Getting Too Old

 Monday was a fun day. Friends and I went out and tailgated at the State Farm Arena, and after game start, we went to a local pub they know of for a couple more beers and some food. After the game (we watched at the pub) they went home and I went to a pub I frequent. Then went home. I did have an accident that night, somehow lost my balance in the bathroom, and fell. I must have hit my cheek on the wall or doorframe, because I had a couple cuts on the inside of my cheek, and what feels like bruising a small area of the jawline. Tuesday morning when I woke, I could hardly move (from all the walking at the stadium) as my legs were so sore. I was supposed to have an Aux meeting that night, but not moving well, I skipped it.

Wednesday I felt a little better. I did get up to Walgreens to pick up some prescriptions I had ready. They charged me! I know it had been a month since my last refills, and 99% of the 'scripts are "preventative" and usually are at 0 cost. but for 4 of them yesterday, it was over $22 (still cheap, I know) and one, the insurance refused to fill anymore. I have an appointment on the 10th and will address these issues with the NP.

Today has not started off badly. Woke about a due to the Wife's alarm. Now just waiting a bit longer to check my glucose and BP numbers, then will find something for breakfast. I think this afternoon I will go to the Post and hang out drinking iced tea for the afternoon, and get some reading time in.

PeacE

Falling Apart: A Story of My Body

 I sort of did a 'body check' on myself last night. Not like, physically looking over my body, though there was a little bit of that. More like, making note of things that ache, or hurt, or are not in the condition it should be, or not working the way it is supposed to do so. I debated actually writing it all down, and presenting to the Nurse Practitioner at my August visit, but that is never going to happen. I have enough issues with her that I am not happy about, and just adding to the "list" of things she wants me to do with these other body failings.... I ain't got the time nor patience.

My knees and back have always been painful for me. I am sure mostly due to my weight over the past 20 or so years. Yeah, I'm fat. But I add to the injuries with the work comp injury to my back several years ago. Those discs are never going to be normal again. The knees? Imagine being 6+ years old, and riding bikes, doing jumps, and other crazy stuff we did as kids back then. Think of the accidents, and the knee injuries.... I remember one time wrecking the bike, and actually pulling rocks out of the front of my knees. Even the Wife has noticed that the cartilage for my knees is pretty much gone nowadays. I use a cane for balance, as the worse of the knees tends to want to 'slip' once in a great awhile, which usually ends me falling.

The new ache/pain is the right heel. I noticed several months ago, that walking or standing caused some aching in the Achilles tendon area. I guessed I had hit the back of my foot against something, and probably bruised it a bit. But it continued for months now. Actually looking at it last night, I noticed it does not look like the left one. At the area just above where a shoe protects the back of the foot, it is indented. So I must have 'banged' it and stressed the tendon. The Wife ( a PT) says there is probably some damage to it, but only time will fix it. So definitely not telling the NP.

There are other medical things that make the list: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver issues, and if I believe the NP (which I don't) cardiology issues (heart murmur I have had since birth). Sigh. Why do I put bother making this list? It's depressing. I'm already doing what I can to fix as much of the wrong things as I can....

Middle Son came over this morning. He has laundry to do, and the machine in his apartment is broken. Maintenance is backed-up as many units there have broken machines. Guess the Apt Mgmt bought crappy machines to put in the units. So the Son brings his laundry here. I don't complain as it at least gives me a chance to see he is doing fine and kinda catch up a little. Wish Oldest would check in more. I did call him last night. In trying to help his GF get a job, I had her apply at my Company. Well, last week she got onto a project, but decided she could not handle the work (too advanced) and was going to quit. I told her to contact the manager and inquire about training (or videos) to help her understand the program we use. Well, I guess she didn't, and she just quit. I called him last night to find that out. She couldn't even tell me she had just quit. Sigh. OPC (Other Peoples Children) right?

Welp, this has got to be one of the longer posts I have written in awhile. Kept ya from being bored a little longer, I'd say.

PeacE

Early Morning Rambles

 It's barely 2am and I am awake. No, it has nothing to do with the time change that occurred this weekend. Arizona doesn't play that stupid game (thank goodness). It probably has more to do that I went to bed :around  last night. Hopefully, I will watch a couple hours of a show, then be able to fall back asleep until a more respectable hour.

