Sometimes it’s the Little Things…

And sometimes it is the big things that are always the hardest to do.  Keeping up with my hermit lifestyle as of late, I moaned when my phone rang and it was my father on the other end. It never bodes promising when he calls me from work. Either I’ve done some kind of stupid shit I am unaware of, or their internet is down. 

“Our internet is down,” he said frantically. “And we’ve been on the phone with WOW! tech support for thirty minutes. We can’t run insurance. We can’t run anything.”

I dressed as nicely as my wardrobe allowed and stepped out my front door to embrace all that what may come.  I arrived at the pharmacy as fast as I could and checked the simplest things first.  Was the data server on?  Were all the computers plugged up and running?  Then I restarted all their computers and the several cable modems and Ethernet switch. 

“We’re back on!!!” my father hollered very excitedly from the next room. “What did you do?”

“Process of elimination,” I replied. “I made sure everything was working, rebooted and plugged in, then I reset your internet connections and your switch.”

Dad gave me $20 dollars and told me to go get a good lunch – that I had earned it. I stopped at Little Caesar's just up the road and got two large pepperoni pizzas with extra sauce and cheese to go.

Photo Credit:    http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6121-DOCSIS-Cable/dp/B004XC6GJ0

http://www.fromaway.com/observations/america-presents-little-caesars-hot-n-ready-pepperoni-pizza

‘Rents to the Rescue…

I needed some extra special TLC today.  I am lucky my parents are so accommodating of me in these later years.  My arm was killing me and I called mom.  This was the same arm and shoulder I broke over a decade and a half ago in a motorcycle accident.  I am just so lucky to be among the living of this world. It fits nicely into my morbid “never forget Auschwitz” mantra.

“I’ll put you some Aleve and an icepack in with your sodas,” my mother told me over the phone. “I hate it that you are hurting.”

“I slept on it wrong,” I replied to my mother. “And Dixie keeps nuzzling it very forcibly compounding the pain and the problem.”

“I still have your hydrocodone from when you broke your foot,” mom then told me dangling a most delicious carrot. “Your daddy filled the prescription.”

“I will take too many of them,” I replied to my mother very honestly after a pause for sanity to return. “You hang on to those.”

Pain pills and me: Oh lordy, I could write an essay!

Like I had predicted in my last post, I went back to bed at 7am and slept until noon. I was dead to the world until Dixie’s barking woke me up at lunchtime.

Photo credit:  http://www.exercisesforshoulderpain.com/blog/

Up Before the Crack of Dawn…

I have no doubts that I will be back in the bed in just a few short hours.  My body, my malfunctioning brain, decided to get up at the ungodly hour of 5am this morning.  I would be up shit creek without a roll of toilet paper if I had to work.  I would also be headed into work this morning bleary eyed, miserable, and unkempt for sure.

I always find a nice rejuvenating hot shower and some music tends to relax me.  I am listening to some Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans “If I am alive this time next year…” and I’ve got the water in the tub running for a hot shower or bath.  Maggie’s already hightailed it outside sitting in the cold on the back deck thinking she is getting a bath. lol  I’ve never seen a dog this adverse to water.  Dixie is walking in her sleep and snoring on the couch.

Photo credit:   https://graceschmidt.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/the-clouds-veil-2/

The Super Duper Shopper…

“I swear,” my father said tonight outside Kroger as we walked to our cars. “I just knew your groceries were going to be over a $100 dollars. You got a shitload of groceries tonight.”

Dad’s previous obligations got cancelled and he was able to accompany me to the grocery store tonight.

I did get a helluva lot of food for $68 dollars.  I also got a lot of comfort items as well like cream cheese and chives crackers, oatmeal and raisin cookies and Oreo cookies – stuff I normally wouldn’t get as it is so expensive and frivolous. That’s were buying store brand comes in handy.  I also stuck with my Campbell’s soup plan getting 8 cans of chunky soup and I also got 10 cans of assorted Chef Boyardee.   They were on sale at 10 for $10.  I only got six frozen meals tonight and the sharp cheddar cheese to spruce them up and make them more palatable.

“I see you finally got your tea,” my father told me as he watched me load up my groceries into my car. “I complained to the manager on duty about it last Wednesday night. They were losing sales.”

“Yep,” I replied. “I got 5 gallons of Milo’s famous sweet tea.”

