I Awaken and Rise....

 ... but too early for me to actually like it. This new med to help with the insomnia is doing it's job very well though. Last night I got about 7 hours sleep, and woke at 4:30a feeling rested and awake. YEs, I went to bed a little early last night (about 9p) so maybe I need to stay up later so I don't waken so early.

The Wife had Monday off work this week. Time for the yearly boob-squeeze (mammogram) which she wasn't really interested in doing. I don't think any woman does... But afterwards, she and the Youngest went out to the Discount grocery for food stuffs. I have no idea what all they got, but I got a couple bags of Dot's seasoned pretzels, and some Lay's Cuban sandwich flavored chips. I saw they got soda (for themselves) and when I asked, they weren't sure if I like Barq's root beer. Duh! While there, the Wife found some wi-fi type chargers for phones, and picked one up for herself. Her phone has gotten worn at the charging port, that it is super-sensitive about how the cord plugs in to charge it. Well, after the first night, she was impressed at how it charged on the new device. she asked me to pick up a handful more (I'm guessing for Christmas gifts). SO yesterday found the Youngest driving me out to the store. Picked up some more chips, and the Barq's was $0.69/2-liter bottle, so picked up several. Got like six of the chargers for the Wife, and a few other small things to use towards Thanksgiving dinner.

I was still sore a bit in the thighs, but with the assistance of the cart, made it through the store ok. Youngest and I then went to Red Robin, as I craved their bottomless salad. Then home where I spent the rest of the day on the computer playing games or watching shows. I had gone out Tuesday after the VFW meeting, and yesterday morning, I felt the effects. The new pill is what the NP called an alcohol inhibitor. I wasn't sure how that would affect anything, but it seems it makes me sleep more (slept in until the Son woke me around 10a) and makes me feel foggy-headed. I know it is these effects, because I really hadn't had that much to drink. So now I know. And everyone will be happy that d00d won't be drinking like he used too, unless I skip that pill at night.

Decided that I am going to wait until next Wednesday to get the materials for the rest of Thanksgiving dinner. Hope RM will have enough fridge space, as I plan to pretty much bring it all out there to make/bake/mix at her place that day. BTW RM, we have another addition: Youngest's GF. SO that brings it to eight of us total.

Welp, I did get a couple book reviews done this morning, and need to go see if there are anymore out there I want to read, plus check my glucose and stuff....

PeacE

...And the Pain Shall Set You Free ...

 I am sure that is not a direct quote from anything. I know there are several related to it, as I 'googled' the phrase to see. Most were Bible verses regarding truth, and then there were other verses about pain, though the truth one is the closest to the wording. Not that you really care....

But I am in some pain (still). I knew after last Thursday, in going to the rodeo, I may be sore in the legs. However, Friday I wasn't hurting too bad. But after going to the NASCAR race on Sunday - hoo boy! Before we even left our seats, I already was starting to ache in the legs, and we had a long ways to go on foot. Monday, I sat in my office chair, and the only moving around I did was to go to the bathroom. My thighs and knees are just letting me know I overdid the workout. Been taking acetaminophen like it is candy every two hours... In its own way, it does feel good though. Like after a good workout. I just over went the boundary.

The Wife was kind enough on Sunday to pick up my prescription while she was out and about, so I decided to start it that night. Without naming it, this drug was originally for neuropathy, epileptics, and restless leg syndrome, but one of the strong side effects was drowsiness, so is used at times for those with insomnia. From what I read online, it sounded like I was going to have to take it 3x/day, but the order is for 1 pill at bedtime. So Sunday night I dropped one as I headed to bed. I am not sure if it was the pill, or all the exercise from the walking, or a combo thereof, but I slept good, and deep, that night, waking late in the morning. Best sleep I have had in weeks!!! So last night, I wanted to see if there would be a difference. Popped the pill, and though I didn't immediately drop off to slumberland, I did fairly quickly. Let's call it about 8 hours good sleep, and I was up about 6:45a feeling awake and rested. I recall waking a couple times int he night, but only to adjust my CPAP mask. I think this med might actually be good for the insomnia. The downside is I cannot only take 'as needed', and have to take daily regardless. Small price to pay - at least the cost of the medicine is $0 with my insurance.

So today my thighs are still letting me know they aren't happy, but not as bad as yesterday. I will be up and moving to day, as I do have a VFW Aux meeting this evening, and I want to do some errands this afternoon. In my mindset today, it feels like it things are looking up. Now if the Company would get me on a project....

