Trying to build a new rhythm.  Between work, school, homework, library time, family, this week disappeared in a blur.  Yep, routines are changing, and somehow I’m back in school doing homework and actually enjoying it.

The weekend was finally upon us, and when I woke up early Saturday morning, I made myself go straight back to bed. The hell with getting up early. I really didn’t have anything pressing in the yard, so Yvette and I slept in until Lola called to say she was at the front door around nine.

She brought the baby, so we were able to see Alaya briefly before they once again disappeared to her gymnastics class. Yep, she started that back up. It’s good for her. I was happy to see her, and I could tell that she was just as happy to see us.

So, you good folks who are reading this need to know my feelings on Alaya being with her mom all the time. It’s good for her, but it also makes me sad — and wary.   Understand that for months, Alaya was basically being raised by Yvette and me. This was a period when Lola was seeing a total asshole and was never around. She would abandon Alaya with us. We were perfectly fine with that, but some heads-up would have been nice. That could be frustrating at times, especially when we had prior plans.

So we did what we had to do. We accepted that Alaya was basically going to be with us like she was our own little child. She was always a pleasure, which made it easy. I got to experience a little of what it must feel like to be a father, and I fucking loved it. Every moment of it. Alaya was my sunshine, and we did so much with her. From December to May, she was part of my everyday.

Flash forward.

Now, Lola almost always has Alaya — they do not stay under the same roof as Yvette and me.  Hell, Lola no longer has a bed at the house. She has basically moved in with her new boyfriend. More recently, she has moved Alaya with her. Alaya only stays with us when Lola needs her to. We went from very much raising a child to being more like traditional grandparents — only seeing the child on occasion.

It’s hard, and damn if I don’t miss seeing that little girl all the time. But I’m also glad that she now is spending the time she needs with her momma. I’m glad that Lola pulled her head out of her own ass and is now back to being the good mom she was before meeting that other asshole.

I actually like her new boyfriend, and I’m happy to report that Alaya also really likes him. He seems to be really good with her, and I know he has strong feelings for the little girl. That is very important. The most important thing, really.

So I’m sad and happy all at once. I don’t think I’m being selfish when I say I want that time we had back — but I also just want what’s best for that sweet girl. I miss her.

With no Alaya and no Teegan, it truly feels like an empty nest. It’s so quiet. The thing is, Yvette and I both expected to have Alaya around most of the time once Teegan was out — and sadly, we do not.  But when we do have her, those moments are special. (We had her Sunday night. Yay!!!)

Anyways…..

I had some chores to do, so I went after them. First things first: take care of that big branch that came crashing down from my tree during last week’s surprise storm. Fucking brittle-ass pecan tree. It was too big for my battery-operated chainsaw, but I managed to disassemble it, fit it in my car, and dump it illegally on campus. Good riddance.

Afterwards, Yvette and I ran some errands. We had returns and purchases to make. Just the basic bullshit a family does. The boring parts of life are made much better with each other’s company.

We eventually both got hungry and decided to split a plate of nachos at a place called Rosa’s. What a romantic lunch — actually, it really was a nice meal with the one I love. I guess now that it is just the two of us, we don’t really have to plan Saturday lunches. We can stop for nachos on a whim.

After errands, Yvette had a birthday party to attend, so I went to the campus library to read and take a quiz. I was much more prepared this go-round and accomplished my task without any technological hindrance.

That evening, we had dinner, some drinks, and watched a Netflix special called The Preacher’s Wife. Good lord, some people are batshit crazy. I was pretty captivated by reality’s bullshit. What is wrong with some people?

Sunday morning was the opposite of Saturday. I woke up and carried out the usual morning routines: watering and coffee. I did some basic household chores and proceeded to start Chapter Two of my textbook. I will say, having always enjoyed the weather, I found it exciting to learn more about the technical aspects of it. I already knew a lot of the basic concepts, but I wasn’t aware of the correct terminology and specifics behind them. Exciting stuff.

The textbook was also well-written and not at all boring. Maybe this is because I am older and view it less as a chore now that I’m not in my twenties.

Fuck, that might be the case. I’m just old.

Later that morning, I decided to go see a random-ass horror movie called Buddy. I was intrigued because I knew the short film that the writer/director had previously done, Too Many Cooks. An acid trip of a short horror film. I wondered what kind of full-length film this guy could cook up.

I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I went to the movies on my own. While waiting for the movie, a screening for Pan’s Labyrinth came on. The 20th anniversary. Jesus, that made me feel old. Like, really old.

The movie began, and it was just like being sucked into one of those shitty ’90s kids’ shows. Fucking hell. I laughed a lot. It was a trip. Was it scary? Not really. Creepy at times, and definitely unnerving. I would have liked a little more explanation of what was going on behind the scenes, but oh well. I think part of that creepy vibe came from the fact that I’ve always been a little unnerved by those ’90s kids’ specials. My brother watched Barney in the mornings, and it made me ill. Haha. Mainly, I was just happy to be able to watch something like it in my little town.

