The Return

 Today, things are going to return to normal. Well, at least as normal as around here gets anyways. Back to work for me. School for the Youngest. Whatever the Wife is currently doing when she gets up.

So that means, like normal, I don't have much to share today. 

The Presidential Inaug-thingy is tomorrow. I have seen multiple posts across social media (all types) about how everyone should boycott all media between certain times, to show The Media, and the Dems about how we as a People are not happy. I am complying with the request. Mainly because I will be working, and don't access that type of media during the work day. Besides, you really thin the Media is going to notice everyone NOT watching/listening for one hour? C'mon!

Guess I should get on to other things this morning before getting started on work.

PeacE

No Post Title

 It's Monday, again, and I am up and ready to go at 6:30am. Normally that is a good thing as it gives me time to get more awake prior to starting work. Except today. Today is a state holiday being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and no school, no mail, and for me, no work. Which means to make 40 hours this week I would have to do 4-ten hour days. That ain't happening. Fortunately, I do not HAVE to do that, though many of my co-workers ask all the time for extra hours. I guess it is good to have a financial cushion and not HAVE to have to do the extra time.

The Wife, Youngest Son and I went to Applebee's last night for dinner. Wanted to try someplace "different" than our regular out to eat spots. I had the BBQ brisket tacos, with fries and cole slaw. I have been spoiled, and noticed right away with one bite that the slaw was terrible, and dry. Fries were lightly seasoned and not bad. The tacos were pretty good, having bbq brisket meat, and some fried onions on top, in a flour tortilla. But there were only three small tacos. The Wife and Son had did their $22 for 2 special, and then my dinner, plus drinks the bill wasn't bad, but overall the prices vs serving size isn't that great. Maybe that was why it had been several years since we ate there. I think our last time was about 2-3 year ago when our friends Mike and Leah came out. I think they picked the restaurant then, as well.

Today I am sure I won't be doing much. Playing some Warcraft. Maybe watch a few more episodes of "Yellowstone". Maybe a movie I got saved on Netflix. I got all day to do nothing.

PeacE

Another First ....

 The Middle Son had a 'First' happen yesterday. It was a bit of a learning experience, and hopefully, one he won't forget. He had a car accident.

Everyone in both parties were fine. Minor damage to the other vehicle (siding dented) and a little more on the Son's car (broke the headlight casing, though lights work, bent in the fender and partially the hood). Both cars were still drivable, and after exchanging some info, they went their separate ways.

The police were not called. The son took a picture of the insurance card the other driver provided. The other driver did not have his license on him. The Son also took a picture of the damages, and the other's license plate. The Son came by that afternoon and we talked a little about it. He sent copies of the pics to the Wife's phone, for future backup in case something happens to his phone. I told him we would wait for the insurance to contact us, as the accident was purely his fault. At least no one was hurt, and both cars are drivable.

The Wife was looking at the pics last night, and happened to notice some funny things. The insurance card - it was expired, and also for a car, not a minivan. The license plate had expired tags on it. The driver didn't have a license (on him), and recalling that the Son said he had a Mexican/Spanish accent.... yeah. Sounds like an un-insured driver. un-licensed, un-insured, un-registered, maybe even illegal. I doubt there will be a claim filed with our insurance.

The Son had a first, and hopefully last. Glad everyone was okay and no medical was needed.

PeacE

Not Today

 I got nothing. I sat here for a good half hour, trawling through other blogs, news sites, etc, but could not find anything worth sharing my meager opinion about. I don't know if I am just not in the mood, or if things going on in the world just don't matter to me right now.

Finally got the old van at the old house towed away yesterday. Seems I am pretty much in the mode of sitting here waiting for that to close escrow. That will be a huge burden off my shoulders.

Work is settling in for now. This project has a life expectancy of two more weeks.

Yeah. I really got nothing.

PeacE

Sometimes It's the Little Things

 The other night, RM finally brought me over some cookies she had baked. She had been mentioning for several days, on her blog mind you, about making some white chocolate chip macadamian nut cookies, specifically for me as she knows I love them. Of course, she talked about other things, like the 21-Day Fast she and PT had started. Being the RM she is, of course talking about fasting and giving things up for Christ, she asked her readers what they are willing to give up. I frankly told her in comments I was going to give up talking to my mother for 21 days because she kept teasing me with cookies. I got them the next day.

