Overdid It

I think I overdid things these last few days.  My back hurts so bad -- so bad I couldn't sleep last night.  I think I got about 2 hours, and even when sleeping I could still feel the muscle spasms so it wasn't a good, deep sleep.  Yes, I tried everything I could think of to relive my pain.  I took Tylenol, I used muscle cream, I tried stretching and massaging, I put on one of those lidocaine patches.  Nothing worked.  I was in agony all night long. 

Then, all day at work, every time I moved my arm wrong, another spasm.  They were so bad at one point, I seriously thought about clocking out and coming home.  I didn't, though.  I toughed it out and finished the work day.

After I got home, I didn't do anything.  Well, I did my few little outside chores -- watering the plants, checking the feeders, scattering corn for the deer and whatever else eats corn.  Then I came inside and sat with a heating pad on my back for the rest of the day.  Except for the hot shower I took. 

I have to remember that I'm not 20 any more.  That's the thing about getting older.  I still feel 20 on the inside, until I try to act 20 and my 60 year old body says, "Not so fast."  

While I was cuddling the heating pad, I knocked another item off of my agenda.  I enrolled my 401(k) into a managed account.  You know, the one where you pay the company to manage your money for a fee which is a percentage of the money they make for you.   I'd been wanting to do it for a while, because I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm getting too close to retirement to cover my eyes and hope for the best.

I probably should have done it from the beginning, but I wanted to be a cheapskate.  What prompted this sudden change?  I got my social security statement yesterday, and realized I would not have enough money to live the way I want to in my retirement.  I've never been a real big spender, but I do want to travel.  

My dream vacation is to take an American history tour and visit places like Lexington and Concord, Independence Hall, Mount Vernon and Monticello, Boston, the Plymouth Colony, and all of the important sites in our nation's history.  I want to see the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite, and Yellowstone.  I want to go back to The Alamo, and to go visit my sister in Alaska.  

I would love to take one of those train tours.  I think that would be so fun!  Anyone want to come with? 

Besides that, I want to get this house fixed up, and my ultimate dream is to move back home to Texas.  That may end up being a pipe dream, though, because I don't want to be so far away from Cody.  On the other hand, I only see him two or three times a year anyway, even though he's two hours down the road from me...

In other news,  Stalker is getting himself in trouble out at work.  Not with management, mind you, just with everyone else.  I swan the management has blinders on when it comes to him and to Inspector Gadget as well, for that matter.  

Seriously, if you don't want them in the front office and prototype shop, what on earth makes you think we want them out there with us?  

Anyway, we have a brand new brazing trainee in the department.  I mean, like he's been brazing for less than two weeks.  Yesterday, Stalker went over to his stand and started getting in trainee's face telling him his headers were no good, and that he was burning them.  I didn't hear him personally, but the brazer who works right beside the trainee told what Stalker had said, saying "There is no reason to talk to someone like that!"  

Today, Stalker was over there again, and the brazing trainer was standing over near me. I told her, "Stalker yelled at him yesterday." 

"I know," the trainer replied, "That's why I'm over here.  I was so mad, if I go over there, I'm going to say something."  

She wasn't wrong.  I mean, the guy had made a rookie mistake, but he's doing really well for someone brand new to brazing.  I think Stalker was just trying to flex on the guy, but all he did was make himself look like...well, himself.  

And finally, here is hat progress, because photos always get more attention than just links.   

Now, I think I'll go get something to eat.  Don't know what yet, but it'll be something. 

Laters.