Med-Packs Via an Unreliable Courier…

I took my last dosage of medications yesterday evening. My med-pack was empty. Dad was supposed to have brought a new med-pack home from the pharmacy yesterday.

“I forgot to bring home your med-pack,” my father said sheepishly over the phone this morning.

“You, of all people, should be able to remember my medications you are so keen on them,” I told my father.

“I will get them to you this afternoon,” he told me.

“Call the pharmacy and tell them I am on my way to pick them up,” I told my father.

The thought of going that long after my prescribed time sent feelings of anxiety reeling within me. I took a shower and headed to the pharmacy a little before lunch. I came home and took my nine noon pills as soon as I walked into the door of my house. I know it is psychosomatic, but I immediately felt better – my anxiety melting away.

25 Degrees of Fun…

“It’s a tad bit chilly out tonight, eh?” I asked my father in a perfectly respectable Canadian accent last night as we briskly walked across the parking lot to Kroger.

It was actually 25° degrees outside. All I could think of were Terrence and Philip and the opening segue to South Park: The Movie.

He laughed and said, “Oh yeah, eh?” in a really bad Canadian accent that made me chuckle.

“We sound like that politician, Sarah Palin,” he furthered as we laughed some more.

“She was Alaskan by the way,” I reminded my father.

It was time to do some shopping and I already knew what I wanted. Tuna helper was the name of the game and I was going to spice it up with some cheddar cheese and broccoli florets. I also got lots of sandwich fixins. I am fixated on sandwiches at the moment. I guess because they are so easy to fix and clean up after. I just adore a sandwich with some of that spicy, horseradish infused mustard.

Well, Judy rang up my groceries and it was really cheap. I had only spent $59.99. I was perplexed. I realized when I got home I had forgotten to get my sandwich meats which would have been around $20. I called my father and explained the situation.

“Just go back up there and debit them,” he said with a exhausted sounding sigh. “Just don’t buy any beer.”

I hurried back to Kroger while my car was still warm. I got two “mega” packs of oven roasted turkey breast for $18.99 and went through the self checkout lane. The temperature had fallen to 24° degrees by the time I got back home. I shut the door to my chilly house and turned up the heat. 

An Unwitting Soul…

Eureka! I just figured out what was a very major problem last week. I just couldn’t put 2 and 2 together. I bought 5 gallons of Milo’s no calorie tea grocery shopping last Tuesday. Well, I unwittingly drank the delicious tea like it was going out of style – often having a big glass before I would retire to the bed. Kroger’s house brand diet tea is noncaffeinated so I just assumed Milo’s tea was too. Milo’s says nothing about the caffeine content on the carton. Boy, was I wrong. I just got on their website and an 8oz serving of no calorie tea has 40mg of caffeine. No wonder I couldn’t sleep and was having anxiety and panic attacks. I was imbibing massive amounts of caffeine. Needless to say, I will be drinking cold bottles of water in the upcoming week. Let’s see if that makes a difference. 

When Your Dog Farts, Blame Your Girlfriend…

Tracy and I were spooning on the couch Sunday night. We were watching Masterpiece’s Victoria on Public Broadcasting. Maggie was laying on the rug just below us. Suddenly, this nasty, rotten egg smell wafted up from the floor. I saw Tracy wrinkle her nose first and I smiled. I knew it was Maggie, but I told Tracy, “Jesus honey, you need to check your drawers after that.” She elbowed me very hard in the ribs and it hurt.

“You know that was Maggie!” she exclaimed despondently.

By this time, I was laughing so hard it hurt. Tracy got to laughing as well.

“How can something so cute and cuddly emit something so nasty?” Tracy asked me.

Maggie looked stymied at all the commotion and then laid her head back down and went back to sleep.

Snow January 2019 was a Bust…

We were supposed to get 1 inch of snow this morning. The temperatures were just too warm. The National Weather Service got the forecast wrong all over the state and are having to eat humble pie this morning. They had to downgrade all winter weather warnings down to winter weather advisories. The temperature is supposed to fall into the twenties after sunset. It is going to be a cold trip to the grocery store tonight. I was feeling shaky last night, so dad and I put it off until tonight.

Getting Back On An Even Keel…

I feel much better than I did last week which was hell week. They say blogging is like riding a bike. You just have to get back on and start peddling. Hopefully, I will be back to writing on a regular basis now material permitting. 

