Let us start....to be continued

     Good Morning.  Wednesday night, I went to bed interminably early for me.  8.  Not that I was overly tired but there was a wintry feel.  It was already showing dark outside, I was definitely tired, and brother in law was in living room watching the television.  So I thought what the heck.  Got a pretty good nights sleep.
     Thursday broke, got up about normal time.  Got myself out of the door about 7:15.  The morning was light, bright, and dare I say effervescent.  Only thing was that the sun was not quite peeping out yet to its fullest.  Took the walk I did last year on one street.  Was a little disappointed, the yard that had entertained my fancy so much was far less decorated.  I'm hoping all is well in there.
     Walked back on main street, have always loved to do that especially during the week. When the air is somewhat fresh and watching people hustle and bustle for work while I didn't have to.  Saw the brother in law drive by on his errand.  7-11 for buttered roll and coffee.  Then it would be deli for sisters breakfast sandwich.  I was at my destination by the time he got to the deli.  And I was quite pleased with how quickly I was walking. 
     Destination?  The bakery of course.  Spoke with the woman behind the counter a bit, ordered myself a chocolate danish to stay.  Sat by the window nibbling the delicious pastry watching a small part of the world go by.  Got home and played on the computer for hours, was fun.  Saw sister off and did little.  I'd hoped my cigars would arrive.  Pal at the lounge thought maybe next week if I was lucky.
     I decided having no money, I'd have no real plans.  Odd part is I know I went somewhere else and cannot recall where or what.  Oh and I did take the dog for an early walk.  She really seems to enjoy it.  So do I now, I can keep up with her no problem.  And she walks fairly well.  I've trained her to the best I can but let us not digress to talking of the dog eh?
     I also cleaned a good majority of stuff out of my car, getting rid of the 'so you live in your car?' look.  Was nice.  Saw my next door neighbor, we spoke for a bit.  For a fellow in his mid 70's he looks good and is active and sharp as a tack.
     Found out via my cell phone that I had a call returned to me.  Had called best friend the day before, he called me about 8:34, I was asleep.  Okay sorry but I must abandon here, have some stuff to get done this morning, no slouching.  I'll probably continue later.

Well it is now Wednesday

     Mid morning here, sun is pouring through any where it can find an opening.  A gentle cool 70 degrees, and I've finally a day to myself.  What?!?
     No my sister did not make it to work at all yesterday.  Was a little bit of get me this and get me that.  Oh and before you go out for the afternoon secure me lunch.  Of course I had to make dinner last night.  Meatloaf, nothing fancy, was very good along with the potatoes.  Brother in law?  Came home, exhausted.  I think he was born that way.  Puts on his westerns on the television and zones out.  I headed to the beach for a late evening smoke, nice way to end a day.  Came back, sister in bed, he was downstairs.  The spend no time together, very odd people.
     Anyway.  Got off to a running start this morning.  One of the things I wanted to do was return bottles.  Tried yesterday, there was a woman, who looked dressed in nurse scrubs, with a cart filled with Poland Spring bottles.  The other plastic machine was broken. 
     So this morning I hit the road at about 7:30 ish.  Walked in town; grabbed a bagel; ate it obviously; and drove to supermarket.  Stuff in cart and wheeled it up, damned thing was locked.  Another person pulls up gets stuff out and was shocked as well.  The first person came along and said he got someone and they were opening it now.  Long dull story completed, got $11 worth of bottles returned.
     Came home, had a morning dish of ice cream and remembered I had a blog to write.  I'm looking forward to my cigars arriving today.  I've got my humidor prepared.  I'll probably save money in the long run.
     I am going to the lounge today.  It was a year ago today.  I was recovering from surgery, sister had come home, hurricane Irene barreled thru and we were without power for a week
     I loved it, I must say.  Monday I remembered being nice, 1 generator.  By Tuesday night there were more generators on and the crickets were doing their best to be heard.  By that Wednesday the noise was intolerable.  I mean a blackout enjoy it people!  I wanted stars and crickets.  So it was on a Wednesday night one year ago that I had my first cigar in a very long time. 
     Okay I have to pretend to be productive.  Laterz.

I'm better and not bitter today.

