Memorial Day: A Weekend Blog

Saturday was a damn busy day. Teegan left with Noah to San Antonio and I was left alone at home with the dogs. I didn’t know how weird an empty house would be. It was weird. The strangest thing was the empty bed. Months waking up next to someone and suddenly not. How strange that felt. I had a loneliness settle over me. I had wondered what it would be like separated from everyone. I had a lot of things I could be doing but I really didn’t know what to do. I felt a little lost. I’m sure that’s weird to everyone. They are my family and I missed them all.

Since I wasn’t cooking breakfast and I didn’t feel like making something for myself, I decided to hit up a local joint. The place has been around as long as I’ve been able to walk, Mr. T’s. I have a lot of history with this little place and I’ve seen it change over the years. Saturday was my first time in the establishment in probably 10 years. Even longer since I’ve had their breakfast. Last week I had two separate friends that don’t know each other praise the breakfast. What better time to give it a whirl.

When I was a little boy I lived fairly close to Mr. T’s. After school I’d ride my bike there and get candy or a milkshake. Delicious milkshakes. Back in the late 80s & early 90s the place was a little corner store where you could also get groceries. It was a fairly cute place. The only time I’ve ever stolen something was in the store when I was probably 10. I was with some friends and on a date I took some candy. A single atomic fireball, to be exact. It wasn’t a big loss for them but it’s stuck with me forever. I guess I’m the one that paid the price for that little boys dare.

Eventually it became more of a diner. They had burgers and sandwiches. Chicken fried steak. In high school I practically lived off the loaded cheese fries. I honed so much weight it was disgusting. Just about everyday after school I still went to Mr. T’s just like I did as a little boy, but now I ate cheese fries.

I my college days I still occasionally picked up something to go. Often a breakfast burrito to help me out of a hangover. They had the most amazing breakfast burritos. I wonder if that’s has changed.

After college the ownership changed hands and it went down hill. They began trying new things that didn’t work and they completely stepped away from the milkshakes, which pissed me off greatly at the time. I don’t even drink milkshakes anymore, but how dare they take away something I held precious’s from my youthful days. I stopped going.

I’d heard ownership had once again switched hands and the place was good again. They went back to basics but they also began trying new things. New things that fit with the old menu. They also started up a larger breakfast menu like they had in the past. So after hearing how good it was that’s how I found myself eating eggs Benedict Saturday morning. It was indeed fantastic.

After my wonderful meal I for some reason mowed my backyard. Pissed off at how much dirt in the yard, I ran off and bought $100 worth of Bermuda grass. It was impulsive but as it turns out the weather next week is favorable for such a move. Cool temps and rain. I tilled the soil and laid the sod. I hate laying sod. I told myself years ago I wouldn’t do it once I was out of the landscape business but I’ve done it a handful of times since. I was supposed to have a pallet delivered a month ago that never came. Now it’s almost too damn hot.

I get busy in the yard and lose track of time. I had a graduation party to attend for brother-in-law’s oldest daughter. I made good time if not still a little late. Who really cares, I made it. I think people were surprised to see me at a family event without Yvette with me. I feel comfortable with her family. Hell, I needed to represent our little family since everyone else was out of town.

It was an Italian buffet. Yvette made the lasagna and I must say it was the best thing served. Everything else was basically slow cooker or frozen meals. So much pasta. The cake I also had to try. I did walk in and Yvette’s dad offered me a beer. I gladly accepted one and then another. It was a good time and I was happy for the family. I don’t see them enough to really consider the nieces but they technically are by our marriage. That means I take pride in them doing well. This family is so much different than the one I had with my ex wife. They all like each other.

After the party, Yvette had some spare time to call me before the baby photo session. It was great hearing from her. Sounds like they were having a pretty good time. Nadia got herself a new ride. She needed something different with baby Niles now here. Teegan also found one that he was interested in but wasn’t able to test drive. Sounds like a good weekend. I sure did miss everyone. I was happy that they were having a good time.

I made a run to the store and grabbed some goods for Monday slow cooking. Brisket. I was running out to my moms to pick up a sprinkler head and I decided to stop and have a beer at a place I use to frequent, City Limits. I recognized one bartender that I hadn’t seen in ages but that’s about it. When was the last time I was at City? Was it when I was returning the mimosa tower after our wedding? I really think it might have been. Back in the murkier days of my divorce I found great solace there, and I must say I’m happy to have left the place and those days behind me. I was nice to see the place but I have a feeling the stigma will always remain.