I gave dad a hug and then we both headed our separate ways.  I had a trunk of groceries to unload and put away – my most abhorred thing about grocery night.

A Twist of Fate…

My father stopped by with lunch today – a barbecue plate from Roger’s
Barbecue. I was overjoyed as I really can’t afford to eat the delicious fare there.  A barbecue plate is $8.99. That’s a lot of double cheeseburgers from Mickey D’s.

“I wish you would just let me open another tab with them so you could get a good meal with vegetables everyday,” he told me.  “They have the best sweet tea as well.”

“Dad, I would weigh 300 pounds plus in a few short months eating at Roger’s everyday,” I haughtily replied, but I did tell my father thank you for the offer.

Dad brought my medications as well for which I was overjoyed.  He has an obligation tonight that he can’t get out of. I think it is continuing education for pharmacists down in Auburn.  Charlie is going grocery shopping with me.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy…

Imagine my ultimate joy this morning when I realized I could transfer music to and from my iPod with Winamp.  I haven’t tried the iPad yet. 

I am busily adding music to the computer in my den – all 146 Gigabytes I have on my iPod.  I have no love for Apple’s iTunes and avoid installing it. I don’t want to have to jump through hoops to listen to and buy my music. iTunes was telling me I had too many computers authorized to use it and I immediately uninstalled it.

Another blessing happened this morning when I realized I had six diet Sunkist sodas in my fridge that I had forgotten about. Charlie brought them last night. They taste so much better than Sprite Zero I have been drinking.  I cracked open a can, took a big drink, and a big smile formed on my face.  Now, if I only had a cigarette, it would be a moment of bliss. I guess I can have a Swisher Sweet cigar instead. I love the way those cigars taste and smell. Ah, the aroma and taste of cherry!

The Cornucopia Spills Forth…

Today is another grocery day.  If you can believe it, I still have one meal left from last week and it is a sweet and sour chicken microwave meal.  I did so much better on conserving my groceries this week than from previous weeks. It helps that I haven’t had much of an appetite lately as well.

My saving grace was all the Progresso chunky soup I bought that was inexpensive and filling.  I plan to carry on that new tradition tonight. The chicken corn chowder I purchased was most excellent.  We are going to try Campbell’s chunky soup this week and see if it is better.

Photo credit:  http://nerdist.com/llamas-asses-to-go-unwhipped-as-winamp-shuts-down/

Speaking of Trump: I had Totally Trumped Up Fears…

My fears today were for naught as they always ultimately are.  Rational thinking is a skill have yet to master after all these years on this third rock from the sun.  Mom and dad spent the afternoon sitting and laying on the back porch reading and enjoying the cool fall weather. The high temperature was 76° degrees today.

“Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry,” my mother said when she called me after getting my message. “We can’t hear the phones out on the back porch.”

To hear this was much consolation for my mind.  My anxiety melted away. I am known for my numerous social gaffes and I was worried I had committed another causing my parents to spurn me.

The Second Shift…

Papa and Charlie have just left after delivering much needed medications and Popeye’s chicken. They had to go through three drive-thru’s tonight with mom wanting a Burger King Whopper, Horsefly wanting KFC chicken tenders, and my father, Charlie, Janice, and I wanting Popeye’s chicken.  Maggie and I both jumped for joy at the arrival of Charlie’s Chevy Caprica in front of my house. Dixie was already outside the front door and ran to the road to greet them.

photo credit:  http://forums.imore.com/politics/332110-trump-2016-a.html

Just Call Me Crazy…

I can get so paranoid sometimes.  I’ve been trying to reach my parents via their cell phones and home phone all afternoon, but no one answers.  I got paranoid and got to thinking they were avoiding me until I saw on Facebook that it was grandparent’s day.  I am sure my father and mother drove to Alexander City to my sister’s house to be with all the grandkids along with my brother’s kids.  My father has his cell phone turned off which is exceedingly rare and he only did it after my first call to them.

Normally, Sunday night around 7pm is when Charlie rallies the troops and him and my father do fried chicken Sundays for Horsefly and us all along with my medications.  I wonder if Charlie is going to do that alone tonight? I hate when our schedules get off kilter like they are doing tonight. It makes my anxiety go off the charts. Sunday nights are always nice because I don’t have to wait until late to get my medications. At least I know one thing: Horsefly will have to get his chicken fingers meal come hell or high water.

