Christmas & New Years Break 2025

The first day of the long break found Yvette and I getting some much-needed sleep. It was weird not being awoken by Alaya on a weekend. When I got out of bed, I decided to make biscuits and gravy.

It was time to make tamales. Yvette took off to her parents’ place while I cleaned up the kitchen and got myself ready. This was the third year that I’ve helped make tamales with her family. When I got there, they had pretty much finished, but I was able to help with about two dozen. The finished product was so damn tasty.

After the work was done, we all sat down and watched the Texas A&M vs. Miami game. The game was 0–0 at half. It was a boring-ass game… until it wasn’t. The first points came from field goals—3–3. These teams decided to make moves during the fourth quarter. The Aggies made some serious mistakes toward the end of the game, including one fatal mistake while trying to tie it up. They threw what should have been a touchdown but instead ended up with an interception, winning the game for Miami. Terrible. Damn Aggies.

Christmas farm. So Yvette and I brought the little girl out to a farm on the outskirts of town. They had cocoa, cookies, Santa, and ponies. We really wanted to see if Alaya would ride the ponies, and to our delight, she did—with a smile. It was great and worth the almost hour-long wait.

After the pony ride, we got on a hayride dragged along by a tractor. She seemed entertained, and that’s what mattered. I know she likely won’t remember it, but Yvette and I will.

Sunday morning, Yvette was not happy when I awoke. Damn mothers and daughters. I swear it changes the mood in the whole house.

I made breakfast, took a walk, ran errands, and bullshitted around. We had the baby again. It was a good day.

Monday, we made a final stocking-stuffer run to a few stores. I went up into the attic to find one missing stocking, and while I was up there, I pulled down another Christmas tree. I thought the living room could use a little more light. I think it looked great.

Taking advantage of the day, I took Hazel for another walk. I feel like she deserves it. This sweet girl is ten years old. She isn’t the beast on a leash that she once was. All the pull has left her, which makes for a relaxed walking experience—yet it’s also rather sad. We all get old. Ten years ago, I also had a lot more pull in me.

That afternoon. I met my dear friend Art at the bar he was working. I ran into some old faces I hadn’t seen in a long time. These were my happy hour crew from the darker days of my life. A handful of older folk that accepted my youth with open arms. It was good catching up and laughing my ass off with them again.

That evening Yvette and I went to eat with my mom. We had some drinks and good laughs. My mom was spending Christmas in the Houston area so I wasn’t going to see her again until after the holiday. It’s rather sad not having her around on Christmas Day, but I’ll have Yvette’s family and they are great.

Tuesday, I assembled my new grill. It didn’t take all that long once I figured out how to read the instructions. Deciphering instructions can initially be a real bitch. I only had one goof-up that was easily fixed. I was excited to try this thing out, but I needed materials first.

Christmas Eve, I slept in at my mom’s while Yvette got up early to get her hair done. We weren’t supposed to be going to church until three, but around eleven I found out that Lola had changed the plans, and now we were going at one. What the hell!!!

I got dressed and finally made an executive decision on what to get my in-laws from the both of us: a gift card to a new steakhouse in town. That could be a good night out for the two of them. I want them to enjoy themselves alone for a change. They do so much cooking for everybody—they deserve a break.

Back at the house, I quickly cut my hair and got dressed for church. This is such a weird church experience compared to what I grew up with. I swear, it’s like a fucking rock concert. So weird, but enjoyable enough. It’s only once a year, and I like sharing this single church event with the family.

Afterward, Yvette and I went to visit her grandparents. Grandfather had recently taken a fall—recently as in the day before. Poor guy. He was lucid but looked pretty banged up. I can relate; I’ve fallen a few times myself. You look worse for the wear. He was tired of people looking at him.

That night it was time for Die Hard. I snuck it in early before everyone wanted the “real” Christmas movies. It’s been a Christmas Eve tradition for my brother and me for years, so I figured, why the hell not. We also made Christmas cookies. I must say, it was different having a family in the house on Christmas Eve. I’d never experienced that before.

It was one of the best Christmas Eves I’ve had in years. It’s been a long time since I’ve ended my evening with people instead of alone. My heart was warm with joy.

Christmas morning, we were all out of bed by 8:30 to open presents. It was fun watching the little ones rip apart the paper with a senseless sort of joy. All the kids knew what they were getting, but even then, the spirit was in the air and everyone was happy. I wish I could have gotten them more, but going in with Yvette allowed us to buy bigger-ticket gifts.

Guamanian BBQ pork, chicken, cucumber salad, wasabi crab salad, and red rice. Late lunch was at my brother-in-law’s house. It was a real feast and different for me. I was happy to have something with a real kick to it. The crab salad was something special—unlike anything I’d ever thought crab could taste like.

