Something to Do ....

 I was in that nice, comfortable, fuzzy zone under the sheet this morning. My arm around the Wife, and just drifting from sleep to wake and back, when I was startled awake. The Wife was asking if we had any specific plans today. My sleep-addled mind struggled for a couple moments befoire I replied that no, I don't think there were any specific plans at all this weekend. I followed that up with 'What time is it?'. Not quite 9am.... Ugh. I guess that means it is time to get out of bed. The Wife needed to go to the bank, and then into work for a couple hours. It is near the EOM and she wants to make sure her paperwork , etc are in compliance. Of course, she also has to work Monday. So I got up and did the morning routine: bathroom, sugar count, BP reading, intake of twenty-million horse-sized pills (well, it feels like it sometimes).

Well, I been star5ing at thsi screen for nigh on ten minutes now, and nothing coming to mind to write about. I must be sleep-addled still.

PeacE

How to Look at It ....

 This last week has been ... something. I am not sure how I would describe it, as I look back and try to figure out what was good, bad, or whatever. In someways it had a some learning experiences, and others it was just boring.

I spent most of Monday morning trying to get my new video game to work. There was one error right at start-up, that was frustrating me. I spent time reading about this particular error through Google searches, on numerous websites. Some sites had the same info to do, some didn't. I tried all the easy stuff first (run program as administrator, re-verify the files are not corrupted, etc). then not knowing any better, started in on particular updates for other files. Then I gave up for the day.

Tuesday morning found me back at. Only into it for about an hour, and I came across yet another website that really explained what was wrong.I had not come across this website at all in my previous searches, and thankfully it should up when it did. Seems when I loaded the game up, off of the actual CDs, it needed to download teh more current updates. The sad part, is the datat fromt he discs was about 55Gb, and teh actual download it needs to do is around 108Gb. At my speed of internet, that's about 20 hours. Maybe two evenings of downloading all night (after we retire to bed). Ok, so I see the problem, and now have the CORRECT info to fix it. Moving on.

I go to start my Warcraft game. It won't load. Uh oh. Then my graphics driver won't load. Reboot. Check BIOS. Reboot. Nada. Downloaded a program that puts in the most current drivers on your system completely. That took two hours, and still did not work. I'm frustrated and angry now. I ended up doing a system recovery, but my most recent was about 5 days before. Another hour for that to finish. Then everything booted up properly - except the new video game, as I had not installed it previous to the recovery data date. So at some point, when I have two hours, I will reload it, and then do the two nights of download. I just have not been as anxious to play it now, due to the issues I have dealt with, without the proper info. If that info could have been found easier, would have saved time and effort....

By Wednesday, I am frustrated that the Company has not replied to the email I sent a week prior, about being available for a project as of the past Monday. I do not know if it is vacation time for the recruiting department, or the upcoming holiday weekend, but I doubt I will hear anything today either. Monday will find me sending another email, even though I am sure the offices are closed.

I did get my prescription taken care of. After spending over half an hour waiting on hold to speak to someone at the Dr office, I logged into the 'MyChart' site they use to share info with me about meds/treatments/appts, etc. I was able to send a note to my care team, where I described what the pharmacy told me Saturday morning. By that afternoon I had a reply from the actual doctor, that he was adjusting the dosage, and that should clear up the issue. So, it is still Metformin, but at a higher dosage, and it is now the extended release version. I picked it up Tuesday, started Wednesday, and have been feeling weird the past two days. It's like a low-grade nausea that is just "there" all day" long. It's early yet, so not sure if it is side effect, or just the change in dosage that may be affecting me. But I can see the changes in my glucose count. So overall, my numbers are getting to where my doc saidf he wanted to get them. Let's give it a few weeks and make sure they stay in that range.