Yes it is funny. And I meant it truly in a teasing way, which I am sure RM took as such. But I actually thought about it. I don't speak much to RM. Or text. Or call. Usually it is because I don't think there is much to talk about. I post things here, she posts thing on her blog. If there was stuff to catch up on, it'd be family stuff that neither of us posted. But maybe I should do that. Just send a text to say hi every now and then. I know she wouldn't argue about it. Of course, I'll still try to do the lunches every few months when I can.

I was over at the old house a couple days ago. There have been some changes from when we lived there. Tree out front is gone. Front and back lawns are stripped to the ground, I am guessing they are going to re-seed and fertilize. I did sort of walk-through and see where some wood paneling had been removed, and the shelves from the storage room were removed. All to get it prepped for paint, etc. Whatever it takes to sell it. Went back over last night to move the van that doesn't run. Had to "tow" it back down the RV drive a bit towards the street so the Kars4Kids will be able to pick it up. The tow service won't do it if it is too far up the drive - they aren't allowed to back up the drive to pick it up. I donated online last night, and expect a call sometime today from the tow to  arrange a time. One more thing off my mind once it is picked up.

Finally got in a good 8 hours of work yesterday. Will probably try to do up to 10 today (max I can do) just to try to make up some from Monday.

Can't think of much else.

PeacE

Thoughts and Whines for a Monday

 The alarm went off this morning, set for the usual time when I know I have a project in which to get started. Feeling a little tired still, I shut that one off, knowing a had a second (and third) set for 15 minutes later. I 'dozed' back off, only to wake 13 minutes later, and decided I might as well get up. As habit for me, after the morning's requirements, I checked my emails to find one regarding the new project starting today. Our initial meeting to go over the protocols isn't until 11:30am, so now I am up roughly five hours before I needed to be. Sigh. At least it is work though.

Might as well go through my regular daily routine, rather than go back to bed for a few hours, I went and read RM's blog. Then a couple other favorites. Seems the "talk" of civil unrest, and much about "end times" comes up. Yet, I can't recall seeing anything about Covid for once. Saturday night I had decided in an alcohol-induced intelligence to deactivate my Facebook account. My buddy J, an attorney, and I had been talking about some of the crap going on this last week, and said he doesn't do social media, mostly to stay uninvolved in the comments/spoutings of the 'raving public'. Aside from that, the only family he has to stay in touch with live locally, and he speaks/sees them almost daily. So I did it. But come Sunday morning, it was re-activated, as I just felt the ability to stay in touch with family was easier through this platform than any other.

As I browsed through FB last night, the sheer number of rantings I saw was ... somewhat embarrassing. People I had considered having normal, rational behavior/responses were copying posts from others about the end time. Other posts were of the Cabal of Rich. A time of Martial Law. Arresting of the corrupt politicians. Electrical black-outs (though did not specify where, how many, or why). The start of a Civil War. And of course, let's not forget to add about Trump staying in office, as the leaders of the Dems would be jailed, and proof would be acknowledged (don't know by whom) that this last election was rigged, tainted, destroyed by other countries. Whew! I wonder if I should have waited until next month to re-activate that FB account. Sigh.

Either way, what's done is done. In all things. Que sera sera. Should our city/state become so lawless, as the old days of the Wild West, I'll deal with it to protect my family to the best of my ability. Several friends and I have discussed possibilities, and possible actions we would take to do this, including "banding together" in a remote area. I truly hope it dies not come to that. Sigh.

Everyone seems to be getting in the game of sharing their viewpoint. The Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, the unknowns - I even saw a couple videos that had self-proclaimed biblical prophecy teachers (is that a thing?) saying how this all ties into the Bible. Could be. In just my short 49 years, I have seen that one used quite a bit. Anytime something doesn't go right, or match a certain person's views, it is end times. Revelations coming to pass. Verse after verse is quoted that match the current day events ... only, the verses are sporadic, and are taken out of context (my opinion). Sigh.

I don't claim to know what may lay ahead. I don't claim to be unbothered by the events unfolding on a daily basis. Concerned? In many ways. Jumping on the proverbial band wagon(s)? Not a chance.

In the meantime, I still have bills to pay, a life to live, and a family to love.