Was it something I’d rewatch? Probably not. Some parts could have really used some trimming. I thought some good ideas existed but needed to be run through a filter. Was it worth watching in the first place? Absolutely. One hell of an art-house horror film, and I was happy with my afternoon choice.

After the film, I made my way to the library to finish taking notes and complete a quiz. I left my phone at the house, which was probably for the best. Someone had taken my spot. Oh no!!! What was I to do!!!

Yeah, I’d already claimed a spot — actually, I’m reclaiming it.. I picked out the spot twenty years ago, so when I went on Sunday to find it already taken, I panicked. Luckily for me, I found that the next-best spot was open. Lord, what would I have done otherwise?

I enjoy the library. I’ve actually missed my old dwellings. The one place where you are assured some quiet. I don’t think enough people understand that or take advantage of what that means The world is loud. The library is a place where people are expected to shut the fuck up — that’s a gift. Use it if the world gets too loud.

That night, we had the girl with us. I was stoked for that. Dinner, some Paw Patrol with Alaya, and that was Sunday night. It was great having her around, and she seemed very happy to be home with her own stuff. Goodbye to another weekend. That’s how you wrap things up.

The work week was a blur.

Monday, I woke up around 5 a.m. with a baby foot in my face. She snuck into the bed at some point. I guess she sort of broke my routine. When we had her all the time, I expected routines to change.

I got up and made breakfast, but rather than watering outside, I finished up some coursework. I figured the morning quiet would be as good a time as any to knock it out. That completed all my assignments for Week One. It felt good to have them complete, and hopefully, no other bumps in the road will prevent me from being on top of shit like last week.

Work was surprisingly slow for me, and I was the one making purchases. This allowed me some flexibility. Our marketing department was giving out free shirts so we could all wear blue on Friday, so I volunteered to get my coworkers and me all shirts. I jumped on the cart and made a voyage across campus, and I picked up Yvette along the way to accompany me. It’s always nice to have something free on the university dime. In lieu of pay? Yeah…

After work, we went and visited Noah, Nadia, and Niles and ran errands before coming home to a quiet house. We are still getting used to that.

Tuesday was boring. What can I really say? Mundane horse shit.

Wednesday, I was busy at work. The first thing I had to do was bring my computer in to have it re-checked out for another week. Yay!! I had another week!!

After work, I went to the library again to work on reading and finish a quiz. I mostly found myself working on an equinox assignment that required drawing a sketch. That was fun, but I might have overthought it. My mind doesn’t do well with mirrors.

After studying, I went home to find Yvette had cooked fajitas, and Lola, her boyfriend, and Alaya were there. I had fun and was thankful for Yvette. The last thing I wanted to do after a study session was cook. I was tired from work and the homework.

Thursday was just another fucking day at work. Afterwards, Yvette and I went to her grandparents’ to celebrate Aunt Gloria’s 70th birthday. It was wings, fries, and cake. Not a lot going on, but still a good time with family.

We got home, and I finished an assignment while Yvette worked on removing her nails before Friday’s appointment. It was a mellow evening.

Friday finally arrived, and I couldn’t tell you how happy I was for that. The office was terribly short-staffed, which was how I liked it. Quiet. I was busy running around town and making purchases, but that was good, and it made the day progress wonderfully.

We had a little storm activity toward the end of the day. Thunder and lightning. That’s typical.

When I got off work, I went to the cemetery right next to our office. Earlier in the day, an old friend of mine was put to rest. A guy I had known for nearly twenty years and, for a long time, saw just about every week. It’s weird. He was a big part of a chapter in my life that I closed years ago, and the news of his passing brought back memories.

I felt I only owed the man some of my respect, so I said my goodbye.

At home, I found that Alaya was there! What a Friday afternoon gift. We were kicking off the weekend perfectly with her addition. I couldn’t be any happier.

One thing I found during the week was how to fit classwork into my life. I think I did a pretty good job of it. I completed all my work for Week Two on the third, when it is all due on the eighth. I felt good about it and actually had a little fun working on a project that required a little bit of drawing.

Listen to me — I had fun working on homework.I didn’t think I would ever be saying that again in my life.

It’s good to find a routine.

I have developed so many new routines in the last month, and I am enjoying them. It’s nice. That’s really what this week was kind of about: working new things into a life built on routine — and I think I’m starting to figure it out. I did that throughout August, and it seems like I’m starting September well enough with some more.

Happy Friday!! 

Jalapeño

Shrimp tacos!!

Rice w/ ham, avocado, pico, cheese and green sauce.

T eyes taco salad special.

French bread pizza.

Pad Kra Pao

Queso chicken taco.

Cordon Blu done my way. This is a recipe I made years ago that I’ve never made for Yvette. It’s been about at least 5 years since I’ve made it. the sauce is the key. Ask me if you want the recipe.