Only The Gray Ones ...

 ... are the ones I want to get cut. That means a full haircut these days. I have an IOP session this morning, then nothing until evening time for a House Comm. meeting. I did get the Agenda done on Sunday and sent out. Then yesterday, the Chair sends an email out of two more items to be discussed. Seems some calls came in yesterday (after I sent the Agenda). Sigh. I didn't revise. It's all new business so I will just add to the Minutes as such.

IOP - we are down to one week left. The 9th is my last session, and I 'graduate'. Once I get the letter and certificate, I will forward on to Mayo Clinic, and have them review things to be sure all the items that were deferred before are completed. The ones under my control, I have marked off my copy of the list (8-week IOP, AA meetings, vaccinations). The vaccinations they said could actually be done while I am on the waiting list, and I probably should get the meningitis done, but the couple Walgreens near me are out of it, and so is my PCP's office. I am mixed about completing this IOP. I actually have learned quite a bit that has helped me change my outlook on Life, and how to be more self-aware. But I don't want to pay more money to extend the time. Besides, I don't think there is much more they cover that hasn't been done this past 7 weeks.

I am getting a haircut today. I have been saying that for a week now, but when I have the time to do it, I forget to go. I don't schedule my haircuts at a salon, but just use Great Clips services. I plan to do it this afternoon.

I have been having a toothache off and on for the past couple months - since the last appointment I had with the dentist. It isn't his fault. He had me start using a water pik, and I think it did so well, that when I use it between certain teeth, it found the sore spot. So it will flare up for several hours to a day, then fade away for multiple days at a time - always when I need to schedule the deep cleaning he wants to do, and a couple extractions - the one that hurts was a later on down the line one. I had been waiting to hear about the disability getting approved so I can pay for the work being done, and now it is here, I need to get things scheduled. The dentist has some unconventional hours, and are not open until Wednesday (they are open on Saturdays though), so that will be a call first thing tomorrow.

Welp, I guess that's all I have today. I need to call and cancel my paracentesis that is scheduled for Wednesday, and move it to the end of June to keep my "rolling appointment" until I need it.

PeacE

The Morning Went Where?

 This morning went by pretty fast. Of course sleeping in does that. Two or three nights ago I was up most of the night ( I Think I mentioned it earlier) and for at the past couple days I have been trying to make up for some of that sleeplessness. Last night was the night evidently, as I slept through until about 9:30 this morning. I woke at one point and turned off the alarm (7am) and dozed back off, evidently. Spent some cuddle-time with the Wife, and was able to go attend a Zoom meeting with my AA home group.

It's into the early afternoon now, and I suppose we should figure out what to have for lunch. I did snack a little on some pickle de Gallo I picked up yesterday. That stuff is soooo good! Really now big plans today. I friend is having a birthday party, but I don't much feel like going as now. I am not even sure I want to head to the Post for the afternoon/evening.

No major plans this week. Friday I am having another MRI of my abdomen completed. It's at 5:45pm, so will have to deal with rush hour traffic to Mayo, but most of it should be done by the time I am done (probably about an hour). I have a Zoom meeting with the Mayo psychologist on my team. It may last an hour on Wednesday. IOP for the regular three days, and the two Zooms with the counselor and my team lead. This is my last full week of IOP, as I finish the program on the 9th. That's 11 hours extra each week I will regain. Now, how to productively use that...

With IOP finished, and the MRI, that should clear all the deferments that Mayo required me to complete prior to a decision if I make the list. so in about 2-3 weeks, my case should be going to the Council for a decision. I know many have been praying for good health and recovery for me, so as to hopefully NOT have the transplant. I have mixed feelings about that. I think it would be great if I had some healing, but at the same time, I want the transplant (and other related things with it) versus a healing. I don't know. It's a weird thing. I figured see if I make the list, and if I don't, just roll with the punches and the changes to my regime.

And that is all I have for you today. Tomorrow will be iffy about getting a post from me ...

PeacE

Some Time With the Youngest ...

 'Friday is going to be a rather slow day,' I thought to myself this past Wednesday. The only item on my calendar was my 3 hour IOP session (9-12). So, I saw I am pretty well out of snack foods I keep here by the desk in my "Ralph's Snack Basket". The basket I got something like two or three Christmas' past from RM and it was full of snack stuff. The basket is great as it is big enough to hold quite a few snacks (depending on amount/size). So, I asked the Youngest if he would want to go with me on Friday, after my session, to Discount Grocery. I know he is out of soda and snacks as well. I verified with him again yesterday, and he is still going with me. I even threw in that we could grab some fast food somewhere while we are out, for lunch.

So I have some running to do. Walgreens for a prescription, car wash as some bird tagged my hood in a large spread that goes across the hood. And it needs vacuumed. Then Discount Grocery. I am running through the food ads to see if we need to run by some groceries we normally do not use for any special pricing on something we could use. Then back home. I'll be tired by then, from all the walking, so will probably call time out of the house over, and play on the computer (after groceries are put away).