Colds and Flus? Insomnia? What Next? Plagues and Earthquakes?

I couldn’t sleep the night before last. This saps all my creative energies thus the quiet blog. I spent Thursday in a daze of mental illness symptoms on the verge of numerous panic and anxiety attacks. I finally slept last night, but didn’t get my usual nap today. Hopefully, I will sleep again tonight and get back on a normal schedule. I’ve done nothing more than stare at computer parts on my tablet while I listen to classical music.

The Quiet After a Snow Storm…

Dad was saying this morning that he was going to run off and marry a virile young woman and live it up for a change.

“if you do that, then I am going to marry Tuleana on the courthouse steps,” I replied. “We just have to come up with the $100 fee.”

Dad laughed nervously and cut his eyes towards me trying to discern my manner.

“I’ve turned over a new leaf about her now, dad,” I told him. “She is in a tough situation with that man living off her and her disability. She’s got a good heart. She’s just simple like a child. She deserves our kindness and not our disdain.”

“If she asks you again for a ride are you going to take them?” dad then asked me.

“I might. It all depends on my mood at that moment and state of mental health,” I replied. “I am certainly not carrying Richard to the pawnshop, though.”

Well, Tuleana’s been having bad chest pains. They had to be at the hospital at 6:30am yesterday morning to run some tests. She wanted me to come to the hospital with her, but I just wasn’t up to the task. She called me tonight ecstatically telling me she is okay.

“They believe I was just experiencing bad heartburn,” she told me.

“That’s good news!” I said sounding relieved.

“Can I tell you I love you?” Tuleana asked.

“Oh dear!” was what I was thinking.

She told me she loved me and got off the phone. Dad says I get in these messes because I am too kind for my own good.

Thanks! You’re Appreciated…

All of my readers are appreciated, but I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who inquired about me during my absence. It was nice coming back online and finding a few notes of good wishes! Thank you again!

Sandwich Night at Andrew’s Casa…

Maggie had been bugging me all day about something to eat other than dogfood. I got her some .59 cent packs of corned beef and roast beef tonight as a snack. I gave her one immediately after putting my groceries away and the whimpering and whining stopped. Yeah, Maggie plays me like a card, but she can sound so pitiful – as if she is starving to death. I noticed she had a full bowl of dogfood, though. Sucker!

“You okay, Chuck?” dad asked as we walked across Kroger’s parking lot with our carts.

I had been quiet all night and dad said I looked pale as a ghost.

“I feel as if I am going to jump out of my skin,” I told my father as we began to load up our groceries. “Just be glad you don’t have a mental illness. Getting out tonight was tough on me for some reason.”

“In a few short hours, you will be taking your main medications again. Get a good night’s sleep and you will feel better in the morning,” he told me without much more consolation. “Come over at eleven and drink you an ice cold diet Coke. That’ll make you feel better.” 

It is just one of those things I go through from time to time. I will feel better, like my father said, after a good night’s sleep. When I arrived home, I took my nightly dosages of Klonopin and Coreg and now feel much better as I write this – the anxiety abating some.

On the food front, I got all kinds of things to make delicious sandwiches from and spent only $62 dollars. I got some fresh baked dark Jewish rye from the deli that just looks delectable and smells heavenly. I also got all kinds of thin shaved meats. I splurged and bought a bottle of Grey Poupon spicy mustard as well. I love how it opens the sinuses when you eat it if you spread it on liberally. The last thing on my list was cheese and I stocked up on a mötley crüe from muenster to pepper jack.  

What’s a Prick or Two Between Friends?

“Andrew, you can come on back,” Rebecca said this morning as I sat anxiously in the lobby.

No sweeter words have ever graced these ears today. They are all so kind to me down at Kamath Medical. I was not very spritely this morning having woken up way before my usual time.

“You’ve still got a lot of congestion,” Rebecca said worriedly.

“And a nasty, hacking cough,” I added.

We talked for a long time about sleeping habits. Rebecca said she still hasn’t shaken the sleeping habits she has had since her children were babies.

“It seems I wake up every hour on the hour,” she told me. “I look at the clock and fall back asleep.”

