Winding Down ....

 ... more like running on empty. After being up all night Friday into Saturday, the sleep I got last night still didn't 'fill the tank'.

Saturday, I basically spent the whole day up at the VFW. There were District Instruction meetings, followed by District Post & Aux meetings, which all ran until about 12:30pm. Usually they are not that long, but due to this being the start of the VFW Fiscal year, elections had to take place. Then there was the 'installation' of Officers (where they pledge oath to their respective positions). Thankfully, I was not nominated for any District position (nor regular Aux earlier this month). Following the meetings, lunch was provided (fruit trays and sandwich wraps).

Since most Saturdays I end up down at the Post anyways, I stuck around. Mainly because a friend of mine and his girlfriend were planning to come there later that evening. P played my Viking Clash game on the tablet (it was all-day clash again...like every Saturday) and drank small pitchers of tea. By 6pm I was "tea'd out" and started on the Ultra. My friends showed up around 7, and stayed until shortly after the Queen of Hearts drawing at 9, before they left for home. I had a couple songs in for karaoke so stayed longer. Around10:30pm I recalled that another bar I used to go to regularly, was having a karaoke contest that was to start at 11pm, so I headed over a couple miles to that place. Though I did make it there in time, was able to walk-in and enter, but it had to be a song referencing the word 'sex'. There were four other people on the list, and I saw what songs they were going to do, but I just wasn't in the mood to figure out a song. I have a song that I have been told by many, many people I do very well, and I had planned to do that one (and probably winning, as long as it isn't a popularity contest - which most times it is). I did sing that one, but then finished my one drink and headed home.

Sunday I slept in until about 11am. I needed to get up and moving as there was a VFW Riders meeting at 1pm. As I'm checking messages/emails/etc on my phone, I see the Director had emailed me requesting me to make an Agenda for today's meeting. Since I am Secretary, I suppose I should have been doing this for previous meetings as well, though I am still learning the position requirements and whatnot. I was able to put together a basic one in the allotted time, though unfortunately, the previous months meeting notes were not right front of me. I admit that I was on my computer, and they were on there, I just wasn't awake enough to remember that fact. Made it to the meeting, and the Director was satisfied for the Agenda I had thrown together. I guess he admitted to be a bit ADHD when it comes to the meetings, and wants an agenda so he can 'stay on track' for meeting business. More work to do.... Because I am Secretary to the House Comm. as well, and that Chairman was in the Riders meeting, and now he said I should do that for the House as well. Sigh. I guess if I do it after I make the minutes for distribution, it won't be overly taxing.

After the meeting I came home, and pretty much haven't done much else. Caught up in my Viking game a bit. Wrote here. Not sure about dinner plans, but am guessing the Wife will be in here soon to ask me what plans are (which I usually don't have/make). Which would mean we are going out to eat. Guess that will be a surprise....

PeacE

Saturday ....

 ... and unlike Chicago, I'm not in the park.

It is a no sleep night, and I am up at 3am typing here. Doing the District 3 Meetings at the VFW, which start about 9am, and then segue into others that will last until close to 1pm. But, I may learn something. Or not.

I had a whole post planned out, what to write, etc... but now... I figured out I don't want to share what I had before. As Bobby Brown said, before he starting hitting Whitney.... It's my prerogative.

PeacE

Playing Video Games ....

  Welp, as part of my early morning today since I am awake so early, was to catch up on some of the shows I am watching. I have been floating through about 15 television programs (some new, some older) and some have many seasons, let alone many episodes. I'm starting to really like how some of these specialty channel ones, like Paramount, run usually about 10 episodes per season. Makes it so much easier to binge watch, versus a season with like 25 episodes.

So, this morning I decided to get caught up on The Last of Us which airs on HBO. I was ready to start season 2, and I see that as of this moment, there are only 2 episodes out, with the second one already being leaked that it was a traumatic episode. Well, I watched them both, and I just don't see what the issue is. Afterwards, I was watching some of those FB reels, and came across a couple that showed the scene from the show, and alongside, played the scene from the video game. Pretty close to the game version, but having never played the game, I would have never known what was coming. Everyone seems to be freaking out about it all, and I just don't see it.

