Making Plans to Sleep

 Yesterday pretty much wore me out, though it wasn't anything I really did for that to happen. I spent most of the day watching a couple football games with friends, then the Wife and I went out to dinner. I was in bed around 10pm, yet find myself wide awake at 3:30 this morning. I was planning on getting some errands done this morning, when places open, but I have a feeling I will be asleep, trying to make up for this morning's early wake-up.

Speaking of things needing to get done, I really need to get up to the cell carrier's store. I am due an upgrade, and I have been having issues the past couple weeks with my cell. Seems if it drops down to 40% power, it automatically will shut off and not restart unless it is has been charged for at least 30 minutes. Crappy Moto-X phone! Think I'll go with a regular Samsung this time. Oh, then the joy of transferring contacts, etc.... so not looking forward to that.

I was also hoping to get over to the 99 Cent store to get some more flavor packets for my water. If not there, somewhere I can buy some tea. For some reason I have been craving it quite a bit lately.

I was a bit displeased last night at the place the Wife and I had dinner at. It is a place called Longhorn, and is labeled as a 'steak place'. It is close to our house, which is nice. The Wife and I had ate there a few years back, and found it comparable to the steak places on either side of it - Texas Roadhouse, and Black Angus. Literally, these three steak competitors had restaurants right noext to each other! Of course, Black Angus went out of business some time ago, so now it is only the two, with an Outback on the other side of the freeway.

Anyways, this place looks 'poshier' than Texas Roadhouse, and the atmosphere is much quieter without all the singing/dancing from the waiters/waitresses. The menu is comparable to TR's, and is a little more procey, but sometimes worth it for the quieter atmosphere and quicker seating than the other place. So we are seated promptly, and get our orders in. They bring some complimentary bread/butter, where the bread was hard and cold, the bitter seemed to be frozen. When our meat dishes arrived the Wife found here's was rare (ordered medium) mine was medium (ordered rare) and we were only asked once about drink refills (at the time of them bringing the meat). I was quite dis-satisfied. I do get better table service and correct meal orders at Roadhouse, so I guess I am back to having to deal with the louder noises and dancing.

PeacE

Do I Got the 'Rona?

 I hadn't realized it had been pretty much a week since I last wrote. Things around here have been busy (to me) this past week.

Last Sunday we did get to have dinner with Daughter and family. I invited RM & PT, so they got some time with them as well. I know it made RM happy, and I was happy to share the time with them instead of 'hogging' them to myself. I was generous, as Washington won their game against Green Bay (that's what I say anyways). Youngest went back to a semi-regular marching band week: Tues night practice, early mornings, Friday night game. Add in the competition (on the other side of town, go figure) today. Thursday night one of my buddies took me to a Grand Canyon Univ hockey game. I know nothing about hockey, or next to nothing, yet had a good time. Afterwards, we went to the pub and it was college night, so the team showed there for some of the Halloween dress-ups. Friday night, whilst the Youngest was at an away game, the Wife and went out for dinner, then relaxed at home. Today she will be driving across town (a good hour) to watch the Youngest perform, but I don't feel up to it.

In fact, I am not feeling totally great at all. Yesterday, I woke feeling nauseous, and just 'out of sorts'. Nothing would come up, or out, and I skipped my meds just because I didn't want possible extra nausea. All day I felt like this, add in hot/cold flashes, cold sweats, and tiredness. I laid down for about an hour, no napping, but felt a little better, so still went to dinner with the Wife. After eating some food, I felt a bit better, but this morning am still not back to regular. I'm guessing a stomach bug, or flu variant. I am pretty sure it is not the 'Rona.

I feel like I have way too much to accomplish in a short time, and some of it I just cannot completely do myself. Our tree out front had died of unknown causes earlier this summer, and we were able to get it knocked down, and out of the ground. It needs branches trimmed down (and trunk) to about 4 foot lengths so they pick it up in bulk trash next month. Which needs to be done first, as the grass needs mowing, and trimmed, as well before some asshole neighbor "reports" it and the city sends out a notice of grass being too high (very personal peeve). I just physically cannot do it all, and the Youngest has been busy with school/band he has not been any help. Middle Son tries to help when he can make it over. Maybe this weekend we can get his help. Sunday may be able to get Youngest to help as well.

