Let's Own This!

 I last wrote in here Aug 4th. That was a Monday. Tuesday I had a meeting (House Comm @ the Post) and somethings came out. Most of it went well, for what I can control as a new Secretary still learning my position. The worst was it was noted I had not provided the minutes/agenda. Well, I do to the committee members, but I never thought about non-members of the House Comm, but other regular members that want to know what is goin g on. Yeah, they can't vote, but they can voice opinion, and I failed to provide them the literature of what we were going to discuss/has been discussed. I felt bad. We corrected in about 5 minutes, and now I know what to do better for all meetings I am a Secretary. Though, I still bitched that I don't have the finances to pay for printer ink for everyone, so I will only provide 10 copies. Members in all my groups can print their own (as far as I am concerned).

Well, there was more to it than that (go figure). Discussion had been going on for a couple months about revising a section of the Policy regarding Inventory. Welp, our Post Cmdr was there this week, and he flat out said, the Chair needs to get with his wordsmith, the Secretary, and make that revision. What?!? I have to word the revision, with approval from the Chair? I'm not a legal person in shape or form. Why am I the "wordsmith"??? After the meeting I approached the Commander about this, and he just looked me in the eye, and said, Ralph, you know your shit. You write your reports VERY well. When the final revision comes through, I'm sure you will do fine. Use small words if needed to explain the purpose, the changes, the need for those changes. It'll be fine.

It doesn't feel that way. Oh should I mention the Commander's Wife is my Aux Secretary/Treasurer, and has been "grooming me to do more leadership ( I heard about this just a few days ago). I'm feeling overwhelmed half the time already, and you want me to do more?!? Sigh. And I don't get paid for any of it....

Gripe over - for now.

I did reach out to my Aux Secretary. Treasurer, and President, in regards to another issue, all via email. I have a conundrum that I need guidance on, hopefully before our Aux meeting on Tuesday. Will see what comes in later today.

It's Friday! It's also the 2nd Friday, so the VFW Riders have our dinner night at the Post tonight. Sloppy Joes, chip, beans, and a dessert for $8 plate - $5 for an additional sandwich. I also have to sell raffle tickets for a 50/50 to go towards the NYE party - don't care, but doing it anyways, because I am on that committee too.

Yesterday was the Middle Son's birthday. I sent a text about midday, but no acknowledgement. Later in the evening, I know he was online playing games with the Youngest, so I know he is okay.

RM's birthday is Saturday! Wish I had the finances and time to do a splash for her.... I mean, I good luncheon/time out, whatever.... but I don't. I know Mom, you will say you don't need one, I just wish I could do one. Maybe next year....

So until next time I need to bitch....

PeacE

Catch Up Time

 It's been nearly a week since I last posted. I would normally say not much has happened, but that isn't true this week, it seems.

Last weekend, the Middle Son reached out to us. For several years we have offered to assistance with his car in getting the A/C repaired (he always said no). But now, with his partner pregnant and due any day, he realizes he can't be driving around in the Phoenix summer heat with a newborn and no A/C. So the offer had changed to us "financially assisting" him with finding a newer vehicle. Wednesday he and I went out to a dealership I was recommended to, and after looking at three cars, found the one he felt good about, at a decent price. So he is the owner of a 2014 Ford Escape. I can rest a bit easier knowing the newborn will have better safety and good A/C while traveling now.

While we were waiting to do all that paperwork stuff, I guess the partner felt she was having the baby. Her Mom is in town, and took her to the hospital. So once the Son had the car, he headed there to find out it was a 'panic' and she is doing fine, not yet ready, and sent her home. I haven't heard from them since Wednesday.

The Oldest Son reached out to the Wife earlier this week as well. I guess there is some turmoil in his household (meaning between his partner and he). Sounds like their relationship may be over, but I do not know any details. Not that my opinion matters, but I never much cared for his partner. She refuses to do anything with his family, except the one time we did it at their apartment. Plus she has other "mental" issues.... I just leave that there.

