Sunday Down Time

 I'm up at the usual time today. Slept pretty good last night, but still have the yawns going this morning. Today holds no major plans for me. The day is actually clear on my calendar! This week doesn't hold much, just time-consuming things: IOP on Tues, Thurs, Fri at 3 hours a session. then I allow an hour each for personal session - one on  Mondays, the other on Wednesdays. No VFW meetings this week, but I do need to work on the Agenda for the House/Entertainment committee.

Yesterday was nice. I had District 3 meetings in the morning, but made it home around 1:30pm. I even checked in with the Wife if they had had lunch (no) so I stopped at Whataburger and brought lunch home. Killed the afternoon playing some games or surfing the web. Around 6pm the Youngest and I went to meet our Guild leader from Warcraft, who is in town working and flying out today. He had ate supper with the work crew, so we just went to a Denny's, I ordered a full-size nachos appetizer and drinks. We visited for a good hour and a half before he was ready to head back to his room.

If there is one thing I truly dislike, is driving in an area where a major event is going on. For those familiar with the Valley, State Farm stadium is in Glendale, around the 101 Loop and Glendale Avenue. The Denny's we were at is on Camelback and 99th Avenue (about 3 miles south of the stadium, and on the other side of the Loop 101). Leaving Denny's, I could not make a left to get back to the 101, so figured I would go a mile up 99th Ave and turn to the freeway. Nope. No Right Turns. Same at Bethany Home, and Glendale Aves. Finally at Northern Ave I was able to turn right. But as I went to get on the Freeway entrance ramp, traffic was at a near standstill. After about 20 minutes (and 5 exits) I finally got off and used side-streets to get back to his hotel. Seems there was a Monster Truck Jam going on at the stadium. Who knew there were that many rednecks out here that love to watch this stuff.

So a clear schedule leaves me wondering what I will do today. Probably end up playing some Warcraft, maybe a movie, maybe I can talk the Wife into getting Chino Bandito and bringing it home for lunch. Welp, I am off to have some breakfast (oh yay. Raisin Bran).

PeacE

Up Early Today ...

 ... and actually on purpose. Today we have a longer than usual District 3 meeting(s) for the VFW. Mostly longer because of elections. I am up early so I can get through my morning medical routine (done) and to arrive at the Post round 8-8:30am.

Post stuff will take up most of the morning, then the Youngest and I are meeting our Guild Leader from Warcraft. He is in town from out of state for work, and we plan to meet up for dinner near where he is staying. It's nice sometimes to be able to put a face and a name together of online friends.

This is heading into the last week of April, and that means some Mayo appointments coming up in early May. I have a Psych consult by Zoom, an in person psych visit (different person) and a blood draw all pretty much the first week. I should check my results from last week, and see if they found any trace of THC still in my system....

With that, I am outta here.

PeacE

Brain Fog Attack!!!

 This morning was the final IOP group session I have this week. I'm around the 2 week mark of the 8 week program. Normally I tend to like doing group sessions. The Group Lead has some great guides about Stress, anxiety, coping mechanisms, etc. and usually I request a copy of that lesson. That way, I can get more details from the reading, than just the memory of someone reading it aloud, and only able to get notes done about main points. Some of them have self-assessments, and I will go back after the program and go through them, twice, to compare what I remember about my drinking days, and comparing them to how I feel now. Anyways, no more group until Tuesday.

My point about Group today (see, I am easily led off topic by my own thoughts-SQUIRREL!) is that I just could not get into the study today. The 'Brain Fog' I get from the encephalopathy was stronger today, and I could not stay focused. Instead, while the discussions were going on, I paid some bills, got some snail mail ready and stamped to go. Made sure refills for about four medications were to be refilled (hopefully by Monday or Tuesday). The only errand I have to get out of the house for today is drop the mail off at the Post Office (mine is just a 1/2 mile up the road). I haven't decided about going to the Post as usual. I know I am going to be there a good portion of the day tomorrow for our District meetings/elections. This past year the President for the District Aux, is the Secretary for our Post Aux. I went over the Agenda for tomorrow, and seeing the positions to be voted on - there is a n Asst. Secretary listed as well. If she is elected President again, or Secretary, I am sure she is going to ask me to help there as well. Will find out tomorrow.

