Late Start Yesterday - Early Start Today

 I haven't been to bed yet. Correction: I haven't been to sleep. I think it is because I slept in a bit later yesterday morning (as did the Wife after dropping Youngest off at school). I laid down near midnight, and tried for an hour or so before just getting up so as not to wake the Wife. I came into the office, thinking to watch a movie or something, but  started looking at some of the book sites I go through, and pulled in some more authors/books I want to try reading - meaning, these are already published pieces, not necessarily for a review (though I could do one still). I then went to my ebook library program (Calibre, if you must know - which is completely free to use) and started comparing that to my 'Want To Read' list on Goodreads.com - and there were some I removed from that list, and some I removed from my library. I try not to keep books that I just didn't like, so anything in the 'Books Read' library, are probably books I enjoyed or am willing to recommend to someone. I have like over 30 sections in the entire library, as I try to sort the books out ie) a longer series, or collection of series that continue the long story. Some I just have by author name, as that author wrote many books (mostly series in my library) like Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston writing the Pendergast series (separate from their individual books written) (also, 'The Relic' the first book, was made into a movie, but the series character Agent Pendergast, was not in the movie - weird fact).

Okay, okay. I just spent another 45 minutes going to check one thing, and then found some more books to get, plus wasting that time instead of finishing this post....

So last Saturday I had met my brother up at the Post. He had asked about me going up north this weekend to visit his kids. I scoffed and said something along the lines of 'Like they want to see me'. But I guess they do. His wife (notice she only gets a small 'w') isn't going, so I thought about it. I was thinking this could be good, as he and I don't get 'alone' time where we can talk. But then I found out there was a friend of the kids that he was planning on picking up and taking as well (there and back). Well, I told him I needed to talk to the Wife, and see what she thought. Then I get a call from him today, that there was another small change in plans - I am not sharing here, as it is not mine to do so, but it is a consequence of him not raising his children very well, in my opinion. 

Well, the Wife and I had our lunch date (went to Cracker Barrel, and it was hmm, okay. I brought up about this possible trip, and she thought it would be good for us to have some time together. So I said I would go. I'm paying for two nights at the hotel, and he is paying for the gas (about $5/gal right now). I demanded we take my car (better gas mileage, plus the AWD should the need arise). Plan is to leave Friday late morning I think, and return by Sunday evening. It shall be an interesting trip..... hoping I can get some reading time in as well.

Besides packing a backpack with a couple days worth of clothes, and getting the hotel reservation done, not much on my plate of things to do today. I know I am meeting some buddies around 5pm when the NFL draft starts today. For the past few years we have always met up to watch round one, regardless where our teams pick in the order. Just like to see who we get, and who got whom. I mostly do it to hang out with friends, as I can't keep sports facts in my head like they do. Never could, but some stupid trivial fact, and I'll never forget it. Sigh.

I think I might work on my music list on Spotify, so will have some good traveling music. Might play some Warcraft. Might even be nice to get a nap in, but at this rate, I may pass on that so I will sleep good this evening. Who knows what will happen...

Edit: I never did get to sleep. I did lay back down, but couldn't even nap. So gonna be a long day ....

PeacE

Starting Late Today

 This week has had some HOT and wonderful news already. I got a response from the Company, actually it was one person there, that I had done a BCC of the email I sent. Turns out the email address originally supplied to me, was for Attorney Availability for projects, not the Non-Attorney one that I qualify as. In other words, all those months ago, they thought I was an attorney... I'm not sure how to take that. I know a couple previous Managers I have worked with on projects, have actually asked if I was an attorney, and I always let them know, that no, I was not. All I can guess is that the quality of my work must be pretty darn good! So, now that I have the new email I should be sending off to, Maybe I'll get an actual response, and a project.

Monday evening I had went out to the pub, just because I was bored sitting at home. One of the regulars there I know, had brought in some pickles he had prepared. He does this every once in awhile, and they are good. I got a quart of spicy spears (has jalapenos in it) and he had a quart of pickled hot peppers that I also decided to try out. Not bad for $5 each. Well, yesterday I got a chance to get into them. The pickles were great as expected. Later in the day, I decided to try the peppers. It's sliced jalapenos, and some other 'hot' peppers I don't remember, all having been pickled. I ate about 5-6 of the slices, and had to stop as my mouth was beginning to 'feel the heat'. That finally faded, as did the sweating and eye-tearing, and about an hour or so later, I was headed out to meet up with friends to watch one of the playoff series games (NBA). As I was driving to the pub, my stomach started hurting. Ended up lasting a good hour, and I think it was because of those peppers? I don't know, but the diarrhea I have now is burning my bunghole, so I know something spicy hot has been through my system. I know, I know, TMI....

