My goal has always been to see everyone exceed in their computer skills. I have visited many homes in my years at Douglas to help others with their computers, and I will gladly come to your house if you need help with anything dealing with your Mac. I love the satisfaction of helping someone get the most from their computer, without the frustration. My frustration is your experiencing frustration! Please call me at home at any time before 10:00 p.m. Or, send an email with whatever problem you might be experiencing with your Mac computer. (I leave the PC computers to my co-workers, Rick, Bert, and Kevin.) Anyway, my door is always open, too! Call ahead and I'll put on the coffee.

I am also President of the Rapid City Mac Users Group. Recently several members have had an interest in learning Photoshop Elements 4.0. It just so happens that I have an excellent student aide this year who enjoys talking in front of people and offered to help teach a class. I put together a pamphlet of Photoshop Elements Tips and Tricks for everyone (with the help of Sean) and Sean has agreed to continue teaching the class to go through some of the exercises. Much of the pamphlet is made up of a conglomeration of Photoshop Elements 2.0 and Photoshop Elements 3.0 handouts, which I have adapted to use in Photoshop Elements 4.0. (Thanks JR for the handouts.)

If anyone is interested in learning more of Photoshop Elements 4.0, please contact me at nanc@spoolman.com. I will add you to my list of members to contact when we have our next class. (We have to wait for Sean to have a night off before we can set an evening aside for this.) If you haven't scanned all those family pictures and put them in a collage or whatever, come on and learn how.

Besides knowing me from being in and out of the buildings, everyone knows me since I've always been "in your face" with a camcorder or camera at the picnics we used to have and now the functions we have in the district. I've done this for 14 years now. I have a fairly good collection of pictures throughout the years, and I like to make a calendar for those retiring (depending on how many are leaving in a year, and if I can afford to print them). It is fun to look back and see how much the kids have grown over the years, and remember all the people who have come and gone. I truly believe it is very important to have "fellowship" outside the work place. The picnics did that for us. I do miss them!

The other love of my life is my wonderful husband, Rick. A very tolerant man. (Need I say more?) He has been my companion for 36 1/2 years. I find I do not have as much patience with him and his computer as I do others. I need to remedy that the next time he asks a question. Our other family members consist of two girls, Katelyn Renae (Katie) and Casandra Lynn (Cassie), and two boys, Cedric Allen, and Casey Edward. (Two Westies and two cats.) We are fortunate to have a son, Corey, who lives near and brings our wonderful grandson, Koen, to see us at least once a week! Corey's friend, Kathy, and her two kids, Taryn and Dillon, come to visit when they can. Our daughter, Kerry, lives in AZ with our grandsons Joey, Charlie, and Robbie. I miss them so much and wish they lived closer.

A hobby of mine, besides finding something new to learn on the computer, is Blue Willow. I love to go antiquing and I collect all variations of Blue Willow. You can see most of my collection at: http://spoolman.com. It's a quicktime movie. (Beware, you need high speed internet if you view it.)

I love coffee and I consider myself a coffee connoisseur. My favorite is coffee syrup which is made using a Toddy Maker. Unfortunately, it doesn't last as long, as I like mine strong. But, you never waste any. I make approximately four pounds of coffee a month. Sometimes a tad over. Needless to say, there are very few people who don't like the coffee. Surprisingly, you can take some of the worst coffee, or the cheapest, and make a great cup with the Toddy Maker. When I don't have Caribou or Gevalia Signature Blend, I pick up the Eight O'Clock 100% Colombian coffee beans at the Commissary and use that in my Toddy Maker. Otherwise I order from Backroads Coffee House in Hayward, WI. Some day I'll have my own little roaster to roast my own coffee! Last year I had the privilege of roasting my own coffee when in Hayward and I could not get enough of the smell. It was terrific!

See you around. Keep smiling, you never know when I might have that camera. (And yes, I hate my picture taken! Why do you think I take the pictures? Seriously though, taking the pictures gives me an excellent chance of visiting with everyone.)