Lasagna

Happy Friday!

Last night thinking about supper I didn’t really like the options I saw in the freezer.  I was thinking it sure would be nice to have some Stouffer’s Lasagna.  Then I found that I had some.  That was was I made and magically it turned out fabulously.  It tasted like the first time I tried the dish, but it wasn’t.  I really enjoyed it and wished that I had some cheese garlic bread to go with it.  Both cats came to beg as if they knew what I was having.  They got none of it. 

Managed to get the trash barrel out yesterday and man it is cold out.  I looked around and the snow looks beautiful but I didn’t stay out for very long.  I have to go back out to retrieve the barrel and it’s even colder today so I don’t look forward to it. 

I did some tire shopping on-line yesterday and based on everything I see it’s going to be roughly around $1,200 for tires.  Last time I did this it was $840.  It’s been a few years but I didn’t get nearly the miles out of the tires that they are warrantied for.  In fact I don’t think I’ve ever been that fortunate.  I didn’t buy anything, I plan to go to a local shop because the tire I wanted I didn’t see online.  I’m guessing it will be a special order, if it’s even still made.  I know the brand Hankook is still very much in business and making tires.  These were recommended to me by my friend and it’s what he runs, he’s had very good luck and honestly since I switched to them so have I, so I see no reason to change.  My vehicle came with Michelin's but the rubber is so soft it wears quickly and I went through tires like every 2 years, that of course is back when I did a lot more driving.  As for where I am at now, I’m in the yellow zone and I know I can go a bit longer but honestly I don’t like things lingering, lets get them replaced and move on.  It’s one less thing I will have to worry about. 

Scheduled a haircut for next Saturday.  For some reason longer hair has become attractive to me on guys.  I’m talking seriously long like a rock star back in the 80’s long.  My brother grew his hair out back when we were in high school and I remember the culture shock when he chopped it off and went back to short hair.  While I want longer hair I don’t have the patience to grow it out.  I go with a buzz cut something I have done for years.  Not super short for winter.  Summertime absolutely. 

I want to try a lot of things like longer hair or getting my ears pierced.  I’ve just never gone through with it.  I do have some fake earrings that attach via magnets and I found ear cuffs that I have worn.  I like the look just don’t know that I want to punch a hole in ear lobe.  With my luck it would get infected.  However, I can always change my mind.  I haven’t this far and kind of doubt as I get older that I will but one never knows. 

Yesterday workwise was a great day, it was relaxing and I was able to pretty much just sit on the couch and glance at my screen.  Watch TV and live life.  Today will kind of be like that for a bit but then later in the afternoon and even into the late evening I have work to do.  I’ve got everything prepped so it should take long I am eager to just get it out of the way so that I can start my weekend. 

Feeling pretty good, burns are healing up nice.  Still itching like crazy.  Here’s hoping that it’s a safe but productive weekend, despite the cold.  Stay warm and be well.  I will talk with you all again soon.  Thank you for stopping by!

Man Candy - Hot Guys to warm up to

Frustration

Morning … Yesterday wasn’t the best day but it also wasn’t the worst.  My aggravation started off with my boss asking me to do something that is all of our responsibilities.  He wasn’t clear on his directive and I balked back at him.  I didn’t hesitate I just mouthed off via email.  Once I got some clarity on what he wanted I begrudgingly took care of it.  Then we had our regular weekly meeting.  That spilled over to a special meeting and while that was going on we had an urgent request come in.  Like a dummy I jumped on it, despite it being the on-call persons responsibility.  It was a landmine – meaning that it required a lot of extensive work.  That took me right up to my normal lunchtime. My boss also managed to make sure that we have a meeting today and then again on Friday.  I have to talk to him every damn day this week, I hate that.  I’m ready for a break!  Hope he goes back to his normal self and gets out of this micromanage phase he seems to be in.  I’m sure it’s because of my older colleague retiring.   

While at lunch I decided to check email and saw that I had a bill from the cable company come in.  I normally just file those in the trash because I am on autopay and I don’t wait for that I pay early.  Well I happened to look at this bill and there was a balance of $5 which was a complete surprise to me.  Turns out they took away the $5 discount for autopay so my bill went up.  That sent me over the edge.  I paid the $5.  However, I called and demanded a better price they get what I consider to be an extravagant amount of money out of me.  I got a guy who’s goal was to try to upsell me and to “bundle” I had to tell him multiple times I’m not interested in a “bundle” just give me the best price for internet.  He came back with $55 and I took it.  That’s good for 12 months and my speed went from 400mpbs to 1gig.  That’s a symmetrical connection so 1gig up and down.  They are sending me a new modem which will be here in a couple days.  We hung up the phone and suddenly I had no internet.  I looked in the app and it said that my internet was “disconnected”.  Well I was working from home and actually just started a Zoom meeting.  I had to pivot over to my cell phone hot spot for service.  Then made a couple trips downstairs to reboot the modem two different times.  After 15 minutes everything came back up.  I was worried for a few minutes.  Once the new modem arrives I know that there will be another round of not fun in getting it setup.  They make it sound simple but it never quite goes that way for me, here’s hoping that this time will be different. 

As if that wasn’t enough Rudy decided to bug me multiple times for food when I had just fed him.  That was aggravating but I already know that I have to go buy cat food this weekend.  When I bought their dry food I thought I was getting the same thing but it was slightly different.  They like the new stuff so much so that I need to get another bag.  I just opened it on the 21st and they are gobbling it like it’s candy.  This morning it was Mora’s turn to complain about breakfast and I had to break open a second can to feed her.  I split it so her brother hog jaws would eat and leave her alone.  Then I put her portion down.  She looked around expecting him to come invade but he didn’t because he was busy eating his half of the new can.  She ate well and was quite happy about it.  These two are something else but they are my reason for living and they are what keeps me going.  I wish at times they weren’t around.  However, perhaps things will get better for me this year, I just have to make it through Winter. 

