**1st 24 Hours REVIEW** Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8

NOTE: I wanted this review to be for "regular" people. Not all of us are tech-savvy enough to understand the intricate details of every component on our computers. We just want to know how it works on a day-to-day basis for the average Joe or Jill. I will be your Jill for this review of the Lenovo 9i gen 8 2-in-1 laptop. Mine is the 14-inch model with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage, and the 3840 x 2400 display. And that right there is about as techie as it gets!

 Cue the fanfare 🎺

The UPS guy was almost as excited as I was when he got here with my package. (Everyone knows I've been waiting!)

Unboxing:

I have to give it to Lenovo. They do an awesome job of presenting a new machine to a buyer. The wrapping was as elegant as that for a designer handbag. Not only is the overall packaging sturdy and protective but the box holding the laptop is kind of snazzy. (For what they charge...😏)

I was kind of impressed that after getting past the inner carton with the nice (and vivid) red YOGA logo, the computer was covered in elegant (it bears repeating) black paper. The whole setup is beautifully giftable.

Once I got to the computer (and the pen and the sleeve), I felt like a very spoiled kid at Christmas. I have to do yet another thankful shout-out to my amazing family for this.

The machine is heavier than I expected (this site and others put it at almost 4lbs). It's so small in size compared to my 15.6 Dell that the heft caught me off guard. It's not uncomfortably heavy, just surprisingly so. 

I will briefly touch on first impressions and bold point the topics.

First day of use:

I was happy to see that the lid opened easily. With my Dell, this is not a one-handed task - probably because of the wider sizing. Also, the Dell lid has more flex when opening, which is why I was always careful with it. The Lenovo lid is really sturdy. I guess the whole machine is. I read somewhere about the sturdiness of the aluminum build.

The lack of ports (which I knew about) is a bit distressing. I don't attach a lot of things to my laptops but I have a USB-connected mouse that I love and I also tend to charge my phone and watch with the computer's USB in addition to attaching my printer quite often. That's not going to be an option if I am also using one of the USB ports to charge the Yoga. Two of the slots on one side are "Thunderbolt" ports🤔. I kinda get what that means but kinda don't so here you go.

I'm having to adjust to the keyboard because of the smaller size but I love the feel of the keys as I type. They are bouncy and responsive enough and not too clicky-sounding.

It's going to take more use before I have a firm opinion about the battery. I am trying to stick to the 80/20 rule of thumb: charging no higher than 80% and not letting it dissipate below 20%. I don't know if that really helps in the long run but I keep hearing tech-savvy folks talk about it. (UPDATE: There is a setting in the Lenovo Vantage app that lets me keep the battery from charging over 70-80%)

As I've heard so much about, the display totally lives up to the hype, as do the speakers. The display is lush and vivid. James Spader and Denzel Washington never looked so dang good to me! The speakers are amazing. This is nice because I tend to listen to music when I am doing almost anything else on a computer or around the house.

The Face ID sign-in is nice but... I don't like keeping my camera open. Every time I get ready to sign in, I have to remember to open the camera. The nice thing though is that there is a built-in shutter so I can easily slide the notch to block or unblock the camera. On my Dell, I used blocking stickers so much that I had a Subscribe-and-Save order going. My Dell didn't have the face recognition feature so I got used to signing in with my fingerprint. The Yoga has the fingerprint option also. I am just trying to figure out how to make it the default. (By the way, when I tried the Flex, I noticed that the built-in shutter was nicer; there was a symbol to let you know whether it was open or not.)

The camera is better than on the Dell. I still look like James Brown's baby sister though! It's tough to be dark-skinned and trying to appear halfway normal with any camera... I have not played around with it too much but there is a "Smart Appearance" menu for making adjustments to your camera appearance. Gonna go work on that.

I get now what others have said about those "special" keys along the right side of the keyboard. They cannot be reprogrammed, but I probably would not have done that if I could. For now, I have only been using the Power toggle. There are also keys for intelligent cooling, blurring the camera background, changing the computer's performance mode, and the fingerprint key.

Not only is the keyboard backlit but the lighting is adjustable. There is "auto" (my favorite because the keyboard lights up when the room goes dark); "normal" (just moderately light); and bright. I can see using bright possibly while on an airplane. I keep it on Auto for now.

The pen/stylus is one of the main things for me personally. Because of my brain stumbles, I have used my Dell touchscreen & pen feature almost as much as I use the keyboard. The Yoga has a nicer pen, in my opinion. It's easier to hold because of the octagonal, pencil-like shape.  It also writes better because the tip is "rubbery" and grips the screen instead of sliding around the way the harder nib on the Dell did (if that makes sense). Another thing it has over the Dell stylus is that it's USB chargeable. I had to buy rechargeable batteries for my Dell pen because I ran them down so often.

The length & shape of Lenovo's 
is better for natural writing

The nib on the Dell is harder and slicker-feeling.
The Lenovo tip has "grip".

The "zero-touch" features are pretty cool. There is face recognition for signing in, of course, but the coolest one is the zero-touch video play. That makes the video pause when you turn away from the screen. My poor mother would have sprinkled holy water on this kind of voodoo!

It's skinny but has a kangaroo pocket in front

Yeah, so there is a lot going on here. I am surprised that Lenovo didn't mention these features more as a selling point. People (me!) love gadgets and this thing is full of them.

I will be back to update this review as I get more accustomed to the laptop. For now, I can say that I am very happy with it - but this is just part of the first day...

Update - next morning:

I am enjoying the speed of the machine. I am able to run more apps and programs without any glitches. It's really nice that, when I open the lid, the machine just powers up and recognizes me. There is almost no time spent waiting for it to boot up and get going so I'm done with reading the depressing news quickly.

The battery could be better. It does charge very quickly but I expected to get more life out of a charge. I haven't timed it but I just notice it runs down pretty quickly when I'm running a lot of stuff. Also, I need to find out if it's just my machine or a normal thing that, when unplugging/plugging the charging cable, the screen goes black for a brief moment. It's very jarring.

I am still adjusting to the smaller keyboard so that's a thing. However, I watched a video last night, and... The display is awesome. Colors just pop, pop, pop! The speakers still amaze me. I did not have to use any sound-blaster extensions. When I played music while doing some paperwork, it was as if I was listening to a really decent stereo. It's even nicer that one of those function keys on the side lets me cycle through sound modes (music, movie, gaming, etc.). 

