Hi Monday!

 Welcome to the beginning of the work week, for those lucky enough to be working. I just spent the last hour and then some going through Indeed looking at jobs available. Of course, nothing ever fits "exactly what I want" but I got some ideas, and will ponder them for a day then narrow my search parameters down. Maybe. I see the USAA offices out here are hiring like crazy right now, it might have good to get in early, and set how I want my position, more than them anyways. I don't know.

Saturday was a long one. I had stayed out later than I meant to on Friday, so getting up at 7am wasn't pleasant. But it got done. I attended the training hour, and the regular scheduled Dist 3 meeting for the Auxiliary. I made it home around 12:30pm, and promptly napped for a couple hours. Then it was back up and headed out for a birthday party for one of my VFW friends. The Wife accompanied (to everyone's delight). I have been trying for weeks, nay months, to get her to get out more to some of the private invites for parties, etc. just so she gets to know some of the people I "hang out" with when at the Post. Granted, most are in Leadership roles, but still. The party was wonderful - lots of really good food. My Brother and his Wife showed up (prior to us) and that was a bit of a downer. I say that because my Brother "pre-games" everything, so he was already half drunk when I showed up at 4pm. And I just ignore his wife, like she isn't even there, whether she is talking to me or not. Needless to say, he did a face-plant within a couple hours and they left (thankfully). Talking to the Birthday Boy (host) I found out he doesn't even know who invited my Brother, but assumed it was his wife, but he said he didn't invite them. Kinda weird, hmmm?

Sunday was a catch up and rest day pretty much.

That brings up today. Did some job seeking this morning (via computer). Not sure what I am doing the rest of the day. What about you?

PeacE

It Has Been a Week....

 That I would rather not repeat. Went to the first Capture the Flag event the Riders do. That was fine, but the the Director decides he wants me to include every ride the American Legion puts on in our minutes, so our riders can go as well. On top of that, the Legion is doing some special deal with the AZ Cardinals, that the Director wants to do... but NONE of it benefits VFW. All charity work, etc., goes back to the Legion. Why are we doing this?

We were supposed to vote on By-Laws back the week I was sick. So Last Sunday, the Director did give me some short notes to try to create a Monthly Minutes from. Ugh. And since we tabled the By-Laws vote, now he wants to find some earlier version - and here I am waiting on him again.

Tonight I have to sell / raffle tickets. I doubt I will sell any. The event tonight is Magic: The Gathering card game, and I am sure most will not play a raffle. Tomorrow is training in the morning, and a party at a friend's that evening.

My life sure is boring.

PeacE

Niceties

That word does not fit into my mouth well. According to the 'Google definitions', I take sub. 3 that reads, "a minor aspect of polite social behavior; a detail of etiquette." All in all, it really doesn't fit what I thought it would, but it is enough for me to gripe about today.

That being said, how often do we walk by people, on the street, at the market, at church, etc. and we do the "Hi! How ya doing?" And everyone generally lies, and says, "Fine. And you?" Then we all lie back. I know, right?

Last night I was at the Post until about 7pm, then headed back towards my regular pub (closer to home). For some reason, my brother was 'pissing me off' and I just wanted away from him. Either way, at my regular pub, whilst I am smoking a cigarette outside, I say hi to people coming in, even if I don't know them. It was this whole niceties thing going on. I admit it. When people asked me first, I would say 'I'm better' but no one asked why I would be doing better - was I sick, had I been, was I dying of cancer?

Ugh! Manners maketh the man. Heard that in 'The Kingsmen' or one of those.... I agree about manners, but is greetings, not one person stopped to listen. And I doubt, that had I been in their shoes, I would have stopped and listened.

I think one of the best things I have taught myself over the last 30 years of my life, is to learn to stop and listen. I don't care if it was to one of the kids, a random stranger walking by me, a co-worker... To stop and listen takes no effort on your part. and once you hear, you understand more of what that person is going through, or had been through. I'm one of the first to claim I don't wanna know, leave me out of it, but sometimes.... it just is.

