Weekend Leftovers

 For some reason, it has felt like an overly long weekend. Maybe it was Thursday being a holiday, and having to work Saturday, to get my hours in, made it just feel that way. Sunday seemed to go on forever, even though I slept in late.

Leftovers! It's what for any meal! RM had sent home pretty much every single bit of leftover food from our meal there Friday night. We knew we were going to get them, and I never mind leftovers from a turkey meal. The hardest part is staying out of the turkey meat. Usually within a couple days he Wife will make a big batch of turkey enchiladas, so the more meat, the more enchiladas I get. The deviled eggs were gone first (there were only like 3-4). The the container with the mashed potatoes and corn, and about half of the giblet gravy. I still have some gravy, rolls and stuffing left, and probably after lunch today will be out of gravy.

It is back to work today, and I am actually looking forward to it. Going to be some regular weeks up until the week of Christmas. I wonder if/how they will be any weekend hours available for that week, and the next, due to the holidays falling on a Friday. Guess I will find out.

Not sure of whatever else is going to happen this week. Still need to get some shopping done, let alone start wrapping. Need to find out what the kids and their families are doing, and come uo with a time schedule for Christmas, too. Someday I may get it where we don't have to go anywhere on that day, but for now we still travel to RM's. She and PT have this day that they don't travel, and she loves it so much when she gets that family time with each of us kids.

Alright, I guess I should get ready for work...

PeacE

The Day After

 I ate a bit. Not "A LOT" but a bit. Even had a little bit of seconds. There was plenty of food in our small gathering yesterday. We ended up at the two older Sons' new apartment, though they had not even unpacked completely yet. They had the room whereas we did not at the house currently. The eldest Son had gotten the turkey, given to him from his employer, and come to find out it was HUGE! A 24-pounder... so plenty of turkey. Of course we left all leftovers at their place, as they had the bachelor fridge going (I know because I looked). Literally, a pizza box on the top shelf, and not much else besides condiments and maybe a 1/3 quart of milk.

Tonight we are going to RM's for another dinner, where those leftovers will be sent home with us. Another reason I left all the food at the boys'. That's if I can make it through today. I did go out for a bit last night, and though I was home around midnight, just couldn't sleep. So I have been up all night, and need to get through work today. I may take a nap this afternoon and get a couple hours at least. Will see how that goes.

PeacE

Turkey Day

 Welcome to Thanksgiving Day, where food is abundantly served up, and I gain the first five pounds of the 30 I'll gain over the next two months. Okay, I joke a bit about the poundage I'll gain... more like 10 pounds, but still.

Speaking of birds, it is becoming a bit more of an emptier nest around here. The Middle son is pretty much moved out of the house now. He did stop back by last night for some smaller things they had not gotten the other day. We will be meeting up with them this afternoon to sit down to a meal. Since we have boxes of stuff (read "junk from the hoarding") filling the house, we are eating over at the boys' new apartment. I goes the Wife said we are cooking the turkey and the green bean casserole here, and they rest there. I was hoping to eat by 1-2, but now I feel it is going to be more like 3-4. Sigh. Tomorrow we will get to do the meal again as RM has invited us out to their place in the evening for another meal.

Looks like I will be working a few hours on Saturday. I got a late start yesterday, and only worked 7 hours. Then amidst all the adjusted hours for this holiday, there are only 7 hours available for tomorrow. So that leaves me at least 2 hours to make up to show 32 hours for the week. I figure if I can do 4-5 hours Saturday, that would get me a couple more, though I'll still be short of regular 40. Meh. Whatever.

I was hoping to sleep in a little this morning, and I did manage to stay in bed until about 7:30ish. The Wife's phone started to go off with message notifications about an hour before that. Here siblings (half in the Eastern Time Zone) love to chat it up, and the Wife doesn't turn the mute on that convo, so every few minutes, there would be noise. I just now looed at it ( I am in it, though mine is muted) and it literally is just nothing important. I could have used an extra hour or more.....

Enjoy your day, and the food!

PeacE

Time, Time, Time

 It's that time again. Turkey Time! And that means Commercial Holiday Time to follow.... which I hate. Never understood why a holiday to celebrate the birth that is part of one of the world's largest religions, had to be commercialized to a requirement of "giving" presents. Maybe it is just the "shopping hate" I feel about it all. I don't know. No use in analyzing it. I don't know if I will ever enjoy a commercialized holiday.

