End Of Year Chores and Other Stuff

 Welcome to the last day of 2023. It is a nice 3pm here at this moment, and I am, preparing to go out for a bit to the pub. I won't be out late, as I hate the amateurs that think they can handle their alcohol. But I thought I would take a few moments to kinda recap this year... for me.

I'm, still working for the same Company, though projects this year were a bit more sparse than previous years. Hopefully this next week will find a project in my email ready to start, but I am not holding my breath. It is nice to be employed, though more hours would be nicer.

My health has improved. Through a number of doctor visits, we have gotten my diabetes back into a controllable range, and seemingly getting lower each time we check it. My BP is under control in a nice range the docs are happy with. I had to re-schedule the colonoscopy to mid January due to being sick, but it is still int he works to get done and find out those results. The docs are not happy with my fatty liver, from alcohol, though I have made efforts to reduce the amounts I was drinking. They can go stick it as far as I am concerned at this time. Still taking 5 prescriptions/day, plus the allergy pill and a vitamin (Centrum silver for those aged 50+). Overall, I feel healthier, though body pains are still there (knees, hips, and back). My weight has dropped from the beginning of the year, approximately 15 pounds.

I griped the other day about the notice from the city regarding one of our vehicles. Today I went out and did a 'tow truck trick' I found on youtube that got it out of park, and the Youngest and I rolled it so it is sitting at the end of the drive. Then I went online to Wounded Paws and set up to donate it. I will hear from them in the next 48 hours, and they should be coming to pick it up. I'll help the tow driver push it onto the street so he can hook it up, and it will be gone. Also got the new battery into the car the Youngest will get, and ran it for awhile. He has instructions to start it up every few days and let it run, unless we get some time out to practice his driving. Another thing to accomplish these early months so he will have his license by end of school year.

Caught up on all our bills, medical and otherwise for the year. Hopefully the Wife will have her W-2 by early February, and I will get taxes filed and done. No major trips planned as of now for this next year. Youngest graduating is the main plan as of now.

I lost too many friends this past year. I expect that number will slightly grow this next year, as we all get older.

I read 247 books, breaking my original goal of 200. I don't think I will start/finish one on this last day.

I've bettered family relationships, learning to let go of some of the anger I have had at certain people. In fact, I am doing lunch tomorrow at my Sister's home, and that in itself is a big step for me. I'm not saying I am completely over my issues, but I am trying to do better. My Brother is just a goofball idiot, and it is what it is, though we get along pretty good.

I have many good memories from this past year, most are probably of my granddaughter and time spent with her. A few are the rare times we were able to get all our children and families together for any reason. I was able to take RM out on a few "dates" though I don't think I made the quota for 1 each quarter.

I hope you each find happiness and joyful occasions as often as possible this new year that starts tomorrow.

PeacE

End of the Year Clean-Out

 The other day we received yet another notice from the city. This one reports that we have an inoperable car at our residence. We do. Buy who and why would they report it? I bet it is the same people that report my grass if it is over 6 inches high. That has been an on-going ordeal these past years - even when MIL & FIL lived here. Someone has it out for this house. The car is parked nicely on the driveway, and isn't sitting out int he front yard like trailer trash. It has been there for nearly three years, and NOW someone wants to complain. Why has it sat there so long? I can't get it out of park, in order to roll it onto the street, so the charity tow place can tow it (they can't pick up from driveways). The battery is gone (dead - non-chargeable) and the only other way to get it from park to neutral, that I have found (without buying a new battery) is to take the middle console out and more work than I wanted to do. Sigh.

So I have an old battery at hand. I am going to try to "jump" the car enough to get it out o park, then use the E-brake. If that doesn't work, then it is tearing it apart. I dread that. Just the hassle, etc.

So I am not happy today. The Wife also has to work some today to finish up EOM and EOY stuff. This last week has been short-handed on top of that. She has been working until 10pm most nights.

I need to get started on this car thing. Ugh.

PeacE

Another Commercial Holiday Over

 Christmas has come and gone, and I regret somewhat the amount of money we spent on presents, but I guess overall it was worth it. We had a good afternoon over at RM's and I don't know for everyone, but I know I enjoyed the gifts I received. One of the more favorite gifts for myself, a few hand-towels with family recipes for certain dishes that I enjoy, and now am able to look forward to making. Our late lunch/early supper of lunchmeat sandwiches was much more than I expected. RM had gone to the deli for meat versus just picking up some ones from the pre-packaged meat section. So there was pastrami, black forest ham, and more! Lots of iced tea for me (Thx Mom!) plus potato salad and deviled eggs.

Our second stop was at the Oldest Son's apartment, were we gathered the siblings for gifts exchanges. The Wife brought the annual stocking ball, and we found out the Oldest Son's GF is a natural! Giving out he gifts seemed like it would take forever, but I was finally able to sit down and open the few I received. I was happy with some homemade T-shirts my Daughter made, and the ordered in Hawaiian-style shirt the Wife got me, with pictures of Lucious, my kitty, showing off some of his different facial expressions. Afterwards, Middle Son had to head to work and the rest of us settled in to play some Cards against Humanity. By 10pm, the Wife and I were done and headed home. I even left the car unloading (except for food) until the next day.

Yesterday was mild. as I said I unladed a portion of the car. The Youngest got his stuff out this morning. I was feeling sort of weak throughout most of the day, and ended up napping a couple times. I'm guessing leftover from being sick, and then over-exerting myself Christmas with all the activity. My Sister has invited us for NYD lunch at her place. I have recently been trying to put our relationship into a better place. Needless to say, I don't want to speak of the event that sundered it... The Wife has to work, so I am debating if I want to go or not. I need to figure it out soon as needs to be known for how much food to supply.

Not sure what today will bring. I know I need to pick up meds from the store. Maybe a beer or two later on.

PeacE

Christmas Eve

 Almost 11:30pm, and yet I still cannot go to bed. The Wife has packages, presents, paper, boxes - all over the bed. Why she cannot do it at a table I do not know. But I have been trying to keep myself busy the past 3 hours. I was last told about 30 minutes ago she was "winding down". When I checked right now, they still are going. I asked about getting to bed.... no answer.

Tomorrow will be a busy one, even though we are only going to two places. I'm at the point I want this holiday over already. Might be because I am extremely tired right now.

Welp, off to see if I can get to bed now...

PeacE

Saturday, Pre-Christmas

 I am up sort of early. This week's sleep schedule has been soooo skewed from being sick, that even though I am trying to get back on track, there will be a few early mornings and late nights I am sure.

It is Saturday, and there is still so much that needs to be done for Christmas int he d00d household. Majority of it is wrapping, and the Wife does most of that (since she knows who gets what, etc). I know I still need to get my own wrapping done as well. Looks like two packages are not going to make it here in time, so that is four gifts I am missing.

I had gone out the other night, first time in almost a week - well, five days. As I was driving home I decided I should make my dessert this year. It's based off a recipe my Grandma Smith used back int he day, and was my Dad's favorite. Obviously, I have tweaked it since then. I shall wake the youngest here in a couple hours, and do what I hate to do - go out in public to a store two days before Christmas, for the supplies needed. Then he and I are going to make a couple batches (if I find enough supplies). If all works according to plan, I end up with 4 pie-sized portions of dessert. One to my buddy J, as I don't think I have ever made it for him before. I'm going to see about maybe giving one to my sister. The last two will go to RM's. Merry Christmas early RM, I know you'll read this before Monday!!

So I know what I need to get done, and now just to do it....

Edit: So I goofed. I realized I had forgotten a gift card for one person, so thought I would get that whilst at the store. Crowd wasn't terrible for 8am. I picked up my supplies and a couple other things needed then headed home. Was starting to put things away, and asked the Wife where the mixer/beaters were, then realized. I forgot the cherries I needed. Ugh! I don't want to go back. I'm tired of all the walking I just did. I thought maybe I could just order for pick-up, but they charge $$ if under a certain amount. So does Walmart come to find out. Amazon also charges more for same day if under $25. So, I just may not make it this year or at least for this weekend. It could wait until NYD, or until I am ready to go to the store....unless I can talk to the Wife into going today.....

PeacE

Ugh..... Sticky Keyboard

 I made the mistake of the other day, of opening a 2-liter soda in front of my computer. I was not thinking well (obviously) as it bubbloed and fizzed out as I was getting the cap of.... onto my keyboard. So today I am unhooking the wireless module, then running the keyboard under the faucet. Maybe get the stick away from the keys I use much of.... like s, ".", and other randoms. Shaking my head.

Got many other not so nice thoughts in my head tonight, but that happens when I can't sleep, the Wife is in bed sick, and I have no control over what happens. I am not saying I am a control freak, I just like to be able to plan for things. Right now, the next two days are ( waving arms madly in the air) I DON'T KNOW!!!

I know. Deep breaths. Find your center. I got that from movies versus an actual therapist. With my issues, I'd need a psychologist or better to figure my mental issues... damn sticky keys.

BE back after Christmas...... with a clean keyboard I hope.

Enjoy your holidays. Love your family.

PeacE

A Little Update

 I woke this morning feeling much better, so I think I may be pretty much over this bug. I feel for the Wife though, as she is just starting it. She has today off, as it was requested for my procedure, and she said she still has plans to get some things done today, even if she is sick. We will see.

Youngest's last day of school for the year is today. out of three classes, he only has one final to take. Then he is done until 1/9/2024.

Shopping online. I know RM has stated she has done quite a bit of her shopping online - mostly through Amazon I am guessing. I did a little through them. I think in the future, I will be doing more. There were a couple other sites I have come across that had items I wanted to purchase for Christmas, and so I did. Turns out they are based in China, and looks like of two orders, neither will be here for Christmas. I got burned on this early this year when I bought a couple carved wooden canes. Freaking Asians can't tell the difference between AVENUE And DRIVE, so the package was delivered (two months late) to the wrong address. Then when I went to seek reparation/refund, the site was no longer online. So these past two sites, I looked to be sure they were US based, and from all I could tell, they were. Nope. Tracking is in a Chinese delivery, and both said it would be 10-19 days to arrive. I went back to the two sites, and looked closer. One says based in LA, CA, the other NYC, NY. I notice now that neither has a phone number or physical address to contact them - only a generic looking email. I think that is the "tell" for future purchases.