I still need to get a haircut. I'm sitting down this morning and will determine who is getting paid how much, and I can get most medical bills paid off, or to a way lower figure due, with the backpay I received. 

Didn't sleep much last night. By 1:30 I knew I wasn't going to fall asleep soon. I was having some toothache pain keeping me up. So I went into the office and watched reels and some surfing the web, until about 5am, then laid down again. I did get about a two hour nap before the alarm went off. Maybe there is a nap after the shopping this afternoon...

Alrighty then. I think I bored you enough for one day. See ya tomorrow!

PeacE

Sorry, Not Sorry ...

Obviously I never made it back to finish the post yesterday. I did go in for the paracentesis and  liters were drained. I had a Zoom meeting scheduled for 2pm with my Group Lead of my IOP - a personal session each week to see how I am doing overall with everything. We had agree to move it to noon, so I was a bit rushed getting home in time. Things took longer at the hospital because of the amount drained, I had to receive an extra dose of albumin I had not time-factored into the day (about - minutes). So I made my meeting with about 10 minutes to spare.

Tuesday was such a great day for me. Dropped the car off to have the safety recall fixed on it. Something about a sensor in the passenger seat that improperly detects someone sitting there or not when an airbag is deployed. While that was being done, RM picked me up and we went back to her place. I set up my laptop and did my 3-hour IOP, then RM and I went to get my vehicle, followed up with lunch at Red Robin.

All I can say is ... wow. We ended sitting there and chatting after lunch until nearly 3:30pm, and it was such a great conversation! I felt I shared too much about things going on in my life, but I felt I needed to. I usually keep things so close to my chest until after, and on my way home, I realized that RM had also opened up and shared a lot with me about how things are in her life. I don't think we have been so open with each other before and shared so much. It was ... just fantastic! Oh, and the endless side salads were good, too. RM sent me home with a pint of her salsa for the Youngest (which only has about a third in it now) and had even made a quart of chunky for me (which is now gone).

I arrived home and saw that mail had come so I grabbed it. On top of everything is a check. You know how you can tell a Government check - their style of check peeking behind my address. I got excited! I rushed back to mt desk, and the second piece of mail was from SS Disability. I opened that one first to find I have been approved! The check that had come, well, it was for "backpay" from March to current. So an unexpected bonus ... and the amount I am to receive each month is higher than I was at least hoping for! So now I have some income coming in to help with all the medical. I hope to have all my balances current and at/near a zero balance in the next few months. At least right now I can address the ones that are overdue.

That evening, since I had no meetings at the VFW this Tuesday, I attended my TG group, and had a good discussion on 'Have you ever felt in control enough that you didn't need AA'. When my turn came up, I shared that I could NOT do it without AA. Though I went 5 months sober without any additional learning of the program, or the IOP, but I don't think I could stand here and honestly say I could have relapsed at anytime, and now that I am in the program, just the support keeps me going, let alone working on the steps.

Tuesday was awesome! So yesterday, I was in very good spirits when I had my one on one, and shared why. There's a nice big chunk of mental stress and worry off my mind now that the disability is coming in.

Today? Hmmmm. I have my IOP this morning, and nothing planned for the day. I may go get my hair cut, as the sides and back are getting shaggy. I know tomorrow after IOP the Youngest and I are headed to Discount Grocery to get drink, snacks, and any other good deals we find. No major weekend plans. We were invited to a "pool party" for one of the Post members who I consider a good acquaintance, but have not decided if I will go. I am sure the Wife won't go, but I am going to try to get her mind changed, at least to go for a little bit. I want her around more of the people I know and like/trust. Saga to be continued....

And with that, I need to get on with my day. My numbers are good this morning, and I am feeling better with the abdominal pressure off. I think I'll have some tuna salad for lunch today.

PeacE

To Drain, Or Not To Drain ...

 Don't worry everyone ... I have not disappeared just yet. I am headed out the door for a paracentesis (draining) so I'll have to finish this when I get back .... See ya in about three hours.

Memorial Day 2026

 No post today. Spend time with family remembering some gave all for you to be able to.

PeacE

Awww, Crap! I Gotta Work ...

 I need to get the minutes done from my Riders meeting. I have been putting it off most of the week, and today is payday. Technically, I don't need to do it until next week, but sooner did, sooner done.

I didn't go the the Flag Drop today. I'm just not feeling it - the walking around and all in the heat. This afternoon is a friend's granddaughter's birthday party at the Post. Since it is one of my good friends, I need to go and hang out for a bit. She also has to work this evening as the volunteer barmaid, and asked if I would stick around for that. I said I would until I couldn't. To me that sounds like about 8pm.

This friend is my "insider at Disability. We talked yesterday briefly, and it looks like I am approved, but she could not access for how much allowance each month. No letter yesterday. Today I hope.

I need to get things done so this is short this morning.

PeacE