On backing up...

And we're back.

Yes, that was fast, wasn't it? 

That's courtesy of my kind-hearted MIL who made it possible to replace what was lost so fast.  Bless you, Mama B.  You're a gem!

To clarify?  We haven't replaced the documents...the files...the pictures...(sob).  That recovery is still in the balance and being worked on furiously. 

We have replaced my fried computer with a lovely and much upgraded version.  (insert happy emoticon here in place of yesterday's overwhelmed/crying/blubbering mess emoticon) Hubby's upgrade/replacement will wait a bit, but we've decided to share. (gasp!  I know...share a computer?  Such a foreign concept anymore, eh?) 

And so, I'm sort of back.  (we can't let the blog suffer for months on end - I mean, priorities, right?) heh.

In the meantime, we're still at La Cabin - and trying to recover emotionally from the loss.  I mean, it took the wind right on out of our sails, and we've spent over a day now trying to remedy, find solutions, locate IT fixes, and source someone to retrieve the files - in addition to driving over three hours roundtrip to purchase a replacement.  Not exactly the "vacation" we had in mind.  Sounds dramatic, but it hits you where it hurts.  We live our lives on the computers today.  Social contacts, files, pictures, videos of our kids, addresses, websits we visit regularly - saved to our "favorites", writings, letters, scanned docs, saved e-mails, on and on and on.  You truly never realize how much you keep on your laptop...until it's all g.o.n.e.  Then you start going through the mental lists of each little thing...

And oh the chagrin.

Today I asked AB "what's the one thing that you lost that mattered the most?" - his reply is oh so true...

"All the little things"

All the little things that took years to build up.  Literally. 

Friends, backup your computers.  Backup your files.  Splurge and spend what you need to, to take care of this simple fix.  Backed-up files equal much relief when your computer takes a nosedive out of the blue.  Or when, say, a bad power cord fries three computers at once.  Like that.  Or whatever...

This advice is free to you - but so costly for us.

You're welcome...

xo

Spoke. Too. Soon.

so after I posted today?  After I said that all is perfect?  Lovely?  Happy?

We had a disaster of sorts.

A series of events led to the death of not just AB's computer - but mine as well. 

Dead.  As a doornail.

Not just our computers, but my Father In-Laws as well. 

Yes, you read that right.  The grand total is 3 dead computers - beyond help.  No hope.  Not coming back.  Say goodbye.  (waving her hand...annnnnnnnd....scene.)

Good thing about small towns - there is a very kind IT fellow close by who stopped by the house to assess the damage.  Yes, stopped by the house.  Loving that kind of service.

But the diagnosis?

Ummm.  I repeat:

Dead.

As a doornail.

No hope.

All three of them.

So here's the bottom line.  We are without computer.  (well, ok - except this one which does not belong to us) I'm borrowing my MIL's computer to tell all of you that it certainly seems, short of a miracle, I'll be skipping this week's posts.

Fotunately, I create regular backups of my computer files.  Sadly, I had not backed up December (read: Christmas pictures - omg...Keira's first Christmas at home!). 

Sadder still?  All of my programs are gone.  So in this case, my files can be replaced, for the most part.  All of my many programs - not so much.  Or not without great expense, as most of them were digital versions. 

We're getting the hard-drives taken out to see if any of the files can be saved.  But I'm cringing over what was most likely lost.  Permanently.  Like addresses.  Favorites (I have hundreds of links).  E-mails on my outlook server.  Oh!  (insert sad crying emoticon here)

Bear with me as I try to find a solution...boo hoo.

Loving La Cabin Life

Only 24-hours in and we’re soaking up the comfort of a roaring fire alternating with brisk walks to explore the beauty all around us.  Hot coffee and homemade bread, with being bundled up in all our gloves and winter garb to take in the outdoors.  I have to say, the children are truly as happy as I’ve ever seen them.  There is a tangible level of peace and comfort here that they just seem to soak up.  Being around family, enjoying the cocoon that being together 24-7 provides us, and having lots of time and attention to love on each other.  What else could compare?

Among the many firsts this year has provided, we mourned the loss of my sweet kitty, Chloe – after seventeen years together.  To say she is missed – well, that’s clearly an understatement.  We lost Kaleigh in April and Chloe in December.  Still, our sweet and faithful Anabelle is our ever constant and a tremendous source of comfort amongst the loss.  So, in the spirit of togetherness, we made the decision to bring her along on this trip – a very rare treat indeed.  What a wonderful choice!  She is soaking up her surroundings with great joy. 

Today is a day for laughing, exploring, and yes – eating some great food.  (truly, is there anything better than good food?  I think not.)

“Excerpts” from our long walk this morning – ammmmaaaazzzzinggggg!!

  

 

  

      

Sweet Holidays

Heading to La Cabin for a week of relaxation and rest.  

Hoping your Christmas was and is filled with many joyful moments of celebration.  None the least of which is a Savior born to Save!

Don't forget that time is slipping away to get in on the super spectacular SEASONS package over at Bushel & A Peck Designs - these are HOT, so grab one up.  They are going fast and the special Holiday price is going with them - only $100 for FOUR DESIGNS!  (where else can you find that?!?!?)

More to come from the peaceful woods soon to surround us...I can feel my inspiration rising!