December 2024
December 31, 2024 Tuesday - Tonight I toasted to this year. It’s been quite the year for sure. Here’s to all my family and friends, those I got to see and spend time with and those I’ve not see in a long while. My friend and his wife brought me a bottle of Jack Daniels Sinatra Select for Christmas and for staying with their kids. It was just the thing for tonight.
December 30, 2024 Monday - My friends brought me back some chocolates from their trip. It was a pretty nice sized bag too. I ate all the milk chocolate first. Dark chocolate is my favorite, and this was really good. Sadly this is not going to last very long. Every afternoon around 3ish a little bit of this hits the spot just right.
December 29, 2024 Sunday - I took the pups for a walk this morning and saw this new sign at the end of the block. I think we took these lessons back when I was in third grade. I should go and show off all my third grade skills. I’d go but then I’d have to buy some boots and some new jeans. Maybe a western shirt too. I’ve never owned a pair of cowboy boots.
December 28, 2024 Saturday - Today I met a friend for an early lunch. We don’t get to visit much or too often, but today neither of us had any responsibilities. We hung out for almost 4 hours. The food was good and the company was even better. Lots of laughs. It was raining pretty hard on the way there. Fortunately it was just really cloudy on the way home.
December 27, 2024 Friday - We sold dad’s SUV to my nephew for his son. He gave it to him for Christmas. I cleaned it out pretty thoroughly a while back but took out the last bit of things the other day. This is a note Riley left for Dad when she went to visit him in the hospital. I put it in the car and Dad would always reread it when we’d go for a ride.
December 26, 2024 Thursday - I went over to my nephew’s late in the day to review their routine for their pups. They’ll be out of town for a bit and I’ll be watching Hank and Herbie while they’re gone. They’re pretty high energy so getting a photo of them might be a challenge. When I was leaving the sun was setting and shining on the tree tops behind their place.
December 25, 2024 Wednesday - After an early start yesterday and getting quite a bit accomplished, I was pretty lazy the rest of the day. I finished the last bit of wrapping this morning before going to Riley’s to spend the day with her, Ari and Issac. After a Christmas Story Christmas dinner we opened presents. It was lots of fun.
December 24, 2024 Tuesday - We got an early start to the day. I had a few errands to run after not being home for the last several days. I took all the pups out to get some breakfast tacos and pick up one last present. When we got home the moment I sat on the couch the girls jumped up and fell asleep in my lap. Love these two little heating pads.
December 23, 2024 Monday - Today was a bit of a handful. Last night all the pups kinda got upset with each other. This morning was somewhat calm but I ended up taking Zak home early. I came back and had dinner with my friend and his family once they got back from their trip. When I finally got home Zak immediately got in his bed and started snoring. He missed this spot.
December 22, 2024 Sunday - Today is my last full day here with the kids. We were going to go to Roman Cucina but they’re closed for lunch. We found another really good little Italian place. It reminded me a lot of Tony’s in our old neighborhood. After lunch we went to get a dessert. I may have hated this company as a client but they do have a really good product.
December 21, 2024 Saturday - Today the kids and I got out for a late lunch. There’s a Chips Old-Fashioned Hamburgers up here. I haven’t been to one of these places since they closed the one in Uptown. We used to go there quite a bit when I worked there. A bird pooped on my shoulder once when we were sitting on the patio. It was not good luck.
December 20, 2024 Friday - Zak is doing school pickup and drop-off with me. Since Gabi still has to ride in the back, Zak has to squeeze up front. He’s not a fan of it and was so squirmy and panting the first couple of days. Now he sits here pretty relaxed. He still doesn’t fit well but he’s getting used to it after 5 days.
December 19, 2024 Thursday - I could easily post a photo of one of the pups here every day I’m here but I guess that would be a bit boring, even thought they are all so photogenic. I was sitting watching TV and thinking what I could take a photo of so late in the day. Their tree is so pretty I thought one of their ornaments would do.
December 18, 2024 Wednesday - Today was a good day. We’re all kinda getting in a groove. Zak and I take Gabi to school in the morning. Working all day. Doing a couple of potty breaks during the day. Picking up Gabi in the afternoon. Tonight we all went to one of my favorite Italian places for dinner. Doja even held still for a photo today.
December 17, 2024 Tuesday - This evening after work I took the kids out to dinner. Taco Tuesday! When we got back we fed the pups and and then I went outside with them. My friend has a pretty cool backyard. Sitting there I thought the blues and rusty browns looked cool so I got this photo.
