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Computers: Upgrade or Replace?
With the exception of the brand-new Toshiba that Mark and I aren't using, all of the computers in the house need memory upgrades. Not to mention, snazzy new graphics cards would be a big help. The laptop is old; the desktop is a mish-mash of parts.
Of course, by the time we fix everything up, we might be better off just getting (at least) a new desktop. (Can you say: "Sony VAIO"?) Memory for the laptop isn't that expensive and, for my purposes, the graphics card is sufficient. I wouldn't mind, however, finding a better desktop for Mark.
Have you seen these all-in-one desktop computers? I hadn't until today and now - big surprise - I want one, or two. This is the coolest concept!
Get this! No CPU! All of the goodies are in the monitor unit! Many have 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drives, top-of-the-line graphics and sound cards. All in a really, really small footprint.
Just when I thought I knew what I wanted - someone had to come up with new stuff! Rats!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Holidays and Observances for February
This was so much fun in January, I decided to see what February has to offer.
On the lighter side, February is also:
- Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
- Grapefruit Month
- National Cherry Month
- Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month
- Library Lovers Month
Guess it's time to pull out the sofa, grab a good book, and enjoy a yummy fruit salad. What are your plans for the month?
- With many thanks to Brownielocks.com who offers amazing, validated holiday and observance information.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Exercise Equipment
Personally, I resolved to make no resolutions this year. The failure rate is just too high and too depressing. But saving money doesn't require resolve and January is a great time to save.
Whether online or brick-and-mortar, stores need to clear it or count it. Having helped with year-end inventory in the past, I understand their motivation. Why not let their needs meet yours and get a great deal?
Looking at treadmills or elliptical machines for your new, physically-fit lifestyle? Many sites are offering tremendous New Year discounts - 50% off, and more. Personally, I love online shopping - they deliver and haul it up the stairs for me!
Hmmmm? Doesn't sound like someone looking to get in shape in 2010, does it?
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
What This World Needs ...
Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.
~ Diane Ackerman
It's amazing how the aroma of homemade chicken soup can trigger a dozen memories of my grandmother. She made the world's best soup - any and every kind. And don't get me started on her rye bread. That scent can take me back 40 years!
The same with the smell of a cigar. Two of my favorite uncles smoked cigars; as did one of my first boyfriends.
Each type of cigar has its own unique aroma and its own set of memories that take me back to a much different time.
Let me tell you - a good cigar is more than a smoke.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Supporting the World's Artisans
It's not that I dislike shopping. Heaven knows I do enough of it. But when it comes down to parting with cold, hard (and hard-earned) cash, I like to know that I'm getting a good value.
This year, I can also support artisans around the world.
While trying to find different "gifts for her" - something for our manager and Mark's GI NP - I stumbled across a couple of craft stores that have some really fun things. The earrings and bracelets weren't like what everyone else carries. And the prices were so reasonable, that I don't have to feel guilty for picking up a thing or two just for me.
In fact, I have my eye on ... well, let's just say I'm narrowing down my options.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Zazzle Mugs from JMark Afghans, etc.
Just In: Zazzle is offering a BOGO on mugs until 11:59pm December 14th !! All mugs are Buy One Get One Free - with the code 12DEALZAZZLE !
Whether you're looking for amazing scenery or making a statement - we have the mug for you!.
Order by 3:00pm, December 17th to ensure delivery by Christmas!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Bronze Ceiling Fans
One of the latest and greatest additions to our apartment, in a vain attempt to justify the outrageous rents, was a ceiling fan. Mark was thrilled; I've never had one before. After some time in the hot Arizona weather, I am forced to admit he had a point. Except for one slight problem.
We live at the confluence of filthy-air and just-can't-breath. As long as the windows are closed, the apartment stays quite dust- and crud-free. Then, come October/November, when the temperatures approach humane again, we open the windows and turn on the fans.
This addition of polluted outdoor air has turned our lovely white ceiling fan a nasty shade of brown - which it is also sharing with the ceiling directly above it. (I don't want to know what my lungs look like!) So, I thought I'd see what it would cost to replace the once-pristine fan with one that's the color of the dust.
