Working the Holiday?

 Normally, the Company has July 4th off, and this year is no exception. We are "closed" so no one is able to make 'double time' and yet we are not paid for the holiday, so we are already 8 hours short of 40 for the week. Shrug. It is what it is. They offered if we wanted to work extra hours all week, to make up for the shortage, we are open to do so, as long as we contact them ahead of time. I don't think I will. With the pauses we are already having in the workload, I doubt we will be working a full week anyways. Such is life.

The Youngest passed the online test for his permit to drive yesterday! It is a major accomplishment in our household, seeing as to how I had to push/cajole/swear/manipulate him to even get to the point of taking the damn thing. I think the only way that finally got to him was I was going to sell the car we bought for him, as it was just sitting there taking money (insurance) whilst he sat on his ass doing nothing. And yes, I had to wake him twice to get him up yesterday to get in the office room and do the damn test. Sigh. We are going up today to get the actual paper permit (regular mailed within 10 days) this afternoon when I finish work.

I went out with the buds last night as per the usual Thursday routine. Feeling a little groggy this morning, though I did make the 6am hour for work. One bud is gone to North Dakota Country Fest next week, so not sure if meeting up next week or not.

PeacE

Pleasantly Surprised

 I was able to get just over three hours of work in on Tuesday. I was surprised we had work that fulfilled the 8 hours/day, and that carries into today, and possibly tomorrow. Though I feel this is the final dregs of the project. Kind of glad....

The Wife and I have been talking about some sort of 'vacation' this summer. We haven't come up with much around the Southwest that we are really interested in doing - aside from going to Tucson to see Doodad. We even asked the Youngest if there was anything he would like to do - no. So we decided a 2-3 day trip down to Tucson, and then to Tombstone (you've heard of that place, right?) for a day. We checked with The Daughter about stealing Doodad for that day, gives them some quiet down time (to make more babies). Finding the dates to do it, though, are kind of difficult. We settled for later in July, but at Wife's work, we ended up having to do it sooner. So here in a couple weeks we will be out of town for a weekend.

Youngest starts his band camp in mid month. That is two weeks of having to take/pick-up I will have to do (sigh). I am so glad this is the final year of all the kids being in high school. Sixteen years (12 of them straight) of early mornings, late nights, special camps, Saturday competitions. I won't miss them ( I say that now).

Ugh. I am getting messaged this morning from the Project Manager. Seems she is questioning some of my work. Need to run....

PeacE

I Thought I was Working Today ...

 Friday when I logged out of work, I had that happy inside feeling, because I saw there was enough workflow items that I would be working on Monday. Yesterday, it lasted most of the day. About 30 minutes before I logged out for the day, that flow ended, but within minutes they had added more. It looked like Tuesday was going to be good! I slept in a bit later today, and when I did log in, that work flow was gone. People were beginning to ask 'is there more for the work flow?' and I'm sitting here on my hands doing nothing.

I don't know the details, but evidently RM And The Wife met up or something yesterday. When I got home from the bar last night, I had a bag waiting for me. RM was clearing out more stuff (she writes about it enough) and came across some things she thought I would want. This included a couple report cards (remember when kids actually got them?), an immunization booklet with a few of my early years shots listed, some trail mix packages, and some packets for sweet tea. I respect that she thought I would want these things, but really? In the report card 'pouches' there was a mothers day invite to tea at the school (I am guessing) circa 1978. I sat here thinking a bit, that would have been Kindergarten for me... damn I feel old. Though I appreciate RM giving them to me, they will all probably end up in the trash. I have no memory attached to them, and so they have no value to me. I am sure it is probably much different to RM...

Well, work things just got weird... I have the Teams chat in the background as I am writing here, waiting to see/hear about more work. I just got added to a "new" chat channel, so it sounds like they are moving me to another section. But a few minutes later, it is gone. So again, I have no clue. Guess I will be doing this for awhile this morning....