The Wife got up this morning and got the Youngest off to school. She informed me she was off today as the census at her facility was low enough. In fact, she just came into the office here and suggested a lunch date that I guess we are going to do. It's nice to get out together once in awhile. Don't know where we are going to end up, but it is what it is.

That being said, I guess I should go and finish getting dressed so we can go...

PeacE

What's New Today?

 Not a whole lot, that's for sure. It is a Monday, and as is the norm for me, first thing I did was send off an email to the Company, letting them know I am available for any project they could possibly have, and yes, though I have worked for them for over two years, I included yet again, a newly updated resume reflecting this information (per their instructions). Hopefully, something will be available to start this week.

Saturday night's dinner went well. I was able to invite the Middle Son, and he was able to attend. After dinner, her 'stole' the Youngest. I went out the the VFW for a bit, then back home. Sunday was spent just lazing about the house - well, for me. The Wife did some work in her garden until it was too hot outside. All in all, it was a typical weekend I guess. I did see my brother up at the Post, and he invited me to go with him up north next weekend when he visits his kids. I have no reason to think they would want to see me, but I told him probably not. What am I gonna do in po-dunk while he visits?

Had some issues with getting my mail program, Outlook, to load in my browser correctly this weekend, so 'googled' the problem and the easiest to fix was to clear the cache. In doing so, I guess it wiped out the login information for several sites I visit daily (here included) so I have been going site to site this morning, trying to remember passwords (if not in my password book) and doing some resets. Pain in the patootie! But maybe got some more down in case I forget in the future.

I did finish one good book this weekend, one of the review ones I need to complete, and it was really good. I already have another lined up that I have been waiting for, that I was approved to read for review. It may take me most of the week to get through it, as it is fairly lengthy. I know I have a couple other requests out there, but this would finish up my review reads for a bit.

Other than that, I will be trying to entertain myself today.

PeacE

Big Dinner Plans

 Another Saturday has come, and for PT, well, it is a big day. He turns 86 today. How he has made it this far, at times, I really don't know. But I ain't gonna get into that. After spending some time visiting last week, there wasn't much he wanted/needed as a gift, so I had offered up dinner out with whatever part of my family could go, on us. Decided on one of everyone's favorites - Black Bear Diner. I'll need to run out today and see if I can find a card for him at least as well.

Heard back from DOT regarding the 'abandonment' on the title of the Son's car. According to them, the 'abandonment case was cancelled'. So I let the Son know, so when he has time, we can go back to the MVD to see about getting the title changed over.

Not much else going on this weekend. 

PeacE

I've Got a Peaceful, Easy Feeling ....

This morning I awoke as the Wife's alarm going off about 6:10am. As I lay there a moment, I realized that I had slept all night, with no recollection of any wake-ups. This is the third night in a row this has happened, and I am pretty sure I know why: my CPAP part replacement came in on Monday. It feels wonderful! I feel so much more rested! And woke with this song in my head this morning....

That takes me back to some younger years ... as did RM's comment in her blog this morning. She brought up a (painful) memory about when I was younger and for some reason was prone to getting boils. I had had quite a few on my hip and lower back (inflamed from bug/tick bites?). My Dad was notorious for trying to pop them like zits, until the "seed" popped out. RM was talking about the old wives tales of certain fixings for certain scrapes, stings, etc, and had mentioned putting raw bacon on a boil - which we did try at least once I remember. We also tried ointments, hot water battles, and who knows what else - I can't remember them all. Luckily that was only a short phase during my life, because the only thing I remember most was Dad squeezing them and the pain!

Well, PT is having a birthday this Saturday. I went to text his this morning about meeting at the Black Bear Diner that evening for dinner with us. For some reason, my phone would not send the text, saying something about the service was not available. I tried twice. So then I rebooted the phone, and it now looks like it was sent (twice) but am not sure. Guess I will wait an hour or so to see if he replies, if not I'll message RM and see if he just forgot to respond....