PeacE

Prepping for the Week Ahead

 It has hit the mellow part of the Sunday Afternoon. I made it up and to church this morning to hear the "new preacher" (to me). I figure I will have to go a few times to finally be able to make a decision if I like his style of talk/instruction. So many of the past ones have just not clicked for me. Maybe I am being overly choosy. Don't know, don't care. Afterwards, the Wife and I went to Golden Corral, a buffet that is actually open during the Great American Plague. Of course, one cannot serve themselves, and the workers do it from behind the counter, but you can still choose what you want form the selections. I ate too much, had to rush home to take care of Mother Nature's after dinner call, and then we laid down for a short while. Full belly, tiredness, but couldn't sleep. So here I am at the computer.

Back to work tomorrow. New Project. Supposed to last almost three weeks. Will see about that. At least I now know the next level, so maybe can stay on the project longer.

See how lazy today is? I got nothing else.

PeacE

It Rears Its Ugly Head .....

 It's almost 2AM and I have not been up this late, or early depending on how you look at it, in quite awhile. Well, at least in the sense that there was no alcohol involved. I had closed my eyes for sleep around 10:45PM last night, and I don't know if it was noise the cats/dog made, but here I am awake, unable to fall back asleep. I sincerely hope it isn't that ugly thing Insomnia coming back.... seeking revenge after I finally shook its hold a few months back.

I didn't work yesterday. But, I did get a few work emails. One of which was for the next project, starting Monday, that I replied I was available to start on. Also, I guess there were some last minute documents come in on the project we just finished, and they requested for anyone to work a few hours (11-4) today, to get them done. I offered up for that as well. A few extra hours isn't bad considering I was not near the 40 hours for the weekly total.

What to do until then? I am not sure if I feel like Netflix/Disney+. Not even sure if I feel like popping in the last disc for season two of "Yellowstone". Maybe I will just play some Warcraft, and hope I get tired enough to get a few more hours of sleep prior to working. Let's see what happens.....

PeacE

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

 Not.

I am not a morning person. I think everyone in the world, that has seen me in the mornings, knows this for a true fact. I've been called a 'grouchy, old bear' at times, and the moniker is fairly accurate, as I grumble and shuffle sleepily about the start of my day. There are a few mornings, that I actually wake up (to the alarm or whatever) where I am just.... awake. I cannot think of a morning I was ever happy and joyous to awaken. I am sure as I get older, that may change. Being alive on a daily basis alone may cause that.

So yesterday didn't go the way many of us planned. I am sure there will be many blogs and Facebook posts about how happy/sad people are of the outcome of the final confirmation of the Presidency of the United States. I know over the past few weeks, friends of mine (who just happen to share my opinion) have spoken of social unrest if this were to come to pass (and now it has). I even state the possibility of a social unrest, better called a civil war. Believe it or not, a select few of us have discussed getting our families to safety should the population of our area go into severe unrest. We have talked about what we are willing to do if things get that bad. I don't like to think about it, but better prepared than not.

Started work a bit later than usual yesterday. Also moved onto the next level of the project. Much more detail-oriented, and time consuming, but once I got through the first part, and the Team Lead said I was doing fine, then I got cruising. It feels like it has been a long time since I felt so unsure of my what I was doing. At times yesterday, I felt I was "thrown against the wall" just to see what sticks with me, and what I would do. Evidently, I passed. Though, I am saddened again thinking about the amount of work on the table for this phase, will probably run out today, and then who knows where I will be shuffled off to.

Guess I should get out of here, and see to what other things I need to do prior to starting work.

PeacE

Drinking and Early Don't Mix

 I finished out the workday yesterday around 5pm, on a separate project than I which I started the day. The one we ended up on, was told to be a VERY short one, and in actuality, finished up this morning. More about that in a minute.

So I finished the workday, and decided I would go out and have a few drinks with my buddy. We met up, had a couple, then another couple we know shows up. We have a couple more drinks. Next thing I know it is midnight, and I need to get home. Get home safely (Uber) and getting up this morning was no fun. I did make it up before 8am though, and logged into work.

I see there are a couple pieces of work that need to be finished on yesterday afternoon's project, so I start in. A half hour into it, and I am done. I did receive an email this morning stating we are moving into the next phase of the previous project around 10:30 this morning. I have never been on the "next phase". Talking with my buddy last night, that referred me to this job a year ago, and he thinks that this project group I am in this time (about 10 people) may be being groomed to learn the next phase(s). Sounds good to me! Longer on a project and more work to do!