Oh, and RM... it was not me up at 2am for you to worry and pray over (this time).

PeacE

A Day of Racing Around ....

 or of watching a bunch of cars going round and round at high speeds.

A bit later this morning I will be picking up the guys and headed out to Phoenix Raceway for the NASCAR race today. It will be nice, as I get a chance to catch up a bit with the Oldest Son, since I don't get to see him too often. Other than that, I'm not really thrilled about the race thing. I know there will be lots of walking, and the traffic will be atrocious after the race. I do have some friends that camp at the track, and the thought of visiting with them while we wait for traffic thin out, crossed my mind. But that would be even more walking, and probably up hill somewhat as well. Are you able to tell I don't want to walk much? I'm still somewhat sore from the walking at the concert the other night....

Friday I had gone to see the NP as scheduled. We talked about my meds and how things were feeling. Pretty much decided to wait until February to see how another three months will adjust things, plus will do another lab at that time to check numbers. Then I brought up the insomnia issues. Originally, she prescribed hydroxyzine, but I guess before calling it in, she did more research. She called me at least a couple times about some ideas she had, and finally after me telling her, that she is the professional and would know better what would go with the current medications, and medical issues I have, she decided on gabapentin. When I told the Wife, she said she hopes I didn't react to it the way she did. I guess after looking it up, it is normally used to treat neuropathy, epileptic seizures, but if you read further (and the right sources) it says sometimes used with diabetes, insomnia restless leg syndrome, and nerve pain. The side effect the Wife was talking about however, is the clumsiness (yes, really). I'm more worried about the drowsiness, as I am taking it for insomnia, but it is a pill I am going to have to take everyday versus as needed. I didn't make it up to Walgreens yesterday to pick it up and start it, so I guess I will end up doing that tomorrow, unless the Wife will do it today while I am gone. Will see how this first week goes. If I start getting major side effects, maybe I should start doing the edible weed stuff or something....lol.

So up at 5a today (thanks insomnia) but at least got about 4 hours sleep, so should be able to get through today well enough. I think I may leave earlier than planned and grab me some breakfast somewhere before picking the guys up.

PeacE

Been A Bit ...

 ... busy for me this past week. Well, I should correct that to 'busier than normal' for me. I believe I last posted on Tuesday, Election Day, and debated posting since - mainly because I don't want to flaunt election results (good or bad). Just what I need are trolls lurking around here to criticize anything I say. Not that I really care of their opinion, just hate dealing with them. RM has found one that has latched on to her blog a few times this week. Someone that evidently has strong anti-Republican (or just Trump) views. I read a couple of their posts, and I just wanted to punch them for talking to my Mom like that, but of course, they are afraid and only signed the comments as Anonymous. Chickenshit.

Anyways, last night was the Hondo Rodeo down at Chase Field not that you care, but where the AZ Diamondbacks play) followed by Whiskey Myers and Hank Williams Jr concert. Wife had bought them as a birthday present for me, and overall we had a pleasant evening. Took the light  rail downtown ($8 roundtrip vs $30+ for parking and traffic) and had dinner there. I hadn't been to a rodeo since I was a kid, and it was nice to see one again. I didn't know who Whiskey Myers were, but they did play one song I recognized from the radio. I know Hank is getting old, but I just was not pleased with his concert. It was many, many little things that just ... didn't make it feel like a concert. We started for the doors at 11pm, and barely beat the crowd as Jr finished up. Had some good little laughs at some of the people riding the tram both going to and from last night. We both had a pulled pork sandwich at the ball field (nev er would have thought it) and it was good!

This morning was my 3-month follow-up with the Nurse Practitioner. My A1C is down to 6.5 (yea!) and we decided to hold off on medication changes until February when I do my next labs and A1C test. If I can get that result down just a bot more, I may be able to regulate my diabetic meds a bit better. I did speak to her about my insomnia issues, and how they have been increasing in the past few months. So it was decided to prescribe me an 'as needed' prescription. I hope to pick it up late today, as the past couple weeks have pretty much worn me down with the little sleep I have gotten.

No major plans for the rest of today. May go to the Post as I usually do on a Friday, but haven't decided. Saturday I will mellow at home, because on Sunday, I scored 3 tickets to the NASCAR  Championship race here int he Valley. The Oldest Son, my best friend J, and myself are going. I'll actually say something nice about my Brother - he was the one with the tickets, and was trying to sell them for $600 for all 3 - but let me have them for $100 ea.

