Things to Do, or My List of Things to Put Off Today

 Being 5:40am in the morning sounds like a good start to the day - unless it is a weekend day. Yet, here I am. I woke early (had to pee) and though laid back down, knew sleep would not be coming back. So I figured I should come into the office and bore y'all this morning.

Work is still going, though sporadically. Seems I am in a 'downtime' whilst waiting them to provide material to work. A couple days this past week I only worked a little over three hours a day. At least when I logged out yesterday, there was a work flow for Monday morning. Hopefully, it will last a good day.

The Youngest had a late invite to stay over at a friend's house last night. The Wife called me up about it around 8ish I think it was, so I came home. We looked into going to a late movie, but nothing was showing late that we were interested in. We ended up at Denny's for dessert - well for her. I was hungry (hadn't eaten yet) so I ordered food. Then back home we went, finding myself asleep shortly after. It was nice to have a little date, and catch up on stuff we want to do (vacation maybe....).

I have that Verizon modem still sitting here, though it has been unplugged pretty much since I brought it home. We plan to look at how to change our family plan to an unlimited data one (versus the limited at 4Gb shared all devices) today and see what can be done. The Wife thinks it is a charge per phone, versus the plan rate increase. If that is the case, maybe we can just put the modem to unlimited (counts as a device on the plan) and use it. Gotta try to figure it out, as I want the better service/speeds it has versus teh DSL line I use now.

I'm sure there are a zillion other things that need to get done at some point around here, but I can't think of them right now. I am craving soda pretty bad this morning (or at least carbonation).

PeacE

Making Plans to Sleep

 Yesterday pretty much wore me out, though it wasn't anything I really did for that to happen. I spent most of the day watching a couple football games with friends, then the Wife and I went out to dinner. I was in bed around 10pm, yet find myself wide awake at 3:30 this morning. I was planning on getting some errands done this morning, when places open, but I have a feeling I will be asleep, trying to make up for this morning's early wake-up.

Speaking of things needing to get done, I really need to get up to the cell carrier's store. I am due an upgrade, and I have been having issues the past couple weeks with my cell. Seems if it drops down to 40% power, it automatically will shut off and not restart unless it is has been charged for at least 30 minutes. Crappy Moto-X phone! Think I'll go with a regular Samsung this time. Oh, then the joy of transferring contacts, etc.... so not looking forward to that.

I was also hoping to get over to the 99 Cent store to get some more flavor packets for my water. If not there, somewhere I can buy some tea. For some reason I have been craving it quite a bit lately.

I was a bit displeased last night at the place the Wife and I had dinner at. It is a place called Longhorn, and is labeled as a 'steak place'. It is close to our house, which is nice. The Wife and I had ate there a few years back, and found it comparable to the steak places on either side of it - Texas Roadhouse, and Black Angus. Literally, these three steak competitors had restaurants right noext to each other! Of course, Black Angus went out of business some time ago, so now it is only the two, with an Outback on the other side of the freeway.

Anyways, this place looks 'poshier' than Texas Roadhouse, and the atmosphere is much quieter without all the singing/dancing from the waiters/waitresses. The menu is comparable to TR's, and is a little more procey, but sometimes worth it for the quieter atmosphere and quicker seating than the other place. So we are seated promptly, and get our orders in. They bring some complimentary bread/butter, where the bread was hard and cold, the bitter seemed to be frozen. When our meat dishes arrived the Wife found here's was rare (ordered medium) mine was medium (ordered rare) and we were only asked once about drink refills (at the time of them bringing the meat). I was quite dis-satisfied. I do get better table service and correct meal orders at Roadhouse, so I guess I am back to having to deal with the louder noises and dancing.

PeacE

So, I Went Shopping ...

 Yeah. Me. Shopping. Not the kind where I meander all over the place and look at everything (like some people I know). I went shopping, like a Man. I walked into that Toyota delalership knowing what I wanted, what I willing to pay, and they better have it. They didn't. But, as it turns out, they are due a shipment of vehicles 4/25-4/30 that actually has exactly what I want on the trailer. It's a 2022 Rav4 LE AWD, *AND* it is the same color as my old one. I didn't put a reservation on it ($3000) because that monies would not be applied to the pricing. In other words, throwing $3K out there just to secure it. Naw, I'll ltake my chances. So we talked a bit more, and I found out the price I would pay since I am not financing. All in all, a good afternoon. Just waitng the call when it comes in.

I'm still in pain. The cuts on my leg are healing well, for scratches/cuts. The swelling in my shoulder has gone down. Bruising is starting to slowly fade away. But my chest still hurts. Just below the neck area. Feels like the bone(s) are bruised. I wonder when the air bag deployed, either the force of it, or it and maybe an arm) was thrust so hard, that it feels this way. It has been slowly getting better, and I noticed rolling over in bed, etc, was not as painful this morning. But the pain is still enough it distracts me, even when sitting idle. Hopefully I will be mostly back to my normal here this week.

It is Easter Sunday. We haven't given out baskets of candy on this day for years. With most of the kids grown and out of the house, why bother? Though, I do admit RM still does stockings for us kids at Christmas. Either way, we haven't gotten together (my kids/families) for Easter since they started getting older and moving out. The Middle Son had texted the other day, his work was being closed today, and he wanted to know if we had plans. Yesterday I tenatively said if he and his older brother wanted to, we could go to Dennys for lunch today, thinking it would be one of the less crowded places. He is to get back to me this morning. I would not be surprised if I do not hear from him, or they turn it down.

I think I am going to relax most of the day. The Wife will be working on final tax figures this afternoon. She always waits until the last minute, and refuses to pay  (her words - waste) $50 for Turbo Tax, when she thinks she has to figure out the figures anyways to enter it into the program. <shrug> What do I know? The Wife has tkaen this on many years ago, though I don't remember why.

