I thought I had 'missed' it. But when I checked, my 13th NOTH anniversary is next week!  Well, 6 days from now. And since I have Dr's appts next week, I decided to write this now.

Back in 2008, all I knew about Cloudeight was that I really liked their stationery and their newsletter! So when they announced that they had started a 'social site', I figured why not.  I had no experience at all with 'social sites'.  I think I did sign up for MySpace around that time, but found I wasn't really interested, so I quickly deleted that.  But when TC & EB announced their 'Not Over The Hill' site aimed at people over 40, I decided that just might be something good.  I was almost 60 at that point!  Now, I can't even imagine 'not' being here! 

In 2009, Alan started a computer group called "XP Tips & Tricks", since at that time, we were all--or at least most of us--using Windows XP.   I  wasn't even one of the first 30 people to join the group! But I immediately decided it was the best forum ever; I could find answers to just about any question I had. And if the answer wasn't already there, then I knew Alan would be able to give me the answer. 

At that point, I knew absolutely nothing about 'designing' my page.  Luckily for me, we had DocShell to not only give us layouts, but to answer any design questions we had.  And she gave us all the basic layout codes.  (While she's away for now, I hope she'll eventually come back! She's the best--and always will be.)  From her basic codes, I learned how to 'make' my own page design. 

 I think it was 2011 or so when Alan became too busy with work to be able to spend time here.  So we eventually asked Admin to make me the new 'moderator'.  By then, I could share what I'd learned--and check back to Alan's posts if I didn't know the answer. Over the years, some others were around to help answer questions. Sadly, most of them have moved on to FB. And we've 'lost' a couple as well, due to age or health issues. 

Somewhere, over the years, the group's name was changed; and eventually, after getting some input  from the group members, I finally decided on the current name.

Anyway, between this group, running my other 'groups', and being 'Staff', I keep busy--not to mention 'real life' and health issues since 2018. I don't have the time/energy to change my page designs as often as I used to; but I still enjoy that, when I can find time--and inspiration.

I now have 4 pages, technically; one is to show 'how to' for the computer group.  It only changes when I have more Info to show.  Then I have my 'test' page, for practice.  And of course my 2 main pages: Altara33606 & Altara3.  Drop by anytime to check out my 'latest' designs!

PS--yes, any member can have as many pages as they want--as long as they don't pretend to be 'different' people; just make it clear to visitors that it's "you". 

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Well, I'm in my 70s now and boy, how things have changed.  Even a few years ago, when I was in my 60's, my normal bedtime was no earlier than midnight. I have always been a 'night owl'.   It wasn't unusual for me to stay awake till 2am, reading. Now, I'm lucky to be wide awake at 10pm! Sometimes--since I now seem to wake up by 7am--I'm feeling sleepy by 9pm. 

According to my generic version of FitBit, I got 9 hrs and 5 minutes of sleep last night, waking up about 10 minutes to 7. Yes, that includes getting up  2-3 times for the bathroom. But most of the time, I'm able to get back to sleep fairly quickly.  One night this past week, I was very involved in some computer 'things', and I actually didn't get to sleep till 11:30pm! But that's unusual now.  I still 'need' my 9 hours of sleep most of the time; that's been my normal for a very long time.  My 'bedtime' has just changed.  

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Just a quick reminder: like me, you probably already 'have' the blogs you have written on your computer. But, if you haven't...be sure to do a 'screenshot' of every blog you write!  That way, when the site does a 'clean up', you won't lose anything. 

 We've had people complain about losing things like blogs, comments, etc--any time there's a site clean up.  But there's really no reason 'not' to have these backed up on your computer. We've talked about this a lot over the years.  I always 'screenshot' everything I want to be  to have a copy of: messages, special comments, blogs. You name it, I've done a screenshot of it! 

Now, if you don't know how to do a screenshot...just ask. I'm pretty sure we've even covered that in the NOTH Computer & Help  group. But I'm happy to explain when someone asks. 

