Busy Day....

 Over the weekend, not much happened. I did change-outs at the pub for my friend. I went to the Post and hung out with my brother for a bit. Played some video games on the PC. Read a couple books. Nothing really special went on, or was planned.

Today that kind of changes. I was up at 5am to get the workday ready to start as soon as I could. The Youngest has early release from school today, as the high school is having graduation ceremonies at like 12:30pm. The band is playing so he will attend, then be bussed back to the school. At which point I need to pick him up, so wanted to be sure I was done with work for the day by that time. I should be done a good half early before needing to get him. Then he and I will run out to the West side to see about getting a certified copy of his birth certificate. Then on the way home stop at the pub to do my last change-out. Might even hit a QT or fast food joint for some snack and a soda.

Work is going good. Last week (my first one back) seemed to roll along well, and this week seems to be starting off the same way. Allegedly this project is to be at least four weeks (from my start) but we will see.

Not much else to share....

PeacE

Less Freetime

 Started back to work on Monday. I was beginning to worry though. I did have some project material to review prior to just 'jumping in' and it included a 2 1/2 hour recording (which I skimmed through, as most material was known already). But it took them a few hours to get me access to areas I needed. Fortunately, I did not lose any time over the hassle, and got started that day. Yesterday went by so fast... I'm getting ready to log in for today here in a few mins.

So more work time, less free time. This week will end a little busier though. I have a friend that owns a pub, and he is going out of town for a wedding. He has asked me to do a couple things at the pub that aren't overly time consuming, but I have to get it done by a certain time. I guess that means no trips this weekend.

The Wife goes to see her specialist about her shoulder today. Last weekend she had looked up the symptoms, treatments, possible down-times, and told me she may have to be in a splint for up to (maybe more) 4 weeks. All this depends on what the true diagnosis is from the doctor though.Thankfully our financials are okay enough that it won't kill for us to have her off work during this time. 

Need to get to work...

PeacE

Weekly Update

 Welcome to 2:50am and another post that just leaves you wondering why you even bother coming here to read my drivel. Well, except for RM. I know she comes here to find out what is going on in my life, since I'm the bad sona nd don't call  or visit as much as I should. Speaking of, I may try to get out there this week. I picked up something I thought RM might like, but then she may not like as well. Will have to wait and see. Now I know you will be waiting in anticipation for a visit from me, RM.

Not much going on this weekend here around the house. Last week we had had a good windstorm preceding some rain, and it blew off one of the attic vent turbines on the roof. Middle son came over yesterday and climbed up there to see if he could fix it. Nope. So at some point here soon I will need to go to Lowe's or Home Depot to find an updated version of the vent. I say updated, as a video I saw shoed this newer type, that can easily replace the type I have up there now, without actually pulling shingles and the whole assembly out to replace. He said as of now, it sits on the vent, but won't spin. At least it will keep birds/cats/rain out of the venting to the attic for now.

Last week was a pretty good week for me getting some ARCs fo books I have been wanting to read. I got through a couple last week, and have a couple to get to this week. I love getting the books ahead before they reach the market. I may not be good about writing a review for it, but it is what it is. You know I don't try to "puff up" anything, even if I like it. The next three months show about at least 3-4 books each month I am looking for to be out. So I might be able to swing in a few others I have had sitting in my library for awhile. I think it was a couple weeks ago, I went through my ebook library and deleted many I had have there for some time. I read many plot descriptions, and at times wondered why I even held on to that book/series. So there was a "bit" of them that got deleted out.

Work will continue on Monday. I might have mentioned that they estimate this project going until Wednesday. Which means I expect it to dry up on Tuesday, after maybe a half day of work. Not sure how fast they will be able to move me into another project. That may give me the time to swing out to RM's. I read she has something for me as well, though, she may want to hold onto it until Christmas. Saves a bit more on shopping. Hmmm, maybe I should do the same. I dunno. Sometimes I just don't like to wait.

Welp, I guess I will close this off and ramble off to do something else. 

PeacE

A Little Good News ....

 

I wasn't really implying that today's post title was strictly about a video.... As I was typing it, I thought, wasn't that a song as well? So I had to look it up, and sure enough. Then I had to watch/listen to it. As soon as it got into the second line, I realized the song, and that I had heard it quite a bit growing up. Anne Murray had a few other songs I liked as well ...that story maybe for another day.