PeacE

How Will This Week Go?

 Getting ready to log into work. When I logged off on Friday, it looked like there was at least a half day worth of work for me today, but who knows. Again I just want to end this project and get started on something new. The Company has been on this one since October, and even earlier this year I was on it, though in a different section doing something different.

I did get the new modem straightened out, and we are going to use the next couple weeks as a trial period. If it stays connected more than our previous one, I'll be happy. Nothing like the work day being disrupted five times a day (most days) because of lost signal. When we went to the Verizon store to ask about it all, we did find out it was more than what I was quoted (go figure) but still cheaper than the other service, which I hope to disconnect in a couple weeks. The Wife did mention there was one time on Saturday afternoon she noticed the new modem disconnected, did a screenshot to prove to me, and then it was fine again. Might have been itself still setting up software and updates? I don't know ....

Didn't seem to get much else done over the weekend (me anyways. Youngest is planning on doing his license permit test this afternoon, online. Then maybe tomorrow (if he passes - which he should, we will go and get it.

PeacE

Things to Do, or My List of Things to Put Off Today

 Being 5:40am in the morning sounds like a good start to the day - unless it is a weekend day. Yet, here I am. I woke early (had to pee) and though laid back down, knew sleep would not be coming back. So I figured I should come into the office and bore y'all this morning.

Work is still going, though sporadically. Seems I am in a 'downtime' whilst waiting them to provide material to work. A couple days this past week I only worked a little over three hours a day. At least when I logged out yesterday, there was a work flow for Monday morning. Hopefully, it will last a good day.

The Youngest had a late invite to stay over at a friend's house last night. The Wife called me up about it around 8ish I think it was, so I came home. We looked into going to a late movie, but nothing was showing late that we were interested in. We ended up at Denny's for dessert - well for her. I was hungry (hadn't eaten yet) so I ordered food. Then back home we went, finding myself asleep shortly after. It was nice to have a little date, and catch up on stuff we want to do (vacation maybe....).

I have that Verizon modem still sitting here, though it has been unplugged pretty much since I brought it home. We plan to look at how to change our family plan to an unlimited data one (versus the limited at 4Gb shared all devices) today and see what can be done. The Wife thinks it is a charge per phone, versus the plan rate increase. If that is the case, maybe we can just put the modem to unlimited (counts as a device on the plan) and use it. Gotta try to figure it out, as I want the better service/speeds it has versus teh DSL line I use now.

I'm sure there are a zillion other things that need to get done at some point around here, but I can't think of them right now. I am craving soda pretty bad this morning (or at least carbonation).

PeacE

Coming to An End ...

 I logged into work yesterday early at 6 like I like to do, only to discover there was nothing to be done. They asked we log back in at 8:30, to check for updates. That became 9:30. Finally at 10:30 they had some work available. I worked until 2 - so few hours, but they had ran out of work again. This morning, I waited until 8 to sign in, figuring if there was work, it would be posted by then. Nada. Again with check back no sooner than 10am (my time) so now I have a couple hours to kill.

I debated going back to bed - and am still thinking about it. Just an hour nap... But I know I need to get a couple book reviews done. Of course, write my drivel out here. So much fun.

PeacE

Getting Ahead of Myself

 I screwed up, again. Seems that Verizon modem wasn't as good as an idea as I thought. I had pretty much heard what I wanted, I guess, and didn't think to ask the right questions. Turns out it uses the data from our family plan (which is limited - not unlimited) so that is a big no-no. I guess I will be taking it back in the next couple days. Good thing The Wife checked into it more last night.... I had never thought that that was how it worked. Sometimes I just see that 'prize' and lose track of what it costs to get there.

So I'm a little down this morning.  Like a firmly scolded child, which is probably appropriate.

A few more minutes before work starting. Wonder how today will go.

