Things That Happen With Age

 Today's topic is not going to be me whining - well, at least about my body getting older and falling apart. It's more about my lunch outing with my brother and PT yesterday. I know I have mentioned several times the dementia that is slowly occuring with his advancing age. RM writes about it at times on her blog - it is something that affects those around him. Lunch was a boring affair.

To be honest, I really didn't want to go to lunch. I never know what to expect PT to talk, or ask questions about. Most times, I feel he does it just to gripe about other people. Well, we sat down and were pretty much ready to order when we got there. I had salad, brother had salad and soup, PT had spaghetti and soup. Then most of the next 45 minutes was PT asking about a show he was watching on Amazon Prime (which I had already talked to him about on Tuesday). Then topics floated around other shows, then about some things going on with my nephews. Thankfully I didn't have to talk much, and I didn't mind that at all - more time to eat. PT just does not have any experiences to talk about. He kept mentioning they were going out of town in August, which they do every year, and I reminded him we know as they do it every year. His response was but this year they were staying in an air-bnb versus a hotel. 

Whatever.

I can't say I have anything going on to talk about wither, though. After lunch I went down to the VFW for a couple hours. It was good to see some people there I had not seen in a couple weeks. Some were asking me to come down Saturday night for karaoke, but I told them I don't know. Then I went over to another bar closer to home. Met up with another friend there for a couple drinks, then picked up pizza  for the family. Guess what is for lunch? Hawaiian (for the Wife's weird smell/taste thing) or 5 meat. Not much else on the agenda.

PeacE

Not Quite the End of the World

 I saw my doctor about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I know I mentioned it on here, because it was all about the new meds, and how I have become diabetic, etc. Well, in our discussion period, I mainly recall about the meds and side effects, and I don't recall everything being said. It must be my selective hearing, and I turned it off at some point. I received a call about 2 weeks ago, from a Nutritionist, stating he was referred by the doctor to set up an appointment with me to discuss eating habits and what to avoid, etc. I pretty much blew them off. I have no interest in 'being told' what I am supposed to eat, not eat, how much, etc. I know I need to lose weight, and I am working on it. I know I need to eat healthier, and I am workign on it. Yesterday I get a call from an eye doctor. Seems my medical doc decided to refer a diabetic eye screening as well. Sigh. More shit to pay for. But this one I went ahead and set an appointment for Monday. It won't hurt to have the old eyes looked at for possible early signs of anything diabetic. I know I need to get in for an updated prescription as well soon.

My medical doc is just going 'all out' on this stuff. I should feel happy about it, I guess, that he is doing all he can think of to 'help' me get the information I need to take care of myself better. Or is ti to 'cover his ass'? I don't know, maybe that's just the pessimist in me coming out. I have been keeping a doily log since my last visit. Each morning I do a glucose meter reading, followed by my BP reading. This log helps the doc see how the meds I am on are working on a daily basis. That being said, I have a strong feeling he is going to increase the diabetic, as my sugar levels have been flip-flopping between 175-250 with no consistent reading. And those side effects? I felt were mostly gone know - until yesterday.

I went over to RM's the other day to drop off her Mother's Day present. It wasn't much, but it was a something, and she seemed to really like it. I hate buying gifts, I just feel I am not good at it. Anyways, as we visited for a bit, I menitoned how I was basically taking this week off work. Immediately PT asked about doing lunch. Sigh. I couldn't outright say no without lying, so I told him ok. Then my brohter couldn't meet at the time PT wanted, and the chain of texts....sigh. I finally just told PT to tell me what time was decided, and finally I go that text. So we are meeting around 12:30 today at Olive Garden for lunch. It will be a weird lunch. I already shared everything I had going on so nothing new to add. I just hope I am not feeling nauseous from the meds. At least I can have salad today.

Well, today's bit of good news - the Youngest gets to take the bus, and I don't have to take him 4/5 days of the week. Even though that would mean "getting up early" on days I am not working, or at least stopping work for 30 minutes to do it. OVerall, just one hassle I don't have to worry about.

PeacE

An Early Morning

 I woke with a start this morning. At 4:22am, I was just suddenly wide awake. Didn't hear any weird noises, or the animals doing whatever. I just woke up. I laid there a few minutes, trying to figure out what exactly it was. Nope, not the early wake-up to go pee. No noises. No alarm. I just don't know. So I laid there another fifteen minutes, trying to get back to sleep, but knew it was not going to happen. I went into the office and played some Warcraft until about 6:30. I need to run the Youngest to school this morning. Seems his 'zero hour' (band) has changed the hours for the remainder of the school year to 7:30 (instead of the usual 7) and not sure if his bus will get him to school in time. Will find out tomorrow (no band on Wednesdays) and that will determine if I need to take him the rest of the time or not. When he was going earlier, the Wife was able to drop him off.

My project for work pretty much finished up for my part in it yesterday. I am taking a few days off to 'reset' my mental state before contacting them to let them know I am ready to move to another one. This last one ran much longer than expected, and the client required more of us each time it neared completion at each stage. It's business, and I usually don't mind, but it truly was mentally draining. Hopefully by next week I will be ready and something will be there.