The guy who cleaned my driveway texted me back yesterday asking for my email address.  I gave it to him and he said he would send me a bill.  It’s not like he is in any hurry.  I really wish that he would have knocked on the door so we could have settled up.  I hate to have things linger.  I just like to breathe easy knowing what expenses are around the corner.  His bill shouldn’t break the bank.  I really am wondering what he is going to charge me.  He did such a better job than the kids I hired last year.  They had like 5 or 6 kids shoveling by hand.  This guy had himself and one other person.  One worked the snow blower and the other worked the shovel.  Then they followed up with salt.  I am way more impressed and satisfied with the job this guy did even if it took a bit longer to get him here it was worth it, at least to me. 

Thinking about the weekend.  I kind of dread having to get out because it’s back to bitter cold here starting tonight.  Need to hit up the post office and pet food store.  I’d like to get a quote for new tires but it’s not essential that I have it this weekend, I could push it to next weekend. I also have to make my usual Sunday grocery trip.  Those are the only required stops.  However, I have cabin fever and really want to get out of here.  I know I will go some place locally for a bite to eat.  I’m sure I will be cussing the whole way that is until I get warm.  The goal is to be productive, have a little fun but overall stay as warm as possible. 

The burns on my back are still healing.  Kind of drying out a bit.  I think the one where I popped the blisters might leave some scarring but that honestly doesn’t matter to me so long as it heals and I can be done with this.  I hate having to remember to put on antibiotic ointment, however if I forget my body does remind me. 

Here’s hoping today is better than yesterday was.  Maybe I will sleep through the night soon!  Stay warm and well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Down & Up

Today is the third day of something new I have been trying.  Come down to get my day started and knock out work that I have pending.  Once that’s done, do a little bit of surfing and then head back upstairs for the day.  I log in on my laptop so I don’t miss anything and unless it’s urgent I put the task off until the next day.  If it’s urgent then I just take care of it. 

This gives me a bit more time with the cats and also allows me to chillax a bit more.  I like it and the cats seem to as well.  Just as long as they don’t get hooked on it.  Kind of takes me back to the Gator Days where she would permit me to work downstairs for a couple hours and then cry her head off until I came upstairs to be with her and we sat next to each other on the couch.  Her comfortable and passed out in a nice fluffy pet bed and me uncomfortable hunched over a laptop screen with an aching back.  Ah memories!

All of my work for now is done, unless something comes rolling in and it probably will.  However, the rest of the day is nothing but a bunch of meetings which are a huge waste of time but hey I’m being paid to be bored out of my mind so I don’t know that it gets better than that. 

Saw a couple free movies on YouTube yesterday.  One of which I had seen before it had Chevy Chase and Charles Grodin in it.  The other one well can’t say as I remember.

I’ve had sleeping problems all week long.  I fall asleep fine but wake up in the middle of the night and am awake for a couple hours.  Normally I get up and watch TV.  Last night I just laid in bed and tosses and turned, eventually I passed out but woke up again.  Rudy didn’t exactly help matters when he decided to play and jump on and off the bed violently.  At one point Mora curled up with me and then a short time later Rudy came and laid down on top of me.  I just basked in the glory of feeling both of them close to me.  That was relaxing and I know that lulled me to sleep for a while. 

Another bitter cold day here and even colder weather on tap for the weekend.  While I look forward to getting out I don’t know that I will be out all that much.  I would like to go for a nice drive and once the car warms up and I get comfy it’s not bad.  However, something tells me I won’t be venturing terribly far at least that’s the plan for now.  I’ve still got to get through today and then stick out two more days.  I get to take the trash out tomorrow that won’t be fun. 

Here’s hoping for a boring and calm day with the meetings I have to attend being over with sooner rather than later.  May your day be filled with calm and sunshine.  Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Got Blown

Morning … I was hoping to get plowed but instead got blown, that is snow blown.  The guy finally showed up last night at 7:30p.  I had honestly lost all hope and had a backup ready to call.  However, my little voice once again said patience.  The odd thing is that he never rang the door bell or knocked on the door.  Just did the job and left.  I sent a text to him asking how I can pay but thus far no response.  I’m sure that a bill will show up eventually.  He did a good job and even put salt down afterwards.  Most people charge extra for salt. 

I don’t have any regrets on removing the patches/bandages on my back.  Things are healing nicely.  One side is still warm to the touch but I am keeping the antibiotic ointment applied on it.  Tonight I plan to shower and know that won’t feel the greatest.  The burn on my left shoulder itches like crazy.  I looked that up and it’s part of the healing process it can subside in months or possibly never.  I think once it’s healed the itching will stop.  You shouldn’t scratch but I’ve caught myself a couple times.  I have also applied ICE to help combat the itching, that works until my skin gets back to normal temp and then the itching comes right back. 

My boss called and woke me up from a nice nap yesterday.  I wasn’t the nicest person but told him that he didn’t bother to read the communication that was sent.  Once I did that he changed his tune and the work he had planned for me vanished.  However, that didn’t last long.  Someone wrote in about another issue and he pounced on me again.  Talk to the vendor he said, ask this and that.  Once again it came down to taking time to read.  I did that and was able to answer his question.  Then he came back with a please verify with the vendor.  I did and told him that what I told him initially was in fact true.  Then he wanted my take on it.  Also ask if it will harm the sun and see if it possibly causes cancer.  Yeah he didn’t ask those two last things but he did ask more stupid questions.  I know I responded to the email and shut him down but damn I can’t find it anywhere in my sent items.  If he comes asking I know what to say.  Most of the time he sends us on these impossible stupid tasks and if you don’t bother to follow-up he’s got so much going that it will drop off his radar.  My problem is that I am just too quick.  I don’t have time for bullshit so if you ask me to do something I do it and then tell you once it’s done.  I don’t waste time or beat around the bush.  Most of the time it works well for me.  The only time it is my downfall is when it comes to the bosses stupid requests.  Now that were going to be down a member I know there is more of that to come.  He’s got anxiety about it and that is how it’s manifesting.  He’s an overthinker and doesn’t see the trees for the forest at times. 

