Doing It Differently ...

 When it comes to doing things, everyone has their own style. Many times, it is the same as 'everyone else' as it is the best way to accomplish what that goal is. Many times it is a 'forced change' to purposely create a new viewpoint/way of doing that same thing, done the same way, day after day. Yesterday's meeting at the Post is a prime example.

It was on my calendar as a District 3 Training Day. Usually, that has the Post members meeting in the hall, and the Aux. in the canteen. We'd do a 1-hour training on something specific: a recent change to a form, or maybe some protocol changes. Then move into our regular meetings for District. Somewhere down the line, it was decided to do Joint Trainings for the District. That is putting the Post and Aux. together, to train each other the programs we each do, areas where we could use the help of the other, etc. The first one started off with the Aux. explaining the Programs we are accountable for, and how the Post is able to assist, as well use the same event to complete some of their program requirements. Either way, I find myself liking this much more than the training before. We should be working hand-in-hand, and not 'fighting each other' over events, etc. Personally, I did not 'learn' much of anything, as most of the information was Aux. stuff, and I already was aware of it. Our meeting in January should be interesting, as it will be the Post doing the same for the Aux. Obviously, the hope is to create a more family environment, to stop any division/rift between the two VSOs. I like it.

Changes. Sometimes they are good ones, and sometimes not. I know personally, changes have seemed the only thing I have done since September. I became sober (10 months now!). medical issues have made changes to the body (good and bad), medications changes symptoms, decisions on lifestyles have changed. Having to have a transplant, doing the TIPs procedure, healthier and controlled diet - all these are ongoing and are good changes, once they happen. What are some other changes? There is a list of them. I think the ones that top the list as my favorites: 1) sobriety; 2) quit smoking (today is Day 4, and going strong!); 3) better, controlled diet; 4) rebuilding relationships I damaged with family and friends; 5) rebuilding a relationship with God. There are many more, and these few examples are not in order of favoritism, but just what popped into my head at the time.

Smoking. Whew! Day 4, and I am still going strong. The first day, I refused to leave the house - literally. The fear that I would be tempted to stop somewhere and buy another a pack was so big in my mind... Day 2 I felt a bit better, but that was Friday, and I had to go to the Post. Knowing where the smoking patio was made some temptation come up to bum a smoke from someone, but I busied myself in the kitchen, working on the dinner. Day 3, yesterday, had to be at the Post again, but this time there were no temptations of the smoking area. No desires to stop somewhere and get a pack. Have I picked up on some weird habits in this short time? Not really. I have been craving soda more, and picked some more up. It'll be at least another week or more before I start seeing some healthy changes of not smoking (breathing easier, less coughing, etc.). I am just keeping on doing the good things I know I can do, and that is that.

Friday night at dinner (RM & PT had come as usual) I was sort of not nice. I kept making jabs at PT about things I know he is sensitive about doing or discussing. I was talking more to RM than him (as usual) and was mentioning about the probability of giving up my car keys. The TIPS procedure could have an effect of increasing my encephalopathy, and one really shouldn't drive with this condition. You hear those Silver Alerts for people with dementia in their older age, and how they just drive off somewhere. This is similar. I was even mentioning about just giving up my keys now, though I really haven't had any episodes but one (Wife caught it). I would look over and say something like 'Even at my younger age I probably will be giving up my car keys so I don't hurt anyone'. It went completely over his head. No rection. I am not even sure he heard me. Another time I made a comment about an Old Folks table, and he hmm'ed/haw'ed saying something like he wasn't old. My goodness man! You're 89 years old! You ARE old. Another jab was about how he said he does like the Chair Tai Chi, and I said something like 'Isn't that hard to do from a reclining position in your easy chair with you eyes shut? He grumbled about that one. In short, I was mean, on purpose. I should apologize. I know I should. But I don't want to. Problems to take to God ...

And with that, I am getting off the ol' bloggo. Nothing on the calendar today, so figure I may be playing games all day - unless the Wife decides it is Honey-Do time. Ugh.

PeacE

Issues

 The past eleven days have been stressful for me. Things that needed to change in my life were brought before me, and needed to be addressed. Several of those things have been taken care of, others are in process, and a very few I am still deciding on how I will handle to get the result that is best for me. Yes, it sounds selfish, and in truth, it is. But I don't care. If it is what I feel is needed to be changed, then so be it.

