Been A Bit ...

 ... busy for me this past week. Well, I should correct that to 'busier than normal' for me. I believe I last posted on Tuesday, Election Day, and debated posting since - mainly because I don't want to flaunt election results (good or bad). Just what I need are trolls lurking around here to criticize anything I say. Not that I really care of their opinion, just hate dealing with them. RM has found one that has latched on to her blog a few times this week. Someone that evidently has strong anti-Republican (or just Trump) views. I read a couple of their posts, and I just wanted to punch them for talking to my Mom like that, but of course, they are afraid and only signed the comments as Anonymous. Chickenshit.

Anyways, last night was the Hondo Rodeo down at Chase Field not that you care, but where the AZ Diamondbacks play) followed by Whiskey Myers and Hank Williams Jr concert. Wife had bought them as a birthday present for me, and overall we had a pleasant evening. Took the light  rail downtown ($8 roundtrip vs $30+ for parking and traffic) and had dinner there. I hadn't been to a rodeo since I was a kid, and it was nice to see one again. I didn't know who Whiskey Myers were, but they did play one song I recognized from the radio. I know Hank is getting old, but I just was not pleased with his concert. It was many, many little things that just ... didn't make it feel like a concert. We started for the doors at 11pm, and barely beat the crowd as Jr finished up. Had some good little laughs at some of the people riding the tram both going to and from last night. We both had a pulled pork sandwich at the ball field (nev er would have thought it) and it was good!

This morning was my 3-month follow-up with the Nurse Practitioner. My A1C is down to 6.5 (yea!) and we decided to hold off on medication changes until February when I do my next labs and A1C test. If I can get that result down just a bot more, I may be able to regulate my diabetic meds a bit better. I did speak to her about my insomnia issues, and how they have been increasing in the past few months. So it was decided to prescribe me an 'as needed' prescription. I hope to pick it up late today, as the past couple weeks have pretty much worn me down with the little sleep I have gotten.

No major plans for the rest of today. May go to the Post as I usually do on a Friday, but haven't decided. Saturday I will mellow at home, because on Sunday, I scored 3 tickets to the NASCAR  Championship race here int he Valley. The Oldest Son, my best friend J, and myself are going. I'll actually say something nice about my Brother - he was the one with the tickets, and was trying to sell them for $600 for all 3 - but let me have them for $100 ea.

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, and I have been planning like I never have for a holiday, or pretty much anything. RM and I texted about menu items (as it is going to be at her house) and I pretty much told her what I would bring, or purchase and cook there, etc. I think she got a bit of a 'kick' out of it, as I usually don't go that gung-ho. I think I will get out this next week to get the stuff that won't spoil prior to, and drop them off at her house. Speaking of, I need to update her on plans for how many.

Welp, I guess that sums up my next few days. Now, run along to your busy lives ...

PeacE

Waitin' On Mister Sandman (Again)

 Yeah. It is another late night/early morning post. The sleeping aid pill has been taken, and now it is just sitting around waiting for it to start kicking in.

We attended the Youngest's concert tonight. It is the last one of the year for him. Previous to the concert, they did have a band banquet dinner, and awards presentation. Son had said he wasn't getting any awards he knew of, so I chose not to attend. The Wife and I both made the concert, meeting up with RM, who was able to make it. Afterwards, RM headed home (ya know those old people have to go to bed early lol) so the three of us went to Dennys for a late dinner. Of course the Youngest was hungry (again) as he is a teenager. I think the only event he has left this year, is the graduation ceremony that the band will be playing at - though not all percussionists will be needed - and he needs to find out if he is one going or not. He will finish school prior to Memorial Day.

My doctor appointment is tomorrow afternoon. Looking back over the records I kept of my BP and glucose, I have a feeling that she will increase one of the pills I take for diabetes. Will probably schedule me to get some bloodwork drawn as well, to check my cholesterol. I think it is fine, but obviously I have no way of knowing myself. I think the BP meds are fine. Got the forms for the placard ready for her as well.

