Another Birthday ...

 ... is here, and this one is for the Oldest Son, Ralphd00d IV. Today he turns 28, and has turned into a wonderful young man. From holding you in my arms, to you joining me on the Annual Santa Runs, we have been blessed to have such good times. 

Slow day today. I have a personal session for the IOP (that usually lasts about 10 minutes) and a Riders meeting tonight. That's my whole day basically.

Nothing to ramble on about this morning. Rough time falling asleep last night, and wasn't able to drift off until near 4am. Up at 7am, a bit tired, but otherwise awake and moving. Now typing, not so much. I was texting with RM, and the errors have begun. What a Monday.

As I gaze into the misty future, I see a possible nap today.

PeacE

If I Think Real Hard ...

 ... it will come. Maybe. Sometimes coming up with a post title is hard.

It is Sunday, and I am up at the usual time. For a short bit, while getting dressed, I was going through things I need to get done today. After a few minutes of this, I realized it was Sunday and not Monday, so it kind of messed with my 'just made' plans. But wait! Sunday is more open to get things done. Only, the things I was going over was my appointments and the VFW Riders meeting in the evening. Oh crud! I forgot to do the Agenda - I better do it right away before the meeting. Wait! It's Sunday, I have time to complete it. Sigh.

Guess what I get to do today? Yeah, the Agenda for the Riders meeting. Shouldn't take too long - I don't think we have much going on.

'The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round' but the ones on my office chair, not so much these days. The chair I currently have is a nice one from Staples a few years ago. But in this older house, the concrete-painted floor of the office has "roughened" up the surface from use, so the plastic wheels just pretty much got destroyed over time. Considering how heavy I was, it is not surprising. Unfortunately, I think it is past the warranty date (which I find isn't where it is supposed to be) but I don't think they would cover use/abuse. Maybe I'll take the Wife and hit a couple Goodwills nearby and see if they have a roller office chair that is good. I could look for shorts too, of the style I like, preferably in my "new" waist size.

The Wife and I went to dinner last night at Garcia's - one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. I had the El Magnifico Sampler platter (Chimi, burrito, chile rellano, taco refried beans, and rice. Don't forget the chips and salsa! I ate way more than I should have, but I'm just calling it a "cheat day". I still have the beans, rice, chimi and burrito to eat for today.

Tomorrow is the birthday of my Oldest Son, and he turns 28. I have asked if he wanted anything for his birthday, but have never gotten a response, so I have no clue. I don't know if the Wife has gotten anything for him. I'll text him tomorrow, as we rarely see him. He works night as a Night-Time Operation Mgr. at Home Depot.

Well, I guess I should wrap this up and get stuff done.

PeacE

Catch Up Time

 It's been nearly a week since I last posted. I would normally say not much has happened, but that isn't true this week, it seems.

Last weekend, the Middle Son reached out to us. For several years we have offered to assistance with his car in getting the A/C repaired (he always said no). But now, with his partner pregnant and due any day, he realizes he can't be driving around in the Phoenix summer heat with a newborn and no A/C. So the offer had changed to us "financially assisting" him with finding a newer vehicle. Wednesday he and I went out to a dealership I was recommended to, and after looking at three cars, found the one he felt good about, at a decent price. So he is the owner of a 2014 Ford Escape. I can rest a bit easier knowing the newborn will have better safety and good A/C while traveling now.

While we were waiting to do all that paperwork stuff, I guess the partner felt she was having the baby. Her Mom is in town, and took her to the hospital. So once the Son had the car, he headed there to find out it was a 'panic' and she is doing fine, not yet ready, and sent her home. I haven't heard from them since Wednesday.

The Oldest Son reached out to the Wife earlier this week as well. I guess there is some turmoil in his household (meaning between his partner and he). Sounds like their relationship may be over, but I do not know any details. Not that my opinion matters, but I never much cared for his partner. She refuses to do anything with his family, except the one time we did it at their apartment. Plus she has other "mental" issues.... I just leave that there.

