Thank you, Charlie, for asking these questions.A few of us have wondered about the same things. I hope there are answers to these questions!

verry good questions ,i was also wondering about whenn they will buy the laptop for miss Loretta and whenn they will give it to her,thanks for asking all these questions allot of us will have to know the answers on the questions

I wish that a laptop will soon be in missloretta's hands...and that she will be able to comunicate with friends. There is more than enough money for a laptop and more at this time.I do not think that in her conditions she will need more than a simple computer.Thank you misscharlie for posting this questions.

I really do hope that folk have not been conned by this. we hear so much about things that start out sounding great end up splitting up groups and cyber friends. I pray you get closure on this soon and that Miss Loretta is not upsett by this problem.
Eggyannie in the UK

bump
I have been thinking this too
someone has disapeared

Who started this collection for Mis loretta perhaps they can give answers.

Shirlene sent me a PM concerning this. Quote: Martine, I don't think there will be any more donations and we will go with the amount that we have - I will be gone through part of this week - then I will make an announcement of the purchase of the laptop. Unquote. Hope that answers part of your questions.

Good on you Misscharlie,,,, You have aired alot about this so called laptop, that I do not agree with..and yes a certain person has disappeared
and no disrespect to Miss Loretta, but, someone in her condition being able to use a laptop please explain!!! I hope that there will be answers soon

thanks mops for your answer,we will look out to the answers from shirlener,hoping that she will answer soon to all the people who donate something for the laptop

ok here is what i know is true this certain someone u guys are talking about is having a hard time with LIFE right now she is not handling the money so if you are concerned about the money ask VERONICA she has the money and yes miss loretta does deserve this honor she will get the laptop sometime next week GESH now i know why i just lurk here now a days everyone wants to just point fingers money is in VERONICAS hands not one of ours

I was going to donate and my Husband said no there wasn't enough info. He is also in computers and and said that much money would by a top of the line one.I think these are all good questions and everyone who donated desirves answers.

I have to say I get kinda spooked now and then, it seems that whenever I wonder about something or someone in our family, someone posts my thoughts....two today - Loretta & Eric....seems we all share the same concerns but only some voice them...thank you x0x0x0x0x

I think these are good questions that should have answers pretty soon, Charlie and everyone. Just keep in mind, though, several things. Loretta will need a laptop that is easy to understand and work, because for those who didn't know, she has senile dementia, which is like Alzheimer's, but a little different. My girlfriend had it mildly, so I know how it affects memory. Loretta at times has forgotten how to hoop up and embroider, I remember her talking about that, it's why she quit sewing. In order to have the computer be easy to work, someone is going to have to set it up for Loretta, possibly even write instructions for when she can't remember, Loretta certainly can't do that herself. If Shirlene is computer-savvy enough, that's great, or she'll have to get someone to do it, possibly for a cost. Also, in order to get on the internet, Loretta will need an ISP, and a way to connect the computer. Even if it's dial-up, that will have to come out of this money, too. I am speculating, but I don't think Loretta is able to be in her home any more, I think she is in an assisted living facility. That would entail installing a phone line, because I'm sure the facility wouldn't let her tie up their switchboard with internet. And, will Loretta be able to use the computer in her condition? Yes, I believe so, on good days. With a laptop she can lie in bed and use it, as I understand she can't be up like at a computer desk for any period of time. If I didn't use my laptop in bed, y'all would never hear from me, that's for sure, hee hee hee. I do understand about contributions being made, then seeming silence, and I know y'all want some progress reports. That's perfectly understandable. But I ask you to bear in mind that there's a lot more to it than just buying a laptop and handing it to Loretta. Shirlene is the only one in physical proximity, and has offered to take on the task, but I know that she has other things pressing in her life as well now, including being a caretaker for one of her own family members, and not feeling well herself. For us it's easy to just make a donation, but she's the one tasked with shopping, purchasing, making arrangements, getting the whole works in place before taking it to Loretta, and then finding a "good" day for Loretta so she understands what's happening. Kind of hard work, I think, so please be patient. I'm sure we'll know something soon, and by all means keep this at the top, you need to be satisfied that you haven't been ripped off, perfectly understandable, no complaints here. I just don't think Shirlene went to Mexico with the $700, nor Veronika, either. Have a good day, Cute Family! I love you for your generosity, and hope you will have the answers you need soon. Marji

Thanks for asking this Charlie... first of all, as I had explained to Shirlene, who is collecting funds, a laptop and any hardware/software additions should have been selected PRIOR to donations... kind of a road map or business plan in tact so everyone knows what is needed and what is to be expected. Nothing was put in place unfortunately.

I don't come to this site too much anymore for several reasons (and I don't read the community postings), but according to this inquiry, I'm assuming there have been no updates as to where CUTE is in purchasing this gift for Loretta???

Again, a plan in place in the beginning would have calmed the minds of many. Sadly, money has been collected and given to Shirlene through her PayPal account instead of left with this site's owner, Veronika. This should never have been allowed to happen because the responsibility lies on 1 person now and there is no accountability given to the others who have made generous contributions. Additionally, even though Shirlene will do what is right, her knowledge with computers is very minimal and the right purchase decision should have been left in the hands of someone that is computer savvy... like Veronika.

Mary, no one is pointing fingers... people are wanting answers... and it's been way too long for these questions.

I would suggest to Shirlene that since her computer knowledge is minimal, she render all collected funds to Veronika and let her make the appropriate decision. Loretta's needs do NOT warrant a 700 dollar computer by any means... and once Veronika decides on a laptop, Shirlene could do the honors of delivering the gift to Loretta on behalf of the contributors.