The Youngest finished up the school year on Wednesday. He is officially a Junior now, as long as his final grades are passing ones. At last notice, they were. I had asked him that day, what time did he want me to wake him each day, as there is no way I was letting him sleep all day all summer. We decided on 10am for now, which is okay with me. Yesterday, I actually let him sleep (and he did) unitl about 3pm, when he woke up on his own. Mainly becuase it was his first day off school, and I honestly laid in bed a bit that morning as I was feeling all weird from the meds. This mornig I woke him early (he was already up?) and we got the trash out to the street for pick-up. Plans this morning include a trip out to the discount grocery we like, to see if they have anymore energy drinks, etc that we like. Maybe a side trip to the 99cent store for some sodas low-priced as well. Though, I have been being good about watching the amount of sugar I intake now, since this whole sugar count thing started.

Holiday weekend. No plans.I may be down at the VFW tomorrow for a bit in the afternoon. Probably won't stay for the evening. I did last week, won a $.25 drink, and $25.00 for the Queen of Hearts draw. I had the winning ticket, but only picked a 7 of diamonds. but $25 is $25 bucks. Overall I only spent $10 on tickets.

Welp, since I ain't doin' nottin' else, I guess'em I should close this off.

PeacE

Welp, I tried ...

 Friday late in the afternoon was my doctor appointment. As usual, I show up fifteen minutes early (habit) and sath the expected five minutes vefore begin called back. Weighed in (heavier than last month - wonder why) then sat in the room for an unexpected 20 minutes before the doc came in. Things were short and to the point. Decided to add another pill for the HBP. It shold help get it lowered to where we (meaning the doc) feels it is at a more comfortable level. We talked about the metformin - and as expected due to my glucose readings, the doc wants to double it up. That's when I asked about the extended release version. He took a couple minutes and looked it up right there in the room, and said that it was available for that level of prescription, and that he would do that when the order was placed. Then I sat there for another 25 minutes (very much unexpected) while they called in my new 'scripts, and gave me my appoiontment results. Overall I was in there over an hour - where usually I am in and out in like 25 minutes. Weird.

Saturday I went to the Walgreens near our house. I needed to drop off the bottles for new prescription refills for a couple of the pills I take, and sai dI would be back to pick them and the new ones up. Took the Wife out to breakfast at Ronnies (one of our faves) and did the bank run for the Wife. Went back to Walgreens to find out that one of the new scripts was not approved by the insurance. Of course - it is the extended release metformin-type (I forget the actual name off the top of my head). When asked the cost outside insurance....over $2000 for the 3-month suppply that was scripted. Yeah, not paying out of pocket for that. The pharmacy had tried to contact the office, but it was late day Friday (I left the doctor's around 4:05pm) so they had not gotten a response at the time. I guess I will be calling this morning to explain and see if the doc can change it back to the non-extended release, or if there is a generic or something. Other than that, I got the three other pills.

Last week I ordered a new video game. I know, I don't play them often, but this was one that I had offhand been wanting to try for years - Grand Theft Auto V. I had amassed a whopping $30 gift code for Amazon by doing online surveys this past month, and the game was $29 and change, so bought it for the PC. My PC is a few years old. Still works great for everything I need, even if I have been ddebating getting a newer one. But my DVD/CD-Writer drive is compromised somehow. When playing a DVD it will occasionally just stop, but will resume once prompted. I found out, GTZ V is a 7-disc install, and it won't get past disc one, due to reading disc failure. I figured the drive had finally seen its end. I ordered a new one this weekend, and it showed up late yesterday. Today I will be dismantling the PC, and putting int he new one, then hopefully loading up the new game.

It is a Monday, and things will somewhat return to normal. Except that the Youngest is out of school this week. I think Wednesday is his last day. I will have to have him help plan out our little family vacation this year. Maybe put him in charge of the hotel search near the amusement park - finding one fairly inexpensive, but nice, etc. That will give him something to do than sleep all day. Though I know it will probably only take him less than a day to find someplace. Sigh.

Guess I am starting to ramble, which we sure don't want to happen too much.

PeacE

... and the Party is Over ....

