End Of Year Chores and Other Stuff

 Welcome to the last day of 2023. It is a nice 3pm here at this moment, and I am, preparing to go out for a bit to the pub. I won't be out late, as I hate the amateurs that think they can handle their alcohol. But I thought I would take a few moments to kinda recap this year... for me.

I'm, still working for the same Company, though projects this year were a bit more sparse than previous years. Hopefully this next week will find a project in my email ready to start, but I am not holding my breath. It is nice to be employed, though more hours would be nicer.

My health has improved. Through a number of doctor visits, we have gotten my diabetes back into a controllable range, and seemingly getting lower each time we check it. My BP is under control in a nice range the docs are happy with. I had to re-schedule the colonoscopy to mid January due to being sick, but it is still int he works to get done and find out those results. The docs are not happy with my fatty liver, from alcohol, though I have made efforts to reduce the amounts I was drinking. They can go stick it as far as I am concerned at this time. Still taking 5 prescriptions/day, plus the allergy pill and a vitamin (Centrum silver for those aged 50+). Overall, I feel healthier, though body pains are still there (knees, hips, and back). My weight has dropped from the beginning of the year, approximately 15 pounds.

I griped the other day about the notice from the city regarding one of our vehicles. Today I went out and did a 'tow truck trick' I found on youtube that got it out of park, and the Youngest and I rolled it so it is sitting at the end of the drive. Then I went online to Wounded Paws and set up to donate it. I will hear from them in the next 48 hours, and they should be coming to pick it up. I'll help the tow driver push it onto the street so he can hook it up, and it will be gone. Also got the new battery into the car the Youngest will get, and ran it for awhile. He has instructions to start it up every few days and let it run, unless we get some time out to practice his driving. Another thing to accomplish these early months so he will have his license by end of school year.

Caught up on all our bills, medical and otherwise for the year. Hopefully the Wife will have her W-2 by early February, and I will get taxes filed and done. No major trips planned as of now for this next year. Youngest graduating is the main plan as of now.

I lost too many friends this past year. I expect that number will slightly grow this next year, as we all get older.

I read 247 books, breaking my original goal of 200. I don't think I will start/finish one on this last day.

I've bettered family relationships, learning to let go of some of the anger I have had at certain people. In fact, I am doing lunch tomorrow at my Sister's home, and that in itself is a big step for me. I'm not saying I am completely over my issues, but I am trying to do better. My Brother is just a goofball idiot, and it is what it is, though we get along pretty good.

I have many good memories from this past year, most are probably of my granddaughter and time spent with her. A few are the rare times we were able to get all our children and families together for any reason. I was able to take RM out on a few "dates" though I don't think I made the quota for 1 each quarter.

I hope you each find happiness and joyful occasions as often as possible this new year that starts tomorrow.

PeacE

End of the Year Clean-Out

 The other day we received yet another notice from the city. This one reports that we have an inoperable car at our residence. We do. Buy who and why would they report it? I bet it is the same people that report my grass if it is over 6 inches high. That has been an on-going ordeal these past years - even when MIL & FIL lived here. Someone has it out for this house. The car is parked nicely on the driveway, and isn't sitting out int he front yard like trailer trash. It has been there for nearly three years, and NOW someone wants to complain. Why has it sat there so long? I can't get it out of park, in order to roll it onto the street, so the charity tow place can tow it (they can't pick up from driveways). The battery is gone (dead - non-chargeable) and the only other way to get it from park to neutral, that I have found (without buying a new battery) is to take the middle console out and more work than I wanted to do. Sigh.

So I have an old battery at hand. I am going to try to "jump" the car enough to get it out o park, then use the E-brake. If that doesn't work, then it is tearing it apart. I dread that. Just the hassle, etc.

So I am not happy today. The Wife also has to work some today to finish up EOM and EOY stuff. This last week has been short-handed on top of that. She has been working until 10pm most nights.

I need to get started on this car thing. Ugh.

PeacE

Another Commercial Holiday Over

 Christmas has come and gone, and I regret somewhat the amount of money we spent on presents, but I guess overall it was worth it. We had a good afternoon over at RM's and I don't know for everyone, but I know I enjoyed the gifts I received. One of the more favorite gifts for myself, a few hand-towels with family recipes for certain dishes that I enjoy, and now am able to look forward to making. Our late lunch/early supper of lunchmeat sandwiches was much more than I expected. RM had gone to the deli for meat versus just picking up some ones from the pre-packaged meat section. So there was pastrami, black forest ham, and more! Lots of iced tea for me (Thx Mom!) plus potato salad and deviled eggs.

Our second stop was at the Oldest Son's apartment, were we gathered the siblings for gifts exchanges. The Wife brought the annual stocking ball, and we found out the Oldest Son's GF is a natural! Giving out he gifts seemed like it would take forever, but I was finally able to sit down and open the few I received. I was happy with some homemade T-shirts my Daughter made, and the ordered in Hawaiian-style shirt the Wife got me, with pictures of Lucious, my kitty, showing off some of his different facial expressions. Afterwards, Middle Son had to head to work and the rest of us settled in to play some Cards against Humanity. By 10pm, the Wife and I were done and headed home. I even left the car unloading (except for food) until the next day.

