Still Learning New Things, Hope your are too.

Just so you know, I finally got the server working so I can now work on the new site I want to do. I also want to tell you about the experience I had with my computer not to long ago.

I got the idea to exchange computers with my oldest son. His is actually better than mine and since I use mine more, figured it would be a good idea. Don't get me wrong, there wasn't that much difference. I went from a 1200 CPU to a 1300 CPU, just a little more ram, probably a better graphics card and a few extra USB plugs. Not really enough to matter. But I wanted to do it. Anyway, here's what happened. I exchanged harddrives as well. Mine had all my stuff on it and it's larger than the one he has. Well, if you've ever done something like this, you know that it's too much change for windows to handle, so I had to do a fresh install. Which means I lost everything on that drive including my pages for this site. Now thissite is designed to use a template, and for those that don't know what that means, I use one page to make design changes to the rest of them. Have you ever used one of these on a site before? I really like it like that. It makes all the pages look and act the same. Plus, all I can edit on the regular pages is where the content is. I don't run the chance of messing up the rest of the page since I have it like I want it, at least for now.

Anyway, I had to find a way to make a new template, and since I've never done it before, I had to learn pretty quick. For starters, I need to say that I use Macromedia's Dreamweaver to update my pages, even if you don't use this program, I don's see why this won't work on any html editing program. I did all kinds of searches on the net for lost template using Dreamweaver, and found one page that I thought might actually work. Nope. Don't get me wrong, I was glad I found it, it made me have to think about what I was doing, but all it did was make all my pages look like my index page.

Here's what I finally figured out to do. I took the code from a child page, which is what the pages are called that uses a template, and transfered it to notepad. Wherever I found Instance in the code, I changed to Template. I then transfered that code to a new page and saved it as the template for this site. It worked perfectly. I realize some of you may already know this stuff, but this is new to me and anytime I learn something new, I want to share what I've learned. Maybe it will help some one in the future. I hope this helps someone out there, but what I hope more is that no one has to go through what I did.

Have a great day and God bless.

Have you ever....

Have you ever tried to teach yourself something new?

That's what I'm doing now. I'm trying to teach myself PHP. For those of you that have no idea what that is, join the club.

Seriously, PHP, means PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor and is an HTML-embedded scripting language. And yes, I got this from another site, PHP: General Information Manual. After all, you really didn't expect me to know that right off the top of my head did you?

Now that we have that out of the way, let me try to explain as best as I can what that says and since I have no idea what I'm doing, I'll probably get it wrong. PHP is a supposedly simple way to use a database to run a website. For example, all these forums that are such a big hit are all run using the PHP language.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I might not be the brightest light bulb in a box, but I'm by no means the dimmest. But this stuff makes me feel like an absolute idiot. With some help from a few wonderful friends, I've managed to teach myself html, how to take apart and put back together computers, find almost anything I want on the internet and a few other things. I have people trying to help me do this as well, but it seems like it's going right over my head. If I was trying to swim, I would definitely be drowning!!!!!

I love learning new things and figured this would be no different, boy was I ever wrong.

I figure by now, you're asking yourself why I want to learn this when it's giving me such a hard time. The reason is actually pretty simple, I want to build a website that is run like a forum, only it will be slightly different. People will be able to come post on this site, hopefully, if I ever get it finished, which is why I need PHP to run it. Plain html just won't do it. Believe me, if it would, I wouldn't be sitting here bald from pulling my hair out from trying to learn this.

I've done all kinds of research on this. I've checked html, JavaScript, and PHP. PHP is the only website language that will function like I want.

I'm supposed to be studying php right now, but decided to come here instead and let you know that I'M GOING CRAZY from trying to learn it.

No, this isn't a cry for help from anyone, just a chance to fuss about what a headache I'm getting. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have this hard of a time learning this. I mean, after all, I've taught myself a lot of other things. What makes PHP so different? It's not like it's brain surgery or being a rocket scienctist.

Oh well, I guess I've ranted enough for tonight. I really need to get back to PHP for DUMMIES. I'm determined to learn this and I promise not to kill anyone just because I've lost my mind because I can't understand this stuff. I'm not that far gone yet, just getting there.

I hope you have a great weekend and God Bless.

OHHHH, The Joy of Helping People

I have a friend, who, for the most part, I don't mind helping. He's a nice guy, just young. He's always asking for help. I forget what I was like at that age. hahaha After all, it's only been 22 years for me. Anyway, I helped him set up his blog today. While I think blogger.com has a great service, it can be frustrating getting every little thing correct so it will work perfectly. Between the two of us, we finally have it done. I guess things could be worse, I could have no friends to help.