Oh, I am just crazy as a fruit bat today so don’t mind me.   Paranoia, anxiety and worry is the name of the game for me at the moment.

Photo credit:   http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-paranoia-paranoid-paranoid-mental-anxiety-as-concept-image31422984

A Taste of Fall…

It was a chilly 53° degrees when I got up this morning.  I looked out the kitchen window into the dark after turning on some heat and my neighbor was in his favorite chair on the carport bundled up in warm clothes. The carport light was on.  I wonder what he is really going to do when temperatures get down into the 30s and 40s in a few weeks. Oh, I am just being a nosey old busybody of a neighbor.  It’s none of my business really. He’s quiet except for an occasional coughing fit and he is unobtrusive and that is all that really matters.

I spent most of my morning moving one of my computers into the den via a wireless internet connection that came integrated with my motherboard. I was afraid the connection speeds would be paltry, but I am downloading and browsing as fast as can be. I am getting four bars out of five signal strength on the other end of the house.  Now I can use a computer out of that dark dungeon that was my computer room.  It is so bright and airy here in the den.

Charlie has arrived with breakfast.  Dixie flew out the door to go greet him at the road.  Maggie safely and jubilantly barked from the other side of the screened in door. Charlie was congenial, but in a hurry to finish all his deliveries while the biscuits were still fresh and hot.

“I’m headed to Polly’s,” he said of his sister as he left in a flash. 

Charlie left me with a feeling of loneliness and I never get lonely for the most part.  Boredom is always my greatest nemesis sitting in this old house of mine.

Malfunction Junction… 

Laura texted me yesterday at noon…

“Can I call you?”

I texted back that my father was soon to arrive with my medications and asked nicely if she could call back later.  I think I pissed her off as she never called. I kept wondering all day if the honeymoon between her and Wayne was over. She has told me in the past that she is calling me to come get her if things don’t work out.  Man, that’s a long ass drive.

Photo Credit:   http://www.hcpress.com/featured-photo/fall-colors-not-as-vibrant-or-intense-as-in-past-years-but-still-quite-a-sight-for-leaf-lookers-in-the-high-country.html

Back in the Land of the Living…

Boy, did I have a shitty and tough night last night.  A night I chose to say little of and would rather forget about.  Mental illness is a fickle beast and can strike at almost any time.

Today was the first day of the fall season I turned on my heat.  My comfort range is around 78° to 80° degrees and it was 74° degrees in this house when I woke up this morning.  I wore a jacket and long pants and finally relented when it grew uncomfortable and set the heat to 78°. 

My father has just left after administering my medications.  I was so very glad when I heard that knock on the door and the dogs went wild at his arrival.  Dixie has learned, too, that Papa’s arrival is a special time around this household.  She gets just as excited as Maggie does.  I always just let her out the front door to go greet my father and she stays outside the front door so dad can spend some time with Maggie.  I then call her and she comes right back inside.

Dad had to work all morning opening and closing the pharmacy at noon. Now, he has a wedding to attend this afternoon. It seems his responsibilities continually get heaped upon him. 

I’ve got to get down to Wal-Mart today and get Maggie some nail clippers pronto having misplaced my pair.  When her nails get too long then she starts to slightly and then increasingly limp. It is pitiful and painful to see her hobble about the house.  Her nails grow faster than any dog I have ever owned.  I guess it is because she never goes outside except to use the bathroom. 

Photo credit:   http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=109569&p=5746879

Bad Afternoon…

I haven’t felt well this afternoon.  My mind feels cloudy and busy at the same time if you can fathom such a thing. I also feel extremely nervous and got worried Helen was poisoning my food.  I quit drinking tea and switched to Sprite Zero hoping it would help – the reduction in sugar and caffeine.  I also tried to lie down on the bed, but I tossed and turned relentlessly and restlessly.  So now I am just listening to music (Dances with Wolves) waiting for the pharmacy to close so as the Calvary will soon arrive.  It closes in ten more minutes.  Let’s hope my father isn’t really late tonight.  I really need him right now.  I am sure my medications will help tenfold.   Maybe I am just having withdrawal symptoms.

photo credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_pill_and_blue_pill

Helen’s Soul Food Friday’s…

Today we had tantalizing meatloaf, perfectly seasoned summer squash, tasty green beans, a buttery mound of creamed potatoes, and crunchy crusted cornbread.

