Happy Birthday Dad

 Today is (was) my Dad's birthday. He would have turned 75 years old, had he still been alive. Half that life now has been in the ground basically, since his passing in 1985. RM is only a year younger than he, though, as I write this, I'm like, 75 is OLD, yet I know Mom isn't that old.... it's a weird thing. Maybe because she is alive and kicking and Dad isn't? I don't know ... just weird.

Speaking of weird... The other day I made a booking for the Wife and I. Our anniversary is later this month (30th) and thought not a "major mile point" (only 32 years) decided we could try to do something to celebrate. The past couple of years, we just ended up going to Tucson and spending time with the Daughter and Doodad. Other times we just get a hotel room close to home, just to 'get out of the house'. This year I booked a balloon flight. Yeah. A hot-air balloon flight. It is a morning one, so we are supposed to meet at the offices of around 5:30 am. From there, I am guessing they drive us out to the lift-off area, and drive us back after we land. I am guessing it will be about a 3-4 hour ride. And I am scared.

I don't have a fear of heights, as many think. I have a fear of falling. If I feel secure at any height, I am fine. I enjoy looking out over the scenery. It's just when I don't feel secured, that any height bothers me. For example, I REALLY don't like climbing ladders, even to get on the one-story roof, for any reason. Thankfully I have sons for that. When flying, I do like the window seat, and don't mind watching the ground thousands of feet below pass by. this balloon ride though, in a basket, just makes my heart beat faster, and that feeling of anxiety comes creeping in. And I am paying money for this...sigh. The Wife is happy about it though. She always wanted to do one of these rides. I just hope she doesn't push me out of the basket.

Guess I should get the day started. I think I am going to run out (drive that is) to a local fast food joint and get some breakfast this morning. I am desiring a cola drink, and mean to have one!

PeacE

Idle No Longer ...

 Received an email Saturday from the Company (admin works on Saturdays?) and asking if I wanted in a project starting today. Of course I said I wanted in. This one is slated for 1-1 1/2 weeks so will see how long it actually goes. When I got the follow-up email from the team manager, I discovered that I will be working with some people I have done previos projects with, and enjoy their company. Most of them are in other states, so I have not personally met them, or even seen a picture, but from our brief conversations seem nice. So back to work here in just over a couple hours.

I am up early today. With a mandatory start time (for the meeting to acquaint us to the project) being at 8am my time. I went to bed a little after 9pm, and was awake several times in the early morning hours. I managed to cat-nap until about 5am then decided I might as well get out of bed. A morning craving for a soda and some 'rollers' (today's selection was Johnsonville firecracker sausages) I ran up to the Qwik Trip. I took up my 52-oz refillable and got some Mountain Dew. I probably shouldn't have it due to the sugar, but oh well. Life is no fun unless you live it to teh fullest every now and then. As I got back home, I hear the shower running... at 5:30am? The Wife was still in bed, so it must be the Youngest up early getting it in before school. Middle Son is supposed to be by this morning at some point before he heads to Tucson for a couple days.

The Wife was taking out a small bag of trash, and while over at teh side of the house where we store the trash cans, she found one of the attic vent turbines. Evidently during the pre-storm winds, it had been blown off the assembly. From the front of the house, I saw another one up against the heat pump, looking like it had been blown off as well. I think I will ask Middle Son to hop up there and slide them both back on for now. The one Wife found was pretty dented and maybe out of alignment, but it will have to do (at least cover the vent) until I can get a newer one. Saw something online that looked like a better deal, and won't blow off in high winds.

Before getting any of my sugary concaction this morning, I did my regular BP and Glucose checks. Both were a little high (typical for me the past month or so). Doctor's office called me on Friday, and re-scheduled my appointment to a few days after it was originally scheduled, but it is still just over a month away. I am sure, even with it being a new doctor, that they will bump up the doages on my meds a little to get me into the range they want. Probably another 5 mg on the BP, and another 250 mg on the Metformin. That size dosage last time the insurance would not cover, but maybe showing that after a 3-month intake, that it really does need to be higher, perhaps they will cover it now. Find out then....