No news on the work front. Still waiting to hear of any new projects. I feel I may have to send a reminder that I am available, just to get their attention.

Have three books I was approved for this last week, so will be busy reading in my free time to get the reviews done. One was a book I kind of was hoping would be coming out soon, the other two were just a couple picks that sounded good.

PeacE

Been a Busy Week

 This week has abeen a bit busier for some of us here in the d00d household. It is Homecoming week, and the Youngest has had something going on almost everynight. Tuesday was practice, Wednesday was the spirit bonfire, Thursday was the actual Homecoming Game, and tonight he has yet another proactice. Saturday they will be going to Flagstaff for the NAU Band Day. Which the Wife and I are going to attend. She wants to 'get out of town', and watch her son perform. I am not a fan of her driving that far, and then the return drive late at night. So that means I am going as well..

Homecoming this week also for my alma mater. Tonight is their homecoming game, and over the past couple weeks I have seen many post on social media about alumni going to the game. I signed up as a maybe - only because I am not sure I want to go. Also there is a lunch today for previous band members that I was invited to go to, which I also said 'I would try' but am not sure about attending. I like the "feeling" of participating in the spirit of homecoming, but I just don't know if I want to deal with the crowd (like I'll have to on Saturday) and do I really want to see how old people I knew in HS have gotten? Granted, some of us have kept in contact since HS, but very few. It's 9am, so I guess I have a little time to make a decision.

Daughter's family is trying to make it up to visit this weekend. I already let her knwo we are out of town Saturday, but would be open for plans on Sunday - depending on what they have planned. Hoping to be able to have dinner Sunday evening before they head back.

PeacE

Break Time is Over!

 Well, break time is over for the Youngest. He returns to school today, and all the extra band practices, games, competitions. It was a bit weird last week, when he had a home game they had to play... on the Fall Break. I don't recall them ever having to do that before....

No news on the work front for me. I know part of the HR/Recruiting staff were on vacation last week, so hopefully with them back in this week, some projects will be setting up to bring people in on. Though I do admit, in some ways it has been nice being off the last few weeks, I am ready to concentrate on something and make a few dollars.

Didn't do much this past weekend. Stuman, my brother, celebrated his 48th birthday. His wife was out of town celebrating her birthday (earlier in the week) so brother invited several friend s to his place on Saturday. I did end up going, feeling obligated somewhat. Only a few friends showed up, and I was there most of the afternoon and into the evening. A lot of rain (for AZ) came Saturday, and really soaked the ground, so Sunday, the Youngest pushed over the dead tree in our front yard. It wasn't huge - about 6-8 inches thick in the trunk. But it was dead, and bulk trash is coming up here in a couple weeks. Need to finish getting it chopped down to size for pick-up.

No plans this week, unless a project comes along. I need to get up to Walgreens, hopefully today, to pick up a prescription they notified me about. I think it is more glucose test strips, but am not sure. This mornings readings were back int he better/regular range than some of the ones from last week. Gonna change that up now as I drink some Sweet Tea from Church's Chicken. Boy, is that sweet!

PeacE

Will They or Won't They?

 Thursday Night Football is happening tonight, and I have plans to meet my regular Sunday morning football buddies tonight for the game. Washington vs Chicago I think (without looking it up) and both teams are like 1-4 so far this season. Will my Washington Redskins (hate thinking them as the Commanders) win or not? Hard to say.

So Monday, I did a little online shopping for a new gas dryer. I checked a couple used appliance places, and the larger stores that have appliances. Lowe's came out aheaad with pricing, and though it was new, was reasonable. After the Wife got home, I went over what I found and she agreed, so Tuesday, the Youngest and I went to get one ordered. Turns out they did not have any in stock at the store, or the local distribution warehouse (even though on the website, it said they had them in stock. I had to pick another dryer, and of course, the next lowest in price was about $110 more than the one I wanted. Either way, a good half hour was spent of them getting it ordered for delivery for Friday, no install, no removal/pick-up of the old one (they charge for all that, but delivery is free).