Other than that, not much else to write about today. Middle Son stopped by yesterday on the way to the 99cent store. He was nice and bought me a couple packages of Little Debbie brownies (which I love) and a 2-liter of Mountain Dew (also love). He visited a bit with the Wife, and headed home for bed (he had worked overnight). Glad he stopped by even if I could only visit for a minute or two. Gifts are always nice.

PeacE

Shall We Try Half-Asleep Writing?

 I just awoke about 15 minutes ago. I've done my morning jaunt to the bathroom, and had the morning cigarette. I've jumped online, as  like to go over and read RM's blog first thing in the mornings. Well, most days when I am up early. She has a better habit than I do, of writing in hers early, that I thought, maybe I should too. I'm just wondering how scattered my thoughts may be, since I am just waking up.

That being said, there isn't much on my mind I want to share today. Enough other people have griped about politics, and it seems many of those I read share many of the same opinions that I have seem to have. Makes me think of a song by Tool called "Aenema" that has the one lyrical line of: "It's a bullshit three-ring circus sideshow of freaks". Yeah, sums it up well.

I just checked my email for any update regarding work. Wow! I had an email in there from this last Project Lead! Basically it says that this last project is not ready to move to the next level, and that they may move us to another smaller (yes it did say smaller) project. Further details would be sent later today. In other words, it looks like I won't be working today.

I remember back nearly a year ago, when I first did a phone interview with this company. She had explained that sometimes there were "a day, sometimes more" between projects, and if I was looking for full-time constantly, that this job would not be the one. I understood that, and still do. I just wish the projects were longer, so the small time between wouldn't be so much "downtime" and be taken as "relax time" between projects. I know, a company can inly do the business that it gets. Still....

So that's about all I have this morning. Guess I will go play some Warcraft since I am not working right away today.

PeacE

Starting to Catch On to the Info

 Today started out as a good one. I awoke refreshed and ready to get in front of the computer, and get to work. That did happen. At the earliest start time available to me on this current project, I logged my start time, opened the needed programs, gave a notification I was online thru Teams, and started working. This project was given a time period of 1-2 weeks for completion.

About 3pm, with still an hour to go for my 8-hour workday, I noticed the 'batched' files of information we go through was starting to dwindle down. If it was just me working, there might have been another couple hours of work, but with about ten others (though, admittedly they are much slower than I) it wasn't going to last an hour. I mentioned in Teams that we were getting low, and were there going to be more added? They sometimes do that. I was told that when we were out, that there would be announcement about our next step.

Within 30 minutes I was done, and the final items were signed out, meaning there was no work for me to do. No announcements were made. I decided to mark my time I finished, and hang out for a bit to see if I could still get in another half hour, if something were to come up. Finally, 20 minutes later someone else mentioned that there was no more work, and were we wrapping up the FLR (my current job). Then there was the announcement, that this was it for FLR, and to watch our personal email accounts for updates if we were continuing to the next phase of this project, or being re-assigned. I have been re-assigned at least 6 times now in the past 3 or so weeks. 

So now I am beginning to realize, the 'Project Duration' is for the ENTIRE project - not just the First Level Review. So a shorter project of 1-2 weeks means maybe 2-3 days of work at my level. Sigh. I need to get into a higher level of review, so I can be used longer on these projects. But with only barely 2 months under my belt, I am sure it will be awhile before they see my stats and are willing to 'bump' me up.

Looks like I will be waiting now. Joy.

PeacE

I'm Still Here....

 I went to church this morning. The lightning bolt didn't appear. I didn't catch on fire, nor melt away, now disappear in a blinding flash of light followed by the musical horns of God's orchestra. Not sure why I went. I think it was because the night before I had gone out and had a few drinks, and for some reason offered to go in the morning with the Wife if she wanted to go. Either way, she woke and we went. Took the youngest Son as well. I had basically quit attending many years ago, due a few different reasons. I'm not going to get into that right now, but one of the main reasons was because I didn't like the pastor. Specifically, the way he shared the message/lesson/passage interpretation. It is the typical 'sometimes you don't can't understand what the teacher is explaining, but another one makes it crystal clear'. I would go once in awhile, usually when they had a new preacher start up. This was no exception. It was one I had not met/heard yet, and thought it couldn't hurt to go. They are starting a small series regarding marriages, and today's sermon was pretty short, but I may have to go a couple more weeks to make a determination if I like this guy or not. Though the church has down-sized quite a bit from my teenage years, this morning there were maybe 20 people there. No one I recognized, though the Wife said there are several that do attend that I would know, just with the holidays and Covid, maybe it wasn't this week. We decided to do brunch afterwards, and went to a place near home called Ronnie's Cafe. Real good food portions for a good price. It's 8pm now, and I am still not hungry from the food I had this morning.

