Whew!

 What a day today has been, and it is barely half way over. It started with the Middle Son calling about 7:30am. My first thought, as a parent knows, is 'something bad happened or went wrong'. So of course I answered it, ready to jump out of bed and do whatever I could to help whatever problem. No worries. Not really a problem. Seems his battery had died at work, and he had purchased a new one, put it in, but the battery indicator light on the dash had not gone off, and it had been a day. He was asking if that is normal, or should he be worried. I mentioned it was more than likely an issue in the battery/wiring/charging system, and best bet would be the alternator is/has failed. Suggested he get to a garage service to have them check it before ending up "dead" somewhere, when he has to be somewhere.

We finished the short chat, and he agreed he would see about getting it in to a place near him today (he is off work tonight, so has the time today). I went ahead and got out of bed since the Wife was getting ready to leave for work anyways. No sooner had I sat down at the computer, getting ready to take my meds, Middle Son calls again. His car is dead - won't start. He had called not five minutes before, and now it is dead. He had driven a roommate to an early doctor's appointment, and was stuck there now. So I threw on yesterday's clothes and grabbed the 'jump kit', then headed out to meet him - way up on the northside - out past the VA cemetery (for those that know the Valley). We got it started, then the decision was made to get it to the garage now. It is several miles back to the one he had picked, which is near his place. We made it maybe 2 miles up the road, then his dash went dead, and power faded. Ended up calling for a tow (1 1/2 hour wait) then headed to the garage. Explained the issues, then we went to my house. Decided it was 11:30, and I was starving, so we went to lunch. Waiting for the call still from the garage, we hit the vitamin shop (I got some milk thistle), then the car wash (it sprinkled and dirtied my windows of my car), then Walgreens (I had 'scripts to pick up).

The call came in, and it is the alternator. Labor and replacement quoted about $650. Sigh. But the work could be done in less than 2 hours. So we okayed it all, then headed back to my house to sit for a bit before the call comes in that it is ready. Poor kid has been so stressed about this happening, and not counting the other stressors he has going on. Of course, I said I would pay for everything (tow, repairs) as I know his finances are tight. We have offered many times over to help with things regarding the car, which he has refused, but it is working out now. In fact, he just said he is going to lay down to rest his body (he hasn't been to bed yet, and just got off work this morning early). I love that I had the chance to really help him out, and teach him how to handle situations like this when they occur. I am happy I had the time free to assist, with no work currently, though I would have called off today to help him. 

I know that as parents we have to step back and let children learn things on their own, especially as the reach adulthood. I agree they need to learn the results of their actions (or lack of), their financial decisions, etc. But sometimes, you do have to help teach them. Maybe in someone else's eyes, I helped too much paying for the repairs, etc, but I don't care. I know that if there is a next time, he'll know how to handle it, even if he does have to ask for a loan from Mom and Dad (read loan as financial gift, in my opinion). 

I think once we get back to his car, he'll be more relieved, and less stressed. And he got to spend some time with Dad, just hanging out and catching up. Regardless of the reason, it was a good day.

PeacE

Prep Week

 This is the week before the Youngest graduates from High School. Which means getting things "planned" for graduation on Monday, and a few events that are happening he wants to attend. Like, his girlfriend's birthday/graduation party on Saturday. A water/splash party at the HS on Thursday (Seniors are released from school early that day, and this is in the afternoon). Plus he has a couple friends coming from out of town for his graduation, that would like to spend time with him as well over the weekend. Plus the graduation party the night of at Dave & Busters.

I'm waiting to hear from the Company. Last weekend they mentioned a possible project (not yet approved) to start this last week, but each day it was pushed off as no approval had been received. As of Last Thursday, they were hoping for a Friday start (didn't happen) and now we are into the next week and I have not heard anything at this time yet.

Finally heard from the last of the kids that they will be attending their brother's graduation. I think I have a plan for everyone to get there (on time) and all. I need to get in touch with RM about us picking them up and times. Youngest was able to get all the tickets we needed.

I've been on this new medication, Rybelsus, which is replacing the Metformin I was taking. It has been a bit different. I no longer have the nausea in the mornings while I wait an hour after taking (per Dr orders) before being able to eat. My sleep schedule has been really wonky, but I don't know if it is the meds or just me. I will have to keep an eye on how things are over the next couple more weeks to let the NP know if I have side effects.

Welp, think I shared enough today...

PeacE

Breathe In, Breathe Out

 Sometimes I wonder how I get by day to day in this shit hole of a place we call a world. Even as I typed that last line, more crap that is making me question my sanity, is happening, in the form of email.

I have spent most of this last week stressing. The Company contacted me last week about a "potential project" to start this week, and every day this week, it is the same 'we are awaiting confirmation, prior to setting an actual start date/time'. In other words, the haven't got the client to hire them yet. So every day I await the call to get to work...and then get upset and disappointed when it doesn't happen. I miss working. How many people do you know say anything like that?

Tickets are available as of today for the graduation. I sent the Youngest in with the money for three additional tickets, which should round out the number we need for family/friends. Graduation is in 10 days.

