Merry Christmas

 I'm awake and out of bed - for the second time this morning. The first one was around 530am, and only for about an hour, before I forced myself back to bed for rest. Today is going to be busy, so should rest while I can.

Around noon we will head over the the older boy's apartment for lunch, and await the Daughter and family to arrive. some sandwiches to hold us over until we go to RM's in the evening for dinner and gift exchanging. Then home. I am sure I will be exhauseted by then.

Hope you all enjoy your holiday.

PeacE

A Better Morning

 The back is feeling slightly better today. After doing my PT exercises, swallowing too many pills for pain, and just trying to NOT aggravate the back, it is finally starting to return to normal. I might be walking normally by Christmas. And, I figured my BP counts would be higher than usual due to the pain factor, but yesterday was the lowest BP and Glucose count days I have ever had. Weird.

So, I mentioned I had finished up what I considered to be my portion of the Christmas shopping on Tuesday. With the back hurting, I have not gotten around to wrapping those things - so today will be that day. I verified with the Wife that we had tape, and where it was. She also delegated met o wrap another shopping bag of things. I hate wrapping. If I didn't refuse to give gifts at most holidays, I would invest in a gift bag company. Or better yet, maybe I should get gift cards from now on. 

The back is hurting enough that I am not able to do the Santa gig at the Wife's work this morning. So last night, she dug out her Mrs Clause outfit, and I guess she is going to fill in for Santa. I didn't ask, because I didn't want to know. It was not a paid event, as I do it for volunteer work only. I feel bad enough I am not able to walk well enough to do it, but now she is "covering" for me....<growl>.

I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. My football team plays tomorrow afternoon, and I am thinking about heading to the pub to watch it. The Wife will be working on gift wrapping most of the later part of the day (hopefully not through midnight). Sunday is Christmas, and I don't believe our family is getting together until closer to noon. I think the Daughter & family won't be up until probably 2'ish. I should check withe her and find out. Then that evening we will join RM & PT for dinner and gift exchange at their house to round out the evening.

I'm kinda sitting here, looking at the "pile" of gifts I need to wrap - the ones I bought - and O think about what RM has been saying the past few days. I mean in regards to her worries if someone likes the gift she gets them or not, and how it is 'the thought that counts" versus the gift. I know most of the gifts I bought were things I was told that had requested - maybe not quite the style, but still. Some were not even asked for, but I had thoughts behind them. Then there are the gift cards of course. I really don't care if they like it or not. Be happy they are getting something, is my thought. Personally, I have become to dislike receiving presents more and more as the years pass. I don't know if it is a 'guilt' because maybe in my opinion the gift I received has more value than what I gave, or if it is I have to like it because it was a gift. I'm not saying I get things I don't like (well, that happens to all of us) it just makes me feel uncomfortable.

The Wife should be finishing up getting ready for work. I wonder if she is wearing the outfit, or taking and changing. Either way, waiting for her to leave. I'm going to cheat on my food stuff and head up to Jack in the Box for a breakfast meal and a large soda. Been craving soda quite a bit the last few days. Maybe the Middle Son will remember and get me some Mtn Dews for Christmas.

PeacE

It's Back (Again)

 Tuesday, I woke the Youngest and we went out to "finish shopping" for Christmas. I grabbed a few last items I needed, and he picked out some things for his Mom. All in all, I thought it was a good thing, and add in that I was getting some more exercise than normal with the additional walking that we were doing. Well, that was not the right thing evidently. I woke yesterday with my back hurting. Seems the walking and who knows what else I might have done wrong, my disk has started to slip again. Several times I spent doing the exercises the PT had me do years ago, and which I do everytime this happens. Usually within a day or two, it starts adjusting back to where it needs to be, but today I ain't feeling like it is. I am suppposed to play Santa tomorrow at the facility where the Wife works, but I told her yesterday I may not be able to, since I can hardly walk. She had texted back that they could whell me around ina  wheelchair. I didn't respond - not knowing if she was serious or joking.

So today is day two of exercises and acetaminophen. Laying doen is fine, as long as I don't roll over, or twitch. Sitting ina  chair is fine, until I need to get up and walk around. I'll probably end up in my oiffice chair, watching shows through the day. Maybe a little Warcraft.

It's no fun feeling like this....

PeacE

Why Bother the Teen?

 This morning found me wide awake at teh first going-off of the Wife's alarms. I quickly got out of bed to have use of the facilities before she would rise 30-45 minutes later. I was in dire need either way. Then I wandered into the office to sit at the computer. I decided to look at what new possible ARC of books I could find. I had not looked in a couple weeks, so thought I should. I did put in request for about 3-4 books, though if I am lucky, at least one wil lallow me to read it.

Speaking of reading, I just loked at my reading goals. I have finished 263 books this year - goal was for 200. Granted, as I looked through the list of ones I have read this year, many were what I would call short. These are the ones I can easliy read 1-2 of them in a day. Those long-series of serial-type books? You know what I mean. I have one series that has 62 book sin it (currently on book 50) so have a few more of them short ones to read yet. But mix in there some fairly longer reads that take me a week or more. Good stuff for the most part. I only recall a couple I had to mark down as did not finish, or that I just didn't like.

And it comes to today's post title. I am debating on waking the Youngest, to take him out shopping with me. I know I need to stop at our local Fry's Food to get gift cards. They have a good selection, and get 2X the gas points there as well, since the Wife uses them. I know I need at least 3 VISA cards, and a couple more for like fast food (for the two older boys). Depending what else is there, may do more. The Youngest needs to select some things for his Mom, and mentioned a couple ideas. If I can get him up, we will run to Walmar probably to select what he is thinking of. Then, as part of the bribe to get him up, may take him to lunch. All depends if I can get him up.