After a quick trip back down here in the morning I was able to transition to work upstairs and the cats loved that so much more.  We took in some sunshine together which I think helps.  I found things to watch or just to have some noise on.  Supper came early for the cats because Rudy kept begging me.  Mora got in lots of cuddle time and overall I think they were both quite pleased. 

I plan for the same today only this time when I go up in a bit I will make the move then instead of later. 

It’s nice knowing that I can get out if I need to.  Looking forward to getting out of the house come Saturday.  Other than that it’s cold here and will be for quite sometime.  Hope that you have a great day and are safe & warm.  Take care!

Bitter Cold

Morning … Yesterday afternoon I got an alert that our office would be closed today due to weather.  I thought it was a wise decision for them to close things up given the amount of snow that has fallen as well as how bitter cold it was going to get overnight.  -10 is what was forecasted.  It’s cold this morning I felt it inside as my furnace was working it’s magic to warm this place up.  Looked outside and saw another neighbor cleared their driveway.  I am really hoping that the guy I called comes to clean my driveway today.  If not I will have the struggle of finding an alternate.  Social media has a nice long list it’s just pick and choose, you have no idea what your getting.  Saw one guy saying he would clean all senior citizens driveways for free.  That was refreshing, most people want something in return. 

I had plenty of time on my hands yesterday and it was kind of nice to know that up front.  I took my time but accomplished everything on my to do list that I wanted to get done. 

Got my shower last night and wow the water did sting a bit on the burns.  However, they appear to me to be healing.  I made sure to soap them both up good and rinse off well.  Patted that skin dry and then dried off normally.  Got more non-stick pads and put on more antibiotic ointment and covered them up.  Did some research and found that these are actually 2nd degree burns since they blistered.  I might use my cupping devices again but there will be no infrared/heat I’m just not taking that risk again.  The tape has my skin itching like crazy so much that this morning I am throwing caution to the wind and I ripped off the patches.  Put on some more ointment and a shirt.  I hope that exposing them to the air will help with healing and get the itch to calm down a bit. 

I did get bored as one might expect with TV.  I watched some national news and focused a bit more on the ICE situation in Minneapolis.  Wow, I can’t believe that yet another person was murdered by the government.  That guy did nothing wrong and was trying to help a woman who was being barraged by ICE agents.  The governments take that he was a threat and looked to inflict danger is obviously all wrong.  An ICE agent can be seen in the video taking the guys gun seconds before shots rang out.  Plus the number of times he was shot.  Not one bullet should have been fired much less several.  These ICE agents they have deployed clearly don’t know how to do their jobs and lack serious training.  It’s only a matter of time before one or several of them get hurt in addition to the innocent American’s.  There is nothing wrong with Immigration Enforcement but do it with skill, planning and educated & well trained agents.  Not the average Joe Citizen that you just hand a badge and gun to.  It’s appears that these guys are all average Joe’s, that is HIGHLY DANGEROUS and NOTHING GOOD WILL COME OF IT.  I can’t wait until we get a real President but that is years down the road.  Meanwhile we have to keep dealing with the bullshit.  He (The President) clearly doesn’t know what he is doing and just wants awards, attention and to sew chaos while wrecking the White House and making it look as gaudy as possible.  Why anyone voted for him a second time is beyond my understanding.  You saw what he did in his first term, you can’t be surprised by the shit he is pulling now.  Why can’t we all just get along and live in some semblance of peace and harmony?  Minneapolis was fine before these thugs invaded it and Minneapolis is STRONG and the people WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS.  GOD HELP US, WE NEEDED IT NOW MORE THAN EVER. 

I don’t get political terribly often because I know that causes tension and it’s the last thing I want to do.  However, I just can’t sit by and not say anything and pretend all is normal when I am outraged by what I saw in videos from multiple sources.  Something is clearly seriously wrong. 

Hope you are safe and warm.  Have a great day and I will talk with you all again soon. 

Man Candy - Snow Surprise

Getting Plowed ?

The snow has fallen and it is going to continue for a few more hours and then we are done!  I am VERY GLAD that I listened to my little voice and went to the grocery store on Thursday.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to get out today.  I have a foot of snow in my driveway.  While I know that I could get out if I needed, getting back in would be the challenge, especially now that I am about in the market for tires. 

Yesterday (Saturday) I woke up early to feed Rudy, had my breakfast, and then watched TV and went back to bed.  When I woke up, we had a dusting of snow.  It took a long time before it started to really accumulate.  One of my neighbors bought an electric snow blower and he cleared his driveway in record time.

I watched TV and got some porn going on my laptop.  I surfed all day long and got quite worked up.  I also decided to give cupping another try.  That was a stupid idea.  I did not know that you could burn yourself from the infrared heat. That is what happened to me.  I got two burns.  One on each shoulder.  When I looked at it at first it looked like a pimple, so I popped one side wide open, that is when I realized it was a burn and not a pimple.  I put some ice on each side for a while and that cooled things off.  Then applied antibiotic ointment.  I put my shirt back on and just went about the day.  Before bed I found some sterile nonstick pads and some first aid tape, applied more antibiotic ointment and some Aquaphor.  Put the pads on with the tape.  Then I wondered, is this what it feels like when you get Angel Wings? Now my back does not hurt from muscle pain it hurts for a different reason. 

I had a nice release before bed since I was still quite worked up from all the content I watched earlier in the day.  Made it through the night and slept fine.  Woke up early to take care of my work testing and to feed Rudy.  Had breakfast and watched TV for a couple of hours before I headed back to bed. 

I am working on laundry now.  I’ve done some surfing this morning and got my desktop rebooted so it’s all fresh and ready for the week ahead. 

Made a call to a guy I called last year when we had a large snowfall to get my driveway plowed.  He asked if I needed to get plowed today. He’s talking about my driveway, but my mind went elsewhere because sex is always on my brain.  I said no hurry I do not plan on going anywhere.  He said to plan for tomorrow hopefully to take care of things.  I will be up and around since it’s a workday.  Last year his plow broke down, and he wound up letting me down and that is when I had to hire some kids off social media and got raped on the price.  I hope this is a better experience.  I never asked price, but I am hoping he will be cheaper than the kids that raped me last year, that is if he shows up.  I honestly do not plan to leave all week long until Saturday, but it would be nice to know that I could get in and out if I wanted to. 