I wonder how today is going to go. I say that with the sound of trepidation making resounding echoes. I got up this morning the same time as the Wife, and I went into the office to start my day. As the norm, I did my glucose count, then my blood pressure. Wait. That isn't right. My BP reading is usually higher. Did it again. Something still not right. I changed out the batteries. Third time is the charm right? Nope. By now the Wife is wondering what I am doing, and I explained that my BP reading was way lower than normal, and the cuff didn't seem to be inflating as much as it usually does.... something is not right. We did the wrist cuff monitor, and again, on the arm one. Twice more it was lower than normal. Wife said maybe it is accurate, and I just slept better and was better rested. I don't know, but I logged the last reading for the Doc, whom I will be seeing this afternoon.

The Youngest left for school. The Wife left for work. I splurged. I ran up the road to Wendy's and got a baconator breakfast meal. Usually I just have a granola bar for breakfast, but this morning, something more called out to me. So as I finish up my seasoned potatoes, and lick my fingers, I share this with you.

Weekend plans? I don't have any. Probably wait and see how I feel. After the Doc visit later today, I am sure he will up the dosage of my metformin (and I will be asking for an extended release type) so I am sure I will have the shits all weekend. This last week plus have not been terrible, dealing only a few days of this, instead of constant. Enough talking shit already.....

PeacE

Another Late Night to Start the Week

 I just gave up laying in bed for the last hour plus. When I went to bed, I felt tired, physically and mentally, but once in there, the mind just won't shut down. Not stress or worries, just things I know I need to get done this week like appointments, etc. My usual methods of trying to empty my head and relax the body just weren't working well tonight, so finally just decided to get up for a bit. Figured I could throw some words here, maybe watch an episode or two, and take another try at sleeping.

Just got news this morning that the Oldest Son will not be available Wednesday to celebrate his birthday. Seems he had just found out that night, by phone, from the store manager, that they are sendinghim up to the Payson store. Evidently, something about their inventory crew supposedly 'walked out' with only a week until their inventory. I hope they are compensating him well for the traveling, with the comps for food and hotel. He said he wouldn't make it back until Friday, shortly before he has to return to his store for his regular shift that night. I guess we will try for another time the following week. We do have a couple presents for him.

Nothing exciting happened this weekend. I went out Saturday and hung out at teh VFW for a few. Sunday I stayed home and pretty much played on the computer. Watched a few episodes, played some video games. Have my diabetic eye screening tomorrow, with the  regular eye exam as well. SO I should have a prescription for new glasses I will go shopping for new frames and all after getting our vision insurance info from the Wife in the next day or so. I might splurge this time and get those tints that darken in light, and lighten in dark - forget what it is called. Usually I just do the anti-scratch and glare. Think I just might splurge....

Welp, not much else I can think to write about. I see that Phoenix Suns (NBA) lost  Game 7 to the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Guess they are now done for the year.

PeacE

Things That Happen With Age

 Today's topic is not going to be me whining - well, at least about my body getting older and falling apart. It's more about my lunch outing with my brother and PT yesterday. I know I have mentioned several times the dementia that is slowly occuring with his advancing age. RM writes about it at times on her blog - it is something that affects those around him. Lunch was a boring affair.

To be honest, I really didn't want to go to lunch. I never know what to expect PT to talk, or ask questions about. Most times, I feel he does it just to gripe about other people. Well, we sat down and were pretty much ready to order when we got there. I had salad, brother had salad and soup, PT had spaghetti and soup. Then most of the next 45 minutes was PT asking about a show he was watching on Amazon Prime (which I had already talked to him about on Tuesday). Then topics floated around other shows, then about some things going on with my nephews. Thankfully I didn't have to talk much, and I didn't mind that at all - more time to eat. PT just does not have any experiences to talk about. He kept mentioning they were going out of town in August, which they do every year, and I reminded him we know as they do it every year. His response was but this year they were staying in an air-bnb versus a hotel. 

Whatever.

