Definitely got more done today than I did yesterday. Not all that surprising though because that sometimes happens when you're trying to be totally sure of a "clean" computer for hours on end. Most of that time was spent with me watching a TrendMicro/Housecall on-line scan for malware, grayware and spyware (which took hours and found 4 infections- sigh). But, this afternoon I went back and did another recommended (by TrendMicro) full system scan and they found only cookies. YAY.
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In response to my last blog it was suggested that I try Linux 'Red Hat' and avoid those infections all together. I was told about a way to try a version of it via a "Live CD" without having to install it on the computer (the CD is basically the hard-drive). If you decide you like it you can just transfer it to the actual hard-drive. I'm still in the process of downloading the program from Ubunto.com.(Linux version). It still has over five hours to go. It's a 699 MB download and we only have "up to" 1.5 MBPS DSL. There's another site to download another Linux version called Fedora, but it's like a 3.3 GB download. Still thinking about when to download that one, but that's such a huge file. The way it was explained to me is that you download it, install it on a partition, then when you start the computer you get the option of starting up in 'Linux' or 'Windows'. And yes, I'm told you are told how to go the partition thing.
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The earlier, after noon part of my day was spent out back where there are BUNCHES of Oak branches that've fallen off the trees. Dragged a couple of big branches up to the wood shed so that I can turn them into logs that'll need to be split. Plus while I was out looking for other branches I saw that there was a huge branch or half a tree that I could chainsaw into logs, which I did. Then I came in, rested, and took my daughter back out with me to help load a wagon with those logs and then she helped secure the load (made sure it didn't tip over) while I pulled it with the riding mower. That wagon load now sits in the wood shed waiting to be split - still in the wagon. I'm thinking that we won't *need* to buy wood for a while, after seeing how freakin' many branches and trees need to be cut-up today. That's a great thing. Our 'usual' wood guy is selling already split and cured wood for $50 per half cord, so not buying that will definitely help feed the kids. *smile*
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Yesterday I re-found a tube of tar-caulking in the shed. I was thinking it was caulk like, not tar. But after I went over the previous bathroom window caulking with the tar-in-a-tube, I realized what a stupid thing that was to do. It stank-up the bathroom really bad when I turned the heater on in there to help cure it before nightfall. I'm not sure what to do. Will the smell eventually diminish after a while? Should I somehow remove the "outside only" caulking I used IN the bathroom? If so, how? And not, I didn't see the inside only part before I started putting it on the window.
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Now I'm just writing and waiting for supper and then for "Survivor" to come on in about 20 minutes.
Thursday, October 30
Working with wood, downloading files
Wednesday, October 29
Adware and Winterizing
I have not been feeling safe since we got that last attack of ad/spy ware on the computer. Seems like it really threw me for a loop of paranoia. I've been trying to make absolutely sure that the computer is clean for a couple of days now, mostly because of the Microsoft Security Center. I'm thinking my "problem" with it may not be a problem after all. It's not like we had a virus, it was adware and was cleaned using Spybot and the AVG anti-virus programs. That being said, I still wasn't satisfied so started a Windows OneCare scan, twice, and both times I accidentally closed the scanning when it said there were two Adware infections. After I spent a couple hours messing with that, I just went ahead and did a SpyBot scan, which found yet another Adware program called "SmitFraud.C." Here's the lowdown written by SpyBot:
Product: Smitfraud-C.:
Description
This program installs itself through the internet and creates new desktop wallpaper. This wallpaper looks like a Windows 98 blue screen and contains a warning that the computer is infected with viruses, that one should download run a virus scanner and that the computer wouldn't work in normal mode. In addition to this one gets a desktop icon leading to a pretended anti virus application named PSGuard. Scanning the computer with this software will return a virus found (that was installed by this software itself). In order to remove this virus one has to download the full version for about 20 EUR.Another unpleasant effect of Smitfraud-C. is that some configuration options in the Control Panel will no longer be available. This way it stops the user from changing the wallpaper and forces him to keep the blue screen. Overall Smitfraud-C is a very sneaky software trying to sell PSGuard by frightening less experienced users.
