About 2 days ago I was on the web downloading some stuff when suddenly my anti-virus computer protection started flaring up like nobody's business. This hasn't happened in years because I'm usually very careful about places I visit and things I download. So after a brief panic attack, I realized it was not, in fact, my anti-virus program, but a fake! ...a very clever fake. People who aren't the brightest at circumventing these kind of situations, let's stereotype and say sorority bimbos and older trying-to-get-computer-savvy individuals, are prime targets for trojans like these. This particular trojan will attack your computer's registry and restrict you from accessing certain programs saying "such-and-such file is infected", and will also deny you certain websites (and sometimes the Internet entirely). It's meant especially for your AV software, saying that whichever program you have running on your computer is infected/corrupted and causing a panic. Smart is the person that makes you question your AV protection.

The Breakdown: What appears to be your anti-virus software pops up and says that you're infected and gives you the option to take care of it. In which case if you do proceed to take care of it, a "program" called Security Suite or Security Shield (that looks very similar to a Microsoft-based program) pops up and gives you a variety of buttons to push, including one that will scan your system. If you do the scan, it will show a LOT of different things that are supposedly infecting your system and the severity of each one, making you want to panic even more. Then it proceeds to give you the option to remove them. Of course you want them removed, but when you click on the button, it wants you to buy their anti-virus software, which includes you giving your credit card information and God only knows what else, to these people that designed an elaborate hoax to get you to give them valuable information. Hear a lot of the term "identity theft"? Well here's one very clever way to get yours stolen.

A couple of key factors that tipped me off: on the trojan's "anti-virus panel" it says "Curent Progress". Why it was misspelled just proves that computer geeks don't always have book smarts - ladies beware ;) The second factor that didn't seem quite right was the way they worded their 100% money back guarantee. If this doesn't work, blah, blah, blah "Just send us an email." Literally, that's what it says. Who says that? Much more, who says that and doesn't provide an email? Ok, really, this is probably me just scrutinizing the programmers, but seriously, if you're going to go through such an elaborate scheme, make sure you cover ALL your bases. I think the small errors they overlooked irritated me more than actually having and removing the trojan on my computer. And of course the real kicker in it all is that my mom had a very similar virus hit her computer the night before. It's amazing what could happen if you overlook what may seem just like small details.

The Solution: If this happens to you, when the initial box pops up, you should continue to run your system "unprotected". A pop-up will keep gracing you with its presence, but don't be alarmed. Simply shut off your computer and restart it in "Safe Mode with Networking". This will allow you to circumvent any program telling you that you cannot access the Internet. If you still can't get your computer to access the Internet, open IE (it has to be IE) click on Tools >> Internet Options >> the "Connections" tab >> LAN Settings >> then uncheck "automatically detect settings" and check "use a proxy server for your LAN connections". This will get you on the Internet if you have a firewall set up. Once you get on the Internet, visit this site that gives you a walkthrough of the Security Suite: Virus Removal Guide. Even though I used a flash drive for downloading the programs you need, the directions still worked flawlessly, and my computer was fine in about 30 minutes. Spyware Experts have an additional article you can read if you're interested, however, they wouldn't mind profiting from your misfortunes with their own AV software. Running CCleaner, rkill.com and Malwarebytes kills everything I've tried it on with my system. I'd highly recommend these FREE programs to anyone, and so would majorgeeks.com. Please be sure to update your AV software regularly to prevent these kind of things from happening!

If you've found this article in the least bit helpful, please let me know. I'd love to get some feedback!

Rick and I were working out in the yard yesterday, trying to finish cleaning up some areas, but more importantly, laying out the base of the retaining wall we're putting in the corner of the backyard. I'll be sure to take some before and after pictures this time. But moreover, I was tickled pink that I finally FINALLY after many years got my romas to put on and yesterday I got to harvest the first one with many more to come.

So what's the best way to eat just one tomato? I washed it off, cut the top off and hollowed it out. Then I filled it with just a bit of balsamic vinegar, and stuffed it with a fresh basil leaf and some mozzarella cheese. It was like a pop of caprese salad in your mouth! I may keep that in mind for an appetizer at some point - it was an excellent finger food!

Also over the weekend I was able to get some more stuff up on the website. As you'll see, you can click on the health center button on the main page. It's not 100% complete yet, but I'm happy with the information I have up so far. I've also been able to fix the Taste of the Rockies page so now you can browse alphabetically, by cuisine or by price. Happy Surfing!

It started way back in the studio days when Sarai was pregnant our 4th year... After the baby was born (and yes, we were excused from class to go visit her in the hospital) Sarai would bring in her beautiful baby girl whenever she could. And being landscape architects in training, it was only fitting that we called our friend's baby the Land Baby.

So as it were, we've all since graduated and added to the brood - our Land Babies. We're 4 in counting and one on the way. Congrats Amanda & Jeremy! We're looking forward to Land Baby #5 in February!

And with that, Rick and I have also been trying to do "our part" to add to the bunch, however, it's proving to be a more complicated process than what most people experience. We've been trying to get pregnant since January, but my body doesn't seem to function normally after 8 years of being on the pill. So to hopefully remedy the situation, I'm doing some hormone therapy, for lack of a better way of phrasing it. If you would, please keep us both in your prayers. Although Rick isn't concerned about the situation, it's been very difficult for me, especially with all of my happy friends getting pregnant and havings babies. I love them all to death, and I'm so very happy for them all, but at the same time, it's like a constant reminder that something is wrong with me. If this is a test of patience... Lord, please let me pass this with flying colors and not doubt your better intentions.

Go see it.

Rick & I went last night to see Inception, and both of us left not feeling the least bit guilty about paying to see this movie on the IMAX screen. If you see any movie this summer, we would both highly recommend it!

This movie is gripping right from the get go, but don't worry too much if you don't catch on right away - it's all explained throughout the movie. In an ever-advancing technological world, Dom Cobb is the master of high-tech thievery called "extraction", in which the victim is robbed of thoughts and ideas while in the most vulnerable state of dreaming. Cobb's past has put him in predicament so that now he is unable to return home to his children. However, opportunity arises when he accepts an impossible offer from Saito, a desperate energy magnate. Rather than being hired to steal, he is being asked instead to plant an idea: an impossible task known as "inception". If Cobb can successfully pull off this job, he will be given an equivalent of a pardon and can then go home to his children and be the father they need.

Part of this movie will remind you of The Matrix if you ever saw it. But in my opinion, director Christopher Nolan did a much better job of refining the concepts of the movie. Inception has a very similar feel to The Dark Knight, which Nolan also directed, and even stars some of the same cast. On the whole though, this movie was masterfully conceived and executed. It will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat all the while asking yourself "is it a dream?". A definite must-see!