Youngest is still looking for employment - me as well. Nothing has come back in touch for me, and finding something in my area without having to drive across the Valley is near impossible it seems. I wish I was 20 years younger, so I could do more of the physical work that I cannot do now. Sigh. A handful of wishes, and a handful of crap - which will fill faster, right?

Having some withdrawals about seeing the granddaughters. We haven't been able to match up a schedule with the Daughter to visit, or them visit us.

July 4th is coming up. I know the Post is doing a flag raising in the morning. A friend has invited us over for an afternoon/evening party with swimming, food and fireworks. Not sure if we all will make it - the Wife has to work.

Welp, RM can catch up on my life stuff now... I'm off to the pub to watch the Price is Right. Relax RM, I'm drinking tea there, not beer. After all it is only 9am....

PeacE

Sunday Morning Happenings

 I'm beat, and it is only 7:30am.

Yesterday, I went down to the Post, as my usual, and the Wife had plans for a work team dinner with co-workers around 4:30p-5p. Around 4, I get the call from her, her car won't start. From the description of accessories working, and the starter just making the 'clicking' noise, I am guessing the battery. It is 3 1/2 years old, and is the original one from when we bought it from the dealership - at least in my recollection. Youngest used his jump-start kit and it started right up so she could go to dinner. After dinner, she said it started right up with no issues.

This morning found me rising before 6am to take the Oldest Son to the airport. He is flying to Atlanta for "training" with his company and will be gone until Wednesday evening. His first time flying solo, and since he was like 4 years old. I got him down there a couple hours early to allow time to get through security (he was through before I made it home) and to find his gate, etc. The company is providing shuttles/drivers from airport, hotel, and the training classes so he won't have to worry about driving in a strange city, or dealing with a rental car. I've plans to pick him up on his return.

Now that I am back home, I see Autozone is now open, so I should take up the Wife's car and have them check the battery. If bad will just replace it there. If it is good, then have them test the alternator. I am hoping it is just the battery. I don't want to have to take it to a shop, pay the exorbitant costs for a new one, plus labor. Also, I would have to be available to get the Wife from/to work until her car is done. Sigh. It is what it is. I can only check one thing at a time, and hope for the best, and expect the worst. I'm such a pessimist.

That being said, I should get off here and get that done.

PeacE

Will They or Won't They?

 Thursday Night Football is happening tonight, and I have plans to meet my regular Sunday morning football buddies tonight for the game. Washington vs Chicago I think (without looking it up) and both teams are like 1-4 so far this season. Will my Washington Redskins (hate thinking them as the Commanders) win or not? Hard to say.

So Monday, I did a little online shopping for a new gas dryer. I checked a couple used appliance places, and the larger stores that have appliances. Lowe's came out aheaad with pricing, and though it was new, was reasonable. After the Wife got home, I went over what I found and she agreed, so Tuesday, the Youngest and I went to get one ordered. Turns out they did not have any in stock at the store, or the local distribution warehouse (even though on the website, it said they had them in stock. I had to pick another dryer, and of course, the next lowest in price was about $110 more than the one I wanted. Either way, a good half hour was spent of them getting it ordered for delivery for Friday, no install, no removal/pick-up of the old one (they charge for all that, but delivery is free).

The Middle Son came by Wednesday morning to help get the old dryer out of the utility room, and tells me it isn't a gas dryer, but electric. I go out and look, and sure enough. So another trip was made to Lowe's and refunded the cost for the gas one, purchased an electric one, set up delivery, etc. And I saved $130 because not only was the lower priced one available, it was on sale. So now just waiting on Friday delivery, then Saturday will be putting it in.

I did end up getting some iced tea the other day from the $1 store. I lucked out and they had the Gold Peak brand (my favorite) and I bought a couple quarts. Youngest picked out some soda he likes, then I threw in some salami for lunch sandwiches. I also picked up some pre-made salads to go with my sandwich for lunch.