Come Saturday I plan to get a quote on tires.  They are not bald but I am for sure in the market for new ones.  Braking takes a bit longer and I’d just as soon get new tires and be safe, even if I do wind up trading this vehicle later in the year.  However, I am thinking more like hanging on to this vehicle a bit longer. Kind of depends on how things go. 

I have been listening to the scanner and yesterday the trooper I rode with last year was working, he must have pulled a 12-hour day.  Lots of accidents and medical calls. Today is much of the same and there appear to be a lot more accidents.  I am not hearing a whole lot of activity locally, most of it is State traffic.  There are also lulls and I wonder if my scanner is still powered on, then activity starts up again.  This is for sure busy season for all first responders and telecommunicators (aka dispatchers). Kind of glad that I am on the listening end but kind of wish that I could be at the helping end a bit.  I’ve thought of a career change to a dispatcher.  However, my current job isn’t that bad and I can work. from home.  I could not do that if I changed jobs. 

Waiting for the laundry to finish and then I am headed up to put it away and start cleaning.  Then getting my pills set out for the week and by then it will be figuring out what to watch on TV to occupy myself.  I could easily sit in front of the computer screen all day, but I would rather watch TV.  I will be back in front of the screens tomorrow.  I’m going to get a shower tonight and I am low key a bit nervous since I do not know how bad it will feel on the burns.  I know that cleaning them and getting fresh dressings on will be a good thing.  They are very minor burns but still they hurt a bit at times.  Hopefully, they will heal up quickly. 

Hope you are safe, warm, and enjoying the weekend!  Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Man Candy - GAYVN's part 2

Man Candy - GAYVN'S, part 1

Snowmageden

Hi & Welcome!   Last night I did something I normally don’t do on a Thursday evening.  I went to the grocery store.  I kicked around the idea in the early afternoon.  Talked myself out of it.  Then as the evening wore on and I heard more of the predictions for snow totals I opted to get out while it was good. 

Turns out I was far from alone at the store.  Everyone was there.  Milk was starting to disappear.  However the bread rack looked like we were in the pandemic.  Practically empty.  I grabbed the only 1/2 loaf of Italian Bread they had.  Bread is pretty much bread to me.  I have some Ham I am working on getting rid of and fresh bread is a must when it comes to a sandwich. 

I was in and out of the store just as fast as I would be on a Sunday.  My heart was beating like it was going to fly out of my chest.  I did some fast walking to cause that.  Managed to spend an even amount of money, just like I did this past Sunday. 

Before I got out of my car to go in I noticed at a stop light that my mileage was 77770.  I thought to myself all sevens must be good luck. 

I pressed my luck on and hit up the post office.  Had a package of OTC Health Care items waiting for me and a piece of junk mail.  Then stopped at the gas station just to top off the tank.  I spent $9 exactly. 

That was the end of my luck, I was cold and just wanted to get home.  Unloaded the groceries.  Hooked up the car to the battery charger to keep it maintained as the temperatures plummet. 

I am all stocked up and ready to ride out the weekend and the next week ahead.  Not that I really want to stay put but it sounds like it’s the best thing to do based on what I’ve heard thus far. 

Latest is that were getting 2 rounds of snow.  One on Saturday and then the bigger wave on Saturday evening into Sunday.  It’s all still dry powder so if I want to try to shovel I think I might be able to tackle this on my own.  However, I will wait and see.  Probably not going out to mess with it since nothing good ever comes from me with a snow shovel.  My wrists get messed up and I wear myself out.  I think I am just too old and out of shape for that stuff. 

Watched FREE BURT on Netflix last night.  It was so good.  It’s a series about Burt Kreischer and his family.  If your looking for a laugh give it a watch. 

Woke up at 3a, back muscle knot.  I watched more Home Improvement and turned up the furnace a degree.  The cats took over my bed and were fast asleep snuggled up next to each other.  I looked at them and said they have the right idea.  Just wish I had a person to snuggle with besides the cats. 

I know there is plenty of TV waiting for me tonight and I look forward to enjoying it.  Hopefully, on-call will be quiet.  I do have to get up early on Sunday for some testing but other than that I am free.  I’m sure I will have some extra time in bed. 

Looking forward to keeping warm and watching the snow fall as I listen to the police scanner and hear other folks having a bad day.  Hopefully there won’t be anything major and everyone heeds the warnings that are out. 

Well back to my reality of work, it’s fairly quiet.  It was rather noisy yesterday afternoon with the Microsoft365 outage.  Were not on M365 yet but schedule to migrate this year and I don’t look forward to that at all.  Just because it’s something out of our control and in the cloud.  When it goes down the whole organization will stop and people will bitch.  However, it’s the wave of the future they say and it’s something we have to do because Microsoft will stop supporting Exchange on prem.  Just another way for Microsoft to make money.

That’s all I have for now.  Check back a bit later for some photos from the GAYVN’s.  I found them on-line this morning and thought you would enjoy seeing them.  Take care and above all stay warm & well.

Wicked Storm

The sky is falling or so it would seem.  There is a storm alert out it sounds like it’s going to be a snow packed weekend.  What I’ve heard thus far is that were getting all snow and nothing else.  However, forecast models change.  I have heard anything from 4 to 6 inches but again that can change.  The wicked part of this is the brutal cold that is moving in and taking temperatures for a serious nose dive. 

As long as I can get out to grab my mail and make a trip to the grocery store that’s all I really care about.  I would like to eat out as I normally do on the weekend but if it’s really that bad I know I can find something around here to eat. 

I really wanted to throw the towel in yesterday but I pushed forward after the meeting with the boss, I went up and passed out lunch for Rudy.  Then I cracked open a can of Chicken Noodle Soup for me.  Rudy of course thought it was for him and he begged me for it but I kept pointing to the food that I just put out for him.  Eventually he got the hint.  I enjoyed my soup and it helped breathe some life into me. 