What made this Christmas feel unlike Christmas was the damn temperature being 80 degrees and the AC kicking on. Everyone made note of it.

I guess we spent about four hours over at RJ’s house. The entire damn day flew by far too fast. How the hell does that happen? I guess it means we were all enjoying each other.

Yvette got me Neil Young’s Tonight’s the Night 50th Anniversary Edition. It was the album in full, unlike how it had ever been released before. It had been teased since before I was born. My dad would listen to this album when I was a baby in the crib. I know I can’t recall those days.

On a trip to Austin when I was young, we stopped by a music store. My dad picked up some albums on CD that he only had on vinyl—CDs were the rage in the ’90s. One of the albums he grabbed was Tonight’s the Night. In the car ride home, he put it on. When I heard the opening bass line, a sense of familiarity washed over me. I got goosebumps. Later, my father told me we used to listen to this together when I was a baby.

I was excited to play this version of the album featuring tracks that got cut due to time. My dad always told me the album was recorded live in the studio in one night. Later, I read about it and wanted the uncut version he spoke of. Thirty-plus years later, I finally have it.

I knew hearing the album for the first time since my father passed eight years ago would affect me. I didn’t know I’d start sobbing like a baby. I know the original cuts like I know my own face in the mirror, but the additional tracks felt familiar and not at all out of place. This was the definitive version I was hearing for the first time. Thank you, Yvette, for getting it for me. I only wish my dad were here to hear it with me. I love him. I miss him.

Christmas night, Yvette and I had Alaya again and took her with us to watch my mother’s dogs. We watched a Christmas movie—Office Christmas Party. It was funny, but not great. Alaya was just having a blast with my mother’s dog, Boa. She loves him and follows him around.

It was a damn good Christmas. I did miss my side of the family, but I was lucky to have Yvette’s family there. It’s good to spend the day with those you love and who love you back. Merry Christmas!!

Friday, Yvette and I just relaxed on the couch and didn’t leave my mother’s house until after three in the afternoon. We watched some “Hallmark”-quality Christmas movies, and later I put on Wake Up Dead Man. We lost track of time, and I rushed home to throw a rack of ribs in the oven for dinner.

During the three hours the ribs cooked, I ran some errands and did a little grocery shopping. Yvette’s aunts came over with some Christmas gifts. Once the ribs were done, we dove in and ate like pigs.

Saturday, we lounged again at my mother’s before she got home with the nephews. It was a warm 80 degrees outside, so we went out for a little patio lunch. How often does one get that chance on December 27th? Take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather.

My mom got back into town with my oldest nephews. I was excited to see them, and we all went out to dinner at Lakehouse Pizzeria. All the family was there except Lola and Alaya, sadly. It was a great time—and the food. Chef’s kiss.

That night was quiet. I watched an episode of Stranger Things and had some spiked hot chocolate. Relaxed. The house was quiet without the little girl. Too quiet.

The next day, I went to meet everyone over at the in-laws’. What a treat it was: steak and baked potato. This was what we were originally going to have for Christmas dinner, so I was excited to finally be having it. Everything turned out great.

After lunch, I got baby Niles’s Christmas present out of the back of my car and watched Noah and his friend put the car together. I was laughing because they didn’t bother to read the instructions, and after they finished, they wondered why so many screws were left. Hilarious.

I went out to see my nephews and visited for a little while. It was nice and warm when I went into my mother’s house and cold and windy when I walked out the door. Lord, does the weather ever change in Texas.

We had a shrimp boil that night. Yvette and I did the shopping, and Noah came over and did the cooking. Lola came home with the baby, so it was a nice full house—full of family. Two babies playing. Lots of laughs.

The cold front finally made its arrival while the shrimp and pot were cooking. Of course it did. The wind picked up something fierce, but it didn’t stop us. When it was finally time to eat, we stuffed our faces. Shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, and delicious mushrooms. The mushrooms soak up so much flavor. It was a wonderful night.

Monday, that cold son of a bitch had dug in like an Alabama tick. It was overcast and freezing—I mean that. While I was out running errands, I had little balls of ice bouncing off my windshield. Just light sleet. It was supposed to snow, but it never happened. Sad, because I had my nephews all hyped up for it. Them being from Houston, they don’t see snow very often.

By Tuesday, the sun was back out and it had warmed up nicely. I spent the day doing things around the house and eventually chased a squirrel up into the attic. In the process, I tripped over some of Lola’s crap in the garage, so I decided to clean out the attic above it to start putting things up there and out of the way.

The prior owners had left about ten boxes up there in a small space. I brought them down one by one and went through them—mostly old bank statements, tax forms, and transaction records. This guy kept everything. One box had more personal material inside: birth certificates for their kids, a wedding license, newspaper cutouts, just random shit. Did you know you could obtain a legal document that obligates the wife to excuse the husband from drinking and doing all sorts of crazy shit? Wild.