Here is another friend that I want to help. He just got married and has decided to start his own business with his wife. His site is CGF Creations Miami Website Design. If you need hosting or a new site, this is the person to contact. I've been watching him do this for years now. I can guarantee you won't be disappointed in his work.

I hope you have a great day.

In Case You Haven't noticed.....

I'm as pro-military as they come. I've seen some of the things these brave men and women have given for us all. It is never an all or nothing situation. Each and every person that has served in the military has given something. I'm reminded of that every time I try to take for granted the freedom I enjoy today. They have given blood, sweat and tears, and some even have given the ultimate sacrifice, there lives. If you know someone that has served in the military, please shake their hand for me and say "Thank you." If you get a chance, please go to this page and read it. I promise you won't be disappointed. It's a great story.
Passing of a Generation

I hope you have a great day and God Bless.

FREEDOM by Mary Hall (printed with permission)

Freedom has so many meanings to so many people. It can mean freedom of speech to one, where it is freedom of religion to another or a different meaning altogether.
There are people out there making their opinion known as to how they feel things need to be done to keep our freedom, (but the only way they lend a helping hand is to criticize) but then they turn right around with the same breath, and criticize the fact that there are men and women out there who, everyday, defend the very freedom they want so badly.
Every day men and women defend this great land so these people can praise and also criticize. But yet the men and women who defend their freedom don’t get the credit or support they so rightly deserve.
For years the military has been spit on, beaten, shot and well, just disowned. Just for going out and doing what they strongly believe in and want to stand up for.
It took something like 9/11 to have our Great Country open its eyes to what’ was really going on, and see that our very freedom is in jeopardy and yet there are still people out there who would give a soldier a slight smile or even the time of day.
Parents have lost their children, both sons and daughters, wives have lost their husbands, and now with all the women in the military fighting behind the lines instead of from the home front, we now have husbands who have lost their wives, and many, many children who have lost their parents . But for some this is still is not enough , and the ones we can not satisfy are the first ones who holler and scream the loudest when something happens overseas or here in the USA.
I’m not sure what these people want from our soldiers. For it seems that they are doing the very best they can. And yet they still complain and are not satisfied. I guess if we were to loose our freedom, totally and completely, and we let the countries who are attacking us everyday come into our great nation and take over or let the gangs and major crime bosses have at it all, then maybe, they would see how good they have it now.
Stop complaining and start supporting!
You don’t have to do a lot, simply say thank you. Thank you for all your hard work and for everything you have done for me. Its really sad that all the fussing, hollering, and complaining comes more easily, than saying Thank You, or a simple smile when a solider passes by , or even standing when you here the national anthem.
I ’m not sure that people realize what the military goes through on a daily basis to keep this great country of ours free.

Do Not Use This Company!!!!!!!!

As some of you know, I'm getting into ebay to try and raise some money for this site as well as supplement the income around the house. Well to try to make things easier, I decided to join Stamps.com during there trial offer. It didn't take me long to figure out that I really wouldn't use this company, and at the time it wasn't anything they had done, it's just I could do the same through paypal and have it not cost me as much. So I cancelled the account only they show no records of me doing that and since my computer crashed (mainly the harddrive that all my information was on) I have no proof handy to show them that I did. There attitude is "So sorry, we can't help you." They wouldn't even talk to me about this. I got charged because of their mess up. I never even used the account, couldn't even tell you the sign-in information on it. If you do decide to try this company out, make sure you have it in writting that the account is closed. SAVE IT on a removable disk or something like that so you can prove that it was closed or they will charge you and mess you over so they can make money. That's what they did to me. I plan on telling everyone I know to not use Stamps.com. They will rip you off if they can and there doesn't seem to be anyway to get out of it. It is not a company I would recommend to anyone! Please stay away from Stamps.com!!!!!! That is if you don't want to be charged for services you don't use.

One of my favorite things!!!!

Have you ever watched your child sleep? Aren't they such angels during this time? They're not fussing or begging for things or saying Mommy, fix me this. They are nice and quiet and so adorable. Watching them during that time, makes me remember why I had them in the first place. hahaha Can you tell, I really do love my kids.

I guess I'm talking like this because tomorrow is Mother's Day. Not only is it a day to show your mom how much you love them, but a day to look back and see just how having children has changed your life. I can't imagine my life without them in it. They bring such joy, headaches, love, aggrevation, and a few other emotions. Having kids around can be such a wonderful blessing and I thank God for them everyday, even when they are in the headache causing mode.

Anyway, I just wanted to touch base with someone and let you know that I'm alive and well. I hope your day goes wonderful.

Have a blessed day.