Youngest is still looking for employment - me as well. Nothing has come back in touch for me, and finding something in my area without having to drive across the Valley is near impossible it seems. I wish I was 20 years younger, so I could do more of the physical work that I cannot do now. Sigh. A handful of wishes, and a handful of crap - which will fill faster, right?

Having some withdrawals about seeing the granddaughters. We haven't been able to match up a schedule with the Daughter to visit, or them visit us.

July 4th is coming up. I know the Post is doing a flag raising in the morning. A friend has invited us over for an afternoon/evening party with swimming, food and fireworks. Not sure if we all will make it - the Wife has to work.

Welp, RM can catch up on my life stuff now... I'm off to the pub to watch the Price is Right. Relax RM, I'm drinking tea there, not beer. After all it is only 9am....

PeacE

Let's Just Freak Out About It

 I went to the pub yesterday. I finished a book (reading, not writing) and started another. My buddy showed up and eventually I put the book away so we could talk. First thing he tells me is something along the lines, that Hamas said that today (Friday) they were encouraging all believers around the world to incite terror/violence. Oooooooo k. It's still before 8am here, and though I have not heard anything directly, I am sure I will check news outlets after I post this to see if anything is going on around me, then the country, then the world. Who in the hell incites terror as a religious act? Don't answer that. I am sure I know, I just don't want to think about it right now. Extremism or whatever ....

So it is Friday. The Middle Son came by yesterday morning, to "steal" Youngest for a couple hours to spend time together. Before they left, I took them to breakfast, and was promptly embarrassed a bit. When I went to the counter to pay the bill, my card would not work. They did the chip thing, the swipe, and (imho a crappy) the 'tap', none of which would work. I say the tap was sloppy, as she wasn't looking, and just placed the card over the designated area of the machine, without even getting the chip portion of the card on the machine. I mentioned I had had problems with the chip readers before, but the tap always worked, as long as you placed it properly. So again she held the card in her hand, like a fist, and puts her hand on the tap area of the machine - so of course it didn't read it. I asked her to cancel the sale, and I would check with my party as to the cash on hand situation. Middle Son ended up paying for the meals, thankfully, even though it was to be my treat. I let him know I owed him $$ for covering. Once we got back home, and the boys left, I got on the bank website and ordered a new card, as I don't want that to happen again. Funny, though, that later in the day the card had no problem being tapped or swiped at other places. I had the Wife transfer funds to Middle's bank account last night as well.

Welp, got nothing else to really say as of right now, so I guess this is it. Time to go read some news that I don't care about.

PeacE

Wednesday's Child

 I remember back in my younger days in the central Indiana area, one of the local news stations used to do a spot called Wednesday's Child. I don't rightly remember what it was about: some kid that was going through major medical, or did some exceptional thing. I truly don't remember. But I do remember the song that was associated with the segment that ended with: "...Wednesday's child is full of love." Today my Wednesday child came over.

Middle Son shows up, at just after 7am, to help install the ceiling fan in our bedroom. I was still in bed, and he said I could sleep longer, but I didn't need him sitting around waiting on me, so I got up. Of course, when replacing something that is 'who knows how old' with something more modern, there are always things that don't match up correctly. Throw in the "family luck" and things get worse. Today was mild. A couple small things went wrong, but weren't terribly detrimental to the fan working. One electrical issue we had to do a little internet searching to make sure of the correct solution. Overall, it went well, and was done within two hours (including a couple small breaks). I am so appreciative my Son was available to help, as I don't think I could have done it myself. I slipped him some money, then told him we would tell Mom it is part of her Mother's Day from him.

So now it's mid-morning. I know at some point today I am needing a shower. All that sweating doing the job this morning. I think it can wait a couple hours. I may be able to move onto something else on my to do list....maybe.

PeacE

A No-Football Sunday

 I'm at a bit of a loss this morning. I had spent what seemed quite a bit of the night trying to fall asleep, when at 6:55AM my phone alarm goes off. What? I didn't set the alarm last night? And why is it set for such a weird time? I don't know, but it was, it did, and I laid there in bed all of two minutes, knowing that I was not going back to sleep. Sigh. So it was "up and at 'em" even if I am still a bit groggy.

