< Previous© April 2017 The Meath Coaster30Avoiding Slow PerformanceQuite often I hear from customers “my device is now so slow I think its time to change it”. Before you dump a device it might be worth giving this article a scan to see if your device is suffering from avoid-able slowdown issues.Laptop/Desktops Performance IssuesThe most common causes for poor perfor-mance in laptops/desktops are:1. Defective or failing hard disk drive2. Full or nearly full hard disk drive (not as common as you might imagine)3. Overloading the device with too many memory resident apps.4. Not enough Ram (memory installed)5. Virus/Spyware infections6. Non Functioning or Poor Performing Anti-Virus7. Defective or slow broadband connection8. Operating system upgrades that were not viable (Windows 7 to Windows 10)#1 Defective or Failing hard disk DriveOn laptops and desktop the hard drive is one of the few moving parts in the de-vice. The only other devices that physi-cally move are the cd/dvd drive and the fans used to cool the device or the parts installed therein. Thus hard drives do wear out over time and contributory fac-tors that shorten the length of time they last include most of the items listed 2 to 8 above. A failing hard drive will cripple your system and it is surprising the new leash of life you will receive when a new drive is installed to replace it. Failing hard drives were never a huge cause for concern with technicians up until recently as, unless you had a cata-strophic failure, with the right equipment and software all of the contents could be retrieved. This era unfortunately is end-ing due to the introduction of solid state hard drives into laptops and in some cases desktop computers. Solid State Drives You are all, unwittingly, familiar with solid state technology. If you operate/own a tablet or smartphone that’s the technol-ogy that enables you to store all those pre-cious apps and photos filling your phone. Fast and efficient solid state technology is memory which when the device is pow-ered off does not lose its contents. There are no moving parts and you would think this is a panacea for desktop/laptop com-puters. The truth is a little less palatable as that truth is that when the solid state fails it fails spectacularly and usually all data resident there on is lost forever.Next Month, God willing, I will continue on this and the other topics listed. § Oliver Reidy is a computer technician and has been in the industry since 1981.You can contact him via email at help.desk@reidyonline.com or at the telephone num-bers listed on this page. This article, and all previous articles, are available to view online at http://reidyonline.blogspot.ie/ or www.reidyonline.com/blogspot.htm COMPUTER CLASSESContact Oliver 041.988.7526 087.797.0740Classes CoveringSmart phones TabletsDesktops/LaptopsSTARTING APRIL 2017 Jill’s Kitchen Mini Egg NestsThere’s certainly plenty of things to do to entertain the little ones over Easter Holi-days, but if you need something that’s fun and super quick then these novel nests will do the trick.You don’t need to be able to bake to make them either!Makes approx. 8 large or 15 mini nestsIngredients: 1 tbsp butter1 bag (100g marshmallows)2 cups rice krispies or other puffed rice cerealMini or micro chocolate eggs to fill (or a combina-tion of both)MethodMelt the butter, add the marshmallows and stir to meltPour the 2 cups of rice krispies into the melted mixture and stir to coatNOTE: Make sure the adult does this next bit as the mixture is very hot (like caramel) Add a spoonful of mixture to a cupcake tray and push open the middle and push against the side of the holder to form the ‘nest’ shapeYou can use the back of a spoon if you don’t want to use your hands to push the mixture into place.Be quick doing this as the mixture hardens very quicklyThey will be ready to remove within minutes without being refrigerated, fill with mini eggs and voilaEnjoy, Jill. You can contact me with any queries, questions or even to show us how your family got on with their Cookies – Jill@jillskitchen.ie. Check out our new cooking kits www.cookitkids.com. Join us on Facebook for tips and tricks for cooking with kids www.facebook.com/cookitkids drnietacmend tak a b oss5 flaCawlin Dt in sffmearrPeeien uh watcFor moreFor mor s memb Co CoandciyienreneCcplepletionorminf c pletioormnfi iseneietiermAAsamenree Rivtiontton Dao371 9820Da id Bl3wystetas Rnwid B 3 emc.cnwLaytown & Bettystown Lawn Tennis ClubJunior EasterCamp2017From Monday 10th April - Friday 14th April 2017Members and Non-Members WelcomeUnder 10’s 9.30am-11am / 11yrs-16yrs 11am-12.30pmPrice - €25 - 1 Child / €45 - 2 Children / €60 - 3 ChildrenPlaces will be limited so register early to avoid disappointment. Register Online at www.laytownbettystownltc.comJuniors Section - Click on Fee PayFor any further information please contact David Black on 0863259920Golf Links Road, Bettystown, Co. MeathTel: 041 