RM& PT celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. Today they are leaving town to head 'up north' to a place they rented for a few days. PT likes to do it every year as it gives him a change of location. RM seems just happy to be off work, and had commented that they will probably do the same things they do at home, but at least she won't have to worry about work. The Wife and I celebrated 31 years earlier this year. Time sure is going by....

Guess I should close this off so I can get some of regular computer stuff done before having to start work.

PeacE

Back to the Grind

 Oh, it felt good to return home yesterday from our trip to Tucson. We had done brunch then headed back arriving home in the early afternoon. I had told the Wife I was not going to sit around getting tired/sleepy then driving back late at night, on a Sunday, when there were things I needed to get done prior to Monday morning. She was agreeable (yea!) and so that's what we did. 

I noticed over the weekend, that this new HBD med I am on, or re-starting after several years, is making me a little light-headed. I think my body is adjusting to the change in blood pressure. Today I go to get the labwork started. Then it is waiting time until the 18th.

Not much to say today.

PeacE

Another Week Until A Weekend

It's Sunday evening, and as I prepare myself to head to bed, to toss and turn through the night, I figured I could gripe about how this weekend has gone.

Friday, after work, the Wife headed to Safford to assist the Daughter and Fiance to move an hour from where they currently reside, into some housing supplied by the Company the Fiance works for ... located about an hour drive away. Yes, closer to work for him, and for her, since she is not working. All fine and dandy, except the Wife felt she HAD to go and help them move. The Wife is "scheduled" to return sometime tomorrow(Monday), but as of earlier this afternoon, she had no exact time. Seems the original plan (prior to Friday) had changed and now no one seems to know anything. Needless to say, she said she would still be home, but no idea what time.

No big deal, right? She was already planning to be gone until then. I still had to take care of things this weekend while she was gone. And I did.

The two younger Sons and I had breakfast out Saturday morning. Followed with the Easter Festival at the church that they went to for about an hour and half. Then we met up with RM & PT for dinner out at Chili's. Spent the rest of the evening, chilling at home (meaning, we played on the computers). Sunday morning I was wakened about 6am to pick up the oldest Son, as his band trip was returning from California. I went back to bed after bringing him home. Most of the day was spent getting some things tidied around the house, and some laundry, so Mom (aka The Wife) would see we were somewhat productive while she was gone. I treated for dinner out at Souper Salad.

Now the boys have all had showers, did their nightlies, and are in bed. Well, the oldest is in his bedroom, probably not in bed, but not my problem. Tomorrow morning will be me waking him up at 6'ish, then to school, then home to take the other two boys to MIL's, where one will wait for the bus, and the other I will run to his school. Then home for a couple hours until I need to head to work.

Dad has it all in control, right? Doesn't sound like anything majorly bad happened.

Did I say how much sleep I have had? Since waking Friday morning, I figure I have had about 6 hours of decent sleep (uninterrupted for at least 2 hours) and another 8-12 of tossing/turning and the occasional 15 minute cat-nap. I just don't sleep well when the Wife is not at home. Most nights I go to bed before she does, but even so, I wake when she gets there, and then fall smoothly back to sleep. It's that whole "knowing" they are there, I guess.

I've had the problem for the last ... well, in just a couple hours, it will be 24 years. Yes, Monday is our 24th Anniversary. And she is hours away, helping the Daughter move. And I am here, trying to sleep. I know tomorrow night, by the time I get home from work around 9pm, it is going to be a shower and straight to bed for 12 hours. I am sure I will need it.

Hoping for at least 4 hours (of sleep) tonight. That's why I am going to bed now (10pm).

PeacE

That Time of Year (Again)

Today marks the 21st year of the Wife and I being married. 

Seems like a short time, when I actually think about it. The years together have been good to us. I definitely do not deserve this woman, and am so glad to have her.

Through those 21 years, four kids, and my bad habits, She has been there and never stopped being the awesome person she is. I can never tell her enough how wonderful she is, and how much I love her, though I do try.