The last thing I discovered is that I have not discovered everything about this laptop... There are apps and functions that I had no idea existed. I can tweak a lot of things using the Vantage dashboard. I set up some adjustments to the camera and fiddled with some audio and visual functions. 

One thing I need to figure out is using the phone connection app. With my Dell, I could connect my phone and send messages, calls, photos, etc. via the laptop. When I was done, I could easily disconnect the phone from the computer. On this Lenovo, I have the phone connection capability but... I cannot figure out how to disconnect it in between sessions. I ended up removing my phone from the list of devices for now. 

My favorite discovery is the Smart Note app. Because I am extremely forgetful and have trouble focusing, I tend to use a lot of sticky notes - digital or hard copy - to quickly jot down ideas and questions. This is especially important when I am listening to books or doing any kind of study. With my Dell, I used a desktop sticky note app that I really liked. Last night, I found the Smart Note app on the Yoga. 

Smart Note lets me use my laptop's handwriting feature in place of sticky notes. I'm sure that a lot of people use it to illustrate things to share with others. I'm not participating in work meetings or in a work environment. I use mine just as a note-taking app. Here is a screenshot of a test page to show you:

The only scare I had all evening was when, at one point, there was some streaking of images at the bottom of the screen:

I almost stroked out!

I looked up some info online and realized that I just had not finished updating all the drivers. Whew! 

So, yes, I do like love the laptop. It's everything that I expected and a little bit more. I feel like I got my family's money's worth. 

Peace

--Free

Lenovo (and UPS) Are… Making Me Nervous

 Lenovo is making me very nervous and so is UPS.

For all the research I did while trying to decide which laptop to choose (thanks again, fam!)...

... I did none on shipping and service. I should have. I really, really should have.

You all probably have read about how excited, grateful, and blessed I felt when my family offered to replace my dying laptop. I chose the Lenovo Yoga 9i (and we will discuss the name situation later...). As soon as I made the order and hit Enter, I had that familiar anxiety. Did I choose the right laptop? Is it really a good laptop? Should I go and read some more reviews? Is it too late to cancel?

I didn't cancel. Instead, I started watching UPS tracking like it was life. After a few days, I noticed that there barely was any tracking. The package went from Mainland China to Korea and... just sat there. 

At this point - because I like feeding my anxiety and not starving it - I started searching online for problems with Lenovo and UPS. I expected to see a few examples and gripes because that would be normal for anything, right? No, no, no. People, there are forums and communities full of this as a specific topic of discussion! What?

Now I am seriously worried and let my anxiety go on a binge. I am mainly worrying about what I have done with so much of my family's money. By the end of the day, I think I broke out in hives - or I'm allergic to the new fabric softener I'm using...

For the next 6 days, the package toured every part of Mainland China before it finally made it to Korea. Then it sat some more. I was originally told it would be delivered on the 23rd. That wasn't going to happen with it sitting in Korea on the 22nd. I called UPS first (a lady there promised to look into things and call me back - btw, she did not).  Then I called to complain to Lenovo and they promised to look into it. They did and UPS gave them some spiel involving an irritating but reasonable explanation. They assured Lenovo (if I can trust what Lenovo said) that it should be here by the 25th. 

On the 25th, the package was not being delivered. It wasn't even on its way out of Korea. I contacted Lenovo again - via chat. I was told that they would contact UPS. They did and then they assured me that I should have the package on or before the 30th. And that's where I am as I type this.

Okay. I had to make myself just breathe. A delivery on the 30th would be great - if I can rely on that. But I have treatments and other appointments coming up. Since I need to be here to sign for the package, that could be a problem. I'm not skipping stuff for my health just because UPS can't get it together.

- A bit of an update - I checked tracking as I was writing this post and, finally, the package has departed Korea for Anchorage.

I wanted to see if the Twitter UPS contact could make sense of that:

Huh?

a bot named Vanessa?

Keep in mind that I really like all the UPS drivers I deal with. They are all pretty awesome. Everyone in my building has some kind of driving limitation so we get a lot of visits from the guys in brown. But this is not about the drivers. This is all about getting the package to the drivers. 

scary truth!

~sigh~

So now I am sitting here, already having some kind of random virus, and worrying about whether I made a mistake in choosing a Lenovo. I had to make myself stop looking into their customer service because there are just too many horror stories out there.

Let me not forget to tell you how confusing I find all the Lenovo Yoga names. When I look up "Yoga 9i", I might get the 2-in-1 (that I'm getting), a slim model, a dual-screen model, or... I can't remember the other one. 

Also, the whole "brands within the brand" is super-weird to me. This is what you get to choose from among the laptops on the Lenovo site:

Shouldn't they all just be Lenovos? By the way, I don't see the Flex model on this list.  What's that about?

Just about every time I searched for "Yoga", I got hits on different types - Slim, Book, etc. And, I loved the idea of the dual-screened Yoga Book (but not the size, price, or reviews when compared to the Yoga 9i (gen 8). I learned to always check for reviews on the one I'm getting by using the "9i gen 8" to the search. (This site explains some of the differences to me.)

Anyway, that finishes my Lenovo-UPS rant. For now.  

I will be back to finish this saga when (if) it ends. In the meantime, be careful shopping Lenovo online. I am reading lots of comments that say it's better to order in a store or via Amazon.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: By the way, it seems that the best way to get in touch with UPS for help is via their Twitter (through messaging) - unless your shipment is coming from outside the U.S., then you have to make calls and pray.

**Dupe Patrol** MiracleLayer Scents

If, like me, you had never heard of this fragrance company before... you will now!

I first tried a MiracleLayer (ML) product when I saw their Molecule 02 dupe scent  (called Aromatic 02) on Amazon.  Oddly, I wasn't impressed right away. I had to pump a couple of sprays and let the bottle set for a week or two. Afterward... wow. 

You must understand how the Escentual Molecule 02 works before you ever try using it. The same goes for the ML 02 type. They are not worn by most as an actual fragrance; they are more "fragrance-enhancing" if that makes sense. 

I only had a Scent Split decant of the original Molecule 02 because I can't splurge on a full bottle. It did what many other users claimed: it supercharged many of my other perfumes when paired. The ML 02-type was identical (after the resting period).