Tomorrow starts the regular work week routine of Monday to Friday. School starts back on Tuesday for the youngest, though they are still doing the 'at-home login from the computer' learning still. No word on when that will change. Basically it based off the "safe/green" levels of "covid infection" and that is always two weeks behind (here at least) and has been in the yellow since November. My guess is that they will finish out the year online schooling...though that is five months long.

I read RM's blog before writing this post, and now she has me craving cookies....

PeacE

Damn Cats!

 We have the extreme (dis)pleasure of owning four cats. In fact, I would almost go to say that the Wife is a Cat Lady, except for the fact that one of the cats is mine. One, mind you. Several years ago, the Wife started her collection with a random stray she found, wandering blindly across the road, its kitten-sized voice meowing its hunger, and its eyes all matted shut with gunk from being sick. It may have been better if she had not seen this kitten and just ran the damn thing over.

That orange furball became Rusty, aka Crack Kitty, Loudmouth, F*cking Cat, and many other monikers I have used for him. This is the one that can laze about in the backyard grass, but will try to bolt "for freedom" every time you open the front door.  I can't count the times he has made the escape, and someone drops whatever they have to chase and grab him before he gets too far. I don't. I say let him run if he wants. Maybe he won't come back. Except that one time... Once he got out, and I don't remember if no one saw, or what, but he was gone. The Wife noticed it that evening, and I made the comment "Good. If he wants to come back, he will". I hated being right. Three days later, I was sitting at my computer in the front room, and hear the front screen door rattling, a little loose when latched. I thought it nothing more than the wind might have picked up. Then noticed there was a regular rhythm to the noise. Three rattles, and a pause. Three rattles and a pause. I went and opened the door to see Rusty there, paw batting against the door to make it rattle. I gave him the stink-eye (though not as good as the Wife is able to do) and said "Well, at least you knocked" and let him in.

Crack Kitty.... man, this cat is nuts at times. When the Wife brought him in, he was sick. some kind of cat-cold. Ended up spending around $400 taking it to the Vet and getting medicines. I think the meds screwed up his head, or the cold was just too much. He will be nice and sitting there being petted, then get up and race through the house, literally up the walls when taking corners. Along with the mood swings, he just will out of the blue to do weird stuff. Plastic shopping bags are nirvana to him. Anyways, following Rusty, the Wife thought he needed company and we got the "runt" dog, Daisy.

I missed somewhere ion the beginning to mention, prior to Rusty, we had had a family pet, a dog named Spunky. After about 17 years, she had decided it was time and passed away. I was somewhat happy, at the chance to say "No More Pets" as the kids were getting older, and if we wanted to travel, we wouldn't have to make arrangements for a pet(s) to be taken care of. That lasted about 6 months, if that.

So now we have a cat and a dog, when I wanted no pets. The Wife never listens to my better judgement. When the MIL passed away, now almost two years ago, not only did we inherit the house, we also got her two cats, Scampers, and Nimbus. Both of them seem to have neurological issues as well. Then about a little over a year ago, I brought home Lucius, an all black stray that would not leave me alone. He's cool though. Lucius stays out of things he shouldn't be in, and enjoys some attention, then saunters off. He guards the house front well, from the guard perch at the front window.

So what brings up the story about the pets? The middle Son came by this morning after work - that means sometime around 5am probably. He had left his set of house keys for the old house on my desk in our study. Somehow, he didn't latch the door to the Study completely. Now, the Study is basically "My Domain". We have the computers set up in there, so I spend quite a bit of time between work and leisure in this room. It is a NO PETS ROOM - even for Lucius. 

