Another Start

Today is Day One of this new year, and I have started it off just like any other day. Looks like this year is going to be pretty much like last year.

Working on getting the family awake, out of bed, and moving so we can head up to Sis' for lunch of ribs, slaw, etc. I have to stop and get drinks on the way.

Have a good one!

PeacE

End of Another Year

I just don't understand why we have to celebrate the start of a calendar year. Just an excuse to have another holiday a week after Christmas? Shrug. I can't figure it out. What is nice about it though, is one is not expected to spend a wad of cash on gifts to give to people. Though, the downside is, you are expected to spend an ENTIRE evening with friends/family, until the late hours. Sometimes, for some of us (I won't point out who, though I have suspicions) that is worse than just a dinner. Of course, I wouldn't be talking about my family..... (rolling eyes).

Today, the Wife and Daughter are going out and spending all the money they can, since it is the last day of the year. That's not true. Actually, they are doing some shopping, but it is to use up some $$ off coupons for groceries, and refill my prescription for my blood pressure meds. I think I really need them with one more week to go with the boys at home. She'll be picking up some sodas for us to take to lunch tomorrow when the family all gets together.

Otherwise, today is just being spent at home. I have no desire to be out and have to worry about the other drunks, or distracted drivers on the roads. PPD will have a fun time tonight I am sure. Actually would be interesting to hear in the next couple days, just how many stops, arrests, DUIs, etc were done tonight. We will be inside, probably watch a couple movies, and send the kids to bed shortly after midnight. Not even sure I will make it that late myself. I may end up in bed with my Kindle by 10'ish.

Otherwise, hope you all have a wonderful evening whatever you are doing. See ya next year!

PeacE

A-Parent-ly Bad

As a parent, there are a trillion and one things I do not understand about kids, even having been one myself. It seems I am finding more and more of them just plain outright irritate me to no end, and are being displayed/acted upon by my kids. The oldest son went with the Daughter back to Tucson for a few days, and will be returning for New Years. I would think that would make things easier managing the boys while they are on break. Heh. Teach me to think.

Yesterday was an okay day. They spent the better part of it watching YouTube videos and actually getting along. Today, as soon as they are both up, it is constant bickering at each other. Needless to say, my patience is worn thin.

They have a week plus yet to go before school starts back up. Sigh.

The Wife got off work early yesterday, and we took advantage of it to do some family activity together. We went out to eat at 5 & Diner ('50s style restaurant) followed by an early evening movie of 'The Adventures of Tin Tin" which the boys really enjoyed (they are 9 & 5). I completed the evening by heading to bed with my Kindle, and a crossword book.

I guess if you are like the seemingly mass population, you should be debating what sort of New Year resolutions you should make, then break during the first week. I guess a couple years ago, the family (meaning RM and Sis) started having us pen down those resolutions. Sis would save them for the year in sealed envelopes, and at the next NY lunch, would pass them out for everyone to see if they made it. I think mine last year was to not make any resolutions. Can't remember for sure. I just know I am not doing it this year. No since in deflating my hope at the beginning of next year. If there is a next year.

I am thinking of personal things I would like to accomplish over the next year, and I may even share some of them.... but not before the big day!

PeacE

That 'After the Holiday' Glow

It was just short of 9am when I woke this morning. I was hoping to stay in bed until 10 or later, as the Wife is sleeping in as well. No such luck. After a long day of Christmas'ing, my ankle has yet to forgive me. It was throbbing this morning, and I could no longer put off getting some ibuprofen in me as fast as possible. Before I could just return to the bed though, the two younger boys were up and ....well, here I am.

Yesterday was a great Christmas. One of the better ones I recall for my family over the years. All four kids loved the big Santa gift they received and the the excitement they showed on opening them, plus the desire to use/play/whatever with the gifts.... just keeps bringing a smile to my face. We did good this year.

Spent the later morning with the In-Laws, and the early afternoon with RM. RM did some ham for sandwiches, which by that time we were hungry. Afterwards, we rambled on up to Sis', where everyone in my family meets up. Due to me being just plain tired by this point, we did not stay tremendously long, but was glad we came by for a bit. We will be back there next Sunday for New Year's lunch.