I have a $10 bottle of Choco Musk from the Al Rehab brand that had no projection or lasting power. I mean, what could I expect for ten bucks! Layering Choco Musk with either of the 02 scents made me fall in love with that cheap perfume. All of the chocolate-vanilla-powder sweetness of the Musk went into beast mode. Honestly, maybe "beast mode" is a slight exaggeration! However, I definitely got the projection and longevity of a much pricier fragrance.

So, after that, I was kind of hooked. The seller told me (via their Amazon page) that the other ML scents I'd heard about weren't on Amazon yet. I went to their website and... it looked so freaking sketchy that I had to check around for its legitimacy. A couple of Redditors assured me that they had used the site. I gave it a shot, knowing that my credit card would protect me and itself!

Listen. Not only was the site legit for me, but there were also no shipping charges. I could pay for faster shipping but "regular" USPS is free. I jumped right on that.

I ordered 10ml each of the Ambergris Musk (A JHAG Not a Perfume dupe) and 13 Aromatics (a Le Labo Another 13 dupe). And I am not mad at all.

The Ambergris Musk is, IMO, a bit stronger than the original. Many users don't know that JHAG's Not a Perfume is made up of basically Cetalox. The dupe from ML also uses the cetalox scent as a base note.

By the way, because I tend to like scents like Not a Perfume and Glossier's You - which are similar IMO - I wanted to understand the notes and ingredients that give them their "personality. Chat GPT was helpful. This is how it explains the differences between cetalox, Ambroxan, and ambergris:

1. **Cetalox:** Cetalox is a synthetic molecule that has a clean, woody scent. It's often used as a base note in perfumes to add depth and warmth. It's known for its neutral fragrance profile and is a common ingredient in many modern fragrances.

2. **Ambroxan:** Ambroxan is another synthetic molecule used in perfumery. It has an ambery, musky, and slightly woody scent. It's often used to create rich, warm, and sensual fragrances. Ambroxan is known for its longevity and ability to enhance other scent notes in a perfume.

3. **Ambergris:** Ambergris is a natural substance that comes from the digestive system of whales. Over time, it develops a unique and complex scent that's often described as sweet, earthy, and marine-like. It's used as a precious ingredient in perfumery to add depth and complexity to fragrances. However, due to ethical and environmental concerns, synthetic alternatives like ambroxan and cetalox are often used instead of natural ambergris.

In short, cetalox and ambroxan are synthetic molecules used to create certain scent profiles, while ambergris is a natural substance with a distinctive scent that's often replicated synthetically due to sustainability reasons.

And, as far as my 2 personal faves:

Not a Perfume - Main Ingredient: "Not a Perfume" by Juliette Has a Gun is centered around the single molecule cetalox. This fragrance is known for its simple, clean, and almost transparent scent. It's designed to be minimalistic and non-traditional in its approach to perfumery.

Glossier You:- Main Notes: "You" by Glossier is formulated with a combination of notes, including ambroxan, musk, and iris root. While ambroxan contributes to the musky and warm undertones, the fragrance also includes other elements for a more complex scent profile.

If you check out the MiracleLayer links, you can see what I like about the scents I tried. 

Overall, I personally cannot see buying "You", "Not a Perfume", or Molecule 02 originals again. Remember from my page on perfumes how I explained why smells can't be patented? Well, I do not care what the name is on the bottle of perfume. As long as it presents the smell results, I'm happy. MiracleLayer is making me happy with at least 3 of the smells I love!

Finally, I want to say that this appears to be a small company. When I was buying one product from Amazon and had a question, the customer service was amazing. It's a USA company, people. Get over there and show some support!

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I was not sponsored or compensated in any way for writing this post. I bought all the items with my own money and at no discount.

Knowledge & Literacy & a Personal Challenge

Reading, thinking critically, knowing, understanding - this is all so important for all of us. Learning shouldn't stop at the end of our school days. Maturing shouldn't stop at a certain age. Keep growing and keep striving to be a better person - even if just for yourself.

Knowledge & Literacy

When I got sick, the one thing that bothered me the most was not being able to read and comprehend as well as before. I have always loved books. Reading allowed me to see more of the world without ever leaving my room. Reading was how I learned to feel connections with other people in this wide world of ours.

Now that my brain is somewhat healed, I can better read and comprehend the written word. However, there is something about seeing a lot of letters on a page that frustrates me. Sometimes, the letters and words seem distorted. For that reason, I have learned to appreciate audiobooks.

And, thank God for audiobooks. For the past 7 years or so, I have gotten back into the habit of reading or listening to all the writers and poets I love. Zora Neale Hurston is a favorite and I have come back around to others such as those by Oscar Wilde, Alexandre Dumas, Shirley Jackson, Countee Cullen, Sylvia Plath, Nella Larsen, Claude McKay, Lorraine Hansberry, and Harper Lee. 

Even though I started reading at an early age, I have only recently begun to think about all the books, authors, and poets I've avoided. I have never read most of Shakespeare or any of Virginia Woolf, and I just put Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" on my list because of a Bible Study I've been doing.

Yesterday, I started putting together a list. During the coming winter months, I'd like to touch on or get through:

• The Art of War (Sun Tzu). A nephew of mine suggested this one years ago. The Bible study reminded me.
• The Death of Common Sense (Philip K. Howard). Oddly, I saw the author mentioned in the obituary of a television voice actor.
• The History of Knowledge (Charles Van Doren)
• The Federalist Papers (A. Hamilton, J. Madison, and J. Jay)
• The Ninety-Five Theses (Martin Luther)
• The Antiquities of the Jews (Josephus - translated by William Whiston)

It's a short list but some of the works are very intensive and will take me the rest of my life. (I also plan to re-read and study the U.S. Constitution, something I haven't done since my last year of school.)

A Challenge

One book that I have read before and recently read (rather listened to) again is Cultural Literacy (E.D. Hirsch, Jr.). The first time I read this, I made it a goal to start honing my cultural literacy skills. Then I got sick. Last year, I found a copy at my local library and made a note to read it again. When I did, I was encouraged to pursue a very specific challenge: to study for the U.S. Citizenship Test.

I have always been amazed (and sometimes ashamed) by the hard work of many people who come to live in the U.S. and make it their permanent home. Like too many natural-born citizens, I take so much of my citizenship for granted.