Some good news: Got an amail from the Company and have a project starting today. The original email said it was slated to last three weeks, but a later email says two. Either way it is work. I'm just waiting on the meeting we are to have this morning.

Yesterday also brought some mail from 'The City'. It was a basic threat letter that our lawn has been reported/cited for being over 6 inches in heigth. It has a couple spots that are near that high, but really? We do not have an HOA in our neighborhood, because, well, I think they are nothing but a bunch of do-gooders that do nothing but go around reporting their neighbors. I undestand the purpose to keep the area looking nice, so property values stay higher, but still.... I know we still have some people around the neighborhood that go out of their way to report people. Sad part is, we get this notice, when there are multiple other properties that look way worse than ours...even from within sight distance of my front yard. Either way, I meant to get up extra early this morning to mow, but even at 7:30am it was too hot. So I decided to put it off to this evening after I run Youngest to his band practice around 6pm. Hopefully by then it will be under 100.

So, today has a little good and little bad news. 

PeacE

I Prolly Should ...

 I prolly should ... get started on the Youngest's school registration paperwork. His 'scheduled time' to be there is Thursday at 11am, which means we are going to be there for a couple hours I am sure. His is the last group of the day, and by then, the lines will be so backed from the school not organising the process as well as it should have. How does that happen every year, even though the school has been open for well over 35 years? I shouldn't complain too much, I guess. For most years of having to do the registration process, we have lucked out as the kids were in Band Camp, which started at 8am, and all band students were able to go first through the registraion, regardless of last name/school year. This year, Camp is only in the evenings, so it is not an option.

I prolly should ... go pick up my prescriptions today. I got a notification last week and went up on Friday. They only had 1 of the 4 there. The pharmacist looked up and saw that I was due three more on Monday, and suggested I just come back then to pick up all four, then the system will show it as all four due to be refilled on/by the same date, versus days apart. I will probably put it off until I run the Youngst to Camp, then head down the road to the store.

I prolly should ... send off an email to the Company, inquiring as to my status. I have not heard anything, whether un-pausing the current project, or re-assigning me to another one. I am taking a look at this service my buddy had mentioned to me. I have not made a decision for sure if I want to use it. Of course, it could provide job opportunites in between the current Company's projects. Or just a whole new Company to work for, doing the same line of work. I will have to figure out a yes/no soon I presume. Edit: I just joined the mailing list. I can always opt out of contacting any job offers.

I prolly should ... do something positive and constructive today. More than likely I will end up finishing this post, then distract myself by watching videos on FB or YouTube before turning my attention to playing Warcraft for most of the afternoon. It's just so uncomfortable to be outside trying to do anything. Granted, today it is actually supposed to be BELOW 100, but it is monsoon season, and right now the humidity is around 43%. Yeah, doesn't sound like much unless you are used to our regular dry heat. It is like walking around with a wet blanket around you when trying to do anything outside - even just walking into a store. Heck, I step outside to have a smoke, and I am dripping sweat when I come back in - just standing out by the front door.

I prolly should ... just close this off and go distract myself for a few hours.

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

Morning Snafus

 It felt really good to wake up at a decent hour and get into the office to start working. It has been a number of weeks since I was able to say/feel that sentence, and it does make me feel pretty good. As I started logging into the Company's system, I tuned in on the local news radio for the Valley, to hear about the monsoon storm that came through I guess last night. Obvious, and as aexpected, there was not much to say about it in my neighborhood - limited rain, if any. But the winds were pretty massive - as the radio reported gusts up to 60 mph were recorded at multiple airfields across the Valley. One of the key state highways heading north from the east part of town, is mostly closed (several miles of road) due to major power lines being down. Heard even of some trailers (semi-type, not home) being blown over up to a distance of 60 feet.

Yeah, sounds worse when you group all the bad stuff together. There was no flooding. No extensive valley-wide damages - just small incidents.

So I'm plugging away at work, and about an hour and half into the work day, our Project Mgr alerts everyone that they need to stop wherever we are, and log off. Proceed to watch for further information from the Company via email. Great. It was added that the project was not over, but everyone just needed to halt at this time.