That brings us back around to today being Thursday. The Oldest Son came by about 7am this morning. He had a package delivered here ne needed to pick up, and we ended up visiting for a couple hours. It was good to catch up like that. Upon leaving I told him I hoped to see him before Thanksgiving, and he replied he would try to get his scheduled cleared soon for a time for him and I to 'hang out'.

Nothing on the work front. I did get an email yesterday for a project, but it is if you are an Attorney. Our company does do some judicial doc review stuff, and that's when they need the atty. I am not one, but have been asked several times if I am from different managers at work. I guess my non-legal doc review/data review is good enough they think I was law school trained. Now that's funny!

PeacE

F'ing App Notifications

 T'was surely a beautiful Saturday morning - or was until I was awakened at 5:30am by an app notification from my phone. Of course, this notification sound is the same that I use for text messages (and a few other apps) so I have to roll over and check it, just in case. One never knows if one of the older boys had car issues they need help with, or something of important is going on. I am not 'super tech savvy' so have not been able to set-up different notifications sounds for individual apps, or even go through and say what apps I want to be notified by sound by. I am sure it is something that can be done, I just haven't bothered to do so. I pay for it with things like this mornings "alarm".

So, awake, of course the body starts in on the needing to do the morning constitutionals. Now I am awake, so mosey into the 'office'. I do have a book review I need to write up and post. It wasn't a great book, but that's why they want reviews. Then I suppose I will go through some of my book sites and see what else is coming out that I may try to get in exchange for reviews.I should get a couple checks I have sitting here to the bank, but don't need to think about that for a few hours yet.

Thursday night I did meet up with the oldest Son. We ended back at one of the pubs I regular at, and met up with a couple of my other friends. We were having such a good time, talking about things goingon in our lives, it was 2am before we knew it. We went across the street, Son, my friend, and I, to Deenys and had an early breakfast. I trested the drinks, the Son treated the breakfast. Afterwards we ended up at my house, where I called a Lyft for him to get home. What a great night!

Did my counts this morning, and everything is good. Just took my pills, and am deciding what flavor of granola bar is for breakfast - no Dennys today....

PeacE

The Recap ... of Nothing

 Not much to say abot anything that happened this weekend. We didn't make it out to look at fence panels. Friday evening, I had the Wife give me a ride up to the pub, and on the way we discussed it. The neighbor's house on that side has been empty for a couple years. She, or her daughter come by every few months and "check on" the property, but mostly it just sits vacant. There have been a couple times we have seen homeless trying to set up in the backyard. She has asked us to call the police if it happened again, but to my recollection it hasn't. Anyways, I guess she had been by earlier in the week, but after the storm. She had lost a tree in the backyard, and noticed that we had very temporarily gotten that part of the fence back up. She spoke to the Wife about block fencing. The Wife shared with me, and I am all for it. This fence is quite aged and weathered, and who knows when the next storm will come through and knock the rest of it down. I don't have the physical ability to get out there and set fence posts and panels.... and financially, we could afford to split the cost of aa block fence along that property side. The Wife will be talking to the neighbor I am sure sometime this week.

The oldest Son came by yesterday! Of course, it was to do his laundry, but still he came by! The laundry facilities at their apartment complex are expensive, as I am sure they are pretty much everywhere nowadays. The middle Son, that shares the apartment, hasn't been by to do laundry in a long time, so would not be surprised to see him be over some day soon as well. But it was good to visit with the older Son. He has plans to meet up with his girlfriend and maybe do a pic-a-nic lunch, then be by here again to pick up the last load of laundry he had left.

Spent part of yesterday watching "Bloodshot", with Vin Diesel. I wasn't impressed. It was one of those comic-book type movies. Then I spent some time playing Warcraft. Later in the evening I ended up on FB and watching videos, which led to YouTube and more time wasted. And I spent all day sneezing and wiping my watering eyes. For some reason, my allergies were just terrible, and I already feel them starting up again today. Which means I won't be trying to go to church. I am sure no one wants to hear someone sneezing and blowing their nose, and wearing a mask while dealing with it? I don't think so.