Other than that, not much on my agenda this week. Finished up a couple book reviews I needed to do yesterday, and have no new ARCs to worry about at this moment. I do need to get out to RM's and drop off her Mother's Day present. I might do that today (no promises RM). I know I need to fuel up as well (a wonderful $50+ expense - thanks Joe Biden). Probably run the vehicle through the car wash again, too. Or, after dropping the Youngest, I may go back to bed and sleep in a bit this morning. I do feel somewhat tired.

Welp, I guess I should get on with my doing not much of anything.

PeacE

Mother's Day 2022

 We spent the day in Tucson yesterday. On an almost last-minute decision, I made suggested we head down there for the day, just to get out of town. We also needed to bring down the grand daughter's presents since we were not able to be there the middle of last month. Turns out the SIL bday is very soon, and Monday is their wedding anniversary, so we loaded up on the presents and drove down. Everyone liked their presents, and Doodad just loved the nerf bow and arrow set I got her.

Today I have nothing really special planned. I have already sent a text to RM wishing her a good day. I do have a present for her, that came late yesterday, and I will try to get some time this weeke to get it out to her. That package also has a gift for my Wife, so I guess I should get it opened and ready for her when she awakes. She may try to drive today. Her eyes have been dilated from Tursday's appointment as of yesterday (they use some strong stuff).

I bet on the #6 horse in yesterday's Kentucky Derby. The horse was Messier. I did a $20 for WIN, and of course, that means I lost. Well, it was fun to try.

Not much else going on. Prolly a new project for work, but not sure what day.

PeacE

The Best Laid Plans ....

 The eye surgery on the Wife went just fine, I am guessing. Though they were running an hour and a half later than what we were told. Which meant we had to drive home in rush hour traffic. Of course, I took the side-streets to avoid the slow freeways. Well, that and the Wife was feeling nauseous, and I wanted to be able to turn onto a side street if she needed to empty the empty stomach. No way was I letting her puke in my new car! I stopped and picked up an early dinner on the way home as well.

This afternoon is her follow-up appointment - about the same distance as the surgery, just in the opposite direction.I'm sure they will tell her she can have the eye uncovered, and will be able to start driving as early as tomorrow. The Wife has taken time off work until Monday. The appointment is late enough this afternoon, that I called PT and explained. I was not driving out past his house, then back home, and back there for dinner. He said he would think about it and call me back. No call back yet. I did reach out to my brother, who told me he couldn't go as it is his daughter's final choir concert. So it looks like no dinner with PT tonight.

Good note: I got my stuff back! It was a pretty short trip from the surgery center to the precinct to pick up my keys, etc from the accident. I only had to wait maybe 10 minutes after giving them the form I had to fill out to let them know what I was there for. Then I had a thought. When I bought the newer car, I only got one key. I am writing the manager today saying I was told I would get the second one when the customer brought it in, and so they owe me a new one (explain more later). I could maybe use the old key and just have them recode it for the newer car. No, unfortunately, the Rav4 actually has a key for the ignition, and the old key doesn't fit. So onto that letter to the manager of the dealership. I was talking to my attorney friend last night, and explained about the key(s). He said I should just have the manager make a new key for my car, since I was told I was getting a second key. If they don't, then he knows a guy 'high-up' in the chain of the company that runs many of the dealerships in the valley. He could give him a call and have him ...etc etc. We will see...

Welp, off to see if I can get the Wife to go out for lunch.

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

Brunching It

 I went out to the VFW last night. It had been since Monday that I was last there. There are a few people that I enjoy to catch up with on Saturdays, plus there is karaoke. When I got there, a wedding and reception were just starting. Great. That means a crowd of people. But I preservered. I made it to 9pm, when they had the Queen of Hearst draw. I won twice. I won a quarter drink, and I got to pick for the queen. I didn't get her, but got a Jack, which is $25. The pot rolls on at just under $1200 now.

While I was out, I texted my brother. A week or two ago he was PO'ed at certain people that attend the VFW in a personal matter, and was not "blessing our prescence" with his. So I asked last night if he was ever going to come up there again. It is usually the only time we see each other and catch up, though his wife is along and tries to hear everything we talk about. Anyways, he said once some issues were cleared up, maybe by mid-June. So now I'm curious what is going on, so I invited him out to breakfast this morning at Golden Corral. I got about an hour before I meet up.

This morning is the second day in a row my sugar count has been under 200, and my BP was in the target range the doc wants me to have. Maybe these meds are working. I didn't have any issue with diarhea yesterday (surprisingly) so maybe that side effect is lessening. If not, on advice from Just an Average Joe, I will bring up to my doc for a slow release med, that should help lessen the effects. Thanks Joe!

Today's more positive thought: When I turned in the rental car last week, I made sure they were aware of the crack in the windshield that happened on the freeway. Ny insurance doesn't cover glass, so I told them to hold on to my deposit, plus what fees I was getting back (nearly $400) and cover the cost of the windshield. Enterprise called me last week, and said they were crediting the full amount back to me. I explained about the windshield. The gal said it was all taken care of already, and I would credited back the full refund due me like normal. Yea! 

Guess I gotta take care of a couple things before I head out.

PeacE