Well, it is barely 9am, and I am headed back to bed. Had to get up to take Youngest as he missed his bus, and I am still tired - in body and mind- from being sick.

PeacE

It Has Happened ....

 Tuesday morning the fever started. Low grade, only about 100.4, but still there. By mid-afternoon it was up to 103. Coughing was worse, ribs hurt from coughing so much, achy all over. This morning, I called and cancelled/re-scheduled my colonoscopy for January. Late morning, the fever broke, but still feeling bad. Similar to what I had a few weeks ago, and I got over that in about three days, so hoping the same here. Unfortunately, the Wife came home with it tonight, starting with the cough and fever. Here's to hoping we will both be better by Christmas.

Not much else has happened except alot of sleeping here.

PeacE

Oh No ... This Better Not Happen!

 My work project finished yesterday around 1pm. I was able to lay down and take about an hour nap, but was having difficulty getting to sleep due to my allergies. The Wife had been doing quite a bit if cleaning and it has kicked up some much dander, or whatever, that my eyes are watering, nose running, draining down the neck, causing me to cough. Most days this is normal for me the first couple hours, but then my allergy pill kicks in, and I generally will be fine. But not yesterday. By the time I went to bed around 10, tired as heck still, the drainage was bad enough, my coughing was pretty constant, and that led to a much interrupted sleep. Now at 3:30am, my throat is sore, cough is there, and I am starting to worry about it getting bad enough I need to change my appointment. Rubbed some Vick's on the chest, took an allergy pill, a decongestant (to hopefully stop it dropping into my chest) and now the waiting game. Give it half an hour, and see if I feel better enough to get more sleep.

The Company did send me an email yesterday afternoon, asking me to return to work Tuesday for additional work on this project. Nice that they want me to do the next level of review work required, but I wrote back turning it down since I have a medical procedure that would me unavailable for work Weds and Thurs. No way am I going to try to work when I am up and running for the toilet so often! I explained I could return to work next week, but they responded that is fine, and I would be contacted then for placement on a project.

Even feeling as I do right now, I am going to try to make it down to Fry's today. I need to look into some powerade/gatorade type drink for tomorrow, plus some sodas. Maybe find some soup broth that I can heat up (no noodles). I also need to get gift cards. The Wife and I talked over who and what type I was thinking of getting, and we agreed. Hope to get it done by late morning... we will see my motivation if I get to sleep more.

Family plans are made, and the times scheduled in for our Christmas traveling/visiting/exchanging. I verified with RM yesterday, and then blasted our Family Chat with the details so everyone knows the plan. We are mixing things up a bit as the need to accommodate Middle Son. He has to work at some point The evening of Christmas - thanks Wal-Mart! But he will still be able to be a part of things the way we planned them out.

Already feeling a bit better. Gonna rub some more Vick's on in about 20 minutes, then see if I cen get some more sleep.

PeacE

Playing Catch-Up on Almost Everything....

 ... except sleep. I slept in way too late today, out of necessity I am sure. But still, it has made getting to sleep tonight (last night?) quite the troublesome thing to accomplish.

So once I rolled out of bed around 1pm (yes, I'm aware it is afternoon) the Wife and I went for lunch. I was feeling quite hungry, as had not eaten much the day before. I opted for the Chinese buffet place we like. Today I am starting on the "diet" that leads up to the colonoscopy I am having done Thursday. They suggest 'softer foods' a few days before, and as the date nears, to stop certain types of food/drink (no purple/red drinks - weird).  After I find out later this morning if I work today, or not, I should head to the store for some Ramens, of if I think of some other soft stuff (ice cream counts, right?) as I need to get a gallon of milk anyways.

Saturday was the 5th Annual Santa Run, and from what I remember, it was a good night. I imbibed much more than I should have, and unfortunately do not remember about half the night, but talking to SIL today, I asked if I was an ass at all. He said no, but told me one an incident that happened that he found funny. Of course, it was near the end of the night (close to closing time, or at least for us to get home). So that was good. We took SIL, Daughter and Doodad out to dinner tonight prior to them returning to Tucson until Christmas. There I had the steak filleted salad - and I could not eat all of it, as I was still somewhat full from the large lunch I had had. I did eat all the meat though. I'm sure at some point today, I will have a very fibrous BM. Two plates of salad at lunch, and 3/4 of a big salad for dinner. Lordy, Let's hope I don't clog up the pipes in the house.

Middle and Youngest sons have plans to go out to RM's today for some baking Christmas time with Grandma. Daughter and Doodad went yesterday, meeting up with a cousin and her daughter there as well. I heard at dinner some of the things they did while there. PT sounded like his regular self, yipping at the kids if they got too close the tree, or were 'running' from room to room. He's gotten so much worse in his older age, and I'm just talking about his attitude. And I am sure he wonders why no one wants to visit him... I'm not going there. But I got the impression that even RM was getting irritated with him. I'm sure there was plenty of eye-rolling going on, too. At dinner, Daughter had asked me if I had any ideas what to get PT for Christmas, and I immediately said 'An attitude adjustment, but I don't think any of us could afford it, as big as it needs to be'.

I still need to get out at some point this week and get some gift cards. I guess when will be determined by if I am working or not. I'm going to be off no matter what on Wednesday and Thursday, but obviously will be quite busy those days. I think there will be a slight rise in air-freshener spray market stocks this week.

Alright, it's barely 3am and the sleeping pills are not working. Looks like I am pulling an all-nighter. Time to find a movie that sounds interesting and kill time until 6am.

Edit: Went to bed around 4:30, but didn't get any sleep. Just a couple naps. Logged into work, and looks like I will be working at least part of today.

PeacE

Battles, Clashes, and Runs

 What a post title today! I'm sure you are confused, but that is my normal state anyways...

I dragged myself out of bed this morning around 9:30. I do mean dragged. I wanted to sleep more, but knew I have things to get done today. First is the game I have been playing for several months now. It is a Vikings-based game. Every Saturday they have a 'Clash" of four random clans that fight in an arena. There is a 4-round tournament, yada yada yada. Anyways, the event runs 7a-7pm (my time) so I am in and out of it all day doing battles. In fact I am playing as I type this...

At some point today I need to clear out my car. I have a couple pieces of trash that need to be bagged. Also some of the santa suit I wore last week to a party. I have been lazy and just not brought them in. They belong to my "good" Santa suit. I need to de-wrinkle the "bad" Santa suit, as tonight is our 5th Annual Santa Run! I have been really getting excited as this year I was able to get the SIL to go. I also always enjoy the time I have with my Oldest Son.

Monday will start my cleansing process, and I start on soft foods. So Sunday I will probably got out and buy some Ramens. I know, high in sodium, but it is only for a few days. Wednesday will be when I pop the tablets and drink the juice. Thursday is the colonoscopy.

The work Project carries over to next week. There was not much left in the pipeline to do when I logged off yesterday, but they may have a bit more. I will have to inform them that Wed and Thurs I will not be working.

Guess this post is short on content, and I thought I had more.... 

PeacE

Playtime Is Over

 Last Friday, late in the afternoon, I actually received an email from the Company. They had a possible project starting Monday. Of course I replied I was available, and answered some silly little questionnaire they had online. Over the weekend, through several emails, I was accepted onto the project, and started midday Monday. It is only 'supposed' to last one week, with a slight possibility for advanced work (which I do) into next week, but they are not sure as of that point. So today is day 3 of working again. That's good.

Christmas is fast approaching. I told the Wife I am done shopping except for gift cards, which I will do this Friday. Fry's has 4x fuel points that day, and I intend to rack some up!

The 5th Annual Santa Run is Saturday. As usual, the Oldest Son is going. I invited my SIL for his first time as well since they will be in town. Working numbers this week, trying to find out who is actually going and who is backing out.

That's about all the time I have today. Time to log off from work.

PeacE

Memories, and an In Memoriam

 I may, or may not have, shared about how my sleeping habits have been skewed for the past couple weeks. Aside from being sick over the last weekend, the sleeping has been erratic and seemingly, non-existent. I tend to sleep more between 8am and noon, than any other time of day. Regardless of this issue, a couple nights ago I had some strange dreamings (go figure) and one point stuck in my head after I awoke. We have to go back many years to when I was in second grade...

A short background. I grew up in Kirklin, Indiana. A small town that actually gets a dot on the map, but pretty much straight north of Indianapolis on 421 (the Michigan Road). Being a bit more rural, I was bussed to the school of the area, Clinton Central. I attended there from Kindergarten thru about half of my 5th grade year... but enough. We gotta drop back a bit.

Second grade was never a big remembrance. I think for many of us, aside from a catastrophic event, those early years are just blips, some may have small memories attached, but it is what it is. Mine are, until this one. I don't remember what time of year it was - fall, winter, spring. I just remember we had library day where as a class we would go to the school library. They had a 'pit' - a recessed lower area - where the librarian would read some sort of picture book to us. At the end, she would encourage us to go find a book we could 'check out' of the library for a couple weeks.

I never went book hunting. The picture book readings were stupid. I didn't want to look at picture books, so had no intention of checking on out. I think this went on for a couple weeks or so, and the librarian noticed I never went to look for books like the other kids. She gently confronted me, asking why didn't I...blah blah...I vaguely remember telling her it was because I had no interest in picture books, as there is no story to them. She took me aside, and we went back over the side of the library that was for 4th grade and higher, and she pulled a book off the shelf, handing it to me. "I think you might like this one then," she said. I glanced at the cover, which had a picture that looked interesting. Then I read the title.

"Nope. Not interested. I already read this one," I told her. She gave me a weird look. "My dad gave me several books he had as a younger kid, and the Hardy Boys was one of them. They are boring. You know they solve the case in every book."

With a nod, she placed it back on the shelf, and led me back to the main desk.

