December 2023
December 31, 2023 - Sunday - I went to spend New Year’s Eve at my friend’s house with a cool bunch of people. I knew this was happening at some point tonight or tomorrow and Rane promised to send me photos. We were sitting out by the fire pit when I started getting videos!!! My baby is engaged!
December 30, 2023 - Saturday - Today I was at home when my nephew’s wife texted me to come look at a trailer they have that I might want. After looking it over I help them and my brother move the shed he has on his property to a new location. Actually I got there when all the hard work was almost done. This is it sitting in its new home.
December 29, 2023 - Friday - Our boss sent us all a box of swag the other day. One of the items included was a water bottle. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have worked with really great groups of people in almost every place I’ve worked. At some of the larger places there’s always going to be buttheads. At this current one is a really great group of people.
December 28, 2023 - Thursday - I only have to work a couple of days this week. After work today I got out to see a friend I don’t get to see often enough. I took this just as I was about to pull out of the driveway to head to dinner. I need recommendations for good restaurants in southwest Ft. Worth for future reference.
December 27, 2023 - Wednesday - This evening I went over to my brother’s house for dinner. While I was there my nephew gave me a cigar. I decided to take it along on our evening walk with the dogs. I still had about half of it left when we got back. I decided to finish it on the patio. When I sad down my watched asked me if I want to record an outdoor walk. Exercising while smoking what a time to be alive!
December 26, 2023 - Tuesday - I have a pretty large Star Wars Lego collection. For Christmas Riley gave me one more piece to add to my collection. I have my shelves finally set in my room and boxes with all my collection in my car. I think with my time off this holiday season I’ll finally get that all put together in my room.
December 25, 2023 - Monday - After spending Christmas Eve with Riley yesterday and Dad being at the rehab facility it was a rather uneventful Christmas day. I do miss living next to BoBo China. That was my go to Christmas day meal every year. It was cold this morning when we got out for our morning walk.
December 24, 2023 - Sunday - Tonight was a good night. I met Riley and her BF to go see dad and my sisters for a while. Dad’s doing so much better. After our visit we went out to dinner. I always feel bad for all the people that have to work on Christmas Eve, but I was so glad they were there. It was cold and clear when I got home for my evening walk with the pups.
December 23, 2023 - Saturday - Went to go see my friend and his family. He was making his famous paella. It was really good too. We also did a gift exchange. They got me a special bottle of Jack. Of course we had to open it and share a bit along with a couple of good cigars. Sometimes life isn’t so complex. It can be really good with a good drink, a good cigar and a good friend.
December 22, 2023 - Friday - I was going through some old stuff and came across this old keychain. I remember I bought this when I was at the service department of a dealership. Thinking one day I’d have a Jaguar. I’ve had two somewhat briefly. I think God doesn’t want me to have one. Their S-Type was one of the prettiest cars ever made in my opinion.
December 21, 2023 - Thursday - This evening after work Riley and her BF came out to visit Dad. He's doing so much better these last few days. We hung out at the hospital for a little while and then went to dinner. It was good to get to see them even though it was cold and rainy. I saw this parked next to me when I was leaving the restaurant.
December 20, 2023 - Wednesday - Today I had an appointment in Dallas. With my sisters staying with Dad I was able to get out and get some great Indian food for lunch too. I picked up food for my sisters while I was out. I had to take a weird route from Dallas to the hospital. If Chili’s in missing a couple of peppers from their restaurants they’re on the side of a back road in the country.
December 19, 2023 - Tuesday - I’m spending a lot of time working from the couch. I’m also still getting caught up on my sleep. I still have a bit of a cold and don’t feel my best right now. I’m also getting out to get my sister meals while she’s staying with Dad. She’s from NYC and staying at home out here in the country creeps her out.
December 18, 2023 - Monday - My sister in back in town from NYC. She came straight to the hospital to stay with Dad. Since she’ll not working it has allowed me to come home and get caught up on my sleep and get back to working myself. I really need to send a shoutout to my boss and coworkers. They’ve been so supportive and understanding. Zak is happy I’m home too.
December 17, 2023 - Sunday - Today one of my sisters and her husband made menudo and brought it over for all of us to share. It’s great to see how everyone has come together to help out. This evening I was out walking the dogs. It was a cold, clear night and I noticed a faint flash of light on the ground. On nights like tonight you can see the flashing lights of planes overhead on the ground.
