switched to apple

Well, in the last month I have had nothing but trouble with my IBM laptop. In fact, it has been failing since last winter. I had to replace the hard drive just a week out of warranty and lost all my files. To make the pain greater, I opened the software package and found it contained cardboard. I had to pay to get the CDs with the original software.

Now the IBM laptop won’t shut down properly and when it’s off it won’t come back on. Since my life revolves around a computer, I can’t continue like this.

So… taking the advice of a friend, I started asking questions at the Apple Store and the Sprint Store in West Des Moines. I was using a Sprint EVDO card and it doesn’t work on a Mac, but I found out I could use a phone with a high-speed modem.

So with the assistance of Kelsey from Apple and Lucas from Sprint, I’m getting set up. Last week I purchased a MacBook Pro from the Apple store. Just like the ads claim, I pulled it out of the box and was able to start using it. What a dream. Lucas at Sprint helped me with the entire setup. I’m a customer for life at both Apple and Sprint. Both of these young people exhibited great customer service.

So now I’m on the journey to get the Windows part of the laptop set up. I got the Intel chip so I can run both Windows and Mac programs. More later…

Photo on flickr by brandonwardlaw

technorati tags: Iowa, Apple Store, Sprint, MacBook Pro, IBM, Laptops

creativity counts

Here’s another great example of the ingenuity people show. This is from Anthony White Artwork. He has been selling these pieces for a couple years, but now that he has a web presence, it will probably go much faster. The whole idea is he sells a painting for the amount. $1 for $1, $2 for $2, etc. And you can’t buy a number until it comes up. He has branched out to several currencies. 

And don’t we all say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”  But we can think of creative ideas. Take a chance. Step out of your comfort zone. Do something you always wanted to do. What if you fail? Pick yourself back up and try something else.

I just love the WWW and the chance we have to expand our community and sphere of influence. Be a good example to others! It’s always motivating to me when I find examples of entrepreneurship. Now if I can just figure out what I want to do…

gluten-free in Iowa

Yes, it’s been awhile since I posted here, so a long holiday weekend is the perfect time to get back in the habit. A lot of people are looking for real food. We have healthfood stores and farmers markets where we can buy fresh meat and produce to take home and eat/cook, but what if you want to eat out?

It can be a challenge, especially if you are watching your intake of wheat, sugar, preservatives, etc. or have to find food that is gluten-free. One food that I especially miss is pizza. Well, the wait is over. There’s a restaurant that recently opened in West Des Moines that has become my favorite. Una at Beyond the Grain, 801 1st Street in West Des Moines, makes a wonderful pizza. Try it today. Sometimes I stop in and eat there, but often I pick up an order and take it with me. And if you’re looking for a dessert, her carrot cake is the best. 

Anyway, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer a nice menu selection. There’s other restaurants in the area that offer a gluten-free menu, and I’ll write more as I visit them. There’s also an informational website.

Let me know what you think – and if you stop in to eat at Beyond the Grain, mention you read about them in Sandy’s blog.

Photo on flickr by bakerchick2