Helen was just leaving as I pulled into the driveway from the rear of the house.  Mom had the garage door up which worried me to a degree. That is unlike her.  She said it was for the heating/cooling guy who was supposed to arrive soon.

Mom hasn’t been feeling very well lately.  She says she has a bladder infection and if it is anything like the urinary tract infection I had then I know she’s got to be feeling terrible. She keeps saying she is going to the doctor if she doesn’t get to feeling better soon.  The doctor did call into my father some antibiotics.

“Is there something I can go get you to make you feel better?” I asked my mother who was laying on the couch. “Do you want me to go get you a Butterfinger blast?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just need to rest. Go eat your meal while it is still hot.”

I reluctantly locked the back door and headed to my car worried about her.

Let’s All Drink, Smoke, and Be Merry…

My new neighbor is a very strange and very interesting creature.  Since he moved into Joyce’s house weeks ago, all he does is sit on the carport and drink beer and smoke cigarettes all day every day. He’s developed quite a smoker’s hack and I can hear him cough from my computer room.  He’s been doing this for weeks.  He will occasionally go for a beer or lunch run, but mostly he is sitting in his chair on his carport sunup and sundown.  He doesn’t go inside until about 10 or 11pm.  I assume to sleep.

I awoke about 7am as dawn arrived this morning and looked out into the predawn dark through the kitchen window and there he was already in his comfy chair for his day with the carport light lighting the way.

“There is something very strange about your neighbor,” Charlie told me last Sunday night. “I don’t think he is right in the head.”

“I know,” I replied. “I try not to gawk and I mind my own business. He always waves hello and I reciprocate.  He seems to be a nice guy.  He is quiet as a church mouse thankfully.”

“He must have agoraphobia,” my father chimed in forever the armchair psychiatrist. 

Normalized Sleeping schedule…

It seems I am on a much more normal sleeping schedule now.  I went to bed at 11pm last night and woke up at around 7am this morning. That’s a good eight hours of sleep and much more aligned with what normal people do. Whatever normal is.

photo credit:   http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=80

Post Injection Drowsiness and Lethargy…

My Risperdal injection was early this morning and has left me feeling drowsy and lethargic all day.  I took a long nap late this afternoon and that helped some.  I woke up to loud thunder and you all know how much that excites me.  We have more on the way I hope with a line of storms forming to our northwest.

Mom stopped by tonight to give Maggie her heartworm and flea medications.  Those pill pockets are a godsend.  Mom also had Maggie 6 Vienna sausages to eat which are her prize for being a good girl and taking her medications without a fuss.  I locked Dixie out the back door so their wouldn’t be any squabbles over the treats.  Maggie is still firmly the boss despite our new much, much larger canine addition.   Maggie just barely tolerates Dixie mostly ignoring her unless Dixie gets too close, and that big dog can be the proverbial bull in the china shop.

It is a quarter past seven now so that means the pharmacy has closed.  Dad comes earlier when he works all day and I should see him around 8:30 or 8:45pm.  That will be nice.  I am going to wait for my medications to take affect and will be in the bed after that short hour. I hope they knock my socks off like they can do some nights.  You know me.  I love and live to feel abnormal in a good way.

I had a short online chat with Laura tonight.  She told me she was starting her period and was already feeling cramps and feeling bitchy.  “Don’t bite the hand that feeds ya,” I told her with regards to Wayne.  She is completely dependent upon that man for everything as she doesn’t work. I bet she doesn’t have $20 to her name. She does get $200 dollars in food stamps, though, every month.

Dixie coming through Maggie's dog door...

Dixie Doggy Darlin’ You’re Doing It Right…

One nice thing about Dixie is when she gets out of the fence she will stay in the yard.  I opened the front door after Lopez Landscaping left yesterday and there was Dixie laying on the front stoop. She must've gotten out when they mowed the backyard.  When dad arrived last night, I let her out the front door into the front yard to go greet my father at the road.  She doesn’t stray far from home and came right back inside when I called her.

Over Rainy Hill and Rainy Dale…

Just as I and my father were leaving my house last night for the grocery store after the medication ritual, the heavens opened up upon us.  I can’t see well to drive at night and I’m sure you can guess how a torrential downpour affected my already feeble eyesight. I looked like a little old lady scrunched over the steering wheel. It was a white knuckle drive to get gas and then to the grocery store.