Tomorrow I expect the license plates bolts I ordered to arrive. Talking about it over dinner tonight, I may just bypass using them until the new plate gets here. I'll just tape up the temporary in the back window. Even though the said it was water-proof, I just don't like the idea of it flapping on the back of the car, or the possibility of someone coming by and ripping it off. Plates will be 3-5 weeks out yet, but at least I will have the hardware to attach once it is here.

Jotted down on my notebook that I need to call about setting up an eye exam. Dunno if I mentioned about my notebooks in another post, if not, and idea for a post later on (making a note for future post). Seems anymore, if I don't write it down, I won't remember to get it done. Like I was trying to be smart this last month, and marking all the events going on with Youngest, or appointments, but when I went to bring it up in Google calendar, nothing was there. I found out tonight, I actually put it in Outlook calendar. I need to figure out which one I am going to use ... or should I just note both when ...that's more work. I'll figure something out - or not.

Welp, I think I am going to go watch some stupid videos or something until I get sleepy.

PeacE

Fresh Starts

 I have a feeling that today is going to bring about some fresh starts. I have a Doctor's appointment, and I am guessing a few will be stemming from that visit. Weird though, how my best glucose level, and probably BP reading was this morning, than I have had in three months... go figure.

I chopped it off. Well, more like buzzed it down with hair clippers. I have kept my hair short (near the scalp) for several years. Most of the reasoning was because I worked in a non-air-conditioned facility a good part of the day. Well, I left that job almost exactly 2 1/2 years ago, but still kept my hair short. The Wife has been nagging/asking/begging me to grow it back out to how I styled in my younger years. I tried. I gave it a go. So for the last two months, I've let it grown to about 1-2 inches. It was at that stage where it just sticks up all over, and no amount of gel is going to get it to lay down. It's still warm here in the Valley, and wearing a hat all the time is just not comfortable (or appropriate attire sometimes). I waited till she left, then buzzed it back down again this morning. Feels so much better!

I see I made it over my reading goal for the year, and yet there are three months left. I wonder how many I will end up with by 12/31....

Went to Tucson for the concert yesterday. Due to a mix-up, we were about 40 minutess late to the concert. I ain't pointing fingers, but someone didn't read the full name of the place, and we ended up at the wrong location. We did make it before the first set-break, and was able to enjoy the second half of the show. Made it back home around 10:30 I think it was. I was beat by then, after not sleeping well the night before. I was a bit surprised when the Wife's alarm went off this morning, that I had no recollections of waking during the night. Maybe that was why my readings were good this morning?

Welp, nothing much to do this morning. Appointment isn't until around 3pm, so got time to kill.

PeacE

A Little Bit of Quiet

 It's nice and quiet at 3:30 in the morning. Well, at least this morning it is. I have been sitting here at teh computer for the past three hours since I awoke and could not go back to sleep. I have caught up on my boook reviews I needed to complete. I've done a few searches for some possible ARCs to read/review. I've caught up on my emails (for now). Social media has been reviewed - atleast as much as I wanted to scroll through. The only options I kind ofhave left are play Warcraft, or watch some TV show/movie. Not sure which I will; chose once I post this....

Saturday was a good day. The practice Youngest had for band was cancelled, so we didn't have to rush anywhere and be somewhere at a certain time. The Wife and I ended going out shopping/running errands. I got quite a bit of walking in today - especially for me, and my legs were quite sore come evening. The walking is probably why I was in bed by 9pm as well, leading to the early hour wake-up.