The title company reached out to me and finally asked for the payoff and an Identity statement for the sale of the old house. I wondered what had taken so long, but glad it is here finally. I'll print those off today, and scan/send them back. Sis said something the other day in a text that the "rehab" that is going on there is almost done. In theory, the contract reads until the end of this month basically, but I do hope we can sell this before then and close. I just want to be disconnected from it.

PeacE

What a Waste of a Day...Sorta

 Yesterday was almost a waste of a day off work for the oldest Son. He showed up before 8am, following the plan we were going to take his car in to the shop to fix the window issue. I was diligently at my desk working. Turns out they weren't sure they could even look at it that day (he wouldn't be able to leave it, as he needs it for work). On top of that, they were going to charge him $250 just for the labor to even look at it. I kinda understand that, after watching the video of basically taking the whole door apart. He called another garage. They told him up front they don't really work on Hyundais, and it would take them longer than a day to have the time to get to it, then order the parts needed. So, in short, it isn't getting fixed anytime soon. I am going to try in the meantime to find someplace that does windows for Hyundais and see what they charge. Maybe on his next day off we can get it in - if I find a place.

By this time, it is nearing 10 am, and he is sitting with his Mom. I check on them about once an hour, and they are just chit-chatting about stuff. I can't join because I am working. Come afternoon, it is decided to replace his phone. It has cracked screen, and breaks in the casing. It also doesn't charge off the cord and he has had to charge it wirelessly for the past few months, but now it starting to not work properly at all. The Wife and he went to a Verizon store, and were told they would have to make an appointment, and that they were backed up currently to 2 days out. So they returned home. Another bust. It was finally figured out that there was a phone he was wanting, in stock at a different store location not too far away, and via the website we were able to order it to be picked up in store. Then they had to wait for the email saying the "order was filled and ready for pick up" which took a little over two hours. In the end, he did get the new phone, so one problem actually did get solved, though it took most of the afternoon for it to happen.

All in all, the Son spent several hours with his Mom yesterday. I know Moms like that... mine has said so before in her blog. I'm happy the Son got one issue resolved, and hope the other will happen soon as well.

This weekend is going to be a stressful one. I'm braving the stores (a very few) to try to get some of the last Christmas shopping I need to do. I hate wearing the mask, but will have to tolerate it in spurts. At least I have the trip planned down to maybe 4-5 stores, and most are not crazy with shopping crowds. Smaller stores are better.

Next week is the Santa Run! We had a head count at about 17 going this year. My brother backed out today (the wimp). Though, I suppose not wanting to catch anything while out, a week before he has a weekend with his grandkid, is probably a good idea. The oldest Son took his Santa suit home Wednesday to try it on to be sure it fits. I haven't heard if he has done that or not yet.

Work was interesting today. We ran out of the stock of documents we were going through about 10:30. I had grabbed one of the last ones, and was near completing it when my Team Lead contacted me about shifting me to an new task. Turns out they requested a few people from the project, for this next-level task, and told everyone else to log out for the day. It was said that everyone was to watch their emails, as with the 1st-level review being done, many would be moved to new projects, but it could take a few days (meaning no work). But I was picked to continue to the next level... apparently, I was told, because of the speed I am able to go through the information, pull out the pertinent information, and that I understood the protocols better than most. So now I am on a team with the Team Leaders, Quality Checkers, and a handful of others that were picked. Feels good being picked for my good work!! For now, it guarantees me some work come Monday, and from there who knows. Much depends on the meeting with the client (to be this weekend) to find out how they want to handle things based on what work has already been completed. I'm sure to find out more come Monday.