We have dinner plans, though I am not sure just where at yet. RM & PT said they would take care of the boys for dinner and a couple hours for us to have a nice dinner. I just found that out this morning. 

Sure glad April 1st wasn't on a Saturday that year.....

PeacE

Happy Anniversary, Honey

It was 20 years ago that the Wife and I tied the knot. Me for better, her for worse (snicker). Seriously though, today marks our anniversary of 20 years, and I still am amazed she is here with me, but I am glad she is. I'm glad she puts up with me, too. I love you, Dear, and here's to many more years together.

PeacE

Yesterday Ended Well

Yesterday, the Wife and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe she has put up with me for that many years. For lack of being super-rich, we settled for a nice dinner of the two of us at a local restaurant called Black Angus (a steakhouse), and did some shopping afterwards. T'was nice not to have the kids along, aside from the extra amount that would have been spent for dinner, the quiet conversation would never have taken place otherwise. We made it a bit of an extension, too. The dessert we brought home we will eat it tomorrow evening after dinner .... without the kids around .... even if we have to hide in shed out back. I am sure we won't have to go to those extremes.

Sunday will be spent at Sis' for lunch as planned still. Tonight I received a phone call from her to double check our attendance for lunch. Usually, are responsibility to bring food-wise is like chips/dip or the equivalent. This particular time though, I have been asked to bring something else ... a dessert I make that is similar to cheesecake, but not. Seems everyone in the family likes it. I had sent over a couple pies of it last Thanksgiving, since our family was spending the dinner with the Wife's side of the family. It went fast I heard. As it does with the Wife's family as well. What can I say, I do something pretty damn good every once in a while.

Rusty, Spawn of Satan, has dropped back into his regular routine very quickly. For being a cat on the loose in the city for the first time, for a period of a little over 24 hours, being back home is probably pretty nice for him. I have only once seen him show an interest in the front door since that night he came back home. Now, if he could lose interest in other things such as trying to claw furniture, and jumping back and forth across my bed (and me) in the middle of the night ... that would make me more of a cat-liker. In fact, as I write this, his Fat and Laziness is sitting in the chair next to the desk, giving me the look as he knows I am talking about him. I can't wait til I get to the point I can - what's it called.... when you make inanimate, or non-human things more human-like (personification?) ... when I can do that with him.... and then just drag him through the wringer. Heh. Something to look forward to. Be prepared, my whiskered adversary.

Still don't know when my daughter's graduation announcements are to arrive. Yeah, I know. Like a month and a half til the event, and no announcements. SO, if you are family, and you actually read this stuff, email me your address so I can get you an announcement.

We have finalized our Family Trip dates. I need to contact family/friends back in IN/MI to warn them of our eminent arrival. Tonight, some of the shopping we did was for pricing on stuff for the trip. Such as DVD player w/screen for movies. Amazing how small those things have gotten now. Not surprised at the cost though. Sheesh! Looked at digital cameras as well. The Wife has been taking my Sony Cybershot lately, though she complained she does not know how to use it. I bitch about how I need it so when I need it, it is handy. We priced out some cameras for her tonight, and I think I have her talked into one, which we will get before our trip. I did get a new USB hub for the computer, and just had to pick up a movie. "Chronicles of Riddick". I got the whole set now. Watched it tonight too. I forgot how much I liked it.

It's after 3am now. I need to get busy on this other thing before I can get some sleep. Got some story stuck in my head I need to get typed out to at least be able to sleep. And who knows, maybe it will turn into a short story.

PeacE

18 years with good behaviour? Maybe.

How's that joke go... the old man was crying at the table one morning and his wife comes in and asks what's wrong. He said if he had told your dad something other than yes, he might've been out of jail by now.

Well, something along those lines anyways.

The good thing is today is 18 years for the Wife and I. Personally, I don't know how she put up with me so long, but I guess in some ways that is why women are partly mysterious. Either way, it has been a good time overall, and we have been blessed with four children over that time span. Tonight, we are doing a simple dinner out at Olive Garden, and maybe a movie afterwards. I have the daughter watching the boys.