As I started on this project last Wednesday, this was also the announcement I saw, directed to the previous group that had been on this project. None of them came back to it. And it was dated Tuesday. Now I am wondering if I will get back to it or not...

Oh well, I got some other things I can do while waiting to hear back from them....

PeacE

Let's Raid and Plunder!

 Another mid-week has arrived. I am still waiting to hear of any open projects to come along from the Company. It has been several weeks since my last one, and I do not see any hope in the near future, but maybe I will be surprised. I know I am starting to get that 'stir crazy' feeling of being at home and unproductive (employment-wise).

With it being Wednesday, that means it is Raid Night. In Warcraft, the Guild that my Sons (all three) and I are in (called Soldiers of Death) have Raid around 4:30pm my time. I don't always go, as sometimes I tend to go to the pub instead. But the Sons are all on the regular raid team. They'll go at it for about three hours tonight. Sometimes I go along for the first few bosses, but the progression they are working on (goes towards an achievement) is complicated, and I am no where near the level of gear and able to inflict the damage I need to, to play at that level. They "carry" me through the bosses so I have a chance for some gear (and get closer to their level).

The Oldest Son and I spoke (well, texted) the other day. He had mentioned in a conversation awhile back about he and I going out. I followed up on it, and he would like to do it tomorrow. I'm not sure where we might end up, but it will be nice to have some one on one time. He has been quite busy with work, and is still putting in quite a bit of over-time hours, even having moved to a night position. Middle Son came over Monday, to do his laundry, which is fine. We hung out for a bit and talked. He offered to take me out to breakfast, but I wasn't hungry, so we didn't go. He, also, is kept busy with his night-time position at work. Youngest Son is probably just enjoying no school for now. He will have two weeks of Band Camp coming up here shortly.

The Wife has been quite busy with work. Lately she will have to put in 2-3 hours after her normal hours just to stay kept up with paperwork. Seems at her facility, she is the only PT (there whould be at least 2) so she has to do all the evaluations, treatments plans, etc. She does have 2 PTAs that can help administer the treatments, but not prescribe them. Evidently, the Facility has been trying to hire a second PT for many, many months but has not been successful. I think it was last week the Wife mentioned they finally hired someone, but it waas going to be 30 days until they start - if they don't back out of it. So, waiting game on that. Then last night she tells me, they have up to around 20-something patients with Covid, and 5-10 employees as well. I don't know when it gets bad enough to start the Covid wing again, but it must be getting close. They are getting tested twice a week for Covid. At least it is at work, and free.

I guess that is all I have today. Sorry no humor or political views (thank goodness). On a good note, my glucose count today was 120 (one of the best ones yet) and BP was 157/89 (about fair for me at this time).

PeacE

Father's Day

 I woke this morning (the first time) around 10am and shot off a text to PT saying Happy Father's Day. Then I went back to sleep for an hour and a half. It felt good to sleep in so late! Yesterday we had gone to the waterpark here (Six Flags Hurricane Harbor) and spent a good part of the day there. We invited the Youngest's girlfriend, which was a pleasure to finally meet. The Wife and I agree, it was expensive, but it was nice to get out to some pools and just laze about with no worries for a day. Of course, even with sunscreen, we are all a bit red today. Followed up the park with a quick dinner at Dennys. A good day.

Today I have no plans. Having slept most of the morning away, and nothing really interesting going on, I just may play Warcraft, or watch a movie. I have a Netflix dvd here 'Uncharted' to watch yet. Daughter texted and we did a video chat a bit ago. Got to see my Doodad! Then I made themistake of handing the tablet over to the Wife, andjust now checked and they were still gabbing away. I reminded the Wife she ahd aasked what I wanted for lunch, and she needed to go pick it up yet. Subway. I better go check on her again.... Good. Wife is getting appropriately dressed to go get lunch.

Haven't heard from the Company about work since the week before. I wouldn't think in this particular industry there would be slower periods, but maybe there is. 

Finally got the new plate for the newer vehicle. Tomorrow I will go down to the DMV and have them swap it out for my specialty plate, which I will finally be able to put on this vehicle.

RM and my Sister have been back in Indianapolis the past few days, helping family clean out the apartment where my Aunt lived. I don't know if I had mentioned this Aunt had passed away recently. From what I have read from RM, things have been crazy. I'm not going to go into details, but needless to say, I think RM is just emotionally and physically spent over happenings. I think plans have them returning to AZ mid-week.