"Come back tomorrow at recess time, and I bet I will have something to interest you," she said. I think I just shrugged, and went on as it was time for the class to return to our rooms.

The next day, at first recess, I remember telling my teacher that I was to report to the library for recess, and she let me go. I walked in to that quiet sanctum, headed for the main desk, and the librarian sat there, watching me approach. In one movement, she placed a hard-backed book on the desk. No picture on it. Looked really thick (my 2nd grade eyes). "Take this and read it. In two weeks, come back and tell me if you like it, or if you need to finish it, or whatever.," she said.

"There's no check-out card," I mumbled. Remember those? Check-out cards?

"This is not a book from the library," she said. "It is my personal one, and as long as you read it, return it, and tell me about what you read, you can borrow it as long as needed."

Wow! Talk about special privilege!

Let's call that the end of that memory. The book she handed me that day was Tolkien's 'The Hobbit', and two weeks later, I was asking her to let me have it one more week, as I was almost finished reading it. This was one person in my life that helped encourage my reading...one of many. As it turns out, her son was also in my class, and we became somewhat friends, though, he was more for destructive ideas, versus my reading ones. Over a summer I spent time at his house (running through the woods, destroying whatever at his whim) and he at mine (can I kill your rabbits?). Sigh.

So this odd memory came up, and since there is nothing else to do at 3am, I did some googling (is that a word now?) to come up with some information. First thing I came across was yearbooks. That school, the same year I graduated, and saw names/faces. That son was there. As were many people that I was not happy with. Another story, another day. But Google did lead me to the obituary of Mrs. Gruelach. That librarian that knew I was something different and encouraged me to read more, above my level, and enjoy it. She passed away in 2018, and admittedly, I probably have not thought about her since ... 5th grade? Circa 1981? or so?

So, yeah. I'm a bit depressed. I'm sure the lack of sleep has nothing to do with that...duh... but in ways, I'm truly sorry I didn't know before. Obviously living out in AZ to get news like that from IN, well.... Is what it is. She is missed.

PeacE

Mid-Week Crisis (or I'm So Freaking Bored)

 Welcome to Wednesday, or as we called it in my younger days, Whiskey Wednesday, and then we would drink shots for hours into the night. I can't do that anymore (health, age, etc) but I still occasionally will have one or two. A buddy I meet up with once a week has asked to change from our regular Thursday to tonight, as he has plans tomorrow. So that means I will more than likely be having some Jack Daniels tonight.

I was book working this morning, meaning going through my emails, seeing what books have been recently released that I would like and trying to locate copies. I was able to get about four I had been watching the sites. I have one that signed up to read for a review that I need to get started. And according to my meter, I have read 237 books so far this year. I might make 240, but not much higher I feel. Not bad for an original goal of 200.

Christmas Shopping. Ugh! I hate shopping. Period. Now having to do it with having to think what could this person use/want/need. I just cannot do it. I think I may just end up doing a majority of gift cards this year. At least for the kids. When it comes to RM & PT, I have like an idea of one gift for each of them, then I'm out of ideas. RM would say it doesn't matter, but I know PT would want something versus nothing. I tell RM every year to not bother getting me anything, but you know how mothers are....

And speaking of gifts... the Wife's birthday is in a couple days, and as usual I have no ideas of what to get her. I know I will pick up some pajamas for her, for Christmas, then <shrug> no clue. I actually was talking to her about it the other night, and she mentioned she would love the pan set she had been watching before it went off sale. Of course, it is no longer on sale, and she bought it before the sale ended... so it still counts as a gift, even though she bought it before her birthday? I would have gotten it earlier if I had known...

I do have a few gifts coming in the delivery system over the next week or so. It is getting almost too late to have ordered in stuff now. Which means I will send the Wife out shopping for gifts as she has free time. I can't do it. I don't have the tolerance for people and crowds.

Anyways, that's my mid-week crisis.

PeacE

Feeling Good

 

A little music to start your Monday. I like this song ever since my Aunt 'Nita turned me onto Buble' many years ago when I was visiting. But the real matter is, that I am feeling better after being sick most of the weekend. So pretty sure it wasn't the flu, or covid, but just some 'bug' that I caught.

Monday morning is here, and I am not sleeping. Was in bed by 10pm, but sleep would just not come. Same for the Wife. However, she just drifted off about 20 minutes ago - I know, since I heard her snoring. So I decided to try a couple sleeping pills (OTC that just doesn't seem to work for me) and hope they work this time. I think my next doctor appointment I am going to ask about something prescription that will help me fall asleep. All I know is if I am not having at least a drink, I ain't falling asleep easy. Could that be a problem? I Am sure.... after all, I am doing this ultrasound of my liver, additional blood testing on top, to find out... though I really don't want to know.

Anyways, so that's how early my Monday problems are starting.

PeacE

I Blame The Doctors

 Saturday morning, I woke at 6am as the alarm went off, feeling terrible. I was shivering, achey, sick to my stomach. I went to use the bathroom, and realized how much my joints ached (more than usual) and had a few dry-heaves (which didn't help the stomach feeling). The Wife woke as I crawled back into bed, and stole most of the covers (I was freezing and shivering) and she commented my core felt extremely hot, as if I had a fever. Well, I tried to nap for an hour or so (no luck) before we had to get he Youngest up for practice before his concert. Wife made me check my temp, and it was 100.5 - so back to bed for me.

The Wife ran Youngest to his concert, then ran by the grocery (at my request) to pick up some soda, similar to Sprite, so I could have something to drink aside from water. She also picked me up some chicken noodle, she said. Near noon she had to leave to pick up Youngest's girlfriend, then to the concert. I opened up one of the soup cans she had picked up, without looking, and realized something was wrong. It was a yellow glob of who-knows-what. I checked the can. She had grabbed two cans of Cream of chicken, condensed. I added water to eat, and heated it since it was already opened, thinking I could drink it like a broth. Nope. Was nasty tasting. Into the drain it went. When Wife got home later I pointed it out to her, and she was upset at herself. Told her not to worry, as she also picked up some granola bars, and I had a couple of them instead. Last night was some pasta and beef, as I didn't want anything heavy. I had tried to stay awake most of the day, so I would sleep last night, but had to go to bed about 8:45, yet here I am at 3am.

Still not feeling quite up to myself yet. Fever is gone, but still feeling a bit weak and ache as well. I blame going to the doctor last week....

PeacE

Tests, Scans, and Probes - All Before Christmas

 I made it to my appointment. The one for the consult on the colonoscopy. What a waste of time. I think the last five minutes I was there, with the gall at the exit desk, was the most informative because she gave me the paperwork telling me what OTC meds to get, and the guideline/timeframe for the few days before said event. The Doctor himself was pretty bland, and though asked questions as to my health, spent more time telling me how bad of a person I am (yes, in my opinion he was trying to shame me but the surprise was on him) for drinking any alcohol, and having a fatty liver, and we have to do more test.... Sigh. Pompous ass. Either way, looks like I need to add an ultrasound of my liver, and more blood draws for liver tests. All before the colonoscopy - which is now scheduled for a few short days before Christmas.

Youngest has Honor Band practice all day at a local high school. I'll have to pick him up late afternoon once the bus returns to his school. Concert is tomorrow at 2pm. Once that is done, he is done for the year as far as concerts, since the school cancelled the Christmas concert that usually happens. Bad band director, to say the least of excuses....

Still trying to get information from the rest of the kids regarding the holiday, plans, gift ideas, etc etc. Middle Son reached out to me yesterday and it seems he will have to work the night of Christmas, so may have to miss dinner with family that night. Still waiting to hear from Oldest Son, if he has to work, as he also works nights. Daughter is to hopefully get in touch today with info on what their immediate family plans are. Maybe I'm stressing out too much on the details. I talked to RM last night and though we were discussing times/food/etc for at their place, she didn't seem worried about any of it.

I gotta get a couple things done this morning, so laters.

PeacE

A Meeting About My Ass

 Yeah. You read that correctly. Today I have a meeting about my ass ... well, technically, it is a colonoscopy consult, but kinda the same thing in my opinion. Not looking forward to it, as I have to drive over near the hospital (not far) and be there early to process paperwork (already filled out 10 pages worth). Sigh. In other words, I think it is a waste of my time. I'd rather just do the damn appointment and be done with it. But that will be the next scheduling I think. Get this over and done with for a few years.

Nothing exciting has been going on around my life lately. Still yet another week with no work. I'm debating calling a friend that owns a 'fire watch' business, as he says he always has work available. It would be nights, 12-hour shifts, but only like three days a week. I don't know if I want to do that for sure or not though. Once I make up my mind to actually do it or not, then will talk to the Wife.

The Youngest's band director has "quit" at the school. a Few short weeks ago, there was a complaint that she was 'high' on drugs at events during marching season, according to what I heard. There was an investigation period of about three weeks, this this week we got the email of her official 'resignation'. Christmas concerts were cancelled. But the next semester they will have a "veteran director" substituting for the final half of the year. Youngest has the District Honor Band concert this weekend.

Not much else going on to write about.... exciting, right?

PeacE

Post Turkey Day Ramblings

 It is officially Friday now, and has been for almost a whole hour. I can't sleep, so figured I would entertain you with how my Turkey Day went, with so few embellishments, you won't believe it truly did occur.

The day started with Wife, Youngest, and myself, leaving the house about 9am. We were going to grab some Wendy's for the road, but they were closed, so ended up at McD's. Traffic on the road wasn't terrible as far as number of drivers, but the there seemed a bit more than our usual Day-trip to Tucson. Quite a few were obvious impatient to get to their destinations, that there were several times expletives left my mouth. Overall we arrived safely, in the average amount of time it usually takes.