So I had mentioned how my project was extended. More time to make more money. That helps! We had a meeting yesterday about time - and how the holiday this week shortens our paychecks. We have the option of working Sat & Sun to make up the time, or longer hours M, T, or W. Friday we will need to work, yet they cut the time available for work to a 7 hour period, so even for the hours for 4 days, I would have to work extra on the weekend. I mentioned to the Wife I may work 5-6 hours this weekend, and then just call it a week, though short of 40 hours. The meeting also brought up about if everyone had other plans, since the project was extended past the original set time, were vacations, etc going to beother anyone with getting in 40 hours a weeks still. 

I got some time in with Doodad last night, though, being silly, she didn't want to have much to do with Papaw, until her snuck her a candy. Then we were buds again. The returned to Tucson last night. Probably won't be back until closer to Christmas. The two older Sons are moving today. The oldest needs to be out of his place today, and I guess they finalized on the new one. I know they are getting a smaller U-haul this morning to move the bed. I wonder if they will do the middle Son's today as well. I found this all out last night. I guess them growing up they don't need Dad's help or advice anymore.

Breakfast time for me now. I need to eat something (meaning a couple granola bars) and then get ready to work.

PeacE

Solidifying Plans

 Another Saturday has arrived, and I slept through a good part of its start. I had went to bed last night at a decent hour, and had problems falling asleep. Around 11:30 I got up and tried watching an episode on Netflix, then returned to bed. Spent at least another hour tossing/turning before finally getting is a short series of naps. By a little after 6AM I was up and just as the middle Son got home from work. He offered and went to McD's for some breakfast sandwiches and a sweet tea for me, which was cool. Around 8 I decided to lay down for maybe an hour nap. Now it is noon...

The oldest Son stopped by yesterday afternoon. I wish I had had more time to visit, but I was working and needed to get stuff done. He and I finalized plans, ordered his Santa Suit, and shared ideas for rides for the upcoming Santa Run. Basically a pub crawl of a bunch of guys in Santa suits, handing out candy canes. The Son drove the rental van last year for us, and this year is able to partake. That's coming up here in a couple weeks or so.

While here we set up plans for Thursday, which I guess is we will cook the turkey he was given from work. It'll just be the boys, Wife and I, but better than nothing. Friday the youngest Son, Wife and I will be going to RM's for another dinner she has offered to make, versus going out, just because she can send leftovers home with me. I do love the giblet gravy and dressing.... and turkey always gets made into turkey enchiladas within a short amount of time.

The oldest and middle Sons have finally found an apartment. They will probably be moving around next weekend, I think. I know they did a "Face-time" walk through yesterday, and the older was going to do the paperwork last night. It is just a little bit north of where his apartment is now, so not terribly far from us, or their work places. I hope there are no final issues with getting the place since it is getting so close to the lease expire on the one place.

Daughter, SIL and most importantly, Doodad, are in town. The Wife mentioned they were suppose to get in touch with each other about plans, but hasn't heard from the Daughter yet. I know the D had mentioned to me that they had things to do today, and would probably not see us until Sunday. So I have no idea what has changed since three days ago, but evidently the Wife know more than I. So I'll see them when I see them I guess.

That's about all I got for now. Almost finished shopping for Christmas. Still need to pick up about 5 things I know of. The rest I will leave to the Wife.

PeacE

Been A Decent Week

 It is only Wednesday (Hump Day!) but already this week has been nice. One of my nieces had her first child (a girl) born yesterday. I'm happy for the new parents, and wish there were not so many restrictions due to Covid, as her parents, and grandparents, could be at the hospital for the event. It will all work out fine in the end though, and I'm sure there will fighting amongst them all - in regards to who gets to hold the little one, etc.

Also, today through our daily meeting online, I found out that this project I am working has been extended at least a minimum of two more weeks. Originally it was slated to be completed this week, but I guess the client underestimated the amount of data we have to review. They have even added more people to our teams. I also found out that they have started running daily "stats" on each of us. Basically to calculate the number of documents we review in 'X' amount of time, and also if any mistakes show up through the Quality Checks. I haven't heard anything bad in regards to myself, but based on what they mention as the average curve they want people to be striving for right now, I am definitely in the higher percentage that processes through documents. These stats also base on how fast we get moved/hired onto other projects when this one ends. Possibly the type of review, or how in-depth it needs to be done, could also ne included.