My Brother is headed north to Prescott on Tuesday. He is going into a rehab center the VA is ssending him to for the next 45-90 days. His drinking has been troublesome for him, and though he has gone through other types of treatment centers, they never took. Of course, as I told him Friday when we met up at the VFW, that they rehab won't take unless you want it to take. He says he knows that, and this time will be different. I do love my brother, but I just don't care for how he gets when he gets loaded. I suppose people say the same about me, but oh well.

Tried a new drink last night. My buddy's bar had one of the promotional things for a new Jack Daniels 'Bonded' whiskey that was aged longer, and also 100 proof. It was in a glass about the size of a communion cup. When the gal came by to offer me the free sample I mentioned I had come up there just for that. As we were talking, I mentioned how many years I had been drinking JD products, and she asked for a picture with her, which I agreed to. She said the pic was going to be sent to Jack Daniels - probably to show people enjoying the promotional event, but still. Then she brought back over a double-shot of this new whiskey just for me. They had a limited supply for the sampling, but I got a double!! And it was good! After that, I knew I needed to get home, so did head out.

It's been about 10 minutes since I checked on the Wife, and she ain't came said bye yet. I guess I better motivate her better.

PeacE

Middle of the Week and Nothing

 Seems like the days pass quickly by when you ain't got nothing to do. Still waiting to hear on work - might ned to send another email and remind them I am still here waiting. Starting to get a little warm outside now. I think it hit like 107 yesterday, and it is still early June.

I have been doing more reading, since I am not working. I set a goal this year of  books, but probably need to raise that, as I am at  already, and not quite at half through the year. The hard part it seems this year is finding a good read. I do try out several authors in the catagories I enjoy reading (fantasy, urban fantasy, etc) and sometimes, they just don't pan out. Or worse, after four or five books into this series, it's like burn-out. I don't know if it is me, or just the wriiting style will just disappear. Kind of like, they were writing content in the beginning, now they just want to put another book out and make money. Sigh. I dunno. Just my thought.

Monday night I had a weird feeling come over me. It felt pretty omnious, so I did a text check-iun with the Wife, the four kids, even RM and my brother. All said back they were fine, and shortly after the last text came back, the feeling went away. No idea what it was about. I know RM has had premonition dreams, or wake suddenly in the night not knowing why. I figured it coulda been that, so texted everyone. Haven't heard anything from friends or other family, so who knows.

Was up early today, around 4:20 ('ear, man) and knew sleep would not be back so have been up awhile. Got done a couple reviews I needed to get done, and looked up some more books to request ARCs for reading. I may not write a professional review piece, but at least I get quite a few new books.

Welp, I guess I am off to browse through my blog reads, then maybe a movie on Netflix or something. 

PeacE

What's Going On ....

 I'm off work the next couple days. The Wife is having eye surgery today, and of course needs a driver. Then tomorrow she will need me to drive to her post-op follow-up appointment. I told the Company yesterday that I would check back in Friday morning, but from what I see of material left to complete, the project may have ended by then. Which worksout well, as I feel I need a couple days off to rest the mental faculties. This project has been a bit harder than most.

The Wife's surgery is scheduled for this afternoon. We found out last week, that even though I am her driver, no one is allowed to wait in the waiting room. Which means I need to find myself somewhere for an hour and a half. Works out that since I am halfway to downtown, I will head over to the Property Holdings building of the Phx PD. The local precinct had said they would have sent my keys, etc down there. Hopefully it won't be an issue getting them back. That should take up some of the time. Then I will probably see if I can find a burger shop and sit/read with a drink until I pick the Wife up.

I have been anxious to get my specialty plate onto the new vehicle. I went down to the DMV satellite office not far from me this morning. Turns out I cannot change it over until I get the new car registration in the mail. Otherwise, they say I am not in the system for the new car. At least they said the two years I paid with the new plate, should transfer over easily, and I would be refunded the year I paid at the dealership. Here's to that coming true. I also stopped and ran the car through the car wash. I enjoy having that unlimited monthly deal. I take it through there at least 3-4 times a week, just because that wash is on my way to most places I travel.