Dinner was mid-afternoon, and the SIL did one heck of a good job. He smoked one turkey, and deep-fried the other. Both came out very tasty! Sides included mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, cheesy croissants, gravy, stuffing, giblet gravy, and smoked mac and cheese. I had a bit of everything, except the yams and stuffing (yuck) and could only manage to eat one plateful, though did get just a smidgen more of both turkey meats. A nice sized container of the giblet gravy came home with me. I know RM had asked me a couple days ago about if I needed/wanted the (if any) giblet gravy from their meal, and I said sure, but not sure if I need it now. Daughter made today's with the giblets of 2 turkeys, so there was quite a bit!! I think on Youngest and I ate any of it - those other people are just missing out and eating plain brown gravy....

Doodad was busy with two of her uncles for most of the time, as Oldest Son made it there awhile after we had arrived. Middle couldn't make it due to needing to rest as he had/has to work this night. The Wife and I ended up leaving around 8pm, so I wouldn't be driving overly tired (I must be getting old) so we left the Youngest there, as the Oldest Son said he would drive him home after they all played some games for a couple hours. Youngest just made it home about fifteen minutes ago. He has plans to spend the day with his girlfriend and some of her family for a second Turkey Day.

It was a good day, except for missing the Middle Son. Not sure where we are going to do Christmas at this year, but plan to figure out something soon. I'm sure it will be in the Valley so we all can make it to RM & PT's as our usual plans. I tried several times to get ideas for gifts for Christmas from the kids, but it didn't really work. I usually try to get one gift for each that I pick out, and Wife does the rest. I do have one for the Daughter, and I have a small ting for each of the boys and SIL. Still need to figure out the gift for Doodad from Papaw, as it is usually the best gift, and she just loves it!

Welp, still not tired. I think I might just hit up some sites real early for Black Friday specials and see if anything 'leaps' out at me for the kids and Doodad. Oh crap, and the Wife as she has a birthday coming up soon, as well as Christmas.... when it rains it pours....

PeacE

Pre-Game for Turkey Day

 That post title makes it sound like it is Wednesday, but it is not. But I am ready for Thursday to be here. Getting all the kids together is something I love to have happen. Although, as of right now, the Middle Son says he probably will not be there. He has to work the night before, and the night of (thanks Black Friday Sales) and would rather get some rest than drive to/from Tucson AND have to work with little sleep. I totally understand, but still sad. Though I just saw the Daughter and family, it will be nice to visit again. Doodad and Papaw have our Turkey Day help of making the deviled eggs.

Last week I had seen the doctor. This morning I got the call regarding the lab tests. A1C was good, cholesterol was a little high, but not worth changing the dosage on the med I take. They want to come back and give more blood for some liver testing, and base analysis says possible cirrhosis do to alcohol (duh, ya think). I suppose I might go in next week and do that. Doctor had also asked about the colonoscopy that I had not done yet. I explained what happened last time I tried to set an appointment, and so she got me a new referral. Well, that office called me last week at one point, though I was busy and did not take the call. I put it on my to-do list for today, but they called this morning, too. So now I have the consult for colonoscopy next week. Won't be long before the probe up the butt....

It's a bit short of noon here today, and I am bored outta my gourd already.

PeacE

Parties and Rain

 It is overcast this morning. Looks like it rained (or is raining). For AZ that is good - we can always use it if it comes in small spurts, rather than pouring downfalls (flooding and the desert ya know). My neice's daughter is having a birthday party today, that was supposed to be outside, but am guessing will be inside now. RM had mentioned it is a Tea Party, and was going to be crowde3dc if everyone is inside. Oh Well. The Wife had stated awhile back she was going, though it is at my Sister's house (whom we have not gotten on with well). Last night I found out my Daughter and Doodad were going to be there - so now I have to go so I can see them.

I guess that that means it is hair day. I have been letting mine grow out the past month or two, and it is at that stage where you cannot do anything with it (too short) and yet it still sticks out any-which-way. I'll buzz it back down to the scalp this morning before the party, and probably trim up around the beard.

Santa Run is coming up soon. My buddy and I (creators/sponsors) are set to rent the 25-man bus this weekend, and start contacting the 23 people that said they are going. I'm sure we will have five or so back out last minute, but usually pick up at least three more extras. Still a fun time, and I enjoy it quite a bit as my Oldest Son goes. Gives us time to hang out and catch up, plus have a drink or seven together.

Tonight I might be going to the VFW - haven't decided. But the drawing for a chance at around $9600+ is tempting. Think I might even try to get the Wife to go.

Welp, it is Clash Day (in a viking themed game I play) so I'm off to war.

PeacE

I Just Don't Wanna

 Met my new doctor the other day. Within a few minutes of meeting, I decided I liked this doc. She had opened up that she was reviewing my file (therefore making me sit there longer) and started asking questions. Sounds normal, right? But all my previous doctors never asked them, and I would not know how they affect my possible care, but my reasoned that these were valid and important things to be considered. We went over my current BP and glucose numbers and she mentioned they are in the good range. My A1C is good. Cholesterol I will hear in a few days as they did lab draw that morning as well. No changes to the 'scrips as of now. Renewed all of them. Follow-up in six months. I asked for a year, but she said with "chronic illnesses" they prefer 6-month periods in case something changes fast. Sigh. Oh well. At least she signed off on me getting a blue handicap placard this time (permanent one).

Up to about 215 books read this year at this time. I need to get a couple reviews written and then I think I have to go find some more to get reviews done for. Not that I don't have a large TBR stack.... I have an actual regular book on my nightstand to read, but hard to get used to a physical book to read after reading so many years on my tablet. I'll eventually get it done.

Lately I have been watching 'Mayans", a spin-off show from 'Sons of Anarchy', which both revolve around motorcycle gangs of the show name. It actually is better than I thought it would be, and I find myself mid season two, with about four more seasons to watch.

PeacE

Let's Go Get Some Drugs

 I have a doctor's appointment this morning. It is just a 3-month follow-up, but it is also with a new doctor. This is my third doc in the last year or so I have been going to this facility. Not by my choice, they just leave randomly, and I get assigned a new one. Hopefully, this one will do what I ask by letting me go a year without a follow-up. My numbers have been consistent and within range (for the most part) with both glucose and BP. Also I will be seeing if she will assign me for a blue handicap placard. I have the application filled out my part. The last doc said she only would temporary ones, which expire every six months, which means I could not go the year without a check-up. Find out in about an hour.

Marching season is pretty much over for the Youngest, though this week is yet another football game they have to attend. Seems the football team is in playoffs, and as long as they win, the band will have to attend. So maybe they will lose this week. He had Honor Band practice this past Monday. Next Friday, after Turkey Day, he has a full day of practice and then the Honor band concert the next afternoon.

Nothing from the Company yet for any project work. This is really starting to annoy me. I have reached out to a couple different companies here in the Valley that do similar work, but have not heard back from them as of yet either. Maybe it is slow for all.

Welp, I need to get off here and do a couple things before heading to the doctor.

PeacE

Not Quite As Done ....

 The Youngest had to be wakened early this morning. Like, before 6am. There was yet called another early morning rehearsal for the marching band, even though the season is over. The school football team is doing well, therefore, there are play-off games that the band will need to perform at. The first is tonight and is a home game for them - so the band will march. If the team loses, maybe that will be the end of it - I don't know.

I woke somewhat early today, around 5am. I did try to get back to sleep but by 6:15 I knew it was not happening. So here I am, at the computer, hoping for an email from the Company (no, not as of yet). I suppose I could go finish the last little bit of an eARC I am reading, so I van get that review out of the way. After that one, I have no books that require a review. Might go see if there are any out for offer. That would give me something to do for an hour at least.

Think I might be coming down with a cold. This morning I noticed I am a bit stuffier than usual, and my head hurts a bit. Depending how I feel in a couple hours, I may take something just in case.

And that is how today is going to be boring.

Edit: I did some blog clean-up (moving even more retired/ended blogs on the list). It is a bit sad to see so many that I read daily for years, come to an end. Several I know were from the authors passing away, and others, just no time to invest in it. In some ways, I guess the 'Blog' is going like the CD.

PeacE

Early Morning Rambles

 It's barely 2am and I am awake. No, it has nothing to do with the time change that occurred this weekend. Arizona doesn't play that stupid game (thank goodness). It probably has more to do that I went to bed :around  last night. Hopefully, I will watch a couple hours of a show, then be able to fall back asleep until a more respectable hour.

About two weeks ago, I hit my yearly goal I had set, by reading 200 books. Currently I am at 214 read, and should knock out about 10-15 more before year's end. Much of that will be determined if I ever get back to work... Currently no project, but yet another email letting them know I am available will be going out shortly after I post here. 

Marching Season is over for the Youngest. This past Saturday was the Pre-State Competition, and they placed 11th - on the top 10 go to State. That should end the evening practices, and many of the Zero Hour practices ha has had to attend.

No plans for now for this week. I know I need to get over to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription for the Wife, and one for myself. I guess you know you are getting old, when you have to plan any errands around getting to Walgreens for prescriptions. Mine if just for another box of lancets, as if I don't already have like 6 other boxes (100 count) sitting here already. When I first started glucose monitoring, they were giving them to me every month. It took months, but now I got them to know I only need replaced every three months, same as the test strips.

Welp, I guess I should get over to my email and get one sent off to the Company. I also need to get a review written for an eARC I finished this past week as well.

PeacE

Friday Night Lights

 Tonight the Youngest, and the rest of the band, have changed plans now to NOT attending tonight's away game. Usually, the Wife and I do not attend away games as they are further away, but tonight was going to be different. It seems Youngest's HS is playing the Wife's alma mater, and it is her homecoming night/game as well. A little weird it is this late int he season, but I don't plan these things. Either way, talking to the Wife last night, it looks like we are still attending the game, on her school side as we get in free. We will ask the Youngest if would still like to go, but I am sure he will decline to stay home and play games on the computer. Should be an interesting night, as it has been 33 years for the Wife (and I as well) attending school. I have no idea if she will meet anyone from her days (it was a smaller Christian HS compared to my public one).

Next week will start a new week of waiting for a project. Another email will go out to the Company on Monday, letting them know of my availability (again). Maybe something will happen.