As today is sort of a recovery day, I am just relaxing at home. The Daughter is planning to head back to home before returning next weekend, and has asked about the oldest son going with her for the few days. I think we are going to let him.

That's it for now.

PeacE

Good Eve-ning

Welp, it's Christmas Eve and I know what we are doing at my house today: wrapping. I have not wrapped anything I picked up, and I know the Wife hasn't. I am hoping she has lots of the gift bags to use, as I suck at wrapping gifts. She'll be doing turns with each of the boys to have them pick a gift for their brothers, and have them wrap it up...one of her Christmas traditions I guess you would say. My tradition is at 1am, when I ask why isn't she done yet, and hurry up because I want my bed back so I can sleep in it.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for us, so don't expect a post. If you get one, I am not sure how much sense it will make. I know it will probably be late, and I will be tired. We start our day usually here at home for our presents, then to the In-Laws, then to RM's.... and in most past years, headed up tot he north side of town to Sis'. This year I just don't know. Last year I was really wiped out, and though Sis was trying to get us to come up tonight, there is just no way. So, we are leaving it up to how we feel once we get that far along. Sis, if you're reading, I know you understand. After all, you don't go anywhere, and we have to.

Last minute thoughts: Did I get enough things for the Wife from the boys? Do we have enough wrapping paper? What about the gift bags? Have enough stocking stuffers, but where are the stockings? How early in the morning do we wake the kids? I am hoping not before 7am. Who is doing the dishes today, since I still can't stand up long enough to do them? Okay, that last one I have been thinking about the past couple days, as the dishes are starting to pile up.

I guess that is it for now. Hope all you readers have a wonderful Christmas!

PeacE (on Earth, Good Will to Men)

Cement Boots

I went to the orthopedic specialist today to see about my ankle. He met with me less than a minute - seriously! He looked at my foot, asked me to move it up and down, and told me what they were going to do. No surgery, but have a cast with walking shoe for five weeks. Which means I am allowed to walk on it as needed/can which makes me happy. First thing I did when I got home was toss the crutches and tried walking around with just the cane. YES! My arms and chest were sore form the past 2-3 days of using the crutches. The maneuvering around on them was ridiculous. I will need the cane for probably most of the next week, as it is still sore, but afterwards look forward to being able to walk around without much trouble. I will be able to get back into the gym next week, and can continue upper body and ab workouts at least. I know I am going to need it through this holiday season.

Tonight, the Wife found a $50 gift certificate for Outback we received from somewhere so the family is going out to dinner tonight. Just waiting on them to get home. The Daughter took the boys over to her boyfriend's parents' house, to help them put up their tree. Seems his Mom has a bit of that whole 'empty nest' thing going on, and just adores my boys. Heck, everyone seems to adore my kids.

Boys are out of school now until January. Not looking forward to all that fighting/griping/bickering and whining that will be going on.

Time to go.... a blooming onion is calling me!

PeacE

More Stir Crazy

I think I found the limit as to how much time a person can sit on Facebook and NOT go crazy. Or maybe I went over that line. The whole stir crazy business has doubled now that I have limited mobility, compared to just being at home most of the time before. I would spend more of my time in bed, napping and reading, except I don't want to be laying there awake half the night due to not being able to sleep. Though, I do admit the vicodine sure helped put me out last night.

I found out that sitting there, refreshing my screen on FB every few minutes, is a really creepy sort of thing to do. When a new update or comment comes up, and I respond right away, it's even worse waiting for the other party to respond... because half the time they don't.

There is only so much one can do in any given game, without having to wait for more "coins", energy, or whatever, short of bringing out the ol' credit card and paying for stuff on a free game.

I'm hungry, and I haven't figured out how I am going to maneuver around to do some breakfast for myself.

It's a good thing I didn't hurt something more, like my ribs, abdomen, etc. I know I am going to be doing some time reading my bathroom book today.

I know. That last one was a bit too much TMI for you.

PeacE