When I finally reached for the last box, three hours later, it wouldn’t budge. This one had more than paper in it. What I discovered was pottery—an entire set along with some mismatched pieces. They looked hand-painted. The newspaper they were wrapped in was from 1965. Had they been in the attic for sixty years? Holy shit.

What I discovered was that they were made by a woman named M. A. Hadley, a famous pottery artist born in 1921. She passed away in 1965. Was that why they were stored away in the attic—for safekeeping? Looking up the prices for modern sets, I already knew the brand was expensive. If these were original, what might they be worth?

After cleaning up, I went out to my mother’s to visit with the nephews again before they left in the morning. The time we have with others just doesn’t last as long as we want it to. I wish they could have stayed longer.

New Year’s Day started with a doctor’s appointment, followed by downtown exploring and Korean lunch. Yvette and I needed a lunch date. I was surprised we didn’t really go out to eat much during our time off.

The meal jacked my blood sugar up pretty high, so I decided to take Hazel for a little walk to try and lower it. Did the trick nicely. Hazel is enjoying the daddy-daughter time, and it’s good for both of us.

I had errands to run before the night’s festivities. I wasn’t entirely sure how many businesses would be open on New Year’s Day, so I ran around gathering what I’d need. When I got back home, I found Yvette asleep on the couch. I guess the queso for the night was on me to make, which I was happy to knock out.

That evening, we spent New Year’s at my in-laws’. We had pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and potato salad. Roger made me a nice strong drink, and I was instantly relaxed. The Cotton Bowl was on TV, and Miami won against Ohio—a surprise. More drinks went down the gullet, and eventually we all sat around waiting for midnight. Everyone was tired, and it pained us to make it to the new year, but we endured.

Happy New Year!!! Goodbye 2025! Hello 2026!!!

New Year’s Day started off exactly as one might expect: a sink overflow in the bathroom at 6:50 a.m. I cleaned it and fed the dogs—no big deal. As I finished the chores, I stood in the kitchen watching the most beautiful sunrise I’d seen in a long time. The sky was full of pinks and purples as the fire in the east slowly rose. I was excited for the day. I was excited for the new year. It began as any does, but with a little bit of chaos. I think that’s okay.

That day, I decided it was time to season my new Blackstone. It took over two hours—heat, apply seasoning, wait fifteen minutes, start all over again, times five. I enjoyed it. It was like a long tutorial session. I sat outside, read my book, and tended to the grill. When I finished, I felt good. We grilled that night.

I cooked breakfast outside the next morning and basically just chilled until 1:30, when I took Hazel for a walk. We’re enjoying our walks on these nice days. Afterward, I went hunting for sheep. I found three—and a few squirrels, too. I drove around the lake and through areas I hadn’t been in years. It’s amazing how quickly things change. I felt nostalgia out the ass..

Saturday, Yvette and Tee took off to Fort Worth to look at a truck, which they did end up buying—awesome. I slept in. That drive there and back kills my back, so I made a pass on the journey.

Once out of bed, I needed to clean the shower tiles. I hate cleaning tile—it’s a real pain in the ass. After that bullshit was knocked out, I ran some errands around town and took my merry ass time.

I had the urge for Chinese food and decided to hit up a joint I hadn’t been to since 2016: Wok n Rice. Damn the luck—they were closed for the holidays. I made the drive to the north side for nothing. Or did I…

Another place Yvette and I had meant to try last holiday break was right around the corner, so I figured, why the hell not. It wasn’t Chinese, but Thai-Japanese fusion. I ordered the chicken katsu, which I only knew about from pictures that had haunted me on Facebook for over a year.

The place itself was small and nothing fancy. Honestly, that’s exactly what I want when walking into a place I haven’t been to yet. The staff was super quick and nice, and the food was mind-blowing. I wasn’t expecting the complimentary soup and salad like you get at hibachi grills. I feel safe bringing Yvette next time, having tried it for myself.

While on that side of town, I decided to visit my grandparents’ grave. It had been way too long, and I couldn’t really tell you why. I wasn’t even sure I could find the site without wandering, but my memory served me better than expected—it only took a couple of minutes.

Looking at the grave, I decided it needed flowers. I was utterly unprepared. I promptly left and drove across town to get some to lay on the grave. As I made my way back, I felt a peace wash over me. Maybe I needed to do this.

I took a little walk through the cemetery and once again realized how peaceful a cemetery actually is. Relaxing. Not sad at all. Communing with the deceased should be peaceful. I was happy with my impromptu decision to visit them.

Sunday, we took down all of Christmas. I finished Welcome to Derry, and Yvette and I watched Alaya. It was the end of our little holiday. I guess it had to end.

Until next time.
Cheers, 2026!!

Breakfast photos from the holiday, because why not.