     Thank you for letting me vent yesterday.  I'm much better this morning, and not just because my sister is seemingly going to work.  Or maybe so.  It is a rainy morning right now, rains generally seem to follow me when I take time off.  So I just deal with it the best I can.
     Yesterday wasn't awful.  I tooled around a bit, made sure not to take my anger out towards my sister, I'm not a total ignorant human.  Managed to go out to the cigar lounge about 12ish.  She was fine and wished me fun.
     Good time, good company.  Pal I knew from when he did the weekends there now does 3 days during the week.  A good natured guy, going to school for photography and such.  One of the guys, he's a school teacher, a regular from Sunday was there as well.  Watched some things on netflix, joked around, guy stuff.
     I was home by 3, had to make dinner and the dishwasher had to be emptied, then the sink.  Also I'm a fan of the People's Court.  Sister had printed up some recipe from the Hellman's site for chicken.  I'd defrosted 3 breasts Saturday night for Sunday dinner, see previous post and you'll understand.  Maybe.  Simple enough recipe
Mayo, parm cheese, flavored bread crumbs, bake in oven.  Basically mix the mayo and parm then coat chicken and cover with bread crumbs and bake. 
     Had everything sort of.  No parm and only plain bread crumbs.  Was fine, and made mashed potatoes with it as well.  No veggie.  I miss veggies.
     I also had heard about an event at the lounge this Friday, Rocky Patel night.  Always fun, few free cigars, but money being tight.  I won't be attending.  Not really in my budget.  I plan on going to the lounge on Wednesday again, give reasons later.  Also I'd made up my mind to buy some cigars from a website.  They happened to be Rocky Patel cigars too.  Difference was it is 20 for $49.
     That comes to under $3 per cigar.  Trust me that is a very good deal.  If I go this route and keep some on hand it will also stop the hemorrhage of money I spend buying 3 cigars a week to smoke.  Anywhere between $24-$30.  And that doesn't include the weekends.  So I need to prep my little humidor.
     Anyway got some small plans for this Tuesday.  The weather is supposed to improve this week so let's keep hopeful.  Laterz.

Stay calm or try to.

     The title refers to todays start rather than anything to do with yesterday.  I really wanted to go on the other blog but I try to be a bit more at peace there. 
     Sunday.  Opened well, coffee, shopping list, broke.  Bought groceries using my credit card of course.  Went to cigar lounge had good time and then 3:30 kicked in.  I dread that time, because it means I have to come home and cook.  Scene is usually brother in law drunk, sometimes passed out, sister generally sleeping or at computer, sink full of weeks dishes.  Oh and let me state, except for the pots I cook with, not a thing in the sink is mine.
     Drunky drunk was waking up, sister was waking up.  There had been a blow up about dinner on Saturday night.  There was one tonight as well.  Didn't buy the Turkey roast, sister was going to do something with 3 chicken breasts.
     I'm not rehashing, let's just say it was a lot of yelling and crying of the children, d d not knowing what he wanted, all s wanted was corn.  Took 2 hours to settle shit down.  In the end I bought them burgers from a local joint.  Whoop-dee-doo.
     For the majority of the summer I'd been heading to a place by the water.  Little beach, some people. As the summer wore on more and more people.  Then there was music on the lawn across from one parking lot.  Well I can usually find a rock to sit on waterside and listen.
     Everywhere was not only packed and it was high tide.  I'm not one of those people that just light up without consideration so I moved on.  Lot's of kiddies fishing in the other lot.  Got in my car and left.  Was home by 9.  Got an apology from my sister.
     Woke up at 6 this morning.  Could just feel the air.  Sister didn't sleep well, corn gave her diarrehha, not going to work. So far I've been asked to make sure wheel chair is down in the kitchen; make her rice before I go out; and the thing that set me off, call her job for her.  Oh yes she asked sober drunky drunk boy, but he'll be busy.  See I'm getting pissed again.  Well that's Sunday and part of Monday of my vacation.  Thanks for listening.

'Moring

     Coffee is brewing, waiting upon the mystical beep to tell me it is ready.  It is Sunday morn, soon I go to get stuff from bakery and the papers.  Then some food shopping, then cigar lounge.  Oh the wait for the beep is annoying.  Woke up about 6:30.  And still the coffee is taking its time.  We'll talk about first day of vacation anyway huh?
     Saturday broke gently enough.  Good promise of weather, overcast but bright, if that makes sense.  I must've played on my computer until 9, I enjoyed it, no real rush.  (just got coffee in case you're wondering.)  Brother in law said something about getting gas for the lawn mower.
     He's had weeks to do this.  Hell he was off on Thursday.  I've been reticent about it but also wanting to do it.  I was bound and determined to do it today.  Now my lawn....no was more of a jungle.  Waist high in areas, took me about 2 and a half hours.  I'll give him his props he came and worked outside as well.  It was hard non stop effort.  Anyone who's had to mow like that will understand.  It helped that the sun wasn't out.  Near 12:30 we were done for the day.
     I came in, still wanting to go.  I headed for my bathroom.  I like a clean bathroom.  It was beginning to have a grunge look to it.  Took maybe 20 minutes.  Need to clean the floor this week.  I'll not get into that.  Hate sharing bathrooms.
     Lunch called and said where the Hell are you!?  Made a grilled cheese with tomato and avocado. Was quite good.
     I went out into the afternoon with no great expectations.  No.....I definitely wanted a smoke.  After all that work I felt I deserved it.  I was and still am very proud I talked myself out of going to the lounge.  That's today, and if I know myself 2 times next week.  Got home after 3 feeling weary.  So I lay down for a bit.  Not a real sleep, but real good relaxing anyway.  Heard my sister  call me a few times.  Knew it was usual get this get that crap.  I ignored her.  She doesn't talk to my brother in law when he drinks.
     Upon getting out of my bed I went to see her, she forgot what she had wanted.  Woke my brother in law off couch and told him I was going to Costco for tea and coffee.  And of course upon my return.
     They're fighting.  Seems he tried to wake her, there was yelling, stupidity, dinner what was going on with that?  Annoying story shortened, we got her Chinese food, we had Mexican, I went out for a bit and came back and they weren't auguring.  That's about it.  Let's see how Sunday goes.

