Wearing Out

I think I have finished all the shopping I am doing for Christmas presents. Today we went out and activated the phone the middle son will be getting on Friday. Then I had to go shopping for a case for it, which led to me getting a couple other things for the Wife and the boys. I have no idea what all there actually is that between the Wife and I have bought. I suppose we will find out late Christmas Eve when she gets done wrapping and labeling. I hope to have my wrapping done by Monday evening.

Short work wee this week. Only have to work four days. However, my days have 9-10 hours long, not counting the 45 minute drive to/from home. There are a couple new techs that have been hired (which is good) and they are on the Westside, so will be added to my delivery schedule. Which means more time driving. Not excited about that.

Not sure how we will be traveling for Christmas. Usually it is our family, then the MIL's, then my parents, before we retire at home (tired and worn out from wrapping most of the night before and getting up early). We have kept the same times pretty much for the past several years, but I am not sure what/who is doing what this year. RM, that means what are your plans/times you guys need to do things?

Guess that is about all I got for now.

PeacE

Sunday Chillin'

Yesterday, I think the Wife and I finished up all the shopping we needed to do. Well, let me re-phrase that to the shopping I think we needed to accomplish. I am sure she will be taking moments out of the next couple weeks to go out and get that one more thing. Now it is time to wrap. I hate wrapping. I never acquired the patience to do it properly, though I have been taught well. So I will leave that to the Wife probably ... which means it won't get done until the night before.

Got nothing else today.

PeacE

Sometimes, Just Wanna Hang Myself

Sigh. Hang on, I need to pee.

Glad ya have the opportunity to hang around. Most wouldn't. Must mean I am interesting enough for you to do it. That, and my 3 minutes is only 3 seconds as you read.

Lots in my life has been going on. Hell, I have three boys. All of them at monumental places of their lives.

The Oldest, is a senior this year. Has been in the Band/music program since 4th grade. Started out on the French Horn. I wasn't a big fan. I played Tuba for 8+ years, bass trombone my senior year. But, French Horn... I admit, it not only takes musical talent, but a touch of learned skill. There is a reason not everyone picks this instrument, and my son ... well, aside from parental pride, he did damn well at playing it. When he reached high school, obviously you don't march with a French horn, so he played a Bb horn, I think just the first two years, for marching. Junior year, he learned Tuba, and continued playing it through Senior year (as of now).

The band is going to Super State competition this weekend. That means they are in the Top Ten of their division, of the whole state. I will be there Saturday to watch, even though I have seen the show, I hope they perform even better, and just 'knock the socks' off everyone!

My Middle son, many would say the most like me ('cause I am a middle kid) plays trumpet. Tonight, Tuesday, they did some middle-school event that was about music and dinner. I know the Wife paid, and went, to the dinner, as well as the older & younger brothers, and both grandmas. Wish I could have, but damn the work shift. This one is in 8th, and moves to the high school, when the oldest boy graduates.

The youngest ... well, he is in 4th grade. Which means I will miss any grade-school concert, due to work hours.... but I won't miss them. Been through three kids, and grade school musics.. Yeah, not the most pleasant ear music, but hey... when it is your kids, you suck it up. But this one is the percussionist. He has said he wants to play drums for years. When he reached the age/grade where he could, he claimed the same. Been telling him, percussionists need to read music, too. And good that I did, as the starting instrument is a xylophone, basically. And he is doing well, from what I hear.

I'm proud of my boys. I'm proud of my daughter, who is now married and in her own life things... but she was supported by us in band when she was going through school.

Re--reading all that, I realized that I am blessed. Four kids, musically talented. That's awesome. But music isn't the best thing I would say about them individually. They all have other talents/trades. One is awesome at computer skills. Another at personal communications. Another... well, he's a good kiss-ass for now, but he is so damn cute, women don't care!

Maybe I just ain't ready to hang that cord across the beam, and around my neck. Maybe I can wait a few more years, and see if one of mine turn out to be the next "Doc", or "Buddy", or whoever had that thing called a Schu-horn. It was a specially made one, for a guy I thought was named Danny Schu .... but I couldn't find anything on the internet to back any of that up, so figured I must have misremembered it at some point since my Senior year. It's possible.