So right now, I'm feeling pretty good.

Our water heater here at the house has been on the fritz for several months now. The pilot light would only stay lit for unexpected amounts of time. It would be no surprise to have a morning shower with nothing but cold water. Or even just to have hot water for the dishes, or laundry. The water heater is in a "enclosed laundry room" and is against the west wall, so through the summer it wasn't too bad. With temps in the 115+ range, it heated the water pretty well. But now it has gotten cooler, and since some money has happened our way, we had it replaced finally... and today was the day. I expected them after thee noon hour (as I was told) but got a call that they ended up here about 10:30 this morning. I imagined even with taking the time to drain it (about 20-25 minutes) they would be done and gone within 2 hours. He was here until almost 3:30 this afternoon. I finished up work today about 5:30, and went to the restroom. I turned on the hot water at the sink and let it run a couple minutes. It's not hot... or warm... I went to the kitchen.... same thing. I'm thinking he forgot to turn the flow back on, or something. I went and got a flashlight to go take a look...then had a better thought. Back to the bathroom, and I let it run longer. finally after a few minutes its started to feel warmer, then got hot. Must have just been the residual water in the lines from before, so will need to run them all a bit to tap into the hot water. Showers too. It'll be nice to have a steaming shower versus just a lukewarm one...

Daughter, Doodad and family are coming up this weekend. I was told they have plans Saturday, but Sunday we could figure out something. They have dental appointments on Monday, then will return home. Thanksgiving they are spending with the SIL's family. No plans for us as of yet. Dennys is usually open on holidays, so I won't be surprised to be there considering it is looking like maybe only 3-4 of us.

On to other things.... I'm at 165 books in my reading goal of 175 for the year (11 books ahead of schedule). With working now, I find that it takes me a day or two longer to get a normal sized book finished. I may have to adjust the goal lower for next year....

PeacE

Another New Week

 It's Sunday night. I'm chillin' at home. Did a family dinner out at Chili's (love the fajitas) and it's still before 9pm. Which is really close to my bedtime. I do have to work tomorrow after all... even if I don't know where this week may lead. If that project finishes by the week's end, how fast will I be positioned to another project/team? Yeah... I dunno.

But tomorrow is Monday. RM is probably recovering from the first sermon she has had to give in months (not counting her children - that's a  joke Mom.... you know better. We won't listen to a sermon). Or maybe that is next week. I'm honest, but I cannot remember from day to day the things that are not a necessity to me.

Did the pub this morning, and was able to meet up with one of my best buds.  I don't know how much to share/not share here, but he is in on some cutting new tech, and said he wants me to be a trial for some stuff coming up. Which is cool. I make no money, but if this tech works out, he and the investors look to make some good bank. I hope I am able to test in a good way for their results. And no, I'm not pregnant.... I'm just fat.

Almost 9pm, so I should end this. 

PeacE

It's the Weird Season

 Last week I mentioned that it had gotten chilly enough that I turned on the heater in the house. Tomorrow it is supposed to be leading back to temps in the 80's into the next week. The news from last night said even a couple days where we might break recorded highs. Weather is just getting to be weird...

With weather being all weird, it has been messing with my allergies pretty bad this time around. Usually I have a couple bad days, of sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, then things basically clear up and I just occasionally have any issues. But just this week alone, I have had 3 bad days where Everything is running, and sneezing, and headache/pressure. I don't usually take any type of allergy medication as they don't seem to help any symptom, and tonight is proving that again. I took two Benadryl about 5 hours ago, yet nothing has changed... for better or worse. So maybe it is keeping it from getting worse.... if that is even possible. I'm about ready to start taking cold medication to stop some of these symptoms.

Another work week completed. That puts us at 2 weeks in on what was supposed to be a 3 week project. The Team Lead had mentioned earlier in the week they would be "running stats" - basically seeing percentages of how much everyone is keying versus what is out there, and the quality of the work through the Quality Control. She mentioned that those that are lower than the average will be having their Team Leaders speak to them about what is the problem, or how to speed up their work. I really don't care. All I know is that the week before my Team Lead said I was faster than most on my team. But they did mention that where our individual stat counts are, also determines how fast you get placed into a project once this one finishes. That is important. I want to be able to switch into a new project (new to me at least) as soon as I finish this one, so there is no down-time with no pay. This next week will determine where we are at time-wise for this project.