The leg has gotten much better. Still a bit sensitive to the touch, but not in a painful way. I am marking it as 'healed up' and moving on. My mental fog I have been working through actually feels somewhat better as well. I wonder if it is the lack of stress helping that out, or me just working on things and straightening that mental closet. I don't know, but hopefully within the next week I will feel better enough to get back into the work habit.

I woke, and when I got around to writing here this morning, I figured it was a no-football Sunday, meaning no games until the Superflush next week. Well, I was wrong. While I ate a couple bites of breakfast, I realized that the Pro Bowl is today. Not that I care at all. I will have to text out to the buddies and see if they are meeting up to watch. We didn't discuss it last week, concentrating on details for SB next week.

Middle Son stopped by yesterday for literally a quick moment. Last weekend he had gone down to Tucson to visit his Sister and family. I guess she sent him home with some leftover broccoli and cheese soup (YUCK!) for the Wife, so he stopped yesterday and dropped it off. When the Wife was mentioning this to me, I started to interrupt her to remind him that he and his brother both have packages here. I guess she says she did tell him, and he mentioned he would back 'in the next couple days' to get them. I'm hoping it is not today if I decide to meet up with the buddies as I would like to see him.

So as you see, I have really exciting stuff going on, and I guess I should get to the bathroom and get all gussied up for my day.

PeacE

Will They or Won't They?

 Thursday Night Football is happening tonight, and I have plans to meet my regular Sunday morning football buddies tonight for the game. Washington vs Chicago I think (without looking it up) and both teams are like 1-4 so far this season. Will my Washington Redskins (hate thinking them as the Commanders) win or not? Hard to say.

So Monday, I did a little online shopping for a new gas dryer. I checked a couple used appliance places, and the larger stores that have appliances. Lowe's came out aheaad with pricing, and though it was new, was reasonable. After the Wife got home, I went over what I found and she agreed, so Tuesday, the Youngest and I went to get one ordered. Turns out they did not have any in stock at the store, or the local distribution warehouse (even though on the website, it said they had them in stock. I had to pick another dryer, and of course, the next lowest in price was about $110 more than the one I wanted. Either way, a good half hour was spent of them getting it ordered for delivery for Friday, no install, no removal/pick-up of the old one (they charge for all that, but delivery is free).

The Middle Son came by Wednesday morning to help get the old dryer out of the utility room, and tells me it isn't a gas dryer, but electric. I go out and look, and sure enough. So another trip was made to Lowe's and refunded the cost for the gas one, purchased an electric one, set up delivery, etc. And I saved $130 because not only was the lower priced one available, it was on sale. So now just waiting on Friday delivery, then Saturday will be putting it in.

I did end up getting some iced tea the other day from the $1 store. I lucked out and they had the Gold Peak brand (my favorite) and I bought a couple quarts. Youngest picked out some soda he likes, then I threw in some salami for lunch sandwiches. I also picked up some pre-made salads to go with my sandwich for lunch.

That brings us back around to today being Thursday. The Oldest Son came by about 7am this morning. He had a package delivered here ne needed to pick up, and we ended up visiting for a couple hours. It was good to catch up like that. Upon leaving I told him I hoped to see him before Thanksgiving, and he replied he would try to get his scheduled cleared soon for a time for him and I to 'hang out'.

Nothing on the work front. I did get an email yesterday for a project, but it is if you are an Attorney. Our company does do some judicial doc review stuff, and that's when they need the atty. I am not one, but have been asked several times if I am from different managers at work. I guess my non-legal doc review/data review is good enough they think I was law school trained. Now that's funny!

PeacE

Solidifying Plans

 Another Saturday has arrived, and I slept through a good part of its start. I had went to bed last night at a decent hour, and had problems falling asleep. Around 11:30 I got up and tried watching an episode on Netflix, then returned to bed. Spent at least another hour tossing/turning before finally getting is a short series of naps. By a little after 6AM I was up and just as the middle Son got home from work. He offered and went to McD's for some breakfast sandwiches and a sweet tea for me, which was cool. Around 8 I decided to lay down for maybe an hour nap. Now it is noon...