I worked late today (did a 9-5 versus my usual 7-3) and the Wife is out for a bit doing some errand, and grabbing a couple things. I was thinking of going out for a few beers with my buddy J, but he is going to hi nephew's game - where he believes they will lose sorely, so he may not watch the whole thing. It's almost 6pm and I am still sitting here in my pajamas. Kinda cool.....lounge in these all day while working..... But I should get dressed and meet up with my buddy.

PeacE

Solidifying Plans

 Another Saturday has arrived, and I slept through a good part of its start. I had went to bed last night at a decent hour, and had problems falling asleep. Around 11:30 I got up and tried watching an episode on Netflix, then returned to bed. Spent at least another hour tossing/turning before finally getting is a short series of naps. By a little after 6AM I was up and just as the middle Son got home from work. He offered and went to McD's for some breakfast sandwiches and a sweet tea for me, which was cool. Around 8 I decided to lay down for maybe an hour nap. Now it is noon...

The oldest Son stopped by yesterday afternoon. I wish I had had more time to visit, but I was working and needed to get stuff done. He and I finalized plans, ordered his Santa Suit, and shared ideas for rides for the upcoming Santa Run. Basically a pub crawl of a bunch of guys in Santa suits, handing out candy canes. The Son drove the rental van last year for us, and this year is able to partake. That's coming up here in a couple weeks or so.

While here we set up plans for Thursday, which I guess is we will cook the turkey he was given from work. It'll just be the boys, Wife and I, but better than nothing. Friday the youngest Son, Wife and I will be going to RM's for another dinner she has offered to make, versus going out, just because she can send leftovers home with me. I do love the giblet gravy and dressing.... and turkey always gets made into turkey enchiladas within a short amount of time.

The oldest and middle Sons have finally found an apartment. They will probably be moving around next weekend, I think. I know they did a "Face-time" walk through yesterday, and the older was going to do the paperwork last night. It is just a little bit north of where his apartment is now, so not terribly far from us, or their work places. I hope there are no final issues with getting the place since it is getting so close to the lease expire on the one place.

Daughter, SIL and most importantly, Doodad, are in town. The Wife mentioned they were suppose to get in touch with each other about plans, but hasn't heard from the Daughter yet. I know the D had mentioned to me that they had things to do today, and would probably not see us until Sunday. So I have no idea what has changed since three days ago, but evidently the Wife know more than I. So I'll see them when I see them I guess.

That's about all I got for now. Almost finished shopping for Christmas. Still need to pick up about 5 things I know of. The rest I will leave to the Wife.

PeacE

HE Did NOT Just Do That ....

The oldest son is a freshman in high school. He's 14 years old. Like many teenagers, he doesn't care much for school. Well, let me correct that. He doesn't care much for school academics. I am sure he likes Band, Theater, and Drama classes. I'm pretty sure he likes the girls, too.

Anyway, he had been in the advanced classes in junior high, and automatically, they put him in the advanced class program in high school. He did not want to be in the advanced classes, as the homework was "harder", but the Wife and I knew he was capable of doing the work, so we did not remove him from them. Within the first two weeks of school, he had been dropped from the advanced English class to regular, as he never bothered to inform us he was to have read a certain novel over the summer and be prepared to discuss it, etc. the first of school. Okay, we were not happy about it, but fine. So now he will be in the regular English curriculum. Then we found out he wasn't turning in work for the Honors Bio or Honors Alg classes. Needless to say, shit hit the fan.

As a parent, I want my children to excel. I want them to push themselves to the boundaries of what they can do. But I understand teenagers can sometimes be lazy, and that was exactly what was going on. He didn't want the advanced classes, so by not doing the work, he was hoping we would drop him out of them. Wrong. The Wife and I decided that the only thing we could do at this point, short of holding his hand everyday, in every class, was to have be accountable. I made up an assignment log, for him to list the daily homework, due date, etc. for the classes there were issues in. I also contacted those teachers, and explained he was to have them initialize each day, to confirm that he had the correct homework assignment and due date written down. He started off on this grudgingly, and for the first several days, he was only getting the initials of one teacher, but finally he seemed to get it in his head that things were not going to get better until he complied. There were other repercussions as well. Grounded from the computer (for entertainment - he could still type up papers), no social activities (going out with friends, etc) were among the main ones.