When people come here and, starting with less than I have, and go on to do more than I have, that's beautiful. It's also a reminder that I - and many of you - could be doing so much more here. We could be more appreciative of our freedoms and opportunities. We do, many of us, squander so much of that.

The challenge I have given myself is not to prove anything. I just want to study for the test for my personal learning and growth. 

There are many resources online. I started with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Interview and Test page. Looking at the test and study resources listed, I decided to just go with other (less official) sources. Right now, I'm looking at this site. There are offerings of "free" training resources I want to check out.

If you are interested in just taking a quiz (it might encourage you) there is one. If, like me, you want to practice for taking the entire test, this is one link. I had initially just thought about practicing for the Civics portion only.

What strikes me is that people only get 2 attempts at passing the actual exam! Think about that. Think about the work that someone - who may not even speak English - has to put in to become a citizen. Maybe we all should have to take this test at some point in our early school years.

I will post about my progress as often as I can. I have not set a start date yet.

Peace

--Free

PC Specs (For DumDums)

 One of the most frustrating things when shopping for a computer has to be the "tech-cabulary". 

Since my family's generosity allowed me to look for a really good laptop this time (vs when I'm just going for something cheap and on a payment plan!), I wanted to get something with good "specs". But I don't understand most of the specifications listed.

Here's what I knew (before doing some searching) and didn't know:

• I know what I want in the size of a storage drive. I know that the 512GB I've always had is not enough for what I do. Apparently. 
• I know that 8 gigs of RAM is not as good as 16 or 32. I even kind of know why that is so, but only kind of.
• I have no idea at all why the 3840 x 2400 display on the Yoga I got only has something called "60Hz" but a laptop with 2880 x 1800 has "90Hz". 
• That last one confuses me because I do know that 60Hz and 90Hz refer to refresh rates. I also learned that the higher refresh rate is better. 🤔
• I have no idea why some laptops are AMD Ryzen and others are Intel. I do know that I have always had the Intel type. I could be missing out!
• I did know the difference (kind of) between SSD and HDD as far as storage types. I've always had SSD. (Turns out that, for me, this was the best choice.)
• The term "thunderbolt" when applied to computers just baffled me at first. I sort of get it now but I sort of don't. Once again 🤨

Reddit

In my quest to understand at least some of the specifications listed in reviews, here are some sources:

• Laptop Study was the biggest help when I was trying to choose the PC I wanted my family to get. The young man was great at breaking down most of what I needed to know in the Beginner Guide.
• This was another guide I checked out.
• This was a decent overview that didn't explode my pea-sized brain.

At any rate, no matter how I end up feeling about the Yoga, I will give the Lenovo site props for their FAQs. They covered a lot of info on some general questions people might have.

By the way, I tend to poke fun at Apple/Mac people (my brother!) but I like what some experts on both sides had to say. This guy wrote a pro-Windows article but cited a pro-Apple article. Cool. I still say Windows for the win!

Peace

--Free

P.S.:

The computer I chose is going to be here sooner than the 5 weeks I was told. And on a super-personal note, I want to mention how nervous I am about the choice I made. I've actually had a couple of bad dreams about hating the Yoga 9i after the expense my family went through. If I do hate it, I'm going to be so upset with myself. At any rate, I will be stuck with it so... prayers up!

**Coming Review** Lenovo Yoga 9i 14" 8th Gen (and discounts!)

 (Go to the bottom of this post to learn more about discounts via LifeMart. I'd never heard of it until recently, but... it's a money-saver.)

The Lenovo saga continues.

Because I have an amazing family and because my current laptop keeps dying on me, I have a Yoga 9i coming.

When I was trying out the Flex 7i (refurbs), I did dream of the Yoga laptop. There was no way I could swing it. It's too pricey for me and I thought of it purely as a dream machine. When I posted online about a super-slick dual-screen laptop I saw, my family was like, "Do you want that?"

Uh, yes. Duh. Right? 

But wanting and needing are not the same. And I told them that I would much prefer the 2-in-1 style that I've gotten used to. I mean, dual-screen laptops are very James Bond-ish but my life is not. 

For me, I need something I can use during long appointments at the clinic and for those days when I am stuck in bed feeling like crap. And the 2-in-1 style suits that. I can use it as a notebook when I'm in bed or I can tent it to fit the tiny tables attached to the infusion chairs, and I can use it in almost any part of my apartment. My laptop is my life. I use it to track reminders and calendar notes and, yes, I blog with it.

Blogging is the one thing I do that keeps my mood up and gets me through my sick days. So, would I like to have that fancy dual-screen setup? I'd have loved to have it when I was busy working and dealing with a normal life - and could buy it for myself. But, for now, I have to be realistic.

What I asked for: the Yoga 7i. What I'm getting: the 9i with more RAM and more storage. How blessed am I? 

As I wait for the laptop - and, as I write this, it will be 5 weeks of waiting! - I couldn't help but read some more reviews. And this is where I got frustrated.

When searching for reviews of "Lenovo Yoga 9i", I had to weed through reviews that had nothing to do with the Yoga 9i 2-in-1. There were reviews for the dual-screen Yoga; the slim Yoga; and, Yoga of earlier generations. I mistyped a couple of times and got results for Yoda and for (Hindu) Yoga.

Finally, I found several reviews that applied. Okay. New frustration and a new rant:

Why do so many reviewers try to compare Windows to Mac? Almost every review I saw tried comparing the Yoga to the Macbook. Why? I am not a Mac user. Mac and Windows are two different systems. It's as if I was looking for reviews of hiking trails (that will never happen!) and got comparisons of that with frontage roads.

If reviewers are going to do comparisons, they should stick to comparing Windows machines against Windows machines. Since I was looking at 2-in-1 setups, maybe even just compare those types of setups.

One of my brothers is a Mac-head (?) and I respect that. However, I have always been a Windows user. I'm not interested in switching operating systems. I don't care how fast, pretty, smooth, all-wonderful, blah-blah-blah the Mac is. I just don't care.

Okay. Rant over.