Doctor's appointment tomorrow. Based on the somewhat record I have kept of my BP readings, I thin khe may increase my HBP meds a bit in the dosage. Maybe another 5-10 milligrams. I know he will send me out for lab work again. Some of the numbers from the last one were just weird. My blood sugar and A1C were sky high, to the point it was ridiculous. Though I don't know why - I had to fast 8 hours before I went. Needless to say I expect to do them again. In fact, I need to stop now and set up an appointment time for Tuesday, so I don't have to wait forever as a walk-in. There, done!

The Wife and I went out to dinner last night. I was craving some steak, so we went to Texas Roadhouse. We expected a wait (told 35-45) and an hour later we finally got our seat. We did get our appetizer and drinks fast, but waited nearly 35 minutes for the food, which arrived somewhat just above room temperature. It was possibly our worst experience at this restaurant. I was a bit disappointed, but the food was still good, and both of us were taking home at least half, if not more, of the meal home. I just couldn't eat it all. Another good thing, as I am working on weight loss.

Welp, the day is wasting away, and I haven't done much as of yet, so I should get going.

PeacE

Weekend Soak-Up

 Whew! It truly rained all day long yesterday! One of those good ones, where it is just a steady rain and not the deluge that creates floods. AZ could sure use rains like this more often.

Date night was good. We tried a BBQ place called Pork on the Fork. It is is a small place in a business complex, and if we had not specifically been watching for it by the address, we would have never found the place. Oh it was good! Wife had a brisket bowl, with mac n' cheese and green beans. I opted for a sandwich: the one pound 'Midwest Monster' which was brisket, with pulled pork (1 lb worth) topped with jalapenos and a creamy white queso (cheese) to top it off. Had to eat it with a knife and fork. Prices were very compatible for the type of food and the servings were good sized. We can order up to 5 pounds of pulled pork at any time to take home as well!!

Friday was a usual day. No word from the Company about my next project. Went up to the VFW for karaoke and to hang out with my brother. His wife and he had brought up the two of their youngest, so I actually spent some time with the nephew and niece, too. This morning I am getting ready to head out to an early lunch with RM at Coco's - I didn't know we had anymore of them in town, but evidently there is one out near her place. I got about 20 minutes before I head out for that.

Got to see the Daughter and Doodad yesterday. She had been in town helping a friend and came by to visit. Feels like forever since I had seen them, though it had only been a few weeks. They'll be back up Wednesday for the day of dental appointments (they like the dentist up here). Then I don't know when we will see them again. Probably in a month when I decide to do a day trip or something.

Alright, well I am out of here for now. 

PeacE

Date Night: A Recipe for Disaster?

 Welcome to Thursday! Glad to have survived the tedium of the first three days this week, now you come up to the Big One to get through before the Friday!

I received an email yesterday, around noon, asking if I was "available" to start a new project when this one completed (which was to be this week). I of course replied yes. Then shortly after, we were informed our project was completing at the end of day Wednesday. I believe I was the last to log off last night, and there was at least an hour or more of work that needed to be completed yet. I am guessing they have asked a couple people to return this morning to finish (I wasn't one). Next project is starting today, with a meeting at 9am.The thing with starting at 9am, it makes it harder for me to get that 8-hour work day done. Sure I could work until 5, but I hate working those later hours. I would rather start at 7 and be off by 3, or work even earlier hours. Today especially. 

Not having the knowledge of when a project was ending/starting, the Wife and I had set up a 'Date Night' for tonight. It has been a 'little while' since we have had one, and with the Youngest attending band camp until 8pm each day, it gives us a perfect time to do it. The Wife was the one choosing, since she has the pickier taste (residual from the Covid she had - still has problems with certain foods/smells) and I mentioned I would down for some good barbecue. Our favorite place had closed down last year (Thanks Covid) and the places we knew about otherwise, we had tried before and were just not impressed with the taste or presentation, or prices of their selections. Some of them are quite overrated if you ask me. Anyways, Wife found a place not terribly far from us called Pork on a Fork. Sounds cute. The website showed decent prices/servings/food pics so we decided to check them out tonight. Only they close at 6pm. So if I work my 8-hour day, that would leave an hour to get there, order, eat, then leave. If I was alone, I could probably do that, but sitting down to dinner with the Wife, it is a longer process. So I will be ending my workday at 4 today, and maybe make up the hour tomorrow. If not, then oh well. They cannot force me to work longer hours if they start later in the day like they are.

But then last night, as I lay in bed, working on going to sleep at a decent hour, my phone alert goes off that I have email. With starting a new project, I quickly glanced at it to make sure times had not changed, etc. It was an email from the School Band director. I set it back down, figuring I would read it this morning, which I did. Seems Camp is cancelled today. There is a Parent meeting to go over some details this evening, but no time was given. So now my Dinner Date is going to be rushed because we have a meeting at 6, which tis the time the restaurant closes, which we will be just finishing up our meal probably.

Sigh. And we thought tonight would be good because no Game 7 of the NBA Finals (Wife is a Suns fan). Well, the Band email had several mistakes/omittances in it. Like, it was dated saying Thursday August 22nd (I presume they meant today) and there was no time given for this meeting.

Well, crap. I just re-read that Band email. I was wrong. There is a time, for August 28th. No Camp August 23rd, but resumes Friday August 24th. I am guessing he truly meant July for the month, as no date in August matches the date/day. And Camp is only through next week. Ok, so date night is not compromised. Life is feeling better already. The Youngest can fix leftovers, or have a Ramen whilst we dine on (hopefully) wonderfully barbecued pork. With slaw. Haven't decided if I want it on a sandwich or not. I'm hungry and it is only 7am....sigh.

PeacE