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When my Mom died, my sister had this 'memorial' made--one for each of us: me, my brother, & my sister. The flowers are from her memorial service. The pictures are of her and Dad on their wedding day and them with their car when they were in a sports car club.  The 'ribbon' has Mom's "badges" from the American Legion Auxillary.   For a long time, I had this hanging on the wall here in my computer/tv room where I could see it.  Sadly, it 'fell'...and that broke some of the flowers inside. So it's now safely stored in a box in my closet. I'll treasure it always, even if it's not in 'view' now. Rest in peace, Mom; we miss you.  

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This is an edited/updated version of a Blog I posted in 2019:

Good morning, all.  I've now been a member here for almost 13 years!  Wow. Hard to believe. When NOTH first started, all I knew about Cloudeight was its Stationery and newsletter.  I learned about the Hill from the newsletter--and joined only 6 weeks after NOTH was formed.  The best thing I've ever done online!   I've learned so much from them.  

One of the  first things I do in the morning is open my NOTH account.  Since Admin is busy with a full time job & other Cloudeight duties, as Staff I'm the 'middle person'--I take complaints & either do something about them or pass it on to Admin, etc.  It's my 'job' to remind people of the Rules here. 

What I have always liked about the Hill is that we can  be 'ourselves'. Yes, at some point, I did try a competitive site. Not only was it 'impersonal', but it was rather risque--definitely not for me.    NOTH is a 'family site'. We have members' grandchildren also 'visiting' and some even have accounts here.  And our median age is maybe in the 70. Or higher, lol. (Just guessing!)  

As I posted in a Bulletin: with me, what you see is what you get.  I see no reason to hide who I am. 

My name is Dianne...which all the 'old timers' know; and I usually put Altara/Dianne on my 'sigs' (signature tags).   Even though I don't "take" a very good photo, I almost always use my picture as my Profile Pic.  Of course, since I have other pages as well, I sometimes use an 'avatar' there, just to be different, lol.   It's fine if you prefer an Avatar; but I don't.  I like to know 'who' I'm friends with, who I'm talking to, etc.    When I answer forum posts, it's nice to be able to use a 'real' first name--so that people realize I do "know" them. 

My personal preference is an open page where everyone can leave a comment; however, I've had to monitor that because some people simply don't pay attention to what we've 'suggested' over the years.   Most of us 'old timers' prefer maybe 1 graphic per comment (yes, even those like me who really love graphics!)--and 'smaller' (not HUGE) graphics, which stretch out a person's page if they aren't using the 'limit code'.   While I appreciate all comments, I still prefer a 'limit'.   Some of us (not me, lol) even prefer a private message, rather than a bunch of graphics on our page.  And many of us now use Bulletins rather than leaving individual comments.  

I  believe our actual 'oldest' member is now  99 years old! That's amazing. She actually joined NOTH about 8 days before I did--so she's one of the Originals.  Now, this doesn't include people who 'say' they are over 100, lol.  I'm going by 'real age'. 

Now, anyone who has looked at either of my pages will see that I 'limit' friends.  I wish I had time/energy to visit each friend daily & leave a comment; but between health problems, other 'real life' things,  & all I do here, I just can't.  That's why it's extremely rare for me to add 'friends', on either page.  

Important PS--I do recommend not putting the names & ages of all your children/grandchildren on your page! Or going into detail about all of your life experiences. But otherwise, I see no problem in listing your 'likes, hobbies', etc.   I look at things like that, to decide who to invite to different groups. I made a 'graphic' that shows my basic info: 2 kids, 3 grandkids, and my main hobbies.   In order for anyone outside of NOTH to 'see' your info, they'd have to do a 'search' for your username. So it's not very likely to happen by 'chance'. 

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I always said I hate reality shows; and in general, that's true. I definitely do not like/watch "singing/dancing/talent" shows.

However, I do have a few shows that I enjoy watching, like Below Deck (original & Mediterranean). And over the years, I've watched some 'cooking' shows--mainly things like Kids Baking Championship, or 'holiday' competitions, etc. And I've watched several of Gordon Ramsey's shows.

And just last night I watched a new episode of Restaurant Impossible. (Actually, I once ate at a local restaurant that had been 'redone' by this man; we enjoyed the food & in general thought they did a good job, although I saw a couple of minor 'problems' that should have been addressed--like a window sill that needed to be redone; I assume they ran out of cash to fix everything!)