The Middle Son came by Wednesday morning to help get the old dryer out of the utility room, and tells me it isn't a gas dryer, but electric. I go out and look, and sure enough. So another trip was made to Lowe's and refunded the cost for the gas one, purchased an electric one, set up delivery, etc. And I saved $130 because not only was the lower priced one available, it was on sale. So now just waiting on Friday delivery, then Saturday will be putting it in.

I did end up getting some iced tea the other day from the $1 store. I lucked out and they had the Gold Peak brand (my favorite) and I bought a couple quarts. Youngest picked out some soda he likes, then I threw in some salami for lunch sandwiches. I also picked up some pre-made salads to go with my sandwich for lunch.

That brings us back around to today being Thursday. The Oldest Son came by about 7am this morning. He had a package delivered here ne needed to pick up, and we ended up visiting for a couple hours. It was good to catch up like that. Upon leaving I told him I hoped to see him before Thanksgiving, and he replied he would try to get his scheduled cleared soon for a time for him and I to 'hang out'.

Nothing on the work front. I did get an email yesterday for a project, but it is if you are an Attorney. Our company does do some judicial doc review stuff, and that's when they need the atty. I am not one, but have been asked several times if I am from different managers at work. I guess my non-legal doc review/data review is good enough they think I was law school trained. Now that's funny!

PeacE

Monday Morning Downers

This morning has brought my crappy Monday feeling to a new low. I had a good day yesterday with some buddies (even though my team lost - again) and the Wife and I had a nice dinner out at Anzio's Italian (I had the antipasto salad and it was delish). Headed home, and again I was tired early so went to bed around 8pm. Woke up around 2am, and just could not sleep well the rest of the night. many wake-ups and roll-overs. Sweating and feeling hot (though it was a nice temp in the room). Then this morning, as I am doing my glucose and BPO readings, they are higher than I have seen them in the last six months. What? I've been taking the meds. I've been eating better/healthier. I've cut out a lot of sugars. But yeah, the numbers were a bit high today.

The Wife then informed me, as she prepared to head out the door to work, that when she went to do a load of laundry last night, the dryer decided to not work. Something about when she went to set the timer, it did not click at all, and the dryer would not turn on. It is quite older. I think the MIL bought it used several years before she passed away. So now I need to figure out what to do. I think I will end up over at a local used appliance place and see how much for a used one is. The cost for getting a tech out to look at the issue, then the fees for parts and labor are just out there - I know, I worked for an appliance repair company. And of course it is a gas dryer, so a little rarer to find. Looks like I will be tripping out either today or tomorrow.

I heard my email notification sound go off a few times last night in between my short naps, yet nothing in my email this morning regarding work. I was hoping to get out in the front yard today and see about trimming out some of the grass that has grown up into the rosebush and etc along the front of the house as it is starting to look pretty shaggy. With summer finally starting to cool off, it will be more bearable now to do it. But I admit, I just don't feel motivated to do it right this morning.

Welp, I've had my meds, and partaken of some ice cold water. I should scrounge around and see about finding something for breakfast (supposed to take some pills with food). I've a hankering for iced tea for the past several days, and it has not lessened today. I drank several glasses Saturday whilst at breakfast, and had several last night as well at dinner. Might have to go to the $1 store and see if they have any teas on sale, like AZ Tea, or Lipton in a  2-liter. But that constitutes going out in public, which I don't feel like doing right now. It'd be a couple hours til they open anyways. Maybe then I'll feel different.

PeacE

Sunday, Sunday Sunday!

 Another Sunday has happened along, and yes, I will be heading up to the pub to hang out with some buds to watch some football this morning. With DST in effect, here, the games start about 10am, so we usually start out with a couple Bloody Marys, loaded with some goodies to munch on (bacon, pickle spears, celery, etc). I'm sure today will not be any different than last week. I do have one bet that Washington beats Tennessee, so we will see how that goes. The bet is only for a beer (+/- $5 cost) as I am not a big gambler, and also do not have much faith in my 1-3 team.

Saturday morning had a wonderful time having breakfast with RM. She had mentione dthe Black Bear Diner for breakfast, and I had not been there for that meal of the day before, so it was a new experience. I had the corned-beef hash, and it was good... I picked at it until it was gone, even though I was full about halfway through the meal. Several iced teas washed it all down. Conversation was a little off at first, as we share enough basics in our blogs, it seemed there was not much to really catch up on, but eventually it went better, as we could be more specific and onto other details that maybe we don't share online. Overall, was a nice time.