“My usual habit is to watch Amanpour & Co. on public broadcasting at eleven and then put on classical music around midnight and I fall asleep around one after dozing off and on in my recliner for an hour,” I told her.

She gave me my injection and I was soon on my way back to the pharmacy. I felt exhausted just listening to Rebecca describe how she sleeps.

A Bountiful Monday…

My new video card arrived all the way from New Jersey yesterday. My UPS scenario played out just as foreseen. I plugged it in it’s slot last night, the PCIe x16 slot, and my main computer fired to life after connecting the two 8-pin power cables to the card. There is not a flicker to be found so that means the other card was indeed defective. Tracy also got that job at the small animal clinic. She reports to work for her first day next Wednesday. She was just giddy with glee over the phone last night.

Anxiously Hoping On Several Fronts…

Maybe my new video card will arrive today. My fingers are crossed and that would be the icing on the cake. It certainly is a needed distraction and gives me something to hope for. I will be overjoyed to see a UPS truck arrive at the house. The sound is unmistakable as the truck squeals to a stop and up comes the rear sliding door. Elation ensues as the UPS guy walks across the front yard to the front door. Maggie will be barking up a storm.

In other good news, Tracy might have a new job working at a local small animal clinic. I am awaiting a phone call any hour now telling me whether she got it or not. We’re both very excited as this is what she is going to school for. She won’t be a veterinary technician officially, but will be performing many of the same tasks. It will be great experience for her. She will have to give Mrs. Barbara two weeks notice, though – time for Mrs. Barbara to find someone to fill her position. She has worked at the Humane Society for 6 years so it is kind of a bittersweet ending. Mrs. Barbara agreed to give her a glowing recommendation to help move along the process.

I am feeling much, much better today. I almost feel my old self if it weren’t for a lot of chest and sinus congestion. I didn’t wake up until almost 11am, though. I stayed up late watching Pride and Prejudice on Georgia Public Broadcasting last night.  I believe that was a novel originally written by Jane Austen. Tracy would’ve liked to have viewed it as well.  

Skyrim Happenings…

A little street Urchin ran up to me in Skyrim this afternoon and asked for 5 gold coins for food.

“What happened to your parents?” I asked.

“Momma and Papa died and my aunt and uncle got the farm,” she said. “They cast me out to fend for myself saying I was too much trouble.” 

“I can adopt you if you would like that,” I then responded.

“Really?” the kid starting gushing thank yous.

I am now a cyber father of two former orphans in the game.

Living In the Land Down Under–Under My Covers…

Wow! Has it been five days since I wrote a blog post? I haven’t been this sick in years. I never catch colds or flus, but I think I caught a combination of the cold and the flu this time. I've had high fevers, chills, sore chest and arms, and my nose has ran like a leaky faucet. Dad has been under the weather as well catching it first and giving it to me. His wasn’t as virulent, though, thank goodness. Charlie has been trying to steer clear of us so he won’t get the crud even though Horsefly has been really sick as well. Dad and I both haven't seen him in a week until tonight. (I forgot that Charlie did indeed bring me breakfast this morning)

Tonight was our usual Sunday night KFC feeding. We all march ever onwards. I didn’t feel like eating anything, but got Charlie to bring me a chicken sandwich meal which Maggie ate sans dill pickles. It did Maggie’s heart good to see the dynamic duo tonight and she was really “talking” to them in earnest. I know Maggie has to have been wondering what’s wrong with me as I’ve been in the bed for days mainly lifelessly watching the television. It made me smile weakly when Maggie would whine and carry on when Tracy had pulled into the driveway all last week.

Miraculously, I went four days without a single cigarette and dad said I should’ve quit after all that. The mere thought of having one made me reel in disgust. Tracy colluded with my father about how we could stop me from starting back. Alas, I had a cigarette tonight and the room spun as the nicotine hit my long forlorn brain cells. It made me giddy with a certain drunkenness. My scalp even tingled.

Tracy, bless her dear most valued heart, has been by a dozen times this week bringing me medicine and food. I’d be six feet under if it weren’t for her. So far, she’s been lucky and hasn’t caught it. She brought me the best chicken noodle soup I believe I have ever eaten last week. She also made this hot, sweet spiced tea on the stove that was just delicious and so soothing to my mouth and throat.