I turned 50 on Labor Day. That weekend was a nice one. Saturday I had gotten together with a few close friends and had a few drinks at the pub. I didn't stay late, though, I admit to having a couple more beers than I should have.... but it was a birthday celebration! Sunday I spent at home, recuperating mostly. A good portion of Monday was spent just being idle around the house. Monday evening I was able to get all four kids, with their families/SO's all to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and had a wonderful evening meal. Yeah, Birthday Boy had to pay for it all, but it was the gift I really wanted, was the time for all of us to be together.

Started a work project (yea!) just before that weekend. It is still currently going on, and I will return to it again tomorrow morning. This one has been a bit different than most I have been involved on before, but at least it helps advance my skills a bit more. I am hoping to be kept on it past the First Level, so I get he pay grade increases as we move each step closer to the finish. I won't know probably until later this week.

Since mid August I have been having health issues. From that ER visit, where the docs could find nothing wrong about my abdominal pain, I have had pain in other places. Most have receded over a few days, but will flare up every now and then. Due to this I have been a 'good boy' and cut back on my alcohol intake, and am working on drinking more water - at the pub, and at home. Weight has been a problem for me a long time, and I have now been cutting back on portions, as well as types of food I eat. Some of that pain has been in my gall bladder area off and on, so have been trying to have a healthier diet to help prevent issues that may arise there. Plus side is it helps me lose weight. Yesterday, I actually took in my belt a notch, so something is working.

Not much to add for now. I am not going to bore you with other changes I have made I felt were necessary.

Just got home from a nice dinner out with The Wife and Youngest at Chili's. I tried their Caribbean Salad, which had citrus, pineapple, and cranberries on lettuce with a honey-lime balsamic dressing, and it was actually very good and filling. Lately I have been getting signed up on the apps/rewards programs for the restaurants we go to, and tonight got a free drink, and a free desert (for my bday) off the tab. Even the Wife agrees, if it is only an appetizer somewhere, it's something for free.

PeacE 

Public Libraries

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved going to the library. Yes, even those times I was required to go for research on school papers, or other class assignments, I still always thrived on going to a library. I still remember the first time my Dad got me a library card, and I was able to check out the first books on my own from that little library back in Kirklin, IN. I don't know the exact three books (personal limit for a kid's card) I had selected, but seem to recall they were in the fantasy fiction genre that I seem to love so much. The thrill when Dad allowed me to get an adult card in Frankfort, IN, though I was not even 11 years old yet, and being able to peruse through the even larger amount of books available... Oh! The personal joy!

There is nothing that brings a more satisfying feeling than going through shelf after shelf of books, and finding one, that after reading it just feels you with joy at finding it on your own. The fulfillment of looking up that research information for whatever reason, and the hunt through the Dewey decimal filing system to locate that specific article/book. The wonderment of all that information around oneself, be it for research, or entertainment, and feeling like you own and control it.

But I feel the way of the Public Library is slowly disappearing. I know many of you older (well, closer to my age anyways) readers would agree. With the internet growing and many places putting all the information out on the 'Web', the days of physical books is declining. Even I have not been in our local branch for nigh on 2 years now. Of course, budget cuts hurt libraries. I know our local branch has changed the hours of operation and cut them so badly, even my kids are unable to get time to go there for school work, as they close too early in the day. Some days, they are only available for a handful of hours.

Libraries offered so many services, and in the larger towns and cities, many of those services are available. Aside form the obvious 'borrowing' of books, services for computer access, media (video, DVD, CD), being able to reserve new releases, and periodicals (magazines, newspapers, etc), one could even just sit in there and read, without taking any materials from the place. 'Going to the library to Study' was always a valid excuse to parents to get out with friends - well, maybe for some people. I always preferred to actually go to the library. If someone didn't know certain information, they would go to the library to find out what they needed (in most cases). Now, the phrase is "Google it!" or "Look it up on the Web".

Physical books have character. As an avid reader, the feeling of a book open in my hands, turning the pages, feeling the weight of printed text on paper, all is a comforting feeling. It brings good memories of my friends (the books) that I have held and recall in my memories of how I traveled through worlds with them. How they taught me ideas and sometimes even, morals and ethics. How I learned how something works, or why and how it happened. The printed word was not the only thing there. Pictures of all shapes or sizes, in color, in plain black and white, and yes, sometimes even sketched. Oh, and how like real people these books are. Each has an odor that tells you about itself. That new book smell as you first open the pages was rare in a library, but sometimes you might be the second or third, and that scent lingered. Sometimes it was the smell of age, as if the book had been unused for many years, waiting for your questing for it to arrive. Many have worn corners, sometimes pages ripped and repaired by tape, sometimes not. Unknown marks and smudges from food, or dirt, or as many of us prefer, we don't want to know. Some I read, even let me know about previous readers and how they cared for the books by showing the bent corners of pages to mark reading spots (obviously did not know how to use a bookmark), or I could scent the smell of smoke from a cigarette, and occasionally a nice pipe.