Well, we made it to Kroger and the rain abated some. It had settled into a soft drizzle.  Last night was soup night and I got all kinds of Progresso soups and some Boston Market heat and serve meals.  The meals were a concession to my father.  They also finally had my Milo’s famous sweet tea in stock so I got 5 gallons while the getting was good. I also got some soft baked apple cinnamon cookies from the bakery that are just scrumptious.

Last night’s total was $63 dollars.  I can never judge how much I am spending and have to guess.  I should be buying at least $80 bucks of groceries.  My theoretical limit is $85 dollars.

photo credit:   http://www.brandeating.com/2013/08/review-boston-market-meatloaf-frozen-dinner.html

Succulent Ribs Doused in Papa’s Secret Barbecue Sauce…

The cavalry arrived very late last night.  We were about to be outflanked by that nemesis called hunger.  Charlie immediately began to clean my kitchen as dad administered my medications.  Charlie and my father also brought me a treat as in some delicious   smoky tasting barbecued ribs and some barbecue bread to sop up the extra barbecue sauce with. The dogs also went bananas over the bones.

Dad forgot about grocery night so we will go tonight instead. I didn’t press the issue and played dumb even though I was starving at the time. You damn well better bet I bought some fast food today with my debit card, and for once in my life my father didn’t bitch and moan about it.   I also want one of those store bought birthday cakes tonight and my birthday is in April. I wonder how much one of those would cost? Cravings much?

photo credit:  http://www.westsuburbancatering.com/Menus.html

Holiday? What Holiday? Oh, That Holiday…

Sometimes it feels as if I live in a big encapsulated vacuum.  It just dawned on me that it is Labor Day.  I got to thinking it was awful strange that nobody in my family has called all day. They were also not answering their phones.  The family unit must be at my sister’s house in Alexander City grilling out by the lake.  All I can realistically hope for is a nice big plate of good food on my father’s return and then we will go and get my groceries. 

Photo credit:   http://www.4th-of-july-2015.com/happy-labor-day-2015-images-pictures-wallpapers.html

Maybe She’s Going to be Happy…

I hope so, even though my father and I made a bet that she would be home within a month.  Dad says two weeks tops.

“And don’t you go and get her as well,” he told me sternly with an angry looking stare. “She’ll find a way home without you.”

Laura called me for a chat yesterday.  She seemed chipper and upbeat. I was glad she was okay and sounded well.  I finally figured out what kind of vibe all of this was giving me, though.  They are all like 40ish teenagers in high school dating and breaking up. It is like some teen drama I got roped into participating in.

Ah, Monday Mornings…

I jumped out of the bed running this morning. It is now 4:03am on this start of another Monday, but I feel very rested, relaxed and ready to take on my day.

I knew Dixie probably had to pee pretty badly. She shot out that backdoor about as fast as I could open it.   I want to get her a dog door installed, but it would have to be so big that a person could crawl through.

My internet service is down so I am piggybacking wirelessly off my neighbors next door who have Charter internet (I have WOW! internet). I need to write them an anonymous thank you note and put it in their mailbox, but that would probably freak them out, though. lol

I craftily renamed my wireless connection to “FBI Surveillance Van #2”. Let the hilarity ensue. I don’t think anyone is going to piggyback off of me.  I also have my wireless internet password protected. 

Today, as you may already know, is grocery day.  I have no idea of what I am going to get. Dad said if they don’t have my Milo’s tea one more time as in tonight, then we are complaining to the manager.  Dad wants to complain about the bread he loves as they never have that either in the evenings. “Piss poor management!” were his words about it last night.

It’s Deluxe So That Must Mean It’s Better…

Yep, another round of Sunday night feedings will soon begin.  Dad called and asked me if I wanted Captain D’s one more time.  I told him I wanted the deluxe seafood platter.  I love those stuffed crabs on those plates.  The crab stuffing comes in their very own crab carapace.  If you look closely, you can still see its deep fried eyeballs. Yum!

Photo credit:    http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/captain-ds-seafood-restaurants-fort-worth?select=mLBAKS0PBzkaxanGSTB3Ww

The Canine Disciplinarian…

Dixie still has some new tricks to learn.  For one thing, you don’t jump up on guests and their crotches aren’t flowers for the sniffing.  One good thing, though, we haven’t had any accidents inside the house so far. Not one.

Last night, Dixie wanted to get on the bed with me and Mags so badly.  I made her sleep on the area rug by the bed. Two is company and three is a crowd as that old saying goes.  I’ve got to get her an extra large sized dog bed.