Something to think about....

PeacE

Not Quite Michael Buble' ....

 ... I'm feeling good. Well, maybe just better. I woke yesterday afternoon, the body just tired of sleeping. I was able to get around a little, and spent a few hours in the office before I felt tired and needed to lay down. As long as I don't overdue it, I should be better by Monday.

Nothing much else to say. My phone has been off the past 2 days so not much has happened around me.

PeacE

I'm Sick

 Not sure from what.

Sunday night, as I was headed to bed, I accidently stepped on one of our cats' paws. She lit me up. My calf area of my left leg (my bad one) has some nice new graffiti art on it. The Wife helped clean it all up with some peroxide andlife went on. Needless to say, I felt fine until Monday night. Around 5:30p I just had the sudden urge to vomit, and luckily made it to the rest room. I went home right after, and by the time I got home, I was feverish, was shaking with cold, the leg was killing me, and yes, I felt like vomiting again. Which I did as soon as I made it to the bathroom. Took a couple Acetaminophens, and decided to just deal with it. The Wife wanted me to go to Urgent care for anti-biotics, but I refused. I don't know if it is related to the cat scratches, as we know cats have very dirty mouths and claws, or if it something else.

I slept through all of yesterday. Fever broke sometime late afternoon, but I am still feeling week. The leg still hurts more than it rightfully should. I will be spending the rest of today in bed, and maybe tomorrow as well. So don't call. My phone is on do not disturb so I can sleep.

PeacE

Friday Shenanigans

 I slept in today. Not that I was "hungover" because I wasn't. I just felt I deserved to sleep in. Yesterday I did my annual diabetic eye screening. It was at the same place I have been to before, but the regular doctor I had seen (and liked) retired at some point over the last year, so they 'assigned' me to another one. This Doctor was much younger, and after meeting with him, I like him as well. Not that often you get a doctor you get along with well. Not that it really matters, as I generally only see this one once a year. Either way, I was given a good eye exam and off the hook for another year.

So, with my eyes dilated, non-prescription sunglasses on, I headed to that Dollar Tree for the donations pick-up. It wasn't bad, as I just took the 101 freeway from the doctor's. Once I get there, I walked up to a cashier and explained who I was, and what I was there for. She grabbed a box they had for the donations, and there were only like 5 items in it. I asked if it was the only box, and she said yes. So I left it there. I was a bit peeved that I made that trip and that was all there was to pick up. I explained I would be back again in two weeks, and the two weeks after that. Hopefully there will be more the next times.

They are sorting the other collected donations this afternoon from 12-5p. I did not actually volunteer to help with that, but I feel I should. At least it would be an afternoon better spent than drinking at the pub. Less money-spending, less reading time, but for the betterment. Besides, the Riders dinner starts at 5pm and I should be there for that, as it is our first one, and being in Leadership.... Think I will take the laptop, as I am sure our Director of the Group will be wanting me to note this, note that, and look this up, etc. I know I am the Secretary, but c'mon dude, you have a laptop you can do this on, too. Any notes you come up with for our meeting you can just keep until the meeting on Tuesday. I won't be sending out another Agenda.

Selfish sounding, I know, but if you think about it, I don't feel that way.

I don't read the comments on my posts very often, even though I know there is a simple button on the side from the dashboard to do so. Today I saw a couple from RM, and maybe we will see if we can do a lunch during the week. I need to check my calendar stuff and get back to you.

Well, guess I should get ready to head down to the Post....