That being said, I'm feeling like because the sun is shining and it's pretty warm that I should be outside doing some winter preparedness, IE bring more downed branches up the the wood shed from out back so that I can cut them up for the teens to split and stack. Mostly though I feel like I've been unnecessarily attached to this machine. Bye for now.
Sunday, October 26
2 days of busy
Haven't really read much email, blogged, or even been on-line for much the last couple of days. The reason is because I have decided that things that need/should be done here, be it for getting ready for winter, doing chores, or just running errands are more important than email or the Internet.
Unfortunately for 'the book', I have not spent much time editing it for a few days because of everything we've been busy with.
Spent all day yesterday fixing whatever I could find not working correctly after this computer got infected with a Trojan that was probably picked up from a site the girl was at. It was\is called "delself.bat (Trojan.FakeAlert.H)". The way I was alerted about it was by my wife waking me up saying that something happened to the computer because all the icons next to the clock have red X's on them. Needless to say, that's generally not how I like to start my day. Probably wouldn't have taken all day if I had more experience in fixing things like that, but luckily we haven't had to deal with any serious "infection" in several years. It shut down the Windows 'Security Center' (Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing), also messed with Zone Alarm, AVG Antivirus, Spybot, and other stuff I can't remember or haven't found yet. The one thing that baffled me the longest was not being able to change from the 'basic' theme to the 'XP theme' because it turned off that and other 'system services'. The message that I first saw on the toolbar was that we were 'infected with a Trojan', so the first thing I tried was running a SpyBot scan but the program wouldn't start. I was able to get on-line to look for a download of Ad-Aware when I realized I already had the exe file to install it although I had uninstalled it a while back. Ran that in 'Smart Scan', which found like 7 infections, removed them, and then I was able to get Spybot to scan and it found the FakeAlert.H Trojan and also told me that the Security Center had been turned off. Also, because the computer seemed to be running slower than usual after all that work I did, I ended up doing a 'Repair Installation' of XP from the CD-ROM system disc. So, for now we seem to be back up and running unless something else goes buggy. For now... it's all good!
Today we got both of the window air conditioners taken out and stored until Spring or Summer, whichever it's needed more during (probably summer). Rain and the daughter have gotten a few loads of laundry done because it's suppose to get cold this week and we weren't sure if we'd have any trouble drying them on the line, so Rain figured it best to do while it was warmer and sunny before the serious cold spell hits. Which reminds me, need to put a clothes line on the porch.
Other than that, been playing pool, watching TV, loading and unloading the dishwasher, showering, bathing, eating, etc. This is the first time I've done anything for just me in 2 days except scan the email subject lines before doing other stuff, like cutting up branches that'd fallen off of trees, and splitting wood. One good thing that's happened recently is that The Male Teen has proven he's capable and willing to split the logs too, which really helps a lot because I often got a little irritated that Rain and I were the only ones doing it. Now that The Male Teen can and does, winter should be a lot less difficult on the family as a whole.
Friday, October 24
On the roof, in the attic, plant room and gym
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#1 is of our roof. You have to enlarge it to see the foam filling I put under a small section of the 'cap' that's directly over the upstairs bedroom. It was my first time using the stuff, so it probably wouldn't hurt to get another can and fill any gaps around the current foam. But for now it should keep most of the wind-blown rain out.
#2 is of the new plant room. Most of those were outside and brought in this afternoon by The Plant Lady I like to refer to as The Best Half of our relationship.
#3 is of the exercise machine and padding I found in the attic. I think it's carpet padding, but since it's obviously not under a carpet I figured it could be used as sit-up and push-up padding during a workout. Sorry but I didn't feel like spending anymore than the 20 minutes I did unsuccessfully to adjust the color. As you know, our camera doesn't have a flash.
Spent most of the afternoon in the attic tacking some insulation strips that had fell down. Yesterday I was also up there but I used duct tape and a staple gun, which was a pain in the ass. Today I decided it would be easier to use string and staple each end of that after I criss-crossed the insulation that needed held up again.