No major plans today. Still have not heard from the Company, so no work. I'll probably end up playing some Warcraft after I finish my daily round of blogs, email, social media, etc. It is Thursday, so will probably meet up with a couple buddies for a couple brews tonight.

PeacE

What've We Got Today?

 I've been sitting here, thinking about yesterday, and what should I actually type out into the post today. I'm sure most of you get tired of hearing how my day/week went, but I just ain't one to shout out my thoughts on politics, so don't expect that here. I guess it is easier to just write about what I know for sure, and my opinions/thoughts about that happening.

That being said, the Wife texted me yesterday, that when she got home, she had some kind of 'side hustle' (her words) to talk to me about. I just sent back a picture of a guy shaking his head, as if he were rolling his eyes and sighing. When she got home, I asked what this side thing was - vending machines. There are two (one a snack, the other has drinks) at her facility, that one of the employees there owns/maintains. I guess she offered it all up if anyone was interested in it. I asked what the weekly take was, and how much she was asking for the "business". Then I thought of all the product one would have to bring in to stock, costs of that, etc. I told the Wife I wasn't sure that the extra money that was profit was worth the extra work. Plus you have to store all the stock somewhere that the AZ heat would not melt or affect it. So it was a pass.

After I picked up the Youngest from his band practice last night, I decided to get out for some reading time at the pub. A few beers in, I started thinking about that vending machine stuff again, and asked the Wife to get pics so I can see what drinks and other stock are being sold. Thought I might price it out with what I would think to be weekly amounts needed, etc. Those pics came in already this morning. I am already again saying to myself, this ain't gonna be worth it, but I got to settle my curiosity. 

Welp, you see the excitement that happens in my life....

PeacE

Feeling Awesome

 I got stuff done yesterday. I placed that call to the MVD about the Son's title issue. They had me send an email to yet another department, explaining the events of the situation, and providing them all the necessary information. Got that email sent out. I got our taxes filed online, finally, since the Wife had finally gotten me the information I needed to complete them. It is nice to know we will be getting a small sum back as a refund - always better than paying more! Then I took a trip out to the Discount Grocery. I was specifically looking for some nutrient drinks (like Ensure) as the Wife likes them for breakfast, and she also asked to keep my eyes open for any caramel-flavored keurig cups of coffee. Neither was to be found there, but I did find some good sales on some items, which I did get, and I did get some sodas for all of us (plus some snack foods I probably should not have gotten).

Since I was further west in the Valley than usual, I went to check out a bar some old friends of mine own. It was just a couple more miles down the road. It was a nice place - average prices. I had a couple beers, contacted my brother, since he lived only about a mile away, but he couldn't meet up as he had an appointment to go to. Then I thought, well RM's isn't that far from here, so I called her up and went over to visit for a bit.

I wasn't expecting presents, but RM presented me with some small packages of jerky, and before I left, a large bag of walnuts. I like walnuts - well, pretty much all nuts except almonds. Was always a Mounds bar guy. I visited a little longer than I meant to, but I think RM & PT enjoyed it. It had been awhile since we had seen each other in person. RM wrote this morning she had enjoyed it, so I must have done something right!

While I was out the store earlier, the Wife had texted about needing to know where she could get a money order, or a cashiers check. The bank was out, as by the time she got off work they would be closed. I mentioned the Circle K's should do them, and I looked up that the popular grocery chain, Fry's Food (Kroger), does them until 10 at the one near our house. Leaving RM's I asked her if it would help if I got it for her, so she sent me the amount and all. I picked one up on the way to my regular pub. I messaged the Wife to let her know I got, she replied thank you, and because I was feeling cheeky, I said " I know you really meant to say Ralph(d00d) you are awesome". And so she did reply I was AMAZINGLY awesome. After reading a bit, and a couple beers, I decided I wanted pizza for dinner, so texted the Wife and asked if that was okay with her, that I picked up pizza - because I am amazing like that - and she agreed (so she wouldn't have to cook).

So, aside from the fact that I am awesome, it was a pretty good day. I don't think I will be able to do better today. My to-do list has been shortened to a smaller size, mostly of things I can set aside for now. I think maybe I'll play some Warcraft for a bit, and see if Netflix has anything I feel like watching movie-wise.

PeacE

Getting More Things Done ..