Shows based on video games, comic books, live-actions made from cartoons. Is our movie entertainment companies really lacking in ideas for stories? Go to the library, read some books, make a movie. Sigh.

PeacE

At Least There Will Be Ice Cream ....

 ... maybe.

It's Friday, and I find myself well-rested, waking before 6:30am today. I had been able to get out the other day and picked up more edibles, so slept well last night. Aside from a couple 'awaken instantly' moments, and a couple foot cramps, it was a nice night.

Tomorrow we will be doing a trip South to Tucson, to visit the Daughter and Family. Doodad's 8th birthday is tomorrow, and we will go for the day, though the Daughter said that with it being Easter weekend, they are not really doing any sort of party. She mentioned with many families traveling and whatnot, they decided to do like a pizza party next Saturday. I'm not going back down then, as I don't want to be at a pizza joint with a bunch of screaming 8 year-olds running around. <shudder>.

Decided to myself I will be heading down to the Post today, though not staying into the evening late. Used to have karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays, but due to lower attendance and Canteen sales, they cancelled Fridays now. However, tonight is an even to remember a fallen Veteran and fellow law officer killed on duty. Supposed to be a LOT of people (oh joy). Most of the event is to raise monies for funeral costs for the family (allegedly). I am always hesitant about fund-raising like this, though IO do understand the high costs, etc. Just have become somewhat jaded on the subject, especially after seeing so many people with the plastic jugs at street corners with some kid's picture taped on the jar, panhandling. Many times, it would be the same kid pic for weeks on end, though never the same person. Sigh. Makes me think poorly of some of our society. So yeah, not planning on being around for that event. My usual Saturday afternoon I will be in Tucson, and gladly. The Post has the Rough Riders MC doing an "In Memoriam" motorcycle ride that ends at the Post, remembering all those that passed in motorcycle accidents. I know it will be crazy up there that night.

Not much going on for now....

PeacE

Whiskey Wednesday

 Hump Day!

Looks like it is going to be a full sleepless night for me this evening/morning. I took my last edible last night, and did not go out to get more today, so no help from that end. I also stayed home and did not go out drinking, so no help from the alcohol to put me to sleep. I tried to rest and relax the body and mind in bed for about an hour, before I gave up. Then it was onto the computer to watch FB reels. Thought about watching some TV shows, or a movie, but just didn't feel like it. I tried reading for a bit - no luck.

The Wife has today off from work evidently. I know she had a PCP visit scheduled for this afternoon, but I guess her boss said she could just take the whole day if she wanted, as she is not training a student currently, and I guess Wednesdays are their "slowest" days. No idea what that means, But the Wife made sure I knew about it before I tried going to bed. I think mainly so I don't wake her at 8am (like I usually do, to make sure she is up and moving).

I think once the Wife has left for her Dr appointment, I shall head up to the pub for some reading and some drinks. Started a new series by J A Jance, about a detective in Seattle. So it is a crime/police story, but the first book was pretty good. Moving onto the next 20 in this series, followed by about another 30+ in three other series this author has, and some books are linking the series together.

Taxes were completed yesterday morning. I admit, it took me longer than I thought it would, but not too much. This is the last time we will be able to claim the Youngest on the Federal. We are getting refunds from Fed and State, so I am not complaining at all. It was much more than I expected as well. The Wife texted from work this afternoon asking if she needed to sign anything to get them submitted, and I told her they were already done, and doing it electronically, we don't have to physically sign the forms. She was happy about that, plus the amount we are getting back.

Youngest is still looking for work, though not very hard from appearances. I know I have seen him searching and doing applications online several times, but supposedly has not gotten any calls for interviews or able to track a contact for a follow up to his apps. Might be time to tell him to get out there and hit up stores that don't have an online presence or are national, etc. 

Welp, I guess that's about all I want to say today....