Wednesday, October 22
What and Where to write
Trying to figure out what the hell I want to do, I decided to at least start with writing in my journal. If, and only if I decide it's worthy of other people's eyes will I post it. If I do, it'll most likely be on my Blogspot & MySpace blogs, and on my Gather page. I wish there was a way to send it from my off-line program directly to Gather just like I do to Blogger, then I would save time so I didn't have to log in to post to that G spot (snicker). Anyway, yesterday I wrote about a video I made while mowing around the house, today I've uploaded that video and am now waiting for it to go live/finish processing so I can "swap" the non-existent audio with one in YouTube's memory banks so that the video isn't quite so boring. I think it's totally true that music adds a LOT to ANY video. I'm sure other people agree.
So I've been contemplating lots of things about this writing time, and decided (just now actually) that I really don't have any deep "issues" right now keeping this private, other than using quotes too often. That being said, I've only been asked why I use them so much by one person the whole time I've been putting my verbose on the Internet (10 years). You wouldn't think that I would let ONE opinion affect how I do it, but I do. Probably because the person that asked the question and then made a comment that I shouldn't use them so much is my older sister. Perhaps because she is the ONLY blood family that's shown even a tiny amount of interest in the life I'm living, and even that isn't very freakin' much. I know I've whined about that in the past, but honestly it's NOT an issue - I've, as they say, moved on and no longer dwell on who pays attention or amount of attention I get on or off-line. Bottom line: Nobody likes a whiner, they just tolerate them! Nuff said.
Perhaps you're wondering about that book I said I was writing. Well, I still am, but it takes time because contrary to what I assume people assume about my life... I do have other things to do besides be on the computer. It is being worked on though. The last page to be edited was #26 of approximately 52 pages.
Anyway, speaking of things I need/should to do. One is the replacement of the screen with a glass window for the front screen door. The other is going into the attic and checking to see if I need to do any more weather stripping using duct tape at the very top (inside) of the roof (above the rafters) to keep any rain from coming in. What else is needed is that we get some spray foam/gap filler applied ON the roof under that metal cap at the point. When it is raining AND windy, sometimes water gets blown under that cap that runs the entire length of the roof, in spots that I can't get to from inside the attic to seal. The upstairs bedroom where the moisture shows that, was here before we were. I was on the roof the other day thinking of using duct tape on top of the roof, but I didn't feel like wiping the roof off so that the tape would stick better. Besides, although no one could've seen my handy (not) work, it just felt cheesy to me. That's when I came back in and suggested that we get some foam filling stuff the next time we have a little extra money. I was agreed with, but said money hasn't shown itself yet.
It appears that I'm once again at the end of my journal page, now I need to cut & paste this into my blog-writing software (Zoundry Raven) and add links for on-line use.
Tuesday, October 21
Busy day, but
10/21/08
Feel like I've been busy all day, but don't feel accomplished at this time. Got two of the 3 prescriptions I called in picked up. Would've gotten all three, but one needed the doctor to answer the call-back from the pharmacy who needed her to renew the 'scription that ran out so that they could start filling it anew. She hadn't called the pharmacy back when we were there to pick them all up, so we just got the two and will go back later this week to get it. That will probably be after Wednesday if we need to get new lottery tickets, unless we win Wednesday night's drawing.
Anyway, while we were out we stopped and got new lottery tickets, some M&Ms, small bag of dog food, big bag of cat food, and a business name registration application from a bank. That'll be sent in within the next day or two with $7. Once we get that back we'll find out about how to do the business tax forms. After that, or during the process, we'll eventually go back to the Family Services Office and re-apply for food stamps because we'll be able to show that Rain is working at a business... OURS. They won't be able to claim she's not trying to have an income; nor will they be justified in censuring her because she isn't employed. So, not only will we be able to spend less of our money on groceries, we very well could have money coming in from selling things ourselves. Rain is going to make shirts and other clothes to sell on-line (Ebay, etc.).
While in town we stopped and got 5 gallons of gas. Later I mowed the front and back yards as quickly as I could (because I thought it was going to rain). I even made a short video, but it only shows what's in front of the mower for less than a minute. Not the most exciting video I've ever seen, but then my videos haven't been so far, and I've made quite a few.
