October 2023
October 31, 2023 - Tuesday - This morning while walking the dogs we saw a vulture eating something in the road. I got a photo of it in the distance and thought it was an appropriate Halloween photo, but when Dad and I got out for lunch we saw this. I wonder if anyone sent this guy money for a drink. I also wonder if today is actually his birthday or if he’s been driving around with this for a month.
October 30, 2023 - Monday - I waited a little late to walk the dogs this evening. When we left there was beautiful sunset across the street. I’m loving this colder weather as long as it’s not windy or rainy. I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do for the girls when they get older. I think I’ll have to get them a little wagon for Zak to pull when they get too old to make our walks.
October 29, 2023 - Sunday - There’s a big patch of these flowers growing out on the side of the property. The dogs and I walk past them on our way back home. I thought I’d stop and get a photo of them since I don’t think they’ll last much longer with the cooler weather coming. We have to be careful here because there’s a huge ant bed right in the middle of this patch. Zak walks through the middle of it almost every time.
October 28, 2023 - Saturday - Dad’s been doing a lot better. It’s been so good to see him being more of his normal self. Today we got out to see his two sisters at my aunt’s house. They have a house full of these beautiful dogs. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a Chocolate Tri-colored Bulldog like this guy, Odin. He was super friendly but would barely hold still for a photo.
October 27, 2023 - Friday - The other day my good friends ordered some Sparkle All Over cookies for me. Our cookie-making-extraordinaire friend knows my all time favorite cookie of her’s is the Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut. She made a batch just for me! I’ve eaten one a day since they were delivered. I need to pace myself. These are THE BEST COOKIES EVER! Love my friends.
October 26, 2023 - Thursday - Today I took most of the day off. Dad had early appointments at the VA in Dallas this morning and then another this afternoon. In the main hallway as you walk in there are all of the seals of all the branches of the military. I love going to the VA with dad. Just seeing all the men, regardless of age, showing so much camaraderie and respect to one another.
October 25, 2023 - Wednesday - Today was a lot like yesterday. I got out to walk the dogs this morning. Did my usual morning stuff with Dad. Made him coffee and worked from the couch most of the day. This evening Pancake and Biscuit joined us on the couch. Biscuit was being quite tolerant and letting Pancake use her as a pillow.
October 24, 2023 - Tuesday - Today was another busy day with work. Speaking of work, I really have to say a big thank you to my boss and the peeps at work. They’ve covered for me and have made sure I haven’t been stressed about anything work related since I’ve been doing so much with Dad. I’m still spending a lot of time working from the couch. Pancake joined us this evening too.
October 23, 2023 - Monday - I got my new phone today. I went to the store to get it activated. Just down from there is a dog wash place. I went to go check it out to see if it’s a place I might bring Zak. The lady working there had two of these puppies. They’re the Turner and Hooch dogs. They were super sweet and really soft.
October 22, 2023 - Sunday - So I’ve been making these avocado toast for Dad and I from time to time. He finally told me he doesn’t really like them. But to be honest he doesn’t like much of anything these days. I think his meds are really messing with his appetite. He doesn’t eat hardly anything some days. And when he does eat he doesn’t eat much.
October 21, 2023 - Saturday - Today started out pretty good, but we started having some issues later in the afternoon. I ended up having to take Dad to the ER early in the evening. Fortunately it wasn’t super critical and it was a relatively quick visit. We were back home in time for bed. They sent us home with a few items. I hope I don’t have to use this.
October 20, 2023 - Friday - Happy Friday, my friends! This is how my day started. I woke up a little bit before my alarm. Zak heard me wake up and climbed up to spend some quality time with me. He usually starts here but ends up next to me where he can get his chest scratches before we have to get going for the day.
October 19, 2023 - Thursday - This evening it worked out that I didn’t walk the dogs until the sun was setting. As we were walking down the road I saw these red berries shining in evening sun. Whatever this is there’s a bunch of them down the street. I while back I bought some Hokas at the recommendation of my boss and my rheumatologist. It’s nice to walk and my feet don’t bother me anymore.
October 18, 2023 - Wednesday - The girls have a bed on the other end of this couch, but to be mean they’ll come lay here in Zak’s bed because they know it’s his and he’s afraid to come lay here if they’re here first. Pancake’s fur is growing into a bit of a mantle on her back. Maybe she really is a Princess.
October 17, 2023 - Tuesday - Today I had an appointment to get my haircut with my cousin in town. I didn’t anticipate hitting traffic just down the street from the house. I had to follow this guy for a couple of miles before he turned down a different country road. I looked at the time and it was just a few minutes after 5p. I immediately thought of the 5 o’clock traffic on 75 in Dallas moving about the same speed. It’s just a different vibe.