The oldest Son stopped by yesterday afternoon. I wish I had had more time to visit, but I was working and needed to get stuff done. He and I finalized plans, ordered his Santa Suit, and shared ideas for rides for the upcoming Santa Run. Basically a pub crawl of a bunch of guys in Santa suits, handing out candy canes. The Son drove the rental van last year for us, and this year is able to partake. That's coming up here in a couple weeks or so.

While here we set up plans for Thursday, which I guess is we will cook the turkey he was given from work. It'll just be the boys, Wife and I, but better than nothing. Friday the youngest Son, Wife and I will be going to RM's for another dinner she has offered to make, versus going out, just because she can send leftovers home with me. I do love the giblet gravy and dressing.... and turkey always gets made into turkey enchiladas within a short amount of time.

The oldest and middle Sons have finally found an apartment. They will probably be moving around next weekend, I think. I know they did a "Face-time" walk through yesterday, and the older was going to do the paperwork last night. It is just a little bit north of where his apartment is now, so not terribly far from us, or their work places. I hope there are no final issues with getting the place since it is getting so close to the lease expire on the one place.

Daughter, SIL and most importantly, Doodad, are in town. The Wife mentioned they were suppose to get in touch with each other about plans, but hasn't heard from the Daughter yet. I know the D had mentioned to me that they had things to do today, and would probably not see us until Sunday. So I have no idea what has changed since three days ago, but evidently the Wife know more than I. So I'll see them when I see them I guess.

That's about all I got for now. Almost finished shopping for Christmas. Still need to pick up about 5 things I know of. The rest I will leave to the Wife.

PeacE

Yet Another Milepost

Today, my middle son turns 12 years old. Monday, he will start Jr. High. This morning, he is currently wasting his time playing some game on the computer, here in the room near me. All I can hear are the sounds of gunshots.

I don't remember many specific details of when Nathan came into the world. Well, actually, I can remember it was at Phoenix Baptist hospital, and it was late. The labor ward did not have a room available until just before 11pm, if I remember correctly. Late enough, that we had no time to plan/arrange for the other two kids to be watched/stay over night somewhere. We didn't want them in the room (thought it may be a bit too graphic for them) so they spent most of the night in a waiting room, just outside of the labor ward. I would go out and check on them every 30 minutes or so. One incident happened, but I won't share as it could be embarrassing for those involved (not me).

I remember all the time The Wife and I thought about the name for this second son. We wanted (or maybe it was more me than her) something strong sounding, that had some meaning, yet, would not be from either side of our families. We settled on Nathan, which was the name of an angel, sounded good. His middle name is Michael, another angel name, and common enough to not necessarily be attributed to anyone in particular. We both have Michaels in our families. The Wife had a cousin killed around the time we were dating named Michael. I have an Uncle Mike (a couple actually), but Uncle Lil Mike gets the nod on the name. Sorry Uncle Big Mike.

Twelve years sure has gone by fast.

Yup... He's turning into quite the young man.

PeacE

Another Birthday Is Here!

When you have a family the size our's is, it is inevitable that birthdays are going to come around. Today is no exception, and we are celebrating the middle son's 10th by dinner out tonight.

This is a recent one I had from his concert this past springtime. Hard to believe my kids are all growing up. I remember back in 2002 when he looked more like this....

Time flies, even when you're not having fun it seems.

I got out to do some shopping this morning. Seems The Wife hadn't had a chance to get out and find anything for him prior to today, so once again I get to play the role of Gift-Shopper. Note: I hate this role, as I am not a good gift shopper. If it isn't practical, why bother? I was able to get his shopping done in under 30 minutes, as well as some other things that were needed. If nothing else, I am fast at shopping. Get in and get out.

As I mentioned yesterday, we will be heading out to supper at one of the local pizza joints that has some token operated games for the kids. I invited along RM & PT, and the in-laws, but I don't think they will make it (the In-Laws that is). Being sort of last minute, it isn't going to be much. Some pizza, and open some presents. then I am sure he will want to get home ASAP to play with what I bought him.

I need to get some other things done, so I am out of here.

PeacE