Title in Progress

 Friday has arrived, and I should be working, but I am taking a quick break. I Haven't felt like writing here most of the week, mainly because not much has been happening. Last Sunday, my Santa gig for the VFW went well. The lack of information (what time to be there, etc) was a bit frustrating. I showed up early, in costume, to find out that they didn't want Santa until the last 45 minutes of the allotted time. So I changed and sat in the bar area for three hours (drinking water) before dressing back up and doing the event. I thought the kids loved me. Had a couple parents come tell me that I was the best Santa they had seen in years. All said and done, it was a good day.

Work has been good this week. I have been plodding on this project, which looks to go into most of next week as well.

Tomorrow is the third annual Santa Run. Oldest Son and I will be going (we are originals of the event). I think I mentioned before, spouses, etc are doing a Mrs. Clause run as well. The Wife is going on that. I guess the girls are going to a few different bars, but at least two are on the guys trip as well. The previous two years, I had enjoyed and gotten excited as this time of year came. This year, I don't know. It feels more like going to work then having a good time out with friends doing something fun, unexpected, and that brings some happiness to others. At least I get a night hanging out with the Oldest Son.

I still need to get a couple more presents to finish up the Christmas shopping. Hoping to do it this weekend, and be done with it all. Geez, only one week to Christmas already? Sigh.

PeacE

Down From the North Pole

 Today is the VFW Post Children's Christmas party, and my third and last Santa Gig for the year. In theory, it is my first, as the other two were cancelled. Either way, I am up early today to prep for the party. I have already used my new beard iron and straightened out the funny kinks in the beard, and applied the first coat of white paint. While it is drying, I am getting all of the outfit together, before looking to apply a second coat, or touch-ups to the beard and facial hair. I'm sure there will be pictures later, as I know several will be taken. We are doing Santa pictures for the kids after all.

Friday I was re-assigned to a new project for work, but had mentioned I had a prior commitment and may not make it that day. The Oldest Son needed to get his car in for some stuff (engine light was on, and another previous issue about it 'stuttering' sometimes). He had asked for me to pick him up that morning so he would not have to sit in the the lobby for at least three hours while they worked on things. My new project meeting wasn't to start until 11am, so I said sure. We went out for breakfast, did some shopping, and had a nice time catching up since I don't see him often.

My project meeting time got changed to 2pm, and he got the call that his car was ready about 12-1230. I dropped him back off, returned home, and started getting ready for the meeting. Suddenly I get a call from the Oldest Son, he had returned to the car shop. About a half mile down the road, engine light came back on and the rpm readings were fluctuating like they shouldn't. He said he would just nap in one of the chairs since he knew I had a meeting coming up. I read through the project protocol (about 10 minutes) and said 'Screw it' and drove over to pick him up. I did tell work I had a prior commitment.... and I emailed the leads about it. Then we went over to one of my watering holes and had a beer while waiting on the new repairs needed. He was back at his car by 4pm'ish, and out more than I think he should have been, but hopefully it is said and done. And I got to spend more time with him. In fact, he has some vacation time in January he needs to burn that we have set some plans for.

Well, this hair paint dries stiff, and in trying to kind of comb it out so not so stiff, it leaves a chalky residue. I couldn't find any hair spray paint, which I which I think would have worked better. I didn't wand to have to mess with real dye, as the bleaching process, etc. The Wife is supposed to don her bought Mrs Claus outfit and go with me today, but as I laid out my suit last night, she didn't say anything, and I truly think she has not even opened the package it came in yet. Sigh. Have that argument in about half an hour.....

Saturday is our 3rd Annual Santa Run, and we have about 14 guys going this year (including oldest Son). Doing things a little different than last year, but overall should still be fun. Some of the wives and SO's are goin as Mrs Clause' (Wife included) and stopping at the same places we do, though staggered in time. I am not big on that idea. I think they should pick their own places to go, so as to not ruin the surprise on faces when 14 Santa's walk in.. and vice versa for them. But no one will listen to me.

Either way, feels like this coat is almost dry so I need to go see what mroe needs to be done.

PeacE

Wednesday Shenanigans

 Sunday night was bad. I was lucky if I got a total of two hours of sleep. But I did start work as early as possible that morning. Monday evening I was dragging from lack of sleep, and went out for a bit, had a few beers, knowing I would sleep good that night. I did, and Tuesday morning found me at work later than I wanted, but still made it there. Thank goodness for a flexible time schedule. Project is expected to end this week, but it is rumored there is another one I will be switched to at that time. We will see ...

Today marks The Wife's birthday. She has finally caught up to my age (again). I asked her last night about when and where she would like to do a bday dinner. I have no answer, so who knows if we are going out tonight or not. Trying to get the kids all together is hard, and I don't see it happening at this time.

Oldest Son is looking to spend some time at the house with me tomorrow. Seems he is taking his car into the shop for a couple fix-its, and asked for a ride to/from so he won't have to sit in the lobby there. I'll have to work, but he can sit and chat while I am working. Or he may just go lay down and sleep through it all.

