One Woman and Her Mac

An Historic Apple

I had high hopes for my 51st year. High hopes that I would be able to publish at least one post a week, or even everyday, like some bloggers. Unfortunately, my equipment let me down!

No, I don't mean my brain :D

I mean my trusty ten year old laptop! And Yes, I did say ten years old! 

But this is no ordinary laptop, no. This is a Mac.

And no ordinary Mac either.

This is an Apple PowerBook G4, once the ultimate in cool technology in its pearlesque titanium casing.

Of course, that was when it belonged to my dear Hubby!

It now belongs to me and it seems to be reflecting my own inability to quite get to grips with the frantic pace of Twenty-First Century living. Nowadays the casing looks, well, more grey than shimmery and as for its aging abilities...

It's getting slow and unable to take in some of the new-fangled software and updates that Apple want to throw at it. 

Just under two weeks ago, it all became too much for my Mac. The charger cable was beginning to get a bit thin on top. The joint between cable and adapter was no longer as flexible as it used to be and the battery wasn't charging fully. One minute my Mac had 99% of life left in it, then within ten minutes, nothing, zero, zilch, dead as a dodo :(

It wouldn't respond to CPR, (that's computer power recharge, as far as this post is concerned); and it seemed like I finally had to say 'goodbye' to my faithful old Mac and let it go...

I was very sad. Hubby tried to cheer me up by giving me a shiny sleek iPad for my birthday. It just wasn't the same. You see, my Mac and I shared a history - a life to which this young iPad can only aspire and never match. My iPad, as lovely, portable, accessible and new as it is, just cannot do all the things I need it to do. It can do a lot. Wow, yes, it is frighteningly gifted in some areas. Scarey, in fact! (For the purpose of this post, scarey means I don't fully understand it!) But what it's lacking, is that history...

All my photos are on my old Mac! And I don't know how to upload photos on to my iPad, or even if I can. So, I was unable to fully blog. I could comment but somehow, even that seemed complicated on the iPad. But, my goodness, the blogs do look good framed by its dark silky sides. And as for recipes, they look positively edible on its gorgeous back-lit screen. 

But the true beauty of my old Mac was more than just skin deep.

So Hubby, because, well, he's clever like that, did something that is never normally recommended with old laptops. He opened it up! Yes he took the back off the Mac...and fiddled! And only he knows what he really did - I dare not ask and wouldn't understand anyway even if he told me, but now, my old Mac can knock spots off most of its young PC competitors. It has a new lease of life, a new charger, a rejuvenated battery, a future in this world...And a new close friend, my iPad. They have long conversations, bounce ideas off each other, push boundaries, share platforms. It's love.

A close-up of the gorgeous roses from my dear sister

And I can access my photos.

These beauties came from my Brother-In-Law and family in France

The sun is shining again for me in blogland.

'L' Plates

Yes, you got it right! 

It was my birthday, of course, but not just any birthday... my FIFTIETH!

Shock, horror - it definitely took me by surprise anyway!

But do you know what?

Despite the fact I am now in my sixth decade, (gulp), I am loving my life at the moment.

I feel healthy; 

I finally feel comfortable with myself, after years of chopping and changing hair colours and styles; of dipping in and out of various fashions; of fighting and not fighting the flab, (wow, that phrase definitely dates me); of following and adopting various political and social stances only to be disappointed with the final outcome; and of feeling the need to talk without my West Country accent!

Why?

It is all nonsense, I know.

The things that matter are that:

I have a wonderfully supportive extended family;

I have a beautiful home and a dog who every day becomes more and more adorable;

I am immensely proud of my girls and last but not least, I have a lovely hubby, who still at times makes me feel like I am 20!

So I raise a toast to myself on reaching fifty and as to the next half century, (we can but hope), I say:

"BRING IT ON!"

A Special Day

Today was a special day.

"Why?" I hear you ask.

Perhaps this will give you a clue.

Or this...

Or perhaps this...

Or maybe this...

No? Well, I will reveal all tomorrow when I've recovered from celebrating this special day :)