From reading several reviews and watching a ton of videos, I learned that the Yoga 9i is/has...:

• The best keyboard ever (or else it's not the greatest)
• A super display - even with just the 2k version (or, nope, get the 4k!)
• An amazing speaker system (but maybe kind of "tinny")
• A genius-designed speaker setup (but still doesn't sound quite as good as the Mac.
• A beautiful-looking laptop (but not as beautiful or thin or light-weight as the Mac)
• Great hinges that are sturdy and just stiff enough (or might break if you look at them)
• (Unlike the great and wonderful Mac) a stylus. (But the Mac is still a superior machine.)
• 2 nice color choices (but not as many color choices as the Mac has)
• "Benchmarks" are better than most laptops (even the Mac in some areas! But we won't focus too much on that...)
• Is a wonderful machine that is perfect for most users (you know, the ones that don't have a Mac.)
• A good touchscreen (but a bit too "slick".) And a stylus that writes as smoothly as a regular pen. Of course, until Mac comes out with these features, they are not all that important! LOL.

Windows or Mac?

Overall, I think this is going to be the perfect machine for me. The only things I can tell for now that I might not love:

• There are not a lot of ports. I never paid much attention until now but my Dell has enough ports that I can plug in my wireless mouse and my printer at the same time, and charge some other devices. Though to be fair, there are a couple of ports (or whatever) on the Dell that I have never used. I have no need for HDMI or card readers. I barely know what they are.
• Lenovo's support. I tried my hardest to find the model I wanted on Amazon. Especially because the family is paying for the machine, I could afford to get one of those amazing 4-year Asurion warranties. With Lenovo, I got the 1-year Accidental Damage coverage and the basic 1-year courier or carry-in warranty.
• I have no idea how good or bad Lenovo support is. I do know that I've heard some "iffy" things.

That's about it though for any negatives. Right now.

Some of the negatives that reviewers pointed out don't bother me. A lot of pros and cons about any laptop depends on the user preferences. For instance, some reviewers weren't in love with the pen/stylus but that's not unusual. I love the stylus for my Dell but one of my nieces tried it out once and declared that it was "kind of weird". She's a Windows user but has never used a stylus. It can be weird until you t used to it.

A couple of reviewers liked the graphics for everyday use but don't think they are great for gamers. So what? The most gaming I do is a bit of Solitaire and Farmville. What I do like the graphics for is watching Netflix or YouTube. I'm not over here freaking out on Fortnight (or whatever it's called).

A lot of reviews kvetched about no "on-board" storage for the pen. (One guy actually used the term "on-board" like he's a Navy specialist.) Maybe if my Dell had "on-board" storage for the pen I'd feel let down but... I know how to carry my pen in my case or purse or whatever without losing it. And I lose my glasses while they are on my head! People, just tuck your pen in your shirt or purse or something. (By the way, the sides of the Dell are magnetized to hold the pen but... weak magnets!)

By the way, I didn't realize this until after the laptop was on order but it comes with a sleeve. Not that exciting for me but, hey you pen-losers, there is a spot for the pen on the sleeve. So there you go.

When the ordering was all done and I was thanking my family for the laptop, my Mac-using brother said that I could have spent a bit more and gotten the James Bond dual-screen one - or maybe even a Mac, I just laughed. I'm happy-to-pieces with this Yoga. Let's not forget that I could be rocking a refurbed $300 machine. Instead, I have something that I absolutely don't even deserve. So I have zero complaints. Even the Mac-loving brother admits that, if he did use Windows, he'd choose a Lenovo.

Since my family sprung for this lovely machine, I truly realize that, with gifts. it really is the thought. Just the idea that I am so loved in this crazy clan of ours is my biggest "forever-gift". My family is always there for emotional support and they put up with my depression and anxiety without conditions. If that is all they ever did for me, that would be more than enough.

So.

When I get the new laptop, you know that I will review the crap out of it!

Peace

--Free

DISCOUNTS

I don't want to forget to mention that there were coupons involved in this purchase. I wanted to save my family every nickel I could. 

When you get ready to buy anything - travel, products, services - be sure to know that my Medicare (UHC) gives access to LifeMart. It's available in several ways, apparently. Do some searching and ask around. Perhaps you have a credit card or insurance or something that will grant free access to LifeMart?

Via Lifemart, I got a coupon there that saved around $250. Then the salesman found another coupon that saved around $45. Every bit adds up. So, please, please, please, check for any coupons you can find. When you can, ask the salesman for any other savings that may be available.

Teachers, students, and seniors can get discounts for many purchases - as can former and current military personnel.

All told the coupons and benefits saved us around $322. That's dang near the price of the refurbed laptop I tried out.

Shop around and shop wisely!

UPDATE **PERFUME** Why I Love Scent Split

~ Apparently, I published this post previously without meaning to. Here is the update with the photos and editing done! ~

You'll notice a lot of perfume posts from me. That's because my birthday was not long ago and I have been using all those gift certificates to spoil myself. 

(SIDE NOTE: I battle depression and anxiety. When my depression gets really bad, I will read or listen to the Bible, and that usually helps the most. For days when I just feel "blue" for no reason, I will lift my mood with perfume or fragrant candles. Something about a pleasant scent seems to soothe my mood.)

I've mentioned Scent Split before as being my go-to for finding and trying out new fragrances. They have long been my favorite for several reasons: they have a variety of decant sizes so I can afford the offerings; they have always been trustworthy with my info; the deliveries are tracked and everything is always carefully packed; and they have so many perfumes. Now, I have another reason to stick with them.

With a purchase a couple of months ago - thanks, fam for the birthday certificates! - I used a form on the order page to make a request for samples or for suggestions. My request was for scents similar to the ones I've been ordering from them. (I have a perfume type.) I said I would really appreciate a small sample if they had any and, if not, would even appreciate their suggestions. This is what I got along with my order:

And one of them is an extrait. Wow.

Apparently, they paid attention to my current and past orders. I was really impressed. That was generous of them. When I've requested samples from other places, I would get the tiniest one ever made. Once, I literally got a piece of cotton that had been sprayed with a fragrance. Seriously. 

This is not only generous, but it's also great marketing. You know that I will be ordering something I fall in love with. At the least, I will be putting the ones I like on my birthday list for next year. Speaking of gifts, Scent Split boxes orders up so cute that you won't have to do any gift-wrapping, you can just hand it over to the lucky person.

There are some decants I've gotten from Scent Split that I love so much that I use them sparingly. Here are some of the ones from over the past 2 years that I have been hanging onto. I love, love, love Not A Perfume but have never bought a full-size bottle. I like to layer it with other, cheaper scents so a 0.5ml decant lasts me forever. 