Let me know if you know what I think I remember....

PeacE

A Time Of Renewal

Geez ... this post title sounds pretty New Age. You know, as in, here, hold this piece of crystal and feel a renewal of your essence.... blah blah blah. Oh well,it just popped into my head.

It has been pretty busy around the doodstead of late. The oldest son has had about 4 band events in as many days, one of which I was finally able to attend. They has their second competition this past Saturday at my Alma Mater. Again, they scored a rating of Excellent, and swept all five caption awards (Auxiliary, Percussion, General Performance, General Effect, and Visuals). Monday they had the school district exhibition performance. Last night they had the third and final competition, again scoring an Excellent and sweeping the captions. With their first competition, they already qualified for State, so that is coming up in a couple weeks. This Friday is the last home game, and also senior walk night, though I won't be able to make it. The Wife will walk with the oldest when he is announced.

Work is still going fine, though I feel older each week with the numerous aches/pains I seem to acquire on a daily basis. After a couple days off, I feel better, until I get back into the shop. Ibuprofen is my friend.

Been sticking my nose a little more into my Kindle of late. Less computer, more reading. Of course, it is easy to do when I get home because almost everyone is in bed already. Seems lately my hours have increased due to the extra traffic. Since July, I have added about an hour plus to my drive time due to the increase of traffic. I blame it all on snowbirds. That and one of the newer techs is an ass, and never seems to have his paperwork ready when I get there (my next to last stop) or worse, he isn't home yet. He lives in one of those suite rental by the week/month/whatever places, so it's not like I can leave his stuff on the porch. Very, very irritating. And he whines about how they require certain things to be done, paperwork-wise. Most days I just want to tell him "You're Fired!".

Speaking of "you're fired' ... how about that GOP race. (smh). Debate tonight. Maybe something proper will happen.

PeacE

Gonna Be A Long One

I have been employed at the Company now for just a bit over two years. I enjoy working in the parts department. Like any company, especially those dealing with parts, etc, you need to do an inventory, probably once a year, for financial reasons. At least, I would think a company should.

In the past year and a half, we have done about five inventories. This includes each tech's truck (for their truck inventory) and the parts warehouse (where I work out of). At a year and a half ago, when they performed their first one (since I had started), I found out it was also the first one that the company had ever done ... at least in the last 12 years (about when our branch opened up). Yeah ...

Needless to say, there was a large discrepancy in what parts/value should be there, versus what was actually there. So a couple months later, they did it again, after spending time adjusting numbers, tracking missing parts, etc. Again a month later.

Eventually, it came down to we had to implement a new software system as part of the tracking problem was in the older program/software they were using (suppposedly), so February of last year, that was installed. The inventories faded off. I heard our numbers were closer to be actuals, instead of 'what-should-be'. 

About a month ago, they did another one. Once again the numbers were with less errors. This weekend, they are doing it again. Needless to say, my boss is doing the truck inventories for the Westside techs (the ones I deliver to) this morning. He scheduled them to meet at one centralized location (for them) and have them come every half hour. Each inventory should take about 20 minutes. He asked me to come help him. How? I don't know. Most of these techs do not carry truck stock, so there is going to next to nothing, or nothing to count. Either way, he said to be there by 6am. Which means getting up at 5:30, for me. Whiuch also means, I awoke at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. Let's add in that Fridays are my "longer" days, as I am pulling parts for two days (Sat & Mon) versus just the usual next day. I'll be lucky to be home by 9pm.

It's also my lil' brother's birthday today. Stuman turns 41 this year, and has already asked what time I would finish up work tonight. I had told him around 9pm. He is to text me where he may be at around that time, so I can go help celebrate out with him. I'm going to be TIRED.

Think I will need a Monster energy drink today, on my way into the shop.

PeacE

Let's Look At College

As parents, I am sure most look at sending your kids to college like a second mortgage. For many, I understand. I'm thinking about my second. Let me re-align you with our history....

The Daughter. Paid for a year of major university, with dorm, etc, She basically "fails out" they don't ask her back. Enroll her in a secondary, pay all fees, etc, plus her living costs (an apartment, etc. in another city while she attends). After graduating, with what she went to school for, she has to take three (3) state tests to be licensed to work.