About two weeks ago, I hit my yearly goal I had set, by reading 200 books. Currently I am at 214 read, and should knock out about 10-15 more before year's end. Much of that will be determined if I ever get back to work... Currently no project, but yet another email letting them know I am available will be going out shortly after I post here. 

Marching Season is over for the Youngest. This past Saturday was the Pre-State Competition, and they placed 11th - on the top 10 go to State. That should end the evening practices, and many of the Zero Hour practices ha has had to attend.

No plans for now for this week. I know I need to get over to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription for the Wife, and one for myself. I guess you know you are getting old, when you have to plan any errands around getting to Walgreens for prescriptions. Mine if just for another box of lancets, as if I don't already have like 6 other boxes (100 count) sitting here already. When I first started glucose monitoring, they were giving them to me every month. It took months, but now I got them to know I only need replaced every three months, same as the test strips.

Welp, I guess I should get over to my email and get one sent off to the Company. I also need to get a review written for an eARC I finished this past week as well.

PeacE

I 'Quit' Work ...

 Tuesday morning was a tough one. I woke and realized that there was a problem. It hurt to sit up. It hurt to walk to the bathrrom. My lower back was definitely using my nerves to express displeasure for something... I can only figure I "slept int he wrong position" or similar, as to why it hurt so much. But I needed to get to work, so I took a couple ibuprofen (with the regular plethora of prescription pills) and sat down to the computer. For about five minutes. I didn't (couldn't) sit there long enough to log into the work system. I opted for email to the Project leaders, and explained I needed that day off due to medical issues, and that I should return the next day. I spent the rest of Tuesday, trying to relax on the bed, doing exercises from my PT after teh work comp injury years ago, and attempting to sit for longer perioods of time in the chair.

Wednesday I woke feeling better, but still not able to sit long enough to complete an 8-hour work day, even if I took several 30-minute breaks. Getting the discs in my back aligned correctly will take a few days. So again I emailed the Project Leaders, and removed myself from the current project. I also let them know I would contact HR when I was going to be available agin for other projects. Do I feel bad? Not really. I started this project being told it was only a week ling, and here we are a month and half later... add to that, this final stage was ending Friday or Monday, with Monday I needed off anyways.

Now it is Thursday, and yes, the back feels better. I'm still doing the exercises several times a day. No ibuprofen, and able to sit for more than hour now...so everything is slowly getting to where it needs to be. By Sunday, I hope it back to normal considering we are driving to Tucson, attending a concert, and driving back (about 8 hours probably in total of sitting).

The Daughter, our oldest child, will be celebrating her birthday next week. Hard to believe she is turning 31, especially considering the Youngest Son is only 16 and lives at home still. In some ways that makes me feel old, but I know that is only a mind-set. It's the body's aches and pains that make me feel old....lol!

PeacE

Another Friday

 Sigh. Another week of dealing with the 'Company Bullshit'. Since the 'stop order' my team received on Monday, I have had a whole whopping three emails from the Company, stating that 1) they have no idea if this project will continue, 2) if already NOT slated to join another project, we are working to get you on one, and 3) a whole lot of silence - meaning it has now been going on 4 days since I heard anything, abot anything. Sigh.

I did talk with my besty, who is an attorney, and has sent me emails from similar companies that do data breach... I have kept previous job offers, just for a contact if I had time between projects to work at other companies. At one time, I had emailed those previous email contacts with my resume, trying to get something done in the "downtime" with my current company - with negative results. Either way, my besty let me know the other night the source he gets these emails from - and I think I am going to go there and sign up. Just getting an email does not mean I am getting a 'job' but it is a place to look at, in regards to getting a job.

Other than that has been a slow week. Youngest started band camp, which means I have to drive him to the school near 4pm and pick him up around 8pm each day. The Wife is not able to do either, as she has been working until 9 pm most days (off the clock). They did have a new PT start this week, and that should lessen the load of work/paperwork/computer-work that has been taking up so much of her time. In fact, last night she was home before 8pm (a first for many weeks). It can only get better from there, right?

Weekend has no plans for me. Actually it does. I need to get the mower out and hit the couple areas where grass actually grows in the front. And find the clippers to do around the Wife's "flowers" that I am not allowed to use a weed-eater around. Which means an hour plus of sweating. Thanks goodness I recently ordered some knee-pads that are supposed to be good. I may actually be able to get down on my knees and work, versus just trying to squat and do this stuff.