Thanks to Summer–Nala is Now Dixie…

Thanks sincerely for all the suggestions.  I really do appreciate you all taking time to do that.

photo credit:   http://longmountaingeneralstore.com/CSA.aspx

A Little Note of Encouragement from Tamara…

Hello Andrew...I've missed some of your postings lately on Facebook. I'm just checking on you. Hope you are doing well. Don't ever give up on your writing, you have a beautiful mind. Take Care! Love you! Tamara.

Well, this just made my very own day – for a good friend such as Tamara to write and send me that heartfelt message via messenger.  She truly is a sweetheart.

Time for a Name Change…

I hate the name Nala (Nay-lah). I have trouble pronouncing it.  I am trying to think of a better name for this dog. I am leaning on, Misty or Missy (a traditional female pet name in the family) and I hope Nala takes to the change. Feel free to add your own suggestions as well. Let’s groupthink!

She’s Found Her Forever Home…

We Solemnly Mourn the Loss of Today’s Soul Food Friday…

Helen’s husband got really sick early this morning so she couldn’t cook today. *sobs* Dad’s taking it upon himself to go ahead and cook a soul food meal anyway.  We are certainly all in very capable culinary hands I must attest.  I heard him say macaroni and cheese and my eyes lit up in anticipation. I told mom to be sure and put extra mac and cheese on my plate. We are also having what my father called Swiss steak which is just a glorified name for cube steak and gravy cooked until it is fork tender.

Photo credit:   http://kirbiecravings.com/2014/08/one-pot-macaroni-and-cheese.html

Nala Soon Arrives…

Jason, Nala’s human and the brother of an extra special friend from high school, is bringing her by this afternoon sometime.  He is going to call me when he gets underway with Nala in his truck.  This is a favor for that very good friend of mine.  I gave Jason decent directions so let’s hope he doesn’t have any trouble finding my house. 

Update: Nala is finally here and Maggie is acting really cool about it all.  I am already in love with our new canine addition. They are both now asleep on the floor of my computer room where it is nice and cool on that hardwood floor.

Back From Slumber Land…

Well, I finally got some good sleep and it couldn’t have come at a more fortuitous time.  I slept all yesterday afternoon until my father arrived around 10pm for the medication ritual.  He had to take Horsefly bowling and to Kentucky Flailed Chicken.  Then I went back to bed about 10:30pm and slept until about 4:30am this morning. I feel so much more rested.

“Doesn’t it worry Charlie about Horsefly’s nutrition by eating those chicken fingers and reconstituted mashed potaters every night?” I asked my father last night.

“Horsefly has to drink two chocolate Ensures a day,” my father replied.  “He’d waste away if he didn’t”

Photo credit: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ensure-plus-shake-6-pack-milk-chocolate6-pk/ID=prod396471-product

May Nala Come and Live With Us?

If everything works out we may have a new dog to add to the family.  I will keep y’all informed. She’s a soldier’s dog and he has to relocate to Fort Bragg and can’t take her with him.  I am just waiting to hear from a good friend of mine about the details and where I need to go to pick her up. I think I will be driving back to Columbus and Ft. Benning again. 

Update:

It’s in the works.  The guy has my phone number and is going to call me today.  We’ll give her a good bath when she gets home and I hope she’s house trained.

How Do You Sleep?

It’s a simple question, right? But, oh so hard to answer.  I was up for most of the night. My sleep patterns are just wildly erratic these days.  Luckily, I don’t have to work and can sleep when needed.

I’d say I woke up about 2am this morning.  I finally got in bed and fell asleep again around 6am.  7am arrived with me sound asleep and my father was calling on the phone wanting to go to Columbus.  I gathered myself, wiped the sleep from my eyes, and drove over.  Well, now I can’t go back to sleep no matter how hard I try and I am one miserable little pitiful soul feeling like Atlas holding up the weight of the whole world upon his shoulders.   How did “The Homeless Guy” ever go over eighty hours without sleep recently and not lose his mind?

Caravan to Columbus…

Well, we dropped dad’s Beemer off at the dealership in Columbus. I followed in dad’s Honda.  My father was extremely grateful for the help.  He’s getting four new tires put on and the 60,000 mile scheduled service.

Now, if I can just get him to change my internet speed to 110 Mbps then I will be happy.  He said he would do it next week much to my chagrin.