 I'm up and rarin' to go ... not really. It's about 5:20am this morning, and the Damn Cat (aka Rusty, the Crack Kitty) woke me. Figured I might as well get up since I was not sleeping well with my CPAP not working as properly as it should. Electrical tape can only fix so much of the area that has broken through, and the air just seeps out everywhere else it seems, meaning there is loud 'whooshing' noise all night. But there are things that need to get done, and I might as well start now.

So finally got the information I needed to complete the online filing for our taxes from the Wife last night. I guess I will start there this morning. Followed by a call to the MVD Abandonment department once they open around 8 - maybe 9 - this morning. The Wife asked me to run out to the discount grocery to see if they have more protein drinks that She likes for breakfast. Who knows what else they will have this week that I may decide to pick up as well. Hopefully some soda....

While doing my morning pre-med status checks, I realized I must have a Dr appointment coming up soon. I just took a couple moments and signed into the 'MyChart' for the medical system I partake in, and see I have one coming up in early May. I recorded my numbers in my log book this morning (Glucose 168, BP 140/78 - goals were Glucose=<140 and BP 140/80 or better). I haven't been the best at keeping my log, as there are times several days have gone by without a recording. Mostly because I forget. I still remember to take my meds (most days) so there is that.

The Middle Son came over yesterday and with the Younger's help, we managed to get a good portion of the front lawn taken care of. He also helped the Wife in the back yard with stuff around her garden.

Welp, nothing ain't gonna get done unless I get it started....

PeacE

It's A Two-Post Saturday!

 I went back and laid down about 7am this morning. It didn't help much. My CPAP nasal piece had 'aged' out and broken, and my replacement order won't be here until Monday, so sleeping without the machine is awkward. Plus the neighbor had construction going on at their house, at like 7:15am with hammering, etc. Yeah, a couple really short naps.

The Wife had to go out and get her fingerprint card renewed. After she got back, I said we needed to go get my new office chair. So up to Staples we went. I got a really good deal, too! Chair was on sale marked down from $259, to $159, and my credit was for $149, so basically, $43 and change I was out the door with a new one, with a 3-year warranty. That warranty is worth it!

I just got done putting it together - about a 30 minute job. Old one is out by the trash for the next bulk pick-up. It feels nice sitting in it.

Well, I should go get something else done...

PeacE

Time to Go Shopping

 Damn cats. I was woken (wakened?) by the sound of a plastic bag being loudly thrashed by one of the three cats, at like, 3:30am. What the heck? I know Crack Kitty (aka Rusty) has always had a petroleum fetish (constantly into plastic bags, chewing on them, acting like they are catnip) but I think it was one of the other two: Skitters or Lucious. Not sure which, but I was not amused with the early morning antics. So, of course, now I can't sleep (despite taking 2 sleeping pills last night). I decided to do my weekly book searching: finding some more to request, checking status on ones coming out soon from authors I enjoy, seeing what else is coming soon and adding it to my "lists". And it is only 4:30am now. Sigh.

Thursday I did accomplish a few things and was able to scratch them off my to-do list. One good one is the claim I put in on my office chair. I don't recall if I mentioned, but several weeks ago one of the bolts holding the back and handle to the seat had snapped, and now leaning back is a nightmare and a fall waiting to happen. Within the hour of me sending pictures of front and back (why? the damage was on the side) and an included side pic, I had a response. They set up the full amount paid for the chair (minus taxes) so I can purchase another. I did go up to Staples on Thursday, and found a chair I like, and of course, it is $10 more than what I had to replace with, but I think it will be worth it - plus the warranty. We know now that it was worth it. Probably will go up today and get it, bring it home and put it together.

I really need to get out and get the lawn done. It is hard with my physical limitations, and the Wife is tired from working all week. Youngest is in the rebellious teenage mode (again) and refuses to get up and help with anything unless it is is for something he wants. The two older Sons live close, but one has off-hours for work, and the other is usually busy with his own life. If I can get the Wife to weed-eat/pull stuff from around her plants, I will take the hour plus to mow the lawn (have to take breaks). Guess we will see if she gets her butt out of bed at a decent time.

Erg. I see I still need to call on the title issue for the car. I need to set that right in front of everything on my desk. Sitting off to the side, I keep forgetting about it, until it is too late to call. Need to finish the taxes this weekend, too. I needed some additional info from the Wife to complete the online filings, and she hasn't got back to me about it. I guess she will be doing that today!

