Hello again Everyone - from Cy Bear!
Many apologies for the break down in posting - but technology has intervened once again. Apparently the internet connection Isobel relies on for doing all the Cuddlies work with her laptop failed - because something called "the router" broke down and the only remedy was for a new one to be supplied by the Post Office - who provide Isobel's broadband and telephone connections. The router applies just to the broadband service, so she was still able to make/receive land line telephone calls.
This is what the lining of a Tiger (or any other) Arm Puppet looks like when first sewn
Needless to say - because it seems technology likes to break down at week-ends - it was on the Sunday that the problem showed itself. That meant no blogging session, not to mention all the daily Etsy routine tasks having to be put on hold as well. When first contacted the Post Office Call Centre had Isobel crawling (no mean task nowadays with her still injured left hip) around electric sockets in our flat to find out which plug related to the router - and then applying the tests requested by the Call Centre staffer. None of them worked, so - as it was Sunday - Isobel was told to ring for more technical assistance the next morning.
Here is what the latest Tiger Who Lost His Stripes looked like before being turned right side out
Monday dawned, and Isobel was on to the Post Office folks early. She had to go through all the tests again, because this time engineers were involved, and apparently they never take anyone else's capabilities seriously! We were promised a replacement router as soon as possible - because Isobel stressed her need for being able to communicate with the outside world on behalf of the Cuddlies. A week later (last Monday in fact) she was again on the Call Centre line very early - to find out that somehow the router order had not left the Call Centre.
Isobel was not a "happy camper" as you can imagine, and demanded to be put through to the Manager of the Call Centre! This was not possible immediately - there was a 36 hour wait for such a conversation to take place. Believe me, the flat was not a comfortable place for some time on Monday morning - but there was little Isobel could do about it - except wait for the arrival of the newly ordered replacement. (A Manager did indeed call back within the stipulated period - with profuse apologies), but the matter had been largely solved by then!)
Settling in for another week of learning how to work her new Galaxy smartphone whether she liked it or not - Isobel was delighted (and very surprised) to get a special Next Day Delivery parcel from the Post Office - with the required router inside it. The rest of the week has seen Isobel concentrating on making everything work - something that can take her a lot longer than it does younger folk. However, she linked everything that needed it (including the Printer) to the new router and the office systems are now functioning - for the time being. (The Smartphone and Isobel are getting on better than expected by the way!)
She also unexpectedly linked up with Microsoft Help yesterday - something she's been trying to do for MONTHS, and someone actually remotely accessed her computer and seems to have put some of the problems to bed. One or two still remain, but she's hopeful that having discovered a route in, she will be able to get extra assistance - when she has the time to be able to do it. As long as the laptop works, she's happy to carry on because things are beginning to hot up on more than one front.
When she's not trying to be an amateur engineer, Isobel has been sewing as normal. The Memory Cats were finished - and posted to Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is waiting to learn about their safe arrival before telling you about the two that were still unfinished when she wrote about them on 6th September. That should happen next week, because checking the Tracker Number before starting this post, we know they've arrived in Tulsa - the postal folk have not yet been able to deliver them because MsVS is currently "living" between two houses - the new one (where the parcel was sent to) and her previous dwelling, which she is getting ready to sell! Always a difficult situation for everyone concerned, I should imagine!
Here the two bits of the Tiger are in place - awaiting the addition of its Head.
After the Cats, Isobel began another Tiger Who Lost His Stripes Puppet - this time for a Buyer (MsML from San Diego, California - the photos here were taken to keep MsML updated on how her commission was progressing!). There's a real story attached to this one, which will form another blog, after I've finished the Memory Cats Saga.
Until the next time, then. Stay Safe Everyone in the meantime.
Your Friend,
Cy Bear
