.... And frustrated. How long should a computer last? A year? Two years? 5 years? We bought my computer in 2021, I went to open it the other day and the hinge broke, separating the screen from the lid. AND the screen cracked about 3" diagonally from the bottom right-hand corner. It still works, but I can no longer close it. AND I now have the additional joy of the crack putting pressure on the touch screen causing it to perform functions and go to sites I never intended. "Really Barb, I did not go to that site, the computer did it all by itself!" You pay $1,200 for a computer; it should last longer than 18 months. Any suggestions on a new durable computer?
Now that we have declared the house done, we spent a few days just chill'in. Catching up on a few TV shows. Then we started getting bored. So bored! The girls even started going stir crazy. Zoey would just lay on her bed and spaz out. Harry, make sure you turn up the volume, so you get the full effect. Dakota, on the other hand, took up sucking on a nooky.
Then we snapped out of it and started having fun! Our fun the past 2 weeks included two adventures. The first was a jeep adventure with Kevin and Cheryl. We left our house with a destination of Deerfield Lake outside of Hill City. The same trail that we attempted to take last year but snow deterred us. No snow this time though!
Just forests and fields filled with wildflowers. I am far from a wildflower expert, but I think a two of these are Black-eyed Susans and Wild Roses.
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| Any ideas on what these are? |
It was great to get out and enjoy the area a little bit.
A few days later we did the same thing with Jim and Carmen. Only this time it was in our side-by-sides. Our 4-hour tour involved trails we have never been on before. Our destination was a look out about 12 miles away.
So, what do we do when we are not out enjoying the scenery in the hills? Work of course! If we did not have some kind of project to work on I think we would go stir crazy like Zoey! We are continuing on our gazebo project. Now that the pad is ready, we carried on with staking out and putting down rebar for the grain bin and sidewalk.
I also made it over to Kevin's this week to help him put in the septic system for their bunkhouse. It was a long hot day, but we got it in!
I spent two days back and forth between Vale, South Dakota (5 hour round trip) to pick up a couple loads of hay. We are now all set in the hay department for the winter! My drive took me through Sturgis. The rally starts on August 4th, so they were busy getting everything set up.
On the trail camera front we got a couple of gems this week! I am not sure if this is the same coyote or not, but it is a beauty!
Now I have a Tom Petty song stuck in my head.
ReplyDeleteOn the computer, a ThinkPad is virtually indestructible. Not sure if it is any good, but you could run over it with Kevin’s skid steer and not hurt it.
Mary Jane's Last Dance?
DeleteGreat game camera shots--the great grandkids were over last Sunday so all I have on the game camera is shots of goofy kiddos and a bunch of deer. Always have to have a project--Mike has started a new garage! Too many toys! Can't wait to see your finished gazebo project!
ReplyDeleteI can see a new shed or garage in our future as well. I'd love to see some of your game camera pictures sometime!
DeleteIn spite of being a little bored I think you guys always have something to occupy yourselves with. lol You have to dig a fishing pond and stock it. :)
ReplyDeleteGenius! Maybe then I could practice out fishing Barb!
DeleteAlways nice getting out and exploring new areas. Great shot of Wiley Coyote! Looking forward to your gazebo project progress. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI am planning on putting the roof together today so we'll be ready to erect it once the concrete cures!
DeleteI knew you couldn't just be content with chilling! LOL, glad you were able to see and do a few new things and now you have the gazebo project to keep you busy.
ReplyDeleteWe still have plans to get out and see some more new things over the next couple of weeks. In addition to working on the gazebo of course!
DeleteFor the computer ... the screen could be replaced. My Asus touch screen broke on a trip and the touch screen behaved like yours, jumping all over the place. I had the screen replaced. It's been replaced with a Lenovo that I like. If you're looking for a replacement, an SSD (Solid State Disk) is a great option.
ReplyDeleteAll the bikes and people in little Sturgis might be an interesting day trip ...
I'd never heard of Lenovo but I just looked them up. I will have to do some more research!