Not sure what is going on this week. The Youngest is on school break. I probably will be contacting the Company and letting them know I am ready to get back to work, though I am not sure if they will have anything right away for me. I kind of would not mind a few extra days off, but it has been three weeks or so since I last was ona  project. Between my back getting better, and adjusting to the new meds/dosages, it is about time I get back to normally working. 

Speaking of meds, I am starting to wonder if they are working. I know certain foods store as sugar, etc, and I have been trying to cut sugars (soda, candy, etc) out of my diet, but even my glucose count is still showing higher, even with an added prescription. And my BP ... well, it is still pretty much in the same range as it was prior to increase in the script I take for it. Maybe some more time for the body to adjust to it... though it has been over a week - nearly two, since the changes.

I am up a bit early today. For some reason, I was in bed by 7:30 last night. I was so tired I could hardly stay awake. No idea why. I had gotten up for breakfast, and spent most of the day playing Warcraft, or watching social media, etc. I had not done anything streneous (like I would...lol). I did wake a few times during the night, but was able to fall back asleep. I finally woke/got up around 4-something. Thinking of going and lying back down to try for a couple more hours. Will see....

PeacE

"It Comes In Threes" They Say ....

 This past Sunday, the Wife received a text message from the Daughter. It seems both she and the SIL were feeling poorly (fever, feeling blah, etc) biut my Doodad seemed to be feeling fine. Later another text came in that the SIL had used one of the at-home Covid tests, and it showed positive for him. The curb-side testing was scheduled for the Daughter and Doodad for Monday. Monday I got a text that now Doodad was having a fever and not feeling well, and then later on, I got the text that yes, all three of them had tested positive for Covid. Sigh. The plan had hopefuilly been that they would be up to visit this next week while Doodad was on break, but that is now changed. Sigh. I do feel for them....

The Youngest's marching band competition went well. They placed third in their division (out of the seven bands there). Their next competition is a week from Saturday at NAU. Only another month and a half until marching season is over - and so are the extra night practices we have to be sure we are available to take/pick him up. Plus the Friday football games. I should be used to it, having had three kids do this for four years each, and this is the Youngest's third year. I'm happy to say, there is only one mor eyear left of it.

Saturday, RM and I plan to meet up for breakfast. She suggested Black Bear Diner, which is about halfway between our homes. I haven't beenthere in awhile, and before, it had generally been for dinners. I'm looking forward to seeing their breakfast menu, and time with RM, of course. 

Still dealing with adjustments to my medication changes. the end of last week showed me doing multiple express travels to the restroom. This week, that has resumed regular traveling speeds and necessity. I spent most of yesterday feeling nauseous, though not quite to the point of throwing up. I asked the Wife to bring home some Sprite to hopefully settle the stomach (it did). This morning I am feeling just a touch of nausea, but will see what happens since I just took my meds for the day. I do have some Sprite leftover just in case ... if it really helps with it.

I guess it is time to start trying to figure out Christmas stuff. We haven't had much of a chance to get presents early, though I know we have a few small items for Doodad. Seems we always find something to get her, and say for bday or Christmas, but end up just giving it to her because. I do have a couple ideas for the kids, that I will order this month to be sure they arrive in time. Others I will have to think of something. I'm sure Saturday I will be asking RM for ideas for her and PT, though each year it is usually the same stuff (PT-socks, sweatshirts, etc; RM nothing...as a rule). I know I am pretty much the same way - nothing for me. If anyone asks, I usually say beef jerky, or pickles, or similar.

That reminds me I have something for RM I will need to remember to bring Saturday morning. I could hold onto it until Christmas, but I picked this up a while back, and just haven't had the chance to get it to her. Just a little 'something'. I know when she reads this she will get a little excited, as she loves little unexpected gifts (don't we all?).

Welp, I got nothing much else to share at the moment, so guess I should mosey on and figure what I am going to do today. Think I might head to the VFW this afternoon depending on how I am feeling.

PeacE