No work today meant I was able, or rather, had the opportunity, to sleep in a bit later. That didn't really happen though. Still had to get the Youngest up and make sure he made it out the door for the bus. Them PT called me. Asks me if I am free Thursday afternoon around 4:30. I said I would know for sure later today, but depends on the follow-up appointment time and location for the Wife. I guess he wants to get my brother and I to meet up with him at an Olive Garden. That has my mind whirling a bit. Usually when he wants to get us together it is to share some 'big news' that he feels he needs to do on a personal level. I have no idea what he will bring up this time. He is in his mid-80's, and has some memory issues. Possibly slight dementia, just due to age. Maybe he is saying he will hang up his car keys finally (though he will probably drive there and home still). I don't know, but I am leery about the whole thing. Maybe he will just bring it up that he is concerned about my brother's and mine drinking - though, for both of us, that is not a problem of late. Neither of us get out much anymore. Who knows? With RM out of town for like three days, I'm sure he just wants to have a reason to get out of the house, and eat out.

Hmmmm, some good news.... So I haven't had issues with the backyard trots the past couple of days. Maybe the body is getting used to the medication. If it starts up again, I'll speak to the doc and get a slower release type. Doc may change it up al ltogether, as my sugar count is still above 200 regularly (even with the two days that were under). One day at a time ....

PeacE

Waiting Game

 I am returning to working today. Then this afternoon I am getting a Lyft to pick up a rental car. I decided I needed to get one, since it is in my policy, and to make it easier for my appointments I have next week. The appraiser is supposed to look at my car on Thursday, and let me know by end of that day if it is going to be considered 'totaled'. I am sure it will be. Then it is a matter of waiting on the insurance to offer/issue a settlement.

I am still hurting a bit. Chest and shoulder are still bruised, so certain movements hurt more than others. Cuts on the leg are healing like cuts do. My blood pressure has been higher since this weekend, I am sure to teh anxiety I have been feeling about this whole mess. I was informed yesterday the other party has involved their attorney, but for now I am letting the insurance company handle things. Everyone is waiting the police report. I am waiting to find out what happened to my car keys. I really would like to have the Wife's extra vehicle key back, as they are expensive to replace those fobs.

Not really looking forward to getting back to work today. After a few days off, getting back into this project is going to feel a little off. Last Thursday I ended the day with a 'problem child' that the Team Lead and I were going to address with the Review Mgr on Friday, but I was not feeling well on Friday, so did not work. Hopefully they grabbed the needed files from my work folder and did whatever with it. If not, I will have to spend this morning trying to read through 3 days of Teams chat to find out what they want me to do about the problem. This project was supposed to last another week+, maybe I should just remove myself from this one, and get in on the next one in a couple weeks. Lord knows my mind is occupied by so many other matters at this time...

PeacE

The Things I Do ...

 It's going to be a long day today. I didn't sleep well, not getting to bed until after 2:30am. I was tired, but for some reason just could not get comfortable and fall asleep. Then I had set my alarm for 7, as I wanted to get up and have plenty of time to shower, wake-up, and take care of a review or two I need to get done, before heading to breakfast with RM & PT. We're going to the Black Bear Diner franchise, where I have not had breakfasts there before, but the dinners are very good.

Tax Time is upon us, and that means the Wife is going to get cranky for the next several days. Like most people I know, they do their taxes as soon as they get their W-2s. Why the Wife waits until April 14th to do ours, I do not know. Then she does them twice, as she has to try itemizing everyone and then without to see which one gives us the lower amount to pay (or highest amount back - if ever). I think this morning, between breakfast and a couple other errands, I will see if I can talk her into let's using TurboTax this year. Pray for me.

I emailed into work yesterday, that I would not be able to make it online for the day, due to health issues. I had awoke with my mind completely just foggy. I had a morning "energy" drink to help clear it, but no such luck. I opted to not work instead of possibly messing up some important information. Then I slept another three hours (reason I couldn't sleep last night?). It finally cleared late in the afternoon, and could have logged in a couple hours, but decided not to do so. Sometimes we need a mental health day.

Guess I should get on to my other thigns this morning rather than sitting here trying to think of something to write about.

PeacE

Why Am I Working Today?

