New Year, new projects

After a quiet, and restful pause during the holidays, I was determined to tackle much needed tasks within my residence, and thus, I started the new year with a long list of items to be fixed or replaced in my apartment.

I didn't even realize how fast the days were going by, but, I'm finally noticing the list is getting shorter and I feel satisfied about what I've accomplished so far with relative ease, except for having to dip deeper into my wallet.

Some old equipment needed complete replacement, which I was able to order online, after some research and analysis of alternatives. While I was waiting for the orders to arrive, I rearranged wiring and cables, extended hookups, and cleaned some areas that are not easily accessible to normal dusting. In doing so I even reshuffled the electrical plugs and surgemaster units so that now it's even easier to save more electricity due to the repositioning of these units, which can be easily turned off when not in use.

The new laser printer was a breeze to install, the new desk chair, although quite heavy, was not difficult to assemble, the new high definition TV is up and running, coupled with a new combo VCR/DVD that will allow me to convert the many VHS tapes I have.....time permitting! The only problem I encountered was with the cable company that services my building. The HD cable modem I needed from them had to be replaced 4 times because they were defective. Some unit functioned only if I rebooted it every time I turned the tv on. It's obvious that these are recycled units, but the service was furnished with smiles and apologies, which now are culminating also in a credit for interrupted service during the past month.

While this was going on, the amaryllis I received for Christmas (below) has gone through 2 cycles of blooming, but a 2nd plant, which I also received for New Year has now bursted out into 7 new flowers, all at once! In a dreary day like today, when it's snowing in New York and the temperature is a frigid 19F ( -7C) degrees, I'm warmed up by quite a sight on my desk (top picture)!