That reminds me I need to update my email signature line.

I did get the Riders meeting minutes finished yesterday and sent out. Also two applications for membership. Finally! Some new members that actually show up to meetings and events, and help volunteer on Dinner nights.

Just checked - the Mail has not been delivered yet today, so I am going to just put the outgoing in the box. Now I don't have to leave home at all. I think I will spend the afternoon playing some Warcraft.

PeacE

My To-Do List For Today ....

 ... feels quite full. I have the Group IOP session this morning. Then nothing on the calendar (appointments) so need to get the meeting minutes done and sent out for the Riders (and applications for two new members). Also, I had went to the store yesterday and picked up some supplies for pickling. They had tomatillos on sale, so I got a couple bags. One of the guys I know at the pub makes his pickles on occasion, and he always does a few quarts of spicy hot pickle-ness with tomatillo pieces, some jalapenos, garlic, and usually throws in a small ghost pepper. But I just love those quarts, so I am going to try one. I also am going to make another quart of the Zesty Italian flavored ones as I really like them. Depending how many cucumber slices I get, I may do a second Zesty quart, or a half quart, to share at the Post.

I need to get on a windshield repair. Last Saturday, as we are just getting on the highway, a pick-up truck in front of me tossed a rock that caught the drivers-side edge of the windshield, and the crack spread across half the glass. Plus it is almost directly across my view - enough to be somewhat distracting. Safelite is the best quote I have gotten so far and it is $750 for a replacement (there ain't no "fixing a crack"). I'm going to mull it over for a few days and see if can't find cheaper, but out of four other places, this is still cheapest - and I can do 4 payments versus the whole amount up front.

Between medical bills and Life things (like windshields) it feels like all I do are make payments. Sigh.

Yesterday was PT's 89th birthday. The Wife and I had stopped by last Sunday and brought him a couple presents (a 'Gibbs' Rules T-shirt, and a book on Snowden) and he chose to open them that day instead of waiting for today. My Sis flew into town yesterday as well, as she, RM, a niece and grand-niece are doing their 'Jailbreak' vacation the girls do each year. Well, RM had mentioned the possibility of doing dinner at Black Bear for them, and in the afternoon she messaged me asking if we could make it. The Wife was able to get off early, and we met RM and gang at the restaurant. There were 8 of us, had a nice dinner (I had a Taco Salad, which was good, and plentiful). PT loved being the center of attention (as usual) and I am going to stop there before I voice my opinion about things. As RM says... (erase, erase).

It was nice seeing my Sis, though she has only been gone a few short months, over one state into New Mexico. I may swing out Monday to RM's and visit with her more on Monday prior to her flying back home on Tuesday. Will have to check the calendar in a few and see what is scheduled.

I had a personal session with my Group Lead in the IOP. Usually each week it lasts about 10-15 minutes, but yesterday I yakked for an hour - and didn't realize it. Most of it was griping about PT. We had hit that topic after talking about how I am trying to throw memories and stories together for my kids of my younger days, which lead to telling about my Dad, his passing, and moving to AZ - which brought us to Tom and his conception of "raising kids". For there, it was more than venting. I realized that my viewpoints of PT are so full of anger for how I was treated growing through my teenage years. Then led into how he has been the last several years, from back when I asked him to give up his car keys (he still hasn't) and the advancement of the dementia that many older people get. All I do now is tolerate his questions that are not on topic, his desire to feel wanted and needed (he made his own choices) and in general, just put up with it to prevent a Family Squabble (though most of the family agrees with me to a large degree, in my opinion). Enough! I'm getting worked up (anger) just thinking about this....

With that I need to get off here. IOP in about an hour.

PeacE

I Tried to Take Her Out ...