Because I like a paycheck. Normally I really like my job, even with my frequent whines about the amount of time between projects sometimes, or the thought of how messed up the management is at times. I've been on this current project about a week now, and it is at the higher paygrade because the work is more intensive. Most days I am mentally numb after my eight hours. Today though,it is a doozy and it is barely mid day. Having an issue with a couple documents, and trying to get my point across in an intelligent manner, full describing my issues with the Manager and Team Leads ... Somewhere in our chat the meaning got lost completely. It took a good 30 minutes to get them to see what I was seeing, which they admitted I was right. Then another 15 minutes to see how they wanted me to handle it. In the end, I was told to "skip" them and move on, so I did. But now I am mentally drained before I am halfway through the day. Sigh.

Not much going on this week. Saturday will be meeting up with RM and PT for a breakfast/brunch. Then that afternoon there is a gender reveal "party" for one of my neices. Personally I could care less about having a gender reveal party, but am going to show support for her. Like her father (my brother) she has made some bad decisions and hopefully will learn from them - unlike my brother at times.

Guess I should get back to the workload. At least two more weeks (we are told) on this project at least.

PeacE

It's Always the Weird Stuff

 It is a dark 2:30am morning post for you today. Seems the body needed to relieve some water pressure, so it woke me, then decided that I was awake, and did not need to return to the Land od Nod. Instead, the ol' squishy stuff in the noggin' started throwing all these weird thoughts. I'd be there thinking 'How nice it would be to be relaxing in a hammock" you know, trying to get the sleep-vibe going .... the the brain would be like 'Yeah! And these zombie-esque monsters appear and they have crab-claws for hands - razor sharp! - and they keep cutting down just one end of your hammock so you flop to the ground all the time'. Yeah ... stuff like that. After a half hour of it, I realized I was not going back to sleep anytime real soon.

Still like three hours until I can even think about signing into work. Sigh. At least it looks like we have work on this project I think for at least two more days. I could be wrong, and misjudged the workload left, but it will be close. Then I have no idea what they will throw my way. It may be nice to have a day or two off though.

Late in the day on Friday, I received a message through my 'medical chart' thingy on the interwebz. It stated my referral had gone through, and I needed to contact this number in order to schedule my colonoscopy. I think I have said it before, I know I am fifty, and it is a regular "screening" they do, but I am not looking forward to it. I had met up with my brother and asked about him going with me (cannot drive after procedure) and he was open on time whenever I scheduled it. The Wife is not sure if she could get any particular day off due to staffing issues, as well as her own medical that may be going on. I am guessing they will need to schedule me within the next couple weeks.

I bought a Samsung tablet several years ago. It finally decided to die (with one of the cats' help, of course). Seems Saturday morning while we were out taking care of errands, one of the cats knocked it off the bedside table where it was charging. My best guess is it landed hard enough, on the connection port with the cord in still, it jammed the port. It would not charge, it would not allow transfer to the computer, it would say it could connect to the wifi, but really didn't. It held some games I play, but most importantly, it held my ebooks/reader. I don't really have another one. I have a Kindle Fire, that I have replaced a few times over the years since RM first bought me one, but I don't care for the Amazon only content. So Saturday afternoon I went out to find a new tablet. Of course, the one tablet that was closest in size/capability was out of stock, and I wasn't waiting days on end to get a new one, so paid an extra $100 for one slightly better. Screen size is larger, as well as system memory .... and it is faster in processing. I was able to get my reader program downloaded, then loaded with books (including the one(s) currently reading). My Google account was able to reload many apps from a previous backup (though most of those I don't use). They did not have any 'good, sturdy' cases at the store, so found one on Amazon (cheaper than the crappy flip ones they hadat the store) and am expecting that package today. It has an adjustab;e hand-grip thingy on the back for easier holding, and an actual shoulder strap for easier carrying, though I don't know if I would use the shoulder thing.

Ugh. I woke up thirsty and have already drained a 32 ounce bottle of water. Looks like I will be making multiple trips to the bathroom today.

... and now that I have given you more info than you care to have, I am outta here.