982 7713© April 2017 The Meath Coaster34Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsTHE VIEW FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE, By Geraldine HughesDoctors and dentists are not my fa-vourite people to visit. I’m so scared of having something wrong with me, and I’m a class A whinger when it comes to medication. If there is a side effect, I get it and that’s even before I read the scary stuff in the instructions. If I’m in pain and need help then I am pathetically grateful to whoever can sort me out but other than that if it ain’t broke-don’t fix it! If you’re feeling ok, popping into either of these surgeries is just asking for trouble. I only go to be reassured that I’m grand, fit as a fiddle, strong as an ox, and only wast-ing their time and my money by bothering them. A recent visit to the dentist had that very outcome and I was so delighted I forgot to act casual and skipped out the door. Of course I didn’t let on that I had swotted for the check up with a floss-ing, brushing and rinsing regime that added 15 min-utes onto either end of my day. That’s how much of a ‘fraidy cat I am. Seeing as I had this health business under control, I was quietly confident when I visited the Doctor, and she ordered a plethora of blood tests as is standard practise. I don’t even mind having blood taken. I have grand see through skin with veins you can see from space so it’s never a drama. All good results, except for the ! Oasis Childcare Centre Mornington Co. Meath Full Daycare ECCE CETS Montessori Playgroup After School 9888135 > Purpose Built > Fully Insured > HSE Inspected > Fire Certified > Intercom Entry > Large Safety Tiled Playground > Large Car Park > Easy Drop Off & Collection > Small Groups > Dedicated Staff ONE CHILD! ONE LIFE! ONE PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Ensure that your precious child gets the highest quality & happiest pre-school experience possible. Don’t risk disappointment later!! BOOK NOW for our ECCE and PLAYSCHOOL classes for SEPTEMBER 2017 East Meath’s Leading Childcare Provider since 2005 dreaded Cholesterol. It was up enough to be a concern. I got a 6 month reprieve to try get it down but knowing I wouldn’t really. I mean does anyone know anyone that actually moved those figures with diet or those little yogarty drinks? No!- cos no-one has! Some people can eat every bit of cake they come across and gorge themselves on cheese and have a Cholesterol figure that’d make cardiologists little heart sing, but I’m not one of them and it turns out that millions of us aren’t. I’m deeply scep-tical about being put on the worlds most prescribed medication that is a billion dol-lar industry on its own but the fear fac-tor is what makes us compliant. What if I don’t take it and end up rocking up to an A and E unit only for a doctor to stick a big ‘I told you this would happen’ sticker of shame on my forehead? Giving up smoking was my undoing. Then my doctor had one mission only - to get me off the fags. She was so busy lecturing me about them, that every-thing else was secondary. To statin or not to statin? This is my dilemma. My diet, which to be fair to me is fairly good 90% of the time, is now even more refined -everything I eat tastes like earth. Doesn’t make a darn bit of difference (sigh!) that figure refuses to budge, but I’m stubborn too so I’ll give it another 6 months before I succumb to medication... §HOUSEHOLD SERVICESPlease mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsBG PAINTING & DECORATINGInterIor & exterIor25 YEARS EXPERIENCE REFERENCES AVAILABLEFREE CONSULTATIONS & ESTIMATESWALLPAPER ALSO AVAILABLEContact Brian 086 7308449GAS BOILER SERVICESANNUAL SERVICINGREPAIRS & BREAKDOWNSBOILER REPLACEMENTSSAFETY INSPECTIONSBORD GÁIS AUTHORISED SERVICE PROVIDERPhone Terry 041 9827870 - 087 2941224 6th class team6th classPB - CleanbrightRoof Moss Removal SpecialistWe also clean: DrivewaysPatio’sGuttersFasciaPVC WindowsMob: 083 191 0238Mob: 083 1992 085Office: 041 9883792Email: pbcleanbright@gmail.com*Fully InsuredRoof is treated by AlgoClear to prevent moss re-occurrenceCall Nicky - 041 9887128 087 7734344 A Local BusinessCosmic Cleanwww.cosmicclean.ieT&Cs & Minimum Charge appliesMAJOR DISCOUNTS for Multiple RoomsRug Collection & Delivery Service AvailableProfessional Carpet & Upholstery CleaningSPECIAL OFFER!Noel SavageElectrical Services20 Years Experience • Security LightingFuseboard Upgrades • Rewires, Extra Sockets • Lights, Fully Insured and RegisteredNo Job Too SmallBettystown, Co. 