PeacE

Getting It Done ...

  I woke at 6:00am this morning. I know because I rolled over and checked the time. I had 15 minutes until the alarm was to go off, so I just lay there, staring up at the new ceiling fan (which was working very well). I lay there and thought about what today is (Thursday) and what events/things were going on I needed to take someone to, or be at. None came to mind. Then I thought about that damn 'to-do' list. Sigh. When the alarm went off, I got up and tackled the important things, then headed to the office. All five steps.

Usually I start my day reading RM's blog, perusing a couple of my book sites, FB, emails, and spending the time doing replies/comments as needed at whichever place I am at. This morning, I decided different was good. Did my glucose and BP checks (both were good ranges) then jumped into the emails first. I had had a couple sitting there to take care (needing extra attention/files/replies) and finished them both up. Created a couple new "saved" folders and spent some time adjusting some saved emails based on what they were discussing. I'll be going back to that in a bit. Jumped over to RM's blog, decided to get this out, and goodness knows where I am off to next. Probably another email to the Company saying I am available. Really starting to get weird not working.

It is Thursday, so will probably be meeting up with a couple buddies late this afternoon. Might go up a little earlier and get some more reading in. I am done with the required reads for reviews, yet still need to finish up one review before I am done. Another project for today. Then I have several more requests out there, just waiting to hear back.

Guess I should move on to things while I still feel motivated.

PeacE

Wednesday's Child

 I remember back in my younger days in the central Indiana area, one of the local news stations used to do a spot called Wednesday's Child. I don't rightly remember what it was about: some kid that was going through major medical, or did some exceptional thing. I truly don't remember. But I do remember the song that was associated with the segment that ended with: "...Wednesday's child is full of love." Today my Wednesday child came over.

Middle Son shows up, at just after 7am, to help install the ceiling fan in our bedroom. I was still in bed, and he said I could sleep longer, but I didn't need him sitting around waiting on me, so I got up. Of course, when replacing something that is 'who knows how old' with something more modern, there are always things that don't match up correctly. Throw in the "family luck" and things get worse. Today was mild. A couple small things went wrong, but weren't terribly detrimental to the fan working. One electrical issue we had to do a little internet searching to make sure of the correct solution. Overall, it went well, and was done within two hours (including a couple small breaks). I am so appreciative my Son was available to help, as I don't think I could have done it myself. I slipped him some money, then told him we would tell Mom it is part of her Mother's Day from him.

So now it's mid-morning. I know at some point today I am needing a shower. All that sweating doing the job this morning. I think it can wait a couple hours. I may be able to move onto something else on my to do list....maybe.

PeacE

I Told Today To %$#@ Off

 Last night, plans were made with the Middle Son, that he was going to come over this morning and help install the ceiling fan in our bedroom. I had gone out last night and had a few drinks. Needless to say, his text shortly after 10am woke me (though I slept through 3 alarms). He wasn't feeling good, and was going to nap. Maybe we could try around noon. Then around noon, he said he wasn't feeling good at all. So we moved it tentatively to tomorrow. Joy.

And I laid in bed. I finally rolled out of the bed around 1pm. I had a headache. I am sore (still). But Youngest was home (early release after some testing today). So I piddled around the office until it was time to take him to band practice. Now I am twiddling my thumbs until he is done and I go pick him up. I definitely am not progressing on getting anything done this week.

Sigh.

PeacE

That List Won't Go Away

 You know what list I am talking about ... the one of things that you have to get done, and either keep pushing it off, or whatever. 

I had some problems getting to sleep again last night. Around 1am I decided to break the rules and took two of the sleeping pills (directions read only 1) and around 2am I actually started feeling tired. I was asleep probably within five minutes of laying down. Woke once around the time the Wife was leaving, and then was out until about 10am. I even slept through my 7am alarm. Maybe I should cut it back to like one and a half pills... will try again some night I can't get to sleep regularly.

So I am up around 10am, feeling like I wasted the day already. When I finish here I will be heading up to the UPS store (again) as they should have the Oldest Son's package there today. I started working on our taxes this morning using one of those online programs. I need some info I will have to get from the Wife, as she knows where she has the info stashed. Stashed? I meant "strategically stored in a safe place". In other words, I can't find it. Back to that probably tomorrow.