Sorry about that...

     I basically lost the thread from the other day.  Maybe I'll try to reclaim it.  It is Friday, I have all of next week off.  No actual plans or anything.  No money.  So let's see.  It's about 6 in the morn here, last cup of coffee.  Need to burst out of the door and get the day started.  And that's where we sit.  So let's see what happens.
     I have this idea of posting daily on my vacation, unsure if that will be feasible.  So no promises.  Week at work has been okay.  Nothing real monumental.  My thoughts at the moment are on breakfast.  Poach or fry and egg; or oatmeal.   Decisions Decisions.

Monday

     Officially word hasn't been released, but they're outsourcing jobs and cutting some that dealt directly in the IT department that worked with that department.  Weekend was alright I suppose.  Nothing exciting, didn't spend to much money.  Friday night just played some games.  Saturday they'd planned on hitting some shops so I knew that there would be no cleaning continuation.  I snuck off to the lounge and had a couple of cigars.
     They called me and wanted to meet for lunch.  We agreed on Friendly's.  I haven't eaten at one of those in ages, not since I worked in one in the '90s.  Found them, they were in good spirits.  Can't say much about the menu.  Sister had some sort of Turkey melt; bro in law bacon melt thing; I went with the Citrus chicken sandwich.  Nothing overly special to be honest.  It was nice to see them out of the house.  I even asked the waiter if they still did liver.
     Way back in the old century, Friendly's had liver, on Tuesdays I believe.  Came frozen and you served onions with it.  Was terrible to cook.  And the place where I was at was always packed.  The kid, yes I'm calling him a kid dammit, said not for at least the 10 years he'd been working there.
     Standard take out dinner.  Got myself a salad with fresh pears; Gorgonzola cheese; cranberries and walnuts; over a nice dark leaf salad.  Was good.  I wasn't actually hungry so I left it for lunch at work today.  Was still fresh.
     Sunday and food shopping.  I'll tell you later.

Thursday 5:40ish

     Second cup of coffee, freshly showered, waiting for day to start.  Figured I'd stop by for a bit.  Checked last post, so I'll do a light recap.  The cleaning on Saturday went better than I'd anticipated.  Everyone giving 2.5 hours of time.  We'll see if it continues.
     Work has been work.  Same scenarios.  Oh and bought a new toilet seat too over the weekend.  Yeah big whoop!  Think It won't work out personally, but we'll let that go fro now.
     Not much to say about my co-worker.  Did feel slightly bad for her return.  Was busy and no one really wanted to hear about it.  All I heard before I walked away was,
"Changed plans.......thousands and thousands of dollars...."
      That was enough for me.  Wasn't in to mood to hear how much better off she was than everyone, how she supposedly had a better weekend.  But mayhaps I'll get into that another day.
      Another late night last night, my pay checks are loving it.  Incidentally on a side note I did get paid a few days ago and am taking the necessary steps to keep spending down.  The only items I've bought was half a tank of gas and 2 bottles of seltzer.  So we'll see.  Got out late last night as I said.
     Was rainy, never a fun time to smoke cigar's in the car or outdoors by a beach without a covering.  So I'm not giving myself great credit for not buying one, just slight credit.
     In any case, someone from Human Resources came down with some overnights.  I recognized the names.  All I said was it was odd, the young thing got a little choked up.  Never kill or grill the messenger, I cleared the tension with a simple joke.  Basically 3 people, one of whom got me this damned computer that I'm using right now, are being laid off. 
     My manager came in, I called him over for a moment and mentioned the unconventional overnights, he said that was why he was so pissed off earlier.  You see there is an unspoken code.  Both he and I are not people that divulge confidences.  However, we always find out if the other knows without actually addressing the issue.  Guess it's a little cloak and dagger.  Oh well, going to make oatmeal now.  Later.