December 16, 2023 - Saturday - It’s been a long several days. I can’t imagine going through all of this without my family. I’ve been staying with Dad most of the time but they’ve been there to give me breaks so I can take care of the dogs in the mornings and evenings and to get naps at home. This is the sun setting outside Dad’s window.
December 15, 2023 - Friday - Well Dad got admitted yesterday. Unfortunately he’s taken a bad turn and it’s gone downhill pretty quickly over the last several hours. I’m so glad my sister is in contact with the cardiologist from the VA. She’s been such a great resource for all of us and helping us navigate the care Dad’s getting here.
December 14, 2023 - Thursday - I don’t remember much from this evening. I know I had to take Dad back to the ER earlier in the day and spent most of the day there. My brother came and stayed with him for a while during the evening while I got out to take the dogs out. I feel bad leaving the dogs home alone. Zak always gives me big sad eyes when I leave.
December 13, 2023 - Wednesday - One of the errands I ran last night was picking up some cold medicine. I’m beginning to feel a cold coming on. These are so helpful and seem to make my colds not last so long. I hate being sick and I really don’t have time for this. I had to take dad to a doctor’s appointment today too.
December 12, 2023 - Tuesday - Today I got out one last time for lunch before my sister leaves town. I also ran a few errands in town this evening. My sister leaves early in the morning and it will be just dad and I on our own. I think it’s going to be cold tonight. There were so many birds swirling all around this evening.
December 11, 2023 - Monday - Last Saturday one of the friends I got to see was my cookie-making friend. She sent me off with some special treats. Today I worked on the same project all day and by the middle of the afternoon, I was really wanting a snack. This was a customer's special request, the White Chocolate Coconut Lime Macadamia Nut. This might be one of my new favorites. I love the coconut and lime.
December 10, 2023 - Sunday - Today we had a birthday celebration dinner for Dad. He wasn't feeling so good during the day but perked up for his dinner tonight. It was great to see all the family. Pancake wasn't feeling like celebrating today either. She hopped up on my lap for a while this afternoon while I was watching a game on the couch.
December 9, 2023 - Saturday - With my little sister in town again, I was able to get away to see lots of friends today. I ended the day at my good friend’s house grilling wings and making guacamole. We also had a few drinks and smoked a good cigar.
December 8, 2023 - Friday - This afternoon my brother had to move a couple of his bulls. It took three of us to get the cows from the pasture, through the gates and separate out these two guys onto the trailer. They were pretty cooperative. And yes, that one on the left might be peeing.
December 7, 2023 - Thursday - I was pretty busy today so later in the afternoon I was really craving a little something sweet. This is another treat from Sparkle All Over’s holiday sampler, the Mexican Hot Chocolate. It’s super chocolate-y with a bit of spice in the end. I don’t usually like any other flavors in my chocolate but this is rich and delicious.
December 6, 2023 - Wednesday - Today my aunt came over to spend the day with dad while I was out at a shoot. She made a bunch of really good food at the house. She also got up and made fresh tortillas before I got to her house. As soon as I got home I opened them up and had a couple. There’s nothing like fresh, homemade tortillas.
December 5, 2023 - Tuesday - Today is Zak’s gotcha day. I don’t know what his real birthday is so I’ve just decided it’s today. They estimated him to be 3 years old when I got him. Today is his 4 year anniversary so it’s his 7th birthday. I picked up a grilled chicken sandwich for him and one for the girls to share. I hope we’re out camping somewhere next year for his birthday.
December 4, 2023 - Monday - I ordered some cookies from my cookie making friend. Her Holiday Sampler has some great cookies in it. This is her Red Velvet Chip. Possibly my favorite from this bunch. Maybe.
December 3, 2023 - Sunday - This evening our company had our holiday dinner. It was cool to see how many new faces are here around our table. I’ve been so fortunate to land here with such a great group of people. It was great to get out of the house for a while and see some faces I’m not related to.
December 2, 2023 - Saturday - Dad’s been wanting to get out for walks. I suggested we build a fire and hang out here for a while. It had been long while since we had a fire here. It was a great way to spend the evening.
December 1, 2023 - Friday - I completely forgot to take a picture of anything today. Fortunately I took a photo to send to a friend just as we were leaving for our evening walk. This is taken from almost the same location as yesterday’s photo. I don’t remember much else from this day I’ve been trying to catching up on these for a while now.