“It’s just a 15 minute phone call!” I pleaded fruitlessly.

I would do it, but I don’t have the last four digits of dad’s social security number and he wasn’t forthcoming with it either.

“Oh, I debited $61 from my inheritance account to Newegg,” I told him and then I told him what for.

He seemed okay about it. “You and that Newegg,” is all he said. I nonchalantly said I probably would have spent that much taking Laura to China Moon and dessert last week.

We stopped at McDonald’s for breakfast biscuits and coffee before leaving Columbus.  Dad ordered at the drive-thru, but then realized he left his wallet at home when we got to the window.  This is a person with social anxieties worst nightmare.  I slumped down in my seat and covered my face as all we could say was sorry and we went about our merry way. My anxieties started welling up again because dad’s Honda was running low on gas, but we made it home safe and sound.

Photo credit:    http://brusimm.com/ever-wonder-what-coffee-brand-mcdonalds-uses/

Welcome to Planet Earth, Andrew…

Dad told me last night he needs me to drive to Columbus, GA with him to pick up the BMW which got serviced yesterday.

“This is going to cost a fortune, but it needed to be done,” he told me as he sat on my couch.  “Will you be awake?”

“Hit or miss,” I told him. “Call me an hour before we leave to let me have a chance to get awake.”

“We are going to get your car serviced next,” he told me to grateful ears.

“I just need an oil and oil filter change, engine air filter, and some much nicer and sturdier windshield wipers,” I replied to him.

We both agreed to take my car to West Point Tire and Auto tomorrow and pick it up later in the afternoon. 

Let’s Get Our Game On…

I am so into retro gaming at the moment. It has given me great joy. I was overjoyed tonight when I found out USB game controllers were available for my computer for all my favorite retro gaming consoles. These are the controllers off of Newegg’s website.  It was just $61 dollars for all of them.  I don’t think old fuss and feathers will get onto me for such a paltry order. 

Nintendo N64 USB Controller - Green - by Mars Devices

 

 

 

 

Retro-Link Wired USB Controller For PC And Mac For Sega Saturn System

 

 

 

 

GameCube USB Controller GameCube PC Wired Gamepad Retro-Link Black

 

 

 

 

RETROLINK USB SUPER NINTENDO SNES CLASSIC CONTROLLER

Awoken From My Sweet Dreams…

I am still in a dizzying daze from a very, very deep sleep.  I fell asleep this early afternoon and didn’t wake up until Maggie was putting up a big hullabaloo about my father, old fuss and feathers, being here.   All the house lights were off and it was after dark fall – about fifteen minutes after nine.  Dad remarked that it was extremely strange for me to do that.  He couldn’t remember a time when I wasn’t up, lights on, and waiting on him to arrive eager to take my crazy meds.

“Your depressed,” my father told me. “It’s about that girl.”

I shrugged enigmatically.

“I don’t think so,” I finally told my father stalwartly. “I’ve been consistently sleeping a lot for the past two weeks. Besides, we are just friends.”

“Your dating days are over and you miss her. Don’t you?”

“Don’t argue with me when I have only half my wits about me,” I told my father brazenly with an air of aggravation.

“She’ll be back. You mark my very words,” my father told me with a chuckle. “And you can spend your money on her if you like. You’d be a fool to do so, though.”

Chuckles…

Mom is a voracious reader on top of being a public school teacher for over 20 years.  I called her to tell her Laura had left. She eloquently summed up the situation.

“This is what you should call inevitable withdrawal,” she told me. “Consider yourself lucky she didn’t choose you, and you would be smart to distance yourself from all that cheap and tawdry mess.”

Don’t Leave and Not Say Goodbye…

Well, Laura is in her sister’s car on the way to see “her man” as she puts it. She posted it on Facebook this morning. They should’ve left at noon and are well on their way now. It is about a three hour drive from Lagrange.  I’m mainly worried and concerned for her well being.  I’ve lived on the seedier side of life for awhile and can attest to it not being a picnic or cakewalk. That’s the life she will greet when she goes to live with felonious Wayne in that camper trailer.  Godspeed. She’s out of my hands now unless she calls for help and then I will be there.  Hey, we all make mistakes.  We just need to learn from them.