I'm supposed to dress as Santa this Friday for an event at the Wife's employment. I guess it is for a portion of the patients there, which most are elderly. I think she mentioned that staff was giving out presents to them as well, but I just have to be in the prescence I guess. She still has not confirmed what time, so who knows what will happen. It's at least a good 30 minute drive away, so hopefully she remembers to get the time.

Welp, not much else to do right now. It's only about 8:20 and no need to try waking the kid at least until closer to 10. I know he was up on the computer playing games until late, after all , he is on break from school.

PeacE

Second Morning

 Yesterday was a day of joy and sorrow. HAd a good morning watching Detroit win, watching Dallas lose in overtime, and had some time with a friend that is in state for the holiday. The Wife even let me take her out to Golden Corral for dinner. After arriving back home, that's when I got the phone from the Oldest Son. His car had been stolen from his apartment complex. He was calling to ask what should he do. Of course, he's calling me because it has happened to me a couple times in the last 30 years. I told him to call the non-emergency police line, get them out there to do a report, then get on into work. Not much else you can do at this point.

This morning I woke up around 2:30am. I tossed/turned in bed for a good hour before finally getting up. The Oldest Son had asked that I give him a ride home from work, and thought he would done near-abouts 4:30am. He finally called so I went and got him home. We talked a bit more about what his options are right now, and I gave advice on what I think he should do. Mostly I told him to just get some rest, de-stress, and move on for now. There was not much of any major value in the car, other than the car itself, and that can still be replaced. I know he is just upset at the feeling of being victimized and having something personal stolen from him. I went through that as well.

So back home I crawled (fell?) back into bed and cat-napped until the Wife's alarm had gone off four or five times and she finally got up for work. So, second morning, now that I am awake and up again. I am sure I will see a nap later today.

No news on the work front. Even if a project got started this week, I would pass on it for now. Trying to be available for the Son if he needs a ride, or they find his car, etc. That, and wrapping of presents needs to be done (I hate doing that) but trying to help out with it all. Still need to get out to one store for a few gifts yet as well.

Guess I should get something done.

PeacE

Miracle? Or Just Recovery?

 Hmph. Last night's 4th Annual Santa Run seemed to be beset with problems from the get-go. About two hours from "go time" I get a text from one of the guys, that he can't find his Santa suit. Not my problem - I didn't put it up last year. But no suit - no go. I suggested he run to Party City ( a store) and see if they have any cheap ones he could buy. He never showed for the run. Out of the signed up 22 persons (guys) only 17 actually showed up. Not a bad ratio in my figuring, but my buddy who co-sponsors it was a bit dissappointed.

Overall I had a good time. The Oldest Son and I got to hang out and talk about "guy stuff" and catch up on just life in general. Yeah, I may have had a couple too many, but woke this morning at 9:ish feeling fine. No hangover, just that strong desire to relive an overloaded bladder. I was there for awhile. I had made no plans for this day, more specifically this morning, as I did not know how I would feel..

Just got a text from my football buddy that he will not make it to the pub for the games. Of course I told him last week, I would probably not be there this week, but actually I will head up there shortly. I guess he has a 'bad cough' (his words) and he is kinda weird about when he is sick, or being around others when they are sick. It's fine. I'll catch up with him next week.

Alright. I gotta go take care of a  few things then I amheading to the pub to see if my Redskins can beat the Giants (tied 2 weeks ago). And I am taking my tablet to do some reading as well.

PeacE

Time for the Running of the Santas

 Whew! I am up early! The Youngest has a call-time of :am at the band room,  and he actually woke me around :am as he was getting in/out of the shower. I waited until the Wife's alarm went off (to wake him, though he was already up) and told her she gets to take him since she had on more clothes than I (she had on pj's). Before they left she came back in and grabbed an old flannel jacket of mine, as she said it was 35 out this morning. I hinted I wondered what is open at 6am for breakfast besides Dennys and McDonalds. Will see if she got the hint and picks up a breakfast from Wendys of JitB. I'm kinda hungry sitting here this morning.

Youngest came in the office here this morning in shorts and a T. I asked if he was going to be warm enough, and he said once they have full uniform on, and the marching, he'll be warm enough. I remember my days back in Junior High in Frankfort, marching in the Christmas parade, in the snow. It was so cold! At least I was playing a plastic sousaphone and not a brass one, or a brass tuba.

Santa Run is this evening. I texted with the Oldest Son last night, and I guess his friend is not going now. Something about having some teeth removed in the last week, and not sure that things have healed up enough that he should be drinking. Wuss. Oh well. More time for my Son and I to talk. I will spend a portion of today getting things together. I have got 200+ candy canes to throw into the Santa bag. I also bought some fur-trimmed boots to use with my suit rather than the 'shoe-covers' that come with it. I need to run by the bank yet at some point and get the money out for this evening as well.

Think I heard the Wife come home. Gonna go see if she brought breakfast - though I doubt it.

PeacE

Edit: The Wife did NOT bring breakfast. So around 7:30 I told her I needed food to get rid of my morning sick feeling (from meds) and I would take her to Ronnie's. She was all for that. Now back home and getting the candy canes all together. Unpacked the Santa suit (the bar one) and my new boots I ordered to go with it. Now killing time until this evening. Definitely will nap at some point.