I wound up moving upstairs for the remainder of the afternoon.  Sitting in the sunshine with the cats napping and my laptop in front of me was different and enjoyable. 

Had a super hot shower.  Normally I like the water warm but last night turning the dial a bit more to the left felt good, especially on my back.  First time in a while when I got out there was steam.  The doc that I saw at urgent care said to breathe all of that in it will help clear out the nose. 

When I opened the door Rudy came running in and got in the bathtub to start his drinking.  He got out and played with the shower curtain and then dove right back in and started drinking again.  He’s the one that has an obsession with my bath water.  Mora drinks from it now and then.  Not sure why I mean I’d rather have the bottled filtered water that I provide for them instead of tap.  Even I drink tap water and save the good stuff for the cats. 

Got woken up last night by some muscle knots.  I broke out the massager and sat up for a while to help relax and recover so I could go to bed.  My back seriously needs a good workover from a talented set of hands.  Nothing seems to sooth and provide relief like a good massage.  If I am truly trapped this weekend I might try a hot bath.  It would be the first bath that I have taken since I had these two and I am kind of interested to see their reaction. 

Today is kind of a relaxed day.  I’ve got a meeting with the boss later this afternoon.  It’s our usual touch point that is a complete waste of time.  With my older colleague retiring between me and my mistake making colleague I will be the one with the most seniority.  That doesn’t get me anything it’s just a realization I had the other day.  I know that stress levels are about to increase since we will be short handed.  There is a plan to replace the guy that is retiring but as I know from past experience that takes 3 to 6 months.  From the words I hear from the boss sounds like he is planning on 3 months.  Then you have the training process and learning.  Yuk!  It can be fun depending on the person your training.  I hope the new person is in an office that isn’t mine.  Not sure if we will wind up with an outsider or someone internally.  I know that there is some interest from other teams about moving to our team.  I’m interested in seeing what this does for the working relationship between me and the mistake maker.  It’s either going to bring us closer together or push us further apart. 

As I have said before I enjoy the paycheck but I seriously would love to walk out and now would be the perfect time because it would dump everything on the dick’s shoulders that has caused me so much pain and work.  That would crush him as well as my boss.  They’d both be chasing their tails and not knowing which end was up.  However, I’m staying put at least for now.  I’m kind of at the age where it would be painful to start over despite the temptation.  I do think I have a good thing going. 

If your in the path of this winter storm hope that you stay warm and safe.  Talk with you all again soon.  Be well.

Man Candy

Ugh–again

Morning – I think the short course of steroids did give me a jump start but I think that is wearing off.  I woke up this morning after having a good nights sleep and felt lousy.  My neck is killing me which in the last few years is a sign that I am sick.  I feel horrible.  Really don’t feel like doing any work today. 

However, I trudged down here and got logged in.  Things started off calm.  It allowed me to return upstairs and take a brief in and out nap over the course of an hour.  I woke up, fell back asleep and woke up again. 

Came down to a meeting and just hearing my bosses voice I wanted to tell him to fuck off.  He’s being his normal self but honestly I’m just not in the mood to deal with it today.  Played his little game and went through the first meeting.  We have another one coming up in a few minutes. 

I’m debating if I want to stick around for the rest of the day or just call it and unplug & rest with the hope that I will feel better tomorrow.  There’s nothing major going on at the moment or over the course of the next few days that is on my calendar.  Nothing that is that my co-worker couldn’t cover.  While I really don’t want to take anymore time off, if my body continues to tell me to rest I’m certainly going to listen to it. 

The part that sucks is since I have been back for a full day it’s a reset on the timer.  We have to use 5 days of our time before short term disability kicks in.  Had I known that I would feel like this I would have just stayed out longer.  Honestly STD (Short Term Disability) is a nightmare with the paperwork and emails, keeping up with them makes it feel very much like your working.  Imagine having do to all that while your feel like death.  I don’t know how it works if your in the hospital but I suspect that they would just withhold payment while you were hospitalized until you could complete the paperwork. 

Insurance companies and paperwork they go together like love & marriage.  You can’t have one without the other.  :)

Had my soup and sandwich last night for supper.  It was pretty good.  Right now I’m looking forward to Chicken Noodle for lunch, despite not really wanting to eat I think adding some food might change things, hopefully for the better.  Well off to my meeting. 

Take care!

Back at it

As you can probably gather by the title I am back to work.  Still feeling a bit crummy and my cough is still with me.  My hope is that as the days go on this week that each day I will continue to see improvement.  I have made great progress from where I was but I still have that internal burning/nagging feeling that is telling me I am sick. 

Yesterday I laid around for the morning.  By the afternoon I forced myself to get up, get a shower and go out.  Stopped at the gas station to fill the tank.  Then on to my usual Mexican Restaurant where I filled my stomach.  It was early like 2:30p.  I was fine I only had a cookie around 7p when I was watching TV.  I got back home around 3:30p and started on work stuff.  That kept me busy until 6:30p and I made great strides. 

Found out what surprises were left for me and managed to tackle the rest of them this morning.  Plus a few fresh email requests.  I let my team know I was back but had to leave for the dentist.  They don’t know this but I plan to stop at the post office afterwards.  When I went to grab mail over the weekend I had a note in my box that they had something for me but couldn’t put it in my box.  I’m not expecting anything and think they either made a mistake or it’s something I probably really don’t want.  I hate the unknown’s so I want to get that sorted. 

Then I will be home until Saturday unless there is some reason to leave.  It’s no fun getting out in the colder weather.  We have a little warm up coming but were only going from like 10 to 30 so nothing significant.  I mean it’s January and it’s supposed to be cold here. 

I just want to get totally back to my old self and feel “normal”.  Thinking about soup and perhaps a sandwich for supper, that will be different.  It’s cat lunch time so I need to head up to tend to them and change clothes so I am ready to go to the dentist when the time comes. 

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  Thanks for stopping by!