The Wife and I slept in this morning. Her head wasn't feeling too good today (pre-migraine pressure probably). We got up and took some bags of clothes to Savers then went to a place called Fast Eddies for lunch. I had the Reuben... it had been too long since I had one, and theirs was quite good. Afterwards we went to Big Lots to look for an idea for a gift for one of the boys. They didn't have any there (of what we were specifically looking) but did end up finding a few things for Christmas presents for others. Then it was back home where I watched a movie while the Wife took a nap. The evening was spent just playing Warcraft. The Wife ended up in bed early with her head still bothering her. I'll be there shortly after I finish writing here, as I am feeling pretty tired, too.

Not sure what plans are for tomorrow... football at the pub? Chill at home and play Warcraft? No idea... guess it will be about how I feel when I wake.

PeacE

I Wimped Out

 When the alarm went off this morning, I knew it was feeling like Monday all over again. When I awoke yesterday, I just couldn't get out from bed. It was feeling chilly in the room, thanks to the final onset of cooler weather in AZ, and I was snug and warm. I reset the alarm for an hour, then another hour, before I knew I needed to get started on work. So the work day was a little longer in the day than usual due to my later start. I like how the hours to work are somewhat adjustable, as long as I complete 8 hours and am working during what they consider the "core hours" (middle of the day). Today though, there was a slight change. When the alarm went off, I got up and turned our heater on. The Wife did not complain. Then I reset the alarm for an hour, but within 10 minutes, I decided sleep wasn't happening, and got up anyways. I could have started at 7am for work, as I like to do, but decided I would wait until 7:30.

The Wife brought me a surprise the other day. Whilst cleaning out some of the final boxes and whatnot from the storage room, she came across a milk crate full of books. It was easy to tell they had been sitting in there for ages due to the amount of dust that settled across the tops. I was back in our study when she brought it in and said she thought I needed to go through that crate right then. I kind of rolled my eyes, and to placate her, took a glance. Inside were three photo albums that we had thought, were burned in the shed fire we had a few years back. These are special as my Grandma had put them together many years ago (she is now passed) and it consists of photos of my Dad (also passed) and many others of them growing up, plus the earlier years of my childhood. Many, many pictures I thought I would never see again. It truly brought tears to my eyes. We sat and went through one the other night, and I have to re-visit the other two, but will soon, to relive those memories.

The middle Son just got back home from dropping our youngest off at school, for the one of two days he goes. He was nice and brought me a breakfast sandwich from McD's. He is helping his uncle today with moving stuff... at least for awhile. I am not sure how tired he will get considering he worked last night. But I am leaving that to him, as he knows his body and schedules better than I.

At this point I should get off this and get ready to start working.

PeacE

Another Football Sunday

 I'm up somewhat early for a day that I normally sleep in. Of course, being how I went to bed at 8pm last night probably helped. That and getting a full night's (plus) of sleep. I don't know why I was so tired that early last night. I had slept in late the previous morning, and pretty much didn't do much of anything most of the day....

Like many, I am getting tired of this election crap about now. I don't know if it truly is corruption in the ballot process, counting what shouldn't be, or whatever, but the number of legal claims being filed is a bit ridiculous. I read something this morning (on the internet so you know it is true) about Homeland Security watermarking ballots to watch for ballot corruption, or some kind of thread woven ballots. Just to avoid the situation that came up this year. Of course, this article also said they can't step in to look at the ballots until a state has completely finished their count. I know when I went to bed last night, some of the states they want to look at are still counting. It's a sit and wait game, not that I think much will change.

I'll be heading up to the pub this morning. It has been a couple weeks since I met my buddy up there for football. Both our teams are playing at 11am (AZ time). I think I will probably stay for the one game and head home about 1pm. Maybe take the family out to pick up some Yoshi's?...Yogi's?.... a rice place that is pretty good... for dinner. We did pizza last night, since one son was out with friends.

Obviously, work seems to be going well. I have at least almost two weeks left on this project. Hoping to be able to get into another one right away, to just stay busy. There was a Quality Control done on me this past week, and my team leader said I was dong better than expected (considering I just started). there were only two small mistakes found - one I was getting too much info, and one was an email address I missed. So not bad out of 500 spot-checks. I was talking to my friend that recommended this place to me, and he thinks I could be a QC checker within 6 months - though I dunno. In fact, this friend also just signed up for a 30-day project with the company (he does attorney stuff though - whereas mine is basic data-breach).