She got married. She moved twice (based on the boyfriend, now husband) but still living in the state. And STILL has not taken the tests, to be able to work. I'm not happy.

So my next child, is a Senior this year. Yes, he is male. Yes, we don't have the money available like we did with his sister. Also, he has not applied to any university (that I know of, as of tonight). That could be a good thing. I know he is super smart. I'm pushing for him to join the US Air Force. Can't be a pilot, but Intelligence, Police, or something better. He's smart, shouldn't be on dipshit patrol.

Or I said Navy. He likes to eat. Maybe a cook, or something. I don't know.

I just want him to have a goal. Because he seems to have none as of now.

I'm pushing for Air Force. I got my brother in Army Reserve. Dad served (drafted) Army. PT served AF back in the day. Grandpa was Army in WWII. Got Uncles that did NAVY, and ARMY. Lot of family that served, whether in time of need or not.

Not happy about our country in the political situation we are in, and signing up one more, ain't fixing nothing ..... and it makes me harder to believe in what is right, if we don't have a strong leader, which we don't have now, and the prospects for the future, are not looking good.

All my opinion. Maybe you rest easy....

PeacE

I'm A Bit Pissed Tonight

Weekends for my family, come and go like ... hotcakes in front of a hungry teenager. Unless they are my teens, who aren't crazy about hotcakes, but I can't complain, neither am I. Anyways, I guess what I was trying to say is, weekends around here, pretty much aren't weekends. It is just two more days that those of us that are parents, have to squeeze in everything that we weren't able to get done during the week, plus attend 4+ hours of marching competition, help another finish his essay paper, and make sure all of them practice their instruments. Let's add-in the time we need to run to friends' weddings/funerals/extended family visits, etc, etc.

Yeah. We live in real life. Not all that shit gets done.

On "regular" weekends, I make sure of one thing ... either Saturday or Sunday, we go out to eat as a family. Now if the Daughter is up (with or without the SIL) she's invited. And sometimes we invite the MIL (as we did Saturday night). So we had dinner last night, today my Redskins were playing at 10am (my time, even if they did lose ... again). So I was at the pub, had some beers.

Oh hell. I ain't pissed now at nobody but the Wife. She had an MRI today, to help figure out some neuropathy issues she has going on .... but failed to remind me today she was going for an MRI. Yes, she gave me a date, many days ago, but my memory is terrible. It wasn't written on a calendar, or anywhere else. I even spoke with her for 15-20 minutes this morning, but did she remind me? No. So ... when I heard she was getting it done, I was a bit freaked that she had not reminded me.

It ruined the evening.

I am upset my Wife doesn't want to keep me informed (even as bad as my memory is, and she knows this) nor cares if I am there.

I'm a little pissed off. Maybe I should book a flight for our 25th next year, and go without her - say I forgot to remind her that morning our flight leaves ....

Yeah. That would be a cause to waste 25 years ....

So not happy tonight.

Hope you get some ....

PeacE

Isn't Winter Supposed to Be Coming?

It's October 1st, and here in Phoenix we are expecting around 103 for a temperature. If I remember correctly, weather forecast on the radio said we are about 10 degrees higher than average. Plus, it is to finally cool down into the 90's by Monday, with even a slight chance of rain. That sounds more like  the  Octobers of the past I remember.

Work was crazy this last week. One of the guys in my department took 4 days off, and of course that meant I was working 12-13 hour days for those four days. At least the weekend fell in the middle of that time, and I had a couple days to somewhat rest. Though, I still feel pretty worn out. Probably be next week before I start feeling back to normal (no aches/pains, not so tired, etc).

Not much else is going on. Any free time I have anymore seems I have my nose stuck in a book. I've been getting a bit behind in my reading ... or just adding to it faster.

PeacE

Catching Up

The last week or so has been crazy. This next week isn't looking much better. Been having to help cover for people going on vacations, then you throw into the works we had inventory last week. This next week, I have to pull extra hours for four days, and if like yesterday, which I fear they will be, it means 12 hour plus work days. Yesterday about dropped me. By the time I made it home, I used the restroom, then went to bed. No supper. No chit chat. Straight to bed, and passed out. I got a good nine hours of sleep or more, and today I feel rested, but muscle-achey.