I can't say I have anything going on to talk about wither, though. After lunch I went down to the VFW for a couple hours. It was good to see some people there I had not seen in a couple weeks. Some were asking me to come down Saturday night for karaoke, but I told them I don't know. Then I went over to another bar closer to home. Met up with another friend there for a couple drinks, then picked up pizza  for the family. Guess what is for lunch? Hawaiian (for the Wife's weird smell/taste thing) or 5 meat. Not much else on the agenda.

PeacE

Not Quite the End of the World

 I saw my doctor about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I know I mentioned it on here, because it was all about the new meds, and how I have become diabetic, etc. Well, in our discussion period, I mainly recall about the meds and side effects, and I don't recall everything being said. It must be my selective hearing, and I turned it off at some point. I received a call about 2 weeks ago, from a Nutritionist, stating he was referred by the doctor to set up an appointment with me to discuss eating habits and what to avoid, etc. I pretty much blew them off. I have no interest in 'being told' what I am supposed to eat, not eat, how much, etc. I know I need to lose weight, and I am working on it. I know I need to eat healthier, and I am workign on it. Yesterday I get a call from an eye doctor. Seems my medical doc decided to refer a diabetic eye screening as well. Sigh. More shit to pay for. But this one I went ahead and set an appointment for Monday. It won't hurt to have the old eyes looked at for possible early signs of anything diabetic. I know I need to get in for an updated prescription as well soon.

My medical doc is just going 'all out' on this stuff. I should feel happy about it, I guess, that he is doing all he can think of to 'help' me get the information I need to take care of myself better. Or is ti to 'cover his ass'? I don't know, maybe that's just the pessimist in me coming out. I have been keeping a doily log since my last visit. Each morning I do a glucose meter reading, followed by my BP reading. This log helps the doc see how the meds I am on are working on a daily basis. That being said, I have a strong feeling he is going to increase the diabetic, as my sugar levels have been flip-flopping between 175-250 with no consistent reading. And those side effects? I felt were mostly gone know - until yesterday.

I went over to RM's the other day to drop off her Mother's Day present. It wasn't much, but it was a something, and she seemed to really like it. I hate buying gifts, I just feel I am not good at it. Anyways, as we visited for a bit, I menitoned how I was basically taking this week off work. Immediately PT asked about doing lunch. Sigh. I couldn't outright say no without lying, so I told him ok. Then my brohter couldn't meet at the time PT wanted, and the chain of texts....sigh. I finally just told PT to tell me what time was decided, and finally I go that text. So we are meeting around 12:30 today at Olive Garden for lunch. It will be a weird lunch. I already shared everything I had going on so nothing new to add. I just hope I am not feeling nauseous from the meds. At least I can have salad today.

Well, today's bit of good news - the Youngest gets to take the bus, and I don't have to take him 4/5 days of the week. Even though that would mean "getting up early" on days I am not working, or at least stopping work for 30 minutes to do it. OVerall, just one hassle I don't have to worry about.

PeacE

An Early Morning

 I woke with a start this morning. At 4:22am, I was just suddenly wide awake. Didn't hear any weird noises, or the animals doing whatever. I just woke up. I laid there a few minutes, trying to figure out what exactly it was. Nope, not the early wake-up to go pee. No noises. No alarm. I just don't know. So I laid there another fifteen minutes, trying to get back to sleep, but knew it was not going to happen. I went into the office and played some Warcraft until about 6:30. I need to run the Youngest to school this morning. Seems his 'zero hour' (band) has changed the hours for the remainder of the school year to 7:30 (instead of the usual 7) and not sure if his bus will get him to school in time. Will find out tomorrow (no band on Wednesdays) and that will determine if I need to take him the rest of the time or not. When he was going earlier, the Wife was able to drop him off.

My project for work pretty much finished up for my part in it yesterday. I am taking a few days off to 'reset' my mental state before contacting them to let them know I am ready to move to another one. This last one ran much longer than expected, and the client required more of us each time it neared completion at each stage. It's business, and I usually don't mind, but it truly was mentally draining. Hopefully by next week I will be ready and something will be there.

