Today Is A Big Day For Him...

 For the better part of the last three years, the Youngest has "fought" against learning to drive, and getting his license. When he was 16, I did make him get the permit (written test) which he still dragged his feet about the studying for it, etc. I think it was about last summer, after graduating high school, he realized, that he really needed to get his license in order to find/get to employment. Well, today could be that day. His road test is scheduled for noon. And after some driving with him a small amount earlier this week, I admit he is mostly ready for this ... just, somethings he does that bother me - but maybe that is just more me, than anything wrong.

If he passes, I am not wanting to think how much the insurance rates will go up once I get that fixed.... sigh. At least we had a vehicle for him already, and I don't have to try to find time and money to purchase another.

Not a lot going on for me. Dr. appointment on Monday (includes a lab draw) so been trying to not go to the pub (she always gripes about the liver enzyme activity is high in my blood, and always blames it on alcohol). We'll adjust some medications, and hopefully that will be it.

One of the Wife's aunts passed away recently. The end of last week, Wife mentioned she would like to go the Celebration of Life that is taking place for this aunt on the 22nd. Since I never try to tell my Wife no when it comes to her wanting to do things, I said there was no problem about her going. Yes there is... it is being held in Pueblo, CO, which is approximately 12 hours drive from Phoenix (closer to 14 for gas, etc). Oh boy. So she got the Friday off work, and I will be driving there and back in a three-day window. I am sure I will be exhausted by the time we arrive back home. Today I need to book a hotel for a couple nights there. Winter weather doesn't seem to have been too bad this year, and the route I am taking if major interstates, so hopefully won't have to deal with chains, or closed roads.

I crashed pretty hard tonight. I think I laid down about 5:30pm, and slept through until 11:30p (no edible needed) and am headed back to bed shortly after I finish this. I only got up to get a drink and use the bathroom, but then I thought I should add to the ol' blog.

PeacE

Working the Holiday?

 Normally, the Company has July 4th off, and this year is no exception. We are "closed" so no one is able to make 'double time' and yet we are not paid for the holiday, so we are already 8 hours short of 40 for the week. Shrug. It is what it is. They offered if we wanted to work extra hours all week, to make up for the shortage, we are open to do so, as long as we contact them ahead of time. I don't think I will. With the pauses we are already having in the workload, I doubt we will be working a full week anyways. Such is life.

The Youngest passed the online test for his permit to drive yesterday! It is a major accomplishment in our household, seeing as to how I had to push/cajole/swear/manipulate him to even get to the point of taking the damn thing. I think the only way that finally got to him was I was going to sell the car we bought for him, as it was just sitting there taking money (insurance) whilst he sat on his ass doing nothing. And yes, I had to wake him twice to get him up yesterday to get in the office room and do the damn test. Sigh. We are going up today to get the actual paper permit (regular mailed within 10 days) this afternoon when I finish work.

I went out with the buds last night as per the usual Thursday routine. Feeling a little groggy this morning, though I did make the 6am hour for work. One bud is gone to North Dakota Country Fest next week, so not sure if meeting up next week or not.

PeacE

How Will This Week Go?

 Getting ready to log into work. When I logged off on Friday, it looked like there was at least a half day worth of work for me today, but who knows. Again I just want to end this project and get started on something new. The Company has been on this one since October, and even earlier this year I was on it, though in a different section doing something different.

I did get the new modem straightened out, and we are going to use the next couple weeks as a trial period. If it stays connected more than our previous one, I'll be happy. Nothing like the work day being disrupted five times a day (most days) because of lost signal. When we went to the Verizon store to ask about it all, we did find out it was more than what I was quoted (go figure) but still cheaper than the other service, which I hope to disconnect in a couple weeks. The Wife did mention there was one time on Saturday afternoon she noticed the new modem disconnected, did a screenshot to prove to me, and then it was fine again. Might have been itself still setting up software and updates? I don't know ....

Didn't seem to get much else done over the weekend (me anyways. Youngest is planning on doing his license permit test this afternoon, online. Then maybe tomorrow (if he passes - which he should, we will go and get it.

PeacE

Is That A Light Up Ahead?

 This past weekend left me feeling like I was walking into a tunnel, with no end in sight. I was frustrated, stressed, disappointed, and I am sure many other emotions of that nature. Despair? Prolly that, too. So many things just feeling "heaped" upon me at once, even though some of them have just "been there" for awhile, and the accumulation of multiples make it all just so much. Sigh.

Monday I took Middle Son for his road test for his license. He failed it. "Failure to stay at a complete stop for two seconds at two separate stops" was the reason cited for the failure. I kept my cool, and kept my mouth shut. We were able to schedule an appointment for a second road test for the next morning. On the way home, Son tells me he is sorry that he failed the test, and how much he is mad at himself for such a stupid reason to have failed said test. I sighed. I told him, that there is no where in the driver's manual that states you have to stay at a complete stop for two seconds. The Test Grader was evidently having a bad day, and wanted to be a prick and you just happened to be the one he took it out on. You do the test tomorrow, and everything will be fine. It is NOT your fault.

Tuesday we go in, and hey! some good news! The fee I paid the day before for the test and license ($25) does NOT need to be paid again. The application process doesn't have to be repeated. We were able to pretty much skip right to the test. Then I started worrying. He had a different tester, and was out much longer than the day before. I know they say to allow up to 30 minutes for the road test, but c'mon! Eventually, they made it back (about 15 mins total) and he re-entered with a thumbs up sign. Five minutes later we were on our way home. So Son now has his license.

I emailed my buddy J, who is my insurance agent, attorney, best friend, list goes on and on - emailed him the paper license to get Son on the insurance. Also drop the Charger that died last weekend. Also increase the coverage limits to the new State minimums. All said and done, my insurance went up $150 a month. Sigh.

I told the Son he was able to drive solo now. Which means his biggest priority (he admitted) was to find employment. He has a couple good leads he is going to follow up on at some point. hope he has better luck than I have had. Maybe being younger with no experience is better than being near 50 and so much experience no one wants to hire because of how much I would ask for....ARGH!

Speaking of nearing 50, my birthday is this Sunday. The Daughter and family is coming into town. The Oldest Son was able to get Saturday off work. We will actually be able to go have a full family dinner that night. Sunday I am sure I will end up at the pub doing some celebrating with friends. And no, it is not 50 this year.

PeacE

Edit: Since this morning, my insurance agent has contacted me. Found a policy that is at what I pay now, saving me $160/month from what the new one was going to be. While I was talking to him, I got an email in from the company I have trying to get on at, saying there is a project starting tomorrow and I will find out later this afternoon if I make the cut (and training is provided). Maybe something is looking good.