October 16, 2023 - Monday - As I mentioned in my post the other day, I really like Zak’s color. He’s my Big Red Dog. I remember the first time I saw him in the Plano shelter. He was walking through the hall with one of the workers and I stopped them so I could pet him. I kneeled down to get closer to him. I remember thinking his eyes match his coat. He’s a handsome guy.
October 15, 2023 - Sunday - For the last several days Dad and I have been getting out of the house and going for a drive. We don’t go anywhere in particular we just get out of the house for some fresh air and some sunshine. Today we drove into town and picked up a smoothie and then went down the highway for a bit and took the back roads home. It was good to get out today.
October 14, 2023 - Saturday - Today Dad and I spent a lot of time on the couch watching college football. The girls shockingly shared Zak’s bed with him for a little while. I want to send a shout out to one of my nephews and one of my nieces. They came over with their families to spend time with dad and to give me my first chance to get out of the house and run some errands and do some grocery shopping on my own.
October 13, 2023 - Friday - Dad’s doing a bit better now and spending almost no time in his bed anymore. Because of that I’m spending less time at my desk and more in the TV room where I can spend time with him and still work on my laptop from the couch. Next to the couch where I sit we have a bed for Zak. I love the color of his coat in the evening sun.
October 12, 2023 - Thursday - This is a good way to start the day. With the cooler weather Zak is spending more time sleeping in the bed so he’s usually nearby or leaving a warm spot near my feet somewhere. In the mornings when I wake up a little early he’ll come up and snuggle up for some good chest scratches. He’s a good boy.
October 11, 2023 - Wednesday - Today Dad had a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist at the VA. It was good to get an idea of what the plans are moving forward with his medications and upcoming procedures. Since dad’s been back from the hospital both of us have been eating quite a bit healthier. It’s showing up here too.
October 10, 2023 - Tuesday - Today Dad wasn’t feeling the best but he was feeling up to getting out of the house for a little while. We didn’t have any place to go in particular but I thought it was a good idea to get some fresh air. There’s a somewhat new carwash that we don’t have to drive all the way into town for. We decided to give it a try. We took his car today. Maybe we’ll take my car tomorrow.
October 9, 2023 - Monday - I have to admit I’m preoccupied with work and helping out with dad for the last couple of weeks so my photos may be a bit redundant. We were leaving a little later in the evening for our last walk. I really like this little opening in the trees where I can see a bit of the sun setting. I really love that it’s not 97° outside too.
October 8, 2023 - Sunday - It seems like we could take our late walks around 8:45p over the summer and in just a matter of weeks if we want to walk before dark we have to leave around 6:30p. We got down to the stop sign we walk to each day as the sun was going down. It’s been a while since we walked down this road. Hopefully Dad will start getting better soon and we can be gone a bit longer.
October 7, 2023 - Saturday - The best part of the day most days is the mornings especially since it’s starting to get cooler. Zak is sleeping more often in the bed and always comes up for snuggles first thing in the morning. Most of the time he squirms around until he’s on his back getting some good chest scratching.
October 6, 2023 - Friday - With Dad’s condition we need to be vigilant of the amount of sodium he’s taking in. I’ve made this creamy chicken and mushroom orzo before but never with little to no salt. Fortunately Dad’s not too picky about food and he likes spicy food. The only salt in this is from the stock and maybe a little from the parmesan. It was pretty good with the extra cayenne pepper.
October 5, 2023 - Thursday - Zak has such a rough life. Poor guy sleeps most of the day on the bed, on the floor, on the bed in the TV room. Wherever he wants. I don’t know why he lays like this so often. Like “Woe is me, I’m so fraught with stress!” I feel so bad for him sometimes I just give him some treats or a snack.
October 4, 2023 - Wednesday - I updated my laptop to the latest OS, Sonoma. One of the new features is widgets like you might have on your iPhone or iPad. Of course I put a Photo widget on the desktop. One of the other useful ones is the battery widget. I hate when I’m in the middle of something and get the battery warning for my mouse or keyboard.
October 3, 2023 - Tuesday - Helping watching over dad since Friday I now have stuff on my desk that I didn’t have before. This is one of those things you put on your finger to show your oxygen level and pulse. The screen on this flashes so fast. It took a few shots before you could read all the numbers it. My oxygen is pretty good.
October 2, 2023 - Monday - I have a hard drive with tons of movies and all my home videos from when Riley was little. I say I have it because it’s still there but for whatever reason it stopped showing up. One of the things I was doing with my time at my desk was rendering all those old video into newer video files. I got Riley’s birth and her videos from her first month done before the drive stopped working.
October 1, 2023 - Sunday - From my desk chair I can see dad lying in his bed. It works out really well to be there if he needs any help with anything. I’m finding lots to do to help pass the time sitting at my desk. The trips out to walk the dogs are good breaks in the day to get a little exercise and fresh air. There was a nice sunset this evening.