PeacE

A Monday Evening

 What a day today has been. Yesterday was good. The Oldest Son and I went and hung out for awhile. Had some good conversation and catching up on things going on in his life. Unfortunately, his phone had gotten dropped at some point, and he had noticed until today, but the screen was not working properly now. Late this afternoon he called me about what to do, as it was nearing time for him to go to work. I ended up meeting him at a Verizon store near him, and we ended up upgrading his phone. He got a $1000 phone, with an $800 discount with trade-in! Wowza! Then they talked me into trying their Verizon internet program. So I got a new modem to try for 30 days. Already I can tell the difference in speed transfers and usage compared to my current company. I think I will discontinue the old one, and save money by just using Verizon. But I'll wait a couple weeks before making the agreement. One thing I hate about the current company is the service drops intermittently throughout the day, and just lags (low transfer rates) when multiple people are using it. If this one does not do that, they get my money.

Work is progressing, but it looks like they are starting to slow down on this project. I'm guessing maybe another day or two, but am not completely sure. This is week six of a supposed four week project....

Guess that's all I got. Won't have to write in the morning now....

PeacE

Father's Day Means 'Me Time'

 I went to the pub yesterday. I wasn't going to, but I got bored and so headed out. I made the excuse as I drove to the VFW that I needed to see if they had gotten in the shipment of Devil's Devil, as the Oldest Son wanted to try it out possibly today. But I was good, and left the VFW early, though stopped at another of the watering holes on the way home. I still made it home early (well, way earlier than a usual Saturday) and was in bed by about 9:30. Then RM texted and woke me...but it was no big deal. 

So this morning I slept in a bit. The Middle Son had texted HFD to me already this morning. Probably when he got off work. It's only 8:30, so haven't heard from the other three. Not expecting gifts either... just texts. The Oldest Son said he wanted to spend time with me, and I am hoping he will, though I know he needs his sleep during the days (he works nights as well.

So nothing of import to share today. RM shared a short memory of her dad. I thought about sharing some of mine, but I just don't feel like sharing today. They are my memories, and I think I will keep them to myself.

PeacE

Happy For the Weekend ...

 I'm happy that the weekend has finally arrived. True, that means that I do not have to get up for work, yet I am still up this morning at 5am. I guess the sleeping habits are working well.

No major plans this weekend. I need to take up the battery from one of our cars to the auto store to have them see if it is chargeable, then get it charged. If not, buy a new one. This is on the car that will be the Youngest's. A few nights ago, the Wife had stepped out front around 9pm and one headlight was on the car. The key fob wouldn't unlock the car, and it was dead when she tried to turn it over, yet had enough battery to light one headlight. Lights were turned off, but yet it was on. I had to unhook the battery to get it to go off. I read online there is a light sensor that warranty covers, but have to get it running in order to get it anywhere to be looked at. Weird situation though...

So after that I pretty much have no major plans today. Might do some little things around the house. Sunday afternoon the Oldest Son and I are supposed to hook up for a couple hours. He has not committed yet, to a time or otherwise, but we will see what happens. Sunday is Fathers Day, so it would be nice.

Speaking of ... RM, just a reminder PT can have his card now...

Okay, enough of this sitting here collecting dust in my head.

PeacE

Working It Through

 Monday, I had a feeling about work. I noticed fewer people in Teams, and began to wonder if I was the only one left. Yesterday I got a sort of confirmation. My manager had asked me in the morning if I needed more files to work on, and I mentioned I had several that had suddenly appeared in my folder of things to do. She mentioned, oh! The QC'ers are putting them all directly to you then. So basically, I am the last of my team that is still on this level of the project. Which is good, as it keeps me working....

Speaking of, I am at it early today. I want to try to get an extra hour in today. I have my yearly diabetic eye-screening tomorrow mid day, and I know they will dilate my eyes. Not sure how much work I will be bale to do afterwards, so want to try to get my time for the week covered.

Oher than that, life is pretty boring. Will see with Father's Day coming up....