I think I had mentioned about the two older sons getting an apartment together here at the Nov-Dec mark. I have that in the back of my mind in worry. I have never inquired about their finances (income, etc) so I worry about them being able to afford the place, the utilities (as needed), gas for the vehicles, food, etc. The Wife and I briefly talked about it last night as we went to pick up the pizza. We both decided to just wait it out, and see what they do. If they run into trouble, they will need to figure out how to fix it. But I am going to miss another Son out of the house.

The Wife and I talked about Christmas. I'm screwed. I have no ideas for anyone. We have gotten a few things for Doodad, and a couple for the Daughter. Nothing for anyone else. Everyone doesn't NEED anything, and some don't have room for anything else. Myself included. I have no idea what we are going to do....

And with that thought, I think I am done here this morning.

PeacE

Life Has Gotten Dull

 Since I have started working again, there isn't time for anything to happen it seems. there isn't much time in the mornings before I need to log in. The afternoons I am mentally tired and spend much of the time trying to NOT take a nap. If I nap, I'm afraid I won't sleep good that night, and thus make the next day harder to get work done. Though, the past week or so, I have been sleeping better because of this....

I think the Wife is down to "cleaning" the old house. Which means hopefully will be getting it sold. I see no reason for the cleaning, as it is a fixer-upper, and we are selling it as such, but she is adamant about it. Easier for me to not argue about it. I hope to get the Wife out soon (maybe this weekend) to start doing some test drives for a vehicle for her. Have been wanting that to happen for several weeks, butt things keep changing those plans. Once we get the house sold, I will be doing the same for myself.

The Oldest Son has his lease expiring late this month/early next. It has been decided amongst them, that he and the Middle Son will be getting one together this time around. They have it narrowed down to two different places, with two others as back-ups. I hope things work out for them. They have not asked for help or info on finding them, and I respect that. The places they are looking aren't too terribly far from home, so though I doubt I will just show up at their door, it's nice to know. And I have to add, apartments have gotten expensive!!

No idea what will really happen this weekend. I need to get to work....

PeacE

Another Day Down

 Finished Day Two of working a full day from home. I noticed yesterday after I clocked out, that I was going to have to make some adjustments to how I spend the workday. I have been just working the full straight 8-hour shift, with a couple 10-15 min breaks within. I prefer not to take a lunch, and just snack on something while I continue working. It's get me done earlier in the day to do other things, like maybe take a nap. I did get up and walk around the house a few extra times today, so my legs aren't feeling cramped.

Since I have been back to work, I haven't had much to say. today is Election Day. I mailed my ballot a while back. The Wife took hers down to the voting station yesterday finally. I'll probably see about finding a website to maybe watch some of the reports as counts come in a bit later.

PeacE

Thought This Was a Good Thing....?

 Yesterday I was anxious. I had feelings that things were starting to go well. I even went to bed a bit earlier than usual, so get have plenty of rest for the early time I was getting up for the job. When the alarm went off this morning (6:30am) I got up and did the essentials. Walked into the office, and started logging into the remote desktop to get to work. I was going to punch out those eight hours, and be damn proud of it!

Only, something didn't go right. I get to the remote desktop - logged in fine. MS Teams started loading...and my Project Team isn't listed. I log into the work email - nothing new there. I log into the software program, see the client project listed, and go to the documents for them - nothing there. Okay, something ain't right.... I sign out of each program one by one, log off the remote, and sit there a moment, then re-log in to each. Same stuff. Again - sign out of everything. Reboot the whole computer. Sign in. Nothing.

From my work email, I send the Project Lead and all four Team Leads an email about what is happening. I explain everything was working fine on Friday. Was I removed from the project?

I give them the access for a remote connection to my computer (but it shouldn't be needed). And now I wait. I let them now I could do nothing until I heard from someone that can help fix the problem, but I would try to join our daily 11am video chat via the link I had in an email.... but that is still 3 hours away. I don't get paid for the downtime due to technical issues (or removal from the project).

I thought things were going well.... I guess not. Here's to sitting around doing nothing....

PeacE