Other than mowing, I also washed a load of and hung clothes on the line, which was brought in by Rain when she thought it was about to rain, but it didn't. The clothes were/are still a little damp, but not bad - they're hung-up and put away. Oh yeah, I also got some trash burned, although we didn't need-need to, but because the forecast for tomorrow and beyond is rain, we figured we should burn what we could today.
Ever since the weather started changing, meaning that a storm began blowing in and it become very, very overcast, we've been having really slow DSL speed on both computers. Hopefully it'll be back up to speed tomorrow, but I'll believe that when I see it. Generally this slow speed and flaky connection issues happen whenever there's high humidity. I suppose we really should just expect that and not get so annoyed, but we really would like perfection 100% of the time. Is that too much to ask?!
On the emotional side, for the last week or so I've been doing a lot of soul searching. Trying to figure-out what I am all about and what I can expect from myself in the not-to-distant future. What I've decided is that I'm the stereotypical hippie who sucks at capitalism and doesn't have the knowledge, fortitude or passion to make a lot of money for myself. So unless I'm extremely lucky, like my book selling or winning the lottery that is generally considered a waste of time, I'm pretty much as "well off" as I'll ever be. And THAT is what I'm accepting.
Monday, October 20
Pictures... NOT!
Two days ago, yesterday, and today I took several pictures with our $20 camera. Unfortunately they were all unfocused and for the life of me I could not tweak any of them enough using Paint Shop Pro 7. So, I wanted to have some pictures for you, but I am sorry.
Other than that, I took a couple of video two days ago, and they're more focused, just not all that exciting and or interesting from my point of view. The first one is a little over a minute of watching trash burn in the burn barrel. The 2nd is mostly of the ground on the way from the big pond to the street in front of the property, with a shot of the Peonies and the Apple tree. Neither of which are all that pretty right now. I'll upload them to my YouTube page in a little bit. Do a search for or go to FringefolkFarm to see them. It takes up to 30 minutes or so before they go "public". Prolly name one " A walk " and the other " Trash burning " or something.
That's all I've got. Sorry.
Friday, October 17
Wood splitting and metal recycling
(click on either picture for full-size)
Just came in a little while ago after splitting some wood. Only worked out there for a little over an hour (not constant movement, just so ya know) and I'm freaking exhausted. I'm not really all that tired, it's just that my thumb joints hurt from using the log splitter we have. I can't remember what the hell it's 'name' is, but I think it's Swedish or French. I tried to find out on the Internet what the one we have is called, but I could not find it. It is a pipe with a sharp wedge-like splitter on the end with a tube over it that you raise up and either drop until the back/welded/solid end meets the back of the under-tube thus driving the wedge into the log and splitting it, or slamming down. For the life of me I couldn't even find a picture of one. It's very similar to the Swedish "Smart" splitter, but not exact. Oh well. We bought it several years ago, and maybe they don't make them anymore. Who knows?
We took all the tin and aluminum cans we had into the metal collector in Windyville, MO this afternoon. We had 59 pounds of tin cans that got us 59 cents. Plus we had 7 pounds of aluminum that got us paid 3 dollars and some odd cents. The next time we take metal in, it will include an old water heater and two old air conditioners. Those are considered and paid for as tin, which is only 1 cent per pound, but at least someone can use/re-use them for something and they won't be in the back of our shed taking up room for other junk we could store in there.
Tuesday, October 14
Book. Organizing. Giving. Software. Grass Hopper.
Book: I am currently putting together about 50 pages of my journal/blogs (mostly journal) to create a book. It'll be self-published since we can't afford to hire a publisher. Currently it's in the editing stage as a 'first copy'. Don't know how many times it takes to make it perfect, so wish me luck. I am doing it because my wife thinks that people like to read about somebody else's life, especially if it isn't the normal type, say, like homesteading, weird pagans. *smile*
Organizing: We decided that this place needs to have some life re-infused into it. So we've been cleaning and reorganizing. Sanded the feeding table (above) that used to be where the cats dined, and moved it into our bedroom for use as a cutting table for my wife's sewing. The room the cat's table was in is now where the stand-up freezer is along with shelves that will be holding the currently outdoor plants over the winter. Most of those are tropical, therefore heavy, so hopefully the cats won't bother them too much. Now we need to relocate the dead dryer and use that space to store the portable dishwasher, thus creating more open space in the kitchen.
