Change Of Plans...

Brynwood Needleworks - Relaxing Sunday Corgi

I woke up Sunday with a lot on my To Do List. I planned to start by cleaning and refilling all the bird feeders. From there, I was going to enjoy more of our beautiful Sunday sunshine by weeding and mulching the two planting beds around the barns. Finally, I'd be painting the ballisters for the railings for our airing porch. Yes. Those were my ambitious plans.

I began by setting up a pair of sawhorses, topped with a piece of plywood that would be my outdoor work table. I partially filled a 5-gallon bucket with Jungle Jake cleaner and water (which I placed on the ground between the table and me), and then I took down the feeders to begin my task.

I had a few tool (scrapers and brushes), and a box of shop towels to make my task a little easier. Finally, I put my trusty iPhone 6 Plus on the table, opened a streaming site and turned on the speaker so I could listen while I work. Everything was going "swimmingly".

It was a bit breezy, which was perfect for drying out my feeders, and I was really making great progress. Then, a big breeze blew through. My table top was stable, but my box of shop towels, some of the used towels, and a few other things blew off the table. I quickly gathered everything to put back on the table. What I couldn't find, but could still hear, was my iPhone. I looked everywhere, and then I followed the sound...downward. Oh, please. Oh, please. Not that.

I put my hand into the bucket of water, and sure enough. My phone was in the bottom of the bucket, still broadcasting. I knew my phone was doomed. I panicked. I admit, I have waaay too much stuff in my phone. Photos (over 10,000. I really need to clean out my memory!); contacts, thankfully backup up in iCloud and my other computers; and the fact that this phone number is our main home phone number made this even more unfortunate.

The first thing I did was pull off the protective case. Then I dried the phone off as best as I could, and ran up to my studio computer to make sure everything was backed up before my phone croaked. Then, like trying to treat a person with a possible concussion, I kept begging my phone to "stay awake". I immediately got in the car and drove to the Verizon office for a replacement.

Brynwood Needleworks - iPhone 8 Plus Packaging

I'm much to cheap to pay the nearly one thousand dollars for the latest and greatest iPhone, but also realized that my iPhone 6 Plus was already obsolete. After help (and patience) from my sales rep, Alex,  I decided to purchase the iPhone 8 Plus. One of the reasons was because it has a wireless charger.

Once we logged on to my carrier account, it automatically migrated everything into my new phone. Of course, as I write this, the apps are all still downloading, but I expect that process will complete any minute now.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sunday Sunset At Hickory Hill Farm

So, the first photos I took on my new phone were of Tag (you're not really surprised, are you?), and the last photo I took was of the colorful sunset reflected in the clouds to the east of the farmhouse. Within minutes of this photo, the sun went down and our new yard lights came on.

I did manage to finish cleaning the bird feeders, but my other tasks went unfinished. I can paint today, but the rest of the weekend projects will have to wait. I really have work to do in the studio, that I don't want to put off. At least for now, I have my phone back in service, and like the Million Dollar (Bionic) Man from the 1970's, it's better than before. By the way, I'll be keeping my phone well away from my work from now on, relying on wireless ear buds to transmit my music, audio books, or conversation. I'm going to keep my phone well away from anything that can harm it!

Tag will be back tomorrow - with new and improved photos for you! I'll see you again on Wednesday to let you know what else I've been doing. See you then!

 

Not So Much...

Needlework © Trish Burr

 

I accidentally cracked the screen of my 6Plus. Rather than show you a photo of my damaged cell phone, I'm instead sharing a photo of a beautiful needlework piece by Trish Burr. I love her work.

 

I spent today going through each of the 5,000 photos (don't judge) stored on my phone, purging outtakes and "chaff", so I can back up the "keepers" before taking it in for service or replacement. Do you know how long it takes to go through 5,000 photos? (I'm not finished yet.)

 

Because we live near a cell tower, and have excellent cell service, we don't have a land line. My phone is our main number, so I need to make sure it stays in service. So, rather than playing with fabrics, threads and needles today, my day will be much as yesterday. When I'm finished preparing for my backup, I'll take the phone in for repair, and figure out what to do next. Sounds like great fun, doesn't it? I know. Not so much.

Perfect For The Studio...

 ...and anywhere else I want to use it.

I've always had a Bose Sound Dock to play my first and second generation 

iPods in the studio. It was actually the only way I could still play music on 

my iPods, which wouldn't be controlled or charged without dropping them 

into the dock. My two iPods are ancient by anyone's standards, so I

depended on the Dock to keep them going. Then it happened. My Dock died.

 Bose has a great program if your Dock dies. You can send it back to them

and they'll give you a deep discount on purchasing another of their products.

Handsome surprised me when he chose a Bluetooth Speaker from their

product line for me to use in the studio - or anywhere else. It's so dang small

that I can pick it up and move it anywhere in the house, Flying Cloud or...

anywhere! I paired the Bluetooth with my iPhone and iPad, so I can play all 

my music through it without cords and cables that need to be plugged into the 

precious few outlets in my work area. It only connects to recharge the battery!