PeacE

Never, Ever Volunteer

 Many of us have seen military comedy skits, when the Commanding Officer asks the squad for a volunteer, and all but one step back. I kind of feel that way after Tuesday nights Auxiliary meeting. Every year we participate in Operation Homefront, a program that assists kids with school supplies, donated from people at certain stores. Most of ours are the Dollar Tree ones around the west side of the Valley (where our Post is located. Once picked up, we spend a day sorting it by type (markers, crayons, etc.) and now that the event is bigger, they do it out at one of the high schools. This year that is on Saturday. Well, donations still need to be picked up. I offered, they asked my cross-streets, but nothing was in my area, and they had one location that really needed to be picked up, so I offered (again, mistake). It is down around 107th & Thomas, way out and south of where I live. And they need it by tomorrow. So that means I need to get there today. I have my annual Diabetic Eye Screening this morning, then will have to head there to get it. With my eyes dilated. Sigh. Not going to be fun.

Then I find out, we have to keep picking up donations until the end of August. So more trips there. Sigh. Do NOT volunteer Ralph. Sorting day is Friday. I might be there for that. Riders dinner is Friday night. Need to be there for that. Too much going on again, I am starting to feel overwhelmed, due to my stupidness in volunteering.

Well, I should go try to lay down more. Woke around 3am and couldn't get back to sleep, so here I am.

PeacE

Hot F*ing D*mn!

 Whew! It only took until dang near 7pm last night, but the a/c got fixed with a new blower motor (I called it!) and the house cooled back on down. Of course, being the pessimist I am, I had issues from the time he showed up.

Tech appointment was somewhere between 4pm-7pm, and I will admit I was surprised I got the the text he was on his way around 4pm. I was at an event, but the Youngest, because he is of an adult age, was at home I was fine. Tech spent around an hour to diagnose. Called me, said he got the old motor working, but couldn't guarantee the intermittent use of, or lack of, but he had a replacement motor on his truck. I asked how much, he said, I said then put it in. Sigh. Like I want to call your company to send someone else out again if tomorrow the motor quit. SMH.

I get a price quote. I'm like, it's good, do it. Then my Pessimist stepped up. For two hours, I don't hear anything. I'm thinking, did the motor go in, and in the process they messed with something else? Did the system fail, and now something else needs replaced as well? Is he bottom-feeding and trying to make me buy a whole new unit? Trouble, trouble, trouble.

Finally he called back, said he has the new motor installed. The temp had dropped 10 degrees with it in place. Everything else is "holding together" for a 20-25 year-old unit (Thanks to inheriting this problem). I paid over the phone, and honestly, I would use this company again. I probably will call them come August to do a maintenance run on it, or quote for a new one, even if I flinch a lot at the cost. "This Old House", though inherited, is starting to get expensive.

So, after my event last night, I came home and it felt so much cooler. Sigh. Problem solved for now.

That leads us into Tuesday, and I have our regular Aux meeting tonight. According to the Agenda, I do not see anything I am going to volunteer to help with, but it reminded me of this Friday,7/11, where my Riders are doing their first dinner night, and that we have not asked for help. So, didn't care how late as it was an email, I contacted all, saying we need help with pre-set up, serving, post-clean up, etc. Then as I awoke at 5:30am this morning, I re-sent a reply all that I need to know who can help. Telling people we have needs, and asking are two different things I have learned. With it being this Friday, I hope more respond, but the pessimist in me says, well, no one will. 

And so I stress. Like those dinner ideas don't happen for the regular Post, or Aux dinner nights each month. And the Commander says we need as the Riders Group to do one every month as well. Going to be one heck of a meeting this month, so I hope the Riders show up. In a small way, I wish I could kick them if they don't, but that is not a possibility. Sigh. Paid dues, they are there for a year, whether they help, show up or otherwise.

Obviously I am a bit on the 'not happy' side this morning. Sounds like most mornings, eh?

RM invited me yesterday to meet-up with her and PT for a salad luncheon at my favorite bottom-less salad place, Red Robin. I turned her down, as I had just had a basic burger from Jack in the Box, and honestly, wasn't sure I was holding it down. With the AC down, the heat has been playing hell with my old body. I'd been nauseous for the past two days, and yesterday alone, I think I had to heave at least 4 times, with the heat, and my pessimism causing havoc on my thought process. As RM says, maybe it is better to just say a prayer to God and release your worries.