Nothing exciting in the Life around here. The Daughter is coming up this weekend for her birthday, though it isn't until next Monday.

Geez, my life is sounding pretty boring right now if all I do is work.

PeacE

Back To Normal, For Around Here

Finally got the AC fixed Saturday. Sunday was Football day, so I went to the pub with some buddies, and watched our team lose. Monday it was back to work.

Huge exciting post, right? Truly, not much more happened this past weekend. I like weekends like that, because I know here soon, with school activities, our weekends (and seemingly many weeknights) are filled up.

Well staring at the screen isn't helping either of us ....

PeacE

When It Rains, It Pours

Labor Day weekend has come and gone. With it, my birthday showed up. Saturday night, we did a family dinner out for my bday at one of our favorites, a place called the Black Bear Diner. My birthday, being Sunday, the Wife and boys went to church, and I went up to the pub to hang out for awhile. An hour or so after being there, I found out some movie company was there shooting some scenes for some mafia boss-type movie. No one well-known was going to be there, but supposedly the movie stars Nicholas Cage and Mila Kunis. I guess the scenes they were shooting that day were more about the bad guy and some bar scene. I watched a couple of them. One guy, I'm guessing the one in charge of extras, heard it was my birthday, and if I stayed long enough, he would get me in a scene "close to the action" as an extra, but it didn't work out. I waited for him to get me, but he never did. On their way out he sort of apologized, saying he hadn't realized til some of the regular guys were there, that I was a bit bigger than they, and would appear more intimidating than they were. Great.

Either way I still had a fun time. The Wife and I went to dinner at Black Angus, a little more expensive steak place for those that don't know of them. Good birthday. Monday, Reverend Mother came by with some cookies, leftover home made potato salad and some 'white girl' salsa Sis had made. And some cassette tapes she had at home she thought I could listen to in my truck, since I griped about the radio last time. Then the AC at the house went out.

Tuesday I got AC repair to the house, supposedly fixed it. Some board had some scorch marks on it but covered under warranty (yea!) but when the Wife got home last night, it still isn't working. She and the boys stayed over at the MIL's, I stayed home as I had to rise early and get to work. No idea when we can get the AC repair back here as they want access to the thermostat inside, but with our schedules, we may have to wait until the weekend.

This morning, already frustrated with some work issues from Monday, the AC not working, a night sleeping in warm house (it is 7am, and only 91 now, but was up 98 last night at like 9pm), I got up early and headed to my truck. There is a nice large puddle of coolant underneath. The garage my shop uses is in East Mesa, in other words, across the valley (about 35 miles one way) so no way am I able to drive it there with this issue. The garage doesn't open until 7:30 (it was about 6:20 at this point). I called my boss, gave him the heads up. He has the number for the owner of the garage, and within a few minutes, both of them calling me, we got a tow set up.

Tow company calls. They are based in East Mesa, and with morning rush hour, it will take them 1-2 hours to get here (which is about right - takes me about 50 minutes to go to the garage prior to morning rush when I take it in for maintenance. Then I am to ride with them to the garage to pick up a company loaner van (we keep a couple there for this situation with out tech fleet). That will be at least another hour. Then I can got to work (about 15 mins from the garage). I might make it in by 10:30, when I started the day planning to be there at 7:30. In the meantime, I get to sit here in this warm house, waiting for the tow, prattling on about how frustrated I am with all the problems happening to me right now.

At least I have cookies .... for breakfast.

Lunch on Thursday morning with Preacher Tom ... unless more bad stuff happens.

Thanks for reading my rant.

PeacE

I Repeat ... I Repeat ... I Repeat

I can think of quite a few times in the past years, that while listening to the radio, a new, popular song comes on. Listening along, I like the beat. Words seem pretty cool. I sort of like it. Later on, that song comes on the radio again, and I think, cool - and sort of hum along with it the best I can. Days go by, and the frequency that that radio station plays the song goes higher. By now I have all the words memorized, am able to sing right along with it, in key, and know both the LIVE version and the station version. Another short while goes by, and you realize you start to hate the song. BY the time a couple months have gone on, you never, ever want to hear that song played again. For some of us, since I was a karaoke host at one time for this happening, even after the radio quit playing the song as much, everyone seemed to want to sing it at the bar - off key.