I think I am on the mend. At least, I hope so. I am tired of laying in the bed for one thing. Tonight was the first night on the computer in many days and I played Skyrim for a few hours so I must be feeling better. I splurged and bought a home in the game for 5000 gold Septlms and adopted a child so I am a cyber father now. I can adopt one more if I can catch a little Urchin begging on the streets of Whiterun – the city I call home.

He Shoots! He Scores!

Dad was to leave out some medications for me this morning for a cold I feel coming on. I drove over to his house and they were in between the screen door and his back door. I called him when I got home to thank him. He is at work today. It is a major feat for him to remember to put them out.

“When are you going to order your parts for January?” he asked me after all the pleasantries and thank yous. “We are halfway through the month.”

“I thought January and February are paying for Tracy’s Christmas watch,” I replied.

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” he replied. “I paid for Tracy’s watch. Email Matt what you want to get and I will see you in the morning at our usual time to take Maggie to the Vet.”

We got off the phone and I did a little air guitar and hollered a hearty YES! It startled Maggie. Sometimes my father’s generosity can catch me off guard and surprise me. I emailed Matt a full tower computer case I have been wanting for ages at $89.99. It comes Tom’s Hardware recommended just like my video card which got glowing reviews. It is the Rosewill Nighthawk 117 (link opens in a new window).

Mwahahaha…The Kroger Bandito Rides Again…

“I’m warning you ahead of time,” I told my father as he pushed his cart in front of me. “I bet I spent $90 dollars, but I was out of everything.”

“That’s okay,” he said which surprised me. “You are a few days behind anyway.”

I guessed it pretty correctly. I spent $89.99. Dad didn’t even flinch. You can’t get any closer than that!

I am trying to eat more meal like nutrition instead of just snacking around the clock or grazing as dad likes to call it. I am trying hamburger and tuna helper for the first time in many years. I am also making lots of rice dishes like chicken, cheddar, broccoli, and rice. I also had to remind dad that I am feeding more than just little ole me. I am feeding Tracy as well.

Well, I got home and unloaded my groceries and I couldn’t find the thank you card I had bought for my sister. I wanted to thank her for the wonderful clothes she bought me for Christmas. Much diligence was taken in finding the right card. I tried to call my father and catch him before he left Kroger from doing his shopping, but he wasn’t answering his phone.

“I am going to drive back up there and look in the cart,” I told Maggie as I headed out the door to the car.

There it was sweet baby jeebus. In the cart as I had pushed it into the bin. I was so relieved. It was so inconspicuous that it wouldn’t be stolen easily. I snatched it out of the cart as the cart boy looked on quizzically and hurried home. 

Evil Lurks Around Every Corner…

And Maggie is the shining light of truth and justice. Yes, the meter reader is in the neighborhood. Maggie’s arch nemesis. Maggie has this uncanny second sense about his arrival. She just ran outside barking viciously. The meter reader’s car is parked just down the street as he makes his rounds from house to house.

“Maggie! Come inside!” I hollered out the back door hoping to shut the dog door to avoid any mishaps.

This just emboldened Maggie to bark louder and even more viciously.

“I am just protecting us, Andrew,” she seems to impart.  “How dare he defile our back yard with his presence.”

Must Do’s This Week…

I have got to get Maggie to the Veterinarian and I need my father’s help. He is going to have to drive while I hold her in my lap. Her yeast infection on her chest is starting to return and she has been accursed with another ear infection. This is imperative! This is where I wholeheartedly miss my mother as she was a mover and a shaker when it comes to these kinds of things. We would be out there tomorrow afternoon for sure.

“What have you been feeding this dog?” I know Dr. Jerry is going to ask.

“We can drop her off and leave her overnight,” my father said. “And then you can pick her up when she is ready the next day.”

Dad’s and my car both need washing something terribly (something I usually do myself) after that week of rain that graced us. Dad said he is planning on doing all of this Wednesday. He has continuing education in Columbus all day Thursday. I pray we can get it all done.

We have also been seeing commercials for Rain-X wiper blades for our cars as well. We both want them on our cars so maybe we can swing by AutoZone or Advance Auto Wednesday as well. This may be pushing my luck.

Testy Around Here Tonight…

Tracy is still laughing after my father and Charlie have just left. The dynamic duo were in fine form tonight. Dad had been drinking wine again and was acting all silly and absentminded.