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Stump GrindingPLANTING, WEEDING, FENCING, TREE & HEDGE CUTTING & SHAPING.All green waste removedDriveway, Patio, Power-washed Gutter cleaningSpecial OAP RatesFree Estimates, Fully Insured, Long Experience4 SEASONS GARDEN SERVICESContact Jim 085 1163631-042 6822585No Job Too Big or Too SmallMoloney Boiler MaintenanceBarry Moloney - Heating Engineer• Oil Boilers Services and Repairs• Aga Cookers• Central Heating Power Flush• Installation of Central Heating Filters• All Aspects of Heating & Plumbing - Commercial / ResidentialFree Quotations, All Work GuaranteedMobile: 087 3337488barry@moloneyboilermaintenance.ie Grant Electrical96 Betaghstown Wood, BettystownPhone: 041 988 6908Mobile: 087 275 4057• Electrical Installation and Maintenance• Extra Sockets & Lighting• Electrical Shower Installed & Repairs• Immersion Heater Installed & Fitted• Free Estimates NO JOB TOO SMALL!© April 2017 The Meath Coaster36The benefits of having a broker on your sideA new client contacted me recently af-ter reading my advertisement in the Meath Coaster. Kevin had an existing Life Assurance policy and the cost of the cover was increasing substantially. He enquired to see if I could offer some alternative op-tions or if there was a way of keeping his existing policy in some form. Like many people, Kevin was just unsure of what would be involved in reviewing his existing cover. He wasn’t sure if taking out a new life policy would mean he would lose out on benefits, if it would cost a lot more or if he could even get the cover. Fact: Once you pay your first premium for a new life policy, you are covered with immediate effect. If you died the next day, you are covered and the life company will honour the terms of the contract.I was able to clarify that Kevin would be covered immediately with a new policy and that there is no minimum time that must pass before the policy will pay out on the cover.Fact: If you are under 75 years of age, you can get life cover, irrespective of your health. Kevin requested I look at his policy as he was not fully sure of the details of the plan and asked if I could do that on his behalf. Kevin and his wife signed a basic letter which gave me permission to contact the life company to get the details of their plan.I was then able to explain details on their policy and give them an indication of what they could expect going forward. I could explain different potential outcomes in-cluding the benefits/pitfalls of taking out an alternative plan versus trying to main-tain their current plan.Fact: There is more than one type of life cover policy, each have different benefits which may suit better depending on cost or your needs.The life company had provided Kevin with an alternative option which he didn’t fully understand and he wasn’t confident signing up to this plan. I explained this option offered to him and also provided him with my own alternative option which was more cost-effective than the one be-ing offered directly by the life company. I also provided various other alternatives so Kevin could make an informed choice based on all the options available to him in the market (not just the options avail-able to him from one company).In the end, Kevin took his time weighing up the options and went with one that he felt was the best fit for his needs.After the new plan was in place, Kevin said he would have contacted me much sooner if he had known what I could do for them. He felt he understood all options available to him, was confident he made the right choice in replacing his policy and was delighted that he knew it was the best price available in the marketplace. I would like to thank Kevin for letting me tell his story to highlight how “having somebody on your side” can make it so much easier to decide what is best for you and your family. §Drumgoole Financial Services is regulated by The Central Bank of IrelandToccata House Music School, Drogheda.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda.Lessons InPiano, Keyboard, Violin, Viola, CelloGuitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And ElectricFlute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder, Drums, Speech And Drama, Voice Coaching, Junior And Leaving Cert Music.Private Classes On A One To One BasisTel Olive On 087 2603079 For DetailsEstablished Since 1990.Stamullen, Co. Meathwww.mammydaycare.comCrèche, Montessori & After schoolPhone:01 6905333 Purpose Built Fully Insured Experienced staff Fire Certified Intercom Entry Enclosed safety tiled play area Private car park Nutritious meals cooked in houseCelebrating 10 Happy Years in businesswww.crumbs.eu.com CrumbsCakesForOccasions Call Lee between 9am & 6pm, 087 918 6854STAMULLENDON’T MISS OUT - BOOK EARLY!CBTCounsellingDrogheda19FairSt.,LowcostcounsellingDrogheda0868759816CounsellorPatriciaGavinpatriciagavin@eircom.netLow Cost Counselling19 Fair St.DroghedaFor when you need a helping hand to changePatricia GavinCounsellorpatriciagavin@eircom.net086 8759816041 98 444 98 041 98 111 98086 838 4444www.eastcoastcabs.comEAST COAST CABS(FORMERLY SULLIVAN CABS)EAST COAST CABS SERVICING MEATH COAST & DROGHEDA REGIONS CABS - 4, 6 & 8 SEATERSMINIBUSES AND COACHES - 16, 24, 36 & 54 SEATERS AVAILABLEHerbalistKatie BlackwellLicensed Medical Herbalist(IAMMH)Ph. 087 142 1245 - LAYTOWNMILES