Monday is my next doctor appointment, and I am a little (nervous? leery? apprehensive?) about going. Granted I just started going to the doctor again just around 6 months ago, and you know it may take a few trips to get medication dosages just right ... but I was just getting used to the new doc I was seeing. I liked him. Now he is gone and they assigned me to a new doctor - a female, but I told them it was no matter to me. I am sure the will be yet another dosage adjustment, and I am sure she will want new lab work done (test the cholesterol levels - see if that med is working). I am hoping she can switch me from Lis to Los on my BP meds, as the Lis has been giving me rashes. Then I hope she will just let me go for at least a year. With it being a new doc, I am sure I will get the regular speech about my drinking habits, my weight, my smoking, and who knows what else she will find to chastise me. Sigh. It is what it is. Shaming me doesn't encourage any change.

Later today we will be headed to Tucson for a concert. It is a group called Lo Bros, and this will be their final concert as a group together. We saw one of the shows last year, and it was nice. We bought four tickets and invited the SIL and Daughter to go. Part is early for her birthday this week. Then we will drive back home as I have the appointment, the Wife has work, and Youngest has school. Hoping to get a nap sometime this morning prior to driving this afternoon.

The back is not quite back to 100%, and it was bothering a bit more than usual after all the walking, which does not surprise me. I should be able to get through the shifts of sitting for 2-3 hours throughout the day with little discomfort.

I guess that leaves me without much else to say.

PeacE

A Saturday Well Spent

 It was nice to get out of town yesterday. To leave the confines of the house (aka workspace) and travel to a different region (slightly) of Arizona that adds a change of weather (very slightly) was somewhat ... refreshing. Of course, it is always good to see family as well. We left around 8-8:30 in the morning, and made good time to be there around 10:30. Of course, Doodad was being a stinker, and openly said she wanted to have nothing to do with me, but yet loved on her uncles and Mamaw. I'm not hurt. I think she loves me best and just is not comfortable showing it in front of everyone. I spent a part of the day watching a couple movies, then continued on to reading more of the current book. Interrupted for pizza for lunch, and few times of trying to get some attention from Doodad, to no avail. Uncle Youngests kept her attention though wearied of 'playing' constantly. Middle Son and SIL disappeared into their office to play some video game they are trying out. Cookies were made, which Youngest brought some home. I resisted the urge and did not have any - have to watch the sugar ya know. Finally as rounds of hugs were going round, I got some love from Doodad, and my day was complete. The ride home was uneventful, though there were some road closures due to the later hour. Nothing I did not expect, and knew enough of the East Valley freeways I could easily skirt it all.

Today finds me up early. I was awakened around 5:30 this morning with my elbow rubbing against sandpaper. Or rather more direct, a cat was licking my elbow. Said cap got a prompt scooting off the bed, and I discovered I was probably not going to make a return to sleep. I was hhpoing to make it to 8:30, but, you know, the best laid plans .... So I am up, did my sugar and BP counts (both about normal for me at the dosages I am at). A little later this morning I will be going up to the car wash to get all the bug smears off the windshield and a good wash, then headed to the pub. Today starts NFL on Sundays, and myself with a couple friends decided we would meet for the early game then go our ways each Sunday. Two of us have teams that have the early game throughout most of the season, so that will be nice.

Back to work on Monday, though not sure how much longer this project will be. I'm guessing Wednesday ... maybe Thursday at this point. Afterwards, they will probably move us to another project, or report us back to recruiting to be open for the next one. Honestly, I feel like I could use a few days off, but won't ask for them if on a project. Then again maybe I will. I have plenty of time off pay accrued...

We will be returning to Tucson later this month. The Wife bought tickets for a band called The LoBros, which we had seen about a year ago. The 25th is their last concert before disbanding and moving on to other things. Pretty talented brass players that put on a good show. Wife had got some tickets and I think the SIL, Daughter and us are going. IT's a Sunday (ugh) and I am sure I will be driving back fairly late in the day. That's sort of when I hope I don't have a project for Monday...

Welp, it's barely after 6am, so I should go get my regular stuff done. Enjoy your day!

PeacE

GOAL - COMPLETED (Finally!)

