Once again, I lost a day this week. This time it was to that stinking, no good, rotten computer virus. I knew that I depended heavily on my laptop, but until I lost it from Sunday to Tuesday evening, I had no clue how much I relied upon my electronic brain. I was so mad, I sent an expletive heavy email to the company on the fake "antivirus software" contact us form. I NEVER send things like that. However, you must understand that every facet of my life, other than housework, needs the computer. My recipes, website, blogs, lectures, power points for lectures, grading sheets, cookbook invoices, and not to mention email, it is all stored in Daisy (yes, that is the computer's name). So when I lost all computer function, it was like a big stick was shoved into the gears of my life. I was irate. So, here are some warnings for you guys: one, have a good antivirus software. Two, don't turn off software when it insists it would like to do a long overdue scan. Three, beware of sneaky pop-ups that want you to confirm after closing the window with the X. This one had the "ok" button (which usually confirms closing) and "cancel" backwards. OK meant I didn't want to close the window. I wasn't paying attention to that. That one click did me in. Warning number four: Antivirus Vista 2010 (or XP or Windows 7) is not a product. Stay away, or else be stuck in the Dos prompt trenches of your computer. I was up 24 hours yesterday. No, wait…Tuesday? I woke up at 3:15 on Tuesday morning and went to sleep at the same time Wednesday morning. I lost a big chunk of work and had to get it done.

Due to lack of sleep, I am a little afraid to go to sleep. I can grab five hours if I pass out now. I think I will. Enjoy the Maque Choux. It is actually a recipe I am sharing my Cajun and Creole cooking class that meets this Saturday. It is spicy, but oh so yummy. Goes great with hamburger steaks!

Good night!