Accomplishments for today

Well I did all of my usual morning errands.  Hit up the cat food store in the afternoon and then left town for that BBQ place that is an hour and a half away.  I enjoyed the drive but it would have been better on a warmer day.  The food was good but the restaurant didn’t have the best atmosphere.  It’s a sports bar type place but the location that closed years ago that was more local to me was more refined and upscale looking.  What I went to today was like a hole in the wall.  I had the Brisket with some mashed potatoes and broccoli.  It came with a slice of Garlic Bread.  Washed it all down with a couple diet sodas.  Saw a twink and he was playing with his girlfriend but unbeknownst to him he put on quite the show for me.  He had a sweet ass. 

Once I got home it was a little after 5p and the sun had just set.  The gas tank is almost empty so I will need to fill it up tomorrow. Probably going out for Mexican food if I feel like it, if not then at least to the gas station.  It’s supposed to be even colder here tomorrow with a cold front moving in tonight.  The furnace is running a lot more, I turned it up one degree before I left this afternoon to keep it comfy for the cats. 

I logged on to work and trimmed my inbox from 364 emails to 64.  Nothing like time away to point out the amount of useless emails that you accumulate each week.  There are tons of things I am copied on that don’t matter to me, that I could care less about and just delete or file away.  Man shit really went sideways while I was out this past week.  My co-worker picked and chose what he would do and what he wouldn’t touch.  That makes it difficult for me because I have to check every little thing and it’s time consuming.  There is plenty more to do tomorrow and I do plan to get more into the thick of things then.  Hopefully, that will make Tuesday a bit easier on me. 

Monday is a holiday in the US – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Thankfully we are closed, so it works to my advantage in playing catchup.  Lots of people though will know that I was working tonight because the emails are flying. 

My calendar for Tuesday is a complete wreck and quite full.  Our boring meetings we have are back on the calendar for the year.  I hate that.  However, I guess it’s all part of getting back to normal.  Despite the fact that myself and a colleague really hate them, they could be emails instead of meetings. 

I’m headed up after I wrangle the cats and grab another load of laundry.  I had my release last night and it felt so good that I want another one tonight. 

As for how I am doing.  Well for some reason both of my sides hurt and I am now starting to cough more.  I haven’t had any serious coughing fits to the point where I would expect my sides to hurt.  As long as I am not getting worse.  I honestly don’t want to take any more time from work for this.  However, if I am to the point where I am fatigued I certainly won’t hesitate. 

A point of clarification when I talked about Steroids.  I was prescribed a short term dose of corticosteroids (a description of what they are used for appears below).  More specifically Prednisone.  I didn’t want anyone to think I on Anabolic Steroids.  I’m not looking to get ripped, I’m looking to feel better.  Typically they increase appetite for me and give me hot flashes.  Thus far since I was only on a 3 days course I have felt none of the usual side effects.  They do make you urinate more and if you don’t keep up your fluid intake you can dehydrate. 

Corticosteroids are a class of medications that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. They are synthetic drugs similar to cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Commonly used corticosteroids include prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone.

I am quite proud of my accomplishments today.  Still need to run the vacuum and take the trash out.  However, the cats water fountain is cleaned, I put that off from last week.  Their litter boxes have been serviced as well. 

Here’s hoping for a good nights rest and that I feel even better tomorrow.  My antibiotics will take me thru Friday.  It will take a couple days for my system to flush the effects of the steroid out so I am truly back to normal.  I did get a headache tonight on the way home but I knew I needed my evening meds and that fixed it.  Hate headaches, don’t know how anyone puts up with them especially migraines.  I don’t get them usually unless I am sick.  I want to stay away from where all of the sick people are, places like doctors offices, hospitals and urgent care.  It’s just an opportunity to pick up something I don’t have.  I know that you can get germs anywhere I just think I am more apt to get them in the places sick people congregate at. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope your doing well!

Way better

Today has been a much better day for me, though it didn’t start out that way.  Rudy I think could wake up a Rooster, he is an early riser.  I told him last night I didn’t need an early wake up call but he does what he wants with that information.  Don’t tell me he doesn’t understand me, I know differently.  He decided that I needed to be up at 6am, despite it being a Saturday and nothing really on the agenda for the day. 

Well, I got up begrudgingly and fed him and his sister.  Used the bathroom and then climbed back into bed.  I knew that watching a little TV would help me get back to sleep so that’s what I did.  It worked and I got maybe an hour or two more.  Then my body said it was time to be awake. 

I continued to lounge in my bedroom and watch TV.  Passed out lunch for the cats and grabbed a soda and a cookie.  Then back to TV watching.  I finished The Upshaws on Netflix.  I’ve watched the series from the start, it’s a pretty good show and the comedy is awesome!

Decided that I wanted to make a trek to a BBQ place that is no longer local.  It would take me about an hour and a half to drive there.  I haven’t shaved in over a week.  So I charged up the trimmer and while I was waiting for that to complete I watched TV.  It was noon. 

About 1p I got up and checked the trimmer was done.  I turned off the TV and grabbed the trimmer.  Headed to the bathroom and started to get the fur off my face.  I always flirt with keeping either a goatee or a mustache but I’m a clean shaven guy so I chopped it all off.  Then broke out the razor and made sure I was smooth.  Time for a shower after all of that work. 

I felt more alive after the shower but I knew that this was the steroids talking and working their magic.  I am coughing more now but it’s not excessive like it normally is where the cough becomes my new best friend and hopefully we don’t get to that point. I hope that I am truly on the mend because this has sucked.  I enjoyed the time away from my job but I didn’t like the symptoms and it hasn’t boded well for my depression. 

It’s super cold out and my phone said that it felt like 2 degrees Fahrenheit.  I had on a sweater pullover, jeans and my hat & coat.  I decided that BBQ was for sure what I wanted but making that long trek just wasn’t in the cards today.  Instead I went to a local BBQ place.  Saw a hot guy who was there with his wife.  He had a baby face and a nice slim build.  He looked a little familiar like he could have been a former co-worker but the more I looked at him the more I realized that probably wasn’t the case.  I had a decent meal, then it was back into the cold.  It was snowing when I drove in, just flurries and I had a little bit of that on the drive home.  Stopped to grab the mail and then back home. 

