boys face and he turned slightly towards MiniWarrior, "Yeah I have..." and proceeded to list the Wii games he had.

MiniWarrior relaxed and chattered with him until we signed him in.

Lord V and I went back to my truck and I had to sit for a minute and process the miracle I had just seen.

My Autistic son had not only engaged a peer in conversation, he had assessed the situation and thought through on what this particular person might like to converse about.

He not only had successfully initiated conversation he had brilliantly steered it towards the most basic of beginning friendship: Common ground.

Experts say this cannot be done by Autistics.

Experts don't know my MiniWarrior.

He makes me proud, Peeps.

Dang proud.

Empty Baggage: Free To Disfunctional Home

You know how when you're cruising along in the convertible of life (top down, sun shining, hair flying in the breeze) and a big ol' June bug comes buzzing along and splats you, leaving its grisly remains on your forehead?

Mmm hmm. That was me. This weekend.

I'd been sailing through these past months weathering the bumps along the way with the ease of a sure legged sea captain...when all of sudden steel rimmed baggage from my past came flying and knocked me on my ass.

*Whomp!*

*Splat!*

And there I lay, holding a hand to the goose egg on my heart, surrounded by the ugly granny undie contents wondering what the hell just happened to me.

It wasn't pretty, People. But then, inner baggage never is.

It's painful to see the hidden contents splayed around you in the sharpness of sunlight; ragged grey pieces, that you've kept hidden in the bottom drawer of your inner self, exposed for all those around you to see.

Instinct makes you want to scoop the ugliness up and toss it back into the shadows. It's embarrassing to have it exposed to those whom you love and seek respect from.

But, I found out that love makes you pause mid scoop and re-evaluate; it makes you brave and strong. It enables you to look into the eyes of people who love you, despite the hidden contents, and allows you to let them help you unpack that bag and push its contents into the garbage bin where it belongs.

One less bag to cart around.

It's a most excellent feeling, Peeps.

Most excellent feeling, indeed.

MiniWarrior~ism: Dragonfly Goodness!

MiniWarrior was off school today cuz of Presidents weekend.

I took advantage of having him home during the week to drag him to a Cafe named Dragonfly.

My Mini Bug lover was most pleased.





We feasted upon Valentine decorated cupcakes and slurped down Iced Mochas.



After our feast we staggered out with belly's full and headed to the movies to see Spiderwick Chronicles.



It was an entertaining flick.

MiniWarriors review: "It was a little bit scary, but it was a good movie!"

Super cala 'Friday' licious expi alla doooooooocious!!

WOO!

Sing it with me now, Peeps.

"It's my Fridayyyyyyy. My Fridayyyyyyy.
My done with wretched work dayyyyyy!"

*shoop shoops around*

Bring on the weekend.

BRING IT!

Tuesday Repast

Gather 'round, Kiddies and I shall tell you a story from my past.

I shall entitle it:

School girl crush

My family sold our home and moved to a larger one during the middle of my 9th grade year of High School.

I had missed the initual first weeks of school pecking order rituals so I wandered the outskirts of formed cliques like a shadow; a silent observer.

One of my favorite observation targets was a senior boy (who's name escapes me now after all these years)

He was tall, lean and moved with the athletic grace of a panther. He had short black hair with long bangs that hung over his eyes giving him the hormone tingle enducing bad boy look. Girls swarmed around him like flies on ripened fruit and I wanted him.

Bad

Alas, my status as a puny freshman who lived in the social shadows doomed any fantasy I had of ever being noticed by him until one infamous day. A day so horrible it lays inside my memory like a jagged scar.

I had finished P.E. class, showered, changed clothes and was walking my dirty clothes up the pathway towards the building that held my locker.

I dodged around the cluster of kids that hung by the pillars that lined the walkway and felt the familiar jolt of my heart when I saw the object of my school girl crush leaning against one of the pillars.

Be cool, I muttered to myself. Breathe. Breathe. Just keep walking. Don't act like a geek.

My legs felt wobbly and I labored to keep them moving in a casual, nonchalant walk.

My heart was pounding so loud it made my ears buzz.

Keep walking. Keep walking. Don't look at him. Just walk past him. I chanted to myself.

I passed by him and was taking my first breath of relief when I heard him speak.

"Eh em, hey you."

I jolted to a stop. Was he talking to me?

"Hey. You!"

Oh my god.

I turned slightly and looked at him from the corner of my eye.

He was looking right at me with those gorgeous chocolate brown eyes.