PeacE

Tax Rush Monday

 So, taxes are due to be completed by midnight tomorrow (date-stamped from the Post Office, or computer time-checked for those doing it online). Yeah, yeah... I have slacked off, and have not done ours yet. As I use one of the many tax programs out there, I shall complete it this morning and get it done. Hoping we don't owe either entity anything...but will see. This will be the last time we can claim the Youngest as well. I'll have some breakfast here in a bit, check my glucose and BP, then settle into getting it done. It only takes me like 15 minutes (if that) to complete it.

Last week, we had the Aux and Post elections for their next fiscal year. Fortunately, I was not nominated for anything. However, I still hold the Secretary position for the House committee, and the Riders Chapter. Both are appointed positions, not elected, and I know for a fact that no one else wants to take notes at the meetings. I have recently glanced through the by-laws for each group, and noticed that there are other duties assigned to the position I had not known about, so I suppose I will have to brush up on it, and figure out how to do them, if needed. Only the Riders Chapter has any elections left for the month, and again, I am not nominated for anything. I think only the Director and Vice are up for grabs.

Some caramel flavored coffee sounds good this morning.... be right back.

Ahhhh. Much better.

Nothing exciting scheduled today. This coming weekend we talked about going to Tucson for Saturday (Doodad's birthday) but haven't heard of the kids making plans, so not sure. If I leave it up to the Wife, we will be going.

PeacE

Another Hump Day

 It's another Hump Day, which means I need to remember to get my trash out, and the cans to the street edge. They pick up early on Thursdays.

Not much has been going on for me in my life. Tuesday was our General meetings at the Post (of course I attended). It was election time for their fiscal year. Thankfully, I was not nominated for any positions. I still have the Riders meeting later this month to deal with regarding elections, but most positions there are 'appointed' rather than voted, though, we could change all that. Stuff in progress....

The past few nights, I have been doing many hours late night/early morning, with writing. One of my Sons had asked me about My life, prior to meeting the Wife, and also about their Grandfather (my Dad, whom they have never met since he passed in 1985). I the several friends and even the Wife have mentioned it might be a good thing, and to write it out and be able to share with all of our children, versus just verbally sharing whatever with one. So I started. I got maybe a paragraph in and I was emailing RM to get some details about those early years prior to my birth, about her and Dad.

RM sent me back within a day, a document that contained so much information, that even I did not know about. I was a bit shocked, but as I read it, I realized that it all made sense, and in some weird way, filled some holes of even my basic memory of my parents, before I was born. Yeah, that was worded weird, but I know what I meant.

I worked through more of it tonight, using RM's info (quoting her at times) and eventually broke down and emailed her again, about another time frame that she might help with some info. I admit it is nice to have someone that knows some more about the stuff that went down at this period of my life, though, I know it is only their viewpoint.

More to come later, as I am busy with this project, and trying to sleep, as this is making me lose quite a bit of it.

PeacE

Another Late Night

 Last night, I had attended a couple VFW committee meetings (one I am a Secretary for) and when they ran longer than I expected, I figured I would stop at the pub for a couple beers before heading home. Of course, I had my tablet with me, and got so involved in reading the current book, time slipped by me and it was after 1am before I actually headed home. And I could not sleep. Around 6am I did lay down in bed, and after about an hour, I managed to fall asleep, but only got about 3 hours of sleep before I knew I had to get up.

Tonight I amin bed before 10pm, feeling tired from the previous lack of sleep the night before, but it is a no-go. The tinnitus in my head is loud tonight, and just won't let me drop off. I got up about 11pm, took a couple acetaminophen and an edible, to see if they will kick in the next hour and let me sleep. Fingers crossed.

I was expecting a call from a friend this morning. He had plans to drop his car off at the dealership to get his a/c fixed before summer gets here, then we were to go have lunch at Chino Banditos (takee-outee) one of my fave places. I guess he drove over there, texted me (I was still asleep at the time). I did wake and see his text about 45 minutes later, so sent back I was free, and what time did he want to go (still before noon). Instead I guess while he was waiting to hear back from me, he spoke to his Dad on the phone, and they went out to lunch instead. No worries. But he called tonight saying the car should be ready around noon tomorrow, and could I give him a ride, so here's to hoping for some sleep so I won't be groggy tomorrow. I doubt we will do lunch, as I do want to get over and get a haircut, and some other errands done.