“Thank you for that set of pliers you gave me for Christmas,” my father told Charlie as we commiserated in the den.

He was sitting next to Tracy on the couch with Maggie joyously in between them perched like a queen. Charlie was sitting in my recliner. I was sitting at the computer as I just had to play that Iris Dement song on YouTube that dad so loves. I have to play it so often I have it on my bookmarks bar in my browser.

“Dammit John! I gave you a set of screwdrivers for Christmas!” Charlie barked.

I had to choke back a hearty laugh. Tracy just looked me with one of her beautiful smiles trying not to laugh.

“They act like they are married,” Tracy said giggling after they had left.

I laughed and agreed.

“They are more like brothers than anything,” I told Tracy to set the record straight.

Tracy got KFC tonight as well. She got what I got and that was the Colonel’s crunchy chicken sandwich fillup. I got to eat her chocolate chip cookie which Maggie eyed enviously.

In all the hoopla, we had forgotten to get Maggie something to eat. She started to whine something pitifully after things had quieted down. I had grilled some kielbasas earlier in the day and warmed her some up in the microwave. She was one happy dog after that. Just short of dog heaven.

Good Food and Company was to be Had…

Charlie arrived at ten this morning. Oh, what a sight for sore eyes he was. I welcomed him inside, but he could only stay for a few minutes. Old Fuss and Feather’s senior coffee was getting cold. Dad says that McDonald’s senior coffee tastes better than the coffee he makes at home and thus he relishes it.

“Hey Maggie Lou,” Charlie said as he lavished praise upon the Magster.

Maggie wiggled joyously and barked repeatedly.

We were all happy souls this morning. Fine company and good food was to be had. Charlie asked me what I wanted for supper tonight and I told him to get me another $5 dollar fillup chicken sandwich meal.

“I didn’t know they even had a chicken sandwich meal deal,” Charlie said.

“I looked online at all the meals they offer,” I told Charlie. “I don’t know why I am so keen on chicken sandwiches right now.”

“I’ll bring you and Maggie some Chick-fil-A next week one night,” Charlie told me to my delight.

There was a time for goodbyes and Maggie and I stood at the screen door and waved Charlie off. Maggie stood and barked wanton goodbyes. Hell, I felt like barking myself. 

Throwing Down My Gauntlets…

I keep every box my computer parts ever came in. Luckily, I still had the box to my Christmas video card. I drove down to the pharmacy this morning and Matt printed me out an invoice of that sale. It was in my good fortune that the card had a 3 year parts and labor warranty.

Next was corresponding with Newegg to get this video card sent back. I just can’t live without FreeSync functionality (it makes my games smooth as butter) and we paid $500 for this video card. It should work as advertised. The RMA was set up and I went about getting my card in packaging to mail back to Newegg. The process was much easier than I initially thought with much relief on my part. So, hopefully my next card won’t have the issues this one did. I am also going to be without my main computer for at least a week, though. I will mail my package off Monday with insurance applied and hope for the best. 

Me? Him? Same Room?

I am fixing to head to my father’s house for another round of diet Cokes, television, laughter, and banter. It is strange how much we’ve changed. We used to couldn’t stand to be in the same room with each other. Now, we seek out each other’s company. Dad and I have come a long way. I relish these times with him while he is still in good health and of a good mind. I hope nothing changes for many years to come.

Hanging With Pops...

I spent the morning with my father. He drank coffee while I drank diet Coke. We watched TV and remenisced about my mother. The two year anniversary of her death is soon approaching.

Mom could do all kinds of crazy stunts as I was growing up. Dad and I talked and laughed at great lengths at some of her more well known antics. One of dad's favorite stories involves me, mom and dad going to the psychologist together. I was just a small child. The psychologist had me draw a picture of what I felt my role in the family was. I drew mom and dad at normal size and I was this little dot at the bottom of the page. Mom exclaimed that her hair didn't look that bad, did it? Totally missing the point of the drawing which was intended to show how small I felt in the family. I was too small to remember it, but dad says that’s what happened. He loves for me to draw that picture for my other siblings.

Next came on a Colon-eze commercial to test for colon cancer. We both agreed mom would jump on that opportunity.