I been feeling this way lately with the media. Mostly the news talk media I listen to on my drive int he afternoon/evening. I mean, I know it is talk radio, and to they talk about major events going on in the US, or related to the US in some way. But I am tired of hearing about the CO theater shooting. We knew a couple weeks ago that he was not going to be executed. Why waste my time going over (every 30 minutes it seemed) about how the he was sentenced to 12 life sentences, plus another 3000 years? The VA shooting of the reporter, her cameraman, and wounding the interviewee (that a word?) ... Yeah, I don't mind hearing about it. I don't mind hearing new info on the case that comes along every few hours. But to spend an hour plus talking about it? Enough already.

Hillary Clinton's emails - Donald Trump and his presidency run - I'm sure there are others I can't think of off the top of my head, but these are things I don't need to be reminded of every 15 minutes. Let me know at the top of the hour if anything NEW has happened. It is supposed to be NEWs.

And why does it always have to be sensationally bad news? A school shooting gets play-time over and over, but that small fluff piece they did for 30 secs? Been and gone. Of course, I really don't care about 99% of the fluff pieces either.

Maybe I should stop listening to the radio - whether it is news talk, or even just music. I have a cassette player int he truck .... but not much on cassette anymore. Hard to find them, too, except at the pawn shop, or a thrift market. Most times that stuff is all Spanish music anyways. I could not play anything, and just think about stuff while driving. Yeah, I don't think that would be such a good idea .... who knows what sort of trouble that could bring me.

PeacE

A Day of Rest

Sunday. No football. Nothing on my agenda except chilling and relaxing pretty much. Work wore me out pretty much this past week, with the high humidity and temperatures we are having. Got some rain, but never long enough to cool things off good. Friday was the middle son's birthday, so I took him out yesterday to see about letting him pick out a bday gift(s). Ended up with a couple books, and I okayed a digital purchase of a game he wanted for the PC. Took all afternoon and night to download, but started up good this morning. He is anxious to play it, but won't be able to until after church (where they are now). Did the Texas Roadhouse for his dinner out selection. I love their fried pickles.

Today is also the Reverend Mother's birthday. I texted her once I was up this morning, and sent her another happy bday on Facebook. I screwed up though and have not gotten a card for her as of yet. Maybe I will remember to get it done next time I am out and about. I'm just so bad at remembering to do things like that anymore.

The Boys start back to school Monday. Back to the early mornings of running the oldest to band. Everyone is pretty much ready for school. The middle one I will take in on the first day, as the bus route they have him on is not the one we want. Since he will ride to/from the MIL's house, he will need to be on a different route. We have had to do this for each of the kids almost every year once they got to Jr High and had to take a bus.

Guess that is about all I got at this time.

PeacE

When Life Gets Busy

I guess you could say my last days off was this last weekend. As a rule, I get those off work. But it still doesn't change the fact I feel like I haven't had a day of rest in quite awhile. Between getting school registrations done, school shopping, work, other things that need to be done, social events with friends, etc.... I am just beat. I admit it, I have been trying to take advantage of the extra hours I have at home prior to going to work, as extra sleep time. Those 5:30am mornings don't start until next week.

That being said, next week will start a more regular schedule, I am hoping. With the kids in school, I am sure the concert calendar will replace much of whatever else life the Wife and I might have had.

Only 7:30am now, and I think I am going to go lay back down for an hour.

PeacE

Feel Like Hiding Out

The past few days have been pretty weird. The next few aren't looking much different. Work has been kicking my ass quite a bit of late. With the high humidity (for AZ) that has been around for the monsoon season, and the fact our parts warehouse is not air conditioned, has lead to me having two hour sweat sessions, which just really wipe me out. By the time I get home in the evenings, I just want to sit somewhere with the A/C on full, and mellow out until I fall asleep. Most nights, that doesn't take long. I am just feeling so worn out.