OF SMILES CHILDCAREEARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHEROVER 11 YEARS CHILDCARE EXPERIENCEBALANCED, NUTRITIOUS MEALSWELL EQUIPPED PLAYROOMARTS, CRAFTS AND MUSICGARDA VETTEDFULLY INSUREDLARGE BACK GARDEN6 THE GREEN, WHITEFIELD MANOR, BETTYSTOWNtel: 041 9887461 mob: 087 0541391email: e.borusiewicz@gmail.com Bettystown AlterationsWedding Alterations and Evening WearPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day Service© April 2017 The Meath Coaster38Gormanston CollegeOn Friday February 17th 2017 Transi-tion Year students from Gormanston College took part in a 12 hour cycle-a-thon beginning at 6am until 6pm in the school main hall. They also organised a non-uniform day where our students were encouraged to wear an item of orange clothing.#schoolsgoorange The cycle is supporting ‘Cycle Against Su-icide’ a charity which survives totally on public funding; while also encouraging our fellow students towards a positive mental health awareness. We are promoting the message that ‘It’s OK not to feel OK’ and ‘it’s absolutely OK to ask for help.’ The money which is raised from our event will help fund the extensive schools programme and en-able the charity to engage with over 200 schools each year. With the support of everyone we can, shoulder by shoulder, break the cycle of suicide on the island of Ireland. World Book Day On World Book day we award-ed certificates, diaries and vouchers to the top 5 book bor-rowers from the school library – the top reader had borrowed 42 books over the last year. Principal Dermot Lavin, Vice Princi-pal Vincent Dunne, Stephanie Ottu, Bryan Chikwendu,Jaqui Aminu, Chidindu Chik-wendu and Makua Ifediora. Launch Of A History Project For 1st YearsLast month saw the launch of a project about the History of Gormanston College. Not many schools can boast of a castle on their campus whose owners, The Preston family, can be traced back from the early 14th Century to the present day. Historian Brendan Matthews spoke to students and has been guiding them with their projects. © April 2017 The Meath Coaster39Anxiety Fears And Phobia’s Are All Related. Part 1 A phobia is an irrational fear, which brings on an anxiety disorder whereby you have a relentless dread of a situations, living creature, places, or things. Many people who suffer Anxiety do in fact have phobic reactions to situations and events In-dividuals with a phobia go to great lengths to avoid a perceived danger which is much greater in their minds than in real life. So many clients over the years have ex-plained anxiety, fear and phobia’s give an immense feeling and fear that they are going to die. Overwhelmed with cramps or pains some feeling nausea weakness, tiredness, sweating and palpitations Often you will suffer enormous distress, which interferes with your normal function; sometimes leading to total panic. Over the next few months here in the Meath Coaster I shall cover aspects of these to help you understand yourself. AND explain what is really going on be-fore you attend for my professional help. For some people, even thinking about their phobia is immensely distressing. A phobia starts when a person begins organizing their lives around avoiding the object of their fear. To try avoid the anxiety associated with this. A phobia is much more serious than a simple fear. People with a phobia have an overpowering need to steer clear of anything which triggers their anxiety. So what is a Phobia ? How Common are Phobia’s? The Most Common Phobias Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments will be ad-vised here.Fast facts on phobias Here are some key points about phobias. More detail and sup-porting information over the next few months Phobias are much more serious than simple fears. Over 50 million peo-ple in the U.S. have a phobia. Females more commonly suffer from phobias than males. Despite phobic individuals being aware that their fear is irrational, they can-not control the feelings. Symptoms may include sweating, chest pains, and pins and needles Specific brain areas are involved in phobias The word “phobia” is used for a number of different concepts. If the phobia is of some-thing that the phobic person very rarely comes into contact with, such as snakes, their daily lives will not be affected. How-ever, some complex phobias are impossi-ble to avoid, such as agoraphobia (fear of leaving home or being in public places) or social phobia (fear of being among groups of people). Social Phobia has devastating effects on those who suffer, in work situ-ations and for students in school and col-lege. Social phobia and agoraphobia, are known as complex phobias. You need professional help with all Fears Phobias and Anxiety as Medication treats only the symptom. Therapy will find the root cause to allow your symptoms to be totally relieved. Write to me for Therapy Information today bernicemckenna@hot-mail.com More details next Month §Next >