Giving: Decided to put the exercise machine that was in our bedroom, upstairs, now that the twin bed that wasn't being utilized is gone to a happy freecycler. Yes, I am planning to start an exercise routine, which makes sense as the equipment we got years ago should be used more.
Software: Was looking at an old CD with old journal files on them that were put on the disc when I used OpenOffice program YEARS ago. Well, I decided the easiest way to view them would be to download and reinstall the OpenOffice.Org software. Now when I write my private journal I use it again, but this time I'm saving my writing using .rft extension since that OpenOffice isn't the only software I use to read writing pages.
Although you can't really tell by this picture, that grasshopper was HUGE!
Thursday, October 9
Wednesday, October 8
Service Engine Light, Oct 7 Presidential Debate
I'm thinking it's NOT the cruise-control system somehow causing the "service engine soon" light to come on, at least for now. The mechanic checked it an got a #32 error. We drove into town today and did not use the cruise-control at all. Thought that could very well be why the light hadn't came on, but then it did when we were about 7 miles from home on the way back. I guess it still could be the cause, but I doubt it. It *might* also be that we need to change the air-filter cuz we haven't done that ourselves since we bought the van 3 years ago. And the reason is because it is just a big, ol' pain in the butt to do it...I think. I think you have to take the console out inside the van to get to the air filter. Again, not difficult, but it will require re-attatching the carpeting on said console again. *sigh*
Other than that, doing pretty well. Watched the presidential candidate debate last night, and I think that Obama did better.
Tuesday, October 7
My Barack Obama test answers
Saturday, October 4
Orb Weaver weaving - Video
Watching an Orb Weaver spider while she fixes her web, from inside the house.
Day of October Fourth, Two Thousand and Eight
Today was a pretty good day... so far. Went into Lebanon, MO and did a little shopping, then came home. Once home I was outside with Rain and decided I would try and take a video of Moon messing with Rocky, but I missed it (cuz it didn't happen), so I took one of this bug I saw crawling on the umbrella.
P.S. The " S.E.S. " light only came on twice while we were out. Once on the way into L, but went off before we were all the way there, then again as we were leaving. I am testing a theory, one that may prove that the reason the light is coming on is only after I've had the cruise control on for a while. I started using it as soon as we were out of town on the way home, the SES light came on, shut the cruise control off, and within 5 minutes (guess) it went off. I didn't use the cruise control any more and the light never came back on. *crossing fingers*
Friday, October 3
Our day of good and bad news
- Van inspection done (no emissions tests in MO).
- New plates put on.
- Lunch at Pizza Hut.
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Drive to mechanic because of "service engine soon" light that comes on periodicly. Unfortunately it didn't come on any time before we got to his shop (2.5 hours after leaving home). He checked and got a #32 code from the computer, but that didn't help. He test drove it on bumpy roads, up some hills, but the "light" never came on for him. He did look underneath to see why we have to add a quart of oil every time we need to get gas after a fill-up and found that it *really* needs an oil-pan gasket and stuff with it that can only be done with the engine out, but that would/will cost *about* $400 in parts and about the same in labor (several days of work, unless it's a busy time, then no more than a couple of weeks). Plus we have a engine rattle that he says means the van's on it's last legs. *sigh* Now we need to come-up with about a $1000 for van repair and maybe $1500 to get a second vehicle to replace the van when it gets even sicker or dies completely, but mainly to drive while the van is in the shop. But the "s.e.s" light DID come on when we were about 5 miles from home. All in all though, it's "okay" to drive it but does need the engine serviced as soon as possible. Not a happy day really.
Thursday, October 2
A walk to the mailbox and back (vid w/music)
Hey, I never claimed to have an exciting life. LOL. Here's a video of me walking to our mailbox and back :-)
A trip to the wood shed video
For your viewing and audio pleasure, I made this video to get you through almost a minute and a half of the day. Been trying to think of something, anything I could video, and so far the below is all I've came up with. Enjoy!