Repairs...

It's been a lovely few days and I have spent them in the company of people who make me feel good about myself and make my life feel like it is worth living still. Jace came to visit and despite the sometimes awkward sleeping arrangements (having a double bed in one room and a futon in the other, (said futon can be a killer on those of us whose backs decide that they HAVE to be sore) and 3 people to accommodate (soon to be 4 of us)) it has been a really enjoyable few days. OK so we haven't really done too much unusual stuff or anything like that, but it was nice to just spend the time together as a group of people.

The fiasco that was the renovation of our bathroom is finally coming to a close, after another painter has finished the job he very kindly agreed to do. You see, the first decorator we had was something of a blundering idiot who watered the magnolia paint so much that it was just like a white wash, it looked absolutely dire. Paint was everywhere, including all over the lovely new fixtures and the window. The gentleman who came to put the work right, a man named Bob has as yet done a fantastic job and when he's finished we are going to have a lovely new bathroom which will be a pleasure to relax and enjoy a hot bath in.

It is times like this that I am actually thankful for my ability to pretty much maintain and fix up most things so that I can do it for myself. That way then if an unsatisfactory job has been done, I only have myself to blame and then I can get on with putting it right. This also means that once the work is completed, I can sit back and smile, knowing that I have done the best I could to get things back to how they should be. My laptop is a shining example of this.

I have had this thing for over 3 years now. In fact it could be getting closer to 4 years, I am not entirely sure. I won't go in to the specifics of why the replacement was needed, but over the years, this laptop has been maintained, and has never been permanently out of use. Yes there was the time when the ribbon for the power-button board had given up on me, but all I needed was some distance, a clear, cool head and of course the wonders of Ebay. I forgot that if you want ANYTHING 9 times out of 10 you can get hold of it through Ebay. My options were:

1. Get a pro to fix my laptop, with a hefty price tag.
2. Replace the laptop completely... (not even going to entertain that one).
3. Get the model numbers of the needed parts, order them and fit them myself, saving a hefty repair bill and having to break in yet another laptop.

Knowing me and how much I enjoy a challenge, I accepted option number 3, ordering 3 new parts at less than £15 each (laptop spares and repairs people are real life savers), including P+P and have been fitting them as soon as they arrive. Today was the replacement power button board (from another L500 series laptop, yet it was identical to what was originally there) and over the next couple of days will be the replacement mouse control board and keyboard. All it needs now is a new LCD panel and a new optical drive. Then my favourite laptop will be up, running and back to it's "out of box" standard.

It's amazing what can be done with a little handiwork and patience. I wish my body could be repaired the same way, but hey, you never know what could happen in a few years.

Loves
Wendy xx