PeacE

How Long Will It Last?

 Monday finds me up with the alarm at 5am, and I'm feeling decent, well, enough that I am ready to get to work. I did a couple personal things then started my log-on process shortly before 6, and once logged in, I jumped over here to waste some time placing letters in a random order so you have something to read. You know you like it.

So... work. This is starting week five of an estimated 4-week project. Good or bad, I cannot say. I can only do the work they give me. If they short-saled the client on time, not my problem, except, it may end the company if they do it too often. Not my department, and it is what it is. Either way, I have a couple things to work on this morning that may take about half my day. After that, at this point, I don't know if I will be done, or if the manager will throw some more my way. She just logged in, so will see as the morning goes on.

Saturday was okay. The Wife and I got up around 9 and went to Golden Corral for breakfast. We had not been there in quite awhile, and shortly starting into the first plate, I remembered why. The food is just so bland. But I did fill up on scrambled eggs, sausage links and biscuits with gravy (though never on par with my Grandma Hankins'). That eve I went to the VFW as they have the Queen of the Hearts drawing raffle. The pot was up to $6,550, so had to try for it. I got my ticket drawn to be able to pick a card to win it all... .and got a 7 of spades. I won $25 (covers the $20 in tickets) and the pot rolls to next week.

Sunday was Book Day. I have one of these every once in awhile. It's where I go through a few of the book sights, look at the lists of 'upcoming releases' they show for the next six months, and update my notebook (the one for books by my side here) with any and the dates they are due out. It helps sometimes when I request ARCs to know what is coming out when. OR if I miss a request for an ARC, I know when I can check for it to be out. Then I randomly start looking at New Authors (new to me) that are recommended to me, to see if they have stories that sound interesting. I did end up downloading a few (like 30) to try out when I have time for my personal TBR list. That took most of the day. I filled in the rest watching a new show (to me) called 'Your Honor' from Showtime. It's a couple seasons long, but looked interesting.

Welp, I wasted a few minutes here, and should probably get back to work.

PeacE

One Week Off

 Yesterday, I realized I goofed up. Thursday I had put some mail out to be picked up, including a Father's Day card for PT. I did it thinking, since he is here in town, a couple days to get there, in time for Sunday... except Father's Day is NEXT week. So I texted RM, to see if she can run mail interference, get the card so that PT doesn't open before then. Well, I actually said to call me this morning after 8am, but here I have been up since 6:30.... When she calls I'll ask.

Wrote out a couple book reviews this morning that have been piling up. I believe I am on the last book (currently reading) that will need a review. Which means, of course, I went through the sites this morning , requesting some more (I think only two requests), plus any previous ones still pending. I might be able to get back to my regular reading list soon. At today's count, I've read 103 books so far this year (16 books ahead of schedule for the goal of 200). I can gladly say, there have been a good number of good books (IMO) this year, or to be coming out this year.

Not sure what weekend plans are, as I don't think I have any. The Wife said this morning her weekend is fairly clear as well. I do need to get to the pharmacy to pick up the last prescription, otherwise, I got nothing.

Work will continue into next week. I did get an email to start a new project Mon/Tue, but since they still have work for me on this one, I will stay on it for now. The new one has a time frame of two weeks, whereas now I am heading into week 5 of a 4-week project. But, I am doing higher level stuff... it works out in the end.

PeacE

Thirsty Thursday

 Welp, It is 6am and here I sit, online, waiting for my manager to log in to find out if I am done with this project, or if there is more to do. Looking at log notes yesterday, it may be near an hour yet before I see her show up online. Sigh. Time I don't get paid for, even though I am ready before she is. Might mean working an hour later this afternoon to get some hours in.

I kind of hope this project has reached its end for me. It's not different than any other project, I'm just ready to move on, where I am not feeling like every time I complete something, I never know if it the last one or not. Then there is like now, where I feel like I have to sit in limbo, waiting on them, waiting on anything....Sigh. Maybe it is just my mood this morning.