I've had 1 of these for over a year &
there are still a few drops left!

For this year's birthday order, I selected a couple of Escentric Molecules perfumes I've long wanted to try. There are a lot of them to pick from! I choose the 2 I've heard about most: Escentric Molecule's Escentric 02 and Molecule 02. 

If you are like me, you probably wonder what the differences are between those two. I had to Google it and hear from ChatGPT (I highlighted some points):

Escentric 02 and Molecule 02 are both fragrances created by the perfumer Geza Schoen and are part of the Escentric Molecules fragrance line. The main difference between the two lies in their composition and the way they are designed.

1. **Escentric 02:**

   - Escentric 02 is a fragrance that consists of a combination of various aroma compounds, including Ambroxan, Vetiver, Muscone, and others.

   - It is designed to be a more complex and layered scent, incorporating multiple ingredients to create a unique and evolving fragrance.

   - Escentric 02 is intended to interact with the wearer's body chemistry and evolve over time, revealing different facets of the fragrance as it dries down.

2. **Molecule 02:**

   - Molecule 02, on the other hand, focuses on a single aroma compound: Ambroxan.

   - It is a more minimalist fragrance, built around the singular note of Ambroxan, which is a synthetic compound with a woody and amber-like scent.

   - Molecule 02 is designed to be a more subtle and intimate fragrance, closely mimicking the effect of a single aroma molecule on the skin.

In summary, Escentric 02 is a multi-dimensional fragrance with a mix of ingredients, while Molecule 02 is a minimalist fragrance centered around a single aroma molecule, Ambroxan. Your choice between the two may depend on your preference for a more complex scent (Escentric 02) or a simpler, single-note fragrance (Molecule 02).

I should have read that before I got chose the decants. As it happens, I love Molecule 02 because, for me, it layers well with so many of my other scents. I have a $10 bottle of Kuumba Made Persian Garden that smells like absolutely nothing - until I layer it with Molecule 02. Guess what it smells like then? Glossier's You. And I'm talking the O.G. You - when it smelled so freaking good!

The Escentric 02 is much too masculine for me. Oddly, it's not even a scent that I would like on a man. I can layer it with some other fragrances to make it softer but it's still not a favorite. And that is what I love about getting a decant. No more "blind" buying full-sized fragrances where I am out a lot of money for something icky. "Icky" is the word for whatever smells nasty on me.

So, yeah, I love Scent Split. They often send out coupon codes once you're on their email list (and I have never gotten a lot of random spam after giving them my email!). 

There are "clone houses" out there that I want to check out. I'm going to check out the list from ScentGourmand. Personally, though, I like being able to try the originals. If I ever get my hands on some "clones", I will surely let you know what I think.

Peace

--Free

NOTE: I was not/am not/will not be compensated in any way by ScentSplit. All links to fragrances are to Fragrantica so that you can read about the fragrance notes and see reviews from other users.

** UPDATE * * Y'all... Two Lenovos Bugged Out on Me. TWO.

If you skip down and read the original post, I am raving there about that refurbed Lenovo. After you read that glowing report, come back and read this to know why I may never own another Lenovo - new or refurbed.

 Okay, so I loved that dang Lenovo Flex 7i. Until it wigged out and, after a shutdown, it decided to act a fool. Both of them did - the first one and then the replacement. They both went wacko. The replacement was worst than the first one. Way worse and in so many ways... 

 First, when I powered it up, I could log in with my fingerprint but, once on the desktop, I couldn't sign into my accounts. And, for even more fun, I couldn't sign out of my accounts - you know, the ones I wasn't even logged into. (Even Reddit couldn't help me unravel that problem.)

If that computer was a new man in my life, it was one that I had to get a restraining order against after the first couple of days. It was the equivalent of the man of your dreams being the man of your dreams and then, on the third or fourth day, revealing that he belongs to a blood-drinking cult or is a vegan.

At least with the first computer, I was able to wipe all my data before returning it. That second one? Nope. Every reset came with a message that it had not been able to wipe my data. I even did a complete wipe of the drive. Same thing.

What a nightmare.

Because I am slightly paranoid, before I returned Flex Number Two, I unlinked the machine from every other device and account I own. Then I changed all my passwords and set them to two-factor authentication mode. I'd only ever done that for any kind of financial account because it is so dang annoying. Now, any time I sign into anything, my phone is nagging me. It's for my own good but it really makes me relate to moms with kids tugging at them saying "Mama, Mama. Mama. Mama."

So, right now, I am back on the Dell. I have to let it rest in between uses and keep it plugged in whenever it's powered on. I can't even be mad. It might be a crazy machine but it's a normal kind of crazy, not some new crazy that I need special training to understand. 

Am I still looking for a laptop? Yeah, but I'm afraid of refurbs now. I did look around online pricing new 2-in-1 machines but the prices shocked me back to the beginning of menopause. After a couple of hours, I was crying and laughing and having conversations with the woman I remember being and sweating a lot. 

Next week, when I am somewhat recovered from this long episode of madness, I might have another go at looking for a different refurb. My problem is that I've gotten spoiled to the 2-in-1 setup but I need a lot more RAM and storage than I can afford. So many first-world problems, right?

In the meantime, pray for me. I have been having dizzy spells again. I don't know if this is the sarcoidosis flaring up again or if I just need some adjustments to my meds. No matter what, I am forever blessed and grateful to God.

***************************

This is the Lenovo I recently got to try out. It's the Flex 7i. I loved it. But I had to return it.

This is the product description that caught my eye:

Lenovo 2023 Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop,14" IPS 2K(2240x1400) Touchscreen, Intel 10-Core Processor i7-1255U Up to 4.60GHz, 16GB Ram, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Win11 OS(Renewed) 

This is the actual laptop. When I got it, I was tickled to see that the seller included a padded cover branded "HP"! (It's a great cover though.)

that's a cute cover, HP!

The RAM (18G) and storage (512) were superb and double what my Dell has. The 14" screen is technically an inch smaller than on the Dell but actually... there wasn't much difference because the Lenovo screen had a thinner margin. I mean that the screen filled the screen. On the Dell, a whole inch at the bottom is taken up with the logo and a black margin.