“Your mother wouldn’t send them a little bit of shit, but two pounds of shit to make sure they had enough to test with,” my father said laughing.

Tales of Computer Woes…

First, my new Christmas video card has started to flicker while I am browsing the web or playing music. Flick, flick, flicker. It doesn’t do it when I am in a game, thankfully, but it is aggravating to say the least. It just does it in a 2D setting. I’ve tried everything including reseating the card, changing display port cables, and trying it in my den computer. I get the same results. The only thing I haven’t tried is a HDMI connection, but I would lose FreeSync functionality. I guess I am going to have to get a return merchandise authorization from Newegg which will be no easy task as the card was ordered under my father’s account. I will just have to get the invoice and explain to Newegg it was a Christmas gift. Oh, I hate to go through all of that including shipping the card back. Whine. Whine. Whine.

Secondly, the kitchen computer is on a wireless internet connection. I normally get about 400 Mbps down and 50 Mbps up. This morning, it would only hover around 70 Mbps down with lots and lots of jitter. I’ve tried everything to fix it including different and older drivers, moving around the antenna, etc. I get the same results. I guess I will have to order another wireless adapter card to fix it – one in which I will get even much faster speeds hopefully (think AC1900 speeds).

This is all on top of two Logitech 2.1 speaker sets failing. I am having a serious bit of bad luck here at Andrew’s Casa computer wise after smooth sailing for years. I guess if these are my only problems then I am lucky. All of this can be rectified and the den computer is working like a champ so I have a surefire way to blog, knock on wood.

There’s a Pimple On Me Bum…

Ah, injection time – a time where I get to commiserate with my favorite nurse in the whole wide world. I didn’t go to bed until 1am, but somehow miraculously woke up at 8am this morning. I called dad and let him know I was up and going.

“I’ll see you at the pharmacy at nine,” I told him.

“Good deal, Chuck,” he replied and we got off the phone.

I rousted Tracy from the bed after a fitful sleep and told her I was sorry but I didn’t have time to fix breakfast this morning.

“There are some strawberry Poptarts in the kitchen cabinet,” I told her. “And cinnamon rolls in the breadbox.”

I took a really quick shower and then she soon followed behind me. She had to be at work at 9am my time.

My injection went without any problems or mishaps for the most part. I sat in the lobby for far longer than usual and I could feel those old panic attack feelings creeping in. Kamath Medical was busy this morning and the parking lot was full. I was nervous for some reason. I guess there were too many needy sick people sitting with me – people who also didn’t want to wait long for the doctor or a nurse. I must’ve taken precedence as Rebecca called me back before any of the others. Most likely Dr. Kamath was running late after morning rounds at the hospital. I only needed an injection – something a nurse could handle.

Ah, small talk – a thing that used to mystify me. I get better and better at the craft. I knew to ask about Rebecca’s children’s Christmas and how it was.

“It is truly magical to kids,” Rebecca told me of Christmas. “They had a blast. It was a Lego themed Christmas this year.”

I told Rebecca that I, too, loved Legos when I was a kid. They weren’t as fancy then, though. I would have loved Star Wars Legos.

Trains and Mr. Winkle…

Tracy told me tonight that the most boring thing for her would be to sit on a cold bench all morning and wait for and watch trains pass.

“What do you get out of it?” Tracy asked mystified.

“I’ve always been fascinated with trains ever since I was a little boy,” I told her in justification.

I am enjoying my extra time away from volunteering and spent the morning looking at trains in downtown West Point. I told Tracy just to look in the computer room at my massive collection of Trains, Railroad Model Craftsman and Model Railroader magazines. I told her I was a dedicated fan.

“I’ve actually worn out Model Railroaders I’ve perused them so much,” I told Tracy. “They would fall apart.”

“Does that explain the stack of Model Railroaders in the bathroom?” she asked.

I laughed and said yes.

“I will read on the toilet until my legs go numb and I can’t get up.”

Tracy laughed, sighed and rolled her eyes.

Well, I came home from rail fanning to take a very long nap and slept until about time for Tracy to get here which meant pretty much all day. We had beefy tacos tonight – something easy to fix and they were delicious. I don’t care much for Mexican seasonings used in those taco seasoning packs. I fixed my savory beef filling with a bottle of A1 sauce and Tracy really liked it. You have to boil the ground chuck for a good thirty minutes to get it good and tender after adding a medium sized bottle of A1 and a good dash of salt.