It is Thursday, and usually I meet up with the buddies. This week we had met up Tuesday night, so no idea if plans are for tonight or not. I know the two of them met up last night, as the one friend has his family out of town for a few weeks. He is pretty bored on his off days from work. Some of us can't do the every night thing.... I stayed home last night.

Welp, I guess I should go find something to do until the manager gets online.

PeacE

Dragging Today

 I'm beat. Yesterday things had happened to make me have some anxiety, and I met up with the buddies last night. Ended up staying much longer than I should have, so I was later getting up this morning. And I'm still dragging ...

So I had the car accident over a year ago. My insurance ruled it a 'word vs word' situation (even though I truly had the green turn arrow). The other person is now on their 4th...5th? ... attorney trying to blame me. So I got the call yesterday of my insurance letting me know what's going on. Allegedly they are filing a lawsuit this time, so if I were to be served, to let them know and they will assign an attorney for me. I talked to my bestie last night and he told it is nothing to worry about. I believe him, after all, he is an attorney.

Work wanted to advance me to a higher level yesterday. As I was on the phone with the new manager, and he was explaining what was expected, the workload, etc, I had to interrupt him. I told him flat out that I did not have the knowledge of the programs (Excel) to be doing what he was expecting. He was surprised, then thanked me for telling him up front. I was moved back down to where I was already, and I am still working as of today. I did see in Teams that many have finished their portions of this project, so I don't know how much more there will be for me. Hopefully it won't be long until another project.

RM had a surprise visit with me this morning. She had a business breakfast with her boss, and she wanted to stop by on her way home to drop me off something. Turns out it was a slice of apple-rhubarb pie (which is already gone) and a couple other types of dessert. That pie was good, though, would have been better if I had some ice cream to go with it. Thanks RM!

PeacE

Let's NOT Work Today ...

 I awoke this morning to the alarm as I plan to pretty much everyday. I did the morning stuff, then went in and sat at the computer. I still had about 15 minutes before I needed to start, and I just sat here. I realized that I did not feel like working today. Instead, I got up, went back to bed, resetting my alarm for another hour. Then I did get up and start the workday, though I still don't feel like working. It is not that I hate my job (I like what I do) but some days, you just feel this way, right?

What else to write about today? I did get some more reading in yesterday, and I have at least three books I need to get read to do reviews on. I have been slacking a bit this last week, reading only a smaller series I had been putting off - for my own reading. I finished that up yesterday, so it is back to books for reviews for now.

Guess that is all I got for today....

PeacE

Another Week Has Come

 Monday has rolled around again and I am up at the computer, early and ready for the workday. It was planned this way, as I had set the alarms to get up - not that I wasn't sleeping well. Well, sleep was okay, but not up early due to the lack of.

The Daughter's family came into town and we were able to spend part of Saturday with them. We did end up at Denny's for a late dinner that night. Doodad was more open to actually talking to me this time round, so I was happy. SIL and I got a chance to talk in better detail what I am looking for/needing in a new computer build he is doing for me. I am hoping to have it by September.

Yesterday was spent lounging. Took a nap. Had dinner. Went to bed. So exciting. Work does exist this morning for me, though I am not sure how much longer the project will last (this is week 4 of the estimated 4 weeks).

PeacE

The Weekend is Upon US

 Saturday has arrived, and I am the only one awake at 5:30am to start enjoying it. Not that I want to up this early, just the old body decided it had enough sleep and it was time. Nothing major really planned. I know I need to get to the pharmacy to get my prescriptions (the Wife said she has one for pick-up as well). I kind of want to get over to the Discount Grocery to see what they have this week, and also the regular Fry's for some soda. So in a couple hours I may be doing some errands. The Wife mentioned last night she wants to get some more of her flowers planted. I suggested she get the Youngest out there and see about some trimming/mowing, too, but doubt that will happen.

