Begin Again

About 14 months ago, I re-opened my Etsy shop and set up a social media page to increase the visibility of all my websites. Because I'd retired. And medical bills did not.

I've put a nearly daily effort into maintaining the social media site to try to bring in more traffic to my Etsy shop, my Zazzle shop, my Spoonflower shop, my greeting cards and my photography. I couldn't do any longterm time commitments because Lizard's needs are too great, and that's my priority. But every litte thing helps the bottom line, especially with the dental bill. Is there a toothy smiling emoticon???

Saturday, my social media world came crashing down around me as I unexpectedly lost administrative access due to perhaps pushing a wrong button when navigating the prompts that would occasionally pop up to con me into some other service I did not want or need. The 14 months I've put into the Snowcatcher social media page were suddenly a relic of the past, and something I could no longer manage. The page is still there and viewable. But I cannot access any of the data, and I can't respond to messages sent to that account. I can't even read messages sent to that account.

I spent nearly three hours with various AI bots trying to help me figure out the problem, all to no avail. I finally got a real human, which didn't last long enough because I was suddenly having to prove who I am and ownership of my assets. I wasn't fast enough in documenting all that was requested of me, and the "conversation" was terminated. I've tried to initate conversations with other real humans, but the AI bots are either unresponsive or not transmitting the data.

I melted down into a puddle of tears three times on Saturday, perhaps realizing I would have to just start over again, plain and simple. I didn't want to. I wanted back the work I'd put into building the page.

About halfway through the Saturday ordeal, the sound of a cash register emerged from my phone. I'd made my third sale on Etsy since I re-opened the shop!!! I quickly notified the buyer I would get the package to the post office within the hour but that I may have already missed the deadline for the package to go out that day. And Monday was a holiday. Tuesday would be the earliest it could go out.

The buyer did not respond, so perhaps was aware the package might not be trackable until today.

I prepared the label to ship my package, and once again, third time's a charm, my printer would not print. After battling the printer for a good half hour, I drove to the nearest Kinko's to print my label. Also printed my coloring page handouts for my class on Sunday. SO, so thankful I did that instead of wage war with the printer again.

I've had to replace my printer three times since I began working from home in March of 2020. My sweet neighbors have a grandson I'm convinced will be a rocket scientist like his dad when he grows up. He has asked for each of my failed printers, phones, computers, external hand drives... He takes them apart to see how they work. He's 13 now, and he can build a computer by himself. My current printer will find such a good new home this week! I feel a tiny bit guilty for getting joy out of knowing what is to become of that piece of machinery. But I'm also so thrilled to be contributing to this boy's curiosity and drive.p>

I decided to stay away from the computer all day Sunday to reduce the stress I might be inflicting upon Lizard. NOTE: Awesome day, in spite of everything that transpired the day before. Oh, and a live support agent tried to call me in the middle of the night too early Sunday morning, when my phone was silenced to prevent anything from waking Lizard. Probably lost out on my final chance to talk to a live person, but Lizard got a good night's sleep, for which I am so grateful.

Monday morning I was back at my computer trying to get help, and nothing worked. Nothing the support agents suggested worked. I still had no access. And I'd re-read Patrick Kearon's message on fresh new beginnings, and I decided to seize a fresh, new beginning. I started my Snowcatcher page all over again from scratch and asked my 435 friends and loved ones to please smash that like button and follow once again. I'd never begged for attention like that before, and I hope I don't have to do it again. But I was amazed at the outpouring of love I received within minutes.

The best part of this whole experience, though, was during one of my salty tear weak spots, when Lizard, who'd been offering to do anything he could to help (he isn't able to operate a phone or a computer anymore), responded to my heartbroken plea of, "Will you still love crybaby me me in heaven?" He put his hand on my knee and responded with such tenderness, "Of course." Boy, did I ever marry the right guy!

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