I know, I know! - most normal people would just clean the fan! But, Minka Aire has such lovely bronze-tone fans, it's very tempting to replace the white one. Naturally, I would have to repaint the ceiling in a lovely pollution-brown color to hide the dust. A small price to pay for the illusion of clean. Right?!
It's just a thought! (Think Mark'll go for it?!)
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
2009 Christmas Special - Lacy Afghan
To all of our wonderful readers - Thank you for your interest in our first ever Seasonal Afghan Special Offer. Unfortunately, the offer is no longer available. You can, as always, take advantage of our normal order options, as listed below.
Time is running out! Order today to guarantee your one-of-a-kind Afghan gets to your house -- before Santa!
This Special Holiday offer is available only to readers of "Random Musings of a Curious Mind" who order before December 10th.
(We are limiting sizes and yarn options to speed up the arrival of your new, favorite Afghan.)
Ordering couldn't be easier! Simply pick a size, a yarn color, and click {Buy}. For your convenience, we offer PayPal or Google Checkout to complete your order. (No personal information is required, until you place your order through our secure options.)
As always, if you have any questions or problems - Contact Jules - for more information.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Wrinkle Treatment
Despite my best intentions, I recently had another birthday. I know, I know. You'd think after all this time, I'd have learned to run a little faster. But, no - it catches me every single year; and on the very same day, no less. Just sad.
Coincidentally, every year on that very same day, I start thinking about wrinkle treatment. Or, at the very least, about taking better care of my skin. Living in Arizona, I've got several strikes against me - besides my age - going in.
First, unrelenting sunshine. It's lovely to look at, but brutal to live in. You can just feel the skin damage - without even stepping outside. Those brown spots? Not freckles, my friend! Little spots of skin destruction!
Second, zero (or almost) humidity. Yes, it's a dry heat! Unfortunately, dry is the critical part of that phrase. You do know how they get raisins, right?! Suck all of the moisture out of a perfectly good grape! Frankly, I'd rather be the grape, if it's all the same to you!
Third, the world's worst skincare regimen. Seriously! I own - Heaven only knows how many - moisturizers, creams, exfoliants, and jars of stuff I forgot I had. Do you think it goes bad, like sour cream or cheese after a few years?! Eh, probably!
My luck? It'll add wrinkles if I use it now!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Computer Housekeeping
One of my biggest problems is hoarding. Not like the people on the TV show, where you can't get through the house for all the stuff, mind you. But I am a packrat, nonetheless.
Which means that like my closets and under my bed, my computers tend to be loaded with stuff that I just don't need - well, I hope I don't need them. You know the old saying, "The minute you throw something away, that's when you remember why you had it in the first place."
Today, however, I am working on minimalism on my computer.
It occurred to me, as I was downloading the 4th game, that I really didn't need all of these downloads. I only play a couple of them, between Facebook games, editing, and blogging. So why was I loading my hard drive? Because ...
Because they were there. I might want to play one of them some day. Maybe. If I couldn't find anything else to do.
Yeah! Like that's gonna happen!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Lacy Afghan - 2009 Christmas Special
Thank you friends, for all of your interest in our first-ever Seasonal Afghan Special Offer. Unfortunately, the offer is no longer available. You can, as always, take advantage of our normal order options, as listed below.
JMark Afghans, etc. is offering - for a limited time - our favorite Lacy Afghan at amazing prices!
This offer is available only to readers of "Random Musings of a Curious Mind" who order before December 10th.
(To ensure that your order is completed in plenty of time for Christmas, we are offering only 3 sizes and a limited number of yarn colors.)
Ordering couldn't be easier! Simply pick a size, a yarn color, and click {Buy}. For your convenience, we offer PayPal or Google Checkout to complete your order. (No personal information is required, until you place your order through our secure options.)
As always, if you have any questions or problems - Contact Jules - for more information.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Update Your Office
It's been five months, give or take, since we moved into the new apartment. With something akin to desperation, we managed to arrange and organize our piles of stuff and mounds of furniture into a functional system.
