A Decent Ending ...

 to yesterday. I had the paracentesis done. They removed the maximum amount the doctor's orders allowed (10L) and I received 3 doses of Albumin. Oh, the relief from all that pressure is gone! But, the tech said that there was still at least 2-3 liters left in there, and they will have to0 be that way until my next appointment (July 1st). But I feel so much better for now.

Cardiologist Nurse called yesterday. Scheduled an Angiogram for Thursday. Which means it will be yet another week before they can take to review for the Waiting List. I dislike all this waiting, just to wait more, but I understand the why of it. 

Today is the Grandson's birthday, and regardless of the Riders Convention issue, I am going to his party. I was last given the info that it was to be next week, so let it be next week. I need to stop and get a veggie/fruit tray when we head over. The Wife did some shopping for gifts the other day, so I am just rolling with that.

Up early again. I might as well change the alarm clock to this new time.

And that is all I got today.

PeacE

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

Home and Mostly Recovered

 The Wife and I made it home Sunday from our 4-day trip to Ohio and Indiana. The plane was only delayed an hour out of Indianapolis, so I think it was like 3:15 when we landed here in Phoenix. Not terrible. There was only one snafu to our trip, but I got it solved in about 15 minutes. That was regarding our rental car in Cincinnati.

I had a journal along with us, that I had written out the detailed plans of our trip, the addresses of places we needed to go (hotels, church for the wedding, etc) so that I wouldn't have to look up individual information on each place while trying to drive. I also wrote quite a bit in the journal about our trip. I am debating going to a written journal, but like RM says, I don't know if I would want others reading my personal thoughts of what I write down, after I am dead. Not that this particular time I had written any of those... just if I were to in the future. Normally I don't care what anyone thinks about what I say/think....

Okay, some things about the trip.... I'm not going to just blindly reserve a hotel without checking it out more. Travelodge by Wyndham in Gallipolis was a crap-hole. We arrived like 9pm, and during check-in they mentioned they had no rooms available on the first floor. They also had no elevator. So it was fun climbing the stairs, with luggage, using a cane. Then our room, sigh. On 'my side' of the bed, there were no outlets at all. So I could not plug in my CPAP. I tried to sleep without it, but after three hours, I gave up, placed my head at the foot of the bed, and stretched out the CPAP and cord from the opposite wall, just so I could sleep. "Continental breakfast"? Hmph. A waffle-maker, a toaster, choice of two cold cereals, pre-packaged danish and small muffins, cran or Orange juice. That was it. I had cereal and a danish. And back to the room.... there were signs of repair all over the place, and not complete. Was very tacky.

The wedding was ...different. It was a Mennonite wedding, which I have never been to one. Several small sermons, before we got to the bride and groom. No exchange of rings, no clapping at all, no cheering. We were dismissed by 'importance' (people in the ceremony, family, friends, etc). The reception was pretty much the same. Speakers throughout, and no clapping, cheering, applause. Food was good! Had chicken fajitas and toppings, plus some appetizers. The Wife's family were happy we were there, as none of the other siblings had come.

Then we were off to Indy. Drove through some pretty heavy rains on the way - enough to make even me slow down to about 30 mph on the freeway. Made the hotel (Travelodge by Wyndham Speedway) around 5:30, and it was a palace compared to the one the night before. They had no King-bed that I had reserved, but gave us 2-Queen beds, and I insisted it be on the first floor. Was placed very near the door to Parking, and even the pool was right out the door from us (pool was indoor). Met up with the Uncle, Aunt and Cousin and had dinner out at Dennys. Then Uncle and I went out for a few beers (our tradition). 

Saturday we went to Frankfort (Home of the Hotdogs!) and visited Sis and her family. Took them to lunch at Applebee's, then headed back to Indy. There was talk of meeting up with another Aunt and Uncle, but She got all snippy and didn't join us for dinner. RM had mentioned to this Aunt that I was going to be back there, and that is my fault. Should have told RM to not tell anyone my plans. I'll talk to her about that Friday....

Sunday was just taking it easy, getting the rental to the airport and to our gate. Flight was only an hour late. Did a Lyft home from the airport.

There were many other things I wrote about, from our trip, but don't think I will share them here.

Got a Dr appointment this Thursday, and probably a blood draw Friday morning before I meet RM for breakfast. She is turning 75 on Friday. Breakfast is my gift to her, as I have no other idea of what to get her except like a card for Joann Fabric or Amazon. Saturday may be going to a Celebration of Life, if the Wife wants to go, for a person we were friends with many years ago at the church.