Next week I get the spend a couple days getting the two older boys registered for school. The Oldest Son has his on Tuesday morning, and due to also having band camp that week, they get to go first thing in the morning. Makes it nice for me, as I usually do not end up missing any work time. How ever, the Middle Son, I had to take Wednesday off of work. He is in Jr. High, but why would they do their registration from 4pm-7pm? The Wife said she would not be able to get off early that day, so I ended up using one of my last two days of vacation. I have one day left, and knowing me, I probably will just lose it. I have a month to use it, but have to plan the days off so far ahead of time so someone can do my job, it is going to be hard to take it. Use it or lose it ... but not much choice at this time. Come the end of August I get two weeks vacation, and here this past year, I had a hard time using just 1 week....

School registrations.... Oh, and I need to get the Oldest in to get his senior portraits done. Never realized that they charge for a sitting fee, then also for the proofs, then also for the actual photos. Freaking expensive. I'm sure we will get literature later in the year for the class ring as well. I am sure they are more expensive than when I went to school.

Well, I suppose I should get the morning started and get ready for work.

PeacE

Looking For Some Extra

Oh man, am I feeling a bit whooped. Sunday night found me back home from a four-day whirlwind of traveling and visiting with family/friends back in the Midwest. Straight back into work on Monday morning, and now it is Wednesday, and I am feeling worn out already.

The trip started off on a bad note. I had arrived at the airport about 4 hours early for my flight as it was the easiest ride I could get to there. About an hour before the flight was to depart, it got delayed for 6 hours. Needless to say, that cut into some of the time I had allotted to visit some family in Indianapolis. Friday got on the rode a bit later than I meant to do, but the drive up to Wakarusa to see Grandma & Grandpa was good. They were surprised, not knowing I would be there. The Daughter and SIL made it in Saturday morning. The family get together went well. My buddy from MI came down and we had supper followed with a couple hours of tale swapping. Monday drove down to Frankfort, had lunch with my lil Sissy, stepmom and nephew. The Daughter and SIL followed back to Indy to an Uncle's house, then I had to go to the airport. Missed seeing some I wanted to see, but already talking about another trip possibly next year.

It was a bit depressing to see G&G this year. I know it has been 5 years since my last visit, and in that time they both have gotten older, had bad illnesses/falls. Gramps has a bad cough from pneumonia that he will have to his grave per the doctor. Grams is blind in one eye, and though has gained more mobility, still has problems with some joints/bones from a bad fall she had. Both are slowly losing some of their previous acute mental acuity. Noticed some name mistakes, much pausing in speech to "recollect the thought" and even some going off on a tangent to the convo. But being in their later 80s, it makes sense. Just don't like to think of them getting to the passing away stage of life.

While driving, had hit a few light rain mists, but never hit any rain. Indy got some while I was up north, so missed it all. Come home to possible storms here in Phoenix, but nothing as of yet. The monsoon humidity is up though, and I have been sweating buckets for the past couple of weeks. My biggest worry is if I am drinking enough water to help stay hydrated. Been getting some small muscle cramps every now and then, and I know that is a sign to drink more water.

At least it is Wednesday.... count half the week almost over.

PeacE

Less Work = More Play

Only two more days of work for me this week. Than a four day weekend, that will feel non-restive with all the rushing around I feel I will be doing. I sat down last night, to try to create an itinerary, get the reservations completed, etc. I wore myself out. The only part of the day(s) I will get any relaxation, is when I am driving somewhere, or I am sleeping. On the good part though, it will be good to see what family and friends I have in the short time I am back there.

Car. That's the one reservation I need to get done yet. Got to remember to do it tonight.

That's about all I have this morning. Thoughts are buzzing in and out the head this morning, along with what-ifs and other worries. Can't seem to keep a solid train of thought moving.

PeacE

Boosting the Economy

Economic recovery ... is it happening? From what I have been hearing from our local news talk radio station, not really. I get the impression that many are in limbo. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop. The last recession is claimed to have started about 2008, and supposedly we have "recovered" but not to the level we were at before it hit. Consumer spending is still down, and there is good reason for that: no one is getting raises, yet the price of everything is pretty much only going up.

That's how I understand it anyways. If I got it wrong, please correct me. Better yet, don't. I kind of like my version.