The graphics were stellar and I am now disappointed whenever I'm looking at the Dell graphics. The price was amazing and probably the only kind of price I can afford without sweating. 

But.

 I had to return the Lenovo. 

The one I got was a refurbished machine and something was wrong with the motherboard. I was so disappointed! 

There are some more (for now) but I am waiting to let the return clear off my card before I dive in again. I'm just praying that there are more of that specific model with those specific specs left by then...

So what did I love so much about the Lenovo? Everything - well, almost everything. Here's where the love comes in:

• It's a 2-in-1 - the same as this Dell that is about to die
• The better graphics. Even the webcam was better. Nice and sharp.
• It's built better than this Dell. It's sturdier and has better materials all around.
• Of course, it's lighter-weight and more compact (because of the size).
• There are Lenovo support apps built into it.
• The charger is USB and less bulky.
• The backlit keyboard can be turned on or off. (Dell also has this feature but is trickier to find. I actually didn't know this was a thing until I had the Lenovo.)
• A stylus/pen is supported (but not my Dell pen.)
• My favorite is the built-in web camera blocker. Awesome!

the screen with the blocker on

The Lenovo had everything I love about the Dell but better. However, there was one thing I really disliked: there were not enough ports.

On the Dell, I have enough ports for my USB mouse, a printer USB, and other things I can't think of. On the Lenovo, the charger takes up one of the only 2 USB ports. So I had the charger plugged in and the USB for the mouse. That's it. I had no other USB ports. To print, I had to either not be using the charger or I'd have to remove the USB for the mouse.

I do know that there are hubs (or docks -?-) to add ports. Still, that was a bit of an added hassle. But the price - under $600 for the laptop (with a 90-day warranty) and an additional 2-year warranty - was so good. 

no special lighting

I might not get a Lenovo just yet but when I am down to the wire and this one is completely dead, Lenoovo is going to be my choice. The refurbs on Amazon are selling out and I really haven't been able to find it elsewhere - even at full price... When I do I will probably go with a new one and have to do payments but it will be worth it.

Peace

--Free

Another Sunscreen Post (UPDATE 10/15/24)

**UPDATE 10/15/24**

If you need to check the authenticity of a product (as I did with sunscreen recently), you can go over to Checkfresh and enter the batch code (found on the packaging). If the batch number is legit, you will get information about it. For my sunscreen, I got the following:

even better, the batch code was 
embossed on the container

Of course, this doesn't mean that the product couldn't still be tampered with. This is just another way to get an idea if something I, I mean, anyone bought cheaper is possibly legit.

When I was taking birthday calls from my family recently, I was reminding the young ladies to always use sunscreen. It's not a "being cute" thing but a "being safe" thing. Skin cancer is real. It's not only that a lot of them live in Arizona but they spend so much time outside. I'm a hermit and I still wear sunscreen daily. Head to toe, baby.

I did the original sunscreen rant here, then did an update here. I'm following up with more information because one of my neighbors discovered that she has skin cancer. I don't have a lot of the details but, believe it or not, it started with a mole. A mole. Damn.

So, please make a habit to wear sunscreen on your face and body. And find the right sunscreen. I thought all sunscreens were equal as long as they weren't expired and had the right ingredients. Well, that's the thing. Not all ingredients are equal. Also, some people have to worry more about SPF while others need to be more concerned with UVA. It's all about skin tone and type. Not only that but location matters - as in where you reside. 

Good Lord. It's getting complicated, right? 

Dr. Dray (a U.S.-licensed dermatologist) on YouTube did a video that is very helpful. I am using her shortcut wordplay to remember UVA for UV-aging and UVB for  UV=burning. Note: I don't burn so I'm looking into UVA protection! LOL

This video will help me make sure I'm using sunscreen better suited for my face.

And this one is for folks who might not take sunscreen use seriously.

Please take heed. This is not about how cute you are on Instagram; this is about your health.

Since I have become a fan of La Roche-Posay's Double Repair Facial Moisturizer moisturizer, I have asked them about their UVMune 400 sunscreen. I am also going to be trying out the Toleriane Double Repair Facial Moisturizer With SPF. I will report back what I learn about the UVMune - which is impossible to find. (By the way, LRP has a good post on UVA vs UVB.)

The part of the first video above that I found most interesting was about how our skin tone matters when it comes to sun protection. It seems that the whole "black don't crack" line is not so much about moisturizing as it is about natural defenses against some sun damage.

Anyway, please check out those videos. Talk to your doctors. And for my lighter-skinned friends out there, pay attention to how much more vulnerable you may be to sun damage. Don't be cute, be safe.

Peace

--Free

Ashes: Not All That Remains

 When I think about the loved ones I've lost, I know that only their bodies are gone. Their souls are eternal. 

Recently, my nephew took the ashes of his mother (my sister) and his twin sister (my goddaughter/niece) home to Alaska, he found the perfect place to scatter them. Both these ladies loved, loved, loved Alaska. My niece and her brother were born there. My sister and I spent almost 45 years there. It's home.

Whenever I think of my sister and niece, I know their souls are at home in heaven and their human remains are in Alaska. My nephew really honored them and their love of Alaska.

We still have family and loved ones who live in Anchorage and it's nice that they can go and visit the area. I love that there is a small fall of water nearby the spot. 

McHugh Peak Trail

Alaska is so diverse in its beauty but this is a place that speaks for the whole state. It's beautiful and wild and open and free. One day I know I will see my sister and niece again. For now, I love where their remains are resting.

Peace

--Free

**Update- on the LRP branding** Is La Roche Posay Hype-Worthy?

See the end of the post for a little information update on the La Roche-Posay brand.

Have you tried any French Pharmacy products? Are you looking for affordable products? Products that last and live up to the hype? Keep reading to see if I think that La Roche-Posay is worth the raves...

La Roche-Posay is one of those brands that, for a long time I would scroll right past. At a glance, the prices always seemed more "up there" for someone on a tight budget. Also, I recently put together a decent (and streamlined) set of skincare products. I stuck to what seemed like very affordable items. However, usually, you do get what you pay for. I wanted to know if the LRP brand was worth all the hype.

You should know that the one thing I like about a lot of non-American skincare is the stricter ingredient regulations. Not only does it seem that some other countries have better regulations but they also seem to be ahead of us in innovation. There is a reason that so many Americans love their Korean, Japanese, and French beauty products. 