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and I have been planning like I never have for a holiday, or pretty much anything. RM and I texted about menu items (as it is going to be at her house) and I pretty much told her what I would bring, or purchase and cook there, etc. I think she got a bit of a 'kick' out of it, as I usually don't go that gung-ho. I think I will get out this next week to get the stuff that won't spoil prior to, and drop them off at her house. Speaking of, I need to update her on plans for how many.

Welp, I guess that sums up my next few days. Now, run along to your busy lives ...

PeacE

Election Day 2024

 It is that time of the decade.... and I hope you all make your opinion known by voting today since this year it is a Presidential one. I'm not making any voice towards any one candidate. I know who I voted for. But you each need to get out and do this, otherwise STFU.

Just saying....

PeacE

Another Monday....

 We are officially into the month of November, and thankfully, Arizona has decided to quit hitting heat records of over 100 degrees!! Actually, the past couple of weeks haven't been terrible, with daytime temps in the 90's and early mornings around 60's. Back here in my 'office', which is the least climate controlled room in this old house, it is a very nice temp this morning, soon to be chilly enough for a cup of coffee or two as I start my day.

Nothing major on the agenda for things to accomplish today. A couple meetings at the VFW tomorrow evening. The Wife and I will be attending the rodeo down at Chase Field this Thursday. This was a late birthday present from the Wife to me, as Hank Williams, Jr is in concert following the rodeo that night. Wife has the day off as well, so it will be some time spent together. Have my 3-month doctor visit on Friday. My numbers (glucose and BP) have been good (at least for/to me) though, the NP did double up on the stating pill I take for cholesterol a couple weeks ago. Probably based off the labs I had last done. I am hoping to convince her to prescribe me some sort of sleep pill for when I have my bouts of insomnia, but with this NP, who knows. I have mentioned sleep issues before, and she just seems to move on to the next topic. I guess I will need to be more direct and firm this time around. And push for a 6-month visit - I'm getting tired of going every three months, yet they won't let me go longer than six due to my chronic disease (diabetes) allegedly.

Other things I have on my list to do this week is a haircut, and buying a new pair of shoes. The past few times I, or the family, have needed shoes, we have gone to Sketchers. This last pair I bought, has lasted over 3 1/2 years! I think that is the longest I have had a pair last, considering I wear them daily. Now if they were "Sunday shoes" then yeah, they would last that long.... But this pair now is starting to tear out from the sides, and some stitching is starting to unravel. The memory foam insole has been gone for quite some time, and the inner side against the heel is just about worn through. If I remember right, this pair was like $80, so won't mind spending that much for a replacement pair, hoping they last as long as these did.

Not much else to share today, so I will finish this off.

PeacE

What To Do With Myself?

 This morning wasn't a bad one. I awoke to the alarm at 7a, then snoozed until the second alarm at 8a. Then actually got up to get things done. I know that all sounds pretty minor to most of you (especially sleeping in until 8a) but just a couple days ago, it wasn't fun. Since I had last posted, I hadn't done much sleeping at all. Saturday morning, since I was up all the previous night, I went to the VFW as they had scheduled the District meeting that morning for both VFW and Aux. I had never been, so went. Of Course I was early, so ended up helping move chairs and tables, etc for the two separate meetings. When the meeting was done it was near noon, so I just stayed at the post, as most Saturdays I am up there by 1p anyways. I made it home late that evening, and though was almost walking dead, did manage to get about 4 hours of sleep. Sunday I was back up at the VFW for an afternoon meeting for the Riders group, and didn't make it home until late again due to watching the NFL games. Slept decent that night, since I was running on fumes anyways.

Now here we are it is Tuesday and I am trying to figure out what to do. I know I got some honey-do's that should get done around the house (though not rush jobs). I would like to get to the store and get some milk, salad and a few other things, but I don't feel that happening today. It's nearly 10a, and I feel like taking a nap already.

I did get up and run through my emails (hoping for work) and managed to write up four book reviews, so I am caught up on those. Have yet another to read to complete as well as some others I am going through at this time. I'm happy to read that RM has met her goal of books read this year!

Okay, I'm going to figure out what I am going to do and go do it I guess.

PeacE