The Middle Son has a birthday this week as well, on Wednesday. I don't think we have any plans for anything since he will have to work that night. Maybe I should see about finding something as a gift, but I don't know.

And I am done with blog today....

PeacE

Noting the Passage of Time

 Monday morning. It sure is. I rolled (almost literally) out of bed around 8am this morning. I did my medical readings. I went through my emails, and sent one to the Company, that I am ready and able to return to active status as of today. Not sure if I really feel that way, but sometimes you just have to 'do what you have to do', and I feel this is one of them. I am sure once I finish writing here, I will be on a tour of my blog reads.

Saturday was busy. Spent a good part of the day taking care of lawn work. I mowed, then worked on the sidewalk and driveway, removing grass from the cracks and such. A big guy like me, down on my knees ... needed to be done, but I am paying for it. Even with knee pads, Sunday I woke hurting in the back, knees, hips, and shoulders. Today, I already have taken a couple acetaminophen, though the aches are not quite as bad. I was not able to finish all the drive, but at least things look nicer out front. Sunday also had a couple of the Sons help get a bunch of bulk trash stuff set out by the curb. Pick up is slated to start this week (but may take two weeks to complete) and we now have a nice stack of wood from the backyard that really needed out of here. Sometimes I am surprised at the amount of stuff the in-laws had 'hoarded' here. I'm not getting on to that subject... just makes me mad.

I don't recall if I mentioned it, but my office chair broke last week. a bolt in connection the arm and chair seat had snapped, and now prevents any sort of comfortable position when trying to lean back, or use that arm (right side). I mentioned to the Wife Saturday I was needing to get out to look for a new chair, and she brought up that they had a lifetime warranty on this one. I spent a few minutes going through the files this morning and found the warranty. I will be reading through it this morning and see what I need to do to get a replacement. Hope it won't take long. It was through a local Staples chain outlet that it was bought. Might require a trip up there (a whole mile away) to pick out another style as this one my be obsolete even after just two years - or out of stock with no intention of renewing.

Went to a late birthday supper for the Youngest on Sunday evening. Oldest Son made it, but Middle Son didn't. Middle was angry at me (for reasons I won't discuss on here) and was avoiding being near me at all costs. Something he will have to work through, sigh. It was nothing fancy, just a local Country Boys dinner. That restaurant has been there for many, many years, but over the past 15 years, it has slowly started dying I think. First the quality of food, started getting worse, then the staff, then the look of the place. We had not been there for a good year or more, and it had slipped from being nearly 24-hour business to closing early on days. They used to provide coupons for return visits, and would allow a large family to use more than one 2-for-1 coupons in one setting. A reason we liked them as a family of 6. They no longer use coupons - at all. Only 1 waitress and 1 cook. I had an all-you-can-eat fish meal. The fish wasn't bad, but the tartar sauce was runny and terrible. Same with the cole slaw. Everyone did eat all they had on the plate, but I didn't ask anyone else how it tasted. Might not be going there anytim e again soon.

Welp, I guess I should go figure out this chair warranty thing, and find something to eat. Be nice if I can just go pick up a new chair and not have to wait extra time. Will find out I guess.

PeacE

Break Time is Over!

 Well, break time is over for the Youngest. He returns to school today, and all the extra band practices, games, competitions. It was a bit weird last week, when he had a home game they had to play... on the Fall Break. I don't recall them ever having to do that before....

No news on the work front for me. I know part of the HR/Recruiting staff were on vacation last week, so hopefully with them back in this week, some projects will be setting up to bring people in on. Though I do admit, in some ways it has been nice being off the last few weeks, I am ready to concentrate on something and make a few dollars.

Didn't do much this past weekend. Stuman, my brother, celebrated his 48th birthday. His wife was out of town celebrating her birthday (earlier in the week) so brother invited several friend s to his place on Saturday. I did end up going, feeling obligated somewhat. Only a few friends showed up, and I was there most of the afternoon and into the evening. A lot of rain (for AZ) came Saturday, and really soaked the ground, so Sunday, the Youngest pushed over the dead tree in our front yard. It wasn't huge - about 6-8 inches thick in the trunk. But it was dead, and bulk trash is coming up here in a couple weeks. Need to finish getting it chopped down to size for pick-up.

No plans this week, unless a project comes along. I need to get up to Walgreens, hopefully today, to pick up a prescription they notified me about. I think it is more glucose test strips, but am not sure. This mornings readings were back int he better/regular range than some of the ones from last week. Gonna change that up now as I drink some Sweet Tea from Church's Chicken. Boy, is that sweet!

PeacE