There would be no more stubbed toes and banged shins. Then, Frankie moved back in.
Don't get me wrong - it is absolutely wonderful having him home. But, our interior design plan didn't leave a lot of room for more stuff. (It takes an act of Congress to get into my dresser these days.) The monster of a computer desk, which we have banged into and stumbled over for years, (the one that I keep threatening to replace) is eating up space that we could really use for other things. 
Like it or not, I really think it's time to rethink our office furniture set-up.
Frankly, we would do better with a much (much) smaller desk and a 4-drawer filing cabinet. Maybe, a desk with a 2-drawer filing cabinet on each side. Then, we could shift everything else we own around and make room in my closet! Hey, I like that idea!
Just one - not so small - problem: Everything I like is bigger that what we have now! Oh, boy. Back to the drawing board - oooh, I need one of those, too!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Greeting Cards for the Holidays
This year I'm going to do it!
Seriously! I'm going to send out
holiday cards to everyone I know.
If I start now, it won't be too much of a project. Just a couple of cards every day and, before long, I'll have them all sent out. 
That will give me time and energy to add a personal note to each card. And, because I'm not trying to do everything at once, it will be easy to keep the notes from being tedious and redundant. Hopefully?!
The other alternative, of course, is a holiday newsletter. Though I used to hate getting them, I can understand just how much they simplify the process. One creative page, detailing a year's worth of our lives. But then there's the supremely difficult decision:
What, exactly, have we done this year that would be interesting to anyone, other than us?
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Order Now to Guarantee Christmas Delivery
Just a quick reminder that JMark Afghans, etc. doesn't crochet your afghan - or hat, scarf, or shawl - until you order it.
For some of the larger, more involved designs, that means that it takes at least a couple of weeks to finish your order.
If you've been thinking of a special, one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones - please be sure to order now.
All of our items ship second-day, but - the closer we get to Christmas Day - even the USPS can't guarantee timely delivery.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Santa!? Please Fix My Truck!
Well, there are only 33 days until Christmas. Therefore, I do believe that it's time to start my list for Santa. Don't want to miss the please-send-me-this deadline since, after all, I have been very good this year. No really - I have!
Everyone knows that Santa is extremely busy, so there's nothing wrong with cutting out pictures or bookmarking websites - just to help out, you know. For example, there are specific Mopar parts involved in repairing a Dodge truck. Can't just slap any old head gasket onto a Dakota Sport (from 1995, 2.5L engine, standard 5-speed transmission), and expect a Christmas miracle. Well, one can hope, but how practical is that?
No, it's important to get the specifics just right when sending a request to Santa. And if, by chance, there are a couple of elves with mechanical expertise who would like to spend a little time with us - we wouldn't complain. In fact, we'd be willing to pay handsomely - with all the hot chocolate and sugar cookies they can hold!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Insurance For Your Business
Well, here is something I didn't think about. Probably because I have no
employees, 
no
actual store-front, no company cars, and don't need to be bonded. But business
insurance is a critical purchase decision for anyone whose
enterprise is more than one person.
There are so many types of coverage that have to be considered, it
boggles my mind. 
At
the very least, General Liability coverage is a must-have. This will
protect against most of the basic risks of having a brick-and-mortar
store. It doesn't cover transportation of goods or people, but it will
offer protection if someone slips and falls walking into the store.
Or if they're beaned by falling inventory, climbing up the display racks
to get to the last 'color-me-silly' doll on the top shelf. (Hey, people
do crazy things in the name of shopping and saving money.)
Whatever the type of business, it's foolish to operate it in these
litigious times without adequate protection.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Fitness Equipment
As many of you know, I have been window-shopping for fitness
equipment for some time now. It's not been an easy process. I have
to, first, find something that I'll actually use. Second, if it doesn't
fit in the little spare room that we have, what's the point? Finally, it
has to be something that we can afford.
Being less than enthusiastic about doing anything that makes me sweat,
finding an appropriate piece of equipment is never easy. Then add in two
bad knees and it gets really challenging. 
