Successful Upgrade to Windows 11

 It was with some trepidation that I clicked on the Windows Upgrade button this morning. I had some time ago run the check to see if my computer was compatible. The nagging from Microsoft had definitely increased. 

I am pleased to tell you that the upgrade went well and was successful. It took a little less than 2 hours for the download and installation and updating to complete. Since I have Windows 11 on my laptop, I was not totally lost; but I use my laptop very little so I will need to familiarize myself with Windows 11 again. It is mostly figuring out how to navigate between things.

 All of my files and programs transferred fine. I was most worried about my old Office Home and Student for Windows 10. However, it did carry it over and put it in a "folder" called Your Windows 10 Apps. It is a little confusing because when you click on the Windows start button, you have Office products icons staring you in the face. I bought the office suite for my laptop, but I really do not want to invest in that for a 5-years-old pc. I haven't even learned how to use the more modern Office products on my laptop. I do know they are different from what I am used to. If I forget and click on the icon on my pc for Word, for example, it opens but wants me to purchase Office 365. So I have to remember to go to the Windows 10 app folder and click on the Word or Excel or Power Point icons there instead.

  I remember on my laptop desperately searching for the start/restart button on the display. It is at the bottom near your name. At least I know where that is on the pc from my laptop experience.

I can't complain. Things went well. Just remember to give yourself a block of time to let things happen. 

Eyeglasses from Costco

 This morning we went to Fort Wayne to pick up my new eyeglasses I bought at Costco.

Using my Medicare Advantage plan, I paid $40. Even without the insurance, the cost was $198. For no-line progressive bifocals. Hundreds of dollars less than what I paid 4 1/2 years ago at the eyeglass shop associated with the doctor that did the exam and wrote the prescription. The frames were less expensive, but I think the main savings were that Costco does anti-glare coating and scratch-resistant coating at no extra charge. For my last pair I think I paid about $100 each for those coatings and the insurance may have partially covered the scratch-resistant coating.

You do have to take in a written/printed prescription (nothing on your phone). You can get the exam at Costco; the optometrists are considered independent contractors. I had my exam from a local doctor. 

From date of order to finished eyeglasses was 10 days. Since we have Costco membership for my husband's hearing aids, getting eyeglasses there was a no-brainer. The optician who helped me select from my 3 possible frames and then did the measurements, told me that if I was unsatisfied with the prescription, I could go back to my optometrist and have him tweak the prescription. Costco would redo my lenses within 90 days with the new prescription at no added charge. 

I am still adjusting to the glasses, but I don't think I will need any changes.

Yesterday as I entered Martin's and headed to the produce section, I had to pass the floral department. Next to the aisle was a bouquet of 12 roses for $8.99. I couldn't resist. They called it a rainbow bouquet. They smell so nice.

My week is off to a good start. Hope yours is too.

Handcrafted Wooden Clock With Stained Glass

 

My husband partnered with one of his workshop buddies to add stained glass to a wooden clock that he made. The partner does stain glass pieces as his hobby while my husband does woodworking. The top photo does not do the oak wood grain justice because of being back-lighted.  The round puck is battery powered. The control allows different lights to be emitted from the puck. A very nice piece with practical use.

Winona Lake Farmers Market July 12th

 

This morning my husband and I went to the Winona Lake Farmers' Market. There was a pleasant breeze blowing through the pavilion. 

Not quite as many vendors as sometimes, but I found what I wanted: pie, flowers, honey. (Bought small tomatoes too though not on my list).

Take Back Your Home

 I recently searched Hoopla for a book about decluttering that I had seen mentioned. Hoopla did not have it but suggested Take Back Your Home by Morgan Tyree. 

This book differs in several ways from others that I have read. Its emphasis is on sorting and organizing more than getting rid of things. She does suggest that as you are putting "like with like" that you cull duplicates or unused items. She spends a lot of time taking you through "systems" so that you can identify which pertain to you and how to overcome obstacles. Some of her material deals with time management, but she has previously written a whole book about that.

She addresses in part of her book a population mostly ignored by other authors: those with physical disabilities and neurodivergent people (autism, attention deficits) and helps them to work around their challenges. People with short attention spans cannot use tips to go through a whole room or a whole category of things in a short time. She simplifies and breaks things down to make them manageable.  

She includes stories about her personal efforts and those of her clients. Many practical suggestions and successes are described.

For me, the book's perspective does not go far enough in decluttering but does get people to calm their home environments which creates  less stress. Knowing what you have and where it is located pays off.