I sigh with contentment. Yes, I love these places and for what I learned from them. I'm happy to say, that so far my older children have been able to have some sort of affection for books, though in the age of computers, I wonder if I should say, they show the love of reading. I wonder about if I should take them all for trip to our local branch, to let them experience a small portion of what I had when I was younger, before they are gone - the children and the libraries.

PeacE

More Change A-Coming!

I was a bit surprised this morning. My only readers had actually responded to the changes I had made on the blog. And because the masses have spoken, I have made additional changes. Well, not because they had spoken up, but because they had valid points. I thank you all for the input, and hope the changes I made this morning are not only more visually appealing to you, but ease any possible eye strain in reading my drivel.

August 1. What many of us consider summer is disappearing fast. My boys start back to school in 2 weeks form today. My daughter back to college in three. The start of school signals the end of summer vacations for many. Families will put their luggage into closets and storage, parents will be taking their kids out to stores to try on what the kids consider to be the geekiest outfits, to replace last years clothing that they have outgrown. Shorts and tank tops (for many kids) will be put away for T-shirts and jeans. Stores stock up aisles and aisles of supplies for academic achievements, putting out for the public eye any new trendy-type apparatus that will guarantee your child will go on to win the Nobel Prize and become President.

Thoughts of Autumn come drifting to mind. The leaves of deciduous trees changing colors, the slight crispness in the air, signalling the approach of the cooler months of winter. Jackets appear on the racks at stores, and hot chocolate sales increase (and marshmallows, too!).

Yeah, brings to mind a few different times when I was growing up. Maybe later today I can get one of them written out and share with you.

In the meantime, I need to get headed out to the gym. Today is another weigh-in Monday, and I am feeling apprehensive. I don't feel like a couple pounds (or hopefully more) have dropped off me, though I have added a couple days to the exercise routine. I think I am going to have to start actually measuring amounts of food I eat, rather than just 'eyeball' the amount reduction. I'll think about that later. Also I need to take the three boys to the dentist today for their cleanings. For the second attempt to get the 5 year old to cooperate and get his first one. The Wife is going to meet me there if she can get off work early enough (late afternoon appointments) to help convince him, and be there for her baby's first cleaning. (Rolls eyes) Which probably means she will have the camera taking pictures.

Okay, off to get the day started!

PeacE

Changes

I was doing some, what I considered small, changes here at the ol' blog site. You know, just taking out some little things on the sidebars, etc. I don't know what I did, but it take forever for the blog to load up now. I think it is trying to access something, but I removed probably only a portion of it, so it causes such a delay. Again, something else I screwed up.

I guess the positive spin to it, is now I will be 're-vamping' the site now. Think I will remove and redesign the layout and stuff. If you have a link on my sidebar, and are removed, but would like to be back, let me know....

PeacE

Times Are Changing

Recently, a blogger I love to read, Joe, over at Fat in Indiana, took a hiatus on the blog writing. He had been blogging for about 6 years (if I remember correctly) and just needed a break. Also, in the past year he has made changes to his blog, like the title, layout, etc.

I am thinking it may be time to do that here as well.

WHAT?!? You ask incredulously? No more Boobs to look at? No more posts about how much Beer I had to drink? No more crazy stuff about how those both go soooo good together???

Yeah. It has been almost 5 years (and just over 1000 posts!) since I created this place, and we all know how Life changes people sometimes. I feel I may have changed enough that this place isn't what it used to be. In fact, I know it has lately seemed more of a journal than anything else. Maybe now is the right time for a change not in just the layout, but maybe the Title... and maybe how I write here. I know it is all up to me, but I am curious if anyone would actually feedback what they think as well.

So, if I am going to change the Title, what are some other good possible names... or should I keep the same one?

Note: I have the domain name www.BoobiesandBeer.net until later this year, so this may decide if I renew that or not.

Let me know in comments, or if you prefer, email me: ralphd00d@gmail.com

PeacE