Well, looks like the sun is starting to come over the mountain....

PeacE

Recovery

 I think I have finally recovered from my birthday. If anything gained in knowledge from this past year, it is that I don't recuperate like I would have 20 years ago....

Saturday night was wonderful! The whole family together. Makes me understand more about what RM says about "just want the whole family together for a dinner". Either way, that was my wish, and it happened. I claimed it as my birthday present, which was pretty much all I got anyways. The oldest Son and his girlfriend did give me a 2-month subscriptions for Warcraft, and a $50 Texas Roadhouse gift card. The Wife and other boys had gone shopping for some groceries, and picked up some soda and snacks that I like, so that I have some of my favorites to snack on. The Daughter brought her family up - good enough for me! It was so good to see Doodad. Dinner was such a good time, I hated that we had to end it and leave the restaurant.

Sunday wasn't a bad day either, being it was my actual birthday. I had invited several friends up to the pub that evening. Not as many showed up as I had hoped, but a good group came, and we had a fine. Stuman made it up with his oldest son, my nephew, plus brought along D his best friend. Several beverages were imbibed and the owner of the pub actually picked up the tab for my birthday.

Monday - oh man.... I slept in late. Really late. I got up and felt so fuzzy headed. After a couple hours I realized I did not see my cane anywhere, so called up to the pub to see if I had left it there. They didn't see it. I texted my friend who I got a ride home with, to see if I left it in the car A short while later, I found it in another room, in a location different than where I usually leave it. Why I put it there I have no clue. I used up the rest of the day watching "Person of Interest" on Netflix.

Today I am going to try to get ahold of the Vital Statistics in Indiana about a question I have regarding the fees, then try to get that application in the mail. Also going to try to get SSA to help me with creating an online account since there are issues. Maybe then I can get my SS card replacement completed.

PeacE

So Not Happy

 This last week has not been fun.

Last Thursday we had gone to RM's for dinner. It isn't far to their new place... maybe 10+plus miles... and dinner was fine. On the way home, we had taken my car, and it started to 'overheat'. nothing dangerous, just temp gauge jumped up, never into the red, but higher than what is good. I have a Charger, and they are known (as well as the Magnums, which I had before) to have issues about the coolant, and being sensitive. I wasn't overly worried, thinking it had been a month plus since I had last checked levels, and in summer her in AZ, you should check more frequently, especially the coolant. I waited a day or two, as I had no driving to do, before checking it. Coolant was low, I couldn't find a leak anywhere, so topped off the coolant, and life went on. Tuesday, the Wife had a flat just a couple miles from her work. I had to drive out to help change it, and on the way back, again I started to overheat. I made it home, but drove most of the way home with windows down, heater on HOT and full fan blowing. Rather warm considering we broke another heat record that day. Now I have a couple spots of "standing fluid" on the engine. I topped off coolant, unable to find a leak still yesterday, and drove it up to Discount Tire (about 2.5 miles away) and coming home it started overheating again. So now am scheduling an appointment where we take our vehicles in for work. I'm guessing it is going to be a leak at the water pump (which is hard to see) and will cost around $1400 to fix (was last time on my Magnum). Sigh.

So, the Wife's tire... ran it up to Discount at around 10am. Dropped it off, said I would come back in a couple hours or so, so they could have time to just work it in. Was to be a plug/fix if possible, if not call me and we will set up to replace. Wife is at work driving on that donut spare. A short while later I get an email saying there is no charge, and the work completion on the tire is set for about 12:30. Around 1'ish I head back up, and come to find out they have not even looked at it yet, I showed them the email, the manager apologizes, and says it will be done by end of day. No biggee, I don't live far. I go home (this is when car overheated again). Before I get home I get a phone notification of email, was Discount again saying a no charge fee for fix, and completion time was now changed to 6:30pm (they close at 6pm - WTF?). At 4:30, I have the Middle Son drive me up in his car, and the tire is "just now" in the shop. They check it, turns out it is a sidewall damage and cannot be repaired, so had to get a new tire (another $156 out the window) and of course, they have none in stock.... and only 1 available from another location locally. Yadda Yadda, can have it there and done by mid-afternoon today. Supposedly. Theoretically. Hopefully.

No updates on the job situation.

Thankfully that economic check finally came, because it is disappearing fast now.