I know I will be the funny one walking into the restaurant though. My back is sore today. Spent most of the day Sunday watching the end of the softball tournament. Started at 8, ended after 4. Long time to be sitting on the bleachers. But there was enough beer for most of the day. We lost the first game we played and it put us out.

Think that is all I got for now. I think I am headed back to bed for a quick hour or so nap before doing things around the house.

PeacE

Friday before a big weekend

Another Friday has come and a busy weekend to boot. At least I will have had a couple quiet nights to prepare. Spent last night at home and watched a couple movies. “Delta Farce” was definitely not as funny as I had hoped it would be. Then I sat down and watched “The Seeker: The Dark is Rising” with my oldest son. He enjoyed it, but it was bit far fetched for me. Tonight I will be headed home and probably watch a few episodes of “Numbers”.

The daughter has been out of town since Thursday on a trip to Anaheim for her Drama class. They are going to Disneyland today for a 2-hour clinic, and then have the rest of the day to enjoy themselves. She is due back tomorrow late afternoon. About the same time the Wife is going to a wedding. I have a golf tournament in the morning then was going to spend the afternoon at the pub, but I have to pick the Daughter up now. Sunday is the regular schedule: softball (if I wake up) and then the pub for steak breakfast and Nascar.

Sunday is also the 17th anniversary for the Wife & I. With the plans we have, it looks like we may not celebrate it this year. That, or maybe just do a dinner later in the week. Seems hard to believe it has been that long, and four kids to boot. She is definitely a good woman, and I probably don’t deserve her, but we are stuck together now.

Work is slow again today with it being Friday. I am hoping to get out of here a bit early, but am not expecting it. So I’ll be sitting here most the afternoon reading some ebooks. Hope y’all have a good weekend and I’ll see ya back on Monday!

PeacE

Rain in Arizona

This is a topic not many write about. I mean, our rain schedule here is obviously different than most places of the US due to the desert climate in the Valley, and the moutainous regions around the rest of the state. True, there are many people that love the weather here as they can travel basically an hour in any direction and get a different season. We have our "spring showers" early in the year, and monsoons in the late summer - at least in the valley area. Who doesn't love to watch a lightning show across the desert areas of the outer valley? I love a good lightning show! What I haven't like lately, is the recent rain we had yesterday.

I walked in the house last night, the kids playing "Place the Bowl" in the family room. Yes, it seems my roof has sprung a leak. I am hoping it is just A leak and not leaks. Now I have to find a roofer and have the roof done. This is something we have been hoping to put off just a bit longer, but now has come inevitable. Then we will have to re-insulate and replace the ceiling int he family room. This after the hallway pipe burst of not too long ago. Sigh. Seems I can't win for nothing. This old house is just starting to go to pieces. The Wife and I even brought up the discussion of moving, but we just have not found a right place yet. Besides, we would have to fix this place up to resale.

Well, next Friday is the 16th anniversary of the Ralphd00d couple. Seems hard to believe we have been together for 18 years, let alone married for 16 of them. We have the four lovely, adorable children (daughter 15, son 8, son 4, and son 1), a house that is falling apart, and 60 pounds I need to lose from all those years of good cooking. Since the unfortunate timing of the roof leak, it seems funds are going to be a little less "available" for anything really special for me to do/get for the Wife. Anyone out there have ideas? I have already thought about the dinner, and movie. Jewelry is out as she doesn't wear much, and I just recently got her some for her birthday. I thought about like some soft "fuzzy" pajamas, but I don't buy clothes in case I get the wrong sizes. Maybe if I just get her a gift card with enough money on it to go get some pajamas, or something. Would that be too tacky?

Normally, most years we do not exchange gifts for our birthdays, or holidays, or our anniversary, but I figure with the way our year has started out, it would be a nice thing amidst the other miscellaneous problems we are experiencing (damn house). What do you women think? What about you guys?

Let me know...

PeacE