On
top of all that, I really don't want to give up my recliner or - worse
yet - my bed to fit in a machine that I may or may not use several times
a week. Anything that costs in the neighborhood of a month's rent and
doesn't come with a kitchen and bathroom, is just not even realistic.
Much to my surprise, there are places that sell used equipment. You
know, the treadmill that's been used as a clothes rack for the last 3
years until the spouse says, "Get it out of here! Now!" The variety was
better than I expected, and so are the prices.
Now, I have to get serious about this. Darn it!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Protecting Montana's Grizzlies
The Alliance
for the Wild Rockies (AWR) filed a lawsuit, on Monday, in a
challenge to "the U.S. Forest Service's decision to go forward with
three road-building and logging projects in occupied habitat for the
endangered Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear. 
According
to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear is
almost certainly going extinct and roads pose the most imminent threat
to these bears."
Do these government departments / bureaus ever talk to - or
listen to - each other?
Here you have the FWS - part of the Department of the Interior - whose
"... mission is, working with others to conserve, protect and
enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats ..." stating
that building roads through the Cabinet-Yaak area is contributing to the
decimation of the grizzly population. A population, by the way, that is
limited to only 5 areas in the western United States and is estimated
(April, 2007) to number less than 50 individuals in what is known as the Cabinet-Yaak
Recovery Zone. This zone consists of the Cabinet Mountains and Yaak
Valley.
Now, we add the USFS, part of the Department of Agriculture - but
funded through the Department of the Interior. Their mission "... is to sustain
the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nationâs forests and
grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations."
Doesn't sound incompatible to me? And yet, in practice, the left hand
certainly has different goals than the right hand (non-politically
speaking).
The USFS projects, which AWR is challenging, include:
-
Commercial thinning on 780 acres, regeneration harvest on 398 acres,
prescribed burning only on 691 acres, 5.5 miles of new permanent
roads, and 2 miles of temp roads in Little Beaver Drainage;
-
Commercial timber harvest on 2,506 acres and prescribed fire on 3,148
acres in Miller West Fisher; and
-
Timber harvest, prescribed burning, pre-commercial thin, and access
mgmt changes in the Grizzly Planning Subunit.
The full complaint (PDF file) can be found on the AWR
website.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
2010 Arizona Scenery Calendars
Can you believe it?! 2009 is almost over! And, frankly, I am looking forward to the new year!
In honor of what simply
has to be a better year,
JMark Afghans, etc. is offering 2 new calendar designs for 2010.
Jules pulled out some of her favorite Arizona and Grand Canyon pictures, just for these calendars. Each month is a trip to another beautiful scene from the
Grand Canyon State. These images are only available on
JMark Afghans, etc. products at Zazzle. No other place has them!
So, don't wait until the last minute! Beat the rush and get yours today! And spend 2010 in Arizona!
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
The Importance of Security in Difficult Times
One recurring theme these days, on TV and on the Internet, is the need for security. In tough economic times, it's not surprising to hear that crime is on the rise. Crime against businesses and crime against individuals now make the news several times a day. (I know that we've heard the police helicopter, searching the neighborhood, a lot more in the last few months.)
One benefit of living where we do is the cctv security system. A few years ago, when Mark's daughter and son-in-law were visiting, someone ran into their car in the parking lot. Happily, it took no time at all to get the make, model, and license number of the vehicle that sideswiped the new SUV. Sadly, it was one of our neighbors who, as we saw in the tape, hit the car - not once, but twice.
These days, our complex is also gated. People attempt to climb over the gates on a regular basis and are caught on the security cameras, on a regular basis. Personally, we don't wait for the cameras to catch these trespassers. After all, once they're over the gate, we aren't that many steps away.
In addition to wooden blocks in the windows, for the last several months, we've kept a chair shoved under the front door. We know that it won't stop a determined intruder. It will slow them down and, hopefully, encourage them to bother someone else.
Our neighborhood is not the best. And - honestly? - our neighbors are not the most law-abiding. With a little attention to security, we do sleep pretty well at night.
Be sure to stop by
JMark Afghans
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