I just got finished reading RM's blog this morning that she posted yesterday. She and PT had gone "up north" for a few days for their anniversary. I guess this will not be going down as one of the better trips. As we all age, we tend to slowly lose the full use of some of our abilities, and I think PT has finally gotten to the point that it is time to remove the ability to drive from his list of things he can do. RM had mentioned there were a few instances on the whole trip that his driving could have put them in danger, or worse, someone else. Back in early July, when RM was moving, I remember spending some time with Sis, and we had a brief talk about when this day would come, and I was informed it is my duty to take PT's keys from him, as she was not getting involved in that one. I guess I need to talk to RM, and decide what might be the best way to do this, and soon. Sigh. Joy, oh Joy.

Deep breath. As I am sure RM will say someone said this all the time... This too shall pass...

PeacE

Getting Old, It's Just In Your Head .... Right?

I feel like I need a week off from everything. Not just work, but just Life in general. A week where I can literally just relax, not do anything to exert muscles. A week to let the body heal up from the stuff I make it do in one of my regular weeks.

In other words, I am sore. By last Friday, I felt almost broken down. Muscles ached, joints groaned, constant tension headache at the back of my head. And that was before I went home to the family! Saturday I was up earlier than usual ... not by choice. Wasn't a bad day. Took the family out to the Hibachi Grill (Chinese buffet I like) for dinner, and surprised the boys with going to the movies to catch TRANSFORMERS IV. That started at 8:50, so knew it was going to be sort of a late night. No worries ... I'll sleep in good the next morning.

With about an hour to go in the movie, the screen blacks out. Seems a storm was hitting the Valley, and had reached the North side where we were. A power surge had hit, shutting the computers down momentarily, is my best guess. Either way, it was back up and running within about 10 minutes. But while it was down, I walked out to the exit door, and saw the winds were pretty strong, and rain was starting to fall. We finished the movie, and got out about midnight. Some rain as we walked to the van, and on the way home.

Within a couple blocks of getting off the freeway, we noticed one side of the street was without power. Our side of course. No biggee .. we live further down, and our area wasn't affected. Nope. We are talking a good square mile, including our home. It's about 12:20/12:30 by now. Arrive home. No power. But the house isn't stifling, so couldn't have been out very long. That, and no neighbors outside, so most everyone was asleep when it happened. After an hour getting the kids somewhat situated, I went to bed, to sweat, toss and turn. We had what doors and windows we could have open, but there was no air movement, and it was so humid. I couldn't sleep, but caught little naps. The Wife and Oldest Boy, the same. Power finally came on about 5:30am, and we quickly shut the doors, so the air conditioning could get to work. Turned on every fan in the house, too.Was only able to sleep in until about 8.

Sunday was an okay day. Met up with a buddy for a couple hours, then over to RM & PT's for burger and dogs on the grill, plus some swim time for the kids. Got to bed about 9:30'ish. Up again before the alarm set for 7. Ran the Oldest Boy to band camp at the high school. Then off to work. Got some tennis elbow going with the right arm. just regular aches still in the shoulders, knees and ankles. The lower back flares a bit every now and then, depending on what I am doing. In bed 9:30 again. This morning up just before 6.

Getting old - we joke about the aches and pains. We snicker about the need to go to bed early, and the early hours that wake them up (probably bathroom calls). The gray hair. Shit, that all sounds like me now.

Sigh.

I need to rub some Ben-Gay on before work, take my pills ... and use the bathroom yet again.

PeacE

What Is Going On?

I have seemingly hit some sort of a dry spell. I have nothing I care to share. Nothing exciting (to me) going on in my life. It begins to feel like I have less and less time each day to do the things I would like to do, because of the things I have to do, or that need to be done.

I see it has started to show up here, on the ol' blog, as the posts are getting more sporadic than before. Something else to add to the list of things that I would like to do more often.

I wonder if it is that time in my life, where the priorities have changed. When what were minor issues, become major ones. Work obviously is a big one, since just over a year ago I had not worked for 5+ years. Sleep to catch up on the rest I need from working ... throw in some time with the boys, a little computer time (to check email, blog, etc) throw in a smidgen of time for reading ... doesn't leave much. Am I just feeling overwhelmed? Mid-Life Crisis?

I don't know. At least I don't have the urge to go by some tiny, red, sports car.

PeacE