I know I owe RM a lunch-time with the messed-up middle kid at some point soon. My schedule is freaking weird. Wished I could have done it yesterday, but mentally, it would not have been fun. That, and PT would have been there. As he ages, it gets harder, and harder, for me to 'deal with' him. I understand getting old, heck, I am as well. Hearing is one thing. Common Sense and direction are others. And he is still driving, even after years ago I spoke to him about hanging up the keys. Honestly, there are days I think about hanging up mine... and I don't "have" too. I understand the stress it puts on others to need to be there for you (Dr appts, etc.) but still.

Well, I am just ranting about crap that none of you care about, so I'll just close this off. RM - will try a good date for us to get out together for a lunch (our quarterly, or whenever?) and reach out.

PeacE 

The Heat Is A Killer

 My, what a weekend....

Friday was the 4th, and I spent the morning and early at the Post for the Flag Raising, and then just to kill time until my friend's party that evening. The party lasted well into the night, with WAY too much alcohol. Needless to say, I think I made it home around 5:30am, and have pretty much sworn off alcohol for the rest of my life. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but I sure haven't felt like having any for the past couple days. Saturday I slept late, catching up on the night prior.

Sunday was fine. Until early afternoon. The Wife noticed first, but when I mentioned it, we both agreed it felt much warmer in the house than usual. Checked the thermostat, that we keep at the low 80's, and it was showing the current temp at 96. I checked the vents - felt no air flow. Pretty sure it was one of two things, or both: too much condensation build up, or the blower motor/mechanism isn't working properly. We decided to try shutting it off for a couple hours, and then see what happens.

The Wife and I knew it was just too hot inside for us, and made the choice to get out and see a movie. The Youngest said he didn't want to go, but would hang at the house (glutton for punishment evidently). So we left with instructions to leave it off for 2-3 hours and then see what happens. This was about 4:30pm, so the Wife and ended up doing some shopping at Wallyworld, then spent the rest of the time until movie start people-watching at AMC. Saw "Mission Impossible", which was long, and made it home around 10:40pm. Youngest had texted earlier that after 3 hours off, it was still reading 00, which meant at least 100, and when we got home it was 99.

So today I awoke about 4:30am, and have found a company very near to the house, that I will be calling around 8am. Once I set an appointment though, I am leaving the house. It is just too hot. I doubt Youngest will go with me, but surely the tech can take a look at the unit and determine what I did without access to the house. Just hoping the motor, or whatever, isn't terribly expensive.

Finally got all the approvals I needed yesterday for the House Comm minutes and the Riders Agenda, so emailed all that yesterday afternoon. Have Bike Night tonight at the Post, and General meetings tomorrow night. My yearly diabetic eye exam is this week. Riders have their first dinner on Friday night. Feels like it is going to be a busy (and expensive) week.

Figures.

PeacE

Three Day Weekends....

 Seems like everyone is running off from the Valley this weekend. I know RM/PT are headed to visit with Sis and family over in NM this weekend. Other friends are camping up in Verde Valley. Me? I'm stuck here in the heat.

Was up bright and early today, about 5:15am. I slept decently, and am guessing that is why I woke early as I did. Figured I had stuff I needed to get done today, prior to the holiday weekend, so went ahead and got out of bed. 