 And look at how small it is! It's about the size of a useful clutch handbag.

I think I'll have to use my sewing machines standing up, so that when I'm

in the studio, this girl can get her groove on! (giggle) I don't know about you,

but when the Doobies, Eagles, Al Green, Roy Orbison, the Bee Gees (just to 

name a few) are playing within earshot, I can't help it. I have to dance!

You know what I'm going to say next, right? Yup. I've got the greatest 

husband in the whole world. Don't argue with me now. Handsome is the best!

Who would have thought that a bluetooth speaker could make your feel young?

(Here's a link in case you'd like to learn more about it.)

If you're looking for me, I'll be in the studio dancing while I play!

Oh, yeah. Happy August! (already)

Like Shoes Or Peanuts...

We went to our local Apple retailer in Sarasota yesterday to purchase an iPad for Handsome. (He's been wanting one for quite a while and we decided to wait until after Christmas to go shopping for one as his Birthday gift.) 

While in the store, we were looking at all the different cases to protect his iPad, and my eyes settled on this little beauty - an iPhone cover.

Look at all the little houses and turrets. The images are all bas relief and it reminds me of a mountainside village. It came in two colors...this one and another in a dark blue-green. I preferred this color thinking it might be easier to find in the bottom of my purse!

I know that I recently showed you the Cath Kidston cover I bought while we were traveling last summer. I still really like it and will use it again. The thing is, I think iPhone cases are like shoes or peanuts or potato chips...no one can have just one.

Here's just one of the online links I found for this line of cases from Chateau. I mean, you might have to get one, too, right? (Wait til you see the one with black roses on it! It's over in the right sidebar.)

We had a grand day together - Handsome and I. We went shopping and then shared lunch in Sarasota. Today, he's playing in a circus band at Gibsonton, FL. I know he is looking forward to spending tomorrow relaxing and playing with his newest gadget. Thanks to everyone who left Birthday wishes for him. He really appreciated it.

Cath Kidston Rocks iPhones...

My computer was giving me some monster trouble signing online, maintaining a consistent signal, and letting me write blog posts or answer emails. I finally made an appointment to go to the Apple store and have a "genius" (that's what they call their techs!) help me figure out what the problem was.

It turned out that my airport card had died and needed to be replaced. While I was waiting for the repair to be effected, I strolled through the store and looked at all their goodies. Tables laden with iPads for people to try; iMacs with HUGE screens; and walls of accessories.

This one was my absolute favorite!

What especially caught my attention was an area that took up about 8' x 10' of pegboard, filled with all sorts of iPhone covers. I started to look for something that might have a sewing/quilting/needlework sort of theme and came across these fabulous Cath Kidston covers.

In case you're not familiar with Cath, you can check out her U.S. webpage here. She's been a favorite in the UK for years, with her wonderful vintage fabric patterns and homemaking accessories.

Great if you're reaching for a star!

I wasn't able to make a choice while I was there yesterday, but I now know which one I want and will make a second trip to procure one. Rule Britannia...pip, pip and all. (giggle)

Flower Power is always a great choice!

If you have an iPhone 4, you just might want to find an Apple store near you to get one of Cath's phone covers for yourself.

By the way, my computer is back up and running at full speed now, so don't be surprised if you finally get an reply to all the wonderful comments you've been leaving for me!




PS. Kelly (Tag's breeder) saw my post about the Katherine's wedding earrings and sent me this link to purchase some knock-offs. I should have guessed that someone would have already copied them. Thanks, Kelly for letting me know!!

Hello, It's Me...

Our cell phone contract ended about two years ago, but we've been holding off on a new contract hoping that our provider would offer Apple's iPhone™. Finally, in January, the iPhone came to our provider.

My Blackberry™ has been giving me a lot of grief lately, and Handsome has disliked his phone for a while. We figured now was as good a time as any to make a few decisions...whether or not to just get new phones and basic service, or upgrade our smart phones.
We decided to upgrade to iPhones™. Mine is a white 16GB iPhone 4, and Handsome got a black one. Of course we had to get silicone covers (mine is ocean blue) to protect them, along with a car charger and a handy little stylus for each of us. I can also use mine with my iPad.

I really like the way it feels and we're already fluent in Apple's user-friendly technology. I'll sync it up with my calendar, contacts and a few photographs tomorrow. Call me a "techi". It's ok with me. I can't wait to make a bona fide phone call with it!

A quick reminder...

Monday is Memory Lane Monday, however, because it's a holiday and many of you will be taking the day off, I'm going to keep the link open for a whole week. That way, you'll be able to participate any time between Monday, May 30th and Monday, June 6th. Hope you're thinking of a personal memory to share with us! My post will go up on Sunday evening so you can link up any time after that.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

PS. Hey, Shell. I thought you'd like a new tune to hum today! lol