DeleteThe gazebo project is going to be cool, looking forward to all the dramas, I mean details. It's good to get out and about but chillin' is nice too 😎
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sure there will be drama, this is a first for us!
DeleteThe flower looks like Wild Bergamot (according to my phone). Love some exploring time. The grain gazebo is going to be awesome! If you’re still bored we’d let you wax the camper and put solar on.
ReplyDeleteBy golly, I think you are right! Bergamot, that's a new one to me!
DeleteWax the camper? I'm bored, not crazy!
Love the blog. I am working to hard to comment on how much you guys goof off.
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you come up with a witty comment. I'll probably be old(er) and gray by then!
DeleteTouring the Black Hills looks like fun. I am sure it is very comfortable from a temperature perspective. Congratulations on officially finishing the house. I have enjoyed reading and learning.
ReplyDeleteLast week I think we saw 90 or close to it every day. Way too hot! Right now it is 60 and raining. I like the temperature but could do without the rain.
DeleteLooking forward to the gazebo build! You guys are never still for long. Zoey cracked me up...and I've never seen a dog with a pacifier--lol! Love the wildflowers! Have a great weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteDepending on how next week goes it could be soon or a couple months. We need some dry weather to get this thing done!
DeleteI LOVE the last photo of Dakota…it always makes me happy to see the pups play. We purchased a MAC Pro in Feb. 2016. Other than having the battery replaced in ‘21 (The Apple Store did not charge us.), it has been flawless. Back in the Harley days, we went to Sturgis, but there was no rally. We loved riding the Harley in your neck of the woods…winding roads and gorgeous scenery. It’s so nice having a “want to do” list and not a “ have to do” list isn’t it?
ReplyDeleteThere aren't many better places to ride than out here. Doing during non-rally weeks are the best in my opinion.
DeleteI love that picture of Dakota as well, she looks so happy!
Next time you are 'bored', just look at this website (it is a Barb approved website)
ReplyDeletehttps://tinyurl.com/BarbJimFishingHoles (LOOK at all those fishing holes close to your house! Now look at all those empty spaces on your walls to hang more trophy fish on!!)
Interesting site! We have fished about a half a dozen of those lakes. But you are right, there are so many more!
DeleteSounds like good times at your place! Can't wait to see the gazebo.
ReplyDeleteWe try. We hope to get the gazebo done before the snow flies!
DeleteEnjoy these days without any home construction to do. Well done you two. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe are. We are not very good at having just down days. We have been working on projects for so long that it is natural for us to wake up each day and talk about what we are going to work on for the day.
DeleteMy husband (engineer) removed hinge screws & drilled 3 small small holes through the cover & used 3 small bolts to secure each hinge on my 3 yr old Dell. Then painted JB Weld on the cover around the bolts to stop future cracking. Not pretty but super secure. Also oiled hinge so it opens/closes easily. A You tube video showed a similar repair. Can't share a pic here but I could text or email one.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of trying to fix it myself but I YouTubed it and it seems possible. Thanks for the tips, I will give it a try!
DeleteThat is one fat coyote .... what a beauty. Book? You read a book??? Yup that's boredom ... I've been there. As for the computer, they are probably a little more expensive, but I go with MacBook Pro every time. I haul it around (in a case) in my truck, it falls on the floor, I stack stuff on top of it, and I've never had a problem. I would probably try the above suggestion first however. Nice load of hay ... it's hard to find down here.
ReplyDeleteToday's agenda includes looking deeper into fixing this computer. I got one problem fixed but now need to look at those hinges. It is kind of annoying not being able to close it!
Deletei may have lost my comment, i'm not sure. if this is a double, that's what happened. if you are ever bored, you can come to my house...there is so much that needs to be done and the husband is just not into it any more!! we are still working on the remodel of the 2 rooms, the couch finally came but there is more that needs to be done. i wondered if zoey is reacting to a dream in the beginning of the video...she is a hoot and a half!! we have watched the show about the sturgis rally on tv, it seemed a little wild!!