Quite a few places doing Halloween parties this weekend. I had gotten a frock, some white paint, and a trick lightbulb, as was going to go as Fester from the Addams Family, but when the bulb arrived it did not work - so may forego the costume. VFW post is having a party Saturday, as well as the last steak fry of the year. My buddy's pub is having one as well. Not sure what I am doing. Wife will be attending the Youngest's band competition in Dobson, which doesn't end until fairly late in the evening.

Such an exciting life I live ....

PeacE

I'm All Done With It

 Yesterday I met up with the attorney my insurance company assigned for my 'defense' regarding the car accident over a year and a half ago. I arrived a little early, and they had some technical difficulties getting the Zoom meeting set-up, but things finally got going right on time. It was a very frustrating hour.

The other attorney, the one asking all the questions, had an African name (my best guess) and as it goes, his English speaking skills were in some need of more extended practice. There were several times I had to ask him to clarify for what he was asking, sometimes correcting him in his use of the language. I felt there were several times he tried even to trick me into admitting something that would indicate fault on my part - but that wasn't happening. My attorney sat there the whole time, not saying a word.

After his grueling torture of the English language, the call finally ended. I had a few questions for my attorney. She did say I was a 'perfect witness' and I was succinct in answering the questions with just enough information to give the answer, and she said there were a couple times she had to hold back laughter at my correcting the other attorney. She mentioned they had a hired an accident reconstructionist, that commented in regards to the damage to vehicles and end placement, the other driver had to be going about 50 mph when he hit me. No way he could have reached that from a dead stop (as the driver claimed). But that report will probably not be used, unless it were to go to court. 

The best part is I am finished with whatever will happen with this case. From here they will decide on how best to end it all - probably a settlement - as the likelihood of court is pretty non-existent. My attorney said she is pushing for the 50-50 (each party deals with their own) bottom-line is in AZ, Left turn is supposed to yield to traffic (even with a green arrow, which cannot be proven occurred - but it did) so at worst, ruling would be I was at fault, and my insurance will pay out his claim(s). But I won't be needed for anything else, and won't be pursued for any other damages, etc.

I am glad this is finally coming to an end. I hope to never hear this butthead's name again, and though it is bad to say it, hope he runs a red light again and gets the full fault.

Stressing Out

 Overall this past weekend was nice. We did a day-trip down to visit Daughter, SIL and Doodad. Papaw even got quite a few hugs, as Doodad seemed to be coming out of her anti-Papaw stage. Back home late that evening, then off to the school to pick up Youngest from the band day trip. It was late getting to bed - after midnight. I didn't sleep well that night, and was up by 630ish for a couple hours before laying back down. Then I passed out until early afternoon. Youngest spent Sunday with his girlfriend and her family, so Wife and I did a little shopping and had an early dinner out at Denny's. Again, I did not sleep well last night, and have wasted most of this morning trying to get some sleep. All it seems I can do is nap for 15 minutes at a time.

I think most of it is that I am stressing out. Today I have a phone call with an attorney regarding the accident I was in over a year and a half ago. The one where I had a green arrow and this guy ran the light, hit me, flipped my vehicle over three lanes. Yeah. That one. Today's call is a pre-deposition call. Tomorrow morning is the actual deposition. I will go to the attorney's office (mine) to do it. I was sent a reminder email today, and I noticed it had many replies in the thread so was skimming it. Seems the other guy's attorney (the third one he has hired since the accident) has filed paperwork for a demand for jury trial. I don't know what this all means, but it worries me more. I don't understand why I am worried though, as I am not at fault through the events I remember. Unless the other guy lies... which who knows. I also see they have a police officer that is doing a deposition as well. I didn't have much interaction with any officer, except to give my license to one when requested, and informed them the registration and insurance was in the glove box.

I'm stressing and it is messing with my sleep, and who knows what else. My attorney friend says I have nothing to worry about ... but yet here I am worrying still.

PeacE

Update: Just got off the phone with my attorney for the pre-depo call. We didn't have to go over much. I explained how I was feeling a bit of anxiety/nervousness over this whole thing and she explained a few things that actually make me feel a bit better. Still have a few 'butterflies' going around though.... I asked about if she thought it would actually go to trial, and she said, that 96% of these cases end in settlement. She mentioned she is doing a depo on the other guy tomorrow afternoon as well, and this is just fact-finding for both attorneys to see if there is anything more than what we have already explained. Sigh. Just end this whole thing.....

Friday for Seniors

 No, we're not talking about some special deal today at the local Dennys for those of us over 50. Actually, I think they have it at 55, but that is aside from the point. Tonight is the Senior Recognition at the home football game. The Youngest will be (the last) one of the band seniors being presented, and the Wife, with my limping, heavy self, will be escorting him. Last night they were working on the poster with his name and whatever ideas they had drawn on it. I think his was his name and a bass drum.

Saturday will be a busy day. Youngest has NAU band day, and his call time is 5am at the school. It is only about a 2 1/2 hour drive, and they do not perform until noon. Then stay until the awards at 6pm before being on the road around 7pm. The Wife and I are not going this year. Last year we went, and ended up in the rain for an hour plus, as the parking shuttles decided to stop transporting people before the end of the event. Luckily, campus police were able to get the 15 or so of us to our respective vehicles. I have no desire for that to happen again. Instead we will be making a trip down south to visit the Daughter, SIL and Doodad. Our plans now are that we arrive back home about the time Youngest returns to the school.

I am feeling a bit hungry this morning. Usually I skip breakfast, or have a few bites of whatever we have in leftovers. I see there are none this morning though. Also, I am craving some soda - or carbonation of some kind. I think  I should get up and go up to the QT and get my 52-oucer full of Mountain Dew, then grab a couple rollers in the food area. Yeah, now I am more hungry thinking about it.

PeacE

Makes Me Wonder...

 I went out to the pub yesterday. Finished a book (reading, not writing) and got a good-ways through another. My buddy met me up there. He owns one of the other pubs nearby that I frequent, and he met me at this one, so he wouldn't have to deal with bartender issues at his own bar. Anyways, he asks if I could come over to his pub tomorrow (today) to help him fix a table. I gave him a funny look, and asked what in particular is wrong that he needs my help. He says, same thing as last time when he had me come over to help on one (adjusting the legs and tightening the base). So I am supposed to go over there at some point this afternoon to "help" him. I find myself comparing my friend to my step-father, PT, as neither of them seem mechanically inclined. Even though my buddy is very fit (so is PT) he just has no clue when it come to basic mechanics. I had to help show him how to change a bicycle chain a few weeks ago.

I guess it is a sign of the times. 

PeacE

Saturday Not So Fun Day

 Let's start out with how wonderful it is to be up at 4am on  Saturday morning (not). I know I went to bed a bit early for my regular schedule (about 8:30pm) but I was feeling pretty tired. Awake at midnight'ish, yet was able to fall back asleep. I know, my sleep schedule is so very important to you....

So now am awake and not much I can do at this hour. A viking game my brother got me into will have its day-long (7a-7p) battle against others today, but I will be in and out on that. I already played this morning and am prepped as I am gonna get (I'm one of the lowest might players in my "clan").

I suppose I could double check my book lists, and see if anything new is out there. I did that not too long ago, so not sure if I should.

Might head up to the VFW today. I went last Sunday, but for some reason they were closed. Supposed to meet up with my brother, but he said he was going last night, and today is one of  his son's bdays, so not sure if he will go tonight.

Welp, I felt a stirring of the bowels. I should go take care of that...

PeacE

Let's Just Freak Out About It

 I went to the pub yesterday. I finished a book (reading, not writing) and started another. My buddy showed up and eventually I put the book away so we could talk. First thing he tells me is something along the lines, that Hamas said that today (Friday) they were encouraging all believers around the world to incite terror/violence. Oooooooo k. It's still before 8am here, and though I have not heard anything directly, I am sure I will check news outlets after I post this to see if anything is going on around me, then the country, then the world. Who in the hell incites terror as a religious act? Don't answer that. I am sure I know, I just don't want to think about it right now. Extremism or whatever ....

So it is Friday. The Middle Son came by yesterday morning, to "steal" Youngest for a couple hours to spend time together. Before they left, I took them to breakfast, and was promptly embarrassed a bit. When I went to the counter to pay the bill, my card would not work. They did the chip thing, the swipe, and (imho a crappy) the 'tap', none of which would work. I say the tap was sloppy, as she wasn't looking, and just placed the card over the designated area of the machine, without even getting the chip portion of the card on the machine. I mentioned I had had problems with the chip readers before, but the tap always worked, as long as you placed it properly. So again she held the card in her hand, like a fist, and puts her hand on the tap area of the machine - so of course it didn't read it. I asked her to cancel the sale, and I would check with my party as to the cash on hand situation. Middle Son ended up paying for the meals, thankfully, even though it was to be my treat. I let him know I owed him $$ for covering. Once we got back home, and the boys left, I got on the bank website and ordered a new card, as I don't want that to happen again. Funny, though, that later in the day the card had no problem being tapped or swiped at other places. I had the Wife transfer funds to Middle's bank account last night as well.

Welp, got nothing else to really say as of right now, so I guess this is it. Time to go read some news that I don't care about.

PeacE

Slow Happenings

 It has been nearly a week since I have even thought about posting something here. I have skipped posting mainly because I have nothing of interest to write about. I think I am slowly just going bat-shit crazy with not being on a project currently. My days starts out with me checking my email (throughout the day as well) to see if the Company has any new information on a project. Then it varies as to my mood but pick one of several things: play computer games, take a nap, go to the pub, stumble around the internet, sit and watch Youtube videos/shorts for hours at a time. Like I said, not much to write about.

Youngest is on fall break this week from school. Thankfully, in the next month or so, he will be done with marching season and hopefully the evening practices will end. I am not holding my breath though - since the percussion and the rest of the band have different practice schedules, the director will be making extra rehearsals I am sure - just to make us parents angry. I think I mentioned before, Youngest's girlfriend mother works at the school, and has mentioned even the admin are getting a bit angry at all the angry parents complaining about he extra rehearsals and late nights. I know I am one of them. But it is his final year, so like I tell him, just get through it.