I had heard a crashing sound at one point that had woken me. I figured the cats, probably Rusty, had knocked something off of somewhere. The second crashing sound I opened my eyes, and realized I was seeing a light on off the hallway. I got up to investigate and found the Study door wide open. I flipped on the switch and found Rusty, the POS cat, on my desk, knocking random items off the edge. I chased him out and shut the door, and started the clean-up. I looked over at the Wife's desk. Not a thing seems to be out of place. That butthead of a cat was only knocking things off my desk. Nothing was broke, thankfully as some were glass. 

Think the furball knows I don't like him? Damn cat.

PeacE

At the End of the Day ....

 Today I am sure many are just trying to get through it. Some of us have to work, and even may get off early. Others are on vacation still. Others are out of work due to business closures, or other reasons. Some are just looking forward for a chance to get stupid drunk tonight. Myself? I am working. Finally a project got started and I will be working not only today, but tomorrow as well. I have no problems working tomorrow since I work from home, and I would probably be doing nothing of importance anyways.

Today, and tomorrow, many people are going to be thinking about resolutions for the new year. I have posted about them before - probably almost every year - but the past several I gave up o making any. RM mentioned around Christmas that I "had a phrase" I would use in regards to resolutions, but I could not think of what it was, and couldn't find it in previous posts about this time of year. Either way, I truly believe that resolutions are nothing more than wishful fantasies and fantastical lies we try to convince ourselves to make ourselves better. I am sure it works for some people. I guess it is in how "big" you wish for. I won't be making any resolutions.

For the first time in many years, my family is going out tonight. We are getting together with a small group of friends (of mine) and even the youngest Son will have someone close in age to hang out with. Yeah, I'll probably have a few drinks, as the Wife will be able to drive home. It won't be tremendously late after midnight, as I do have to work tomorrow.

Tomorrow starts a new year. I have seen memes stating to say it this way - 2020 won - but by making to tomorrow, evidently it didn't.

I need to get ready to get working. Enjoy your day. See you next year.

PeacE

A Day Closer to the Eve of the Bad Year

 2020

I am sure for years to come, at least a handful, people are going to talk about this year. Like the Great Blizzard in '78 in (whatever state) stories we hear on occasion. I've been thinking about this past year the last couple of days, and trying to determine was there any good things that came from it.

I started a new job. Granted, due to quarantine it was months later than expected, but also because, it has made it possible to work from home versus driving halfway across town. Which brings us to the car. If I were traveling to/from work, it could have broken down on the freeway. I would have been in dire need of some transportation at a time we probably could not have afforded it. That's a good positive.

I was able to have more time with the boys, those that lived at home, during the year. Maybe not like "quality time", but time none the less.

As of today, I sold our old house. Though the Close of Sale doesn't happen until next year, it's a positive for us.

No one near and dear to me has passed away from Covid ... another positive.

Financially, things for us have gotten a little better. Not a lottery big winner, but still enough to let us breath a bit more easily. Positive again.

The oldest Son's car started the path to falling apart, and yesterday we were able to find a good deal on a used vehicle for him. His old car is ready for me to call Kars for Kids to donate it. Positive again.

Sure there were some negative points, but I try not to dwell on them. I went "stir crazy" quite a few times over the time at home. Days of pent-up frustration from not being able to go anywhere, or do anything out in the world. Anger at how the Government on any level, was handling the epidemic. Heck, I still have that frustration going.

Is 2021 going to be a better year? I don't know. The saying is it is what you make of it. I am sure we all want to make it be a good year, but I know, there has to be some bad things, so that you know you have good things.

Maudlin thoughts today.... Tomorrow should be interesting.

PeacE

Getting In That Last Shot

This past year is considered by many to be a bad year. For most, I am sure that 2020 bringing us the Covid-19 quarantines, and shut-downs of businesses, was the worst of it. I am sure there are others that had it worse, those that lost loved ones from illness - Covid related or not - because it seems that anytime anyone was sick, or died, it was Covid related. The Wife was tested positive for it back in April, and only spent about a week and a half at home feeling flu-like symptoms. Yes, I'm thankful. Though, in my head I still believe she just had a version of the flu, versus it truly being Covid. But the "required" preventions of self-isolation for 14 days were taken.