ReplyDeleteanswering your question from my blog: everyone in this area uses the term "bennies" to refer to out of towners. i googled the meaning of bennie, i didn't know it, and i am ashamed to tell you it's meaning because it's not very nice. i will never use it again!!
So what you are saying is that we should take our show on the road!
DeleteFear not, all the terms we use for our of towners is derogatory as well so you are not alone!
Love that last photo of Dakota. She looks like a spry young puppy. Good to read that you had some fun before the new project came up. If you run out of projects come down to Mexico and help set up our new location.
ReplyDeleteContessa
Young and spry is a great description, she generally does not look that excited. A Mexican project would be fun! We have been doing our planning for this winter and it is gearing up to look like a trip to Florida is in our plans this year!
DeleteWe were in beautiful South Dakota last week camping and UTVing. Every time we went by a long driveway or a shouse that was your color, I would tell my husband, i bet that’s where they live! He just looked at me and smiled. We love your new state, and the UTV trails. Keep on making us jealous of your surroundings, animals, and nature.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! If you were down Pringle way, you were within a few miles! The trails in the area are incredible, aren't they? Did you get through Custer SP and Windcave to see the buffalo? They are the main attraction in the area for sure.
DeleteWe were, we stayed at Custer’s Gulch and went utving every direction. We already made plans again next year to travel from Wiscon back to South Dakota. Went to Rochford, and enjoyed the old feel! Just had a great time,
DeleteIf you can, come in late August or even September. Fewer people and usually cooler temp. You'd have the trails practically to yourself.
DeleteThe coyote photo is amazing! And you inspire us more than you know. We bought a white truck this week! We are dreaming of adventure! Enjoy your week. More heat advisories for us so we are dreaming....and planning! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like the dream and excitement of a new adventure to keep you motivated! We've never thought of ourselves as "inspirers", but if it got you a new white truck all the better!
DeleteI would love to go jeeping or ATVing in those parts of the country you recently went. Looks like a fun trip and beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteCome on down, we'll show you around! If we are here that is....
DeleteGreat job this week with adorable Dakota photos!! She is to cute. Love seeing her jumping around. That is a beautiful coyote! Our desert coyotes are so skinny with long legs. Not the cutest. They wander on the bank behind our wall every now and then. Your two trips sound like great fun. Any time on the dirt road is a good time. We, too, have been to Sturgis on our bike, just not during the rally. It is super biking country. Can't wait to see your finished project.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you the moment I saw that picture of Dakota on the trail camera.
DeleteThe coyote is huge and beautiful! You know I'm waiting for the gazebo project! :) Love that you got out for the two trips! That is a lot of hay!
ReplyDeleteWe should have more progress this week!
DeleteYou sure did find a great cure for boredom. Great photos and cute video of Zoey, and Dakota is adorable too. A great catch on the coyote. We had sightings of one or two traveling through our neighborhood but they were not so healthy looking. Being a coyote in the burbs probably isn't a good thing. I think I am living vicariously through the projects you do. I am always fascinated how things are done, built and how they work and so on. Probably because as a kid I enjoyed watching my dad. He was very handy and a great carpenter, all a hobby but he made great things, none of which these things were passed down to his daughter. He had a mind that girls just didn't do that kind of thing, not back in those days anyhow. Enjoyed your trip too and those wildflowers and gorgeous views. Thanks for another great post!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how things and thoughts have changed in our generation? Both Barb's and my mom were both homemakers. Is that even a term anymore? They would not think or be allowed to do the things that many women do today. Barb could out work many men that I know, myself included!
DeleteI was confident the boredom would be short-lived :-) Glad you got out for some playtime in the area, love the pretty wild flowers. That coyote is a beauty with that healthy coat. The gazebo is going to be such a cool addition. Dakota's romp by the camera steals the post, pure joy!!
ReplyDeleteIt does steal the post doesn't it? She loves her walks with momma!
DeleteWow..you are always so busy on that spot of land!! lol....Busy, busy, and busy. But there is always something that needs doing, or something you want to change. I love the changing parts of doing things. Love the wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteGood thing we are building instead of remodeling as I love the demo part, the rebuilding part, not as much!
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