A text message a moment ago…

• Laura -- Hey I left early
• Andrew -- Hey, I thought I read that earlier. Are you on the way?
• Laura -- yeah I'm in Montezuma right now with my sister
• Andrew -- Will you still have your phone in Statesboro?
• Laura – yeah I ain't going anywhere without this faithful sidekick
• Andrew -- good
• Andrew -- I’m coming to get you if this doesn't work out.
• Laura -- okay

Zero Prestige Points with Me…

I had just crawled into my wonderfully comfortable bed. It was still warm as Maggie had been in my spot near the window for hours overnight.   I got myself situated under the covers after turning the air conditioning down to 76° degrees – my perfect sleep temperature. I sleep with one hand under my face and my other hand in a fist under my neck.   I could feel sleep’s horizon slipping towards me when Maggie began to growl at the foot of the bed. I was in the middle of a wonderful daydream – a dream that I grew up with what I now know about life and how different my life would then be.

The growling intensified until Maggie was outright barking loudly and violently.  Someone was at the front door and it wasn’t friendly visitors.  There was a loud knock and then someone said “Hello” really loudly.  I covered my head with my covers hoping they would go away and they finally did.  Maggie let loose her final vicious bark 20 minutes after this rigmarole began.   The whole process left me sleepless, though.  Pumping with adrenaline, I sat back down in front of this computer bleary eyed and half asleep.

The Earl of Sandwich…

There really is an Earl of Sandwich, you know? 

Every week we have the same routine for grocery night.  Dad gives me most of my medications before leaving to shop (to steady my nerves) other than my really hard hitting antipsychotic and my multitude of Klonopins which can make me feel kind of drunk and unsteady.  We take those after shopping when I arrive back home.  The Klonopin tends to subdue me some, but I am back up and running in two hours time slurred voice and all. One of my biggest fears for awhile was that Laura would call me after midnight and I would sound drunk.  I warned her my medications have a pretty pronounced effect on me, though.

Let’s Get to the Nitty Gritty…

---

Well, this grocery trip I stuck to my guns or my previous game plan and got sandwich fixing's.  I had a toasted turkey and muenster with lettuce ad tomato on a white rye bread before bed last night. It sure hit the spot, but gave me weird dreams – dreams of fruitlessly chasing Maggie through waist high fields of corn and wheat as Maggie barked mockingly back at me.  There was a busy highway looming before us.

The total tally last night was a whopping $92 dollars mainly because I had to buy laundry detergent and fabric softener. That stuff is expensive.  It was $5 for the Gain fabric softener alone.   I also bought a little $4.99 bottle of Gain laundry enhancer granules that are supposed to enhance and lengthen the good scents and softness of my laundry. I will let you all know how they work and if they are worth the money.

My first stop was to see if those chocolate cupcakes I saw the other day were still in the bakery cooler and they were.  I quickly added them to my cart.  4 for $3.99 was kind of expensive but they are delicious. 

Dad was just walking around the store as I shopped.  He caught up with me and looked inside my cart and frowned.  He so wanted to see those Marie Callendar meals.

“They’ve quit carrying the Marie Callender meals for the most part,” I told my father and they honestly had.

Dad went and looked anyway.  He came back and suggested the Stouffer’s meals until I told him to check prices with regards to portion sizes.  One meal and I would still be starving, and we would be broke.  

“And why do you have all that regular coke in your buggy?” he then asked suspiciously.

Dad says I can get high off of caffeine.  Ah, dealings with the “feel good police” as I like to call them.  I wanted to tell him that Milo’s tea has a lot of caffeine as well.

“They were out of my Milo’s Famous sweet tea,” I replied. “And these 2-liter cokes were 2 for $1.50.”

Dad grumbled something about Kroger not being managed properly as they are consistently out of Milo’s, bread, and many other things by late in the evening.  

My last act last night in the grocery store was to get Maggie some dog treats.  I got her some of those Pupperoni dog treats.  She literally devoured a stick once I was home and I had gotten my groceries squared away. 

Let Me Tell You About Paige…

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Every week, consistently, we get Paige as our cashier. She is always smiling and very glad to see us – giving us tips on certain groceries that are on sale.  We have built up a repoire between us.  She works days as a paralegal at the courthouse and works at Kroger second shift.  I asked her why she worked two jobs and she said she is trying to send her son off to a good college.  I thought that was very noble of her and a sacrifice I hope her son appreciates.   It gave me a new found respect for Paige.  

Photo Credit:  http://www.recipes100.com/recipe+roasted+turkey+sandwich