As you know, I have tried Korean and French products. Of the things I've liked a lot, I am still using the last of my Embryolisse and as I am less than halfway through the first bottle of Pyunkang Yul toner, I can say I will buy more when I'm out. And, now finally, I can say that La Roche-Posay is winning me over. 

A while back, I started using an LRP cleanser. After getting a sample - along with samples of cleansers from CeraVe, Neutrogena, and Olay - the LRP won out, fair and square. For one thing, it cleans the skin to an exfoliated softness without exfoliation and without drying. But I still held off on trying anything else from the brand. Until I got my hands on another sample. This time, it was for the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer.

While I love samples and was excited to get one from LRP, I was a little disappointed because I have been so wanting to try the Cicaplast Baume B5 I've heard so many people rave about. On the other hand, that cleanser I've become a fan of is part of the Toleriane line. Also, a free sample is a free sample so I gave it a try.

{By the way, this is what comes up when you Google "Toleriane": Toleriane is a skincare range developed by the French pharmaceutical company La Roche-Posay. The Toleriane line is specifically designed for sensitive skin and aims to provide gentle, soothing, and effective solutions for individuals with various skin concerns.

The Toleriane range includes a variety of products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and treatments, all formulated with minimal ingredients to minimize the risk of irritation. These products are typically fragrance-free, preservative-free, and hypoallergenic, making them suitable for sensitive and reactive skin types.

The primary goal of Toleriane products is to restore and strengthen the skin's natural barrier function while reducing discomfort and signs of sensitivity. They often contain ingredients like thermal spring water, ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, which help hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

Toleriane products are commonly recommended by dermatologists and skincare professionals for individuals with sensitive, reactive, or allergy-prone skin. However, it's always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider to determine if Toleriane products are suitable for your specific skin concerns and needs.}

The Double Repair dispenses as a milky-white cream - not especially thin nor thick - and looks like any other lotion but it goes nearly clear when you smooth it with a finger. Once you do rub it into your skin, there is no visible trace left. Just looking at the test spot on my hand, I wondered if I was using enough. But when I touched my hand, I could feel a huge difference.

Describing the moisturizing effect of the cream is tricky. With most moisturizers, I can feel the product on my skin. With this one, I only feel the effects. When I apply this to my face and neck, the skin feels "padded" and soft. I guess "supple" is the word I'm looking for. The sample was small - like a tiny plastic condiment packet - but it was more than enough to treat my face and neck with a bit left over. I rubbed that on my pulse points before applying some perfume.

The product benefits? According to the brand: "Provides up to 48-hr hydration & helps restore skin's barrier after 1 hr. Won't clog pores."

Of course, I wanted to test how long the hydration lasted - or at least how long my face seemed to feel moisturized. The product passed that test with no problems at all. To be honest, it beat out everything else I have ever tried, even the 41-dollar-an-ounce Dermalogia sample that I loved.

The first thing I did when I woke up the next morning was check to see if my face felt dry. It did not. It was still very supple. I almost hated to wash away the moisturizer! And here's the thing: who goes 48 hours without washing their face? Hmm... I just might have to do a 48-hour test.

Now, I can't say how well this will perform in the very dry winter weather. Right now, my part of Iowa is really humid. Still, none of my other moisturizers have made my face feel this pampered and soft - no matter what the weather is like. I think that could be because my skin happens to love some of the ingredients in this cream - namely the ceramide and niacinamide. 

So, yeah, this LRP moisturizer has won me completely over. At $6.50 an ounce (or $22 for a 3.4oz tube) I was thinking that it was kind of up there in price - until I  compared it to the Embyolisse I've been using. 

I love the Price Cruncher app

Also, I don't have to use much of the LRP - about 2 pea-sized dots for my face and neck. A once-a-day application more than does it for me.

See how the small dot
spreads?

Also, this cream is much richer and does more for my skin than the Embryolisse. Since I have to pick a lane, so to speak, I will be hanging with the LRP. I'm just more than impressed with the moisturizer and the cleanser. I thought about trying the sunscreen - because Euro sunscreens are said to be more effective - but I've heard it leaves a white cast on very dark skin so I will pass until I can try a sample and see for sure.

I don't really need any other products right now. After discovering the LRP cleanser and this moisturizer, the only other thing I use on a daily basis is the Pyunkang Yul toner. I save my beloved German-made Nivea for my elbows and bosom area. My routine is very stripped-down these days. 

If - and I'm only saying if - I ever decide to try another LRP product, it will probably be the Cicaplast Baume or the version of this cream with SPF. As a matter of fact, if I end up getting a subscription for the cream, I might just get the SPF version.

Last, I want to mention that you don't need to use Amazon to get the products. I normally do use Amazon for subscription items but LRP's U.S. site offers subscriptions and is affiliated with ShopRunner for free 2-day shipping on orders over $25. Another benefit to ordering direct from the LRP site is that, for some products, you have the option of buying smaller quantities. That's helpful for saving money and for just trying a smaller size until you are sure you like it. Also, you get to choose a couple of small samples with each order. That's handy.

(By the way, I clean forgot that I have a ShopRunner account. I also forgot how easy it is to get a free membership. My first membership was courtesy of my American Express travel card but gave that up. Now I have a membership because of my FedEx Delivery Manager account. A paid SR account is around $80/yr.)

I will say one more time that I a more than pleased with the results of the LRP moisturizer. The hype is well-deserved.

(I just realized that I am scheduling this to publish the day after my 62nd birthday. I am very blessed to be in my 7th decade but... how appropriate to be talking about a good moisturizer!)

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I am not compensated in any way for this post nor did I receive any of the products mentioned. The links are not affiliated so I am not earning anything when you click on them.

UPDATE

I just realized that La Roche-Posay is part of the L'Oreal "Active Cosmetics' division. Interesting. The division also includes  L’Oréal’s Vichy and SkinCeuticals. This was posted in February 2023 on Cosmetics Business (which is worth perusing every now and then):

"The newly-named L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty groups together the same brands as the former Active Cosmetics division, namely La Roche-Posay, Vichy, CeraVe, Decléor, SkinCeuticals and the recently-acquired Skinbetter Science." 

Sneaky, sneaky? Not so much. There are a lot of brands grouped together that we as consumers don't know or even think about. 

I just wanted to mention this as soon as I could.