Things are falling apart all around me. First, I replaced my old computer, then the brand new one wouldn’t function, but you know about that already. Now there’s more happening. What’s going on??
Next to give up was my shredder.
Next to quit was my shredder.
That was understandable. The poor thing served me faithfully for years. Son Rafi helped order a new one online. (In the midst of COVID:19, stores are closed.)
Something like my new heavy shredder
It’s bigger, much heavier — and more complicated. It not only shreds in one direction, but in several at the same time. But, there’s no place to store the papers-to-be-shredded like I could in my old one. So the old shredder’s basket remains, adding more clutter in my office. Oh, well…
The latest to quit??? My toaster oven! I had one that was just that, an ordinary toaster oven. The new ones I saw locally aren’t that simple.
Sad goodbye to old simple toaster oven
The one I bought is also a ‘Convection’ oven. (I don’t even know what that is.) It came with l-o-n-g instructions — in several languages. The printing is so small, a magnifying glass was required for me to read it. I did. By the end, I was so confused, I had no idea where to begin.
It came with several parts but I had no idea where they were supposed to go. It didn’t say. Is it a secret? It has knobs which do various things, most of which I’m not interested in. Said knobs have tiny little things written on them here and there which I can’t see anyway.
New toaster oven: blue pen points to spot I painted with red nail polish
Thank goodness Andrew came by and set it to just make toast. After he left, I painted the spot he’d told me to use with red nail polish, because the original mark is so obscure, I would never find it. I had to tip the oven over on its side to see it. You can’t do that while it’s going.
I sure hope nothing else goes. I can’t cope with more ‘improvements’. As it is I still need to pull out the instructions twice a year when they change the time for the no-longer-new clock radio I use in my office. You can set multiple alarms and it has so many possibilities I can’t keep straight. If I were really clever, it would probably fix dinner and walk my dog — if I had one.
And, this week I’m having another birthday. Talk about falling apart. I may be next!!!
View from Over the Hill 
You’re doing great, Maughm — nowhere near falling apart! Sure, some of the buttons may be broken and the paint is a little chipped, but overall, you are ROCKIN’ it, lady!
As for your new toaster oven, I suspect it may be a “convection” oven, which is defined thusly:
“A convection oven (also known as a fan-assisted oven or simply a fan oven) is an oven that has fans to circulate air around food which gives a very even heat, and using the convection mechanism to cook food faster than a conventional oven.[1] Convection ovens are also used for non-food, industrial applications. When cooking using a convection oven, the temperature is usually reduced compared to that of a non-fan oven, often by 20 °C (40 °F), to avoid overcooking the outside of the food.”
We have the convection option on our oven and always use it. A friend told us it would help things cook better at our high altitude — I have no idea why, but I use it anyway.
You see how much I know Susan: I don’t even know how to spell it. Thanks, I fixed that. You reminded me that it took longer for water to boil up in the mountains at Hans’ place. Haven’t thought of that for years. As for my new toaster oven, I’ll be happy enough for now if I learn how long to let the bread toast. Love ya, Maughm
What we do here is follow normal directions and temperatures for the most part, and use the convection feature on the oven. I do sometimes add a few minutes to cooking times. 6200′ of elevation does change things! Thank goodness I don’t bake, as I hear that is a bit of a challenge up here.
As for you not spelling the word right, it COULD have been a confection oven…which would be an oven used by a confectioner to make sweet goodies, which sounds great to me!
Things happen in 3″s, don’t they?
That’s what they say, but dear Amy tells me in China they say things happen in 2’s, so who knows? I’ll be happy just to learn how to shred paper and make toast. Chuckle….
Or you could make paper and shred toast.
Judy
Brilliant idea Judy: Shall try to make paper and shred toast. Giggle.
Hi Muriel. Happy birthday!!!!
It is a good sign you outlive all those gadgets you have. You are as sturdy and strong as ever to even complain that they are broken and gone.
Keep going, going….enjoy your new computer. I envy you… you got a new one.
How nice to hear from you Grace: Hope you are doing okay during this crazy time and that your family is thriving. After having my old computer for about 14 years, I was just learning how to use it. (Chuckle.) I miss you and hope we’ll be able to see each other soon. Fondly.
Um… we have only an oven oven. I agree that every upgrade is more complicated and does more things than I know how to do. I try to figure out some new things on my phone since I’m home most of the time. What happens if I press this? I says. Oh, now how do I undo that? says I. 😕 You’re doing great, Muriel. You’re young in the best way, young at heart.
Judy
Thank you Judy: I work very hard at trying to stay sane, but there are no guarantees. What happened to simplicity? Love to all, Muriel
I empathize. I had a similar problem this week with a stereo system whose screen kept displaying messages that made no sense. It took a long while to figure out how to stop the messages. Much more importantly: Happy Birthday !
Oh, thank you for the good wishes Neil: WHO was it who was sending you messages???? Aliens? From which planet? Take care of you and yours, Muriel
I love the way you find humour even in trying situations! You’re right about the lack of simplicity, and the tiny printing on practically everything these days. Have a lovely birthday week, and hopefully we can all get together for coffee, someday soon! Val
Gosh Val: How could one survive in this crazy world without humour? Stay well and laugh every day. Hope to see everyone soon, including you, Cheers.
I love the way you are handling words in your posts.👌
Thank you Murallkrish: I love words and I enjoy playing with them. Sometimes I even make them up. (Chuckle.)
Hahaha…life’s an unending hill of learning, isn’t it? Best of luck on your continued computer, toaster, and shredder lessons!
Wait, it isn’t over yet. Now my printer won’t work. Grrrrrr….. What I need lessons most is how to learn patience. (Chuckle.)
🤦🏻 Oh no…. So do I…so do I…😁
Yup. I guess we all do, right? Thanks for understanding.