After a few weeks of doing the log, and his missing assignments completed (many for 0 points) he seemed to have things back on track. Then he stopped getting the teachers to sign it. Every couple days I would ask to see the log, and finally told him, each week it is not done, adds another week of being grounded. Give me two weeks with it signed by all teachers every day, and I would stop making him complete it, as long as his grades stayed up where they needed to be, and he didn't start having missing assignments. After a couple weeks of him of doing that, I changed it to each day he doesn't have it signed is a week. Needless to say, as of right now I think he is grounded through Easter.

Tough taskmaster? Maybe. Bad parent? I don't think so. I mentioned the Wife, and RM the other day, that if had half a brain, he would have a friends do some initials of the teachers in different inks. I know I would have not have questioned it at all, as the only way I would have of verifying it is to talk to the teachers everyday. He hasn't though of doing this yet evidently.

I don't know what to do about his failure to comply to the instructions of his being in trouble. If he would just complete it, he could get the limitations/restrictions lifted. The Wife and I had been talking the past few days about what are we to do about the situation, but had not come to any solution as of yet. Then there was this morning.....

As usual, the Wife went to wake the son up, so he would have time for breakfast and to get ready for school. Today is another day of zero hour, where I take him early. As she opens the door to wake him, she sees a light coming from his bed area. Seems he had brought in his brother's laptop computer last night, and after lights out, had used it for internet access, and who knows what games, etc. Then he lied to his mother, stating first that the computer was in the hallway just laying there (it was put up in it's case, and NOT in the hall) so he brought it into his room to make sure it was still working. Then he said there was a warning that hap popped up and he was looking on the internet to find out what the warning was for (according to the Wife, the warning is something about to expire in 10 days). Either way, he had fallen asleep with it on, and that was how he got caught.

He was lucky I had already taken him to school. I was livid. Now I am just sort of broiling, since I can't do anything until tomorrow basically. He is staying after school as he has an early call time for band tonight (the last football game). Tomorrow he has their last competition (unless they make State) so I won't be able to really get into the whole thing then. Maybe it will have the effect of cooling off my temper, though I am sure there will be plenty of it there when we get around to talking about this. Gives me time as well, to work out with the Wife about what ADDITIONAL punishment is going to happen.

I wonder how long he has been sneaking the laptop in his room at night. Right now I am more angry, but I am starting to feel some disgust at how he has pushed things this far, and now will have to face what may be the severest punishments we have ever had to give out....even if I don't have a clue as to what it is, or how many, how long, to what extent.

Welcome to my weekend.

PeacE

Ups & Downs

I am feeling blah this morning. Mostly because I didn't sleep good last night. Monday's return to the gym brought on the inevitable sore muscles, and they were bad enough to wake me through the night each time I turned, or shifted my arms just right. Today, not as sore, but still feeling it. Tomorrow I will be back in the gym, as today just don't think I am up to it.

This morning the oldest son does not have Zero Hour. It is sort of nice not having to get up at 5:30 in the morning, though, this morning, I was still up. The past couple of Wednesday, and including today, I have not been overly happy, even with the possibility of sleeping in a little more. The son has had school meetings - one before school for learning the equipment for theater (sound, lights, etc.) which is separate from his actual theater class, and then afternoon meeting for Masques & Dagger, the thespian/acting group. I don't mind him being active in school, but it is starting to piss me off all the extra driving I have to do now. My one day "off", I not only still have to drive him to school (meeting is before his bus would pick him up) but now I also have to pick him up (meeting ends after bus leaves school). So, an extra trip is added on.... in this damn 107'ish heat.... with no AC in my van. It's a pain in the ass. I told him today he should find out an actual schedule, as I am not doing this every Wednesday for the whole school year.

And I think that concludes the bitching for today....

PeacE