Another "Nothing" Day

 It's Wednesday, and I cancelled the paracentesis I had previously scheduled for this morning. I do have some fluid build up, but it isn't overly uncomfortable yet. I think I'll go next week, that'll be another three weeks I went without draining. For the most part, the medications are handling my symptoms well. Encephalology has 'cleared' somewhat, though I still am having short-term memory issues, and at times, lose track/focus. With all the weight loss, the knees/hips/back feel slightly less pain, butt still requires me to use a cane for walking.

Yesterday ended well. I had my IOP in the morning, followed by a trip to Safelite for a windshield replacement. Afterwards, my car now tells me it has pre-collision 'something-or-other' and SEE DEALER. It won't shut off the message or the dash light. I figured maybe a few starts and stops would take care of it (like new air sensors with tires). After I got home, and had time to check my emails, I saw one from Safelite that explained the new issue - that if the settings for certain anti-collision features had been turned off, they will need to be reset, as the 'camera in the windshield' they had to reset the factory defaults when they calibrated it. They could have told me in person.... I headed to the VFW for the House/Entertainment meeting, and we finished early enough, I rushed home to get into the Zoom meeting for my AA/Support Liver group. I was only 5 minutes late, but the weekly meeting is done.

With the Para cancelled this morning, I do not have anything until 2pm with my group leader for a short personal check-in. I should work on the minutes from the meeting, but I don't think so today.

... and now I am off to do something...

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

Feeling Tired, of Everything

 The past couple days I have not done much of anything. Thursday I did manage to complete what I consider to, about 90% of the revisions/amendments the House wants in their policy. I emailed it to one of the members (we get along well, and like I, he actually reads these things) to look at what I had done, and see what he thought of the changes. Friday I spent the afternoon at the Post, basically doing nothing. My A came up, and said he thought it was a very good job on the Policy, and he actually liked it better now, as it included more information. Our next meeting is Tuesday, and I will be asking if there are any other changes needed before I start prepping it for approval.

Since the Wife's car has been in the repair shop, we did here from the insurance the other day. They are considering it totaled. They have given us the figure (minus deductible) of the check we will get (lower than I expected, but what can one do) once they get the title from us. I am waiting the FedEx envelope they are sending (hopefully tomorrow) to send it back. The Wife spent a good part of the day yesterday going through dealers, and whatnot looking to see "what is out there" as far as vehicles. I really hate to get my hopes up, but at one dealership, she found a 2023 Kia Sorento (same model as the Daughter drives) with only about 1500 miles on it, and so she called the dealer. Turns out, they gave her a final figure (including taxes, etc.) over the phone, and it is lower than the check we are to get. She asked about a hold on the vehicle, without money down, and they said okay, especially once she explained the whole getting the check from the insurance, etc. This morning we are going down to physically put an eye on the vehicle, and update them on the status of things. The rental car needs to be turned in this week, and I am hoping to have this new vehicle by next weekend. I know the Wife doesn't want me driving her around.

After that I am off to the Post again. Washington plays at 1:25pm today, and I left half my sub sandwich there in the fridge yesterday. Figure I'll have the other half for lunch, and watch the game, then get home.

Monday is the General Surgery consult for my umbilical hernia. This will be the first "surgery" I will have had in my life. For some reason they don't count oral surgery, from when I had my wisdom teeth removed.

Welp, I did my pills, caught up with RM, and need to test my numbers. Have fun y'all!

PeacE

You Know What Today Is....

 ... it's Hump Day! Well, for those that work a M-F job it is anyways. Though, not for a lack of me trying to find work....

My buddy J had taken his car in last week for an oil change, and had asked me to pick-up/drop-off when done. It was a new "mom and pop" shop that 'took over' the vehicle repair section of the Pep Boys at 35th Ave & Cactus. They don't have the store part, just the auto repair area. Anyways, while dropping him off, I set an appointment for my oil change. It has been about 3 years and 10K miles since I bought the car. Around 5K miles, Toyota said it wouldn't need to be done until 10K due to the synthetic they use. So, I took it in today. Youngest picked me up and we went to lunch at Red Robin, then he dropped me back off. I was a bit shocked at the cost for an oil change, but inflation....

Afterwards, it was a quick run to Walgreen's to pick up a 'scrip for me, and one for the Wife. I have my medical appointment next Tuesday, though I don't see anything changing. I'm going to push for a 6 month between visits, as no prescription has changed in at least the past 9 months.

Last night was the VFW Entertainment and House Committee meetings. Chairman loved the agenda I created, and now expects one each month. I'm glad to do it, even though I had to learn several new things between doing them on Google Docs, and format, etc (thanks RM for the * info - it works). I'll get around to the minutes later this week.

This week I have received three notices for book reviews on books I have requested. I have managed to get two read already, the third I just got the email today, so will start it this afternoon. Then I'll have those to type up as well.

That's quite a bit of typing for someone that has no secretary skills....

PeacE