Not that anyone cares(outside of RM of course) but I have finished 189 of my goal to read 200 books this year. I'm sure I will be over the goal and then some by the end of the year, but I am not guessing as to how much. I plan on spending today doing my 'book search' for new titles that interest me, and follow up on many of the authors I like to read to see if they have any new stuff coming out soon, or additional books if it was a series.

Welp, I guess that is all I got for now. Went to bed early last night, so am up at 3:30am because the body got enough sleep for the moment. I am sure I will be napping later on today.

PeacE

Late Thursday Post - Because, Why Not?

 Top of the eleven o'clock hour, in the PM. And what a doozy we have. I just spent five minutes or more waiting on my keyboard to be able to type. Mouse was able to move and highlight, but I couldn't type at all. This has happened probably about 7-10 times over the last week. I've had the new system for longer, so why now? I don't know. But it shows up randomly - in regular typing convos (FB, Discord, etc) and sometimes in a game where keyboard input is crucial. Weird, I know.

So my Washington lost tonight, to the Bears (lost $50, and the Bears suck). I'm done betting for my team this year at this point.

More stuff going on that I don't want to share. At least at this time. Hope you readers are okay.

PeacE

I'm Was Stuffed (and Ready for Mounting)

 Whew! Yesterday was a food feast for The Wife and I. Started the day at Ronnies for breakfast with RM. It was a good time as always, as RM and I caught up on stuff. The Wife added some to the conversation as well. I managed to finish my 5-egg meat lover's omelets, and half order of biscuits 'n gravy. Our server was busy, so wasn't able to get my iced tea to go like usual, but somehow I survived. Stopped for gas on the way home, then played on the computer a short while before the food coma showed up. Took a nap as needed.

Early evening the Youngest's date arrived for the Homecoming dance. After the token pictures were completed by the Wife, we loaded up to head off to Olive Garden for dinner. I was a bit upset at the service at the restaurant. Usually we have quick and efficient servers, but last night was borderline me walking out. The tip I left wasn't the greatest, but still enough, I guess. Either way, all the extra time it took to get through dinner worked out, as we dropped the kids off just as they were opening the doors for the dance.

Today's schedule is football and beer. I'll be headed out here in about an hour to meet up with a couple friends at the local pub, just to watch my Redskins more than likely lose to Philly. At some point I'll end up back at home, and play some more on the computer. Monday I need to take the Youngest to get his senior portraits done. Yee haw.

PeacE

Games, Games, Breakfast And Dinner

 Today and tomorrow are going to be somewhat busy for me. Well, at least much busier than my usual days. It is Friday, so the Youngest has their Homecoming game tonight. I am not going - I do not care to sit in the stands, and all the walking.... plus I am sure parking tonight will be terrible, meaning full lots. Though myself or the Wife will need to pick him up afterwards. Also, a game my brother got into playing on the tablet, has this big 'cross-server clash' battle against three other clans, and today is the last day to "power-up" my teams to be in the battle. I will be concentrating on getting as many items to boost my team today.

Tomorrow starts out with a breakfast at Ronnie's Cafe (our favorite breakfast place) where RM will be meeting up with me. I think she mentioned she has not been there before. I mentioned to the Wife about going there, and she may join us as well. Heck, I even mentioned it to the Youngest, and he may be interested in going. Most likely he will be too tired in the morning to go after the HOCO game the night before, but will see. I am sure I will just 'veg out' the middle of the day, and late afternoon, we will be heading out to Olive Garden for dinner with Youngest and his date, prior to dropping them off.

Sunday, I would normally head up to the pub to watch NFL, but I just am not feeling it this year. a good friend that has been meeting up with me the last several years, has decided to not go this year - no reason given to me, and all I hear are stories as to why. I texted him last night, asking him to call me today at his leisure, to find out what the hell is going on. I don't know if he will call. The stories of the reasoning I have heard, are in my opinion stupid reasons to not hang out with friends. But what do I know?

Well, I best get started in on my games....

PeacE

Homecoming Shenanigans

 At the end of the Youngest's sophomore year, the band director of the school announced that he was leaving. Now this obviously was not the first time the director has changed in the many years of my kids attending this high school, so this kind of change to a new director's type of management, etc, would not be unheard of. The new director started that fall, and not many changes were initiated over the 'tried and true' settings that had been followed by several directors before her. Yes, it is a female, and barely out of college. I don't have a problem with the sex of the director, but I do have a problem.

This year, Youngest's senior year, this director has just changed everything. Band used to be at Zero Hour (before school) but this year, she requires only half the band attend that hour, so the Youngest had to give up one of his electives to be forced to schedule a band hour during the day. He is a percussionist, and that hour has ALL percussion of all levels in one class - Jazz, Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginning band. So how are they to practice? Oh, let's add in the outrageous practices this director has scheduled... Used to be just a Tuesday night, 6-8pm, aside from the mornings. No, now it is Tuesday and Thursday each week. Plus this week, she has called Zero Hour for full band today and tomorrow (like two extra practices are going to make the show come together). There is a whole slew of things that this director has changed that just really irritate me, and even sometimes the Wife. I do like that she sends out a weekly email each Monday, highlighting details of information for the week, and upcoming things, but then she ruins it by color coding the events - with no key to know what color is mandatory, optional, or what. For example, the newletter states there is zero hour practice today for full band (highlighted in blue, so blue is mandatory), but under that is the Homecoming Bonfire at 6pm (highlighted orange - so not mandatory?) but the band typically plays at the bonfire.... Tomorrow, zero hour full band (in blue) HOCO parade and assembly (in orange - during the school day? IS the band not playing the fight song or something at the assembly?) with the Friday night HOCO game in blue (again mandatory).

It is frustrating. Now worse, as I am looking at the newsletter, I missed reading before, but now she is changing the practice schedule again - Mandatory Tues nights 6-8, mandatory zero hour Thursdays and Fridays, Optional Thursday night practice (small group/individual practice). WTH?! IT says "In order to support our students’ time management, stress levels, and mental health; we are changing our Full Ensemble marching band rehearsal schedule for the rest of the season".... I think she is making things worse, not just more for the student to lose sleep and stress over, but parents as well. Who has to get up early to drive them on zero hour days? Who has to waste the time for night practices to drive/pick-up? Just ... she really upsets me.

And now I am all worked up about this crap ... at 3:30 in the morning. Looks like I will be up and taking the Youngest to zero hour today, as I am sure sleep will not be coming whilst I am angry.

So the HOCO dance is Saturday, and I guess we are chauffeuring the Youngest and his date. I don't mind, as I am the one that offered, thinking it would give us a little more time to get to know the young lady. I only had just met her last week at that stupid mandatory school meeting. I guess he wants to do dinner before the dance, so they chose Olive Garden, which I am guessing we will be going with them, since we're driving, and that means I will be paying I am sure. No biggee - more time. Then her mother will drive them home afterwards (she's a teacher at the school and is chaperoning).

Welp, this post is longer than I meant for it to be - I guess I had quite a bit to gripe about. I still have more, but just don't want to think about it right now.

PeacE

What To Do Now?

 It is another early morning for me. I had the alarm set for 6am, but thanks to the Damn Cat (aka Crack Kitty, and the One I Want to Die) woke me but evidently shaking his water covered fur-face on the bed. Of course, it startled me awake thinking he had sprayed on me... The Wife verified it was only water though. But now I am wide awake. Is it bad I think I want to see him die? Maybe. But he is around 16-17 years old, and since Daisy, our dog, had passed this last year or so, he has lost a lot of weight, and has begun to just crap/pee wherever he feels like it in the house. Yeah, so he is old, but that doesn't give him the right to just empty the old body wherever he feels like it! Thankfully, we have tile floors throughout, so easier to clean up (which we shouldn't have to do) except when he does it in other places (laundry baskets, on the bed, etc). It is very frustrating at times. And the two younger cats? As long as they don't pick up these bad habits, they will be okay, and allowed to live.

So nothing new from the Company since last week. I may be sitting here twiddling my thumbs for a bit ....

Youngest has Homecoming this week. There is a 'movie showing' today after school that he wanted to stay for, and spend time with his girlfriend. Of course, he has practices on Tuesday and Thursday, then the game on Friday. Saturday ends the HC week with the dance that he is planning to attend as well. I believe it is his first dance ever.

The Eldest, and only Daughter, is celebrating her birthday this week. She is that ripe age of 20 years younger than myself. I like to tease her about it, but she is smart (like her Mother) and usually turns it back on me. I'll have to look and see if I can find something on Amazon she could use and have it sent hopefully in time for her birthday.

Thankfully the weather has seemed to finally cooled off. Enough that we are not having 100+ degree temps anymore. This last week has been nice to be outside, and remember what it looks/feels like.

I'm all caught up on my books for review list. I guess since I am up so early, I will start browsing the sites and requesting anything that sounds good. I did load up the tablet with about 20 books the other day. Most this time around are stand-alone novels, though I have been collecting some series that will be added in next time around. 

I suppose I should close this off. I do have some time to play games today, apparently, so at some point I will be on Warcraft, and the viking game I have been playing. It really sucks being bored....

PeacE

Things Calmed Down ....

 As I was typing away, furiously because of the amount of content I had to post here, my phone had made a noise, something like 'Woo Hoo, text message'. I ignored it of course, as getting all that important information of what was going on in my head had to come first, so you would have something to read. Afterwards, I had kind of forgot about it, until I checked my phone about an hour later. The message was a text, and it was from the Company...? Now I had never gotten a text message from the Company before, though I have had a couple phone call sessions with managers, in regards to some specific details about a project. The message basically read, that I had an email from them regarding a project available, and to please check my emails for it. 'Hmmmm, they must really want me on this project, if they are texting me', I thought to myself. So that settled my thinking about just skipping this project, and I went to my email to answer it. I don't know if it is a new protocol they are using, or what, but they have a few questions (about 7 if I remember correctly) that have to be answered in your reply. Most are regarding things like: Are you able to start on the start date, Commit to working at least 8 hours day, does your system meet this minimum standard, is your wifi/ethernet at least this speed... that kind of stuff. This one had a couple questions about had I worked for such-n-such client before (no) and some thing about (this place) where I guess the review would be about (no). There was one question about if I had worked CDR documents review before. OF course I had, so I replied yes, then clarified it with my level of expertise in the CDR work field. Within a half hour I had a reply that this particular project was a high level CDR review, and my skills were just not quite there yet, so they were returning me to the availability queue. So back to waiting again.