Nine months late, but I finally was able to have some time with the Middle Son last night. His partner and I went out for a couple drinks (he turned 21 in August, and never let Dad take him out for the first one in a bar). His partner is nice, and we had a good time for a couple hours.

I picked up the new 'script yesterday. Reading the instructions, I realized I have to take it, with no more than 4 oz of water, then wait 30 minutes before taking any additional medications or food. Really? Sigh. But the NP says this one is better for me than the Metformin. A noted side effect is weight-loss, so could be a win-win. I just need to watch for any weird effects from this new one. Best part? I was worried about cost, but when I picked it up yesterday, it also rang up $0.00.

I know it is only mid-morning, but I am going to go lay back down. The Wife and I have a play we are going to tomorrow. Something we have never done before. Seems we are doing a bit more of that lately.

PeacE

Anxiety Builds

 Saturday afternoon I received a phone notification that an email had been received. As the usual, I ignored it after hearing the 'ding' notification sound, until I had a break later on. It was the Company, stating that they had a "potential project" that 'MAYBE' slated to start 5/6, more than likely 5/8, that had NOT been client approved at the time of the email. The Company was sending out notice, so that they could find out actual availability of employees for this POSSIBLE project. Individual replies would NOT be monitored, as the email went out to "hundreds of employees". I responded from my phone, that I was available, before seeing there was a link to complete an 'availability survey', which I did later that evening when I got home - too hard to read it on the phone.

So, I know it is only slightly after 3am (not sleeping well again) but I have not heard from the Company with any follow-up information. I know that there is a distinct chance I will not be chosen for the project, but it is the first time in quite awhile they have even mentioned possible work. I have been looking for other related work-from-home (remote) jobs, but have not found anything that suits me, or that I am willing to do. So for now, it is a waiting game to see if this project comes to fruition or not.

Later this morning I also have a doctors appointment. Rather, a Nurse Practitioner appointment. Right now she has me on seven medications to cover all my medical issues (well, most of them). The past six months I have been seeing this particular NP she has adjusted the meds at least 4 times (over the zero changes the prior 1 1/2 years from three others). Two weeks ago she wanted to get me off the Metformin, and replace it with Rybelsus. I did some reading on it, and for what the NP will want, is dose changes every 30 days starting at a 3mg to 7mg to 14mg, each costing more money per 30 day supply (even with a MFR 'savings coupon'). I was to start it 2 weeks ago, but somewhere in the process, someone, somehow, inputted something wrong, and the insurance won't approve it because of a mis-match on the patient (me) address. I verified with the pharmacy, and the 'MyChart' for the NP, that my address is correct. To spite this, the same day, the insurance filled all my other prescriptions with no problem. So my guess is someone typed/transferred something wrong (from the NP office) so I am sure this will be discussed today. Other than that, I am thinking of asking about some sleeping aid. The OTC Melatonin and sleep capsules don't seem to work at all.

Sigh. Other things I need to get done this week.... mow the lawn. I really hate having grass in Arizona. It gets too fricking hot to do it in most of the months, and doesn't grow well (dry spots, etc) unless you have a good sprinkler system (I don't) and landscapers cost too much to come and mow it each month. Aside from that, the last time the Wife let me hire some landscaper to mow the lawn, they weed-eater'ed (new word folks!) a couple of her rose bushes to ruin, and she was not happy. Even I don't use the trimmer around her plants anymore. I leave it for her to do whether she uses the trimmer or does it by hand.

I also need to get the Youngest's car up into emissions for registration before the 15th. It has been sitting in the drive and needs to be "jumped" again. I swear this child has no motivation to learn to drive, and never asks about it. And he is graduating this month. HE will need to drive to get a job, because he ain't living here forever. 

Argh! Being tired has gotten me a bit cranky this morning. I guess I better close this off before I get really mouthy about things.

PeacE

Gee, Where'd the Week Go?

 Seems like this last week just flew by without any notification. I know I didn't have anything special planned, but still... I think I spent most of this last week, waiting to hear about when the extra graduation tickets are going to be available for purchase, so I am able to plan out stuff better.

Tuesday night the Youngest had his last band/Jazz band concert. Here in about two weeks is graduation. He has a 'sober graduation party' that night from like 11pm-4am at a Dave & Busters (an arcade place). And now he is asking if we are doing a dinner after graduation (that starts at 3pm). I have no clue. I suppose the Wife and I will talk about it this weekend. I know we are planning to pick-up and take RM and PT so they can avoid the heavy traffic of the event, plus get the benefit of handicapped parking with me. I'm still trying to figure out time/travel logistics for all that as well.

No plans this weekend really. Next Saturday the Wife and I are going to a play. A "Mad Hatter Musical" playing at the Herberger Theater downtown. Another thing that we have never done - a play. Seems we are doing things we have never done before more often now. Must be the 'do it before we die' or something....

Goes I should close this up for now. Have my Viking game clash today, and also need to get abotu three more reviews written.

PeacE