PeacE

More Appointments - And An Anniversary

 I am getting kind of tired of all the appointments I have been having to make recently. Did the Doctor last Thursday, so that meant I needed to do one for the labs (Monday). Then Monday, my low pressure light came on again, and I noticed that one tire was a little low, AND I had hit 5K miles over the weekend, so the vehicle needed to get into the shop. Yesterday I spent about an hour at Toyota while they did whatever the 5K check-up is. Not an oil change though, because that is supposed to be good until 10K now. Well, I asked them to look at the tire as well, and they said they found the puncture, but it would cost $270 for the dealership to do the replacement, AND they couldn't get the right size tire until later in the week. SO I said no, I would get it somehow to Discount. So today I have yet another appoinment for 3pm at Discount to replace the tire (which was rotated to the driver back - need to remember that). Sigh.

Work has been ... spotty. Due to the appointment times (I try for late in the afternoon so I can get a full day of work) I have been starting as early as I am able. Monday was good, Tuesday by 7am there was no work left, and they mentioned changing us to a new project. Checked back 4 hours later, and we were staying ont he same project, moving to the next level of review. I had done this previously, but they wanted me to redo the training. Two hours of video later...sigh. I get started, and then I had to leave for my appt. This morning, I log in to finish what I started yesterday, then find out no more work. Told again to wait 4 hours and see what happens. It is almost that time now.

Today marks the 31st year of our wedding. I don't know what type of gift (paper, wood, silver, etc) this year would be, and it truly doesn't matter as we haven't done gifts for each other in years. We chose to get out of town for a couple days usually, and we did last weekend as our time away and together, spending it with our granddaughter. Hard to believe it has been that long, but with 4 kids (oldest 30, youngest 16) I guess it has to be.

Alrighty, I need to get out of here and check my emails before getting back online with work, and see what they are going to do with me. I almost wouldn't mind a couple free days....

PeacE

Hangry as Heck

 Today you get a partial post that started later in the day on Monday. Only because as I was working, I realized there was more I wanted to blab about. For starters, I am HUNGRY! I got up earlier than usal so I could get a full day of work in before going to my afternoon lab appointment. An hour into work, I had a granola bar for breakfast. Morning continues, and around 10 I started getting hungry for lunch. AS I am looking int he fridge for leftovers, or something I can microwave quick, I remembered I was supposed to be fasting for 8 hours prior to my appointment. Oh well, guess it will only be about 7 hours. I still have about 2-3 hours yet before I can get something to eat, and now it seems all I can think about is how hungry I am. Hungry? No, hangry. I am being crabby even when I am talking to myself (because no one else is here). Argh!

Whilst in Tucson we went to dinner at a place near the Daughter's house. It was called Dominick's Real Italian. I was leery about what the food might be like (the 'real' in the title). It was a smallish place, in a shoppping center, though not a stand-alone building. They had a place for some outside dinig, though we ate inside. They had average prices, and not a lot in selections. I opted for the Dominicks Chopped Salad, entree size, as it was the only thing that sounded good to me. The salad was good and filling! 

Sunday we just IHOP for brunch, and I was frustrated with them. I ordered a burger, and fries for the side. They are out of fries. I opted for onion rings. They are out of onion rings. The onlt two side options left were two pancakes or a side salad. I am not a fan of pancakes, so chose the salad, with 1000 Island. They are out of 100 Island dressing. Do they Italian dressing? No but did have some kind of vinagrette, so I tried it. Wasn't bad, but I wasn't wanting a salad with my burger. I just couldn't believe they are out of fries, even if they promote breakfast more than other things.

Tuesday: So, already this morning I got an email saying the results of the lab work are in. I'll prpbably look at them, and have to wait until the 18th at the next Dr appointment, to actually have them explained to me.

Today is hopefully another day of work. The team was told last week we would be moving up to the next stage once the current workload finished. It should have been done yesterday afer I logged out for the day. Guess I'll find out here in a afew. Then I have another appointment - this one at the dealership for an oil change. Went over the 5000 mark whilst drivingthis weekend.

Okay, that's it until tomorrow.

Edit: Well, that next step at work didn't happen, but was re-assigned to a new project with a 5 hour wait until it starts. Hope they get me the access to it prior to that time....

PeacE 

So Much To Look Forward To ...