Time to get working on laundry.  I had to wash the sheets and bedding just because I’ve lived in bed most of the week.  I wanted to get this started before I left but Rudy was all passed out and looked quite comfy so I didn’t bother him.  As soon as I put my coat on he sprang to life and came to see what I was up to. 

Laundry has long been done and the bed is made.  Just need to put the pillow cases on and I’m all set.  Been watching porn and adding to my collection.  I haven’t really been in the mood being sick but now I’ve got myself all horned up so I am looking forward to some much needed self pleasure – that sweet release. 

I checked on the trap I set and the hole I filled the other night and it’s undisturbed.  My plan is when it’s warmer to pull all that junk out and put in some chicken wire and then steel wool and finally fill it in again with foam sealer.  That should be a permanent fix.  The other option is to just put a cap over it on the inside.  I’d much rather just smash it closed from the outside but that would require way too much work and honestly the effort isn’t worth it.  I know that mice and rodent in general are kept at bay by chicken wire and steel wool.  I’ve checked all of the mouse traps that are still set inside and they are all empty.  It’s been 3 years since I’ve been mouse free and I honestly don’t want to go down that rabbit hole again. 

What I think happened is there is a raccoon that made a home under the deck.  It chewed on the foam to try to get to some place warmer but nothing else has crawled in and the Raccoon is way too fat to fit through a dryer vent.  If it had babies they would certainly be small enough to but this place is a home for me and the cats there isn’t room for any other critters. 

My original plan included diving into work email but I’ve decided against that for now.  Possibly tomorrow and Monday I will work on that.  Today is just about rest and doing some playing on the computer. 

I’ve got a huge jump on my taxes.  I’m to the point where I am ready to file but I most likely won’t until next month.  I’m getting a small refund and have to pay 1 state which I am not eager to do. 

Tomorrow’s agenda is to grab some breakfast, hit up Target and the grocery store.  Possibly top off the gas tank and then come home.  Rest up as usual.  Clean the house and then in the afternoon if I am feeling well enough I will make the long trek for BBQ, otherwise I will go someplace else.  I need to hit up the cat food store too.  Once I am home for the day I plan to then dive into work email.  I don’t want to but it’s not like it’s going anywhere and it’s not like I am never going back although I wish that was the case.  However, I need the money so as the saying goes – I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go. 

Hope that you had a great day and are staying warm & well.  It’s suppose to be a little bit warmer here tomorrow but not by a whole lot.  Flurries are in the forecast.  Thanks for stopping by.

Negative

Today I woke up and it felt like I regressed back a couple days.  I felt horrible and just want it to stop.  The cats convinced me to eat breakfast.  I did feel a bit better.  Back to bed and watching Home Improvement. 

After a nap I decided to get an appointment at Urgent Care.  I knew they would test me for COVID as well as Flu & RSV.  My appointment was at 2p.  It super cold out and that didn’t help me feel any better. 

However, I walked in got checked in and had to wait a couple minutes before they called me back.  I got swabbed for the COVID, Flu & RSV.  It burned and was unpleasant. Then a nurse practioner came in and I got to tell my story to a third person.  She was pretty quick and wanted to conclude the visit but I pressed for the possibility of adding steroids to my treatment provided that the test didn’t come back positive.  She wasn’t keen about it but said that she would talk with the physician the supervises her. 

I was out of there in 20 minutes.  I was shivering by the time I left and decided that soup would be a good thing.  I knew where I wanted to go but the more I thought about the drive I opted to just head over to The Olive Garden. 

Had 3 bowls of Pasta Faggioli, breadsticks and a soda.  All of $10 plus tip.  Not a bad deal.  No eye candy to look at but enjoyed myself and the soup warmed me up.  While I was eating I got a call from Urgent Care they said the test came back negative for all and that they would be sending in a prescription for 3 days of steroids to try to jump start my body in to feeling better and to get some relief from the sinus pressure and pain. 

I paid the bill at Olive Garden and headed to the pharmacy.  No surprise the medicine wasn’t ready when I pulled up to the drive thru.  They told me to come back in 15 minutes.  I didn’t want to drive home just to leave and go back to the pharmacy.  I drove around for a bit and as luck would have it as I was checking out a new subdivision and got an alert that my medicine was ready.  I headed back to the pharmacy and got it. 

Finally home, I was gone for an hour and a half.  I wanted to just crawl back in bed but the cats convinced to stay up.  I changed shirts and passed out supper for them.  Started up Tool Time on Netflix. 

Took my medicine and got my water bottle.  It’s been several hours and I do feel better right now but who knows what I will feel like in the morning.  Mornings have been the worst but by the afternoon I feel decent.

Checked out work email on my phone and wow more work came in today.  My inbox is a complete disaster.  I thought about possibly working this afternoon but have opted not to.  I’ve got 3 days ahead for the weekend and perhaps I will take some time to try to play catchup, it will only be to my benefit to do so.  I don’t relish the thought of going back but know that I can only be gone for so long. 

The good news is that if I feel horrible come Tuesday, I would go on short term disability and still get paid in full.  However, it would require more medical care, lots of paperwork and giving my employer permission to get my medical records.  Honestly I don’t want to go down that route it’s not fun at all.  However, despite not testing positive for COVID it feels like I have it.  It’s not normal for me to be able to dismiss everything and not care about anything.  Especially work.  I know it doesn’t take long before things stack up and it becomes a complete nightmare to try to catchup, which is where I am at now. 

I did give Mora a bunch of attention only because she demanded it.  I also got to brush her.  Furry woman.  I know that she has to feel better and hopefully she will stop leaving fur balls for me to clean up. 

Here’s hoping that I feel as good now when I wake up tomorrow.  I’d like to go out to breakfast and maybe stop by my friends shop.  I need to pick up mail and grab a bite to eat for supper. 

It’s only 7p and I am yawning like I am about ready to drop.  Guess I should stick a fork in this post.  Hope your warm, well and that you have a great weekend!

Some progress

Woke up this morning and quickly remembered that mornings are the worst.  My head, neck and back were all killing me.  Plus all of the sinus soup in my head draining out, not pleasant at all. 