I did attend the MANDATORY school meeting last night (waste of two hours) with the Youngest. It was mostly about preparing for college, financial aid resources, etc. None of which apply to us, as the Youngest is saying he has no plans for college. I am trying to get him to see if there is some kind of technical training school he could attend, but no luck so far. There was also minimal information regarding graduation. I did learn it will be at the old Coyotes arena (Desert Diamond) around the last week of May. Also we got the information from where to purchase cap and gown stuff. Otherwise, it was walking around and sitting through brief discourses about things that were, quite frankly, boring. I did get to meet the young lady the Youngest is "seeing", and her mother, who happens to be a teacher at the high school. Also ran into a old friend who also had a son graduating this year. I may have shared about us meeting prior a few short months ago at a funeral for a mutual friend.

The Damn Cat woke me early this morning, by knocking over a laundry basket in the bedroom. It made enough noise to rouse me from sleep. Well, more like startle me awake. I knew I wasn't getting anymore sleep right away so went ahead and got up. I guess you can thank him for the early post today.

PeacE

Feeling Overwhelmed

 I went out yesterday for a bit. I admit, I probably had a couple too many. Talking with my friend, the attorney, and mentioned about how tonight is the MANDATORY Seniors meeting at the school for Youngest, and my friend got me riled up. Mainly because he states by law they cannot make it mandatory. I showed him the email, and he corrected me that it is the Senior would not walk with their class, if they didn't attend. I'm sure Youngest doesn't care. And he has to miss half of the band practice time to go to the meeting... Sigh. Frustrating.

So after getting home, got into an argument with the Wife over this MANDATORY meeting. Ended up being irritated and sitting at the computer until 5am, before finally going to bed. And I slept until 1pm. I only got up because I had to pee.

I received an email from the attorneys working on my accident case. I guess my deposition is set for later October. Every time stuff comes up on this, I get anxious feelings, and irritated one, that this has gone on for so long.

The Company sent me an email for a project starting tomorrow. I think I will just 'accidently lose' the email. The duration is only for a week, and honestly, I am just a mess of emotions today, that I just don't feel the desire to work for one week. If I sit idle another week, I sit idle.

Well, I know it is early afternoon, but I think I will jump int he shower, then get through the rest of the day.

PeacE

Starting Another Week

 Monday has rolled around again, and I sit here trying to determine what I will be doing this week. Sometimes I wish it was as simple as 'Work, of course', but that isn't happening as of yet. I did send off an email to the Company, explaining that I was on a project, that suddenly was gone from my access, and that I was unsure if they reported us back to Recruiting to be placed onto another project. In other wards, I let them know I was available. I got the auto-reply that they will update my status.

The Youngest has Senior Night at the school tomorrow evening. Parents are to attend with the student for three 20-minute sessions (about what, who knows - better yet, if the kids ain't going to college, why bother). They state in the multiple emails I have received, that it is MANDATORY for seniors to attend or they will not graduate. Attendance will be taken. Asinine if you ask me....

So I am awake just a little earlier than usual. Youngest missed his bus, and I offered to take him instead of the Wife (allows her a few extra minutes of bed-time). Of course, my ulterior motive was so I could stop and get breakfast - which I did. So I have something to eat this morning anyways.

No major plans other than this for the week. Of course, if the Company gets back to me, I could be working soon. Otherwise I feel it is Warcraft and YouTube for the week. And maybe a movie or two.

PeacE

Inked Up and I hate Waiting

 Tuesday I got inked up. I think it looks pretty nice. Of course I should, considering it is on my body pretty much for the rest of my life. I opted to have it done on my upper right arm versus the forearms. In fact, it truly is in a place of honor under my Redskins tattoo. I also remembered why it has been around 15 years since I got a tattoo ... they are somewhat a little painful. I was doing alright until he started doing the shading, and that is when it started hurting. I don't know if it was because the nerves were already irritated, or what, but at least I didn't cry. I have kept some bag balm on it and it has been healing nicely.

Tuesday the Wife had mentioned one of her tires was low again, and would need pumped up before she left for work. She determined (and located) the nail it had decided to run over and impale itself on. So I set an appointment with Discount Tire to get it fixed yesterday. Thought a good plan: had a 10:30am appointment, go pick up the Wife's car from her work, do the appt, return the car, and since she is near RM's, grab some lunch and go visit for a bit. Well, the best laid plans ... I was there about 10:15, and yes the tire could be plugged, but her other two tires were in the needs replacing range. Okay, and they had them in stock so about $400 later .... By noon, they still had not gotten my vehicle into the bays. I cancelled lunch with RM, as I had no idea when I would get out of there at this point. Needless to say, I was leaving there by 12:45pm, after hearing several apologies from the manager for the delay in my appointment and getting the tires done. Wish it had been $$ back instead of just words, but it is what it is.

I got an email from my attorneys handling my accident case - the one from April of 2022. Now this guy's atty wants me to do a deposition. I explained I don't have a camera, and my atty said I could just come to their offices (not far from my home). And that the dates they had asked to confirm for, has now changed to another month out and they will get back to me. Delays that drag this crap out. I just want it over with. This is his third attorney he has hired. Asshat.

The Wife and I went out last night and had some all you can eat at the Seafood Buffet (read Chinese food place). It was nice, just the two of us. I am up early this morning, having awoke around 3:30 and not able to get back to sleep. Besides that, the youngest has to attend band practice at 0 Hour this morning, so will run him to the school here shortly (about an hour from now).

Dang. Sure looks like I got something going on in my life, don't it?

PeacE

An Empty Canvas, Sorta ...

 Another Tuesday is upon us - Look Out! I jest ... yet here I sit trying to come up with something that could be entertaining for someone to read.

Today I have a 1pm appointment that I actually have to drive to get to. What's worse, is it is in the downtown area, and parking isn't looking good. I checked the address last night, and the available parking (if any) near it. The building itself is one of those that has apartments above the first level shops, and the only parking I see is very limited at the back of the building - I'm guessing for owners or apartment holders. There is a larger parking lot about a half block up the street that I may have to use. Which means getting there a little earlier to do the walk.

What kind of appointment would require a trip to the downtown area? A new tattoo. I had a wild idea about a month and a half ago for one, and I checked with my brother. He knows a guy who has done several of his tats, and I set up an appointment with him. I haven't seen any drawings of the possible tat yet, as the artist will hold it until my meeting, do any adjustments (if needed) and then start in on it. Not sure how big it will be, but my end up being two tats, one on each forearm.

No word from the Company for work. I will wait for later in the week to email and see what is happening, mainly to let the tats heal up somewhat, but also to give them time to reassign if that is what is going on.

Welp, that's about all I go this morning....

PeacE

End of a Slow Week

 I'm still coughing. It is more of a nuisance than anything. The cough starts in the upper chest, and kind of feels like there is mucus, but by the time the cough exits the mouth, there's nothing, and I don't feel like there is mucus. It's like a dry, rattlely cough - if that makes sense. The Wife has the same cough going on as well, yet we both have no other symptoms. Irritating.

I received an email from the high school yesterday. It was late enough in the day, and was titled "Monthly Parent Letter" so I figured I would let it slide until today. Before the Youngest left for school, he and the Wife came in and woke me, saying it was an email regarding damages to the ChromeBook he used last year for school. Allegedly there are damages to the cost of $305 that need to be paid. So OF course I had to get up and get started into the daily routine with my email. Yes, alleged damages to that amount. Also said that insurance (which we purchased at registration for last year) may not have been applied yet. I responded with basically we will await the corrected total once insurance has been applied, and also require a list of alleged damages. The Son had mentioned he thought it might be the hinges, as he has heard other students having issues with theirs, but he recalls no damages at all otherwise. It is now a waiting game.

No news from work as of this morning. I am still wondering how long I should wait to contact them that I need a project. I may wait until next week.

No plans this weekend. Celebrate my birthday month some more by taking the Wife out to dinner maybe.

PeacE

Solar Re-Visitation

 Yesterday I celebrated another trip around the sun. Yee. Haw. Glad that day is over.

I attempted to log in to work today, to see what is going on. As of a couple days ago, it appeared things were in a 'holding pattern'. Today, as I log into MS Teams, things got worse pretty quick. There was no project chat features. No project at all, in fact. My guess is one of two things: I got kicked from the project (unlikely), or the project came to an abrupt halt (more than likely). So it seems I will eb sending an email requesting to join another project  here shortly.

Nothing else to really write about. I covered the birthday. Covered work stuff. I don't do much else of interest.

PeacE

A Return to the Virtual

 Today I am returning to work. Or rather, I thought I was returning to work. I did log in and was ready to start, but there appears to be no workload. I know most of last week the Team was on old, and it appears that has not changed. I will probably check back in later this morning, and if no information then, just wait for an email.

Did not do anything yesterday. Slept in a little, played on the computer, watched some episodes of a show I am currently watching. Pretty much the same I will do today if no work is available.

PeacE

Whew! I Ain't Cut Out For This!

 I think I last wrote about Friday morning, where I took over some donuts and sweet ice tea to RM's, and proclaimed it to be the 1st of my Birthday Celebration Month. Now it is the 4th, and I am beat down like a 'red-headed step-child'. My days of lighting the candle at both ends is well past it's zenith. 

And yet, the birthday is yet to be here. I'm hiding until it arrives.