Saturday we took the Wife's blown-out tire and her vehicle up to the Discount Tire. After checking the rest of the tires, they said one other was looking in the "yellow zone" of needing replacement, so we went ahead and bought two tires. The ones we had on were Bridgestone (one of the more expensive, yet dependable brands) but they had none in stock for our tire size. When we asked what they did have, in order to get ours done, the price was a big difference. from $690 down to $360 (for two tires). Yeah. We went with the lower price. Then we went to Home Depoter and picked up the ceiling fan we are gonna use to replace the one in our room. I don't know when that will happen - I don't feel good about trying to do it on my own - between knees and back, working overhead, etc. May have to wait until one of the older Boys can come help.

Easter Sunday was okay. Wife went to church - was supposed to go with Middle Son, but he overslept I guess. I slept in until near 11am (after getting home from a friend's really early in the morning). Wife picked up some rotiserrie chicken from Winco on her way home for lunch. Just messed around the house the afternoon... then she made a pork roast for dinner (which was awesome) with potatoes. She did get me a head of lettuce so I had salad for lunch this week, and the chicken leftovers. Also got a big thing of flour tortillas, that the chicken will go onto nicely...burritos and salad.

Still need to take care of the abandoned title issue for the car. Need to email off to the Company again and let them know I am available. Grass still needs trimmed/mowed out front. Yeah, got plenty on that list to take care of, and it ain't getting done sitting here.

PeacE

I'm All Messed Up Today

 It all started the other day. I did not sleep any the other night, though not from lack of trying. Sleeping pills I have don't seem to do anything. The melantonin pills are worthless, too. So I am tired feeling already. I had to run the Youngest to an Italian restaurant, where the jazz bands were doing a concert (proceeds going to the band program). I had gotten back home for a short while, when the Wife calls. One of the tires had blown on her way home from work and couldn't change it herself. So I drove several miles out to help her. I'm glad I remembered to grab my kneepads, the ones with the hard outer shell. While breaking loose the lug nuts, I had a nice 'slip' and planted part of my face into the side of the car. Which of course, bent my glasses. Sigh. Not fixable. When that was finished, counting the drive time, it was going to be time to pick up the Youngest, so off I went again. Got home and was going to head out to meet with buddies (my regular Thursday routine) and my back-up pair of glasses will not work either. They are so blurry, like a dirty kind, and using soap, water, spit, I just could not get rid of the blur. I drove four blocks and the light glare was so bad and blinding, I had to go home and put on the bent pair.

I got home late. I'm feeling exhausted, and am hoping to sleep. I last checked the time near 2am, but finally fell asleep. The Wife woke me (very vague recollection) - must have been her telling bye before heading to work. I had set a few alarms, every two hours, because I knew I needed to get the tire up to repair shop today, plus some other things I wanted to get done. I slept thru at least one of the alarms, turned the other off and back to sleep. Finally waking at noon. Roughly a good ten hours. I know I needed it. And I'm sore ... knew I would be changing the tire, but I got things to do. I hurriedly got dressed to head out to get the tire fixed. UPS had been by (Oldest had texted he was expecting a package today) and had left the memo that it required signature. I evidently did not hear them knocking, and since the dog has passed, nothing was barking. Not that I could have been woken....

So off I go to the Discount Tire. They are closed 12-3 today in observance of Good Friday. Sigh. No way am I coming back at 3, to try to get the tire done before 6, with rush hour traffic. Moving on... I drive a few blocks over to the UPS Store. Before going in, I get on the phone for Google, and set up an appointment for 8:30am to get the tire repair done. I find out that the package won't be dropped off at the store until late today, or tomorrow morning, and I need to return tomorrow. Sigh. I'm still wearing the bent glasses...The eyeglass store is just up the road, but without setting an exam time, I don't know if I will be able to walk-in and get seen. And I'm hungry. I end up at Yogi's Grill and get the lunch beef and chicken bowl, then head home. Read RM's blog, then started today's post... and here I am.

Things I need to get done are still around me: Taxes, Yardwork - notice they are capitalized? Sigh. A friend from the Post had asked me for some help on a file. Seems it is supposed to be an Excel file, but loads wrong. I started to take a look at it yesterday, and it does have some problems. Going to play around and see if I can get it to convert properly for her. Sigh. More things.

I think I am going to ignore the world for awhile....