Yesterday was mild. as I said I unladed a portion of the car. The Youngest got his stuff out this morning. I was feeling sort of weak throughout most of the day, and ended up napping a couple times. I'm guessing leftover from being sick, and then over-exerting myself Christmas with all the activity. My Sister has invited us for NYD lunch at her place. I have recently been trying to put our relationship into a better place. Needless to say, I don't want to speak of the event that sundered it... The Wife has to work, so I am debating if I want to go or not. I need to figure it out soon as needs to be known for how much food to supply.

Not sure what today will bring. I know I need to pick up meds from the store. Maybe a beer or two later on.

PeacE

Christmas Eve

 Almost 11:30pm, and yet I still cannot go to bed. The Wife has packages, presents, paper, boxes - all over the bed. Why she cannot do it at a table I do not know. But I have been trying to keep myself busy the past 3 hours. I was last told about 30 minutes ago she was "winding down". When I checked right now, they still are going. I asked about getting to bed.... no answer.

Tomorrow will be a busy one, even though we are only going to two places. I'm at the point I want this holiday over already. Might be because I am extremely tired right now.

Welp, off to see if I can get to bed now...

PeacE

Saturday, Pre-Christmas

 I am up sort of early. This week's sleep schedule has been soooo skewed from being sick, that even though I am trying to get back on track, there will be a few early mornings and late nights I am sure.

It is Saturday, and there is still so much that needs to be done for Christmas int he d00d household. Majority of it is wrapping, and the Wife does most of that (since she knows who gets what, etc). I know I still need to get my own wrapping done as well. Looks like two packages are not going to make it here in time, so that is four gifts I am missing.

I had gone out the other night, first time in almost a week - well, five days. As I was driving home I decided I should make my dessert this year. It's based off a recipe my Grandma Smith used back int he day, and was my Dad's favorite. Obviously, I have tweaked it since then. I shall wake the youngest here in a couple hours, and do what I hate to do - go out in public to a store two days before Christmas, for the supplies needed. Then he and I are going to make a couple batches (if I find enough supplies). If all works according to plan, I end up with 4 pie-sized portions of dessert. One to my buddy J, as I don't think I have ever made it for him before. I'm going to see about maybe giving one to my sister. The last two will go to RM's. Merry Christmas early RM, I know you'll read this before Monday!!

So I know what I need to get done, and now just to do it....

Edit: So I goofed. I realized I had forgotten a gift card for one person, so thought I would get that whilst at the store. Crowd wasn't terrible for 8am. I picked up my supplies and a couple other things needed then headed home. Was starting to put things away, and asked the Wife where the mixer/beaters were, then realized. I forgot the cherries I needed. Ugh! I don't want to go back. I'm tired of all the walking I just did. I thought maybe I could just order for pick-up, but they charge $$ if under a certain amount. So does Walmart come to find out. Amazon also charges more for same day if under $25. So, I just may not make it this year or at least for this weekend. It could wait until NYD, or until I am ready to go to the store....unless I can talk to the Wife into going today.....

PeacE

Ugh..... Sticky Keyboard

 I made the mistake of the other day, of opening a 2-liter soda in front of my computer. I was not thinking well (obviously) as it bubbloed and fizzed out as I was getting the cap of.... onto my keyboard. So today I am unhooking the wireless module, then running the keyboard under the faucet. Maybe get the stick away from the keys I use much of.... like s, ".", and other randoms. Shaking my head.

Got many other not so nice thoughts in my head tonight, but that happens when I can't sleep, the Wife is in bed sick, and I have no control over what happens. I am not saying I am a control freak, I just like to be able to plan for things. Right now, the next two days are ( waving arms madly in the air) I DON'T KNOW!!!

I know. Deep breaths. Find your center. I got that from movies versus an actual therapist. With my issues, I'd need a psychologist or better to figure my mental issues... damn sticky keys.

BE back after Christmas...... with a clean keyboard I hope.

Enjoy your holidays. Love your family.

PeacE

A Little Update

 I woke this morning feeling much better, so I think I may be pretty much over this bug. I feel for the Wife though, as she is just starting it. She has today off, as it was requested for my procedure, and she said she still has plans to get some things done today, even if she is sick. We will see.

Youngest's last day of school for the year is today. out of three classes, he only has one final to take. Then he is done until 1/9/2024.

Shopping online. I know RM has stated she has done quite a bit of her shopping online - mostly through Amazon I am guessing. I did a little through them. I think in the future, I will be doing more. There were a couple other sites I have come across that had items I wanted to purchase for Christmas, and so I did. Turns out they are based in China, and looks like of two orders, neither will be here for Christmas. I got burned on this early this year when I bought a couple carved wooden canes. Freaking Asians can't tell the difference between AVENUE And DRIVE, so the package was delivered (two months late) to the wrong address. Then when I went to seek reparation/refund, the site was no longer online. So these past two sites, I looked to be sure they were US based, and from all I could tell, they were. Nope. Tracking is in a Chinese delivery, and both said it would be 10-19 days to arrive. I went back to the two sites, and looked closer. One says based in LA, CA, the other NYC, NY. I notice now that neither has a phone number or physical address to contact them - only a generic looking email. I think that is the "tell" for future purchases.

Well, it is barely 9am, and I am headed back to bed. Had to get up to take Youngest as he missed his bus, and I am still tired - in body and mind- from being sick.

PeacE