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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- The New Laptop Delivered!! From: BK Lick Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:06 AM Right now they're working on an issue - it isn't staying logged on to the WiFi.I had a similar issue with the nursing home resident I work with. The IT staff solved it by assigning a permanent network login to the computer's MAC address. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- The New Laptop Delivered!! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:28 PM I had a wonderful talk with katlaughing this evening - our Ringleader in this project. I wanted to share the news that Art has the computer, and they're working on the connectivity issues. She's a huge Art Thieme fan, as am I. It's nice to be able to share good news. Any time now! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- The New Laptop Delivered!! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:28 PM Here is the list of donors on this project: maeve Ebbie Janie Sandra in Sydney deepdoc1 dick.hamlet Mmario SINSULL BK Lick ChanteyLass Gerald Myerson Ronald Davies Maureen (lurker at Mudcat) Mary Katherine Autoharper CAMSCO Music Kendall Catspaw49 Kathy Miner Joe Offer Because of the Best Buy cock-up, we realized a considerable savings. You can each calculate that 20% of your donation ended up going to the Mudcat Cafe Music Foundation. I sent a little bit to round out the donation to Mudcat to an even number. My donation was primarily in research and shopping. And now that I am totally in love with the computer we sent to Art, I have to remind myself that I don't really need a laptop. :) Art, there are a lot of people who love you and your work. I'd like to share the remarks, but I'll do that in a phone call one of these days. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:13 PM Chris tried to post a couple of days ago, but apparently it was one of those messages that didn't stick. He said they were up for a visit and took the computer to Art and Carol - they went out for dinner and introduced them to the computer. Right now they're working on an issue - it isn't staying logged on to the WiFi. Chris, if you visit here again before you do more troubleshooting with your Dad, you might want to look into one of the intermediate logon software programs. My university and others (i.e., Max's Penn State) use XpressConnect - it works with phones and tablets - see if it, or something like it, would work with the Sony. It saves your logon information and does the connection for you. It would be saved as a desktop icon. This is one of the systems that will work with remote desktop, so I hope some of the tinkering can be done without needing to drive there. Anyway, any time now we should see Art back online! We have ignition! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: gnu Date: 22 Apr 13 - 07:46 PM Saints be praised! Saint SRS first. Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, SRS, but you deserve it. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 22 Apr 13 - 07:09 PM YAH!! a real letter! Art is (almost) back sandra (doing her version of the happy dance) |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 22 Apr 13 - 01:13 PM I had a note in the mail from Art and Carol Thieme today: Dear Maggie + All of the Mudcat Involved in This, SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Apr 13 - 11:26 AM The cash overage has been transferred via PayPal to Mudcat Cafe Music Foundation. Rapparee is donating a 1TB external hard drive for regular backup of the new laptop. He'll sort out delivery with the vendor and let Chris know how it will be arriving. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Apr 13 - 09:24 AM I checked with Chris - he is working long days this week so thinks this weekend he may have a chance to start the modifications on the laptop needed before it works well for Art. Would someone who is comfortable with Win8 post the instructions for setting it up so it emulates Win7 as far as the screen look and functionality? Was that you who mentioned it, Joe? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: katlaughing Date: 15 Apr 13 - 02:50 PM as Art says:ONWARD AND UPWARD!!! GREAT JOB, SRS! Thanks! kat |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Mary Katherine Date: 15 Apr 13 - 11:27 AM Loud cheers and many thanks for all your hard work! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: bbc Date: 15 Apr 13 - 10:38 AM Well done, Maggie! All's well that ends well! Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Apr 13 - 09:46 AM Kind of the reverse - Best Buy lost $100 by putting me off and causing the transaction to be redone 2 days later. The oddest thing about that whole process - I called to ask why the transaction was taking so long and I was assured by the customer service people that they had no control over the financial transaction end of things (that is apparently overseen by humans, it isn't automated.) That tends to fly in the face of typical understanding of what tasks are included under the heading "customer service." YMMV |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Apr 13 - 01:28 AM You got $100 off by waiting until today? Good job, SRS! -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Stilly River Sage Date: 15 Apr 13 - 12:37 AM I'm looking forward to finally hearing from Art! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 14 Apr 13 - 11:12 PM well said, ChantyLass, I'll second it. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline- New Laptop W/ Son for tweaks From: ChanteyLass Date: 14 Apr 13 - 10:31 PM Hooray! I'm sorry you had to go through all that extra aggravation, but I'm glad Mudcat benefitted. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Apr 13 - 07:30 PM Chris emailed - he has it in his hands. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 14 Apr 13 - 04:51 PM Gained $100 due to a mess up? Well there ya go. The Gods (spirits, faeries, circumstance, whatever) have smiled on Mudcat... upon... nah, I won't go there. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Apr 13 - 04:35 PM Thank you Maggie. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: maeve Date: 14 Apr 13 - 04:01 PM Thank you so very much for all of your efforts, SRS, and thanks also to those who gave what they could, and to each person who has offered information/suggestions/caveats, etc. Art Thieme is important to quite a few folks here and elsewhere, and I appreciate your care and attention to each element of this gift. Maeve |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Apr 13 - 03:39 PM ✔ Mission Accomplished! It is in Chris' court now, and he has a large family and a job so don't expect the same level of chatter that I post around here. Once he's able to fire it up and get things set for Art, then I expect we'll hear something. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Apr 13 - 02:36 PM It is on the shelf, in stock in every store I looked at. And (!!!) it went on sale TODAY (so they have to have it in the store)! I just got a call from Minnesota asking if I was aware that a computer was being purchased. . . .geez, guys, the Internet is supposed to be instantaneous. But in this case, they messed up the first sale, I cancelled it, and the order today was for $100 less. That $100 is for Mudcat - truly making this the best buy! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 14 Apr 13 - 01:36 PM The problem with BB could be that they don't have the stock on the shelf and have to order it from Sony. When I deal with Future Shit I can see if it is in stock in their warehouse and in my local store. Does BB have such a feature on their website? I also find that I can buy inexpensive stuff from FS at VERY good prices but I have to have it shipped and free shipping has a $20 minimum so I keep a list and when it gets above $20, I order. I do not order online. I go to the store, buy a gift card in the amount and have them order it for store delivery. That way, my credit card never sees cyberspace.And, I get to talk to Dave... Dave knows everything and sometimesfinds substitutes cheaper AND suggests other stuff on accounta he asks me what I am doing with my gear and what I would like to do with it. If he isn't in, the two young ladies that fill in are drop dead gorgeous. Of course I would rather deal with Dave but it is some solace. Yes, I do ramble on at times, don't I? Ya think I didn't notice? |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Apr 13 - 01:19 PM Plan B has been instituted, but I called the store where it will be picked up instead of going to a store in my town. Waiting to see if this works. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Apr 13 - 11:28 AM I sent this note to Joe just a few minutes ago - his polite inquiry about finally ordering this thing may be occurring to others as well: Joe - I did order it! Online from Best Buy on Friday, with it set for Chris to pick it up in his town. Alas, it seemed to hang in their system. I cancelled the online order that still was at the "order received" stage 36 hours later (there are processing stages and it is supposed to send you an email to pick it up 30 minutes later) and will try going to the store and paying and filling in the order to have Chris pick it up. We had hoped he could pick it up Friday evening. Multiple calls to Best Buy assures me that the processing of the online order is out of the hands of the customer service folks. I'll be posting an account of this today, but I did say in the thread that I've ordered it, I just haven't given a blow-by-blow account of the wait for Best Buy to act. I am going to give this first attempt a few hours to clear out of their system and this afternoon I'll go over to the store and pay for it so that the transaction goes through at the point of purchase and then have it set for Chris to pick up. And I'll call the store in his area to be sure they see it on their end and will hand it over to him. I think both Chris and I hovered near the computers yesterday, checking for email from Best Buy saying to pick it up, and this morning when I checked in it still showed "order received" and none of the verification and processing stages reached. That's Plan B. Hopefully that will be sufficient. If not, I'll order it from Sony. A savings of $20 from Best Buy is only good if you can actually get the machine you order! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Apr 13 - 05:02 AM In my experience, Sony doesn't add much in the way of "nonsense programs" (bloatware) to their computers. Of all the Windows computers, I think Sony computers are some of the best. Don't ask me about HP. I sold all my HP stock, and for good reason - but then it went up 50 percent in value, after years of stagnation.... -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 14 Apr 13 - 04:45 AM I am sure the kettle will whistle in in due time. Again, bravo SRS! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 14 Apr 13 - 12:57 AM I'll second that now you can get back to your normal life & we can all wait patiently while Chris does his substantial bit (thanks, Chris) & Art gets back. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: ChanteyLass Date: 13 Apr 13 - 10:50 PM Thank you, SRS. You took on the job and got it done. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Apr 13 - 05:28 PM We're in limbo - to make this go fast I ordered it online for store pickup on Art's end. Best Buy is taking a long time to verify the order - I checked with VISA, they're fine with it. Perhaps because I have never ordered online from Best Buy they are taking their time. Once it is picked up Chris still needs time to do some work - take out some of the nonsense programs that the Sony folks add to the machine and to set up Art's software. He also sets it so if the mouse is in use the touchpad is disabled. This is probably the last update until we're to a point where Chris can take it over to Art. I don't want the old "watched pot" syndrome to kick in. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Apr 13 - 11:48 PM All has been launched - the email saying to pick it up hadn't gone out by 10pm, but tomorrow Chris should be able to pick it up and start customizing for Art. Any time now we could be hearing from Art himself. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Janie Date: 12 Apr 13 - 10:25 PM Three cheers (even four!) for SRS! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: katlaughing Date: 12 Apr 13 - 10:19 PM bbc, read it as reward! lol! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: bbc Date: 12 Apr 13 - 08:17 PM Sigh! That should read $5 reward, instead of review. Brain misfunctions more & more as I age! Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: bbc Date: 12 Apr 13 - 08:16 PM Sounds good! If you're going with Best Buy, might as well get a Reward Zone card; they're free & will give you a point for every dollar spent & a $5 review for every 250 points (My son works at a Best Buy). Best Buy Rewards Thanks again, Maggie! Best, Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 12 Apr 13 - 07:24 PM Great job, SRS! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Apr 13 - 10:31 AM Like I said, we had a late infusion of cash and I think we're perfectly positioned for this. I've shopped a lot of different online sources - it looks like Best Buy is the lowest price, and there is a Best Buy near Chris. We've exchanged email about peripherals - Art is set for a mouse, he doesn't need a case - and I think the easiest and fastest way to get this to Chris for the finishing touches (functionality for Art) is to pay for it and have him pick it up at a store near him, so we may be finished with this tonight or tomorrow!!! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Mary Katherine Date: 12 Apr 13 - 09:23 AM SRS, thanks for all this good work - I note the price above (which does/does not factor in taxes and shipping costs?)is more than earlier guesstimates - let me know if I can send along another check or if there is already sufficient in the Mudkitty. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: bbc Date: 12 Apr 13 - 08:48 AM Sounds good, Maggie! ARe you ok for funds? Barbara |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 12 Apr 13 - 05:32 AM Touch pad. I taped an old plastic card (credit card size) to the laptop so I can flip it over to access the touch pad. This almost ensures I don't turn it on by mistake. Yes, it is easy to do... I would be typing away, concentrating on the keyboard with a peaked cap on, look up to proof read and wonder how the heck I got to... where the heck am I? It is not foolproof (go ahead). Maybe I should patent my invention? |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Apr 13 - 09:56 PM Here is a review in PC Magazine, it gets an editor rating of "Excellent." I'm not worried about the touchpad remarks because Chris is going to disable the touchpad if a mouse is in use, and Art prefers the mouse. The similar products it compares to are all devices I found on my own and ruled out for small reasons, basically that some part of the formula was missing, the DVD drive wasn't there or the screen was a little smaller, etc. I'm shopping vendors right now, though it will probably come directly from Sony. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Joe Offer Date: 11 Apr 13 - 04:23 PM SRS, as I read the info on the computer, I think the "charge" feature on the one USB port, means that it will charge cell phones and Walkmans and the like, while the computer is turned off. All USB ports will charge things when the computer is turned on. And as I told you privately, my Sony Vaio was the best computer I ever had. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Elijah Browning Date: 11 Apr 13 - 02:23 PM This looks wonderful! I'm going to be saying "thank you" about a million more times. Windows 8 shortcuts are really going to work well. Essentially what I was doing by creating an html page with shortcuts that opened out of the Start Up folder. There will be hurdles as with any new system, but I really think this will work well for what Dad needs to do. Thank you! |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Apr 13 - 11:43 AM The goal, when I stand beside myself and look at the process, seems to manifest in a search for an all-in-one that Art can use on his lap. There isn't such a thing. :) All-in-one computers that sit on desk tops and take up more space than a laptop and aren't portable have the larger screens, well over 20". The largest touch screen laptop that I can find right now is the 15.6" variety. Here are the basic specs on the machine that comes out on top when comparing all of the various features we've identified for Art:
In this search I've found some other very good machines out there with slightly different mixes of components. I'll save those to post later so I don't confuse people too much. Unless someone has something really damning to say about this machine and/or Sony (customer service, reliability, etc.) I think we've found The One. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 11 Apr 13 - 05:58 AM It's there. I can see it. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: gnu Date: 11 Apr 13 - 05:55 AM WTF? Lost a long post and could NOT get it back. Recapped it and posted it and the page refreshed and it's not here??? How appropriate! Here is the recap... Oh sweet Jaysus! That WHOLE post is gone forever? I got back to the page and it's just gone. Screw all the stuff I said about my hour messing with the broken auto update in WIN8... I am sure they will fix it. Odd that FIXit is not supported by my present operating system!!!! Re "We've had an infusion of extra cash - I'm going to revisit the devices and larger touch screens and see where we can apply this with the most effect for Art.", I am SOOOO happy to hear that. The $ donated is to get Art the best he can have. Get it. Get more than he needs. He's worth it. I have thoughts about the external hard drive. Perhaps it could be sourced locally by Chris so that if MY problems happen with Art's LT, it can be easily returned for a refund until the manufacturers catch up to WIN8? And, mine did work but I had to plug it in over and over until my LT saw it. I think (?) the problems will get fixed by update... but that's a guess, at best. NOW... I shall copy the above before I submit message. Sometimes I forget and fate fucks me over. |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Apr 13 - 01:09 AM I've added a Sony to the list (it has everything!). Finding the touch versions in the sea of laptops takes a lot of sorting through the offerings. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: BK Lick Date: 10 Apr 13 - 06:18 PM A c/net article reviewing these seven soon-to-be-released laptops or desktop/tablet hybrids: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S Price: $799 Availability: June 2013 Next-gen Macs Price: $999 and up Availability: TBD HP Elitebook Revolve Price: Unknown Availability: TBD Razer Edge Price: $999(starting) Availability: Late March/early April Dell XPS 18 Price: $899(starting) Availability: April 16th Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon 27 Price: $999(starting) Availability: June Intel Haswell CPUs Price: Varies Availability: June (rumored) |
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Subject: RE: Art Thieme Offline-help buy new one?-WE DID IT! From: katlaughing Date: 10 Apr 13 - 03:38 PM SRS, you are a Champion! Thanks for all of al your hard work. I remember how mudh we both put into the last one and that was nothing, 'course it was a "secret," so we coudn't get as much inpo, but Chris ws in on it. Still he was busy with family, then, too. Anyway, THANKS!! luvkat |
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