As for where this laptop will go after Loretta no longer needs it... it's a gift to her... her daughter may choose to give it back to CUTE, or pass it on to a friend... again, again, again, if these decisions had been ironed out in the beginning, there wouldn't be room for questioning... :-(

In case nobody has noticed, Shirlener has not been her usual contributing self on this site lately, which suggests to me that she has her hands full at the moment - NOT that she has "done a runner for the border with the money"! Perhaps it is only considerate that we wait till she is able to tell us what is happening with regard to the computer for Miss Loretta. After all, we left all the work of arranging everything and the visiting to her, so surely it is appropriate that we show her the courtesy of trusting her and her judgement also... and allowing her the time to do so. I hope all is well with both her and Miss Loretta and that we will hear from them again as soon as practicable.

A donation is a gift. When the recipient of the donation no longer can use the item the family or heirs decide what to do with it. I hope nobody was expecting to get it back unless this was a donation with strings attached. Just my opinion.

Shirlene is a very knd and helpful person, and I think she is overwhelmed right now. She visits Miss Loretta regularly and also cares for her mother who is now in a nursing home I think. Because she has not been around here lately, I hope nothing really bad has happened. She is not a computer expert, just a user, so she could probably use any help she could get on choosing the right computer to buy for Miss Loretta's needs. She has said that when she originally offered to help, she didn't realize that choosing was involved. If anyone wishes to help her with that, I'm pretty sure she would welcome the help. My own background is more software and I am used to the very high end laptops, so I can't help very much. Some of you - and your families - are able to give much better help. I suspect that if someone could talk with Shirlene about just what is needed, what kind of internet access Miss Loretta has and needs, etc. and then suggest what to buy and for how much, Shirlene would be pleased and relieved. Any volunteers?
I'm also sure any excess will be refunded to the donors and/or used as they suggest.
The future of the computer after Miss Loretta no longer needs it should also be discussed. I have thought of suggesting that it be added to the Miss Loretta scholarship?

Please no carping at Shirlene, she has been so kind and has gone far out of her way to help. Instead send good wishes her way for whatever problems are keeping her from this forum, and that they may lessen enough so that she can be back with us.

Love and flowers to all, Lois

I just reread my post and it sounds judgemental. Sorry that was not my intent.If any of you felt it was judgemental please use your mental delete botton now!!!. Sorry if my post was offensive to anyone. paula

Oops, sorry, didn't mean to send this twice.

Well a lot of questions have been answered and I am sure that it will be solved very soon. Thanks to all those involved in this gift. May Miss Loretta have great fun using it. *4all.

Hello my dear friends! I have contacted to Shirlene. I am sure that Ms.Loretta will get a nice present to Valentine`s day. I look forward to this together with you. Today I removed the form for donations at the request of Shirlene. I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your generosity and hope you will have a great Valentine`s day!

.
I'M GLAD THAT MISS LORETTA HAS SUCH A WONDERFUL FAMILY THAT THEY ARE DOING THIS FOR HER!! ANd come valentines day she'll have one.

I thought all this was settled eirler? Have i missed something? Shirlene was to purchase the computer.. we all discussed the possibilities and even had someone else ready to donate any remaining funds needed. There was also some software to be bought and the issue with a internet provider, that I thought had been resolved. As to the computer usage after Miss Loretta, I thought it was to go to someone else lIke a hospice patient.
But that is not something I am going to frett over. Just so somone is happy after Miss Loretta uses it.

After reading some of the posts, I wanted to say this in addition to my previous statement... since I speak to both Charlie and Shirlene offline.

1. Charlene is NOT pointing fingers at anyone or trying to stir up anger. Stop targeting her.

2. Shirlene is NOT taking the money and running to North Caroline with it either. She is not conning anyone. I'm sure the unemployed gossips on this site will let her know that she needs to post status.

Never was this posting intended to stir up estrogen and start a war or hurt feelings. Basically many CUTE members are wanting the answers to their questions on this laptop deal.

Since I know that Veronika does read these postings, may I suggest that a status be posted on the contributions page so inquiring minds can get answers to their questions?

This isn't an "add water and shake" deal... and I don't like how certain members on this page have taken fundamental questions and turned it around into a personal attack on other people. Why is Shirlene's and Charlie's character even being disgussed here? This has NOTHING to do with either of these women... it's about finding out what the status is of a purchase funded by contibutors on this site.

I'm sure the PMs are buzzing right now with a bunch of postings from women with too much time on their hands. This site has turned into a "she said, she said" (notice I didn't say "he") place for a bunch of back biting that's uncalled for.

I applaud those that have supported Charlie in finding out the answer to a 700 dollar question and suggest to those that have jumped on the band wagon to discredit Shirlene AND Charlie that you should feel terrible.

Both ladies have done nothing directly wrong here... the only thing asked was "where are we at with the purchase"...

I'm glad to hear that Loretta will get her laptop soon. I'm jut sorry that my new VISA card hasn't come in tome for me to contribute. That's all I've been waiting for. As for pointing fingers etc... Here we go again. Why is it that every time someone tries to do something nice for ANYONE there is always someone around to spoil everything? Can't answer for anyone else but I've been out of High School for a very long time and sure don't want to go back to the finger pointing and hurt feelings. Shirlene thanks for all your effort on our behalf.
Mickey

This whole issue makes me so sad.........! ;-(

Thank you Veronika for answering this question, I only thought it right,fair, and just that we had an answer to the status of the laptop. You are a doll for answering! xoxoxox