Either way, I did my best to help give the local economy here a boost. Saturday I went out and bought a used (new to me) car. Or is it a van? I have had the 2000 Ford Windstar van for many years. Many problems with it. Too much money spent on repairs. I think I have told that story before. The Wife and I went out Saturday, and ended up purchasing a 2007 Dodge Magnum. Talked the dealer down $2,700 (before license/tax/etc) and feel that we did a pretty good job for the price we paid. I got it insured this morning (though, I guess I could have done that Saturday, but didn't think about doing it all online). I'm a little excited, as this is the newest vehicle I have ever owned ... and it is "mine". I say mine, as I will be the primary driver of it. The Wife has already said she would not feel comfortable driving it, which is fine with me.

The Daughter and SIL were up the whole week last week. He had some kind of training the company sent him up to do. She was along to spend time with friends/family. Why not? She still hasn't bothered to do her testing so she can work in the field that we paid for her schooling for. Yeah, still not happy about that. They left last night. I asked when they would be up next thinking July 4th, but no. I said it was fine, we weren't doing anything anyways.

I have a couple days coming up the week after the 4th that I have off. Thinking of taking the boys to the water park here. I still have a couple more days of vacation to use before the end of August or I lose them.

Guess it is about time I head into work.

PeacE

For Sale

When I am not at work, the personal vehicle I use is a minivan. A 2000 Ford Windstar, that we had purchased back in around the mid 2000's ... if I remember right. I'm thinking it was around 2005, as it was just before the last child of mine was born. We were in a rush to get it, as the previous POS crap van we had only sat three in the back, so with the one on the way... plus, the van had crapped out on us when we went to San Diego. Either way, it was the best deal I could find at the time, and I think it was $6,000. Back around 2011-2012, I got rid of the Saturn I was driving (it was on it's last leg) and we purchased a newer van, for the Wife to drive, and I would take over the Windstar. For a Ford, I guess it has done pretty good. Fifteen years, and it still runs. Only now, the check engine light is on, needs many, many things done to it. Time to retire it rather than spend more money getting it fixed. Over the years we have had it, I think we have spent over 6K in repairs already.

So the past couple weeks I have been going through dealerships online, seeing what is available. I don't want brand new, but something a bit more current ... say within 7 years. Though there is product out there, it is too expensive. The Wife and I don't want to add on an additional monthly payment to some car finance company, plus even higher insurance due to the full coverage. Haven't been seeing many vehicles on the side of the road with for sale signs in the windows.

I spent about an hour on Craigslist last night. Saw some really good deals. Saw many that I would not even think of contacting. I was a bit shocked at the number of words misspelled in car descriptions, or worse, intermixed with Spanish words, or spelling. I know we have [too] many Hispanics out here, but still. I think this Friday after work I will be running through the ads there again, and see if I can find a couple to check out on Saturday. Trust me, I'll take the precautions suggested (and a few I have made up) to be sure I don't get screwed, or attacked. Sometimes Craigslist people are dangerous .... or so I have heard stories. Heard more stories about the deals/experiences being good.

So, maybe I will be driving a new car this weekend .... maybe I won't. 

PeacE

Another Bloody Sunday

Another Sunday morning finds me oddly awake at s very early hour. I think it is the fact that I did not go out drinking last night, but that doesn't make sense for the other Saturdays I do not go out, and yet sleep in something fierce on Sundays. At this point it doesn't matter, as it is just after 5am, and yet I have been up for almost an hour already. Sounds like it is bloody marys at 6 for me.

I did not go to Comicon yesterday. Seems there ticket sales online Wednesday were all messed up, and so they extended the pricing an extra day (saves me $5 more) and I was able to get it to correctly go through Thursday evening. So, I did not have the extra ticket. Not that I did anything interesting that I could not have gone ... The eldest Son went with the Daughter & SIL, all dressed up. The Daughter was the character Link from the LEGEND OF ZELDA games, and the SIL was Blue Link, from something to do with the same games. Not sure who the Son went as - his sister made the outfit, and he got dressed somewhere else and I have not seen pics yet.

June is here tomorrow. It finally hit over 100 here Friday (103) and an expected 106 yesterday, and probably the same for today. I thought I heard to cool off to the upper 90s this week again, but not sure.

Guess I will surf the net a bit before leaving for my liquid breakfast.

PeacE