The Never Ending Day…

Have you ever had one of those days that you thought would never end? I had one today. It seems like I have been up for days. 11:30pm is about to arrive so my day is winding down. I got up too early for starters. I am listening to light classical music on music choice while Maggie grooms herself on the couch before going to bed. It is chilly in here, but I don’t want to turn up the heat before going to bed, So here I sit with a heavy jacket on in front of the den computer.

Charlie showed up with breakfast at ten this morning. McDonald’s completely screwed up our order. Maggie and I got egg McMuffins and I got a gigantic sweet tea to drink. I dearly missed my usual diet Coke. Beggars can’t be choosers, though.

I’ve had two sets of Logitech Z523 speakers to fail. I had another set fail this morning and I was so deflated and disappointed computer parts wise. I am having to use my monitor’s built in speakers on those two computers. Lackluster sound at best with no bass whatsoever. I don’t think I will be buying any Logitech speakers from now on. They make great mice and keyboards, but their speakers suck. I might try a set of Cyber Acoustic’s speakers next.

I just wanted a simple chicken sandwich tonight without Charlie making a special trip to McDonald’s to get it.

“Now, I don’t mind making an extra trip,” Charlie told me over the phone calling to see what I wanted.

“Just get me the KFC crunchy chicken sandwich $5 fillup meal,” I told him which was a mouthful of words.

I also got a chocolate chip cookie and some of those well done potato wedges KFC sells. They weren’t half bad. 

I waited until 7:30pm before telling Maggie Charlie and Papa were coming. She only had to hold vigil for an hour in the window. Here they came pulling up near my house about 8:30pm. Charlie parked way down almost in front of my neighbor’s house. I walked out to greet them while Maggie barked behind the screen door.

“Hell, why did you park way down here?” dad asked Charlie.

“Cause I can’t drive worth a shit, John!” Charlie exclaimed.

I couldn’t help but chuckle and welcomed them inside.

An A For Effort…

“Your body is here, but I think you left your mind at home,” dad told me tonight chuckling as we stood in line at Kroger.

“When you called me, Maggie and I were sound asleep on the couch!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t think we would grocery shop until Monday night!”

Dad also remarked on the Hebrew National franks I had in my cart.

“I like just a regular hotdog myself,” he said. “The cheap kind. Those Hebrew Nationals are too Frou Frou.”

I balked, telling him how delicious Hebrew National franks were.

“Get me some diced onions and meaty chili and I am in heaven!”

I cringed when the final tally was told. I had spent over $80 dollars again. Dad just shrugged and said he was glad I was getting enough food. I thanked him for being so kind.

“A few weeks there you only got $40 dollars worth and it worried me,” he said.

I really was in la-la land tonight. When I got home and started to unload my groceries, I left my car’s stereo playing so I could listen to it while I brought my groceries inside. I had backed up in the front yard to the front door. When I finished, I couldn’t figure out why the key wouldn’t come out of the ignition. I had turned off the car with it still in reverse. Duh! I put the car in park and out came the key.

Pigs in a Blanket…

I got a neat surprise around noon. Dad had stopped by Donut Delights and got him, Maggie and I pigs in a blanket and cinnamon buns. The were freshly baked and supremely delicious. Maggie liked it more than the rest of us. She knew when I walked into my house with a bag of things that there was something to eat in it. I put hers on the floor and it took her a few minutes of sniffing and posturing for her to eat it. This was certainly a new food for her. She didn’t quite know what to make of it. Dad also had to run by the funeral home this morning. Charlie’s brother-in-law had passed away. If I would have known ahead of time, I would’ve went as well. Dad said he was a hard drinking and heavy smoking man who lived well past what Charlie’s family had assumed.

Rest Well Dear Soul…

Dad showed me a picture of mom, him, Dr. Kamath, and his wife today. Mom looked so pretty in it. I often find myself thinking of my mother these days. I always thought mom would easily outlive my father. Alas, she was taken too soon.

Our trip to Clark Brother’s yesterday was fruitful. I spent about $40 on cheese and sausage. I also got some really lean ground chuck. Dad was the big spender and spent over $100 on steaks, sausage, and center cut pork chops. We will be grilling out this weekend. I can never tire of eating things grilled over charcoal. I am sure Charlie and family will join us.