The Wife heard from the Daughter that her and her family will be up this weekend! The Wife has been down their way a couple times since I was last able to see them. Not that my Doodad wants anything to do with her Papaw at this stage, but I do love her so and enjoy seeing her. As well as the Daughter and SIL. I had emailed him this last week finally, giving him some spec ideas I want put into a custom build PC that he has agreed to help with. I don't have all the tech and know-how, and he has done both computers they have. He knows where to shop and how to build it. I just gave him 'what I want's, and gave him a financial ceiling. Can't wait for a few months and get this new one.

Work is still flowing. Yesterday when I logged in, I had work specified for me. My TL had to leave early, and no other work had been added, so when I finished what I had been assigned, I logged for the day. Didn't hit my weekly 40, but at least I am still working. She had mentioned that come Monday there would be more for me, no problem. Yay to that.

Father's Day is coming up in a couple weeks. I guess when I go to the pharmacy, I'll see if they have cards out yet, and get one for PT. Maybe a gift card for a local restaurant, or a pre-paid Visa to go with. Would have time to mail it since I don't get out their way much. When we did the late BDay dinner with the Oldest Son. he and I were talking about whiskeys at one point. I mentioned that one day I would have to get him down to the VFW to try out the Devil's Devil by Jesse James Dupree. They have a case on order and might be in by that Sunday. So we made arrangements for he and I to meet up Father's Day for a couple hours and go down and try some. I was there the other day, and the Chairman made a call to find out when it was going to arrive for me, but had to leave a message, so not sure at this point. Good stuff that whiskey is. Made with capuscian (sp?) peppers for the cinnamon taste, gives it a nice warm bite.

Welp, I got not much to add, I suppose. For RM, while at the VFW talking to a bud named Jon, he said he was flying his brother out here from McMinnville, TN. I mentioned that you were from that area, and said '"Thar's a lotta dem Rigsbys down in that area", and he mentioned the last name, but I can't remember it, and added that the families prolly knew each other. Just one of them 'small thoughts' things....

PeacE

Work Is Weird

 For as simple as my job is (my opinion) it seems difficult for the Company to figure things out (again, my opinion). Yesterday I logged in to start the day, there was no workflow, and I logged off to wait an hour (per instructions) to see if anything came available. Forty-Five minutes later, I am online again, and in that time, what did drop into the workflow, had already been picked up and I was not able to do anymore. My Team Lead commented that that was it for the workflow, and for us to watch our emails, in case they needed us to come back on previous worked stuff or whatnot. So I logged off, figuring after 2 weeks of this supposed 4 week project, we were done. This is about 9-9:30am. Around 1pm I get an email asking me to log back in and contact another Lead, as he has some work for me. At that point in the afternoon, I am not getting back online for little work time. So I logged in this morning, and this Lead had left me a message where to start, so here I am back at it.

Yeah, my life is so exciting.

I think I am over that damn bug I had, at least I think so. Today's aches and pains feel more like the usual ones; I don't feel nauseous (waiting for the pills to kick in then that will change unless I get something to eat) though my allergies have decided to pay a visit. The nose and eyes are quite bothersome with all the running.

 The Middle Son came by this morning. Mostly to "steal" Youngest away for a few hours so they can play video games and whatnot. But he did come in to sit and chat with my whilst I was working. We talked about the move he is doing this summer (to a new apartment) and plans/dates. He mentioned about going to my Sister's place on Monday, but didn't stay terribly long. I think that is the first anyone in my family has gone to one of their get-togethers in quite awhile. He even said it was uncomfortable. I know RM wants all of us to be one big happy family, but I just don't see it happening. And I will take the blame for that, as no one sees things my way. Such is life.

But I did get the Middle Son to agree to pick me up a Wendy's burger meal when he brings Youngest back around noon. Will see if he remembers - he better, because I gave him money to get it for me....

Well, I ain't got anything more to say today I guess.

PeacE