 So I went to the docotr yesterday. A new one (to me). He seemed alright. We agreed my BP was high, and needed some medication to bring it down. So I will be going over to the drug store today after work to pick up that prescription. Of course, he wants to go getthe regular labwork done, since it has been years since my last, and they need a baseline. I set that appointment up this morning for Monday, as it was the earliest I could get.Then he asked that question I was not looking forward to: colonoscopy.

I am not scared of getting one. The Doc did send out a referral request to my insurance and I should know more about scheduling one in the next couple weeks (I was told). I just don't like the thought of someone putting a camera up my ass, when I don't feel there are any issues. My stools are fine, regular, and regular-looking, so why do I need this checked? Colon Cancer. You may not know you have it. I got that - but (butt?) still....

On the plus side of getting my colon checked, my HBP under control, checking on my A1C levels (I have been borderline for years for diabetes (Wilfred Brimley voice - "DIE-A-BEET-US!") and those cholesterol levels, I found out how much I weigh. Now I am a big boy (yes, really) and the estimated weight on hte forms I filled out was 25 pounds heavier than what the actual weight was. So I feel good about that.

When I logged into work today, I see we have enough on this project to probably work today, then be completed. Another Team Member asked yesterday after I wwas gone, about moving to a new project. The higher-up muckity-mucks say that the plan is to move us to a new project on Monday, so continued work is a possibility.

Got my new VFW plate in, and will be putting it on the car this afternoon. I think I will take the car and get it washed prior to our trip this weekend as well. I am sure there will be enough bug splatters/dust by the time we get there, but it will look good in the meantime. Maybe tahe the Youngest with me and have him help vacuum it out, though it isn't bad at all since I hardly drive it. More dusty on the outside from just sitting in the drive.

Welp, I should get back to working.

PeacE

It's Doctor Day!

 My doctor appointment is this afternoon. It is the first one I have set up since ... I don't know. About five years? This morning I did the online check-in to confirm the appointment, sent pictures of my card, went through the basic health questionairre, completed the additional questionairre they had, and now I think, this whole appointment should only last long enough for them to take my blood pressure, realize it is high, then send me off to Walgreen's while they call in a prescription. That's how I hope it goes. I now by the time I start to head that way I will feel apprehensive. Sure hope this Doc isn't like my last one.

Work has been good. Finished one project on Monday, assigned to another that afternoon to start Tuesday, and this one is expected to go thru Friday. Already the Manager has said that when this one ends, he plans on moving us to another project he is starting on Monday.

Oh. The tire issue I had ... well, it disappeared. When I took it up to Discount, they could not find any leakage. They cleaned out the fix a flat gunk, put in a new sensor, and put the tire back on. No charge. It has been holding air like normal since then. I wonder if it was a leak along the tire seal. Guess I'll never know. At least it should be good for the trip this weekend.

Need to get back to work.

PeacE

Stick *THAT* In Your .... Tire

 Welp, yesterday, later in the morning, I got to thinking I would just do a can of the fix flat and have an extra one in the car. So went to the Auto store, bought two cans, came home and hooked one up. Back when I had used a can of this years before, it would inflate the tire, as well as put in that sealant gunk, but I guess nowadays it don't do that. So I asked the Wife if we had a compressor somewhere, and she found an old one that one of the boys had had in their car. Supposedly it worked, but not all the time. I fiddled around with for several minutes trying to get anything, but nothing happened. Ended up having to go back to the auto store and get a compressor. At least I got one now for my car.

Got the tire aired up, and drove a few miles over to the pub. After a couple hours, I went out to check the tire, and it looked fine. I headed over to another pub to meet up with a friend for a bit, and while enroute, the tire pressure light came on again. After a couple beers there, I came out to a half flat tire. Again I filled it up to just over 30 psi, and drove home. The pressure light was still on, I think becaus eI just hadn't filled it up as well as I should have.

This morning I go out to check it, expecting it to be flat again, but it looked about the same as it did last night when I got home. I did make an appointment online for Discount, and will be heading up there in about an hour. Maybe they can patch/plug the tire. I can't find any puncture, so who knows. Worst scenario is I have to buy a new tire.

So I got up early to start work at the bright time of 6am (which I like) and around 1pm we finished up the project (two days early). Allegedly they stated that they would split this group into two, and assign each to a project(s) currently going on, so I expect an email at some point with the info I need for tomorrow.

Jsy so much excitement all up in the house, let me tell you.

PeacE