So talking about how it has been such a crappy year, 2020 decided to get one on me before closing out. Due to the all the "extra" eating between holiday meals, and some of the goodies I got for Christmas, yesterday I had a "sour stomach". you know the one. When you burp, they are stinky burps, giving you a heads up that you are going to have a sick tummy, and probably a case of the backyard trots. Uh-huh. I did. Bad enough that I skipped dinner out with the Daughter and family. This morning as the alarm went off and I got up for the day, I did a little self-check. Yeah, tummy feels better. Good! Went to the bathroom to empty the bladder accumulation of the night, passed some air.....and a little more. Yeah, I crapped my pants. Though I feel better, there is evidently some remaining issues to resolve...so maybe some Immodium AD this morning. I would say Pepto, but that always makes me throw up.

Now, got a clean change on, and waiting at the computer for some work. I did receive an email from the employer around midday yesterday. Basically, it said the project I was on is now finished (really?) and they have several new projects starting this week and next. Be sure to let Recruiting now your availability status. So I sent off an email to them, letting them know I am ready and waiting. Then sat there pretty much all day, waiting for nothing. This morning I still sit here and wait. If nothing comes in by noon, I'm calling the Son early and we will go look at cars.

Which is what I am spending my morning doing. I found a location of a used car sales place, and am going through the car inventory to see if we should even stop at the location nearest us. At least see what they have. Hopefully it will narrow the hunt down. If I can get out early enough, we should be able to get it all taken care of today as well. Getting to the bank for the cashiers check will be the timely thing, as they have been closing early since last spring.

The BIL and Sis are taking a look at the old house this morning, since I gave them a chance to do the last counter for the sale. I don't think they can match what the first offer was, and in ways I hope they don't. Then again, they may feel because I am family they "have to" and then will have eat any profit they could make. I don't care. I'm going with who gives me the most. We aren't hiding any of the facts about as-is and fixer-upper needs that the house shows. What's that saying... caveat emptor, I think?

Well, nothing to ramble on about this morning so I shall get back to looking at cars.

PeacE

Finishing Out the Year

 The last week of 2020 is here, and like the most of this past year, it is going to be a complicated one.

I got out of bed at my regular working time, and logged into the computer. The last project had finished up on Thursday, and no word of a new project has come in my emails. I double-checked our work Teams, the work email, my personal email.... nothing. So I presume I will be sitting here this morning, just waiting for some kind of information about work to come along. It is somewhat frustrating with these smaller projects, the time delays in getting people 'switched' from project to project, and the time hours lost when having to wait on the new information to com. Out of four days work last week, I only logged 22 hours. Fortunately, our finances currently are okay, and it doesn't hurt us, but still - it is irritating for me, and what of those that require those hours for their means?

Saturday night, I received a video from the oldest Son, of him sitting in his car, turning the steering wheel, and hearing some kind of clunking noise. Last week he had a tire go flat, to find out that the indie edge of the tire had worn to the wires. Obvious as alignment issue. Which frustrated us, as he had that alignment done about 2 1/2 years ago. It should not have been that bad. The other side is worn, but not as badly. The talk was we would help him get a new tire, so he isn't driving on that little donut spare. But now this new issue.... I got up Sunday morning and drove over, to see if I could help narrow down what the issue was - I was thinking CV Boot. I couldn't figure it out. The noise was loudest in side the car, almost like something catching on the steering column housing.... but couldn't define what. To me, it had nothing to do with the cv joint. No issues driving, he said, except when turning very sharply, it sometimes sounded like the tire was rubbing the wheel-well.

This car has been somewhat of a sore spot for the past few years. When this Son graduated, we were trying to find an affordable car for him, and my Brother had this one available. They asked more than I really wanted to pay, but it was family, and was the bluebook price (because his wife is a bitch and wouldn't even lower for family). Either way, had several small scratches, and small dents, but it worked. Within the first couple days we noticed the transmission didn't like to shift into the final gear when driving. That has lasted the several years (about 4+) he has had it. Then there were the three hit and runs on it (not his fault - and never caught) that left other small injuries to the body of the car. He has had it in the shop a couple times (alignment for one, forget the other). In the past couple weeks, he has had a window motor/mechanism fail, and has not been able to get it fixed yet. Like the Son, I am frustrated, and feel his anger and want to rid himself of it, and find another. But who can afford that?