I took care of Tracy’s birthday today. I drove to Walmart and got her a Blu-ray player and three movies I thought she would like – real chick flicks. When I leave Walmart, I always realize what a nervous wreck I am. All the commotion and noise gets to me. It is stimulation overload. I should have just bought it online and had it shipped to me. I sat in the car composing myself for a good 10 minutes before driving home.

Dad goes, “I wish someone would buy me a Blu-ray player,” this afternoon.

“You have a Blu-ray player you big dummy,” I said back laughing. “My brother bought you one.”

“I thought it was just a DVD player,” he replied saving face.

I am getting something really boring to most for my birthday in April (thrills me!). An 8 Terabyte Seagate Barracuda hard drive for my gaming computer. I hope to be able to back up all my data and games to it.

The Handcuff Dilemma…

Dad and I were talking this morning about Horsefly and when he had a fetish for handcuffs.

“Your son has that retarded boy handcuffed to the back fence,” Irene Crouch called my father from across the street.

She was our nosey elderly neighbor and sounded irate. Well, Horsefly was laughing up a storm and loving every minute of it.

“He likes it,” dad told Irene. “He has a thing for handcuffs and being handcuffed to things.”

One time we handcuffed Horsefly to our bike and lost the key. All pandemonium ensued. Jimmy James, Charlie’s nephew, had to come gingerly cut Horsefly free with a grinder. Horsefly loved it and laughed the whole time. Dad laughed and laughed as well as we reminisced about that moment this morning.

Clark Brother’s Meats…

As soon as I can get it together, Dad and I are driving up to Clark Brother’s Meats in Roanoke, Alabama to pick up some of their wonderful sausage and their delectable hoop cheddar cheese. Dad’s also getting his hair cut this morning as well. They use only animals and products they have raised on their own land. Dad also hopes to pick up some ribeye or t-bone steaks to grill if they have some that are pretty and marbled. I told him the butchers can cut him some steaks to order.  Dad’s never been and doesn’t know how to get there. I have taken my great aunt many times as it is her favorite place to “shop”. She calls it the “meat house” which always sounds like some kind of porno flick to me.

A Visit Extraordinaire…

I was sitting at this computer when Maggie started whining jubilantly. That could only mean one of three things – that Charlie, Tracy, or my father had arrived. It was Charlie and he was a sight for sore eyes.

“What are you two doing?” Charlie said as he handed me a McDonald’s bag. “You said you liked those chicken sandwiches the other night so I went and got two more for you and Maggie.”

“Well, thank you!” I exclaimed excitedly.

Charlie wanted to see all my many Christmas gifts. I invited him into the back bedroom to show him all the clothes I got.

“I liked the two shirts you got me,” I told Charlie. “They are so soft. They feel like silk.”

“I thought they would make good sleeping shirts thus the short sleeves,” Charlie replied.

Then I took the cover off the side of the computer and showed Charlie my main gift – my Vega 64 video card.

“I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, but it sounds wonderful,” Charlie told me laughing.

Charlie didn’t stay long.

“Eat your chicken sandwiches while they are still hot,” Charlie said as he was heading out the front door.

Maggie gave him a good sendoff then she was ready to eat. She has become to associate Charlie with food these days. I pulled off the dill pickles and put her sandwich on the floor. I blinked and it was gone. Maggie had wolfed it down.

Cold, Dark, and Dreary…

We have been beseeched with the worst weather lately. It will soon have rained for a whole week. They say we shall see the sun again on Friday – when all of this gloom clears out.

Busy, Busy, Busy…

New Year’s Day started off auspiciously with my gal by my side. Noon rolled around and we were grilling burgers. I used Charlie’s recipe for hamburger patties and it was delicious. The weather held off thankfully. It is almost midnight and Tracy just has left for home. In my free time, I am totally absorbed by a video game called Skyrim and play it when I can. I started over this time and the only cheat I used was to give me 5000 starting gold to buy decent armor and weapons to start the game. This makes me neglect the blog. I hope to get back to writing in earnest soon. Oh, the Prilosec completely knocked out my heartburn. I can eat and drink what I like now. It has made a wonderful difference.