I set up the laptop and began working on the minutes from my meetings on Tuesday. Our Chair for the Entertainment Comm had asked me if I could send her my notes (though I am sure she is a better note-taker than I am, and I am not the Secretary for that committee). So I typed something basic up for her, emailed it off. Then I started in on the House Comm minutes. I was going off my notes I had written as we went through the agenda, but I knew there were more notes somewhere I remembered taking down... but where? I finished up the minutes as best I could, and as I was getting ready to send off for approval, I found the extra notes. Forgot I had the laptop up and writing things down as well. So back to corrections and adding the stuff I had not had in before. Sigh. Finally got hat done, and emailed off to the Chair for approval. This husband and wife are the two Chairs for the two committees, and both are out of town in the Verde Valley for the weekend. I was told they had access to excellent wifi at the Ranch they are at, so will see. Allegedly, the House minutes need to get to the Adjutant prior to Tuesday's General meeting.

That done, I finally got around to labeling sections of my accordion file for all the committees and other things I am a member of or Secretary of. Printed out some fresh sign-in sheets for the next couple meetings. I can rest for a week prior to having to write up the agenda for the next Riders Group meeting. I have a feeling, there won't be much to it, as we still haven't had anything really going on as of yet. Hopefully attendance numbers will change (increase) with the new date/time for our meetings.

Then I went through one of the many notebooks I keep around me at the desk here. This one is the one that I write down lists of movies I saw a trailer for, and looked interesting. I looked up the ones not scratched off the list already, and saved them into my bookmarks to clear up space in the notebook. There are a few that are either too new, or were never put into production (I am guessing) so some stay on the list. I need to get to the next notebook, as it is the one with all the TV shows I am currently watching, and what season/episode I am ready for next. Need to probably re-write them out so it is in a more legible way, as well as clarifying the ones I decided to still watch, and removing the ones I didn't care for.

Thirsty Thursday, so you know what I have planned!! One of my buddies and I usually meet up on Thursday afternoons, and I expect the same this week. The Wife did come in this morning around 7am'ish to let me know she is off work today due to low census. But I already have my plans laid out for the day.

With that being said, I guess I should get off of here and get something else done. Maybe work on going through my new trauma kit to familiarize where everything is at inside it.

PeacE

Meetings, July Events, dang I need a drink....

 Ugh! July 1st. Ain't we just beginning to get warm here in the Valley of the Sun... I think yesterday the hottest part of the day was 116, and yes, I know the record temp was higher, but dang if that ain't hot enough. When yer standing in shade, sweating, and getting parched, standing outside a bar.... ya know it is hot.

It's the first Tuesday of the month, so that means it is meeting night. Today is the Entertainment Committee (which is starting earlier than normal) followed by the House Committee (of which I am Secretary). I'm part of both, indirectly, therefore will be at both, even if I only do the notes for the House. I know the ET Comm is the one that is planning to start the NYE plannings, as well as our Post's 100th Birthday (in March). In some ways it is nice to be a part of all that, even if I have no artistic skill in decorating, at least I can throw either and idea out, or money at it to get it done.

Then next week is second Tuesday, our regular Post/Aux meetings. Third Tuesday starts our new Riders meeting night. I wonder how that will turn out. Has to be better than the 4th Sunday @ 1pm meetings we have been having.... but who knows.

Last night was the second week of "Bike Night Mondays" at the Post. I did go about 4pm, and after 6:30pm I left. Hardly anyone there, let alone motorcycles riders. I know they just started this, and I do have a flyer now, but maybe more will show once we get the word out it is open to all.

I guess one of my lazy-ass nephews finally finished the extra schooling to get his GED/HS Diploma years after he should have just completed school. I guess his "graduation" was up north of the Valley in Camp Verde (about 1-1 1/2 hr drive north) and RM/PT went. I guess he is reporting to Army (?) boot camp in two weeks (allegedly) now that he has the final paperwork to enlist. Shrug. I know RM, can't say something nice, don't say it.... but I so want to.

Just about 10 minutes ago I texted RM, asking if they had made it back from staying overnight up north, and she had mentioned yes, and was about 5 minutes from posting on her blog. I am sure she is waiting for me to finish this up, as I had mentioned back I was thinking about doing a post today as well. So here ya go Mom.

PeacE