That's about all I got right now.

PeacE

Not Sure What to do With Myself

 It's an early Wednesday morning, and though I wish it were because I happened to awaken early, but sadly it is not. I'm still awake since yesterday. As it nears the 5am hour, I just finished typing up notes from the Post House Committee meeting (I'm the Secretary) and sent out to the Chair for approval, prior to sending out to all House members. Tonight's meeting was long, long, long.... I say that because the Chair is someone that has ADHD (squirrel!) and goes off on tangents. But tonight, he actually made some points/discussion issues on paper, and was good about it, until he asked if anyone had 'other business', in which I spoke up. He gave me a quizzical look, to which I responded, 'we have two months of tabled discussions, unclosed issues that have not been addressed, so as I voice them, tell me if these are "off the table" or let's resolve them'. Big Sigh, but I had the opportunity to remove a few, resolve a few, and bring discussion to the others. Overall, was a good meeting, though longer than I like. And I think the Chair may be mad at himself for appointing me as Secretary (previously, the position was held by no one that took notes).

That being said, and 2 1/2 hours later (typing minutes categorizing as to new/old/notes/discussion) took me awhile. I just emailed and asked for an edit, if any revisions need to be made (corrections with dates/info/etc) and now I wait. He's pretty good, and I expect a reply later this morning. Our General Post meetings are next Tuesday, and though I am Aux, I don't have to take notes, but we are at the fiscal year, and elections for leadership are taking place. Nominations were last month, and I am sure we will allow 'last minute' ones, but in the Aux, I think we are covered. Thankfully I am not nominated for anything. My Secretary standing with the House Comm is 'appointed', just as is the same with the Riders Chapter. I don't have to be elected, and as usual, no male wants the job. I guess being a book nerd gets me the job.....

Spent this last weekend down South with the Daughter and family. I always love seeing my Doodad, Widget, and Babygirl.... oh and her husband. Wife and I stayed overnight (hotel) and Saturday we all went to dinner at Golden Corral (a buffet). SIL pulled a change on me, and jumped in to pay for dinner as an Anniversary present for the Wife and I (34 years this past Sunday). I was a tad angry, as I invited them out. I'm of the mind-set that if I invite you, I pay. If you invite me/us, you pay. Well, he got me that night. But it was much appreciated. I forced him to at least let me leave the tip.

I don't know about how normal people go through life (I always considered myself off-center of normal) but lately I have been doing too much internal reflection. Recently, the Middle Son has been asking questions of me (via phone text messages) inquiring about several things. Mostly about his grandfather, and my memories of him. Then about more about me, and the years prior to the Wife and I being married. As I turned these questions over in my mind, I realize that with all my children, I never talked much about my life, prior to marrying their mother. And even those few years at the beginning, there are many details that to this day I don't speak about. The Wife knows some, and I trust her when I said she can never share, but if someone were to ask, she could direct them to me. I don't think that happened with the Middle Son, but either way, he has come asking.

...and I don't know what to do. I hate talking on the phone. Phone texts are even worse, especially if you are trying to share a story...forever typing. Sigh. I told the Son to just text me questions, and when we can meet up, I'll share the answers. But as parents, getting time with your adult children, that is sometimes harder than actually answering the question. This Son has asked me some pretty specific questions, and some I have already replied to, basically telling him to 'wonder forever, because you get no answer from me'. That wasn't easy to tell one of my kids, but sometimes, there are things that even they do not need to know about my life.

And there we have it. Life. Been thinking/feeling a lot about it lately. Medically things seem to be going well. BP and Diabetes allegedly under control (according to daily testing). I seem to find new and more things to add to the list that I 'should ask the doctor about' which will never happen, until I have to. I know much of it is due to habits (drinking, smoking, previous drug use) but I tend to mark it as old age, and this body just falling apart. In some ways, I wish I were more like RM & PT where I am more fit (regardless what you say RM!!!) for my age than I am. But that's' where life gets you when you make not good decisions in your younger years. Sigh.

Okay. I'm done pontificating this morning. It's Wednesday. Happy Hump Day.

PeacE