I felt my heart stop then start beating a frantic beat as adrenaline shot through me.

I watched mesmorized as his beautiful mouth turned upwards into a smile.

"You dropped something."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"You dropped something."

I followed his eyes to the ground by his feet and felt myself freeze in horror.

There in all their undignified glory, lay the dirty underwear I had been carting back to my locker!

Please-Lord-let-there-be-a-sink-hole-that-will-swallow-me-whole

With no sink hole forthcoming I lunged and swooped my panties up, my face ablaze with internal fire.

Laughter followed me as I scuttled away.

My school girl crush ended that day.

Burned to a crisp in the fires of my humiliation.

Well Hell, It's Monday

Happy Monday, Peeps.

How was everyone's weekend?

We had smatterings of spring like weather this weekend.

Lord V and I took a long walk on Saturday. Birds were chirping and the air had that distinct smell of Springness. It made me downright giddy with happiness!

I read Senator John McCain’s book, "Faith of My Fathers" on Wednesday and watched his speech to the Conservative party on Thursday. He did a fantastic job.

I don't debate politics as it is like debating religion. It's too personal of a choice and I do not believe in trying to sway people to my view point.

You gotta vote on your own beliefs. :)

For me, it's about character. John McCain endured years of torture for our Country. That sounds so benign, "years of torture". Even after reading the details of his years as a POW my mind could not quite grasp the horror of what he went through.

I found myself focusing on one incident in the many he endured. 10 days he was forced to sit upon a stool while they beat him morning, noon and night trying to get him to sign a negative statement about America.

10 days, People.

He had multiple broken bones: His legs, both his arms, his ribs...yet he sat upon that stool and took the abuse for his love of his country. Our country.

Is he a Maverick? Yes. Does he make mistakes? Yes.

Does he love our Country and is he willing to do what’s best for her and us beyond the political crap reasons we've seen for so many years from other candidates? Yes.

I like the thought of having a dedicated soldier at the helm of our country’s command in these turbulent times.

Happy Saturday!

Feeling better today.

Thanks for all the well wishes!

I'm managed to keep my work out appointments with Curves through this bout of sickies and I think that's what has kept me healthy.

If I lay down, I feel lousy.

If I force my body to move, I feel much better.

It's a new concept for me. Diet AND exercise. Usually I just do one or the other.

I'm starting to see some results for my efforts and that makes for a happy kat :)

Work is as dismal as ever.

I think that's part of why I got so run down.

Final insult was being told we must attend a meeting with new company if I wanted a future job, so I zoomed downtown with a coworker in tow.

We arrived at the meeting with resumes in hand only to find out it was a benefit meeting for the teams who will still have jobs. Our team was excluded.

We sat through a 3 hour meeting listening to the benefits, the company mission, etc...and at the end, when we presented our resumes, they refused to take them.

"Apply online" we were told.

You know, I don't care if they took my paper resume and tossed it in the garbage after I'm gone. I showed up and listened patiently to their meeting, the very least they could have done is taken it from me and explained that I should also apply online so there is an electronic copy of my resume.

*tsk*

Bad business all around. It left our team feeling despondent and unworthy after years of dedicated service.

To add insult to injury, they arranged for the company who's taking over our jobs to send one of their people for us to train the next week.

"us" meaning me, as we are so short staffed I'm the only one working the hours that the person would be there.

He was a very nice man and we got along fine.

But, it's been very depressing after 13 years of loyal service to be flicked to the side like the proverbial red-headed step child.

ill~ness must take a pill~ness

Sick. I be sick.

I've been attacked by a cold bug that MiniWarrior captured and handed over to me.

Mucho tired~o.

I'll be back to blog when cold monster is gone.

Guido~ness

I took Guido-the-cat to the groomers this weekend.

I had them put soft claws on him so our new house will be protected from the Guido Claw.

Soft claws (for those who do not know) is an alternative to declawing.

They're colored (or clear) caps that slide over their claws and are glued on.

I snapped a few pics of Guido and the indignity he endured.

He did great but protested a bit when his back claws were worked on.

He mrowrrrrrrrrrrd really loudly at the nice lady groomer but didn't bite or attempt to scratch her.

Better her than me, that's all I gotta say.

I don't think I'd have survived it without fresh scars!!

Yadda Yadda Yadda...

My thoughts have been consumed with my work situation.

As I do not think it wise to discuss detail work situations on a public blog...I have been lagging on posting to my blog.

I've been told my work ends May 14th.

Maybe.

Uh huh.

'nuff said.