Fed Rudy and Mora was after me, she wanted me to eat.  Normally I am the one after her asking her to eat.  Well, I gave in and had some oatmeal, a banana and some milk.  Then took my morning pills and returned to my room to watch TV for a bit.  Eventually I wound up back in bed.  Rudy and Mora both guarding me as I slept, so did they. 

No movies today, it’s been a day of YouTube videos and Home Improvement. 

Skipped lunch just had a soda and some black olives.  Rudy begged me for more food despite the fact I just put his lunch down.  He’s figured out that he can be picky and I will give in.  I hate that because it’s a bad habit and it causes me to cycle through their food quicker. 

Remembered that it was Thursday so I had to take the trash out.  Rudy was after me to get a shower.  He climbed up on top of my chair and started to wash my scalp.  Just like Momma used to do.  I stopped him long before he got started.  I knew that I smelled but oddly it was a low key turn on and now I get why some guys like to sniff arm pits.  I’m not into that but I don’t have a problem watching it. 

I got that shower and man it felt good.  I started to itch in places that I didn’t know I had.  I couldn’t scrub hard enough or long enough.  It had only been 5 days and if Rudy hadn’t come along I would have easily fallen into a trap to go another day. 

After the shower I got dressed and man that was a task.  I was a bit winded afterwards.  I had a dizzy spell for a moment in the shower but I didn’t fall.  I rested and watched more TV.  After a half hour I got going. 

Got the trash ready to go out and then I left to head to the Olive Garden.  I wasn’t about messing with food at home.  Was greeted by a hot guy when I entered and man he had a nice butt, his face was cute too.  I didn’t make any moves, just ate my meal and went back home. 

Working on Laundry.  The room felt oddly colder.  That’s when I looked up and saw that something chewed through that dryer vent that I had foam sealed shut.  It was a door for rodents to enter, which is how I got my mouse problem in the first place.  Glad that I caught it, hopefully early.  I cleared out the old foam and then used a hammer to close up the vent.  Stuffed it with some paper and a plastic bag.  Then went over it with foam sealer again.  For good measure I put down a glue board trap so if anything is inside and tries to escape its feet will get stuck and it will die.  I’ve checked and don’t see any of the mouse traps tripped so hopefully I dodged a bullet.  I did what I thought was best.  I realize that whatever it is will probably chew through the foam sealer again so I did my google research.  I need to get some chicken wire or other mesh metal to stuff the hole with.  I’d crush the vent from the outside but it’s buried beneath my deck.  If the damn city inspector would have let us keep the dryer vent where it was none of this would be an issue today.  It’s not an insurmountable problem but it sure has caused me quite the aggravation and money. 

I’m watching mail at work on my phone and man they are really racking up.  I so do not look forward to Tuesday.  I’m thinking about taking some time to try to get ahead because provided I do return on Tuesday as I expect to, I will be on-call and it will be hellish trying to manage that plus playing catchup.  I’ve done it before and said never again but here I am. 

Headed upstairs to bed, I’m sure I won’t sleep for a bit but I like to keep my regular routine up so it won’t be so difficult when things do get back to normal. 

I feel some progress but I still have the bouts where I don’t care about anything and can sit and watch TV for hours.  My phone powered off and me disconnected from the world.  I’m starting to wonder if I didn’t pick up a case of COVID.  Part of me wants to know and part of me doesn’t want to know. 

Who knows what tomorrow holds but I do hope that I make more progress and feel much more like my normal self from the moment I wake up. 

Stay warm and be well.  Hope all is going good in your neck of the woods!

Sick

This is the first day since Sunday that I have been out of my room, except for feeding the cats, getting food for me or using the bathroom. 

Nothing mattered to me and I felt horrible.  Took me back to when I had COVID.  My head and shoulders hurt.  I don’t get headaches as a rule so when one crops up something is seriously wrong. 

Haven’t been to work and since today was my 3rd day out I knew I would need a doctors note.  That’s the only thing that got me out of bed.  I did a video visit and got some antibiotics.  Since my teeth are bothering me along with many other issues, the person I saw thinks it’s a sinus infection.  I was told to rest and stay put for the rest of the week.  By Friday or at the latest Saturday I should be back on my feet.  If I am not I should seek care again. 

Relayed the bad news to my boss.  Found out that the old guy that I work with has given his notice and he will be retiring in a month.  That means on-call will be a mess and I am sure I will get to help train a new person when we eventually find a replacement.  On average that takes somewhere between 3 and 6 months from the time the job is posted.  Looking at my inbox it’s been hell all week long and I know when I go back on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday for us) I will busy and probably screaming.  Therefore, no matter how I feel tomorrow or Friday I will be taking those days off.  Here’s hoping that I do feel better. 

I’ve been busy watching lots of movies.  Found a new hunk to obsess over.  Tom Blythe is his name.  He’s in People We Meet on Vacation and Plainclothes.  He reminds me of Mike Manning.  He’s just hot. 

I did make it out of the house to grab my medicine and took a spin through the drive thru at Wendy’s.  Got a cheeseburger and large Chili.  Burger was lunch and Chili was supper.  Not a bad deal for $12. 

I am in need of a shower.  I smell so bad the cats are trying to bathe me.  If my progress continues I am planning on trying to tackle a shower tomorrow.  I wanted to go downstairs today but instead am on the couch with the cats.  Were about to start the wind down routine and get ready for bed.  I am tired but really don’t miss my bed.  I’ve spent so much time in it that I would like to be anywhere else but eventually I know that I will need to sleep – that is how I will see the biggest improvement.  Sleep for me is like Chicken Noodle Soup. 

Tuned in to see some news to find out what is going on in the world.  Looks like I haven’t missed a whole lot.  Got on social media for the first time in a few days and can pretty much say the same.  It felt good to do some normal things. 

I’m watching Home Improvement on Netflix.  This is the first time in a very long time that I am getting my money’s worth out of my Netflix subscription. 

Despite the bad luck, I hope that this is not am omen of how this year is going to pan out for me.  Thanks for stopping by, I hope that your well.