My alarm went off this morning ... the early one at like 6am. I hadn't set it, per se, it is an automatic one M-F on the phone. It startled me, and the Wife calmly reminded me it was Monday, Labor Day, and relax. Then about 7:30 hers went off and she jumped outta bed. I said, half asleep, it's a holiday Monday. No reply, as she rushed into the bathroom. I laid there, contemplating why she was rushing around, and remembered, she didn't have the holiday off. She has to work today. Then I felt bad about being in bed, so I had to get up. Now I'm awake, but really tired. And hungry. Maybe the Youngest will wake and I take us out to have breakfast...

No plans today. Rest, recover.

PeacE

It May Be a Fine Day

 I woke today around 2am. That was after a 9pm bedtime, with a couple sleeping pills. After a morning visit with RM, I had crashed and slept a good part of the day, so the less sleep I got I understand. I will be trying to sneak a couple back in before this morning is over, prior to going to bar this afternoon.

Yesterday started my birthday month. I started with a dozen donuts and a couple sweet iced teas that I took to RMs and visited a bit. Then I went to my brothers, dropped off the remaining donuts (minus the maple bacon and a cronut). Back home and to bed. The Wife is sicker than I was - hers seem to be more the flu than the cold I had. A friend texted me last night he is not feeling well now either, and thought he caught it from me. I told him no, there has to be a bug, as I was not flu sick...  I had a cold.

The Middle Son might be bay the bar and say happy birthday today. He texted yesterday to verify the time frame. I told him I did not expect him as he has to work that evening, and he couldn't enjoy a beverage. He said he could come by and have a coke or something.

Welp, off to bed to get a couple more hours in....

PeacE

Still Not Better

 I made it until 4:30am before I woke this morning. Not bad considering I took a night-time cold medicine, two sleeping pills, and some acetaminophen, then retired about 10pm. I knew there was no going back to sleep, so did a quick run to Qwik Trip for some sodas and a couple brats for breakfast. Overall I am feeling much better than yesterday. Still have a lingering cough/sore throat, plus some congestion in the nose. Last night, once home from work, the Wife mentioned her nose has started to run constantly, and she has started coughing. I may have given it to her. She sent off a text to her boss last night, giving him a heads-up she may be sick this morning. I have not bothered her as of yet (too early) to see how she is feeling.

I don't remember offhand if I mentioned that yesterday when I notified the Company I would not be working due to being sick, they had responded that the Team was in a holding pattern until further notice. At least I'm not losing money by being sick. 

Yesterday was spent with much sleeping, and little else. I did get a few times to get on the computer, but could never sit there for long before I felt tired and had to lay down again. Today, I am sure I will be here for longer periods, just to keep from going insane - especially if the Wife is home sick.

I checked my daily blood sugar level - it was the lowest I have seen in awhile. Must be from being sick. And because I know you readers that come here daily, everything ended coming out fine from the backside. Seven trips throughout the day, but it finally released. I sweat at times I could feel the release of pressure and the bowel going down in size....

Guess I should mosey on out of here, and get other things done.

PeacE

They Got Me!

 It's just after noon on this Wednesday as I sit and try to type this post out. I'm sicker than a ...well, I'm pretty sick. Woke this morning to congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, the chest congestion dropped deeper... and I ache - ALL OVER. I mean, my hair hurts. I was feeling better yesterday, but it must have been the eye of the storm. Wife said there was some dayquil with our meds, so I have taken a couple today already. Need to be better by Saturday.

I emailed off to work this morning that I would not be online today. Thankfully they messaged back that the team is in a holding pattern anyways, and to await further instruction to our home emails. Kinda good.

Here's a crappy topic. I have been 'backed up' for the past 4-5 days. Not a good thing when I usually go at least once a day. I thought we had some exlax here, but I can't find it. So I went and 'forced' some action. Very little action. But after sleeping a couple hours, I feel a little nudge there, so maybe ready to do some more. Let's go find out...

PeacE

Bored Notifications, Being 'Sick' Sucks

 Ugh. I did try to go back to bed this morning about 5am, but all I did was toss around, cough, and wish I would fall asleep. By the time my alarm went off near 8am, I decided I was not going to work today. I feel so tired, my chest actually hurts, though still there are no other symptoms. Heck, even hardly any mucus when I cough. It just sucks feeling this way. And I am so tired at this point.

So while I am awake and not working, on a whim I went to check the stats for the ol' blog. I'm giving a shameless plug for StatCounter.com, as it is the site I use (for free) to give me limited stats and true visitor counts. One of the many features is location as well. As I was checking mine, and looking at the world map, I noticed one in Kansas, SE of Wichita. So I was nearing in on it (on the map) and it is a marker, in the middle of a lake. Someone out fishing? Then saw another that had several visits down south of Tucson in Sahuarita (never heard of it). Interesting. I happened to check RM's blog, as I put it on the site as well, and she had at least the same lake pin-point for a user as well. Weird.

Welp, I think I am going to go find something else to waste my time on, and in a bit go try to get some sleep again. Maybe some more updates later...

PeacE

Bugs! I Caught One!

Early on in the afternoon yesterday, as I was nearing the end of the work day, I started a cough. Just a little thing. My allergies had been a bit worse than usual the past week or so, and yes, the eyes were watering a bit, causing the nose to flow. I put it off to that - some drainage that tickled the throat. It was not a full cough, just one of those ones to 'clear the throat', but it was getting more frequent as the afternoon turned into evening. By about 10 pm, as I prepped for bed, it was much worse. And I came to the conclusion I must have gotten some sort of virus or something.

This morning I am up at just before 3am, coughing. Very little mucus, but what comes up doesn't look like the normal stuff (from what I remember last time having similar issues). Time to self-medicate! I grabbed the Vicks, got a good chest rub on, and found some mucus relief pills - though as of right now, I haven't taken the pills - seems like there isn't much mucus as of yet - but I am prepared. Either way, the only symptom I have is this cough. Otherwise, I feel fine. Weird. Irritating. Very irritating.

Work went on yesterday. I told the Wife early on that there wasn't much, then they added more. By just short of noon, again, we were running short, and they added more. By the time in the afternoon where it was my time to log off, they were almost out again, so who know what I will find this morning.

Well, in just the short time since I did the Vicks, the coughing has settled down a bit. I may go back to bed and try to sleep some more....

PeacE

Monday Again...Ugh

 I dreaded getting up and starting work today. Mainly because I figured there would be only about half a day of work to be completed, then sit in a holding pattern (again). It was worse. I logged in at 7am, and there is only enough work for about 30 minutes, with no note at this time of more to come or not. Maybe I will wait on posting this and see what happens first... Welp, not even five minutes later, there is more work and it looks like it may be enough to be working most of the day.

Weekend was fine. Oldest Son and I went and hung out for a bit Saturday afternoon. We met up with some mutual friends and had a few drinks. Sunday I went to church (again, can you believe it) with the Wife and we did Chino Banditio for lunch. I love that place! Rest of the day I pretty much just played games on the computer.

No major plans this week. Work if it is there.

PeacE

Attacked!!

 Yesterday morning I was attacked. I was sitting at the computer, working for the Company, when it just snuck up and got me. A case of the blahs. I don't know how else to describe it. I was not nauseous, achy, sicky-type feeling ... just ...blah. And it persisted throughout the work day time. Around 3pm I laid down and slept a good two hours. Laid down again about 6:30pm and slept another 45 minutes. Nothing was shaking the blahs. This morning, I'm wide awake just after 3:30am, and I don't feel the blahs now, I wonder if I shook them.

Headed into another day of work. Surprisingly, they have had full work loads this week for us. According to what I saw remaining yesterday, Not sure how long today may/may not go. Good chance they have more in reserve to dump on us later today. Either way, I feel it is still scut work, and would rather be on a new project...

My birthday month is coming up soon. I have made some plans to get together Labor Day weekend with some friends for a bit one afternoon. No other plans than that. I'm sure 52 is not a major milepost in the years of birth, except I have made it that far. I really don't want any gifts from anyone, but I am sure I will have to tolerate a few people getting one for me...

Not much else on the mind this morning. I guess I could go play a game for an hour or so until time to work....

PeacE

Life Moves On

 At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, I was entirely happy to log off the virtual desktop from work. There was enough workload, in my estimation, that would have us working maybe a half day at least today. More work flow was added last night, so it looks like maybe into tomorrow... but I am guessing at the early hour today. But it is work....

Otherwise, nothing new and exciting here. No news updates, no rants, no raves.

PeacE

Sigh .... Same Thing Again

 This weekend wore me out. Saturday, I arose from bed about 6:30 and went out front. I pulled weeds growing amongst the grass for a bit, then got out the mower and began trim the jungle. Of course, with my wonderful walking abilities, it was do a couple rows or three, then rest for a few; repeat. But it got done. Wife came out and helped a bit too. I skipped the weed-eating, figuring the Youngest could do it, but that never happened over the weekend. Took the Wife out to breakfast at one of our faves, Ronnies Cafe, went to Goodwill (I wanted to see if they had some more shorts my size - they didn't). Finished up with a run of my car through the car wash. Went to the VFW later on, and won a $0.25 drink, but not a chance for the $8K they got in the pot.

Sunday morning I actually went to church with the Wife. She isn't able to make it every week, and I go maybe twice a year, if that. But the night before I had said if she went I would go with her. So I did. I only saw maybe 5 people that I knew at one time. They were doing a free lunch of hot dogs and burgers, but I passed and we ended up at Valle Luna, a popular Mexican restaurant. It had been many years since I ate here. I had the fajitas, and they weren't bad. I was full, and I think mostly from the 4-5 teas I drank - what can I say, I was thirsty.

Monday is now here, and I am "returning to work". I'm on at 6am, and I see conversations about some work, but nothing in the specific channel for the team I was working with. I sent a chat inquiry asking for details, and was given the current information for work we a re completing now. It is scut work. There looks to be only enough for today. Surprisingly, last week, what little they had on Tuesday, before I left for the rest of the week, only lasted a day as well, and they had not been working since either. This is the crap that makes me unhappy....

So I will "take my time" since they say I work too fast. I will be jumping back to my desktop and reading websites, playing games, etc. Only about 7 hour s more to go...sigh.

PeacE