Well, recently, I read an article that debunked many of the 'reality' shows.  I had never heard of most of them, but a few that I've watched were listed as being totally 'scripted'. Example: the ones where people are deciding between looking for a new home or renovating & another show where people were deciding between several 'new homes. I'd actually gotten tired of those anyway & already stopped watching. 

So...in general, I can still say I'm not a true fan of 'reality' shows. 

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I dislike 'texting'--it's just too hard with those tiny buttons on my cell phone! Now, it's ok if I can use my keyboard; but that only works when I use 'chat' at Facebook--or some other platform (like PMs here at NOTH).  My grown 'children' (now age 50+) seem to prefer texting to actually talking to people--I, personally, would rather 'speak' to someone!

I do love my computer. I've switched to laptops, which may seem silly since it never leaves my desk! But it was more economical. And I do have an iPad, which I mainly use for reading, games, & quick check-ins here at NOTH; but I don't use it for anything more complicated; again, it's too hard to 'type' on it. But I'm not interested in more fancy electronics.  I've learned to do a lot on my computer, and don't see the need for anything fancier. 

As for my cell phone, my daughter got them for us and put them on her account. They're simple: just for talking, texting--and taking pictures, which I rarely do.  If I want to take photos, I use a real camera! Maybe that's unusual these days; but it's much more reliable, easier to 'see' the pictures, and if I decide I want to print out a photo, I know they'll be 'better'. 

We mainly use the cell phones to keep in touch with each other when one of us goes out to 'shop'. Or now, of course, when we get to a doctor's office & need to 'call in' to let them know we're in the parking lot!  We started out using the cell phones to talk to our daughter, who lives in another county; however...we now have unlimited time on our ATT account so we use the house phone (landline), which is a lot easier to use!  There's no chance of an accidental 'hitting the wrong button' & ending the call!

I get  frustrated when my daughter or son sends me a 'picture' via the phone because I am not able to see 'details' on the tiny screen. So I have to 'move' it to the 'card', then take the card out, put the card into the slot on the laptop, move it to the laptop and then open it to 'see' it. If they want to 'send' me a photo, I'd prefer they do it by email--which is much easier to see. 

So, I'm quite happy being a bit Old Fashioned!

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I love holiday movies; I have quite a collection of them on DVD (and on DVR). But  I still watch many of them when they are repeated on tv--as well as many new ones each year.  While flipping channels a while ago, I found one of my favorite 'newer' ones: Snowglobe. It kind of reminds me of 'It's a Wonderful Life'; in this one, a woman wishing for a 'perfect' Christmas suddenly finds herself in a 'snowglobe', where every day is Christmas. She quickly learns that 'perfection' isn't what it's cracked up to be. When she gets 'stuck' inside the snowglobe, she realizes she misses her quirky family and their unique holiday traditions: like green 'Christmas lasagna'.  I do have this one in my collection; but I haven't watched it  for some time. So I'm enjoying it now.

I have 2 Hallmark channels, which show many holiday movies. However, I've found that between these two channels and several others, there are often at least 4 holiday movies on the same night! So it's a challenge to decide which to watch, which to dvr, and which to watch 'later', if they are repeated. 

Since I didn't feel well last year, I recorded quite a few holiday movies and actually only got around to watching some of them recently! I even had one that was dated December of 2018. I've now gone through all of those & deleted most after watching. I think there are a couple that I'm "keeping", at least for now.  And so far, I've found 2 new ones that I liked so much that I will be keeping those as well. 

With all that's gone on this year, I think we all need something to lift our spirits. And I know these movies are definitely doing that for me!

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This is a photo from 1955, at Grandma's. That's my great grandma Bertha on the left; Grandad is the one holding my baby cousin Judy (who now has grandkids of her own!).  My mom is just to the right of him; she was pregnant with my little sister Deb at the time. Grandma Alice took the photo. Oh, my dad is in front of the tree; my aunt & uncle are on the right. And me..I'm a bit blurry...next to my dad!

I really miss my grandparents!  Actually, I stayed with them a good bit of the time when I was little and Mom worked. And Grandma took care of me when I had my tonsils out. Now that Grandma is gone, we don't even go to my home town anymore. I sure miss the 'good old days' when all my grandparents--and my parents, who are now also gone--were all around.  

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