At home I made myself a drink and went outside to water my new grass. Damn if it wasn’t still freaking hot outside. I was happy to go back inside and begin my dinner. I made a jalapeño chicken stir fry. A meal that the rest of the family would die trying to eat. It certainly was hot. After that I crawled into bed and turned on a show I was watching here and there. Silo. It was a rather busy long day and I was actually tired. I tried calling Yvette before turning the lights out but her phone was not really working all that well. I think it’s almost time for a new phone, sadly.

Sunday morning I woke up and made a little chorizo and egg taco for myself. I watered the yard and enjoyed some coffee. Around 11 my mother called to inform me that my brother and his friends were passing through town and that it was time to have lunch. My stomach was full and honestly not happy, but I attended anyways. I wanted to see them, stomach be damned. We went to Armenta’s and I was able to see Monte and Anna and my brother, Chris. The food was indeed excellent as always. Unfortunately for me, I was really struggling. Nevertheless, I made it through lunch and had a good time. I was not about to miss them.

I might not have a twin, and Chris might be a little younger than I, but I feel a brother bond with him that is something only first and second born brother must know. I miss him immensely. I miss my brother Keith, but our relationship is not the same as Chris and I. Keith has a family. I suppose I do too. There was a time I did not, and Chris and I had each other. Chris helped me so much during some dark days of my life. I would do anything for him or Keith if they asked. I would be lost without either of them.

I rushed home after lunch, sick as hell. Afterwards I cleaned the floors and our bathroom. The floors I wanted to be clean for Yvette so she didn’t feel compelled to clean when they got home later in the day. My lord, they needed to be cleaned. I didn’t realize how dirty they were. Who ever does. Damn 3 dogs track in so much BS.

Yvette, Lola and Alaya finally made it into town around 4 (Teegan stayed with his brother another night in San Antonio) and I suggested we go to the pool to let Alaya have some fun. After decompressing for a while we all go swim ready. Alaya had the time of her life. She is a little water dog and I’m so happy for that. Next week she actually begins swim lessons on campus. No fear of the water with this little girl. It was nice for us all to get a little wet on such a warm day. A few drinks went down and just a fan time for a little girl.

I was happy they were home. God I was happy. It was time to cook. Carne al pastor tacos w/ street corn. It was an evening mostly spent with laughs and cooking. They wanted some silly Mormon show on Netflix which I could not help get sucked into just like a damn car accident pulls y,our head to the side. I pulled away and sent back to the show I was watching, Silo. Lola eventually went out and left us with a sleeping beauty.

Memorial Day was the definition of a lazy ass day. I woke up and made omelets for 3 and started a brisket. Time to got be lazy again. I lounged around until after 1 and didn’t leave the house until 2. It turned out the cooking of the brisket could have been put off. It was Yvette’s mom’s birthday so we were all going out for dinner. Well we had dinner for tomorrow.

Yvette forgot what day it was. She had a hair appointment an hour before the birthday party. Teegan got back into town. He had a good time and we hung out until the party started. Wait a second! A storm! We were postponed!! It actually hailed. Little hail. I felt helpless with 3 cars that didn’t need to get damage. Luckily it never became sever.

Teegan and I showed up at the dinner late because of mix signals. We were told to wait because the weather was potentially dangerous. Yvette sent me a text to go seek shelter and cover the cars. No one really seemed to know what was going on. When we walked in it was a full house. All the family except Yvette. I think they had been waiting on us to order and I felt bad. Oh well. It was a good time. Teegan and I were on the very end so we kind of missed out on any real conversation. The food was great and I really do not know how the hell they get it out so damn fast.

After dinner it was time for the final episode of Teegan and my show, The Last of Us. We were both excited but sad that it would be 2026 before we could watch it again. The even sadder realization was that Teegan would be in college and we would not be watching it together. That is some bullshit right there. We really hadn’t thought of that. I guess we FaceTime. I don’t even know. Damn bummer. The episode was good but also a real bummer. Fuck.

So Memorial Day weekend. It was good. It was different. It was fast. I missed my family and then they came back and I was happy to be surrounded by them. Being the first weekend without them I now see how big a part they play in my life. I missed the noise. The drama. The love. The baby. I missed them. So yeah, Monday was nice when everyone was back. It was a nice weekend.

I hope all of you had just as good a weekend.