Friday morning coffee

     It's Friday.  Doesn't seem to mean much at the moment, but then it is 4:20.  Least my coffee is good.  Work week is all but over, seems like we're getting the checks settled.  Was out at 4:30 last night. 
     Never did make that dish I mentioned.  Maybe this weekend.  Brother in law made burgers and tater tots last night.  Good job.  Sister has told me it's my night to cook.  We'll see about that. 
     Wednesday had been a bit of a nightmare with one of my coworkers.  She's one of those that has done it all.  Always has an opinion and always right.  Ended with a discussion of how the Outback was a steak house and she never heard of Peter Luger's.  Don't have the fire in the belly this morning to give you the full gist of it.
     Another person out yesterday, so I was paired with the aforementioned person to show them how to deliver  packages.  Actually worked out okay.
     I spent to much money on bullshit this week.  Tonight I'm taking steps to incorporate procedures to avoid it.  Gas is a necessity, no problem.  Cigars, actually they weren't the culprit.  Of all things it was food.  In fact I don't know what I'm doing for lunch today.  And some snacks....oh yes the snacks.
     Every so often I get a craving and indulge.  Well the snickers with peanut butter has left me a tad heavier than I wanted.  It's been a two week indulgence.  Happily tho, it slides off when I right the ship that is me.
     Rainy weekend or so I'm told.  Supposedly tomorrow the kitchen is to be cleaned by the 3 of us here.  We'll see huh?

Ahh to live alone.....

     Today at work was alright.  The overnight checks were in our hands by 3:40.  The spreadsheet determining where they go waited until after 4.  There were 33 checks.  A nuisance to be sure.  Once again I got out at 5:30.  I pondered on dinner.
     Upon arrival I saw my brother in law sprawled out vertically on the couch, he'd had a rough day and didn't sleep well.  I looked in the kitchen, not a thing being cooked.  It was about 6:15.  Saw my sister, on her computer, exhausted.  Apparently she didn't sleep well either.  Odd they were both out like a light when I was up.  Oh well.
     I suggested I could put the chicken into the oven.  That went over like a lead balloon.  She suggested Mexican.   A local place, that if they served breakfast I could eat at 3 times a day.  Brother in law was to tired to put up a fuss.  So I made the call and picked it up.
     Still thinking on the irony that even as I sunk deep into Congestive Heart Failure and could still work. I was still coming home and making dinner and good meals.  Just had to let dog out.  I've been asked if I could let her out about 8 so she doesn't wake my brother in law up at 2 in the morn again.  Not my dog. 
     The door to the outside is in their bedroom.  It is about 4 steps from their bed to the door, just counted it.  Anyway this is how I live.  Wish I lived alone.
     In a bit, I'm going into the kitchen to cook up some beans, rice, onion, and slice an avocado into it for lunch tomorrow.  It will be delicious.  That's it people.  And don't fear to leave a comment, let me know you were here.

To early for coffee

     At the start of this post it's about 2:52 in the morning.  Woke up at 2. Pondering trying to go back at 3.  I did get my $200 back, and good thing too.  Turns out I'm utterly cash poor.  Used to it I must say.  Manager was back, had good time on vacation.  I wound up working until 5:30 anyway.  My co-worker thought the manager was going to take over the thing we're now doing.
     He will definitely tweak it, improve certain things.  I also don't want to give it up, I want any over time I can get.  It was funny, I'd bought pre-cooked ribs on Sunday.  The dynamic duo cooked them, they were fine.
     The funny point was the obvious displeasure that I still worked overtime.  I know what they're thinking.  They want to go back to where they come home, do squat, I come home and cook.  I've done the majority of the cooking in this house hold for over 9 years, more like 10 maybe.  From when my mom got sick, passed some years back, and throughout their whole marriage. 
     They benefit from the fact that I have to eat well, I may have stated that before.  So I've very little sympathy that they now have to pitch in.  Welcome to my world kiddies.

Hot coffee

     Did that thing my cousin does, where you heat the milk or in my case half and half in the micro before putting the coffee in.  Damn is it hot.  Let's see, have had a payday so that was a relief. Supposedly am getting $200 back from....oh great sister is awake.  Can tell by the yawn, just got asked for tea and piece of toast.  No great peace for me.  Why? nevermind, mood is ruined.

I'm back

     Okay, for the last 2 weeks my manager has been in vacation in Florida.  Tomorrow is the last day, he returns on Monday.  Lot's of overtime.  Some new bull dung added to help increase that.  Exhaustion.  All that good stuff.  Brother in law and sister had to do the cooking and such.  Not a great feat for most folks but for them Herculean.
     Also, I've been watching a lot of YouTube.  Primarily a video game walk through of Skyrim by AlChestBreach.  Was great, enjoyed every minute of it.  A total of 39 episodes and I highly recommend it.
     So it should just take me a few days to get back to old habits but just wanted to check in.