Other than that, not much on my agenda this week. Finished up a couple book reviews I needed to do yesterday, and have no new ARCs to worry about at this moment. I do need to get out to RM's and drop off her Mother's Day present. I might do that today (no promises RM). I know I need to fuel up as well (a wonderful $50+ expense - thanks Joe Biden). Probably run the vehicle through the car wash again, too. Or, after dropping the Youngest, I may go back to bed and sleep in a bit this morning. I do feel somewhat tired.

Welp, I guess I should get on with my doing not much of anything.

PeacE

Mother's Day 2022

 We spent the day in Tucson yesterday. On an almost last-minute decision, I made suggested we head down there for the day, just to get out of town. We also needed to bring down the grand daughter's presents since we were not able to be there the middle of last month. Turns out the SIL bday is very soon, and Monday is their wedding anniversary, so we loaded up on the presents and drove down. Everyone liked their presents, and Doodad just loved the nerf bow and arrow set I got her.

Today I have nothing really special planned. I have already sent a text to RM wishing her a good day. I do have a present for her, that came late yesterday, and I will try to get some time this weeke to get it out to her. That package also has a gift for my Wife, so I guess I should get it opened and ready for her when she awakes. She may try to drive today. Her eyes have been dilated from Tursday's appointment as of yesterday (they use some strong stuff).

I bet on the #6 horse in yesterday's Kentucky Derby. The horse was Messier. I did a $20 for WIN, and of course, that means I lost. Well, it was fun to try.

Not much else going on. Prolly a new project for work, but not sure what day.

PeacE

The Best Laid Plans ....

 The eye surgery on the Wife went just fine, I am guessing. Though they were running an hour and a half later than what we were told. Which meant we had to drive home in rush hour traffic. Of course, I took the side-streets to avoid the slow freeways. Well, that and the Wife was feeling nauseous, and I wanted to be able to turn onto a side street if she needed to empty the empty stomach. No way was I letting her puke in my new car! I stopped and picked up an early dinner on the way home as well.

This afternoon is her follow-up appointment - about the same distance as the surgery, just in the opposite direction.I'm sure they will tell her she can have the eye uncovered, and will be able to start driving as early as tomorrow. The Wife has taken time off work until Monday. The appointment is late enough this afternoon, that I called PT and explained. I was not driving out past his house, then back home, and back there for dinner. He said he would think about it and call me back. No call back yet. I did reach out to my brother, who told me he couldn't go as it is his daughter's final choir concert. So it looks like no dinner with PT tonight.

Good note: I got my stuff back! It was a pretty short trip from the surgery center to the precinct to pick up my keys, etc from the accident. I only had to wait maybe 10 minutes after giving them the form I had to fill out to let them know what I was there for. Then I had a thought. When I bought the newer car, I only got one key. I am writing the manager today saying I was told I would get the second one when the customer brought it in, and so they owe me a new one (explain more later). I could maybe use the old key and just have them recode it for the newer car. No, unfortunately, the Rav4 actually has a key for the ignition, and the old key doesn't fit. So onto that letter to the manager of the dealership. I was talking to my attorney friend last night, and explained about the key(s). He said I should just have the manager make a new key for my car, since I was told I was getting a second key. If they don't, then he knows a guy 'high-up' in the chain of the company that runs many of the dealerships in the valley. He could give him a call and have him ...etc etc. We will see...

Welp, off to see if I can get the Wife to go out for lunch.

PeacE

What's Going On ....

 I'm off work the next couple days. The Wife is having eye surgery today, and of course needs a driver. Then tomorrow she will need me to drive to her post-op follow-up appointment. I told the Company yesterday that I would check back in Friday morning, but from what I see of material left to complete, the project may have ended by then. Which worksout well, as I feel I need a couple days off to rest the mental faculties. This project has been a bit harder than most.