Christmas Day I had told him that the Wife and I would help him financially with finding another car. Now with the new issues, he and I are planning on going to look at some cars tomorrow afternoon to see if we can find something. RM if you are praying, throw a good word in for us. I am hoping to find something under $10K that will last him a good 7-10 years. Friends of mine say I shouldn't help him financially, that he needs to learn to solve his own problems as he is an adult. To a degree I feel that way as well, but having had to go through many of life's problems that way, and having help a few of those times, if I have the means, to help at least a little, I will.

New Years Eve and Day are this week. My friend J wants to have a get-together at his place on the Eve. I don't know. The past several years I haven't gone out on those nights, sober or otherwise, to avoid the amateur drinkers out on the road. He only live s a couple miles from me, but still I am leery. Of course I would invite the Wife (who would DD for me) and there are hopefully going to be other couples there as well. I suppose I will check with him to see how many other s have committed to being there.

And that brings us to the issue of resolutions. Which we will address another day.

PeacE

Another Holiday Done With

 Ahhhh.... the Eve of Christmas, and it has finally reached it's closing hour. I say hour, because I don't think I will last much longer than that from now before I will find myself in bed fast asleep.

Overall, though a tiring day, it was filled with happiness, food, and fun. We made it to the Sons' place, and all the kids enjoyed the saran-wrapped stocking game. When asked if we should do that instead of stockings, they were excitedly saying yes. It has made the new family traditional thing to do now. The Wife had even made a small one for Doodad to undue herself, which she did with glee, mimicking the others about flinging it around trying to get the saranwrap to come undone. The Wife had another game the kids played before we settled into doing the gifts. I believe everyone really enjoyed what was received, and even I was surprised by a couple things I was given. All said, a couple nice light jackets, a new desk chair, and good food/snacks were some of the highlights I received.

Then it was a small exodus of all us driving to RM's, for yet more gifts to be given, followed by a nice ham dinner, including cole slaw (which, because I am the favorite, RM made for me), and other goodies. Followed that up with some pies - I admit I had two pieces. Much food was sent home amongst several members of our group. I got a pie, too! We have finally made it home, unloaded the vehicle, and am finally able to relax a little. I know I still need to unpack my bag of goodies, but at this point, I think it can wait. Except maybe the puzzle book I got. I want to check that out.

Yes. Truly a good day in my opinion. Spent time with all my kids, and my Doodad, and my parents. Hope yours was as good!

PeacE

Ah, Crap! It's Here....

 Merry Christmas, and all that other sappy seasonal greeting crap. Now that that is out of the way, I can get back to the boring content.

Every Christmas I think back to the years when the kids were little. how the Wife would be up until 2am most Eves, wrapping presents, and dealing with my griping because I was tired and wanted to go to bed. Then the waking up at 7am, or earlier some years, to bring the presents out to the tree (had pets, who liked to rip into things, so kept them put up til morning of). Then there was the token "WAKE UP"? call through the house, and the mugs of hot cocoa (not me, I had coffee) made for everyone before settling down to do our family time of opening gifts. Those were good memories. But now, I really prefer being able to sleep in, somewhat. I woke a bit before 6am this morning, and napped til about 8. Then decided it wasn't worth laying in bed anymore, and got up. With only the youngest in the house, there won't be a family Christmas morning, and those days may be gone now.

We are moving our Family Christmas to the Sons' apartment this year, and to the early afternoon, to allow time for the Daughter and family to arrive from out of town. Our house is just too cluttered still from moving stuff out of the old home, and still not having much time to go through and "get rid of" stuff hoarded here before us. What is nice, though, is the old house is now ready to be sold. In fact, we had one company over yesterday to do a basic walk-thru, and received an offer. Another is scheduled for Monday, and both companies are aware that we are entertaining another offer. Then I will contact my Sis, and give them a last chance to counter (which, I am not sure they will be able to do so) then move forward with the best offer. It'll be nice to get that money-pit out of our lives. It will also be nice to have the money so I can finally get a new vehicle.

The Wife has a couple things to finish up this morning, mainly labeling the gifts (she wrapped/tagged/bagged per person last night). Then she will move on to a new tradition we started last year - the Stocking Ball. The one with toys/candy/etc wrapped up in a huge saranwrap ball shape, that they take turns with oven mitts on to open, while next person rolls for doubles. The kids all enjoyed it last year, and so we will do it again. Cheaper/easier than individual stockings! Then we will load up the van and head to the Sons'.

Anyways, hope y'all are enjoying the day!

PeacE