December 16, 2024 Monday - It’s been a pretty long time since I sat in a school pickup line. At least I’m not waiting alone. Since Zak is quite the anxious guy, I don’t really trust him to stay at my friend’s house alone. And since my friend’s little girl has to sit in the back Zak has to fit into the front seat. He’s a bit too big but he’s doing pretty good as a front seat passenger.
December 15, 2024 Sunday - Yogi has been my Photo of the Day more than a few times. He’s always been my little buddy when I’m here and I think he’s a bit jealous this time around since I have Zak with me. The dogs are getting along pretty well. But Yogi’s not Zak’s biggest fan yet. Even still he’s a cool little guy.
December 14, 2024 Saturday - I’m going to be staying at my friend’s house up north for a while with his kids and pups. After Zak’s incident last time, I had to bring him with me. It really adds a layer of complexity but he seems to really like laying in the sun. We don’t do that much at home since we don’t have any completely fenced in areas.
December 13, 2024 - Friday - No Photo
December 12, 2024 Thursday - Tonight I was supposed to meet my two friends for our usual Italian dinner. One of them ended up cancelling at the last minute. Fortunately we still got to eat some really good food and have a few laughs too. After my friend showed me this house not far from the restaurant that has their lights synced to the station on the sign in the front. It was pretty cool.
December 11, 2024 Wednesday - Today after work I took the pups for a walk and then we drove into town to run a couple of errands. My brother called to invite me to dinner. I promised the pups if they were good on the ride I’d get them a treat. After sitting in the car while I had dinner I picked them up a little burger and fries.
December 10, 2024 Tuesday - Tonight I got out to have dinner with one of my God Daughters and her BF. It’s always good to get to see them and spend some time catching up. We tried a new place out in Joshua for dinner. It was pretty good but the company was better. I realized I needed a photo for today on the way home. It’s mostly back roads to get home.
December 9, 2024 Monday - My box of cookies has a lot of random flavors but I don’t remember what they’re called. This was a very delicious oatmeal cookie. Riley and Ari came to help me decorate my Christmas tree. After I had to go to Lowe’s. I saw a live armadillo for the very first time ever in my life. I couldn’t get my phone fast enough to get a photo.
December 8, 2024 Sunday - I had a bit of the smoked turkey left. I used it to make a big smoked turkey pot pie. It’s been a long time since I made one. The filling turned out just the right thickness to hold together. I must say it’s probably more beginner’s luck. Seeing how long it’s been since I’ve been doing any real cooking.
December 7, 2024 Saturday - Today was a good relaxing day. I spent the day at home doing a bit of laundry, cleaning and hanging out with the pups on the couch. A little while back I saw my cooking making friend. She made some cookies for family for the Thanksgiving holiday. She had an extra box that I was fortunate enough to get to take home with me. Delicious as always.
December 6, 2024 Friday - I took today off because I was intending to go camping this weekend, but the weather didn’t agree. I ended up meeting a good friend I’ve not seen in years for an early lunch. Then I met another friend for a late lunch. I then drove up north to meet my friend and his family for his son’s birthday dinner. It was a good long day full of friends.
December 5, 2024 Thursday - Today is Zak’s unofficial birthday. I don’t know what his really birthday is so his gotcha day has to do. I’ve never used a cast iron pan to make a steak before. I’ve got to say Zak and the girls were pretty happy with the results. I wasn’t too disappointed either. I do need a little more practice though. Happy birthday, Zak!
December 4, 2024 Wednesday - I got a really early start today. I took Zak to the vet. He was as good as I was expected. Fortunately they have a side entrance. Once we were done we stopped for some Chicken Minis from Chick-fil-a. When I finally got back to the house there was quite a bit of work waiting for me. We went on a rather late evening walk.
December 3, 2024 Tuesday - At our Christmas party the other night our boss handed out a bunch of superhero statues to all of us. I got Superman along with a really cool note explaining why I got the hero I got. It might be one of the cooler things I’ve ever been given as a work gift.
December 2, 2024 Monday - Today I took my lunchtime to make stew. I love this cooler weather and all the warm, comforting food that goes along with it. I originally took this to share with my neighbors to see if they wanted some for dinner. It ended up being the only photo I took today. You can’t see any of the carrots or celery that’s in this. I may have went a bit heavy with the pepper.
December 1, 2024 Sunday - Tonight we had our Christmas dinner with all our work peeps. A few of us are not in Texas so it’s usually this annual event when we get to all see each other all in one place. It was great getting to meet some of my coworkers in person for the first time. I work with a pretty cool, fun bunch of people.