PeacE

It's Just Irritating

 Since Monday, I have been putting off doing things. Didn't get the lawn mowed - put that off for now. The Oldest Son showed up Monday as planned, to go change over the title on the car, etc. Turns out that there is an abandonment claim now on the title. I now have to call the MVD Abandoned Vehicle department to figure out what needs to be done to get it removed. My guess is, when the car was found, it was in a parking lot, then towed by private to some salvage lot. There, they put in a claim based on the VIN that it was abandoned. Which would explain why the police never called my Son... they had no idea it was recovered. The Insurance found the car, I'm guessing by the VIN, and then took the car to the repair facility, where I drove it home from. It is physically in my driveway - how can it be abandoned?!? So that phone call I have been putting off for a couple days... mostly because I get so angry about the whole situation.

I've also been putting off doing the taxes this year. I finally talked the Wife into letting me do them this year, electronically, with one of the programs out there. For many years, she would always wait til the last minute, then figure out by hand the medical costs, etc, and fill the forms by hand, beating the midnight mailed deadline by minutes some years. I need to get that done... otherwise, I am just as bad as her procrastinating to the last minute. I know we don't owe, but still....

Still haven't heard from the Company. Another put off ....

I haven't been able to sleep at all tonight. No idea why. I took some over the counter sleep aid pills but haven't felt sleepy at all. No since trying to bed down now, as I try to get up in the next 2-3 hours as a rule anyways. Putting off another night of sleep....

Maybe something better tomorrow - or later today, rather....

PeacE

Closing Out The Weekend

 It is Sunday evening, and we just got back home from having dinner out at Red Robin. My Doodad and her family were in town, and joined us, as well as the two older Sons. So the Wife and I were able to have all the kids (and families) together tonight for a couple hours. Always a good time. Doodad has a birthday coming up later this month, and though I tried to get her to tell me what she would like, she was being a stinker and wouldn't talk to me. Of course, that mean when we were saying goodbyes, she would give me a hug and kiss either. But she will grow out of that phase soon (I hope).

The Youngest has his ACT test this week at school. The Oldest Son is coming by tomorrow late morning to go with me to transfer the title, etc on the car. Hopefully a work project will come to me this week, too. Otherwise no major plans. I did get a couple of the books read this last week that I finished writing the reviews for this afternoon. I have at least three more on my to do list, and picked up a couple more today (already approved) so will be reading quite a bit the next couple of weeks.

The Wife won some gift cards this last week. Seems that had an All Teams meeting, and she won one fo the games they played, winning a $10 Amazon card. She also was selected as Employee opf the Month and that prize was $100 in Visa cards. I'm so proud of her.

Welp, I know it is only Sunday night, but at least y'all will have something to read first thing in the morning....

PeacE

Saturday Feels Over

 It is barely 10 am and I feel like this day has been completed and it is time to retire to bed. The Wife and I were up shortly after 4am to get ready, drive over and check-in for the hot-air balloon ride I had booked. We arrived ten minutes early, and I was shocked at how many people were there. We did our 'Liability" signatures, and after a short wait we were assigned to a van with our pilot, and away we went. I was somewhat amazed at how fast the crew gets a balloon set up and ready to ride. The Wife of course was snapping phone pictures at everything.

Once we were airborne, I began to feel a little anxiety, but as long as I was not looking directly down, the ride wasn't terrible. There were a couple times with the wind shift the basket would 'tremble' and I would hold tightly to the rail. Otherwise, it was a great time. The pilot was humorous, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it. There had to been close to 26 balloons in the area we were launching from, and the pilot said this was one of the best mornings for a flight. 

After landing, there was a champagne (or OJ) toast, which we did not partake of. Then it was back to the headquarters. From there, the Wife and I decided to stop somewhere for breakfast, but with the southbound side of I-17 closed (best route home for us) we rambled through some of the north side. I ended up picking a Waffle House (the on at I-17 and Bell, RM) as I haven't eaten there in a few years, and turns out the Wife had never been to one. I love how quick they are, and the good prices. They did not disappoint. I even recounted for the Wife about how RM used to take us three kids there growing up many, many years ago, in Indianapolis. I think I drove by that one (still there) several years ago.

So now we are home. The Wife is going to take a nap (I am sure, though she says no). She has plans with the Daughter tonight. I'll probably go to the Post this afternoon. Think it will still be an early night though. I am feeling tired already.

PeacE