I have found myself a little distracted from blogging lately. The first problem was that my mother's house, where I spent Thanksgiving, is an internet-free zone. Not because she doesn't have internet, but because she doesn't know the password to her wireless and is too passive to call the cable company and ask what it is. So no access for those of us visiting.
Then there is the problem of my failing laptop. When I boot it up, the screen blinks on and off. Eventually it settles into staying on, but each time the flickering gets longer.
Finally, I came home to a million things to do. The end of the year is a crazy time in my business. There's something about the holidays that just ratchets up the demand. Plus all the end of year accounting, and preparing for the arbitrary changes insurance companies make every calendar year. So I'll be busy but around, even if a little less frequently for a while.
I remember well the insurance issues; I always had a attorney do my malpractice insurance. So happy not to need it any more.
ReplyDeleteThat squirrel on the top picture is pretty skinny, better have a good cache of nuts laid away.
Our malpractice insurance doesn't change much but the insurances we accept morph continuously, altering reimbursement on a whim, it seems.
DeleteI think the top squirrel is just very young.
well that would do it! hope things don't make you too stressed...those insurance changes do seem completely arbitrary. is that first squirrel a very pale one or is it just the light that makes it looks so? where we used to live there was always an albino squirrel in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHe's normal colored - just sitting in the sunlight.
DeleteI'd get the laptop into the techdoctor pronto, and backup everything. I've had this happen a few times, it's good you've been warned rather than sudden crash of extinction.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your mother's lack of password to her wireless, I've stayed twice at places with this exact problem.
Seethe. Read book.
XO
WWW
Oh, I don't need to pay someone to back up the contents of my laptop - I put it all on an external hard-drive. I just would like it to limp along until I can buy the macbook air I really want for work, hopefully after the new models come out in 2013.
Deleteso you are storing up nuts for winter? smiles....squirrels are def a distraction for me i could watch them all evening...smiles....end of year....glad i am out of the racket where that makes a difference...smiles.
ReplyDeleteI put corn out for my squirrels, just so I can watch them.
DeleteThere's something about the holidays that ratchets up the demand?? Nothing like forced time spent with relatives to make a person seek some help! Laissez le Bon temps rouler.
ReplyDeleteFor some. For others, it's about NOT having family. And for others still, it's about terrible memories of childhood holidays. And then, there's just the contrast between expectations and reality.
DeleteMy condolences to your mother at the loss of her password. I have so many, that when I was out of cyberspace for a few weeks, I had a terrible time remembering them all. It took a while, but I finally got everything up and running again.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year that I am simply an employee rather than owning my own practice. I cannot tell you what a relief it is not to be dealing with all of the work that goes along with that. No malpractice, no book work, no receivables. I am excellent at my job, but a terrible business owner. We all have our strengths!
I doubt my mother ever knew the password - I'm sure it would be an easy fix if she'd just make the call.
DeleteI am burning out on the whole business ownership thing. One more year.
Seems like a busy and stressful time of year for many people. Or maybe it is just people I know!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what dealing with insurance companies must be like. I picture it like constantly building a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shapes.
BTW, one of my favorite things about squirrels is hearing the word "squirrel" pronounced with a British accent :)
The pieces constantly change shapes AND someone periodically slaps you while you are working on the puzzle.
DeleteI just listened to all the pronunciations on Forvo - US, England & Australia. There doesn't seem to be a consensus and the word ranges from"skwurl" to "skweer-il."
oh the holidays and clients. i find it helps me get my own memories and wishes under some control!
ReplyDeleteand you know i love my mac. to think i was afraid to transition.
happy beginning holidays, my friend. here's wishing us both moving earths :^)
love
kj
I don't mind the holidays, the just keep me busier.
DeleteI have an iMac as my home computer. But I will need a laptop for work and would like a MacbookAir to sync with my home computer.
I will be more than glad when the end of year madness is behind us too!
ReplyDeleteI only wish it weren't followed by all that winter.
DeleteI hope there's a kind of respite from turning your attention to other things, no matter how banal.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I go crazy when there's Internet "there," but I can't use it. It makes me screamy inside.
Not that I have a problem.
Yes, I get get screamy inside, too. Plus a little irritable on the outside.
DeleteI always think it is good to take breaks now and then from the internet and blogging in general; I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in them we forget everything else going on in our lives. Too cute about the password; I can see myself doing that myself. Cute squirrel!
ReplyDeletebetty
I have learned to take breaks when I need them - I just let life take precedence.
Deleteit's refreshing to have such an internet brake:)
ReplyDeleteżycie & podróże
gotowanie
Only refreshing when it's by choice!
DeleteLucky squirrels, they don't have to worry about failing laptops! Good luck with all the end-of-year madness. I've only once put in an insurance claim - for a written-off car - and it was an absolute nightmare. It took nine months of constant badgering to get them to pay up.
ReplyDeletePlus, they get fed by people like me.
DeleteI meant the health insurance companies I rely on to pay me for the work I do.
Ask Santa for a new lap top for Christmas! Love the squirrel photos.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm Santa, that ain't gonna happen!
DeleteI have the perfect solution for you Agent, simply change your shingle from Shrink to Soothsayer. You know, like maybe a giant palm with Madame Secret Agent Woman on it. You could deal only in cash with no need of insurance altogether. Have a good one. (Oh, no charge for the advice!)
ReplyDeleteI'd have to live with the guilt of lying to people, so I'm going to have to pass on that bit of career advice.
DeletePretty squirrels! My favorite is the one in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's place is an internet-free zone because she doesn't have a computer. My brother was going to send her his old iPad, but apparently changed his mind.
That little one was a cutie.
DeleteThe crazy thing is my mom is on the computer all the time, and has a smart phone AND an itouch. But can she get her own password? No.
I hope it doesn't get as crazy as those squirrels get. I believe the cable company should be better at leaving easy to read instructions if they setup a home network. Also the user should change the password the cable guy used. I'm making assumptions about your Mom's situation so if I'm wrong - never mind.
ReplyDeleteShe may have, but she doesn't remember it. At my house, I taped the password to the bottom of my router.
DeleteBrilliant photos of squirrels! Well done.
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
Thanks! I think mine were being a little more cooperative than yours.
DeleteYour mother sounds just like mine. She does that as well. It is a busy time of year so I hope you get to relax soon enough and unwind. Cute pics of the squirrels.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I let it bother me so much, but I wish she'd just make the call.
Deletethese squirrels reminded me of my grandma. she used to say that if she were an animal, she'd choose to be a squirrel. i think it's something to do with what seems like a carefree world its in and the fact that it lives on fruits.
ReplyDeleteI like squirrels but wouldn't want to be one - too many people hunt them!
DeleteHope your Thanksgiving was nice. The squirrels are so cute. I think it would be nice if everyone took time off now, I don't think I will be around too much either.
ReplyDeleteI want to be around, things just keep getting in the way.
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