Guess that's it for now. I should start working now.

PeacE

Resting Up

 Sunday has come around again, and this one finds me resting up for this next week. The Wife and I went out for a brunch yesterday, went to run an errand, and ended up shopping for a couple hours. We did complete much of our holiday gift shopping, yet I still need to go out for a couple more things. I also got the car washed and then spent part of the evening up at the VFW for some beer and karaoke.

Tomorrow it is back to work. This project (from what I was told) was to be about a week and half long, which means by the end of the week, it should be finishing up. Hoping they will be able to get into another quickly - I know for a fact that there are at least 4 other projects going on right now as well.

I do believe The Wife and I have finally figured out birthday and holiday shopping, in regards to/from each other, or from kids. While out yesterday, I saw her pick up an item and add it to the cart, I asked who that was for. She says, 'Me, it's from Youngest Son for my birthday this week'. Later on, I added an item, and said it was for me at Christmas from Youngest. She did finally give me at least one idea that I'll take Youngest out to select whatever design/color he likes for her.

Anyways, got nothing of importance to say today, and feel like I will just be ramblin' on ...

PeacE

About Time!

 I started working on Wednesday finally. So today's writ will be fairly short, as I need to get started here in a few. Aside from sleeping issues, getting up early enough to get to work early has been difficult. I like to start at 6 and be done by 2, but this week it has been 9-5 ... that nine weeks off made me enjoy sleeping in a little more.

My second Santa gig was to be tomorrow. Yesterday it got cancelled due to the possible government shut-down that may occur today. Regardless if it does/does not happen, it has been cancelled. That leaves my third gig next weekend. Which as of right now is still on.

Guess I should get to work... it's about that time.

PeacE

Will This Be A Work Week?

 Late in the afternoon on Friday, I received an email from the Company informing me there is a project to start on Tuesday this week. Of course I immediately replied back that I was ready and available. I also informed them I would need resets on access to programs since it has been many weeks (nine in fact) since I last had access, and they lock person(s) out after three weeks of them not logging in to said programs. I was told I would be contacted prior to the start day with the needed information regarding the project and other access.

Today, I was hoping to have that info and access so I could be sure there were no additional issues regarding logging in to their system from remote. Every time I had that email notification on my phone, I would quickly check my email account. Each time it was some junk mail, or offers from places I have bought stuff. Finally around 2:30pm I received three separate emails giving me access to the HR site where one can manage their information, and complete tasks to make sure they are legal and have accepted terms and conditions for the company on file. I completed that in 10 minutes.

Now I am waiting for the important stuff: new temp passwords for the remote login and other assorted accesses needed. With most of this contact coming from the east coast and it being after 5pm there now, I hope it is here in the morning a couple hours ahead of the scheduled meeting (11am my time). Joy.

Other than that, nothing is going on here. Waiting on work. Who would have thought they would have an employee eager to work, and not give them anything....sigh.

PeacE

Black Friday 2021

Let me feel like a Lib-tard, or Donkey-crat, or whatever... but isn't Black Friday racist? I don't care, because it is just another normal Friday for me.

Oh my! Yesterday was such a wonderful day. We arrived down in Tucson around 9:45am, and I got dressed up for Doodad.

I know you can't read the shirt well, but it says "Papaw's the name, Dress-up is the game". It was one of two shirts the Daughter had made for my birthday. It included the outfit of the boa, hat and a tutu the Wife made. Here's a better shot...

Doodad was surprised to see Papaw dressed up for her, so she ran off to and changed into one of her princess dress-ups. Then she pretty much ignored me most of the day because she had her uncle Youngest there to play outside with. We got settled in and I started on making my dessert. The older boys showed up and meal prepping began. By 1'ish we were sitting down to one of the biggest meals I have ever sat down to. SIL had done a wonderful job smoking a turkey, and deep-frying one as well. And the ladies, well, all the extra dishes they put out there were terrific. A couple hours after the meal, and other shenanigans, we had dessert, which is always good. Doodad "inhaled" the Cherry Delight I made - so I was surprised. Afterwards, everyone pitched in with clean-up and putting/splitting the food away. The Boys decided to start a game, and it was near time for us to leave. We left Youngest there, where the two older ones brought him home later.

Though Doodad didn't want much to do with her Papaw, it was still a good day. We had left about 8pm, and around 11pm we got a call from the Daughter. Doodad had been sleeping when we were leaving, and no one could wake her up (Uncle Youngest had done a good job wearing her out). She woke crying because we were gone and she didn't get to tell us bye, so they called. Then it was lights for me.

Today nothing new is planned. Going to the VFW later on, do some reading, and probably stay for karaoke. The Wife had to work. She is adjusting to the new job, and says she really likes it. I guess my biggest decision right now is: smoked turkey, or deep-fried turkey for my sandwich for lunch?

PeacE