Help! I Think My Computer is Dying! Plus Big Personal News

       The last few days, my computer, which I bought in 2007 (so it's beginning to get old) has been not only sluggish -- it's been freezing up, it will flash as if it were refreshing or changing somehow, it's been saying "IE has stopped working, Windows is trying to diagnose the problem," and yesterday when it was idle, it suddenly cut off on its own and I heard it boot back up (you know, the little jingly Windows music).  So I've called the local company where I bought it, but they can't come out till Monday morning.  The technician said it sounded like a hardware problem.  Groan!  I don't want a new computer.  I like what I'm used to.  A new computer means a new operating system, plus having all the document files transferred into the latest Word (which will mean learning something new when it's totally unnecessary).  And I don't need that fancy touch-screen stuff and extra-special game playing capability that's on Windows 8.  I'm perfectly satisfied with Vista, a keyboard and a mouse.

       In case you're wondering why I can't just load the computer into the car and drive it down to the shop, well, there are two reasons.  First of all, with the arthritis in my shoulders, I can't even begin to lift the CPU; furthermore I don't see too well these days.  And second ...

 

I'M GETTING RID OF MY CAR!  I WILL NO LONGER BE DRIVING AT ALL!

 

       I haven't liked to drive for a long time and with the arthritis, I can hardly turn the steering wheel or buckle my seat belt or pull the car door closed.  The car is really old -- a l978 Chevy Malibu -- although it has amazingly low mileage.  I have a friend who will take me places, or I get cabs, or there are other services.  So senior-citizen-dom -- here I come!

      What I did was call Goodwill and they will come and pick up the car, probably Monday but hopefully not at the same time the computer man is here.  I will watch with some nostalgia as it's towed away, but actually it's a relief.  I've always hated cars -- I hate having them serviced, I hate putting gas in them, I hate keeping them clean, I hate the smell and the noise.  It's a certain loss of independence, but I've only been driving the car to the grocery and a few other places near at hand for a long time anyway.

 

       So I want everybody to know, if you don't hear much from me over the next couple of days, it's because my computer became completely inoperable.  I will now try to post this.  Perhaps, goodbye, forever!  LOL

 

       Oh, and just in case this is my last opportunity,

REMEMBER THAT THE TERMITE QUEEN AND

WAR OF THE STOLEN MOTHER ARE HALF-PRICE

AT SMASHWORDS THROUGH MONDAY!