The Wife's surgery is scheduled for this afternoon. We found out last week, that even though I am her driver, no one is allowed to wait in the waiting room. Which means I need to find myself somewhere for an hour and a half. Works out that since I am halfway to downtown, I will head over to the Property Holdings building of the Phx PD. The local precinct had said they would have sent my keys, etc down there. Hopefully it won't be an issue getting them back. That should take up some of the time. Then I will probably see if I can find a burger shop and sit/read with a drink until I pick the Wife up.

I have been anxious to get my specialty plate onto the new vehicle. I went down to the DMV satellite office not far from me this morning. Turns out I cannot change it over until I get the new car registration in the mail. Otherwise, they say I am not in the system for the new car. At least they said the two years I paid with the new plate, should transfer over easily, and I would be refunded the year I paid at the dealership. Here's to that coming true. I also stopped and ran the car through the car wash. I enjoy having that unlimited monthly deal. I take it through there at least 3-4 times a week, just because that wash is on my way to most places I travel.

No work today meant I was able, or rather, had the opportunity, to sleep in a bit later. That didn't really happen though. Still had to get the Youngest up and make sure he made it out the door for the bus. Them PT called me. Asks me if I am free Thursday afternoon around 4:30. I said I would know for sure later today, but depends on the follow-up appointment time and location for the Wife. I guess he wants to get my brother and I to meet up with him at an Olive Garden. That has my mind whirling a bit. Usually when he wants to get us together it is to share some 'big news' that he feels he needs to do on a personal level. I have no idea what he will bring up this time. He is in his mid-80's, and has some memory issues. Possibly slight dementia, just due to age. Maybe he is saying he will hang up his car keys finally (though he will probably drive there and home still). I don't know, but I am leery about the whole thing. Maybe he will just bring it up that he is concerned about my brother's and mine drinking - though, for both of us, that is not a problem of late. Neither of us get out much anymore. Who knows? With RM out of town for like three days, I'm sure he just wants to have a reason to get out of the house, and eat out.

Hmmmm, some good news.... So I haven't had issues with the backyard trots the past couple of days. Maybe the body is getting used to the medication. If it starts up again, I'll speak to the doc and get a slower release type. Doc may change it up al ltogether, as my sugar count is still above 200 regularly (even with the two days that were under). One day at a time ....

PeacE

Brunching It

 I went out to the VFW last night. It had been since Monday that I was last there. There are a few people that I enjoy to catch up with on Saturdays, plus there is karaoke. When I got there, a wedding and reception were just starting. Great. That means a crowd of people. But I preservered. I made it to 9pm, when they had the Queen of Hearst draw. I won twice. I won a quarter drink, and I got to pick for the queen. I didn't get her, but got a Jack, which is $25. The pot rolls on at just under $1200 now.

While I was out, I texted my brother. A week or two ago he was PO'ed at certain people that attend the VFW in a personal matter, and was not "blessing our prescence" with his. So I asked last night if he was ever going to come up there again. It is usually the only time we see each other and catch up, though his wife is along and tries to hear everything we talk about. Anyways, he said once some issues were cleared up, maybe by mid-June. So now I'm curious what is going on, so I invited him out to breakfast this morning at Golden Corral. I got about an hour before I meet up.

This morning is the second day in a row my sugar count has been under 200, and my BP was in the target range the doc wants me to have. Maybe these meds are working. I didn't have any issue with diarhea yesterday (surprisingly) so maybe that side effect is lessening. If not, on advice from Just an Average Joe, I will bring up to my doc for a slow release med, that should help lessen the effects. Thanks Joe!

Today's more positive thought: When I turned in the rental car last week, I made sure they were aware of the crack in the windshield that happened on the freeway. Ny insurance doesn't cover glass, so I told them to hold on to my deposit, plus what fees I was getting back (nearly $400) and cover the cost of the windshield. Enterprise called me last week, and said they were crediting the full amount back to me. I explained about the windshield. The gal said it was all taken care of already, and I would credited back the full refund due me like normal. Yea! 

Guess I gotta take care of a couple things before I head out.

PeacE