I am excited this morning! Having recovered pretty much from the aching muscles in my lower back and legs, I returned to the gym. I had to. It's Wednesday and my weekly weigh-in needed to be done before tonight's pool league. I can say now I have reached the goal I had set for last year (only 5 months late) and am now under 300 pounds. Yes, I am still over a healthy weight, but I am making the changes to get to a range that is  better for me health-wise. Now I need to set a goal for this end of year, hopefully somewhat attainable. The Reverend Mother has thrown out a win-win sort of bet for all our family members. If I remember the details correctly, if we lose 30 pounds (or more) in the calendar year of 2013, she'll give all that do the amount of $100. If we accept the "bet", but don't make the minimum loss, we don't have to pay her, we just don't get the money. But still, we would win because we lost some weight, rather than nothing. I will have to have her re-explain it, or find where she blogged about (because I think she did), then decide what to make my next goal amount to be. A hundred dollars is better than nothing though.

So, aside from the weight loss, I am still a bit excited about working again, even if it is only a couple nights a week for a minimal amount of pay.

The middle son has a concert tonight that I won't be able to attend, having my pool league going on. I think it is weird for the school to schedule this on a Wednesday, where I am sure a percentage of people have church services/classes they attend. We don't, but still. I think RM  & PT are planning to attend.

That's about all I have today. Think I shall spend part of the day doing some more reading.

PeacE

And They're Off....

Nice to see Florida get some good rain, I guess. Enough to delay Nascar at Daytona for a day at least. Which means I am not going to be able to watch it.

Our youngest celebrated his 6th birthday yesterday. At his request we ended up at Peter Piper Pizza. The kids played games, and the adults sat and talked. We invited the grandparents (both sides) and that was it as it was Sunday evening, and pretty much spur of the moment. The kid scored good on presents.

The oldest son has Honor Orchestra concert tonight. I am not thrilled about going, but we have to support or kids, right? He plays French horn, so was asked to participate in this one, though he is not actually part of Orchestra class. This means that he has attended several Monday evenings at practices (extra driving for us). I think all he gets out of it is the satisfaction of doing it, being good enough to be asked, and ...yeah. I think that is it. No special award. No money/prizes. He doesn't even have a resume to add it as a feature. He also has All-State coming up in the next week or two. As well the Honor Band concert in April - which means more Tuesday night practices (even further away than the orchestra ones were).

The Daughter has to go through a 'scoping' again Wednesday morning to try to locate some issues she has been having. The Wife will be traveling down there again tomorrow for the night, and be back Wed. night. Hopefully, things will be able to progress correctly this time. Last week, there were issues of food still in her system, so they need to allow a longer period of not eating this time.

I feel like I have a zillion things that need to get taken care of this week (or at least I feel that way today). I should get started on some of them, but I am feeling lazy.

PeacE

Another Great One

Last night was the Don Williams concert. For my third one I have been able to attend, it was another night of pure enjoyment! Reverend Mother and Preacher Tom both had a great time as well. It's not often that one singer can be so well liked by two generations.

Other than that, welcome to Friday! No major plans this weekend, except maybe try to get a few Christmas gifts picked up - though I honestly have no clue as to what exactly. I asked the Wife to help give me ideas of things to get for the boys, but so far, she has not offered any info. I guess maybe I will just make them sit down and make actual lists this year.

This morning I have been asked to go over to the FIL's and sit with him while Mom goes and gets some grocery shopping done. It's usually only about an hour or so I need to sit with him, so it isn't too bad. His Parkinson's has not gotten to the point where I have to physically help him do bathroom events. I am not looking forward to that day. Too many recollections of when my Dad was paralyzed and sick with Cancer.

I have a couple good movies from Netflix to watch this weekend - or at least I hope they are good. 'Green Lantern' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4' are 2 of the main ones I remember. I watched 'Dinner With Schmucks' yesterday, and actually chuckled a few times. It's hard to find a decent movie out anymore it seems. PT and I are planning to see 'J. Edgar' after the holiday.

PeacE