 I woke in a hurry this morning, for some reason thinking I was late to my paracentesis I have scheduled at 9am. It was 6am ... and in my semi-sleep/waking state, I went to 'fling' the sheet back to rush and get dressed and to the hospital. Well, I missed grabbing the sheet, and my flung out - straight into the Wife's forehead (imagine her waking to that). Of course, that startled her awake and brought out a litany of I'm sorrys. Being it was only an hour from the going off, I decided to just get up. I don't want to miss my appointment - it has been three weeks since I was last drained.

So I have the Para at 9am, then nothing until 2pm, for a zoom meet with the IOP Group Lead for a
"personal session". Just to male sure I am following goals and how am I coping with cravings, etc. Only I don't have any, so we end up just talking about whatever (for me it is usually the Grandkids). She only takes up about 20 minutes, but I have to do these for the IOP. After that, no more appointments today.

Today is PT's 89th birthday. I will wait until a bit later this morning to text him, even though I am sure he is up right now. 

Mayo Clinic had reached out to my in my message portal on Monday. They gave me until today to get a drug test done at the lab. I guess they want it done immediately, as they stated failure to comply in the two days is a strike against me from getting on the Wait List. So of course I scheduled an appointment with Sonora Quest real fast -it was yesterday. I goofed and forgot the printed sheet with the Dr.'s orders. So when I got called back (20 minutes early mind you) the gal asked me for them. I had forgot them, so I went to find it in my Mayo portal, was having some difficulty navigating where it is located, but found it. I showed her and was told it has to be on paper. So she wanted me to email her work address with the orders. I go back through, find the doc (I thought) download to my phone, share it out via email ... and five minutes later, she has it. Only problem? It was for a different procedure - I had somehow downloaded the wrong doc. So I've wasted 10 minutes trying to find this document and save and email... I admit defeat to them, and say I will just have to re-schedule and make sure I have the orders 'in hand'. But then I sat in the Lobby for about five minutes, found the document, and re-checked in (it was still my scheduled appointment time) and got in. Emailed it to the lady (same one as before) and all was good. A lot of effort for a urine sample and one vial of blood.

Welp, I guess that's all I got to say about that, so I am out of here.

PeacE

Traveling Today

 This morning we are preparing to head down to Tucson for the day. We are celebrating the oldest granddaughter's (Doodad) birthday a day early. Since my morning routine is getting up at 7am, I let the Wife sleep in a little bit more, before I wake her to get ready. She says all she has to grab is some stuff for Doodad, but who knows with her. Sometimes we take bags of clothes, and come back with the same clothes. Wife's reason: I needed the Daughter's opinion on some items. At least it is stuff from Goodwill, and not some pricey stuff. I was smart and ordered my gifts online and shipped to their house.

Not much to write about today. The Daughter has taken in her nephew for a few days, so today all three of the grands will be together, with their Papaw. My heart is swelling at the thought, though I am sure I will be worn out tonight.

PeacE

Mission Accomplished

 My Middle Son and I went out yesterday afternoon and found him a vehicle. He is driving a 2017 Jeep Patriot, which is going to be roomy enough for them. I think it was a good deal for the money. And there is a little left over from the financial gift he received so he can put it in the bank or catch up on some bills. But better than that, we got to spend some time together and "catch-up" on each others lives. He even said as he was headed home that he enjoyed the time together today, and wants to check our schedules for a time he and I are able to get together. Damn kids making their dad tear up. 

Feeling a bit lethargic this morning. My friend, the bladder, woke me about 3am screaming something. I could understand the need to go though, so I went, and was wide awake. So I sat at the computer and watched the season finale of season 2 of "The Pitt", and then stupid facebook reels for about an hour. Went and laid back down just before 5a, and slept to the alarm, and then some. So I'm feeling tired, got the yawns, and just don't want to feel motivated to do anything.

Only thing on my schedule today is the IOP session. I might go up to the Post, not sure. I do need to take my meds this morning and grab some breakfast before the session, so ...

PeacE